mulberry moment

run seb run!

2012-02-16T23:28:00.000+08:00

congratulations to sebastien who finished the half marathon in a great time - 1:40:02!

also, a more exciting thing is that the fundraising target of $1,888 was greatly exceeded by the wonderful generosity of friends + family supporting sebastien + smile train in raising a total of... $8,326!! wah, that's a-mazing! there's definitely a lot of smiles for those miles :D

we just received some pictures to share with you all:

seb - the man himself, running for a great cause

our design even featured on sift cookies!

a smile for every mile!

2012-02-02T13:19:00.000+08:00

doing what you enjoy the most is made more worthwhile when you help others at the same time. so i was more than happy to support + sponsor through my momumen designs, delphine + sebastien in the standard chartered half marathon run on february 5, 2012.

having done the race myself (just the half), i know it's not easy + it's great that séb is doing this for a good cause, to raise money to donate to smiletrain.org - an organisation that helps children his nephew, jules jiehu was born with a cleft palate + harelip, and found abandoned in wuhan, china. adopted into a loving french-italian family, two-year old jules has already had one operation + will undergo further surgery.

the momumen design below is the first in colour! we kept it bright + bold so it will stand out on the tshirts + other supporter materials. excited to see how it turns out!

please visit sebastien's page + support :: fundraising page (some people are donating more money the more time he shaves off his personal best!)

jules jiehu

"run seb run"

just run it

2012-02-01T00:05:00.000+08:00

i've always had a love affair with the beach... the rush of the waves, the saltiness in the air, the sinking of your toes into the sand, it's incredibly calming. it's the perfect place to start + end the day, something i plan to do more often.

juquehy, along the coast of brazil is known for it's beautiful white sand beach, which was definitely enjoyed last christmas. morning runs offered peaceful reflective moments, syncopated with amusing ones as other people celebrated their morning walks in teeny tiny garments... it is brazil! the beach was more than ideal, a long stretch of around 5-6km, relatively flat with some inlets. the beach on either end is lined with dense green forestation + several small islands were not too far from the break.

on my morning runs i witnessed the start of the day with vendors, opening up their carts with coconuts + snacks, others setting up sun chairs + umbrellas for hotel guests... the heat of the sun could be felt, it wasn't even 8am, but what a way to start the day : )

there are a few running events on this month that though i'm not participating in, will be supporting in some way or another... so more on them soon.

one quiet evening in juquehy, we wandered down the beach for a stroll + to catch the sunset, it was beautiful + features below in this month's calendar :: now imagine running on it, go on.

new waves of 2012

2012-01-06T21:25:00.002+08:00

a moment of all moments is the turn of the clock from one year to the next. this moment was spent standing on the beach in stunning punta del este watching fireworks coming at us from all directions, exploding just above our heads + lightning up the sky. amazing!!

when i was younger, i always thought the few hours after midnight foretold what your year will be like... so 2012 for me this year will be with loved ones + by the beach (that is part of the plan!)

as always, a new year brings an opportunity of change + renewing. it's like the change of tides + new waves come to refresh, though some may be more challenging, you have to keep your feet on the ground + know that come what may, you'll still be standing at the end of it all.

this picture is of jose ignacio where we spent a number of days - a beautiful beach with equally beautiful people. the lighthouse at the end is a little reminder when you start to lose your way.

be ready for all that 2012 has for you + enjoy it!

last weeks of 2011

2011-12-06T00:37:00.001+08:00

i know we say this every year, but they do seem to be going faster! i guess it's an age + time thing, as i mentioned earlier to someone, we're not spring chickens anymore ha

it is starting to feel christmasy, with the smell of pine trees outside my building, roasting chestnuts + the cooler weather to wrap up in. had a gingerbread latte today + decorated a christmas tree, haven't written any christmas cards yet, but will definitely get on to them soon. postal dates + deadlines are looming, some have passed already eek!

here's the calendar for this festive month. it was coincidentally taken on christmas eve in oxford. though the camera work is debatable, from recent photography lectures, you have to put yourself in the photographer's position + try to understand what they were thinking to appreciate the image. train tracks on a cold winter's night creating a nostalgic feeling, of holidays + travels far away, of new beginnings + fond memories, a journey to share + sometimes to go at alone. being unfocused draws upon emotions, perhaps a teary blurred vision or even the speed at which one is traveling. or more likely, it was just poor lighting + cold shakey hands!

happy holidays wherever you may be spending them!

coffee, cupcakes + christmas cards

2011-11-21T10:36:00.013+08:00

christmas is a special time + we all have wonderful memories of past years spent with family + friends, waking up to opening presents under the tree, feasting on great big meals, and napping it off in front of the tv... die hard was always on in our household!

and so this year we're bringing together a few of the things we love - coffee, cupcakes + christmas cards, on an evening at knockbox coffee company, with some mulberry moment artwork on display (some never seen before!) in support of viva christmas parties.

please join us on

friday, december 2, 2011

from 6pm onwards

hk$100 donations - you'll get a coffee, cupcakes + christmas cards!

viva christmas parties

a non-profit organisation called viva, works with local communities mainly in africa, asia + latin american to look after + care for children at risk. their mission - together we can give more children a safer, happier + brighter future. every year they run viva christmas parties, inviting children in the community for a day of fun, food + games, so donations + proceeds raised on this evening will go towards giving these children their very own special christmas moments this year.

hk.viva.org | current expedition - walking home from mongolia

knockbox coffee company

enjoy a unique coffee experience at knockbox. a company run by enthusiasts that offers espresso-based as well as specialty coffees with fresh, home-roasted beans. we sell beans, we sell equipments, + we share coffee-making skills!

shop b, 14 tai ping shan street, sheung wan, hong kong - click here for a map

facebook.com/knockboxcoffee | read a review of the place

hope to see you there!

moo-vember

2011-11-01T23:59:00.002+08:00

i know this is a rather moody background, but for some reason i find it quite peaceful! i love how the blue skies are peering through the darken clouds. you can see them. they are there. and because of that i find peace in this imagery.

the past few weeks have been a rather testing time for of number of very close friends. it's hard not to be drawn into their situations emotionally as well, and though there have been restless nights there is hope and love, prayer and friendship. it's been wonderful witnessing things changing for the better, and even though some are still going through the valleys, what we can do is journey with them and point out the blue skies behind those heavy clouds.

quite fittingly as an accompaniment to this, is the inituition's piece - the sun heals us.

tminus3

2011-10-13T01:13:00.002+08:00

oops, it's half way into october + i haven't put out the calendar yet, sorry about that! good thing there's only a few more months left of this year, the past few months have been a crazy blur, but all we can do is keep trucking on.

though as always, the last few months of the year is hectic with getting the christmas collections out, fairs + extra special designs/cards. if you're wondering, yes we'll be at a few holiday fairs, so will keep you informed of those + also we're just finalising a few details with some new shops that you'll be able to find mulberry moment in very soon! exciting.

if you are super organised + fancy getting onto your christmas card writing now, k11 - dymocks + hk book center will be displaying our festive ranges shortly. it's never too early.

here's the october calendar for all of us busy + unorganised people who are in need of a prison break. this was taken after a trip down the mekong river -

a little perspective

2011-09-08T18:27:00.004+08:00

we're a few days behind with this calendar, but it's not the end of the world + we're getting back on track with the help of sophie. she's recently taken a liking to the camera + has been busy happily snapping away on her worldly travels. i love seeing the world from her eyes, so innocent... it's refreshing!


