Thursday, October 4, 2012

Slow down, buttercup

This little gif of Squirtle just makes me smile every time I see it on my tumblr reblogs :) I'll make this little post a reminder that I gotta slow down and enjoy the little things more, read books instead of watching series to fill my time, get interested in something else to fill up my time besides working on my paintings, get out and smell the flowers and enjoy the fresh air :)... Aww Squirtle, you're my favourite! XD

Weekend's just around the corner now :)

xo

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I promise


No matter what, you can do this. Nothing that's ever worth fighting for comes easy. Courage comes in all different shapes, sizes and form. It could be stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit each day. It could be reaching out to another to have someone to talk to. It can also be making the decision to let go and move on. Amongst everything that's going on around me right now, I've been given the space to think about things and if I'm truly content with how they are at present. As each day goes by, I'm sub consciously gathering the courage to just keep moving forward. I can do this. 

xox

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Remind yourself this

I find myself echoing these words through my mind every time I feel like my mood is going down, or any time I let something lower my self esteem. It's something small but I can feel it keeping me going, no matter what. And I think it has something to do with watching the film, 'The Help' the other week. It  was one of the most powerful films that I've watched in a long time, and I really enjoyed it with its ups and downs. Just wow. I recommend you guys to watch it if you ever need a pick me up from life. :)

But yeah, it's one of those days for me where everything is just okay. The only high light for tonight is that I got to catch up with one of my girlfriends, my brow Sarah :) I don't how it works but we're always just laughing at everything XD It was also just good to get out of the house after being stuck in my room for the last 2 days working on commission work and watching series >.<" I really should start exercising, especially with my sister's wedding coming up next year!! (Not like the date has been confirmed yet, but really gotta start thinking about it asap!) Time's really flying by, every time I stop to think about it, I'm just amazed at how much has changed in the past year. Year 2012 has been good to me, and I kind of don't want it to end >.<" but I guess all you can do is just move forward! 

Just another one of my rambling posts :) 
Hope everyone's having a good week so far <3

Love, from Julie xox

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Monday, September 24, 2012

Helloww blog, its been a while.

It's been ages since I've updated my blog! >.< Bad juju, especially since I said I would in my last post since the beginning of July!! (wut?!) But seriously, a lot has happened since then. :) A lot of highs and definitely a lot of lows - but life goes on and I'm still alive and learning.

The other day, I honestly had a massive urge to blog, but it was for all the wrong reasons. It was so I could let out a rant about some issues I was going through. When I did type out this massive essay, I looked back and thought: what the heck, I can't post this, what will people think? I didn't realise it was so hard to be honest these days with blogging. And I'm not talking about honest about what you've been up to, more like how everyone's really feeling. I mainly post about things that are happy, that are happening, that is light hearted news to keep people posted on what I've been up to. I rarely ever post about the issues that I've had to deal with in between all those happy-go-lucky moments. They go unmentioned because it just doesn't feel right to let the public know my personal business, to make them feel sad in any way to think I'm dealing with problems. As much as I wanted to let that rant go public, thinking how good it would feel, I thought how much I would regret it if it was to bite me back in the butt later on. No need for that, really. It's times like these it's good to keep a private journal of some sort to just let go of any bad feelings you're dealing with. I don't want people to think of me as the girl who has problems, I want to be the girl who can still stand strong regardless of everything. :)

But with that being said, I have been told I keep too much to myself. Which is very true, so I'm working on that. I think it will always be a work in progress for me, but I'll get there one day :) 

Even though a lot has happened since I last blogged, I just wanted to stop by and unload my feelings for a bit instead of providing a massive update on everything @_@" Too much, makes me lazy thinking about all the photos I gotta retrieve and post haha XD But I will try harder to blog more than I have been lately :) it gives me a nice feeling that I've forgotten about. 

Hope everyone's been well and dandy this Spring! 
Enjoy the weather and get your vitamin D (unlike me! @_@)

Love, from Julie xox

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Let's Do This!


