Henceforth!

Thursday, September 24, 2009 Jonette 2 Comments

Henceforth, as Jo, good friend and cathartic chat-drinking buddy, is my witness, the universe doth pusheth me forward, and doth kicketh me down the plank.

Lack of sleep does wonder for your awareness.


On Making the Move:


6 – THE LOVERS
An eternal bond (or longstanding, in these godless days). The Lovers get their power and enrichment from each other. And this particular union will prove to be very significant. The flower I picked circa 1976 and pressed in a book when I was a wee little Marquis indeed. It represents a stretched expanse of time.

If courting, this card gives you the go-ahead — hell, it’s shoving you down the gangplank. If currently enjoying the favours of a loved one, this card reminds you that it is from this significant other where you receive your power, happiness and contentment. If you’re having a rocky time with this person, the card is asking you to remember just why you got into this in the first place. It is not necessary to end anything now.

I have also done readings where this card showed up and the Querant had no applicable love-interests. In such cases, the card represents the durability of established people or things. A quick jog down memory lane might do you a world of good. Or just go to a second hand store and buy some old clothes.



On Work:

13 – DEATH
Death is change. That’s all. No, really. Don’t fear the Death card (as Blue Oyster Cult says). It’s necessary to life. “Pavement Ends,” but a new road takes its place. The fuzzy little square on the left is supposed to be a key change. The song goes in another direction.

The only unpleasant thing about Death is that it happens so suddenly. This card prophesies a very drastic change in a very short interval, and you will have little control over it. This may be uncomfortable for you, but perhaps if you’re prepared for this change, you can make an easier transition. And you will have to make a transition.

Déjà Deck Fun Fact: This image comes from facial studies by Davinci. I thought it depicted the countenance one would assume during dramatic and irrevocable change, but what I didn’t notice till later was that the ‘13’ in the corner was already there when I pilfered the image. Looking at the rest of the page this came from, I saw no other numbers, nor on any other of his sketches. Makes ya think, duznit!



On Crafting:

THE VI OF MONEY
Advancement, graduation, “The Next Plateau.” A man climbs the ladders of his chosen path.

Despite the stodgy Perry Ellis-wearin’ humdrum clipart dude in the image, this card is a damn good one to get. It means, mon ami, that you’re goin’ somewhere. That you’re on the up n’ up. Whether that pertains to your career, your love/sex/food life, or your unrequited dreams I leave to you.

The best thing about this card is that it tells you that you can physically map your progress. If you haven’t done so already, it suggests you do so. Where were you a year ago in respect to this climb? Two years ago? And do you think you can guesstimate where you will be next year?

The climb never gets easier, per se, but there is a pattern to it (thus the repeatable, identical plateaux in the image). Diligence and focus are called to your attention here. You will, as always, need them.


All pictures and their descriptions courtesy of The Deja Deck.

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Ureshii: 10

Friday, September 18, 2009 Jonette 0 Comments


from the studio of David LaChapelle.


Hello, hello rainy Manila skies and showers all around. The weather's perfect for a number of things for me -- hot beverages, warm beds, good reads, snuggly cuddling-up to the one you love under the sheets -- most of them related to staying home and none of them with working in the office. (ha!)

Nonetheless, the days seemed to have gained velocity in so short a span of time. The lessons are pouring in, and I can hardly keep up with my crafting! Nonetheless, we do as we can, as we please.

This collection will be a great big mish-mash of attractions and assortments, so strap yourself in and do keep your hands in the car at all times.


  • First of all, Salabat. This dark-brown concoction is pleasure enough with its heat in a mug for a pair of chilly hands. The tang of ginger and the sweetness of brown sugar make this a perfect beverage for blustery weather. Ah, but the real secret, however, is in the brew when it goes down your throat and into your belly. Hmm.... perhaps not so much as "go down" as "plummet with burning torches in hand".

    Here in the Philippines, we have the pleasure of enjoying salabat two ways. The first is boiling raw ginger in water, then adding brown sugar, sweet potato, or tapioca (or all three!) to taste. The second, which I favor for efficiency, portability, and convenience, takes the form of an insta-brew-mixit in a glass jar. I brought a big jar of the stuff to the office, and in a couple of days -- vroop!-- all gone. It certainly isn't the punch of choice of many an online agent for nothing.







  • Tweed's growing so quickly. Our kitten is now about two months and counting. He's taken to pouncing on yarn balls, obstructing sewing progress, using Susan (the bodyform) as a perch, and weaving in between my legs affectionately as I climb down the stairs in a hurry. Yeah, he loves us. XD


  • Nintendo DS Games. James recently acquired for himself a Nintendo DS Lite, and now pretty much considers it his new baby. Super Robot Wars: Endless Frontier gets him hot-blooded, and when he's on it, he means business. (don't fret that the site's in Japanese. browse around, enjoy the movies, the art, and the voice-acting.) Mid-way, there's Fossil Fighters, which is pretty much like Pokemon with dinosaurs. Real-world Dinosaurs. (I kid you not. Head for the site's Fossil Museum for info, and let Wikipedia shock and awe you.) Fossil Fighters comes highly recommended for kids and kids-at-heart from both of us. And then there's Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends. (that would be mine. ^_^* )


  • H'ray! H'ray! The LC-A Race is on! Join me in cheering Clair as she and Team Manila race to capture the best and most brilliant pictures around the city. Head over to her entry, show her some love, and cast your vote! You'll be glad you did. ^_^*


  • A brand-spanking new blog template in the works! Woo-hoo! Carlo Canlas is the man, and damn he is. If he can't rock his Super-Robot Pilot tresses, no one can.