'i want..' this is how it began

if you're interested in gaining perspective from a two year old, please follow her tumblr for regular updates - through the eyes of a 2 year old.

in the meantime, enjoy this month's calendar courtesy of sophie, taken at her granny's place:

my little sophie

2011-08-25T22:51:00.003+08:00

it was actually two years ago that I did my first baby thank you cards, and it was a pleasure to do them for my first niece - sophie. she was only a few weeks old in these photos - she was so tiny!

we decided to make them as postcards, so they would be be easy to send out without the additional cost (or waste) of an envelope! they were printed digitally on 350gsm white card stock as we were only doing a small number of them. we received some lovely feedback, and also a recipient in australia who was expecting herself, liked them so much she ordered some, exactly the same for her baby girl!

sophie just celebrated her second birthday and as she's in enjoying herself in the uk, i sent along the details for her baby tree as part of her birthday present. in the meantime i'm looking after it and watering it for her until i see her in a few months!

here's the birthday girl, all grown up...

the baby "c" miracle

2011-08-15T22:20:00.004+08:00

a childhood friend + her partner announced to us all on boxing day that they were expecting a baby. through tears, cries, clapping + giddy excitement we hugged congratulating them - it was indeed a miracle! my friend had been told that she may not be able to have children due to a chronic illness, but despite that, they were a few months in + we were all deliriously happy for them.

and so the preparations began...

baby shower :: save the date

the ironic thing with this photo, is that they had decided to dress up as juno + bleeker the halloween the year before (even before they were together). this is the money shot. given their love for films + pop culture, the juno poster was perfect for the save the date. there are a lot of personal inside jokes throughout, but that's what makes it even more special!

baby shower :: the invite
having had something a bit more 'decent' requested for the invite, i happily used photos from a photoshoot taken by laku @ lovetruelight. the first one was a bit of fun, going for a diesel look or should i say chisel - for welcomed miracles. the second is what we went for - something very clean with strong imagery.

thank you e-card

lots of pink, balloons, ribbons + baby bottles adorned the baby shower venue. even the mother-to-be was wrapped up! there were lots of gifts, love + cupcakes. success!

finally :: the baby announcement
for the past nine months she had been affectionately known as "baby c" + now she had finally arrived! receiving messages throughout the night, we rushed up in the morning before work when she had popped out. hello little cwensuela danielle chan :) we've been preparing for your arrival, and you're most welcome into our lives. yay!

my baby tree

2011-08-11T23:36:00.004+08:00

after realising that my efforts in planting trees in the friends of the earth 2010 tree challenge was burnt + washed away in a hill fire, i wanted to find some other way of doing my part in giving back in some way + making sure we continue to build a sustainable future.

i found out about wwf's 'my baby tree' program + decided to support in the reforestation of rinjani's forest in lombok island, indonesia. i purchased some as gifts for a few new babies of friends + clients - i think it's a wonderful collaboration of life + nature growing together (ok i won't get too sappy). in particular for my clients whom we have done baby announcements + thank you cards, it just seemed appropriate. of course, i got one for myself.

this is him:

he's actually alive + you have to water them every two weeks. shouldn't be too hard... you can keep them in these containers + carry them around, or take them out + plant them. i think i'll keep mine in for now + see how he grows.

you just need to register them online + you get a certificate and they actually plant a tree on your behalf (you can name them) in rinjani's forest, indonesia. you get the details of their coordinates so you can find them on google earth! how awesome is that?!!

mine is tree #1495 + he's a klokos tree, check him out:

i've decided to call him koko.

so to my other fellow baby tree owners - cwensuela, adelyn, romeo + sophie, i hope you look after + learn about your trees. maybe we can go visit them one day :)

note. we will be purchasing a baby tree for every client going forward. yes, we're building a forest.

for non clients - it's easy to get one yourself or as a gift, just go to wwf's my baby tree, they are only hk$149!

whirlwind weeks

2011-08-08T02:11:00.000+08:00

the past wee while has been quite a blur - i didn't even realise that august was upon us, and it's the second week already!

within the last month, we've been working through several projects that have been going on for a while, and it's definitely been satisfying finishing some of them off! baby announcements + thank you cards, which i'll post about separately as it was quite a fun project for a lovely french couple and their new little bubba; animated e-cards + invitations; wedding invitations + decorations; and we're just currently tying up the final ends of a young girl's art collection we compiled into a book (98 paintings), yes it's been quite a project!!

with the million of things going on, and constantly checking off the list, i'm having to play catch up on certain others things that tend to be the first to get neglected (such as this years christmas cards!) and here's the calendar for this month...

welcome to july

2011-07-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

the heat is on, and the humidity is high. it's hard walking out in the streets without soon becoming drenched in a layer of your own sweat (and sometimes others if they brush past you!)

this picture was taken outside of xi'an at one of the terracotta warrior sites. the low lying area was incredibly dry with mountains surrounding, an idea location for the vast caverns home to thousands upon thousands of individual warrior figures. exposed to the heat, as we all were too, the dryness was evident in the vegetation and the earth contrasting the clear blue skies.

here's to heat of the summer - keep cool.

memories

2011-06-28T23:18:00.000+08:00

this website captures the wonderful essence of life, love, memories, relationships....

it's called 'dear photograph'.

a breather

2011-06-02T23:45:00.002+08:00

apologies for running a bit behind on this month's calendar... it seems to be a habit of late with the list of things-to-do growing, but somehow time doesn't seem to be growing with it! as said recently to a friend, we can be busy, but that doesn't mean we're stressed, and rightly so. the old adage of if you want something done, get a busy person to do is not an understatement; there is a sense of productivity and accomplishment in just getting things done.

in saying all that, it's important to take time out for a breather and escape a bit. i managed to steal some time away to lie on the beach and be lulled to sleep by the waves... hmm it was much needed.

speaking of escapes, this picture was taken in the south island of new zealand, just by mirror lake. it was a little too cloudy and breezy to see a perfect reflection on the lake, so we just decided to take in the peaceful surrounding fields before heading to the glacier. breathe in...

