October DT challenge for Magnolia-licious

Each month, the Magnolia-licious Design Team takes turns issuing challenges. This month is was Suzanne's turn. She decided instead of doing a sketch, she would challenge us to make an easel card. I must say....this was a really hard challenge for me. Not the easel card itself, cause I really love this and will make more. But the twist to the challenge threw me for a loop! The twist is to make it monochromatic. I struggled so much with this card. I honestly have been working on it for almost three weeks now. I would pick it up, and put it down, and keep repeating that process. I finally just decided tonight to bite my lip and finish it. I'm still not really sure about it.......

I used # 388 Dinner Tilda from the A Little Yummy For Your Tummy collection available at Magnolia-licious. She is colored with Copic markers. All of the stamps in this collection are adorable! If you haven't seen them yet, be sure and rush over to Magnolia-licious! While you're there, join the Yahoo Group to get even better prices. Diana gives her Yahoo group extra discounts and goodies!

The card base is Bazzil and the DP are all digi from Wild Rose Studio. The stars were cut with my Cricut Expression with the George cartridge, and the flourishes are from the new Sweethearts cartridge. The flourishes are also covered with diamond stickles. I really love the way this card sets up for viewing. Please visit the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog to see the fabulous creations from the rest of the Design Team, and to see the directions on how to build this card.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, and I hope to see you back again soon! HUGS !

PARKER HURLEY

INTRODUCING THE NEW 'PARKER HURLEY" A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF LUXURY, ART & MODERNITY PARKER HURLEY........... TIMELESS ELEGANCE photos: Tony Duran

♥ back from china & my NEW HAIR!!

Helloo ^^
I am back from almost 1 week trip from China.
This trip, again, to focused on shopping.
I likey likey shopping.. hehee ^^


China was GREAT, i went to Guangzhou, a big city around 2-3 hours far from HongKong by train.
i have lived in HK for about 3 years & i have lived in Guangzhou for about 2 years, so i'm already a bit familiar with that 2 city.


ONIC, a blogger friend of mine asked me to compare Bangkok & China for which are the best for shopping.
So I'll put down some points.


BANGKOK:
Must Visit -> JJ Market, Platinum Mall
Pros (^0^)
- cheap, can bargain normally, some are fixed price or wholesale price but it's already a good deal.
- quality is so-so but some are really good.
- style is up-to-date, fashionable, & fits SE Asians Fashion (esp Indo's & Thai's have a similar sense of fashion).
- they have quite many of individuals or homemade stuffs that are actually really good so it'll be limited & unique in the same time, not only the stuffs from the factories.
- easy transportation (tuktuk,taxi,bus) & they are not expensive at all.
Cons (-_-)
- not much of fake branded bags (chanel,LV).. if there is they are usually expensive or overprice compare to china
- they will take your fake branded bags with no warning in bangkok & replace them with a trash bag. so becareful, it's probably better to bring a normal bag with no brand at all. lol.
- they are quite many rules to follow in bangkok, there will be some certain penalty to pay if fail to do so. examples: strictly no lighting up any naked fire in the market.

Guangzhou, CHINA:
Must Visit -> Leather Market & lots of markets in chinese langauge. email me if you want the list.
Pros (^o^)
- CHINA is the only place to go to buy fake branded bags. it's heaven!!
- the quality is usually pretty good, but be a good eyes!!
- CHINA is the cheapest place to buy probably ANYTHING. be smart & you will have the best deal.
- Bargaining with no limits. if you think that's already cheap, trust me, it can be cheaper! lol.
bring a calculator if you want to bargain. this will make your life easier there.
- transportation is easy to find. taxi is the easiest & not expensive at all.
- not that much rules to follow. lol. unless if you're in HK.
- furniture, gadgets, etc are also a very good deal to buy in china.
Cons (-_-)
- fashion style depends on the seasons. if you are going around winter, you're most likely to find winter clothing.
- the fashion style for clothes is trendy but i personally think that shopping for clothing is trendier in BKK. xD
- they barely can speak english, learn some basic mandarin in order to succes of bargaining. lol.
- you have to be a little bit brave & skillfull to bargain in china because they usually overcharge foreigner more than 50%, unless if you're good at bargaining.
- beware of fake money! they're everywhere & you can't tell!


hope the lists answers some of your curiousity, onic! & also for others.
in my personal experienced opinion though, if you want to focus to buy clothing, shoes, & some accessories for yourself, Bangkok it's probably a better place to go because it's nearer, easier, & i'm sure it's trendier than in china. however, Bangkok is more expensive than in china.
buut if you want to buy hella lots of stuffs & you want to buy some really cool fake branded bags, then china is a perfect place for you. your choice, hun. xD


I, myself, got lots of stuffs in china.
it's almost winter in china so the summer outfits are locked in the warehouse. lol.
i'll show you what i got in another post. xD


Moving on..
I got a new haircut.. lol. Do you like ittt? hate itt?
I'll tell you some stories behind this later~~ hehee ^^

love.love ♥♥

I feel pretty. . .