Hi there everyone! 

So July so far has proven to be quite the busy bee month and I'm finding myself going to bed each night feeling quite exhausted >.< but the feeling of accomplishment isn't so far behind so it's not so bad :) and I can say I'm finally on the track of the final stages for my July painting orders, so I'll be working hard for the rest of the month trying to finish each of them off! Monday is my day off so I'll be spending that time to draft up like crazy! XD Aja aja fighting! 

***

Here are my favourite photos from the past month in July :) 

1. The cutest little Mickey Mouse I've ever seen in toy form, and I won it at Photoworld! :D Now it's in the grubby hands of someone special :)  2. A little sneak peek of the Pop M'art Grand Finale last weekend, photo credit goes to the event photographers :) blog update on it later!  3. Commission work for an anniversary present, I love how it's so colourful and happy! >.<  4. Speed Jenga @ Family Games night LOL this was after we played an intense game just before :P  5. My cute little nerdy bear pin from Hanaletters Etsy Shop, love it so much!  6. The attendees for last night's games night! Had a great night :) can't wait for my cousin's family to officially move up to Melbourne too!  7. Commission work for a wedding gift <3 I really adore the quote *sigh*  8. And this is the most goddamn cutest photo I've taken of Jiji recently!!! Her puppy eyes and head tilting... *dies* she's sleeping underneath my chair again atm x) love her company at night while working <3 

***

In the coming week, a few more exciting events is rocking its way up like watching Brave FINALLY at the end of working all week this week with a few friends :D Seriously been waiting for forever to watch this movie! >.< and on the weekend, I'll be heading over to the Mornington Hot Springs with my Uni friends for a soak during Sunday night <3 Never been to a hot springs before so I really have no idea what to expect, but I'm really looking forward to it. 

But in the meantime, I will work hard, so I can party harder later! :D 
Gotta keep myself motivated and get things done :) 

Alright, better head to bed now and rest >.<" have a great week everyone! Stay warm :)

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. Oh wanted to quickly mention a big fat THANK YOU to those customers whom took time to meet and pick up their paintings with me last week in the city (^___^) It was really lovely meeting you girls in person after conversing via emails for a period of time! I really do hope you enjoy your paintings and it makes you smile :D 

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Sunday, July 1, 2012

What's up for July!

1. My little advertisement for my market stall @ Camberwell Markets in August (^-^) very excited!!   2. mini memory boards and easels, made ready for etsy soon   3. drafts of little paintings in progress! :)

***
Hello again, July!

Hello everyone!! How's everyone going? It's been so long since I've blogged, way back in late May in fact and now it's the 1st of July!! How time flies! (>_<) Well I'm happy to say that my final semester for uni is over and out and I can start preparing to apply to graduate now!!! HOW EXCITING! :D *fist punch in air* 

My little online shop was re-opened last Monday on the 25th June, and it's been busy busy for me since the past couple of weeks with catching up on past orders and making way for new ones too. My panda eyes have become pretty permanent but I'm happy that I go to bed each night feeling satisfied with work I've completed, doing something I love :) I really do appreciate my customers who are all so lovely and patient with me as I do my best to catch up on everyone! Thank you so much <3 

A few weeks back I signed up to hold a market stall @ the Camberwell Sunday Markets in the last Sunday in August (^___^) So that'll be my next big milestone, therefore I've started prepping for my stall already, and began brainstorming the look for my stall!! I'm so excited for it, it's only 2 months away now! Here's the facebook event link (here), so check it out if you're in Melbourne and decide to be an early bird on the Sunday, August 26th (^__^) I'll have to be there to start setting up my stall before 7am, so that'll be interesting, since I usually go to bed at around 3-4am these days LOL. 

I'm also looking into making new stock for my little Etsy store, since it's been looking a little empty for a few months now since March (>.<) so there'll be new development on that soon! I'm thinking about having a set day each week to release new stock, but still figuring that out. I'm thinking either Wednesday or Sunday :) which days would you guys prefer? 