keeping it fresh

2011-04-30T17:00:00.000+08:00

a recent trip into the beautiful rural areas of xian, chengdu + songpan was an eye opener as to what the vast country china has to offer. in contrast to the rapid development + economic growth the nation is achieving, it was refreshing to experience genuine hospitality and humbleness as we shared in the simplicity of the local's daily lives. it really helps to put things into perspective. like that.

this month's pictures are from the picturesque jiazhaiguo national park, where the colourful waters are crystal clear reflecting the natural surroundings. it was really hard to choose what photo to use so here are two options for this month! in saying that, my photos really didn't do the place justice (though no post production has been done on them), you should definitely go visit yourself :: enjoy!

early mornings

2011-04-02T10:10:00.002+08:00

given my recent move and lack of curtains or blinds, i'm finding myself waking incredibly early. with the arrival of spring, the sun rises around 6am warming and flooding my room with light. i much prefer a natural alarm clock than relying on phones, watches and the likes. they tend to shock you up, which is never a good start to the day.

here's the calendar for this month taken from mt. kinabalu. it was so serene sitting on the mountain side and i was on my own as everyone was heading up to the peak and i took a little detour off to the side. it was simply breath-taking and an amazing way to start the day :: enjoy.

marching on

2011-03-01T00:17:00.000+08:00

until we come to the month of march... this month starts a little different, being in a new place, well en route to a new place, new positions and perspective for what's to come. likewise with our calendar this month we take a slight detour from our usual landscape backgrounds.

i've tried to capture the simple delight and innocence of these children playing. we were in line to go into the taj mahal and it was hot, the lines were long and we just had to wait. i love the expression on their faces as they race across the marble floor, pure joy. something we all need a little more of in our days :: enjoy :)

february haze

2011-02-01T20:27:00.000+08:00

this year's calendars seem to have a nostalgic feel to the images, i'm not sure why, maybe it's just the mood i'm in when taking the photos or as a result of the pollution we are subject to in hk! either way, i am quite liking it.

this is taken whilst on the 50km hike, yes i did stop and take a few pics along the way, but it was only for brief moments and then we continued plodding on.

hope you enjoy it :)

...and so we walked

2011-01-31T22:31:00.007+08:00

the day started in pitch black, with the wind howling through the lift shafts as i prepared my carb and protein loaded breakfast and layered up. at the top of the peak it was very cool and other more competent hikers sporting hiking sticks and fancy gear were stretching and warming up. when we started it was almost as if we were in mong kok or causeway bay, shuffling along with the hoards of people. not ones to enjoy the crowds (there were over 3000 participants!!), we weaved our way through the chatter and walking sticks to find some space and avoid getting stuck in the backlog!

the sun joined us and it started getting rather warm as we briskly walked on. time passed with lots of random conversations and laughs and we continued on down the stony and paved paths. the scenery was indeed beautiful, with blue skies and plenty of greeny - hk is a beautiful place, we just need to take the time to notice it. after some much needed toilet breaks and re-strapping, we fueled up at the support stations with bananas and liquids and made it through to the 25km mark in little under 4 hours.

team mulberry lite started around 12:30 and throughout the hike we were trying to figure out where each other were and how to try catch up. but then came the grueling part with a monotonous flat that seemed to go on for hours and the ridiculous never-ending steps going up... nurofen and powerbar gels helped us get through this part. and for some overzealous reason we decided it would be a good idea to run the last 5km. however that was short lived for about 500m, when we quickly sobered up and decided perhaps to leave it to the last 2km and a light jog if anything.

at about 2km from the end we caught up to team mulberry lite who were happily plodding along :D it was a lovely way to end the long day catching up and crossing the finish line together. well, once the finish line was in sight, the competitive side of our team made us sprint the last few meters, clocking in at 15:34. we managed to complete the hike in about 9hours, and we'll have to wait for the official times, not too bad for a first long hike. the fastest time for the 50km was 3 hr 41 min 22 sec!! that's intense.

great job to both mulberry and mulberry lite teams, such awesome troopers and there were lots of smiles even at the end!!

get your hike on!

2011-01-28T22:30:00.002+08:00

checking the observatory for the weather is always a good start to get you ready for a race - hko has kindly encouraged me with it's cold weather warning that is enforce. will layer up tomorrow so when and if it gets warmer it'll be easy to peel off the layers.

so the green power 50km hike... besides preparing yourself physically, it's also important to prepare yourself mentally. it's what will determine whether or not you finish. it looks like a lovely route, but i doubt we'll be stopping to smell the roses along the way. i'm rather competitive when it comes to things like this, so regardless of how tired you may be or whatever physically limitations you may get, giving up is not an option.

physically the team is feeling a little ginger on the edges, with an old ankle injury in strapping, another having been admitted into hospital for several days due to an asthma attack and the last deciding to have a big night and arriving home at 4am this morning - go team!!

well, we'll be fine. as stated before, we're prepared mentally so that's what will get us to the end. so we'll see you after the finish line, a little tired and sore, hopefully having crossed the line upright ha

on the weekend

2011-01-18T22:28:00.001+08:00

we spent the weekend at the jccac winter fair, despite being fairly under the weather, but what a great creative space!

the jockey club creative arts centre is a renovated factory building in skep kip mei and has a courtyard, studios for rent, galleries, cafe + tea house. there were over 80 different stalls featuring + displaying local artists + talent, designers, illustrators, clothing, bags, jewelery, leathergoods... it was awesome to see so many diverse styles. it just goes to show how creative hk is!

two that really stood out for me were temp house - william's illustrations are so detailed + fine. he draws them and finishes them off in photoshop. the website is fun + interactive, and reminds me of a wonderful little game called machinarium.

the other one was ballzi yau's innocent shop with her quirky plush creatures, which are more art pieces for display than actual toys.

a great place to meet interesting + inspiring creators :)

good morning 2011 :)

2011-01-01T11:56:00.002+08:00

it's amazing to think that each day starts with a sunrise - it never fails to do so! faithful + reliable it brings us light, warmth + promise of new things the day will bring.

today's sunrise is significant in the fact that it not only starts a new day, but it also starts a new year; welcome to 2011!!! people commonly look back + reflect on the year gone by, and based on that set new resolutions + goals for the one ahead. but i think it's much easier to just let what happen be... and what we should do is keep looking forward, be thankful for each sunrise + expectant of good things to come.

i love the tone of this image with it's slight nostalgic feel, but in fact it is of the sunrise this morning - jan 01, 2011. here's to a new day, a new year + new things to come :)

a hiking we will go

2010-12-23T10:22:00.000+08:00

so in the spirit of being more active + getting outdoors more in the new year we have joined the green power hike in jan 2011! with two teams taking part we're accepting the challenge to hike 25km and 50km across hong kong to raise money to help environmental initiatives and education.

see below for more details + contact us if you want to donate + support us - thankyou!!

the warmth of december

2010-12-01T23:53:00.001+08:00

hello december. it's been a while since we've last met, in fact it's been a year, but it always amazes me how not long ago it seems! i've realised this is the first christmas i've spent at home, which is nice for a change, as traveling, although fun is tiring. so i'm happy to stay put... for now :)

christmas in hong kong isn't the cold wintery one you'd like to experience during the festive season, but i think we still we enjoy it for what it is. we just have to think of all the cold things so we can have warm ourselves up with a gingerbread latte, mulled wine, minced pies and stuffing! yumm

enjoy the last calendar of 2010, with a little dusting on top!

up + coming holiday events

2010-11-07T21:42:00.002+08:00

the festive season is upon us with gingerbread lattes + the red cups at starbucks, carols playing in the shops and snowflakes + snowmen decorating the shop windows!

there are a few events coming up that we will be at, so mark these dates

:: hmhk community bazaar at the soho wine + dine festival ::
november 20-21 (sat-sun) from 1pm-8pm
both days will have a plethora of stalls on staunton, elgin and peel street selling lovingly handcrafted items + gifts, live entertainment + just a great day out!

