• #100daysofmailcollage
    #the100dayproject,  Crafting adventures

    Embarking on the #100daysofmailcollage

    After taking a bit of a pause from #The100DayProject (my last one was in 2023 — how did that happen?!), I’ve decided to jump back in this year and approach it differently — with the intention of actually finishing. If you’re curious about my previous projects, you can browse them on this page. This year’s idea is beautifully simple: I’ll be creating mini collages using ephemera from the happy mail I’ve received from swap partners, finishing each piece with a postage stamp. It’s also my way of finally using up those old Project Life journal cards that have been sitting in my stash for years. I haven’t made a Project…

  • Art,  Documenting Life,  Travels,  Urban Sketching

    Sketching Rome: Two Sketchbooks, Ten Days, Countless Moments

    During China’s long public holiday, I spent ten days in the Eternal City — Rome — wandering through cobbled streets, stepping into centuries-old churches, and sketching ancient ruins with my sketchbook always close at hand. This year is the Jubilee Year, and I’m deeply grateful to have been invited by my sister, Angie, and her husband, Willie, to experience what truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime event. The first couple of days were spent exploring, getting lost, and sketching — simply trying to get a feel for the city. Then I had the joy of meeting my wonderful friend Kristina, who flew in with her husband for what we now hope…

  • Currents

    A Whirlwind of a Summer

    The past few weeks have been a whirlwind! I’m thrilled about Fodder School 5 and the Fodder Challenge 2025 as I step into my role as a teacher for both—an exciting mix of celebration and new beginnings. On the home front, my daughter is back in the UK for university, and my son will be leaving soon, too. These transitions make our shared moments—meals, chats, and quiet time—feel extra precious. Amid Shanghai’s relentless heat, I’ve been finding small pockets for painting and collaging to stay grounded. It’s been a rich, challenging summer—how’s yours going? Keep an eye on your inbox, because our newsletter is going out soon with a little…

  • Jeju Island
    Travel journals

    Travel Journal | Jeju Island

    At the end of May, I made another trip to Jeju Island in South Korea. I’ve always wanted to see this place after a friend told me I should go. I organised our company retreat for a few days of team-building and relaxation. Another bonus was that it’s relatively cheap to fly there from Shanghai. This trip would be a great break to take before my kids return to Shanghai for their summer break. Let me take you on a trip around Jeju Island through my lens and my sketches. Day 1 Arrived in warm sunny weather. Immediately, we got a van to take us to the eastern side of…

  • Crafting adventures,  Currents,  Documenting Life

    What I’ve Been Making (and Where I’ve Been!)

    My last post was on December 12; somehow, time just blurred—it’s already early May! I had many things I hoped to share, but life got busy, and priorities had to shift. Sadly, this blog ended up near the bottom of the list. The first few months of the year—January, February, and March—were packed. Most weekends, I doubled down on spending time at home recording and editing lessons for an upcoming class. More on that soon! It was an intense process, but once everything was completed, I felt a massive sense of relief—and excitement. I poured my heart into those lessons and can’t wait to see how students respond. Before I…

  • Art Class

    An Early Christmas Gift

    Two weekends ago, I decided to record a tutorial, and on a whim, turned it into a mini course here on my blog. I’m calling it “Washi Wonderboard”—a mini lesson on creating a masterboard that can serve as the perfect jumping-off point for endless creative possibilities. If you’d like to give it a try, head over to the “Courses“ link in the menu to check it out. This is my first time doing something like this, and I’m releasing it as an early Christmas gift for you. I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to drop me a DM or comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💕 And if you do make something,…

  • December Daily,  Documenting Life

    Documenting December 2023

    Of all my December Daily projects, this one holds the record for taking the longest to complete! After 13 years of doing this, I usually finish by the end of December and proudly place the album on the shelf. However, this time, life sidetracked me—I only made it halfway to Day 12 before everything else took over. I’m sure many of you can relate to the challenges of finding time for our creative projects amidst the hustle and bustle of life. By November, I was finally determined to finish the album—and I did! The process was not just about documenting the days but also about navigating my emotions and finding…

  • Documenting Life,  Travel journals,  Travels

    A Summer of Transitions

    The past two months have been a whirlwind of significant life events, including graduation and university preparations. The journey involved challenges but also moments of gratitude, connection, and reflection, documented through sketches and memories shared on Instagram.

  • Documenting Life,  Travels,  Urban Sketching

    Travel Journal | HK & Macau

    On this trip, I opted for a minimalist approach to my art supplies. I brought along a single journal and a small sketchbook. Additionally, I packed two watercolor palettes, although I only used one. I also brought a set of Caran D’Ache water-soluble pencils, some brushes, and fountain pens. We arrived in Hong Kong around noon. However, I had an urgent matter to attend to, which unfortunately left me with no chance to sketch. The next day, I set out early to run some errands. As a habit, I always find the post office first to purchase stamps for sending postcards to family and friends. Although I planned to take…