My Day - "Sunsetting" at MOA

We were so happy that our day ended early last Sunday with still a bit of sunlight left outside!


So we decided on an impromptu short trip to the nearby bayside to get a glimpse of the (rapidly!) setting sun.


Unfortunately!  We took some time making up our sandwiches.  So by the time we got going, we could see the giant red egg yolk quickly disappearing as we drove to the bayside.


At least we caught a glimpse of the glorious sunset sky it left behind!!!


Thank God for little pleasures and great big beauties of nature like the sunset. :)

good night, sun!  until another day! 

My Day - Ugu Bigyan's Pottery Place in Tiaong, Quezon

Last Friday we were with a group of guests, on our way to Sariaya, Quezon and wanted a nice place to stop by and have coffee.  Someone suggested Ugu Bigyan's pottery workshop/ shop/ coffee shop in Tiaong.


It wasn't easy to find.  Ugu (who we had the pleasure of conversing with, as he happened to be there) doesn't care much for droves of tourists crowding his place, so he opted not to put signs or directions anywhere.  Nor does he advertise.


Our friend just told us, "As soon as you get to Tiaong, ask people where you can find Ugu's place."  And that's exactly what we did.  It took us quite a few turns and quite a few times asking people along the road, and we finally found it. :)

one of several pottery workshops

Ugu has these birds in several pieces, mostly perching on cups or bowls, or on large driftwood pieces that can be hung on a wall or laid on a table!  Super charming!

one of several little "shops" displaying his work

one of many nooks and crannies, amidst little cottages with unique settings of fine warm wood furniture for coffee, meals and talk :)

lantern of rope and clay leaves

clay leaf curtains, by now an Ugu signature piece, adorned many of the cottages and shops

one of many many many beautiful pieces on an equally beautiful old wood table.  Ugu has exquisite taste for clay, wood, and other natural materials.

beautiful pathway around the little kiosks

view through the window of the kiosk we finally settled in.  note the warm wooden bench and the leaf curtains :)

coffee done, time to move on!  sorry we couldn't stay longer.
we promise to come by for a longer meal-and-coffee next time!

Art Journal Every Day

This blog is inspired by Balzer Design's "Art Journal Every Day" project (see here).  

i've been most inspired by her encouragement to do only ten (10) minutes a day!


that sounds like something (1) doable;  yet (2) super-inspiring. 
Here's what she says:

"It's super low stress.  I don't do a finished art journal page every day.  That would be way too hard for me.  Instead I add a little something every day.  For me, the point is to open that art journal every single day and do something creative in it -- even if it's just for 10 minutes." 

Read more: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2010/12/art-journal-every-day.html#ixzz1HlgAeLFg

so, i'm going to take her up on the challenge!


starting with collecting my art journaling materials into a little box that i can keep near my work table (our dining table becomes my work table whenever it's free, especially late at night. :))


To begin art journaling, i'm going to read a further article by Balzer on the BASICS of Art Journaling here:
Welcome to Art Journaling Week!


She also encourages sharing the art journal with others through a blog or through a flickr account.  That's the reason for this blog. 


Balzer's final words of advice, and the part that finally convinced me:

"Finally, this is not about creating a finished product.  This is about taking time to nuture your creative self every single day."

Read more: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2010/12/art-journal-every-day.html#ixzz1HllmYgg4


Let's hope i can get on it!

Watch for my next Art Journal Every Day post here!