:: db backyard holiday bazaar ::
november 28 (sun) from 10am-5pm
spend the day in discover bay plaza and support local artists + craft makers. find that perfect personalised gift to put under the tree this year!

check out the handmade hong kong website for more info

see you all soon :)

::pre-order:: festive cards + gift wrap!!

2010-11-04T16:54:00.003+08:00

we're now taking pre-orders for our festive range!! cards + gift wrap will be available mid november so please place your orders + we'll do the rest :)

**special** for the first 20 people to order 12 cards or more, you will be able to enjoy a delectable signature dessert at zenku - a new modern japanese restaurant (only available in hong kong), described as cuisine haute provocation... it's definitely one to tantalize your tastebuds.

click on the image to view the eflyer or download the order form :: happy shopping!

mulberry moment festive eflyer 2010

it's a darker, cooler + cozier time

2010-10-31T22:48:00.001+08:00

i love the change of seasons and how it effects the environment, our moods and preferences; warm comforting foods, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, gingerbread lattes and mulled wine (yes mugs!), big soft scarves and thick jumpers... mmm makes me want to snuggle into my big duvet.

this picture was taken in london just outside of the tate museum. i remember walking around, wrapped up in a scarf, woolly hat and gloves as it was the end of december and it was cold!! there's something about being snug in layers of winter gear and having a hot cuppa with the icy wind on your face, it just makes things feel right. wonderful memories to warm the heart.. awww! enjoy this month's calendar :)

going back this christmas

2010-10-23T12:47:00.000+08:00

i've always been attracted to the 40s, with the uber gentlemen and feminine style, the swing, jazz and blues music, big bands and dance halls, films about chivalry, war, love, honour and family... yes i am an old romantic. if i could chose to live in a period, i would pick the 40s. of course it wasn't always glamour, music and fun; it was post world war and people were putting their lives back together, with the loss of loved ones but also there is a sense of joy in surviving.

this is where i drew inspiration for the new festive range... classic christmas gifts. things that were treasured and loved dearly, with the simple purpose of bringing joy to their little owners. here's a little glimpse of one of the designs - we always like men in uniforms! the set of 4 designs are currently in print so will let you know when they're ready, yay :)

creativity is not an island

2010-10-14T17:40:00.001+08:00

being creative is a funny thing really. you realise that your imagination runs a different course and you see things slightly different from others who are less creatively inclined. it's hard not to get frustrated at people who think more logically or have no specific design input, just whether they like it or not. i think that gets me the most ha

this year i've realised there aren't that many people i respect or trust the creative judgement of. it's a difficult position to be in, especially when i'm designing + creating things. i'm limited by my own creativity. it's good if you know what you like + have the confidence in your work (though too much could be mistaken as arrogance!) i'm definitely the sort that needs to talk things out + brainstorm to refine ideas, concepts + of course improve my own abilities. i'm a team player!

so i totally recommend seeking out like-minded people + getting involved with creative communities to keep yourself inspired + stimulated.

come fly away

2010-10-11T21:18:00.000+08:00

i was just reminded of what a wonderful song this is -

no matter what mood you're in, it certainly picks you up and makes you want to let go of things weighing you down to the point you're so light that you will literally fly and float away.

i've been procrastinating a bit, ok a lot. there are things i know i need to do, yet i simply don't do them. so i've set myself a goal for the week: finish the new christmas range... now i've told you all, so i have to do it!

when sleep is not a friend... turn to the drawing board

2010-10-06T19:13:00.003+08:00

being sleep deprived is a funny thing. your mind + body don't seem to communicate anymore, so when you are suppose to be alert and focused i.e. at work, you just zone out and when you're lying in bed needing to be catching those zzz's, thoughts are going through your head at the speed of light. thank God for coffee and other stimulants. though these eye stickers are pretty awesome... a little freaky, but could potentially come in handy ha

well a good thing about having the extra time is more time to work at the new mm christmas range! yes, that is what is happening right now. i'm loving the new concept (which you will hear and see more about soon) but at the same time there comes additional frustrations of not translating the vision i've conjured up in my head onto paper. it's going to take some time, but hopefully not too long as christmas is fast approaching!!!

start making those lists and checking it twice :)

staying up late

2010-09-30T16:19:00.000+08:00

well i'm going to post this one a little earlier (see, i'm working on my organisational skills + planning!) but also i'll be at a wedding after party tonight so i'm sure this is the view i'll see coming home on october 1st.

this is the view from my apartment at dawn.. there's something really peaceful about watching the day take over the night. it's almost like a battle between light + dark, which reminds me of pixar's wonderful animated short day + night (see below)!

enjoy :)

Video - Day And Night - Pixar

handmade hongkong's db bazaar

2010-09-25T10:25:00.001+08:00

i love the concept of coming together with goods + wares that have been lovingly created, inspired + best of all, handmade! there's something nice about taking the time to make something with your own hands, you get the ultimate satisfaction.

yaaah we're looking forward to handmade hong kong's db backyard bazaar! check out the list of other participating vendors. we'll be sharing a booth with bubblecouture + colourblind from 10am to 5pm so hope you can drop by.

back to school

2010-09-01T09:58:00.001+08:00

although it's been a while since i've had that feeling of going back to school, i still remember that feeling of a new school year - the excitement of going back, hanging out with friends at break time, passing notes, checking out the new kids and teachers, figuring out the new class schedule... ah such wonderful memories :)

one of my favourite things to do was buying new stationery! books and notepads, pens in different colours, highlighters, post it notes, organising files, clips... i would spend hours in the stationery shop picking everything out and testing each colour. they excite me a lot, and they still do!

so in honour of the school term and some teacher friends, who work incredibly hard and have amazing stories and kids' assignments to share, here's the calendar for september :: enjoy!!

painted blackboard wall :: wu kwai sha youth village, hong kong

hello august

2010-08-01T23:26:00.000+08:00

we're swiftly moving through the year into the 8th month already, and the weather is hot and perfect for sitting by the ocean and enjoying the salty breeze.

