It's been a bit since I got to blog everyone, I'm sorry to those who stumbled across recently, and I haven't yet greeted you. At this time I'm slowly getting used to 'abusing' my wrist and working with my hands again. I had to take a little break.. trust me 5 days feels like forever when you craft perpetually.
February is here, and soon March will... and oh my gosh.. we just have so much happening. So many things have happened in the last few weeks that make me contemplate more and more about my existance as a human being and the impact I may or may not have on people around me or remotely close to me. Recently I discovered my blog actually made someone break down and cry... because the emotions I have here are exactly what she felt.. and she felt upset that she let go of her journal, her expression, her identity.
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a page that ripped off my doodles and used them for her work. IT upset me more to see things I wrote for greeting cards, she slapped onto her own. It was more shameful to know that she's a bit senior... and considers this her 'passion'. No wonder we aren't getting anywhere as a people. When someone from masses, educated masses can cheat, deceive and be such, why wouldn't others with more power or authority? May Allah Kareem guide us all. I haven't done anything about it. My Rabb will take care of things and what is true shall reveal itself somewhere down the road. InshaAllah.
My crafting supplies and tools arrived on Friday. Mum shipped the first box. So now I'm ready to go back into gear. Although I did 3 mini albums without any dies or embossing folders, OR any punches. :) so I suppose I have it in me to make do with whatever. Alhamdulillah :) Space here for us is limited. And am I grateful my husband doesn't show his discomfort or sigh over the hoard of crafting supplies tucked here and there. I've bought heaps of storage drawers and have pretty much utilized every nook and cranny to keep things organized and arranged. I'll share photos of the space this week :) Need to get it spiffied up a bit more since I have work in progress scattered out.
Here it's a little different, because things are somewhat more expensive. There are scrapbooking stores, but sheesh.. they cost heaps too. And I can understand why, as I have been in their place with Willow. Shipping and stocking gets expensive!
I'm really looking forward to my first international exhibition at the Handmade Hong Kong Backyard Bazaar at Discovery Bay. It's a blissful location. Beachside, greenery, a pier.. posh cafes and tons of foreigners... that have an eye for keepsakes and paper craft :) We went to check out their Feb bazaar yesterday. So I can have an idea of what to prepare and how to go about it. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. So make dua for me you guys :)
Firefly turns three in March inshaAllah. And we're going to celebrate it with the launch of our website. whimsical-firefly.com :) I have Ali from Infinitus putting his life into this and it makes me feel so blessed to have his help :D Allah Kareem is awesome. He sends miracles my way, and everything in my life just keeps falling into place, mysteriously. SubhanAllah.
It is the beautiful month of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam. I have attempted to a the 99 Praises for him. Hoping to finish those soon. It's actually hilarious how everyone wants to declare fatwas and insist on Islamic teachings and values regarding celebrating Mawlid, but no one really raises a finger or protests 'Valentine's'. I'm not a Valentine's addict nor do I care too much for the occasion, which is probably why yall haven't seen the word 'Valentine' at Firefly :) I do have gifts for loved ones, and have collaborated with Nov and ET this year. It's a 'Love' thing for me. Nothing more.
I'm slowly making my place here. I have a lot I want to accomplish.. but that'll happen gradually with time... I was thinking back the other night. How nearly two years ago. No one knew what a tag book was. People scrapbook yes, they have forever, but the concept went viral in Pakistan. And the best part, I wanted people to be aware of this craft, to appreciate it. I began the Ultimate Crafter's Workshops last year. And man.. it's amazing. How ideas take form and evolve an entire people. I'm happy to 'think' that I 'might' have contributed to this. A bit. :) Willow will be resuming soon. We're looking into Ranger products and MME! :D
A lot of people are now interested in hosting and conducting 'expos'.. at times I hate this bandwagon theory, but then snap back to positivity thinking, hey! we sparked a trend :) And it's good for those entrepreneurs starting out or waiting for the right exposure! :)) For those who are waiting for the Crafter's Expo this year. We are working on a date for December inshaAllah :) do start planning what you'd like or wish to do. We'd love to make it bigger and better this year! *throws confetti* It was a milestone to have accomplished it in September... I could never have imagined it happening but it pulled through. And Alhamdulillah, it rocked! :) So looking forward to seeing everybody again.
*note to self: we are not doing a lucky draw. our photobooth will ONLY have digital portraits*
Anyhow. I hope things keep moving forward inshaAllah. It's a bit of adjusting, waiting a month for orders... or having them ship from Hong Kong. But hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do :) I ship out my first lot of handmade at the end of this month. inshaAllah :D
I'm still dreaming of a shop. Maybe I'll go for one in Hong Kong and then root my feet into Pakistan again. Just a few dreams, neh? What are we without em? And of course.. without our faith?
Thank YOU Allah Kareem, You are AWESOME.
PS:
Mr Awesome went viral. *grin*
I used that phrase for my fiance, now husband when he sent me a surprise parcel. I exclaimed ohmg that's Awesome! He replied saying, of course, 'cause you're awesome... and I couldn't hold back.. He wasn't Prince Charming. He was, is and will be Mr Awesome for life :) <3
February is here, and soon March will... and oh my gosh.. we just have so much happening. So many things have happened in the last few weeks that make me contemplate more and more about my existance as a human being and the impact I may or may not have on people around me or remotely close to me. Recently I discovered my blog actually made someone break down and cry... because the emotions I have here are exactly what she felt.. and she felt upset that she let go of her journal, her expression, her identity.
