Moving Up

This blog has been moved to:  http://issasarza.com

See you all there!

Living The Hippie Life

Exactly one year ago, I said goodbye to what many people cling to -- Corporate World. (I can hear oohs at the back of my head haha)

So far, this has been the best decision I ever made in my entire life because I freed myself from many things and have allowed myself to grow and learn. I freed myself from the moral, social and political norms of the corporate structure. I freed myself from a programmed life, a life that is lived just to survive. I freed myself to do the things I want to do, to let the Universe take its natural course and to just follow its flow. And this completely changed the way I see things and basically how I live my life.

"To be a hippie you must believe in peace as the way to resolve differences among peoples, ideologies and religions. The way to peace is through love and tolerance. Loving means accepting others as they are, giving them freedom to express themselves and not judging them based on appearances. This is the core of the hippie philosophy."

Leaving the corporate world was the first step I ever made towards personal growth. It started to revolutionize my little world. Now, I am proud to live a life that is so hippie I no longer belong to any establishment, religion, or class. And every single day, my happiness and wonder with life grows tremendously.

"Our society only permits you one or two weeks a year of freedom to pursue your own agenda. The rest of the time we are slaves to the system. Hippies reject the 9 to 5 lifestyle and therefore are objects of ridicule by those whose lives run by the clock. Programmed people are jealous and resent the freedom we possess. The unmitigated freedom that hippies represent is the greatest threat to any system in which control equals power."

I don't exactly remember when and how I was transformed. I just woke up one day and I realized that I am more concerned about the Earth and the Universe. haha.

"So being a hippie is not a matter of dress, behavior, economic status, or social milieu. It is a philosophical approach to life that emphasizes freedom, peace, love and a respect for others and the earth."

My birthday comes right after the day I left "the normal world" so it's like a rebirth for me. And since I'm one hippie year old now, I will celebrate it the hippie way -- my way. :)

Let Freedom, Peace and Love rule our world!

DIY Notepads

I've been looking for a notebook or even small pieces of paper I can write on and I noticed that we ran out of notepads! Eeek! It's one of the most dreadful thing that we can lose in our home-office, at least for me.

And since I honestly don't want to head out to the nearest bookstore and simply purchase notepads, I thought I'd get a little creative with Mr. Snuggles' old, unused planners and make my own notepads. Well, I still went to the bookstore to purchase the padding glue for this DIY project. haha

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut up the old but unused planner into your desired size using a cutter. I was lucky that Mr. Snuggles' 2008 UP Planner had nice lines that were almost equally laid out on every page. I used a ruler and tore some of the pages by hand just because I like how rugged hand-torn paper looks like. (And the fact that I couldn't find my cutter and I was really excited to cut the pages lol)

2. Align the edges that you plan on gluing together and use a clamp to hold them together.

3. Apply a generous amount of padding glue on the side you clamped. Padding glue comes in white, which dries off clear, and in red which dries off, well... red. :) It would be better if you use a heavy object to

4. Let it dry and voila! You have yourself a lovely notepad!

A visual how-to right here:

My notepads were a huge success at home and I might design other pads as party favors, giveaways or gifts. Will definitely keep you guys posted!

FREEBIE: Valentine's Hearfelt Stickers

I've been reading Osho's book entitled Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships and I think his concepts are revolutionary. I wonder how many people are experiencing and more importantly, "giving" real love these days. Guilty of unreal love myself, I am dead set on changing my ways. :)

I'm getting too serious, yeah?

I don't want to bore you so let me just quote one of my favorite lines so far from Osho.

"If I have to choose between the words love and God, I will choose love; I will forget all about God, because those who know love are bound to know God. But it is not vice versa: Those who think about God and philosophize about God may never know about love -- and will never know about God, either."

Well, I am so far away from my title!!! haha.

I've been so engrossed with the meaning of love lately that it inspired me to make these heartfelt stickers for all of you!

I love how they all came out especially because this is actually my first time to dive into digital art. (Thank you Freehand!) Many graphic artists would think I'm nuts for using such a program but what the heck, so far, it's the only graphic/lay-out program I know (was the term even correct?!).

Still, they looked pretty darn good for my first time.

Stick these on your V-day gifts for your friends, family and your one and only!

Enjoy!

Freebie Download:  Valentine's Heartfelt Sticker

Valentine's Day Banners

One more week to go before February and we are welcoming it with so much love!

I've set up banners inside our home just to welcome the month of love :)

Freebie Download: Valentine's Day Banners

Valentine's Pinwheel Box

Here's a great way to give out those mini chocolate hearts or other trinkets to your lovey-dovey.

You can slip inside small pieces of chocolate or a love note. Or better yet, if you are planning on giving a big surprise gift to someone special, you can use these cute pinwheel boxes as a countdown calendar to tease him/her before giving out the surprise. You can fill each box with trinkets, notes or anything under the sun to clue in your recipient about his/her big surprise!