this picture captures one of those moments, i was in wellington with my sisters, bro-in-law and beautiful little niece having lunch and soaking up the rays. it was a wonderful day, and hope you all have a wonderful summer month!

enjoy :)

"say GOOOOD bye to your e-waste"

2010-07-10T14:28:00.006+08:00

this month we will be supporting a local event at cyberport to educate + raise awareness of our growing problem with e-waste. there will be fun interactive ways to learn how to be more environmentally + dispose of e-waste responsibly. something that we all need to learn + know more about, especially if you're thinking of buying a new iphone soon!

the event will run from july 15-31, with eco fairs on the weekends from 12-6pm (which is where we will be!)

also featuring
:: art exhibitions
:: comic + animations - a special comic has been developed by local creative talents promoting the message of environmental protection, which can be read via a touch screen + downloaded to smart-phones
:: workshops
:: interactive games
:: recycling centre
:: hong kong's 1 minute international film festival
:: + test drive a new electric car!!

hope to see you guys there... if you want to know more please read the press release click here

or join the cyberport facebook page to keep updated on what's happening for this event

a little more background for you
:: what is e-waste?
:: a snippet of greenpeace's video on hong kong's role + responsibility for e-waste
:: below are some pictures from guiyu, china's electronic waste village which breaks down a lot of the world's e-waste, with dangerous consequences for themselves!

a slight delay...

2010-07-06T22:00:00.000+08:00

it took me a while to realise that we're actually in july! it feels a bit odd doesn't it? time has once again managed to escape us... it feels like it was only the other day when we were entering into the year twenty-ten + now we're half way through it!

i do apologise for the delay in this month's calendar, i've just spent a week in one of my favourite destinations - kota kinabalu, malaysia. it's a beautiful place offering a plethora of activities by the beach/underwater + on land/high up, with great kopi (coffee) + a melting pot of ethnic foods to enjoy. we managed to test the waters whilst white water rafting + diving, as well as putting our stamina to the test by climbing mt. kinabalu + yes we reached the peak at 4,095m above sea level!!

the calendar for this month (albeit a late one) is the morning view from up the mountain, maybe it'll inspire you to climb it one day :: enjoy :)

june's sun + sea

2010-06-01T18:33:00.003+08:00

i've been enjoying the wonderful fijian life for the past few weeks... every one greets you with "bula" and calls you by name, the food and weather are great and there is so much lush green life around - it is a beautiful place with equally beautiful people!

also, i was fortunate enough to get my open water license, and now am a fully certified diver thanks to tawake and his amazing dive team at garden island resort, taveuni!! exploring the depths of the oceans and all that is in it, has always been a dream of mine and it was the perfect opportunity to begin that dream.

so in honour of that, this month's calendar is of a reef in the northern part of fiji :: hope you like it :)

may day!

2010-05-01T01:16:00.001+08:00

so we come to the first of may, how fast is this year going?! 2010 is zooming by...

i love this picture. it was taken whilst driving around the south island, new zealand and the brilliant colours on the washing line make me happy. the current weather makes me think of roadtrips and travels, beaches and picnics so thought that this would be the perfect image as we continue through spring into summer.

enjoy :)

gar yao!! gar yao!!

2010-04-25T21:03:00.002+08:00

gao yao literally translates to 'add oil' and this is what the volunteers were cheering us on today as we hiked up crazy steep slopes and carried saplings over rocky terrain so we could plant them on the side of a hill!

it was a wonderful event with over 700 registered participants, over 200 volunteers and the weather was perfect, slightly overcast and a cool breeze and the sun came out on the way back down. i ended up planting 10 saplings, unfortunately didn't name them but will try visit them next year. a big thank you to mari + kyle for providing moral support and waking up so early to walk with me! despite the bad reception, the phone calls were appreciated :P

thanks friends of the earth hk for organising it, looking forward to next year :)

here are a few pics from the day... we also made some furry friends along the way!

preparing to plant new life

2010-04-21T17:33:00.005+08:00

this is the site where we'll be planting the saplings on sunday :: grassy hill, shing mun country park, tsuen wan, this is a popular place for family hikes. it's fairly rocky and barren as it had been destroyed by hill fires. so we'll be planting trees that have a high water retention, which acts as a fire resistant barrier!

there will be 8-12 different tree species, native and exotic breeds to encourage biodiversity and they have been selected to suit our local environment.

a few of the species include schima superba (gugertree)

and the rhaphiolepis indica.

friends of the earth hk are doing a fantastic job and will be committing to annual aftercare for 3 year to weed and fertilise the plants and make sure they are surviving!

as mentioned in the other post, we have to create
our own carrying gear, here are a few ideas from
previous years...

will keep you posted on how things go :)

bubble couture launch party!!!

2010-04-19T22:14:00.001+08:00

my dear friend linnet will be launching her baby apparel company this weekend :: bubble couture

all stock will be available at 10% off on the day + there are lots of prizes to be won. our cards will also be there so come check it out. details below...

introducing :: tombo the tomato plant

2010-04-14T15:28:00.001+08:00

repotting was a success and tombo is set up with a lovely view of the tsing ma bridge :)

got green fingers?

2010-04-11T23:45:00.003+08:00

In all honesty, I've never had green fingers... though my grandmother loves spending time in the garden, especially with her roses (picture below), and my mum has always had pots of things growing on our balcony, I never was good with plants.

Well that is all going to change!

I was recently given a tomato plant and will document it's growth and progress on here. I need to repot it so it can spread it's roots and grow. A picture will be coming soon (it's too dark outside now to take one).

Another thing that I've always wanted to do is plant a tree. I'd be happy just to plant one, but living in a concrete jungle on the 41/F makes it quite hard to do so. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Friends of the Earth are running a tree planting challenge on April 25th, and I have signed up, yay!! The challenge? Hike 13km and plant a minimum of 10 saplings in 6 hours. Doesn't sound too bad, but after going to a briefing session I realise I need to do some training as a lot of it is uphill and the saplings themselves weigh over 8kg, not including tools, fertiliser, water (for the saplings and myself) a packed lunch and wet weather wear :: bring it on!!!

In addition, we have to create a carrying device for the saplings, so it has to be strong, lightweight and easy to carry uphill... so I need so ideas and help here please!

