all that glitters is rhinestone!

Okay so I'm back.. I wanted to share a nifty and very simple way to organize that horde of rhinestones I have. They used to live in a box, but there came a point that the box didn't want to close... -_-; It was also a hassle trying to go through the stack to find the colors, they'd slip and slide.. and it would just be annoying. To rid myself of that, I picked up the crop-a-dile and punched through the corners of the rhinestone sheets, and ringed them together. Now I can flip through the whole gradation of colors. Wohooo!

PS: I use the self adhesive ones because they save time, and energy as compared to the studs you glue on. It becomes hard to adhere smaller pieces with a glue gun or UHU tube... and these are super easy to use!

IF you want to purchase some, opt for Doodlebug, KaiserCraft or Recollections. Great variety in sizes and colors! :)

Now for the gold...
I made some more flowers... :D

I distressed and gold dusted these. Can you see the sparkles?

Gold Dusted this one too, can you see the glimmer from it? 

This was a blaaaargh attempt. I never like the mesh ones.

This one I like. The metallic disc is a finding from a random shop in Textile Market in Hong Kong. I topped it with a rhinestone. :) Used mesh and this one fancy wrapping tissue... it's a cross between fabric and paper. No idea where it's from, saved it after someone sent a gift wrapped in it. *giggle*

a little upgrade... and a coupon?

Those of you who visit my blog regularly might be noticing a little change... after almost two years, I finally mustered up the courage to 'design' my new layout... I used to do a lot of it back in middle school but just let go of my 'layout' designing over time...

The little 3D looking flowers, butterflies, the bird cage, and 'embellishments' so to speak have been added on to the layout by me.. the same idea of a scrapbook page :) The left also includes an aged book with photos of my work, keychains, supplications, mini albums... etc. 

The layout features Prima's Belle Fairy design range... I love it. It's beautiful. I got hold of it in Hong Kong and HAD to purchase it. I love vintage... the aged, butterflies... flowers. A little feminine perhaps for some of our blog readers, but hey... we're growin up. When I started Firefly I was just starting my 3rd year at University. Today, I am a graduate and if it helps, newly married.

The layout took kinda forever to adjust into the setting and placement but I'm happy with it. It'll take me a bit of time to get used to as well... *wink*

While the old layout kept focus on the yellow, I figured something like this would represent more of the 'whimsical' and crafty me. Neh? Since it is about the life as the Firefly Girl. *smile* I figured more crafty-ness since I blog more about my projects and what nots... and then my musings as well. Works with the idea of the Firefly journal too. In fact, the one I actually write in is pretty similar, except it's more green than lilacs and romantic tones. :)

So to celebrate this new look and well, a sort of 'growing up' transition for Firefly... I'm going to do a lucky draw here. For every blog subscriber that comments on this post. They're getting a 10% off discount on their order :) Our first lot processes next week inshaAllah!


To subscribe to this blog, click follow the Firefly Girl on the right hand navigation. Once you've done that, leave a comment below :) 

Floral Fantasies...

So last night, I couldn't sleep right away... I've had a headache for over 24 hours. I was asleep most of the day, and without doing much I was just feeling really exhausted. That's kinda why I haven't been able to reply to emails. I've just been tired and sleepy all week.

After Maghrib prayer, and the nafls of Sha'baan.. I managed to stay awake. Mum checked my blood pressure and it turned out to be a high.. WHICH is astonishing because I'm always with low blood pressure :/ Anyhow... my headache is a little better...

So while I was up, I thought I'd put my hands to work. I love flowers, and love using them in my projects. I had made paper roses for a printmaking project during university. I loved em to bits... For a while now I have been wanting to make flowers by hand so I could add them to my hand crafted items. So I experimented a little.. and here's the result. Your feedback is totally welcome and your input be very appreciated :)

This was the first... just a rose. I used patterned paper for this and distressed it with blue ink.

I can't quite recall all the stuff I did to this one but it turned out okay.

