TWO WEEKS IN THE LIFE | 1 MAY - 15 MAY

TWO WEEKS IN THE LIFE | 1 FEB - 15 FEB

I felt crap in these two weeks. Only three words crashed my world again right on the first day of May. Then, petty colleagues also annoyed me a bit. I was so anxious that I privated my instagram and closed messager and only contact people unless I want to. 

This instagram drawing described my feelings so well. I swallowed everything inside me.

Credit: @bethdrawsthings

But I know I have to distract myself from these awful feeling so I did a few things.

Design and Drawings

It has been 2 years since I drew a birthday card. It normally takes me one to finish a card by just drawings. But this time the card is mainly based on cutting so it took a bit longer to finish. I am so satisfied with the result because all the soft pastel colours cooperated so well together!

I also started to draw on my Leuchtturm 1917 notebook. I do not any specific theme for this drawing so I just draw what is on my mind at that moment. Again, I stopped drawing for a while so it takes me some time to get back on track. So far it is getting better and better. 

My Cutie Pie

I try to visit my niece once a week if i can. She grows so fast that I cannot believe that she is going to be one in a just a month. Her smile is sweet and melts me every time. Now, when she has got like an electric shock and then tries to touch my face, I know she recognizes me hahaha. Cute. 

Colours

Recently, I am really into muted colours. Normally, I am not a nail polish person at all but these days I painted my nails in grey, beige or muted pink since i use keyboard a lot at work. Even when I draw, I go for either muted colours or pastel colours. I also take my camera out more than often and try different saturation.

Just now, finally I could not take it anymore and burst into tears. I hope the situation would be better starting from next week.

Lastly, I would like to share my favourite song of the week.

Love,

Sonia

Berlin Stationary Haul 1.0

boesner | R.S.V.P | Leuchtturm1917 | Copic | 

Part one of my Berlin stationary haul is about Boesner and R.S.V.P.!

Boesner is an art supply store and I went to the biggest store in Prenzlauer Berg which the area is about 1.200 m². The store is so big that you can be lost in each aisle just by looking at what is in each shelf. I went to there mainly looking for sketching/drawing goods. But I already aimed for Leuchtturm1917 notebook and Copic Ciao makers when I was planning this trip.

At the end, I have got 2 Leuchtturm1917 notebooks and quite a lot Copic Ciao makers. Leuchtturm1917 notebooks surprised me because I have never draw or write in such a nice paper. It is perfect for colouring since the ink or colour would not be sinked through the paper and the thickness and texture of the paper is perfect. This notebook will definitely become my sketchbook for all my ideas! Also, it was so hard for me to choose what colour to buy for Copic Ciao makers. I went for pastel colours but you cannot see what kind of colour I bought exactly because it is quite sheer and I am still testing how to use it the best. But I love the colours and the brush tip. It makes you feel like you are using water colour so easy without mixing the colours with water all the time. The notebook and the makers are perfect together for drawing.

After Boesner, I went to a local paper store called R.S.V.P. in Mitte. It is divided into two stores. One side is for paper goods and another side is for stationary. I personally like the stationary side better and I bought a few bits and bobs there. Actually I was looking for something that is made in Germany or Europe which I cannot find really in Hong Kong and it will grow my collection more special. So I asked the owner about it. I got a card, bookmakers, envelopes, stickers and even masking tapes which are all from Germany if I remember right. I have not decided what to do with all these little pieces but I am sure the inspiration will come on time and it will mean something.

The second part of this haul is even more exciting!

Love,

Sonia

frannerd

Package from FRANNERD!

I was like a zombie coming home after work with a light fever.

But when I check my mailbox, I saw Fran's words and I know the package has finally arrived.

It made the fever gone for a moment hehe!

I love Fran's painting and energy.

It is so calming to watch her painting or even just listening to her talking.

I gained so much positive energy and also painting knowledge(?!) from her!

I am gonna link some YouTube videos that I like a lot here.

(She made me falling in love with Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks and Copic Ciao makers <3)

This time, I purchased Perfect Tree Shapes and a print Waiting from her Esty shop.

But let's take a moment to the lovely hand written cover of the package first.

The font is sooooo adorable!!!! I always see her font on her blog, YouTube videos and instagram pictures but having her to write my name and address, it made me feel special and I am so keeping this envelope.

Perfect Tree Shapes is about the trip of her and her friend to Paris and London.

Recently, I decided to write a journal about all my Europe trips so I want to get some inspiration.

This little book is not just a travel journal but also a good story to read especially Fran wrote a lot side notes which makes it so lively and interesting.

The other one is a print called Waiting which is basically how I feel these days.

I am waiting all the amazing things to happen but of course I also put effort to make it happen!

So this print is going to be the first page of my new sketchbook which I write all my idea and plan.

I think it would be great to see it every time I open my sketchbook.

Besides, it is a high quality giclee print and I definitely see the quality is there.

So happy with the purchase this time.

Love,

Sonia

ina-ho 【稲穂】| Pilot iroshizuku

Another bottle from Pilot iroshizuku which is called ina-ho.

Ina ho mean the ear of rice in english.

This ink colour is perfect to show the exact colour in my mind for ina-ho.

Also, it is another colour that calms me down while I am using it.

To be honest, writing with calligraphy pen calms me down a lot.

Last time, I wrote it on a Muji schedule but this time, I tried on a different type paper which is also from Muji. It is from their Recycled Paper Notebook and I noticed the ink reacted different than those smooth paper. The effect of it is pretty too!

One more new ink bottle to go for next time.

Love,

Sonia

tsuyu-kusa 【露草】| Pilot iroshizuku

I have been looking for a perfect china blue ink for a while and I have found it!

Not sure why I am having such a feeling for the specific blue colour on china.

Maybe it calms me.

This is the sample from Pilot Japan official website.

Since this ink is from Japan, it makes me kinda want to write this post in Japanese!!

I used the Kaweco squeeze converter as an ink cartridges for this!

It worked perfectly.

Feel free to check out the previous post about the squeeze converter.

This blue matches my expectation on the blue colour on china. It is really stunning.

 I tried on two kind of paper and the first one is Schöpfer notebook by Life Company Limited.

The second one is the 2016 schedule by Muji.
For the paper in this schedule, it takes a little bit of time for the ink to dry.

Two more new ink to try out!
Stay tuned for the posts in the coming week.

Love,
Sonia

Get The Ink Out - How to clean Kaweco Sport nib

Today, finally I have time to go into my calligraphy pen again!
But since I have not touched it for a while and I really want to try a new colour ink other than black, I decided to clean the nibs first.

All you need is water and the squeeze converter only. How simple and easy that it!

I bought my squeeze converter in the local stationary shop with only HKD$26.
Not only you can use it to clean the nib, but also use it as an ink cartridges.
I am also going to try new ink with it too! Convenient!

Step One: Pull the nib and feed straight out

Step Two: Put the nib and feed into the water, then get it out and dry it with a towel

(See the ink trapped inside all came out and it is very beautiful)

Step Three: Fill water inside the converter

Step Four: Put the converter into where you usually put ink cartridges into and squeeze the water out.

Repeat this step until the water comes out clear.

Only four steps and you get a clean nib in a minute!

Love,

Sonia