Any requests for future Etsy shop stock is more than welcome :) 

***

The Future

Also I wanna share with you guys some artwork that I painted for an art trade between my friends. An art trade is where we are randomly paired up with another person and we create art for them (in any form you wish!) under a given theme :) So far we're in our 3rd month of art trading and it's been fantastic as each person uploads their work for another, very inspirational! Here's mine for my June Art trade, with the theme: The Future

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' - Eleanor Roosevelt 

So to simply explain my painting concept, it's up to you to make your dreams become reality, because your future rests in your hands to shape and grow. Anything's possible if you believe in it. :)  

***

Alright! That's my latest update from me :D I'm really wanting to get back into blogging regularly, so I hope I'll stick to it this time and make time for it weekly :) So much to share with you guys! (>.<) 

Let me know what's been happening for you during this super cold winter :D Are you guys on holidays? Still working? I wanna learn more about my readers, hope I haven't lost too many since I haven't been updating enough lately >.<! Thank you for those who still leave sweet and supportive comments now and then :) I really appreciate it & it makes my day! <3

Have a great weekend guys :) stay warm and snuggly!

Love, from Julie xox

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Happy & Stressed Jumping Beans

1. A mini little Julie painting that I made for myself on a night I felt quite unmotivated to complete of my uni work >.<  2. A commission order for a lovely miss in Sydney  3. A commission order from a mother to her son, who loves Dibo the Dragon :) 4. For all the coffee addicts that go to my family's cafe every morning, something to brighten up their early morning! 

(for more photos of what's been happening in my little world lately, click here)

***
Soooooo I've been very bad at keeping my little blog up to date with what's been happening lately (>.<)  It's been a little hectic with things reaching their d-day, quicker than I would have liked! My final uni presentation will be June 19th, and that'd be it, forever, for my uni days! So I've got my fingers crossed that I'll pass and be able to graduate by the end of this year :) Also been kept busy with custom painting orders too, which is fantastic! I'm made to face a new challenge with every order, and have the privilege to converse with new people who are so lovely! I honestly do love my customers so far :) Thank you for being understanding with all the limited time that I have due to uni work and supportive of my efforts <3 I'm in the process of completing my last few orders, so looking forward to seeing the finished product! :D My little online shop is closed atm for custom orders, but I'm really looking forward to re-opening on June 25th and meeting new challenges! :D YAY!

A lot will be happening this week besides uni work! Hopefully I can go to life drawing @ No Vacancy Gallery and chill after a stressful day at uni on Tuesday night :) I'll also be looking into checking out Secret Walls for Melbourne this Wednesday night as well! It's a battle between artists and their ability to create art on a massive white wall with only black paint and black markers! :D And what I'm looking forward to most is that a group of friends and I have signed up for the final session of Pop M'art this coming Saturday June 2nd at the Transit Lounge @ Fed Square! I'M SO EXCITED! It'll definitely be a great way to start the weekend after a stressful week that I'm foreseeing right now! 

Sigh, wish I could stay and continue rambling for a few more essays, but I'll best return to my uni work :( so I guess this will just be a lil quick update to show that I'm still alive and giddy with happy and stressed beans jumping inside of me :) haha that doesn't even make sense! Anyway, I'm going to try this keeping my blog up to date regularly one more time :) It's been so long that I've forgotten how nice it feels to just type and ramble on my blog! I'll be back for sure. 

