{ What I'm Reading - Nov 9, 11' }

What I'm Reading.

I'm reading Taming Time. It is one of the books I got from City University on time management. It talks about setting priorities, plans and goals. Just got to 1/3 of it and going to try the time log tomorrow.

{ Book Review - Female Designers }

The title of this book can be loosely translated as "Female Designers" by Japanese artist and designer 矢崎順子. (The book is translated to Chinese.) She interviewed 25 female designers working in various areas ranging from illustrator, hat makers to exhibition designer. The book goes into detail about their work environment, how they became a professional in their chosen area, and the qualities needed to succeed in their respective professions. The book really did open up my eyes as to what an "art-lover" can do. I wish there was a book like this when I was little since I didn't know of any jobs that people can do if they like to draw. It is an inspirational book for any interested in learning more about art/designed related jobs.

{ What I'm Reading #1. }

What I'm Reading #1.

The Right Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee. - Start to create my business plan.   Use Your Head by Tony Buzan. - Learning how to do mind map. 時間管理幸福學. Aboue time management.

One of my goals for this summer is to read 30 books. This is the first 3... ... I know I'm not going to finish all 30 since most of the books I want to read are the more technical books that take more time to understand. Will see how many books I went through by September.

{ Journal Page - June 24 & 28 10' }

The above is a collage journal page using elements provided for Collage Play with Crowabout group - Week 84. The page is about my school results. I finally got the results from school and am very disappointed. I know I messed up on one subject but didn't expect such disappointing results for 2 other subjects. U see, this particular school does not allow students to look at their own marked assignments or tests. So when it comes time to study and prepare for exam, you will never know what marks you have before going in or what mistakes you have made during mid-terms. This really annoys me. I would like to check what marks I actually got and or what I have done wrong since I do believe I deserve a better grade. I didn't do any journal pages for a while coz I'm kinda upset about the result. Deciding what to do next. Whether I should stay or go elsewhere.

Challenge # 15 - Goals for July. I came across Janel's blog, Run With Scissors. She is currently hosting a 30 Day Journal Challenge. This is my first entry though it is already # 15 out of the total 30. I'm going to work on the previous ones after # 30. This one is about setting Goals for July. One of the ways to getting things done is to put them down, break them up into smaller steps and put them into your schedule like booking appointments so you will always remember to set them for them. I'm looking forward to crossing off my July Goal list and seting an August one soon.  :) I have finished reading Eat, Pray, Love, and am re-reading it again to take down some inspiring ideas. I'm so amazed coz it is like nothing that I have ever read before. I thought it is just going to be like another book but many things in this little book have helped me just when I really needed some help. I started praying and writing my morning pages everyday. I'm going to write down all those inspiring ideas and keep them close by so I can revisit these ideas whenever I need to. Just started to read a book by Po Bronson called What Should I Do with My life? The book is recommended to me by a friend and I plan on finishing this in July. Going to write more about it later on.

{ Collage Play & Art Journal Page, May 11, 2010 }

Usually I don't start with any pre-determined idea about what a page will look like. I just go along with the colour and the collage elements to see where they're going to take me. But once in a while I would like to break the usuall pattern since I do tend to have certain colour preference. I especially don't "like" the green and orange colour combo so decided to play with them during the weekend. The colour experiment didn't go very well and I didn't really know what to do with the page so I decided to stick some paper strips onto it... ... it is still missing SOMETHING. I'm going to leave this page for now, perhaps that SOMETHING will pop up one day. What do people usually call that "SOMETHING"? I think I will call it "Missing Spark" ?

I finally found a pen that I like for drawing and writing on watercolour pencil background. The matt white, blue and pink shown on this journal page are done with the Sakura Souffle. (I think my scanner is too bright so the pink doesn't show through at all, but I do like the colours alot once they're dry.) The Sakura pens are also mentioned in on Kelly's page.

Collage elements provided by and for Collage Play With Crowabout group.

Since I only play with collage and art journal pages once in a while (not like an everyday "art/mind exercise", I'm still searching for/building up a "style". Sometimes I tend to do simple drawings/collage but other times I have to fill the page up. I enjoy playing with both types but still wonder if I need to find a "style" for myself or simply playing and enjoying is enough because I would like to further develop this artistic ability. I do wonder how other people find their style and how long does it take for them to find it. -_-?

I'm still reading Getting Things Done since I'm reading and following David's advice at the same time. So it is going to take me a really really long time to finish the book.  (I'm just starting with my "In" list and I have the book for about  2 years now... -_-; )
I will be doing a lot less journal pages in May since it is the end of my school term with assignments due and exams coming up. Cannot wait for May to be over!

{ Happy Tuesday ♥ }

from left to right:

4 of the mini zines I have received for the mini zines swap and a teddy bear box that I bought just to store them. (Ever since I laid my eyes on it, I have been looking for an excuse to get it. lol ) Delicious strawberry from the wet market. Didn't take the camera with me much this week, will remember to take it out more often.

Craft book recommendation -


Ms Applegreen has just got a new book out on needle felting and wet felting. In comes with a DVD! Very afforable too! Check out her adorable felt creations. (The book is in Chinese.)
I will definitely put this book on my list!

Finally went get to watch Coraline in 3D, have to admit I love the animation and craft, however 3D glasses is making me sick... Didn't feel so good afterwards. Looking forward to making some Coraline inspired craft after my finals in May. Went onto the movie site and made myself this funny looking jpg.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Been reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This is a Great read.
Intro about the book:
Dr. Pausch was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was asked to give a "last lecture" as most professors do to give words of wisdoms to others. His is about Achieving childhood dreams.
It is one of the most wonderful books. Definitely one that I would give to my children to help guide them on the way.
Here is the video clip for his lecture.