Everytime I tried these lace flowers, they flopped and failed. This one finally worked out Alhamdulillah! I distressed it because the plain white looked eww.

I had this in mind for a while, used a pretty brad in the center :D

Love how this one turned out. :) 

You may have noticed the shabby-chic look in them, that's the look I work with, that and vintage. So I feel these kinda go perfect with my line of hand crafted work... can't wait to begin using these :D

Scavenger Hunt! :)

If you've been with Firefly from the start, you may have noticed our generous nature in doing 'specials' and sales... as well as doing give aways. I hadn't done my Awesome Customer Give Away for a while, we had a really big one in March for our 2nd Birthday... and now that I'm back for a bit, I wanted to do a little celebratory one. I thought I'd make it a little challenging, rather than the usual tag our page and like us on Facebook to be entered. While I understand these are all tactics and means to acquire more fans and create a hype about your brand or page... I don't quite get the point of it.. as in the +fans when not all of them order or interact on the page. Do I make sense?

I put up the Scavenger Hunt today, and it really does look like everyone's having fun. I know some who would most definitely share the photo number, so to keep it interesting and challenging, I will be changing the photo every now and then. Hehe. :)

It's fun because there are approximately 500 photos. :D 300+ just in the Chipboard Minis category. 

I see it this way, though this is a contest, even by default, everyone's just going to have to look through all my hand crafted work *wink*

Good Luck yall! :D

The Ultimate Crafter's Summer Series Classes.

THE ULTIMATE CRAFTER'S SUMMER CRAFTING CLASS SERIES!

After great success of our first of its kind Craft Workshop in Pakistan, we're back with the Crafter's Summer Series. :) Alhamdulillah, through out the month of March earlier in Spring, we were able to meet our aim... which was to educate and make aware the masses of the crafting tools, techniques and other fun things made available across the globe... and how to utilize them. In the last few months alone, MashaAllah, there's been a rise of interest within crafting materials, tools, as well as techniques for the hobbyists to take forward. Alhamdulillah! How awesome is that? While I'm aching to travel and conduct workshops and classes in Islamabad as well as Lahore, perhaps other cities later... I've devised a schedule of classes for everyone in Karachi. *I'm home for a little while*What's really cool is that Firefly is receiving great response from the Craft and Hobby Stores in Hong Kong, who also conduct classes and workshops by the way... So ten years of experience doing these pretty pretty things is working out MashaAllah :DSo I'll get right to it now...



The B Series:B1, we're doing the Ultimate Crafter's Workshop again. We've got a powerful presentation for you to have a background on all the right tools, techniques and know hows on crafting and scrapbooking! :) We go over basics of design, give you a dose of layouts in scrapbooking... we move to tools and punches.. how to decide which one you'd want to opt for. We also have a tutorial on stamping, and further heat embossing. We'll teach you how to use embossing folders at home without the cuttlebugg and Sizzix! :D A must for any beginner. 3-4 hours. Rs 2000.B2, a quick run on the tools you might find useful and how to use them, including your die cutting machine, punches, and others. 1 hour. Rs 1000.B3, stamping... what really is this? and how to apply it to your crafting? 1 hour. Rs 2000.B4, embossing at home. Everyone's curious about this one, and it's no fun viewing it online, you've gotta try it out for yourself... come on down to emboss at home with embossing folders.. without the cuttlebug or Sizzix. :) Fun yea? 1 hour Rs 1000.



