Bags by Rubbertree: Checkbook case

 I love leather and I love handmade and when they go together something cool is really gonna come out. I'm talking about my new checkbook case which is made of leather and guess what, handmade! My sisters and I share the same admiration for things as mentioned and we patronize locally handcrafted products too so when my younger sister tagged us in Instagram with a picture of a yummy leather bag- we fell in love. 

Bags by Rubbertree is designed and made by Rubbertree Design Studio owned by Ruben and Trina Flores. "With backgrounds in industrial design and studio arts, 

their design method is grounded on a shared aesthetic 

and a dedication to materials, technique & process.

All items are hand-cut and hand-stitched by the couple." 

Website here.

Some of their products:
(photos grabbed from their website)
www.bagsbyrubbertree.com

This is the design that my sister ordered but in a different color, when I got to try it, t'was so soft and the stitches look sturdy and of course I love the smell!

So cool right? My younger sister got us checkbook cases and she got herself a very nice bag (how unfair is that?! haha!) and a wallet for my youngest brother. She got me the green one obviously and I absolutely love it! 

My Sakura illustration inspired from Sachiko Umoto

My stick people drawing upgraded with the help of Sachiko Umoto, a japanese artist who has published illustration books. Her style is a trademark of japanese art- simple and cartoony. I love everything japanese and since had the chance to visit their very cool country, my love for everything jap has leveled up five times more!

Umoto's books teaches you the basics of illustration from making a face, to a person's action, a still object, a season, different animals simplified, and more. My attempt to follow her style was based on a feature of her book which you can trace the drawings featured every after chapter, sort of like a summary but I didn't trace it so as to challenge myself not to copy her every stroke. She encourages you to try different actions with the help of her basic tips. The simplicity of her drawings by the use of a point pen, watercolor, markers and colored pencils makes her art so clean, yet expressive and tasteful and of course so japanese-y.

Here's an attempt as inspired from her sakura series done during a rainy day. Ironic how rain can make you unproductive but can still be diverted into something fulfilling.

More than just the contemporary stick people drawing. So happy! Tell me what you think. haha!

Rainy day blues

Every time I wake up in the morning, my eyes automatically scan for daylight behind the curtains. If the sun seems to be shining bright, it means I woke up pretty late but if the curtains glow like light reflecting from behind, it's sunrise and it would mean perfectly to be a good start of my day.  Otherwise, it's a different story.

Today I woke up hearing my sister's voice telling me to wake up. I opened my eyes slowly expecting the room to be, as usual dark, but it seemed different since the curtains were glowing. Aha! It's gonna be a good day. Went outside to fix fresh juice and there it was, Mr. Sun shining bright among clear skies with no hint of rain whatsoever. I was smiling in my head while juicing some fruits thinking the possibilities what a GOOD day can do. You see when there's no rain it means good business but if it's gloomy and wet, people don't come out of their houses and be productive, in short, not good for business. Hehe! So while watching the juicer squeeze out the juice from the carrots, apple and cucumber, my head was already conditioning itself the tasks that'll be lining up for the day. I love being productive and finishing work ahead as what's expected during the time frame makes me feel accomplished. Just about when I was done with the juicing, the heavens suddenly poured out heavy rain! Whatta bummer! All the mind conditioning flew away and I am left with a sulking self.

I am not a rain person. I feel bad, I feel sad. I want the sun!

twilight

An after sunset walk under the stars and the sky with my favorite person.

Kani Salad

For a quick solo snack or dinner that's easy to prepare.

Gotta have the ff:
Lettuce ( any variety)
sliced Ripe Mangoes (here I used indian mangoes from our indian mango tree)
a pinch of black pepper
Japanese Mayo
1-2 Crabsticks (at room temp)
Caviar (optional)

After drying out the lettuce leaves, arrange in a bowl-- the mangoes and the crabstick and top it with caviar. I like it with black pepper so I sprinkle a bit on top and voila! 

Lotus bud

a budding engagement
a sea of uncertainty
this abundant stream
open up, show me now.

Good-natured rendezvous

The search for pleasantries found on the silent echoes of these flora.

Where I stand: Marzon

June weekend summed up in these four letter green loving word. A weekend with friends, of laughter and a friendship that is truly for keeps.

Where I Stand

#WhereIStand

Tulip rush

A sudden rush of flower induced watercolor practice on a non eventful friday night.

the first one looks ok

almost ruined

fail! haha

In my shoes: Momcessory

My mom's classic moccassins .. wearing this warms my heart knowing  she's with me physically.

#momcessory #inmyshoes #joytotheuniverse

Landscape of Home: flowers in mystone

Pictures that reminds me of home. These photos were taken year 2007 when I first got my dslr. I wish to relive this moment when life was more beautiful such as these flowers.

Used to take a lot of flower shots in my mom's garden, this little butterfly happened to pass by to greet me a pleasant afternoon.

Of Murakami and homemade ice cream

Afternoon date with my sister. Lunch @ 3pm. A quiet time to relax and enjoy the food at Bistro Carcosa.

 LOVE the cozy cool interiors

My sister ordered this one: chicken and mashed potato

fish

the best! homemade icecream..coconut and ginger

i also love the banana creme brulee

scanning my newly bought book

Where I stand: Fortress of the south

The different landscape textures following our route to Boljoon, the fortress of the south. Holyweek 2014.

see Patterns

on holy grounds

land history

old wood