Keep smiling & keep yourselves warm because Winter is definitely coming :)

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. Good luck to all those undergoing exams and final assessments! 
Holidays are just around the corner! :D 

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Nothing Else Matters

Recently I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with someone special and it's times like that that makes me think, nothing else matters at the end of the day when we still have each other. I know all that 'love' talk can be corny and awkward for some, but I love it. I love that I feel this way and that it's not going away. That it's making a pretty big impression on me, even if there are days where it can get so hard. I honestly don't know where it's all headed, but I'm not going to worry. Because that's just a waste of my energy (and I worry so much already!) So I'd rather invest my efforts into being happy with what I have now :) 

***

I'm back with another quick blog post about what I've been up to lately (^_^) trying to get back into blogging regularly, so I won't be so behind on things I have to post up! Things are still pretty hectic (don't think it'll slow down til mid year), but I'm doing my best to keep my cool and get things done, slowly but surely. Slowly but surely. 

The Self Portrait Project
I've recently finished the Self Portrait Project, which I signed up with the Art House Co Op (located in Brooklyn Art Library, New York) about a month ago or so. Finally got around to working on it the past few days and happy to say I'm ready to send it off tomorrow to be post marked before May 15th! I worked along side with Dragonboy on this project, so we made it so it was matching paintings (^___^) It was a very sweet and cute idea at first, but as we continued painting with that idea, we figured that it was just super corny (=____=) LOL but oh well, we stuck with it, and I added a little message for Art House Co Op to request if our paintings could be placed next to each other for corny sake :) Hope they will! <3 Here are a few photos of the progress:
I haven't painted with acrylic for a long while (before the Pop M'Art project as well >.<) and never have I ever done such a realistic painting on canvas too! Dragonboy hasn't since high school, so it was a really fun experience for us both, playing and mixing the limited colours we were working with :) After long hours of working and snacking, this is the result of both of our paintings...
Matching canvases, a little corny but I love it anyway :)

I'm quite happy with how mine turned out, though I'm not sure if I shaded up the skin colour right haha! I used a mix of acrylic and colour pencils to complete my piece :) And a lil fineliner for the eyes. I didn't realise how big I painted my eyes until Dragonboy pointed it out (=_=) oh well! I guess I also wanted to explore a different side of me as a self portrait piece, but looking at it now makes me happy regardless :) Glad I took part in this project, definitely looking forward to signing up for more projects with Art House Co Op in the future! 

Even though I'm still working a couple of other projects I signed up for already (>.<) haha more info soon in later blog posts! :) They're all due before end of April, so STRESS levels are rising haha. 

***

Okay, so now it's time for bed! I hope everyone's having a great week so far with this lovely hot weather we've been having lately! Even though I'm looking forward to the colder months, it's nice to have a few days were you can just wear a t-shirt and not worry about rain or being cold :) 

Keep smiling <3

Love, from Julie xox

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Sunday, April 15, 2012

I am a Stressball

So, as always, I've been a little stress ball lately (maybe more than just a little..) and it's probably because I've put too much on my own plate that I could handle. (x_x) I have always been a little over ambitious and I couldn't help but get a little excited with all these art projects that I signed up for. However I didn't really consider that I do have my big uni project to take care of, along with juggling working at cafe, along with my online shop... (=_=) so.. yeah. I'm sorry if I've been MIA lately, but this is pretty much why. (the ultimate sadface) :( I've been wanting to blog more because a lot has been happening lately but.. (oh no more excuses please!! >_<) 
So now, it's time to shine, it's time for action, it's time for magic to happen! I got to get my act together, and start finishing off what I've started. I know I've got it in me, even if it means many sleepless nights for the rest of the month, I got this! Just gotta remember to breathe, to focus and to just do it! I've got to do what I can today for a better tomorrow. 

***
I'm not sure about you but I usually thank my past self when I actually take time to organise things the night before i.e. pack my bag, figure out what to wear and have it all laid out, ready for the next day >.< I gotta get back into that habit and stop sleeping in already @_@ my memory has been really bad lately too :( I'm not sure how to explain why, but it makes me stress even a lil when I can't remember the smallest and most insignificant things! So silly really. 

