Thursday, December 31, 2009

Favorite Anime... just before year ends!

For those who love Japanese fantasy anime, you would most likely fall in love with this one - 07-Ghost. I love the story, the drawing, the characters and the music! ^_^  

Story (source - Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/07-Ghost) 

Teito Klein is a former slave sent to attend the Barsburg Empire's military academy due to his ability to use Zaiphon, a type of supernatural power. The ability is rare, and thus highly prized. Teito is an amnesiac and doesn't remember anything of his past, but he has recurring and often traumatizing dreams in which he sees a grand church or castle and a man he feels he may know.

After a year at the academy, Teito takes the graduation exam; it is notoriously difficult with the average pass rate of one in twenty-five and rumor has it that candidates died in the exam. The night before Teito and his best (and only) friend, Mikage, take the exam, they swear they will never abandon the other when the other needs help. The next day, Teito is delivering papers to a professor when he overhears his name. He stops to listen and realizes that the speaker, a man named Ayanami, is the person who killed the man he sees in his dreams, who is his father, the king of the destroyed Raggs Kingdom. Teito is found eavesdropping and tries to attack his father's murderer, but is quickly brought down by one of Ayanami's subordinates and sent to prison. Mikage comes to help him escape, only to find that Teito has managed to fight past the guards by himself. The two flee the building, but are cornered on a balcony. Teito pretends to hold Mikage hostage, threatening to kill him if the guards pursue him, and tries to escape when Ayanami sends a Zaiphon attack after him, which Teito manages to partly deflect. A Bishop in the nearby 7th District takes the injured Teito to the church to recuperate. Because of the law of sanctuary, as long as Teito stays in the church the army cannot enter the place, hence cannot arrest him.

In fact Teito carries the Eye of Mikhail, a powerful talisman that his home country, the Raggs Kingdom, was ransacked for. The tragic death of a loved one catapults him into his quest for revenge against the Barsburg Empire and knowledge about his past, while he becomes entangled with the Gods, Verloren, and the 7 Ghosts.

His best friend's fate spurs Teito into trying to master the Bascule — a powerful weapon that can harness and focus his innate power. Friends become enemies and rivals become allies as Teito begins to fulfill his destiny, and protect his fallen country from the minions of his former masters.

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Some pictures from the anime:-




Wishing all a wonderful new year ahead! =)

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas




Christmas is a time to remind myself the precious truths... In very simple terms, it is - Christ is with me, in me and will be with me and in me forever. I was reading the "Holy Experience" (blog by Ann Voskamp) and was touched by what she wrote:-

"On the eve of the darkest night of the year, the old demons, anxiety, discouragement and ugly perfectionism slink up through the shadows. My skin crawls with the darkness. Tears don't wash me clean.

I'm overwhelmed by some projects greater than my skillset, by to-do lists with more items than moments in my day. There isn't enough of me and and what there is of me seems impotent and I'm groping for grace. It's easy to forget the truth in the dark. Sadness wrings the bones dry and finally late I give up, find my way to bed, pull the covers high...."

This is precisely what I have been experiencing for the past few weeks, especially these few days! Hubby frowned whenever I buried myself in the endless piles of work - no time to rest, smile or stop to appreciate what is around me.

"During the darkest days of the year, the world celebrates that Light has come into the world, a dawning over the land of the shadow of death, and in the warmth of that halo, we have hope....


Lord God... I simply Come to the Light.
That's all I need this Christmas.
In the dark, to rest in the healing warmth of You."

May this Christmas be a special day for you... May He touch you and remind you that you are never alone.

(Photos from Flickr. Hover mouse to photos for exact image address. Thanks to the talented photographers for the excellent photos!) 