C- Card Category.C1 Fun Every Day Cards Rs 1250. 2 hours.C2 Vintage Cards, want to have a look at what makes a card feel vintage? Further, want to make one yourself? 1.5 hours, Rs 1500C3 Stamped Cards, how to use image stamps, render the image and further, put it to use in cardmaking. 2.5 hours. Rs 1250C4 Journaling Cards and Tags, how to come up with your own tags and cards for keepsake albums, gift tags and such! 1.5 hours Rs 1500.C5 Pop Up cards, the simplest of things make a 'popping' impression :) learn how to make yours. 2 hours. Rs 1250



D1 and D2 Drawing Basics to get you into gear. :D 8 training hours... Rs 1500.Day 1.-Warm Up, Lines-Warm Up, Ellipses-Contours-The Basic Platonic Forms: Cylinder, Cube, Pyramid, Sphere-Drawing from Still Life arrangementDay 2.-Warm Up, Lines-Warm Up, Ellipses-Contours-FoliageDay 3.-Warm Up, Lines-Warm Up, Ellipses-Quick Sketches-Introduction to Rendering TechniquesDay 4.-Basic Drawing, Contours-RenderingHomework given daily.E 1 and E3 We get requests for something for the kiddos, we're going to have to sessions for them to craft and create their Eid Cards for loved ones... Each one is separate. Rs 750 ea, 2 hoursE2 and E4, with the holy nights nearing and the month of blessings in swing, wouldn't it be nice to craft something to cherish it? A project to work with your favorite Quranic Ayah or Hadith, to pretty it up and make it as beautiful as its meaning :) Rs 1000 ea, 2 hours



The K Series... Keepsakes!



K1 Tagbooks. From the pockets, the tags... the cover and binding it down... 3 hours, Rs 3000K2 Tag Wallets. Need a sweet and pocket sized gift? Learn how to put one of these together :) 2 hours, Rs 2000K3 Mini Albums, the mother of all crafty craziness, our most popular album... from lining the pages, to composing them... 3 hours, Rs 3200K4 The Photobook looks easy yeah? Why not have a go and we show you how to put one together for your photos? Gear up cadets :D 3 hours, Rs 3500K5 Ticket STub Albums, a recent additiion, we're going to show you how to work on these :)  3 hours, Rs 3000 



To be a part of our craft class series, attendees are required to take two modules from separate categories... ie. B1 and C5 


or C2 and K2... you can pick your class. No restrictions... You can select as many modules you would like. :D

You are entitled to a 10% off on 3 modules, and a 20% off on 5 or more modules.The location/place/venue is to be confirmed but will be in the vicinity of Defence/Clifton, my residence.



A list of supplies will be circulated for the following:-C1, C2, C3, C4, C5-K1, K2, K3, K4, K5-E2, E4

There are no supplies required for the following modules:-B1 The Ultimate Crafter’s Workshop -B2 101 on Crafting Tools-B3 Stamping Techniques-B4 Embossing at Home-C4 Journaling Cards/Tags-E1 and E3 Eid Greetings SessionsOur Drawing Classes are Rs 1500 for 8 training hours. For those who would like to sit for 16 hours, please put forward a request with at Rs 1000 extra.

We undersstand Ramadan is nearing and all of us are due for our religious and spiritual duties, the timings for this reason have been set as such.

Please note that registrations are non refundable.

The following do not require prior registration, last minute sittings are welcomed. But to ensure your seat and to be included in our special notes and giveaway opportunities, please register!-The Basics ‘B’ category classes (B1, B2, B3, B4)- K2 Tag Wallets- K4 Photobooks*if you wish to attend, please arrive on time to be allowed attendance*

Because of the number of modules and time frame, we are not going to swap or switch classes on requests.

The Ultimate Crafter’s Workshop encore is not going to include kits or hi tea as our last one due to the cost and venue restrictions. 

The schedule has been posted so you may select a module you can enjoy and are able to attend easily. InshaAllah.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466434586701713&set=a.183659124979262.45442.170622579616250&type=1

This crafting class series is for our folks in Karachi for the time being.

If you've read through and know what you want to sign up for... register by clicking the link below :)

http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/mY7Gib7928yoaD0 x

*grin* Now Available...