Every girl deserves a makeover now and then, and Bake at 350 is no exception!

If you are reading this through a feed or a reader, click on over and take a gander at my blog makeover!!!

{Insert squealing here!!!}

Let me tell you, Jessica, over at This, That and Your Blog is a wonder. Here's why...

1. Working with Jessica is an absolute pleasure. She never made me feel like I asked a stupid question (and believe me, I did).
2. She is patient. This blog has become my baby...or at least a pet...and she held my hand along the way.
3. Jessica listened to my ideas but has seriously cute ideas of her own!
4. Her prices are extremely reasonable!!! Seriously, if you are in the market for a blog makeover, get on her waiting list!
5. Oh, and I LOVE MY PRETTY NEW BLOG!!!
   

Did I mention Jessica is in college?!? This girl is going places. I never would have dreamed of having my own business in college. I mean, I worked, but a good chunk of my free time was spent learning the finer points of a little game called Quarters.

***update!!! Jessica is offering all Bake at 350 readers a 5% discount off a custom blog design of $35 or more. Wow...her prices are so great already! Just mention "Bake at 350" when contacting her to receive the discount.***

Go check her out for yourself! And let me know what you think of my new look! ;) Thank you, Jessica!

People, prepare for some time wasting.

Regular commenter Fat Sparrow has just alerted me to a new website, which is truly truly glorious.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Do not pass go, do not collect $200, but just go there right now.

If you're a touch busy saving either babies or the planet to be arsing around on the internet right now,here's a wee taste of some of the gold you'll find over there.

First up, Obama's limo.
I mean where's Top Gear when you need it?

And here's someone who I'd just love to introduce to Pink Hair from Tuesday's post.
Let me count the ways I love the internet.

Happy Birthday Peggy!!

Today is my sister's birthday, so my post today is to honor her. I can remember when we were growing up, I wanted to be exactly like her. I wanted to go everywhere she went, do everything she did, and I have absolutely no doubt that I probably drove her crazy. LOL! And even though I drove her crazy, she was -and always has been - there for me when I needed her. She has become the matriarch of our family - a role she slid right into after our Mom passed away. And I still look up to her and strive to be like her. So when I saw this image by Mo from Digital Image Too titled "Sisters", I knew I had to have it for her Birthday card. It encompasses that amazing feeling of what it's like to have a big sister that always takes care of you and is there for you when you need her. Whether it be to tie your shoes, or give a hug. So today is the day to celebrate her. Thank you, Peggy, for everything you've always done for me. I'm so proud to be able to say you're my sis!

I knew I should have done this post after I finished the card, cause I honestly can't remember who the paper is by. I do know the cardstock is Bazzil and the image is colored with Copic markers which are pictured below. That awesome raffia lace I used was a gift from my wondeful friend, Jacque, and I love it. If you're interested, I have seen it in Bunny Zoe's shop. The flowers were cut using my Cricut Expression, and so was the scalloped square behind the stamped image.

Happy Birthday, Peggy!!!! I love you and I hope your day is fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by today to visit, and hope to see you back again soon! I'd love it if you would visit Peggy and take a look at her awesome vintage images. I think you'll like what you see! HUGS!

Pearly Girly

Giving cookies a pearl finish is simple. Just brush on a little Super Pearl luster dust. (I got mine here.)

{It's a little hard to see in the pictures, but the cookie on the left has the pearl finish and the other doesn't.}

Using a child's paintbrush, simply brush the dry luster dust on the cookies once the royal icing has dried overnight. If you want a more opaque finish, follow the instructions here.

I timed myself (I do love a stopwatch, not sure why), and it took me a little less than 1 minute per cookie to add the dry luster dust, so plan accordingly.

As I was coating them, I kept thinking "pretty, pretty princess." Is this a saying? I have a boy...why am I repeating this phrase? Maybe I am crazy?!? Anyhoo...the pearl sheen does make them look very, well, pretty pretty princess.

My customer wanted pale pink and white cupcakes with a pearlized finish and pale green dots on the top. These were given out with a little girl's 1st birthday party invitations. How cute is that idea?!? An invitation with a cookie...yes, please!

Custom orders are always welcome through the shop and I'm still accepting Halloween orders.


Related posts:

• everything's coming up roses
• a cookie full of posies
• teddy bears' picnic