Remember to add handwritten love notes or mushy quotes!

Here's how you can make them:

1. Download the Pinwheel Box template. Print it out on a 200gsm vellum board or any board you like.

2. Cut along the lines provided in the template.

3. You should have a Ninja Star-like pattern. Turn it over so you'll have the pattern on the other side.

4. Fold in the flaps, pattern side out. Follow the folding guide (line dashes) in the pattern.

5. Fold in all the four flaps. Do it as neatly as possible, lines are pretty accurate. There's a space near the "L" corner where you can put a double stick tape. Peel the backing of the double stick tape.

6. Tuck the side with the "L" corner under the curved corner and stick the two corners together.

7. You can also put a small tape inside if you have not used a double stick tape. (Just like I did) Close about 3 flaps only, so you'll have enough room to tuck in your goodies.

8. Slip in your chocolates or notes or whatever trinkets you might want to give your lovey-dovey or friends.

9. Seal the pinwheel box by using a tape under the 3rd flap (which you'll stick to the 4th flap). No need to tape the 4th flap.

Download Freebie:  Pinwheel Box Template (printable)

Have fun making these boxes!

Valentine's Day Garden Soap

Gardening has been listed in my to-do list since 2008. I haven't gotten around doing it yet but last year I planted my own tomatoes. I was pretty good at it until my kittens played with it. My tomato plant grew to about a foot and a half and then one morning, I just found it in shreds. And to think that it was really organic. Boohoo.

Anyway, I made a garden soap which I can hang on the faucet.

For now, I will just rub this Valentine's day-inspired garden soap while imagining all the flowers in bloom. Oh, why Valentine's Day garden soap? It has oatmeal to gently remove all the dirt from my hands and Chocolate, Vanilla and Peppermint essential oils to give that sexy and playful scent that I really love.

You can use any type of soap for this. Just punch a small hole about half an inch away from the edge and loop your favorite ribbon, rope through it.

This is nice because you wouldn't have to put the soap into a soap dish. Sometimes it gets really gross when it gets a little watery. Besides, it's more cost efficient because your soap doesn't melt as fast!

Have fun hanging soaps on your faucets!

Fortune Cookie Soap

Making fortune cookies is really addicting! I can't believe I want to do more of these everyday. Haha. Well, I'll probably try a couple more ways of making fortune cookies. For now, I have tried making them using glycerine. It looks absolutely darling! Here's what I came up with. I made my fortune cookie soaps in red simply because it's my favorite color.

 You can get instructions on how to make these by clicking here.  I suddenly realized that I got so obsessed making fortune cookies that I almost forgot that Valentine's Day is almost up as well! Watch out for great Valentine's ideas in the coming days! For now, enjoy making your soaps!

Fortune Cookie Favors

I've been looking for great favors for my birthday this February (hush hush). And since the Chinese New Year will be celebrated this coming February as well, I am going for Fortune Cookie Party Favors. :)

I have tried making the cookies out of paper today and tomorrow I'll be using soap and a few days before my birthday, I'll try to make the real, edible fortune cookies. That way, the cookies will stay fresh!

Oh by the way, did you know that Fortune Cookies did not originate from China? It came from the good old California, USA. From whom and from what year is still unknown. Nevertheless, it's still the most enjoyable treat after a sumptuous Chinese dinner!

Just because my B-day is on its way doesn't mean I should be the only one receiving gifts. This is going to be my first freebie in this blog. Yay!

These "paper" fortune cookie favors will look great on top of the plate or you can use them as place cards.

You can download the printable cookies and fortunes by clicking here.

Enjoy!

*For the instructions, you may click the above photo and zoom in. Otherwise, you can also refer to it below.

1. Cut out the circles from the printable fortune cookies file using your scissors.

2. Fold a half circle with the pattern side in. Make a crease.

3. Open your circle and turn it pattern side out. Then turn your circle so that the crease you made in step 2 is vertical fold. Hold the circle half horizontally, pattern side out, rounded side down. Do NOT crease.

4. Hold the half circle and push the middle of the folded side with your index finger.

5. As you push in, the top corners will start to turn up.

6. Continue to hold the half circle and use your other hand to pull the corners in until they nearly meet and form the fortune cookie shape.

7. If your cookie doesn't want to stay folded, use a tiny piece of double stick tape or glue to keep the halves together.

8. Before gluing the cookie, don't forget to insert your fortune. Print them out from the downloadable file and place them in the middle of the folded cookie.

* If you used glue, you can use a fork to hold the ends together.

I'd like to see your own versions of this paper fortune cookie so please feel free to email me a photo and we'll post them here. :)

Advanced Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Creative Pin Cushions

Ever since I started sewing the other day, I've been dead set on finding a nice spot for my ancient Brother sewing machine (thank you Aunt Erna!). I'm looking for a cute little table that can hold my heavy machine. In the meantime, I am looking for accessories like pin cushions. My mom's old hand made pin cushion is just... well, too old now (imagine, she has had it since I was 5 years old!).