So it seems, I am back with a different plan I had initially thought up. Allah Kareem writes it best, so no fighting it :) Alhamdulillah, I'm back from what everyone keeps calling the 'honeymoon' stage of my life. I was in Hong Kong, and well, the visa didn't get extended long enough for me to sink into the sea breeze and mountains... Whatever excuse, whatever 'bahana' life may bring, one thing is simple, my risq from that place was lifted, and I was meant to be here, Pakistan :) I'll be sharing my Hong Kong adventures in another post... this is about something a little different.

Two years ago, when I hatched the idea of Firefly on my profile, it was with the intent that we have a Hallmark or gift related brand of our own in Pakistan. I didn't envision it to come this far, nor did I ever imagine it would be so well recognized or 'known' as it is now. MashaAllah. I never wanted to do what the other person did, I never wanted to copy that or lift this... I always had a bug to do some thing funky and fun, which I did Alhamdulilah! I brought in my hobby, scrapbooking.. introduced the tag books, and there sprung so many new pages with gifts, scrapbooking, 'made with love', offering their dose of 'sunshine' and adding 'color' to people's lives. MashaAllah, there should be a community for people like us, the rainbow and sunshine spreading, smile sharing facebook business pages. *since there are so many out there with these words in their about and info. Familiar? hmmm...

We are all familiar with brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, U.S based Coach, Juicy Couture, and even Prada... right? They are the most sought after high end brands, so are shoes by Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu and if we come closer to home, our Sana Safinaz, HSY and others... knowing these names are in demand, within no time, we see replicas, we see copies... The very same way, we proudly declare that Firefly's come up to par with these 'standards' and has replicas of its work across the country, courtesy 'exchange of ideas' and 'borrowed' creativity. I'd blame globalization in our nation for it too. :p

I am not angry today, I am not upset... I am not sad, and I'm certainly not peeved. I'm just thinking, if you wanted to take my words, you should have quoted me as an author, you know, like Maya Angelou, Ralph Waldo Emerson, M.A. Jinnah, or I dunno. Someone intelligent, eloquent and inspiring. That'd be nice now wouldn't it? Make you feel appreciated or respected... right?

If it isn't enough someone takes the samples you email them for a logo and slaps it onto their page without paying for it... you see your watermark removed, your designs cut... I mean nothing bites more than that.

If you wanted to share my doodles, why not have shared my page? or said it out loud, love your doodles Varah? Why'd you have to insult them by mixing them with the crappiest of background colors, horrible grammar and of course.. your watermark?

When I say Firefly roots from my journal, how hard is it to understand, I penned down every dot and line in a sketch diary, I purchased, with a pen, while I sat waiting for a flight, or while I visited a loved one? Nothing pains more than having your work taken for plagiarism, and furthermore profit. It flatters me that I can be an inspiration to so many who feel that taking my work and using it as their own is so thrilling and oh so creative :D Isn't?

How did you feel when you slaved on that project all night long in 2nd grade, went to school the next morning, and your classmate decided to scribble his or her name over it? Or wait, what about the group project where you did everything and your friend took credit for it? Or how about the time you baked that delicious as heaven vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting, everyone flipped for... didn't you feel that rush of guilt claiming you did it from scratch when it was really Betty Crocker's magic in a box talking to the taste buds?

I am not trying to judge. But it's a little hard. I fear my Rabb... I have never come out in the open and said it out loud, but I do. To date, I may have had delays, may have had misunderstandings, but Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamduillah, have not cheated or lied for my work. Why don't people think about their own little magic... it really is as easy as Hogwarts! Why can't they just kinda explore their own bit of fairy dust... why can't they gauge their deeds through their actions? Doesn't it bother them? How do they sleep at night thinking, they're earning from someone else's mehnat... they're gaining success by stepping over someone else's efforts? May Allah Kareem grant every hardworking individual the success and barakah they deserve.

PS: I don't work to earn because I have to, I craft and design because it's a bug, and I lose my mind when I'm not busy doing it!

And for anyone who brings up crap like 'don't you wear replicas'... for your information.. NO I don't. I'd rather buy a lesser brand than buy something copied, fake or unoriginal. Really.