So I haven't posted for a couple of weeks but I've got a lot of photos that I would love to share with you guys with what's been happening lately (^_^) but I think I'll have to spread out the love though for the next few posts, otherwise this will just be a major blog post and I'm running low on time atm (>_<) 

Pop M'Art Event - Saturday 1st April 
Here are photos taken by the Pop M'Art crew & Truccie on the day (^_^)

As I mentioned it in my last blog post, my friends and I were part of this event (happens every weekend) called Pop M'Art and it was SO MUCH FUN when the painting started! Two hours was actually a fair long time to paint something, even thought I thought I was running out of time @_@ but working with acrylics was a nice break away from water colours, however I did take advantage of the water to help paint my opaque buildings :) 


I ended up calling my painting: Paper Dreams - as the airplanes represent dreams circling the city buildings. They might seem fragile and weak on their own, but they have the ability to be moved by the passion and determination of the dreamer. They have the strength to go far :) 

We were lucky enough to have the Pop M'Art held at Rooftop Bar (along Swanston St) that weekend, so it was just so lovely being out in the wide open and above everything else for a while. However, like my friend Elli has stated it in her blog post, it was definitely like extreme painting while on the rooftop, since it was so windy, despite the blue skies! LOL Half the time we were holding onto our easel and canvases for dear life, trying to avoid it being knocked over >.< Once the two hours was up, it was great to see what everyone ended up painting, and there was so much variety!! :D (check out the photo above!) So much talent, I freaking love it man!! 

The crew who directs Pop M'Art are such lovely and vibrant people, and they were fun to talk to after we finished our paintings! Looking forward to hearing from them again about the art installation they want to do with our paintings! :D We even had mini interviews to discuss our painting (@_@) which was a little nerve wrecking for everyone hahaha! When I'm put on the spot like that, I usually ramble my head off, and then think... crap, what did I just say?! (=_=) 

Great thanks to Truccie who organised the whole event for us to join in on the fun!! I'm so happy to have been part of it. I remember leaving the city that day feeling so fulfilled and just calm. I spent the rest of the afternoon with a few stage fright people, chilling on the Rooftop bar and stuffing our faces with massive hamburgers :) nom! I really could just nap up there if it wasn't so weird and packed with people hahaha! 

I recommend everyone to check out Pop M'Art and be part of it before they finish! :D 
Even if you're not much of a painter, or never painted before, it's such a fun experience! 

***

Okay! Best to rush off now and get more things done! Got this adrenaline running, even though I'm super tired (>.<) better make the most of it before it runs out and I just drop dead snoring in my bed! haha hope everyone will have a lovely week ahead of them, and take advantage of the beautiful weather during their lunch breaks :) 

Keep a smile on your dial! :D 

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. I just want to say a quick thank you for people who still stop by my blog and leave comments (^___^) means so much to me when I still get visitors, even when I've been so inactive lately! And hello hello to my few new followers! :D so happy to have you join in on the low down for my lil adventures! (haha I just sounded a lil gangster there...) 

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I'm Not Giving Up!

So I just did a little painting to motivate myself since I've been feeling like a little stressball lately (>.<) The past week has just been hectic, and not as productive as I would have liked with uni and shop work. But happy to say, even though this day started out rough, it became a very productive night with my painting orders :) So I'm feeling that little warm fuzzy feeling inside of me again, that lets me know that I'll be alright as long as I refuse to give up and give in to all the work that's got to be done! (rah rah rah!!) 