I've decided to name my little saplings, so free feel to send in your ideas :)

waking up to spring

2010-04-01T01:16:00.000+08:00

this picture was taken on a walk through the beautiful uk midlands + you can see a little bit of frost melting away on the grass, which brings us to the month that is full of life + new beginnings :: happy april :)

a green product store :: emoi

2010-03-30T16:40:00.001+08:00

i was walking around the polluted streets of causeway bay + came across an incredibly clean, visually fresh looking store with interesting products inside :: emoi

they have some great eco products such as bpa free tumblers, reusable shopping + cloth bags to more unique pieces like funky hanging clocks + my favourite :: blackboard mugs!!

emoi can be found at
19-21 sharp street east, causeway bay, hong kong
emoilife.com

often 2010 :: organic, fair trade, environmental friendly fair + music show

2010-03-17T17:48:00.001+08:00

often 2010 :: organic, fair trade, environmental friendly fair + music show
date :: saturday 20th march 2010
location :: podium, cyberport hong kong
time :: 9am-10pm
entry fee :: $40

when we first heard of this fair last year from our friends noughts and exes + immediately knew we had to be a part of it! this is the first event in hk dedicated to creating awareness, educating, combining arts, products + music together to encourage the sustainable development of the environment + community.

apart from product stalls like ours, there will also be workshops + demonstrations on how to make organic cookies, 100% organic soap, natural plant dying to nutritional talks + tips on turning trash into useful household products!

also the music show will be the highlight with a number of local bands supporting the cause + they've even collaborated their talent to write an original song for the event - how awesome is that!

we'll be there from 8am-9pm so hope you guys can make it along + enjoy the day. it actually looks like the weather is going to clear up too. yay :)

for more info on the often event, check out www.chopsticks-co.com/often2010/

heading straight into march

2010-03-01T19:22:00.005+08:00

can you believe it's already march?! how has the year gone by so fast?!

march is going to be an exciting month for us with a few fairs coming up (details below) and new outlets stocking our momumen cards!

available in the following hong kong shops now
:: graze cafe - sheung wan www.graze.hk
:: hong kong book centre - central www.hongkongbookcentre.com
:: hong kong book centre - taikoo shing
:: kelly & walsh - pacific place www.kellyandwalsh.com
:: organic baby - lyndhurst tce www.organicbaby.com.hk
:: pippap - db
:: swindon book co - tst www.swindonbooks.com

fairs
:: kgv school - fairy tales night market
friday, march 12, 6-9pm
2 tin kwong road, ho man tin

:: often - organic, fair trade, environmentally friendly fair & music show 2010
saturday, march 20, 10am-11pm
tickets - $40/person
hong kong's first ever event to put the ideas of organic, fair trade, environmentally friendly concepts and the support of the sustainable development of the local community together. come show your support! www.chopsticks-co.com/often2010/

will see you guys there!

also as it's a new month, let's refresh our desktops :: here's to a great month of march :)

february's looking bright

2010-01-31T22:35:00.003+08:00

it's been a while since our last post, but no worries we're still here working on a few things which makes the coming months look rather exciting - with more wedding bells ringing, some new invites, personalised stationery + a new range of cards!

:: also coming soon :: new mulberry moment website, where you can browse through the cards + shop online! we'll let you know more very soon.

in the meantime, here's the desktop calendar for february :: enjoy!

new year 2010!

2010-01-01T21:43:00.001+08:00

what an exciting new year this is going to be. i can just feel it :)

there are a number of things going on with mulberry moment this year, with new products, new ranges + a new online shopping website coming soon, so keep a look out for that.

to get the year going, here's a desktop calendar for your background. feel free to add details such as important dates, birthdays + so on. this'll (hopefully) help with sending cards out on time!

click on the image to enlarge it + save the file with your background images :: happy jan 2010

yay it's christmas!!

2009-12-25T20:57:00.000+08:00

i just received this lovely picture of a christmas fireplace.

check out the momumen festive cards along the mantle!

have a wonderful christmas everyone :)

handmadehongkong :: soho carnival

2009-11-10T02:06:00.006+08:00

what a great weekend! thanks for all the support + love :D
visit our facebook page for more images

market day nov 7-8!

2009-10-26T13:23:00.000+08:00

the handmadehongkong market day in soho is fast approaching... 2 more weeks! i'm a little nervous as this is the first market day i've done + i'm not sure what the response to mulberry cards will be! i know i know it'll be fine, thought it's easy to let doubts creep in looking at that calibre of vendors that will be there. all i can do is plan + get things ready...

1. the festive cards are at the printers + i'll be checking the colour proofs this wednesday
2. the biodegradable plastic sheets will be arriving soon via a friend coming back from the states
3. finalising display concept [while listening to the 500days of summer soundtrack - awesome]
4. working on a little roster for the day if people are available to come help! if you have an hour or two to spare on nov 7-8, 12noon - 9pm please please do let me know - thanks!!

order your festive range now + get a gingerbread latte!

2009-10-22T14:41:00.005+08:00

click here to view the online version

christmas is coming!

2009-10-09T00:53:00.004+08:00

i've been working on the christmas range of momumen cards + it has been bringing up lots of memories of christmas + excitement for the season ahead!! i'm actually heading to the uk to celebrate with family so that'll be really good. hopefully will be able to meet up with some card companies + distributors while i'm there. uk is one of the largest markets for greeting cards!

in the meantime here's a sneak peak at one of the cards in the festive range 2009! more to come soon...

offset all the way

2009-09-25T15:42:00.003+08:00

I've just completed a few different design + print jobs and it's be fun working on these projects [pictures to be posted later]. The only issue I will have to make sure stands going forward is using offset printing, only. Due to various factors, mainly budget + small quantities, a few clients have opted for digital print. Which is fine if they want to go that way, and are happy with the finished product, but in all honesty it just doesn't look as good. From now on I will only be providing offset printing with soy ink + recycled paper. This is important for my business + keeping true to the mission to be earth friendly while using sustainable materials where possible.

On the topic of printing, I've had an issue with a printer of not providing a colour proof before the final print run! This is really frustrating as the final product on both occasions had problems which could have been easily rectified if a proof was given + checked. What a waste of material + time... note for the future, make sure you get a proof!

momumen cards available

2009-09-05T15:50:00.004+08:00

finally our first mulberry moment range of cards featuring momumen - our signature characters expressing emotions + moments are available

:: in hong kong at graze cafe a neighourhood cafe serving wholesome comfort food. check it out :)

:: online at etsy.com/mulberrymoment

if you are interested in stocking our cards in your store, please contact us at thegoods@mulberrymoment.com. display units are as below

enjoy your mulberry moment!

do what your heart desires

2009-06-27T19:44:00.006+08:00

In the last couple of days I've finally managed to catch up with some close friends, which has proven a difficult task in the past few months as everyone, myself included is always busy! I really am thankful for the flexible I can have with my time, although I had to catch myself recently, as I felt that I was spending too much time doing that. So when I got home at the end of the day, I worked and worked till the early hours of the morning to make up for time lost. Which there wasn't any of... I was just losing sleep! I know how easy it is to slip into the mindset of working yourself hard and being productive, but I'm learning to shift that focus to other areas, such as investing in relationships and personal growth. So a coffee date here or there, or spending some time reading a book is ok, and is in fact a good thing.