But for those out there who are fond of purchasing copies, cheap ones.. you are welcome to do so.. the following will actually help you identify a Firefly original. Happy Shopping :)

PS: I am not mentioning the names, or flaming those behind this... I wish them luck with their work. And thank Allah Kareem that He blessed me with not just a mind, but a heart that drives me to work with ethics and a conscience.

I have an archive of more copied or plagiarized pieces of my work, but can't track them on the hard disk, so til then, here yall go. :) Others who'd like to advertise their new Facebook venture via copying the work of others who've busted their bum over the last couple of years, feel free to email your resume *ie your age and your name...since the work is already someone else's* along with a link to your Facebook page, we're totally interested in launching an agency to market your talent at watermarking and editing other people's work. :) Hope it feels great, cause I'm havin a swell day along with my Firefly Friends and Family... who too are on the look out for new pages wanting to mimic their brand. Who's with me? :D

Now Available in Pakistan! Firefly Replicas! Order yours today, to sustain crappy imitations and disrespect original art and disregard copyrights! :D

Exhibit A

we had made a strawberry shortcake...

I love red velvets, just not the ones that are copied from my strawberry shortcakes...

This is Sue. There are at least 7 people in the world that look just like you... 

didn't know they meant virtually too. Here's Law-Suet.

a friend of mine got married when we were in A Levels, the first one of our lot... I wrote this for her.

Looks like they wrote it for her too, I prefer my turtles more though. 

when I came up with piggy tailed Sue, I recalled the Happy Bunny series, for all occasions... just a little sweeter and more heartfelt... One is for my Baba, *stepdad*, one is for my father in law, Abbu... one is for Papa... my hero... and well...

this is Law-Suet version 2.

my little bro was in his first year in A levels when we made this one... worked pretty hard on the colors...

someone saved it in a crappy resolution which distorted the colors. Oh Well.

do you guys like the circles without the outline 

or with? I prefer the former...

I love my friends.. they've called me cuppy cake... and Cookie Baji made the awesomest cup-cakes... I love them with sprinkles...

Aww look! someone else loves cupcakes... green backgrounds... and they prally have friend who call em cuppy cake.. and woah.. they think on the same design wave lengths as Firefly! :D

I always hated the wordings on the cards I found at stationery shops, so thought I'd be my poet self with these... 

I like how they were creative in adding the Justice League-Alien Superhero Baby.. Nice touch. Horrible Blue.

This one's cute! Too bad the wordings are mine :) Aww...

Their booties are kinda cute.. too bad the colors are eww.

I hope you liked your luggage tags babe!

cause they launched their own with a corroded font...

don't yall love the owl family? flint, flutter, fleur and others...

not sure what they named them, but they'd have to be adopted, original parent.. Firefly. They look so blue here :(

If you'd like to be a feature here, again, share your url, send your resume and just tick me or any one of the young entrepreneurs who are working night and day to get where they are off... We are super supportive and helpful people... Any doubts, have a look. We're helping other businesses grow :D

Love.

PS: if you are a page owner and agree with this post and are in favor of a petition against plagiarism, unethical reproduction and replicas, and out right chhapas of your mehnat please leave a comment below with the name of your Facebook page and a url :) Let us unite. I've been getting emails from friends who face the same non sense every day. It gets old. Really old... 

So to those who like lifting other people's work.. no one has time to go after you or report your pages full of our work. Just a request, be original. You can do it! The fact you appreciate nice things or good work, means you have an eye for it... Fear Allah, and request Him to help you and grant you success in your endeavors the Halal way!

 x

le.crazy

Could someone please explain to me.... how having a schedule, working day and night around it, then having city circumstances change, and then further unforeseen circumstances hit full throttle are in my control? I am very sorry to say, for the first time I am very very glad I am taking a break from orders and work... it isn't working at odd hours of the night or 18 hours of the day to make someone's gift perfect that hit me, it's the attitude several recent orders have brought with it.