***

So what's been happening lately? 
I think it'll be better if I just show you photos rather than ramble on with the details (^_^) 


1. First page of my sketch book project for Art House Co Op. :) finally getting some where with this project!!  2+3. Photos from DanTay's 25th Birthday - themed classic 50/60's (^__^) these were photos taken from his photo booth set up! :D 4. One of my paintings that I recently just finished :)  5. Instax snaps from the night I caught up with the ol' time uni ppl for Malaysian Food and Coffee (^__^) So good to see them all again!!  6. Jiji being so cute! She's grown to be so big and chubby since we bought her in early Feb >.<  7+8. Boon's photos from the night we went karaoke with the Stage Fright Crew! :D Lol at how Viet-My got so drunk :P  9. Ice cream cubes from Tom Turtle from the night we watched HUNGER GAMES (whoop whoop, loved it) :) Yosh... it's only ice cream in cubes, but it was still a fun experience to choose from all the flavours ^_^  10. Paper planes for my sketch book project :)

I'm also missing out on quite a few photos from other outings (>.<) 

***
(via tumblr) 

So... who's watched the HUNGER GAMES?! :D 

I watched it last Saturday with a group of friends on xTremeeeeeee screen (^__^) and I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome of the film! Even though, yes, the film did miss out on quite a few details from the book (that's always a given), but they also added more to the story as well, which excited me in my seat while I was watching! :D Very much looking forward to watching the 2nd film in the trilogy (>_<) That's definitely my favourite book in the series! I still need to finish book 3... everyone who's started reading the series has already finished it before me (=__=) hahaha slow down people! :P 

Btw... I'm a Peeta fan ;) 

***

Alright, now it's time for bed, here's to trying to fix my radical sleeping pattern :) 
It's my day off tomorrow, so I'll be working hard on my painting orders! I'll do my best not to forget my uni work amongst all that (=_=) sigh. Priorities, priorities... 

Keep smiling everyone! :) Hope you're having a nice week so far! 

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. This weekend I'll be part of the Pop'M'Art (Pop Up Movable Art) with my friends! :D Thanks to Truccie to introducing it to us and for organising a group booking for this Saturday! It's basically an arty event that happens every weekend, where you meet at a secret location and for 2 hours, you paint upon a 12"x16" canvas, you can paint whatever you like! - once the 2 hours are up, you hand in your work, and it'll be made one of the building blocks of an art installation, made to represent Melbourne!!! 

I'M MEGA EXCITED (^____^)

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

With Love



It's just over 2 weeks now since my Online shop for Julie's Little World has been launched (^_^) and so far it's been pretty good with business! I'm blessed with having custom orders from the most friendliest of people, who are very understanding and lenient on me with the time constraints of their paintings. Makes me happy to paint for them! And I've had a few overseas orders too with my Etsy store from United States and Singapore (heyyyy MwDee! :D), and that's just wonderful! I really do hope they'll enjoy the goodies I sent them and give them good homes (^_^) 

I've also recently officially registered the business name of Julie's Little World with Business Victoria! I was happy to find I received an actual certificate for the business name registration today! :D I think I might frame it up just for the sake of it! hehe :) 


Thank you thank you & Thank you! 

I know I've said it so many times before but I honestly don't think I can ever thank you enough! 
But here I go again :) Just wanted to say thank you endlessly to all of my friends and family who showed their great support before and since my shop launch! The kind words and feed back was highly appreciated! Because of you, I was able to make changes to my online shop to make it easier to follow and navigate! (^___^) You've also given me the courage to keep soldiering on with my little business! I'm inspired to try and create more goodies for the shop in the future! :D

 Thank you so much for your love and support, always <3

***

It's been a while since I've updated my little blog (>.<) I've been wanting to for a while now since my shop launch, but never can find the time, or in other cases the strength, to update (>.<) Life does get a little busy some times, and I've been really feeling that lately! I finally started using my 2012 diary to organise myself because I tend to forget to do things when my head is constantly buzzing (@_@)" I really need to sort out my priorities more and have a better routine!! Ahh.. balance would be good! And a better sleeping pattern too... it's 2AM atm lol. Perhaps I'll give it another go tomorrow :P So I think it's best for me to go to bed now (>_<) I'll have to slowly update with what's been happening another time :)

I'll end this post with a few sneaky peeks of a series that I'm currently working on 
featuring both Little Julie & Dragonboy! Enjoy! (^_^) 


Love, from Julie xox

P.S. They're kind of in love :) 

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