Going back to those long awaited catch ups, it was wonderful to hear my friends' life stories and being able to share our dreams. It's really encouraging to see people going after their passions, whether it be writing, dancing, music, brand management or even perfecting their coffee making. Everyone has a particular desire that stirs their heart, and it is a big thing to step out into it. Despite all your fears and barriers in front of you, if you commit to your desires, the passion that drives you will get you through to see those dreams come true.

If you don't know already, set some time aside to find those desires of your heart. It's worth it.

a little teaser

2009-06-16T22:44:00.006+08:00

the first range of mulberry moment momumen* cards have arrived!! the cards will soon be available in select stores as well as online. if you would like to see the full range + place a direct order please feel free to email us at thegoods@mulberrymoment.com

*momumen are our signature little characters who express emotions + moments. the 4.75in squared cards are printed with soy ink on 100% recycled card and come with a matching embossed envelope.

check out our facebook group for the full collection, in the meantime, here's a little sample of the cards

third time is a winner

2009-06-12T13:29:00.003+08:00

So I've had a few runs at my business card and finally am happy with this one...

naturally inspired

2009-06-02T13:06:00.005+08:00

The other day we went to Turtle Cove and it's a beautiful tucked away little beach, I fell in love with it right away. We only had less than half an hour of sun there, but that didn't matter, it was so peaceful and serene.. it almost felt like we were in a different place. While others decided to lie on the sand and chat or go for a swim, I was captivated by the wonderful collection of shells washed up on the shore. I spent the next hour or so crouched down, sifting through and searching for beauty created by nature.

Here's a sample of the treasure I found

I love how they have been smoothed and shaped by the tides rolling over them and the details and curves are beautiful. Nature is full of colour; the hues and shades of flowers, leaves, plants etc. are great material for design. I'll soon be working on a range of cards that is naturally inspired :)

Below is a picture of my potpourri that makes my room smell like a garden!

a first birthday card

2009-05-22T15:31:00.004+08:00

I recently went to a friend's baby's first birthday party! It was an amazing event, with babies of all ages, helium balloons, cupcakes, finger sandwiches and rubber duckies everywhere! What a wonderful thing to celebrate.. the first year of your child :) I wanted to make a special card for the birthday girl, even though she's not able to read yet, it'll be something nice for her to look back on. The ribbons took a while to tie, but we got there in the end!

the month of may

2009-05-20T10:45:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I've posted! It's not that I haven't been doing anything, quite the contrary. The wedding invites have been finished and printed and will be sent out soon, so will post some pictures later. They turned out really well!!

Had a bit of a disaster with my business cards.. I'm not happy with the finishing and it's not because I am a perfectionist, which I am, but I want to be able to give out cards that represent the company and brand properly. I'm finding an alternative for my business cards. Though I will still give the printed ones out, I don't want to waste paper!

Speaking of which, I've been doing a lot of research into being earth friendly and reducing waste and so on. The path the world is currently on is leading to a polluted and depleted world.. our desire for consumption and more consumption, demands the manufacture of more products, packaging and transporting goods around the world, creates more greenhouse gases causing climate and environmental change. It's not to say we have to stop consuming "stuff" which would be a difficult, and fairly impossible task to achieve, but we should be wise and educated about what we buy and use and how to dispose of them properly, and understand how our decisions can better the world we live in.

For mulberry moment, we need to understand and realise the implications of the paper stock used and how they can be reused or recycled. What's In Your Paper? Paper Steps helps us understand what environmentally paper should be and what we can do to be more earth friendly. Recycled paper is actually a lot easier to recycle again!

In addition to the paper we'll be using, printing with non-toxic, acid free ink such as soy ink will be a huge focus for our products. So more about that later.

special occasions need extra special cards

2009-04-27T20:55:00.009+08:00

wedding day

first year anniversary

introducing mulberry moment

2009-04-20T16:37:00.003+08:00

After 15 or so colour combinations and attempts we finally have the mulberry moment brand! Thank you to everyone who has contributed in ideas, suggestions and comments.

Click on the image to get a closer look at the mulberrymoment logo.

the logo

2009-04-15T21:03:00.007+08:00

As you may know we have been working on the logo and have, through the advice of some talented designers created the logo for mulberry moment.. yipee!!

The coloured version is being worked on now.. it is important to have the logo looking good at it's most basic i.e. black/white for the purposes of photocopying, faxing and so on. So we'll keep you updated on the final look of the brand soon :)

Current mulberrymoment work
:: wedding invites are nearly done.. finalising the details and hope to go to print next week - YAY!
:: mulberrymoment business cards will be completed with the brand and printed soon
:: the first range of cards are being developed and we aim to have them available in time for summer :)

milestones

2009-04-07T23:53:00.004+08:00

Last Tuesday I went and registered the company, so now mulberry moment is officially a business in HK! Exciting.

Also I finally had a catch up with an incredibly talented person whom I have worked with for over 3 years. It was good just to talk about my ideas and concepts and hear her input and her natural flair for creative ideas was inspiring. She also is remarkably practical, and asked about how I was planning to do things and suggested ways to focus my resources more effectively, which is really important at this time.

It's challenging starting a business on your own.. you have to do everything yourself. From the planning, budgeting, designing, sourcing, marketing, web stuff and so on. It's good, I'm learning A LOT to say the least, but realise the need to focus on the important things first and go from there.

Currently we're working on the logo and hope to finalise this soon!!

**mulberrymoment is on twitter - feel free to follow our tweets :) [I'll figure out how to add the update to this blog and vice versa]

notepads

2009-03-31T01:27:00.005+08:00

4" x 4" hand stitched notepads, with 16 blank pages made from recycled paper. Fill them up with ideas, lists, pictures.. whatever you want!

wedding perfection

2009-03-25T11:36:00.005+08:00

I've just taken up a new project: some friends are getting married this summer and I'm helping with their wedding invitations. It's quite fun and yet daunting at the same time as weddings come around once [in most cases], and everything must be perfect, down to the finest detail! I can only imagine what it's like to plan a wedding, so I'm taking time to pay attention to those little details and touches that will help make the day even better for them.

Designs to come later :)

Working on this as well as various other designs, I'm learning to organise my time and keep to goals. There's a lot of work, but it's a good thing.

pocket calendars :)

2009-03-20T13:37:00.003+08:00

Handy sized calendars to fit in your wallet, purse, card case or even Octopus holder!

work work away..

2009-03-17T21:18:00.006+08:00

That's been a little saying I've hummed to myself while getting into work, whether it be writing out text, jotting down ideas, figuring out concepts or playing around with designs.. it makes me smile and keeps me going :)

This morning I was asked what my goals were for the day, to which I replied a number of things including exercising, and starting work by 10am, going through photos for ideas, making some pads, creating a card template and blogging. I can pretty much check all of them off.. so it's been a rather productive day!