Friday, December 18, 2009

Amazing wallets and small accessories from Rakuten

I am a big fan of Rakuten's jewelry pieces (featured several such items in the past here on my blog). Now I'm in love with their leather goods and small accessories too. Take a look below, I bet you'd go "wow~!" like me. ^_^  

KC,s Experience Leather Craft
- http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/kc-s/





Tsumori - http://item.rakuten.co.jp/tigerstail/c/0000000184/ 


Katherine Hamnett

- Not a Japanese brand but found on Rakuten... and so beautiful too! http://item.rakuten.co.jp/rammy/c/0000000201/ 




Want more of such eye candies? Let me know. =)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Orangetree Christmas Giveaway


Orangetree Christmas Giveaway - One lucky winner will receive this pair of lovely flower and pearls earrings. Made of silver plated flower charms and coin freshwater pearls. =) Check out my blogshop for details!

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Sale on Orangetree Etsy!


Sale Sale Sale!

Please check out my Orangetree Etsy Shop. All items under "Specials" are on sale. Grab my unique filigree floral series and precious gemstone bracelets at very special prices. From now till end Dec 09. Don't miss out!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

WIP


Realised eraser works wonders on drawings! This is WIP, for as long as I want. For the moment, I will stop here. I'm making little little progress and I am happy!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Lovely Etsy Finds! ^_^

Beautiful items from talented Etsy sellers.

+ Pink Shoes


+ Morganite in 14k rose gold


+ Variation on a Theme Wrap

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Personal Collection - Labradorite Love


Personal collection - Labradorite Love bracelet

Just completed this 2 days ago during my off-day. Made of moonstones, labradorites and phrenites, with filigrees and seed beads. Finally used my stock of labradorites, which have been in my supply box for more than a year!

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Store update and my new loot

Newly listed! (Visit my online shops for details.):-

1) "Winter Wonderland" Necklace - This necklace is created with the spirit of joy and winter white in mind. I used swarovski round square indicolite crystal, blue fiery moonstone, crystal teardrop, czech beads and seed beads. All woven on a filigree and covered with another. The necklace cord is made of suede. 

2) "Sweet Giraffee" Earrings - Sweet pair of giraffe (with an extra "e"!) earrings. Totally fun and adorable. Wear them to school, shopping, casual outings or dates. 

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I want to share with all about my new loot - Jill Stuart's blusher compact. I ordered this online via ebay from Japan (Jill Stuart is a big popular brand in Japan. I read that their cosmetic counters are always crowded with eager buyers). Mine is the 02 colour. The 4 shades look bright and pink but when applied, they blend very well with the skin - giving a pink sweet glow. =) Everything looks so pretty and girlie. Packaging is the main reason (I believe) why Jill Stuart is such a hit with ladies. My only complain is the brush, which tends to slide back when in use. 'Nuff said, here are the photos.


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Shop update =)




2 new items were listed on my etsy and blogshop this weekend. Please do drop by and take a look.  =)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

200 followers! =)


My humble etsy shop reached 200 followers a few days ago. ^_^ I'm happy that my work is appreciated and recognised in this manner. It encourages me to keep designing and creating new pieces. Thank you so much! To show my appreciation, I will have my first etsy sale in December. **dance** More details will be provided in due course.

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Shop update:-


"Blooming" Earrings and "Inspire Me" Earrings are now listed on my etsy and blogshop. Please do drop by and take a peep. =)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Things I made this weekend

This weekend has been tough for me emotionally. I'm thankful for a supportive hubby - he was understanding and gave me the personal space I needed. I took the time to make some pieces for my shops and also a piece for myself.

These are for my etsy and blogshop - "Take Me Home" ear studs (measuring only about 0.4 inches wide each... aren't they cute?) and "Ribbons" earrings (I love the little ribbons!).

The one below is my personal collection. New from my workbench. I used Japanese ceramic flower (see the shades of pink and white), huge blue fiery moonstone and a little one on the top left of the pendant. I also used lovely AB crystal teardrops and raspberry colour crystal bicones. Do you see the pink quartz chips too?


Have a good week ahead. Thanks for dropping by! **hugs

Favourite things from Etsy





Some of my favourites from etsy. From topmost:-

1) Treehouse

2) Sakizome

3) Moxie and Oliver

4) Emily Gray Jewels

5) Eidel Precious