Good thing Liliput Creations creates these lovely and yummy-looking pin cushions! They're sold at P60-P75 only (about $1.50 each only, shipping not yet included).

Check out Liliput Creations' pin cushions here.

DIY Fisherman Pants

This is actually my 2nd sewing project ever. haha. My first one was my lunch bag way back in highschool. I think I may have sold it at some garage sale Mr. Snuggles and I join each quarter.

My mom was great with anything that has to do with a sewing machine. Come to think of it, she's really good with so many things. I wish she was here so she can help me fill this blog with creative ideas.

Anyway, with my mom as my inspiration, I tried making my own fisherman pants. It looked real easy to make and I like how raw and natural it looks when worn. For my pants, I used flour bags which I got from our local bakery. They sell it at P5 per bag. I still think it's overpriced because they're going to throw it like garbage anyway and they might as well give it for free to people who'd use the bags. I used 3 bags and I'm pretty happy with the results. I used this pattern below from Mediatinker. Next time I'll dye or maybe stencil my pants.

For now, it's just plain white.

*I'll update this post when I get to take a photo of me wearing it. I had it washed first so the flour brand label won't be seen as much. I'll be wearing it this Sunday to our family's trip to a pansol.

The Ultimate Fish & Chips

My brother and Mr. Snuggles just loves Fish and Chips. I, on the other hand, love making it for them.

I followed Tyler's Ultimate Fish & Chips and I guess it turned out really yummy because everything was gone in 15 minutes or less!

Of course I tweaked the recipe a bit. Below is Issa's Ultimate Fish and Chips Recipe.

Ingredients:

Olive Oil, for frying
Potatoes
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can 7-UP
1 large lightly beaten egg
Cream Dory Fillets, cut in half
Flour, for dredging

Mama's Tartar Sauce:

1 cup Mayonnaise
1-2 tablespoons water, depends on the consistency you want
1 clove of Garlic, minced
Salt
Pepper
Parsley, finely chopped

Directions:

Pre-make your tartar sauce by combining all the tartar sauce ingredients. Add as much garlic as you want or you can also add paprika. Increase or decrease the amount of water, depending on the consistency you're looking for. But 2 tablespoons is a good start. Sometimes I end up with 3 to 4 tablespoons. Refrigerate.

Heat approximately 3 inches of Olive oil in a deep heavy skillet.

Peel and cut potatoes to desired "fries" size. Not too thin or small though as you would want them to look just like the original chips (or fries). Fry the chips for 2 to 3 minutes; they should not be crisp or fully cooked at this point. Remove the chips to a paper towel-lined platter to drain.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Combine the can of 7-UP and egg and pour into the flour mixture. Whisk to a smooth batter. Spread flour on a plate and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Dredge the Dory fillets and then dip them in the smooth batter, letting some of the excess batter drip.

Lower the battered fish onto the deep skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes until it turns into a golden brown color. Temperature should be between medium and high. Put the chips back into the oil and fry until golden brown. Remove fish and chips and season with paprika (for the adventurous ones just like the men in my life haha).

Serve with tartar sauce and love. :)


Enjoy!

Modern + Vintage

Apart from being busy with crafting and doing marvelous handmade stuff, I am also a proud owner of an organic skin-care line called SPA Ingredients. Tsk tsk tsk, I know, shameless plugging. Haha.

Every so often, we get clients who want to use our products as giveaways. Using organic products as giveaways is actually a great idea because you're spreading the organic love and you're helping the environment. This month, one of our clients requested a vintage look for her debut this year. I sewed the edges to seal them and used a digital vintage print. Here's what we came up with:

365 Days of Creative Living

Before 2010 even began, I made Mr. Snuggles (aka boyfriend haha) a recycled planner. I actually made him two kinds of planner. The first one was from a 2007 Starbucks planner. It didn't turn out the way I actually wanted because I basically changed the dates (by either slapping a brown kraft paper with print on it or I used a matching oil pastel to cover the dates) and that's pretty much it. So when I started doing my own planner, Mr. Snuggles was mighty envious of it and had me do the same for his own planner. I made a completely manly version for him and it wasn't really about creativity. His was filled with 'Success' quotes. :)

Anyway, here's how my 2010: 365 Days of Creative Living Planner came out.

Hello Blog World!

It's my first time to blog about something that I am truly passionate about. I have had blogs here and there but I have only written stuff about well... myself (haha) and stuff that's related to my life. Well, it's time to come out of my shell and write about something that I have the heart for.

If today was my last day on earth, I can honestly tell all of you that I am loving what I do. I live, breath and eat creativity. It's like I would be instantly lifeless without creativity.

So here's to the whole blogging community and to the Cyber World which I am so in love with, let's all have a wonderful time living creatively!

Cheers ~

Issa