One thing I have been learning while working on mulberry, is to be realistic as to what can be achieved within a given period. Most of the time we are our own worse enemies [I know I am!] setting high expectations and being disappointed when the list of tasks haven't been completed and then being hard on oneself for not doing more. It's a vicious cycle.. so it's important to have people around you who encourage and support you in whatever you do. I have some wonderful people in my life who are just that to me.. you know who you are. Thank you.

Another encouragement - I had sent a card and some CD's to a friend, and unknown to me, she had a CD player in her room, but only one CD! She found the package in the kitchen as she was making a cuppa..

I made my cup of tea before I opened it - I wanted to savour the moment. I slowly peeled away the sellotape, taking care not to rip the paper, to find a card and two CDs inside.. when I saw the CDs and the playlist, well there was not much else I could do but start laughing, laughing deep from the inside and almost crying because it touched me so much..

Work work away.. it's worth it :)

Focus - faff not.

2009-03-12T17:01:00.007+08:00

There's something about having a goal - where there is no vision, the people perish - I know we don't have to be as dramatic as this, but there is an element of truth to it.

It's like trying to climb to the top of a mountain. You have your goal to get to the top and when you're at the base of the mountain, you can see the peak from every angle. However you can keep circling the mountain without getting any closer and still have the peak in view.. which can be soul destroying. With every vision, you need to have a plan, one that is clearly laid out and of course, achievable.

I had started out with a vision and a plan for mulberry, however I seem to have been presented with other routes on how to go through with it all, which has left me a bit flustered. Just focus the concepts and ideas and stop faffing around in order to move up the mountain.

Slow and steady she goes, ay.

A few of the first products

2009-03-06T13:42:00.006+08:00

Recycled paper is used, and is acid free, totally chlorine free and is 100% post-consumer waste.

Matchpads - little notepads that can fit in your purse, bag, wallet, pencil case, pocket.. perfect for when you need to jot something down.

inspi[red] - more than a tshirt

2009-03-05T16:07:00.004+08:00

Last night I couldn't sleep and started thinking and coming up with different ideas.. it's amazing how the night cultivates inspiration. It's a perfect breeding ground for creativity, quiet, dark and mysterious, the other side of midnight. It was pretty dark before Creation! So I stayed up late [way past my bedtime] with a side lamp on drawing, sketching and writing ideas and concepts down. And you find that once you start, it just keeps going, your creative juices flow and you fill up page after page of scribbles and illegible thoughts. I wrote down a list of things to do before the lights went out so I wouldn't forget. It felt really good and I was excited to start today.. so much so, to curb the tiredness I had an energy drink which left me buzzing for a while! But things are going and the list is being checked off. Yeeaah!

**Received the initial designs for the logo!! Very exciting :) More on this soon**

A box full of cards

2009-02-24T12:49:00.006+08:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a box full of old cards and letters that they've received over the years! I'm a words person, so I love going through them from time to time reading over the stories and encouragements. These messages from friends I've known for a long time and others just a short while, never fail to bring a smile to my face and make me feel loved..

Just wanted to share a message from a wonderful friend whose card, no matter when I read it, always brings tears to my eyes -

Another year older, another year wiser - more adventures & memories, new experiences & relationship and new perspective on life. I believe most of us seek a path in life, to serve a (greater) purpose & find meaning & I believe your journey will soon begin (if it hasn't already begun). As we enter a new year of 2008, I hope you find what gives you the greatest satisfaction and happiness in life, to fulfil your passions & put you in your ultimate element.

"Everything is possible.. for him who believes" - Mark 9:23

A theme song

2009-02-17T12:27:00.004+08:00

I'm currently enamored by Sigor Rós' song Samskeyti.

As I listen to this song, I can't help but close my eyes and breathe in deeply and slowly and start thinking about people I love, my family, my friends.. it brings up wonderful memories that make me smile and want to cry at the same time.

It's just beautiful, and it inspires me to do what I'm doing with Mulberry Moment even more.

Paper trails

2009-02-12T00:43:00.009+08:00

While waiting on some print suppliers to get back to me, I've been spending some time checking out card shops, stationery and craft shops. I have to say, I love it! The items are lined up so tidy and perfect on the shelves according to colour, shape and purpose, it's exciting to look at and I'm a very tactile person so I like picking things up and feeling textures.. so paper shops are even more fun. This certainly doesn't feel like work :)

After a few days of venturing around, I've collected a range of crafty tools, card samples, paper and envelopes, as well as a few accessories. So the other day I started experimenting a few ideas..

And so the story begins

2009-02-05T19:43:00.012+08:00

I had barely started this all when the other day I found out that an ex-colleague is also doing greeting cards! How random is that? But as it's said, a little competition is a good thing and it's made me even more adamant to do a good job of this.

So you might be asking how the name Mulberry Moment came about..

China is well known for their Four Great Inventions these being gunpowder, printing, the compass and the creation of paper by Cai Lun in 105AD. Cai Lun combined strong fibrous bark from mulberry trees with hemp waste, fishnets, old rags and plant fibers to make sheets of paper. Paper mulberry bark fibers are still used to this day, and are treated and mixed with other ingredients to enhance the paper quality.

As with many people, whenever I think of the people that mean so much to me, I always want to do something to let them know I care - but I never do. I get distracted, busy doing stuff.. there are always excuses. But I realise how important moments like these are, when we decide to put ourselves, our situations aside for just a little bit to let someone know that they are loved and valued. These moments, if acted upon, can have an amazing effect on people's days, and even lives. Seriously!

So I thought I'd better start putting this into practice and sent a dear friend a card to her work address. She texted me today saying she had received it and that she was having a hard day at work and the card made such a difference. That is exactly what Mulberry Moment is all about!

A dream comes true..

2009-02-03T18:19:00.006+08:00

For the past year I have been thinking about "what do I want to do?" and taking a step back from that - "what do I enjoy doing?" Strangely enough, I found these questions hard to answer and wrote out a list of things I had been thinking about, which included being creative, working with people, planning and organising. It wasn't until I was falling asleep one night in last November when the idea of creating my own greeting cards came to mind. Well, actually I had this idea earlier that year, but didn't think much of it, but this night, it was like a new fresh idea.

At the start of 2009, I felt that this was a year for new things and new beginnings and the idea came even more strongly and I thought "why not?" Everyone has been amazingly supportive and I'm really blessed with a great family and friends. Thank you. Thank you all. Especially to Ben who has been a wonderful encouragement over the past year. Not to mention incredibly patient!

And so I'm starting my own company!

This is the first week, and I'm currently working on the business plan which I know I need to focus on and not procrastinate! I've been researching existing brands and shops, and just decided on a name, and bought the domain name, set up paypal, and the logo designs are now being worked on. It's all go now!

I'll keep this blog up to date as much as possible.. I'm sure there'll be lots of things to write about as I go along this journey.

Thank you for your support :)