I had a million and one ideas to personalize the upcoming wedding events, I executed none... I had wanted to to do vintage collages for my wedding invites, I sat and made tagbooks instead. I was supposed to prepare gifts for my loved ones, instead I sat rectifying and reprocessing others gifts for their loved ones til a day before I flew. Everyone's been flaming me for their orders, I walked all over the streets of Madina Pak praying nothing happens to me so I can go back and hand over everyone's amanat. Everyone thinks I've just been sitting idle or lazing... simply procrastinating their work.. while I've been staring at it on my shelves wondering when to pull away from the house to post it. *not that anyone should understand* For heaven's sake, if the parcel goes undelivered because you're not home, that too is my fault I assume.

I had to call TCS from Saudi to track orders because we have had people provide incorrect addresses or have their parcels sent back home because no such recipient is present. Alhamdulillah I understand what my responsibilities are and I very well know my customers are super important... I have two orders left to dispatch, one was with my aunt, which I got today, another I hadn't heard for... I was at TCS at quarter to ten in the monring... to dispatch the same day. The car and driver aren't exactly 'free' when you have a shaadi ka ghar. Which means I spent Rs 700 on having same day shipping as compared to 190. Exciting isn't it? All because I couldn't leave the house on Thursday...

If you've placed an order, you are totally totally welcome to expect service, quality and perfection, but if you believe paying money means you talk to someone any way you want is okay, I'm sorry. We don't work that way. We love all those who come our way and we are here on the principle of spreading smiles and inviting good!

Our digital orders are outsourced, which means we rely on a printer and what happens there is sometimes not what we have control over *ie when everything in Karachi was shut down* so if the situation in the city ever goes bad, we give preference to our outsourced pieces as we do not know how long the shops and markets will remain closed... handmade orders we do ourselves.. well I do. Firefly's managed by one person, me.. the Firefly Girl.

We had a flight scheduled for Umrah, and due to a week lost out on work, all our handmade orders lost their time... Flights from Saudi are kept with a mehram, and if you travel in a group, you're kinda bound regardless what you planned to do when you got back! Our stay was extended by a few days, and after getting back it's been a hurl of things with people flying in, house work getting done, getting bags unpacked and put away and just about finishing up clothes and getting everyone together to celebrate. *not that anyone should understand*

Making up stories about collection and then saying you were expecting better, or giving 2 months time and expecting an order within a month... just doesn't add up. Leaving all design and color choices up to me and then saying oh this isn't what I wanted doesn't work either. Please specify your requirements when placing your orders. It helps us create something you love, and it makes your order what you wanted. We will be revising several policies and procedures, and we request all to please oblige as it would help us serve you better. I apologize for the inconvenience some of you have faced in the last month.

I sincerely request leave, please do not email for orders. They are closed. The Firefly Girl is tying the knot at the end of the month and will be transitioning to a new place. If you have concerns, bring them forward, always ready to serve or accommodate you and your order *for those who have faced a defect, a delay or just didn't like what they received*

On a positive note, being back is another journey now... from Saudi that is. Wedding preps in full swing, guests and family everywhere and just a lot happening and a lot to get done... Not much time til I jet set now :D weeeeee. Hong Kong.

Insomnia's been eating my dreams... and I've gone into a very contemplating mode for myself and life as of recently... Positive things Alhamduilillah and upcoming changes. The Umrah was the best vacation ever, it was the perfect escape to cleanse the soul, and a perfect get away from pretty much anything and everything that was worldly or slightly straining on the thoughts or emotions. I've had a lot to share about my trip there, I suppose I'll spare a separate blog post for that. This was actually a little rant I had as a status, but it ended up with this many words... things happen when you start writing...

Hope each of you who stop by and visit Firefly leave with a smile, or a little warm inside :) The forecast is whimsical with a chance of rainbows!