  • Tikbalang, as illustrated by Keith Thompson.


  • Keith Thompson Art. If you have a taste for steampunk, machines, sci-fi and horror, this is the man to go to. what I love the most about his art is how he tempers wild, unabashed imagination with research -- both for science and ancient lore, not unlike our beastie above. The result is sheer mad genius, and talent. Oodles of talent.


  • Burdastyle's Fatina Puff Sleeve Dress Variation. I love simple yet how lovely the entire piece is. It feels oddly very Filipina to me: the sleeves echo the butterfly sleeves of the terno, and the exposure of the nape of the neck and a little bit below it is very Asian. The Kyla dress is also a winner for me. Its modernity, versatility, and youth make it a great design in my book. And speaking of designs...






  • Awesome Cosplay! Raymund shared with me yet another great find. A_Riddle's Flickr photstream is a choc-ful of cosplaying goodness, as well as her photos of her trip to Japan. Above are her pictures of Batman's Villains as ladies in the 1940's (and one lone heroine... can you spot who's who?), and the one below it is A_Riddle as Wonder Woman Amazonia. Absolutely stunning.


  • Mr. Hayao Myazaki. Aaaaw.


  • and one strip to say it all.


But wait, there's more!



Watch the music video here. My thanks to Mik Watkins -- she's a great friend, and she can make a real mean batch of fudge and other baked goods. Seriously.



Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.




Kick-ass!



Wolverine: The Musical! XD



A classic Palmolive commercial that gained cult status in the Philippines. Was it the costumes? The colors? The set? The singing? Don't ask me, we still love it. I can feel it! :D

And if that's not enough, here are a couple of paper dolls to keep you preoccupied. Go on now, play along. :D

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Now, a blogpost where your webmistress speaks her mind.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Jonette 2 Comments

Looking back on the past two months, I realize how much crafting I'd actually done. (I'd add "over a short span of time", but short? I'm not entirely sure if that warrants "short." Does it?) One part of me tells me it's too much for my own good, and another part of me says blimey fantastic, you've done it!

I must admit I feel... humbled by all this. It's been a lot of work, the most work I've faced ever since I started crafting. I do feel overwhelmed, really.

I've had some rough spots, and I've occasionally had to tangle with my own self-doubt and self-criticism, and to be honest, I still do. The trick is to never give up, and never say die.

I think if I'm to take this crafting to an entirely new level, it's high time I wring out what hinders me from reaching my goals.

Poring over the last project blog post, it makes me breathe deeper and slightly faster just looking at all that. I think the load of commissions took me quite by surprise. I really wasn't expecting this exuberant a response from the people around me, much less from online friends and co-workers. But the response, the cheering, the commissions are there, and I will answer them the best I can.

Not I must. I will. Entirely different ideas altogether.

It's like wearing your first grand pair of high heels, and going for a walk in them for the first time. You feel all grown up and you want to face the world in them, but there's a part of you that' scared of taking a stumble in them. In the end, you still choose to straighten up, shoulders back, move best foot forward, and head straight on, because that's the only way to go.

Let me catch my breath and steady myself.

Let's begin.

Update: the day after

Now I can finally step away from what I've written above and read it from an objective angle... Blech. Dramatic, much? Ang drama ko naman!

And now that's out of my system, it's back to puttering about at my own comfy pace. Ta-ta, hysteria.

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The Universe says, (and I agree with it completely)...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Jonette 2 Comments

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Epic Projects Post!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Jonette 2 Comments

After the long blogging hiatus, I am finally back. It's been project after project for me, and I think it's high time I rack up an accountability check. Details to follow.

In passing, these are the items I've made:


Lulu, or the reproduction of the VM Victorian Regimental Stripe Skirt.



Clair's Cotton Candy Cumulus Scarf.



Anton's arm warmer.



Melon, formerly Melba, shown here with her new mommy Rayzy.



Another octopussy, Monstro-sized, with his/her new mommy Anna. the critter is still to be named.



And Squirt, a brooch. Squirt was supposed to be Anna's main squeeze octopus, but he ran out of yarn and the shop didn't have more of his color. (aaw.) I sewed a nice brooch pin behind him, and voila! Squirt is now also Anna's to wear.


Current Works-In-Progress:


A doily to be worn as a pendant, another commission from Rayzy. This piece still needs another layer to it, as well a good soak in gawgaw (or starch) to stiffen it up.



Lastly, an octo-panda for April. The octo-panda is the lovechild of Squidy and her stuffed giant panda. How did that happen? I have no idea. Tentacles are still to follow. I think they'll be giant, stuffed tentacles.



a pleather Batman cape for Ryan, my figure customizer buddy. He lent me Orion and another batman figure for me to fit the finished cape on. the cape you're seeing is still a prototype.

Ok then. Let me catch my breath.

I still have to finish the second skirt Clair commissioned me, as well as a tightening of the Monster petticoat (oh dearie, dearie me). Then there's Jib's knitted beanie hat, and a possible order for a full dress (!) lingering just beyond the horizon. Officemates and friends all, I'd dare say it's been a full productive season, thanks to them.

Easy does it, easy does it, one at a time.

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Hold on.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009 Jonette 3 Comments

This painting comes courtesy of Rosa, a college friend of mine, and one very tough cookie. She saw this and sent it to me, saying this was for James and me.



I'll just glow for a bit over here.

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