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a page that ripped off my doodles and used them for her work. IT upset me more to see things I wrote for greeting cards, she slapped onto her own. It was more shameful to know that she's a bit senior... and considers this her 'passion'. No wonder we aren't getting anywhere as a people. When someone from masses, educated masses can cheat, deceive and be such, why wouldn't others with more power or authority? May Allah Kareem guide us all. I haven't done anything about it. My Rabb will take care of things and what is true shall reveal itself somewhere down the road. InshaAllah.
My crafting supplies and tools arrived on Friday. Mum shipped the first box. So now I'm ready to go back into gear. Although I did 3 mini albums without any dies or embossing folders, OR any punches. :) so I suppose I have it in me to make do with whatever. Alhamdulillah :) Space here for us is limited. And am I grateful my husband doesn't show his discomfort or sigh over the hoard of crafting supplies tucked here and there. I've bought heaps of storage drawers and have pretty much utilized every nook and cranny to keep things organized and arranged. I'll share photos of the space this week :) Need to get it spiffied up a bit more since I have work in progress scattered out.
Here it's a little different, because things are somewhat more expensive. There are scrapbooking stores, but sheesh.. they cost heaps too. And I can understand why, as I have been in their place with Willow. Shipping and stocking gets expensive!
I'm really looking forward to my first international exhibition at the Handmade Hong Kong Backyard Bazaar at Discovery Bay. It's a blissful location. Beachside, greenery, a pier.. posh cafes and tons of foreigners... that have an eye for keepsakes and paper craft :) We went to check out their Feb bazaar yesterday. So I can have an idea of what to prepare and how to go about it. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. So make dua for me you guys :)
Firefly turns three in March inshaAllah. And we're going to celebrate it with the launch of our website. whimsical-firefly.com :) I have Ali from Infinitus putting his life into this and it makes me feel so blessed to have his help :D Allah Kareem is awesome. He sends miracles my way, and everything in my life just keeps falling into place, mysteriously. SubhanAllah.
It is the beautiful month of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam. I have attempted to a the 99 Praises for him. Hoping to finish those soon. It's actually hilarious how everyone wants to declare fatwas and insist on Islamic teachings and values regarding celebrating Mawlid, but no one really raises a finger or protests 'Valentine's'. I'm not a Valentine's addict nor do I care too much for the occasion, which is probably why yall haven't seen the word 'Valentine' at Firefly :) I do have gifts for loved ones, and have collaborated with Nov and ET this year. It's a 'Love' thing for me. Nothing more.
I'm slowly making my place here. I have a lot I want to accomplish.. but that'll happen gradually with time... I was thinking back the other night. How nearly two years ago. No one knew what a tag book was. People scrapbook yes, they have forever, but the concept went viral in Pakistan. And the best part, I wanted people to be aware of this craft, to appreciate it. I began the Ultimate Crafter's Workshops last year. And man.. it's amazing. How ideas take form and evolve an entire people. I'm happy to 'think' that I 'might' have contributed to this. A bit. :) Willow will be resuming soon. We're looking into Ranger products and MME! :D
A lot of people are now interested in hosting and conducting 'expos'.. at times I hate this bandwagon theory, but then snap back to positivity thinking, hey! we sparked a trend :) And it's good for those entrepreneurs starting out or waiting for the right exposure! :)) For those who are waiting for the Crafter's Expo this year. We are working on a date for December inshaAllah :) do start planning what you'd like or wish to do. We'd love to make it bigger and better this year! *throws confetti* It was a milestone to have accomplished it in September... I could never have imagined it happening but it pulled through. And Alhamdulillah, it rocked! :) So looking forward to seeing everybody again.
*note to self: we are not doing a lucky draw. our photobooth will ONLY have digital portraits*
Anyhow. I hope things keep moving forward inshaAllah. It's a bit of adjusting, waiting a month for orders... or having them ship from Hong Kong. But hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do :) I ship out my first lot of handmade at the end of this month. inshaAllah :D
I'm still dreaming of a shop. Maybe I'll go for one in Hong Kong and then root my feet into Pakistan again. Just a few dreams, neh? What are we without em? And of course.. without our faith?
Thank YOU Allah Kareem, You are AWESOME.
PS:
Mr Awesome went viral. *grin*
I used that phrase for my fiance, now husband when he sent me a surprise parcel. I exclaimed ohmg that's Awesome! He replied saying, of course, 'cause you're awesome... and I couldn't hold back.. He wasn't Prince Charming. He was, is and will be Mr Awesome for life :) <3
You're MashaaAllah a trendsetter, no doubt about that =) Can't wait to see how you've managed your work-space, if I learn even a bit from that, my mother will be all-duas for you everyday =D
ReplyDeleteI don't celebrate Mawlid but I completely agree with your notions on how valentine escapes most criticism. I wonder how people can take it so easily when they are on each other's throats, and out for blood about any sectarian difference.
The crafter's expo has become somewhat a D-day with us crafters. Not just my opinion, quite some people I must say =)
*Imagining firefly shopping bags reading-
Firefly
Karachi. Islamabad. Lahore. Hong Kong.* (InshaaAllah)
My duas with you for the handmade backyard bazaar =)