Kris and I share a unique blend of nursing and creative passion. Together, we are the proud owners of a charming Art Gallery located in the heart of Randwick. Our lives are enriched by the company of three beloved feline companions—Nala, Minka, and Mako.
Join us on a captivating journey as we open our hearts and share our life's adventures and artistic experiences with the world.
My friend celebrated her baby shower so I decided to make a nappy cake. I haven’t made one before but it was worth the try and she loved it.
To anyone of you who wishes to be a bit crafty and bring something different to a family or a friend’s baby shower here are the steps on how I made it. It’s super easy and so much fun. All you have to buy is the nappy, most of the materials can be found at home and just look for ribbons in your sewing box and tadahhh! 😉
Materials needed: Nappies, empty paper towel roll, scissors, tapes, round cake board, accessories such as colourful ribbons and any kind of cute decorations that you wish to put around the cake.Secure the bottom of the empty paper towel roll to the centre of the cake board. Put as much tape as you can.1st tier: Put as many nappies according to the size you want. To make it more full in the bottom layer, add 1 nappy to the centre. Use a large elastic band to hold them together as it makes it a lot easier to form a circle. Tie it with a ribbon. 2nd and 3rd tiers: Put lesser amount of nappies each tier and tie it with a ribbon.I have added in a lot of ribbon collections from previous art projects. The Peter Rabbit cupcake topper was bought from Crabtree and Evelyn’s shop few years ago which I have kept for my craft selections.
Thanks for reading everyone and let’s go crafting!
Photo by Steve Shwartzman @ Portraits of Wildflower
I feel a sense of peace and happiness looking at wildflowers in the field. They look simply beautiful. The most amazing part is that they naturally grow and thrive anywhere in the open field.
They remind me of my childhood and the verse in the bible that teaches us not to worry because the Lord provides even to the flowers in the fields. The book of Matthew 6:28 says “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (NIV)
I got to visit Steve Shwartzman’s blog last week. He takes professional photos and posts them in his blog. Looking at his wildflower photos is a feast for people like me who appreciates wildflowers.
I particularly like this photo of his sunflowers collective and asked if I could make it an inspiration for my watercolour painting. I would like to say thank you to Steve for sharing his passion to people like me.
I could spend an hour in the morning just observing and listening to the noisy lorikeets that come visit our place. We live in the top most unit and across our place is a large Australian Native Tree that has been a fortress to a lot of birds.
I have been planning on painting these cuties for a while but I haven’t picked up my watercolour brush as I have been catching up on some errands. This week has been really great! Got a good long break from work and managed to finish my first project on painting birds. Kris has been encouraging me to do one as they are a good subject since their colours are vibrant.
Since we are moving in a few weeks, I am so glad of the result and I am proud to put this in the photo frame and immortalised my memories with them in our balcony.
I will miss early mornings with them since our new flat does not have a balcony. I thank them for showing me how to appreciate the wonderful creations of God and that they remind me of the verse in the bible that assures everyone of us that God cares and provides for us more than the birds in the skies.
Matthew 6:26-34New King James Version
26 (A)Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [c]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But (B)seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
It’s hard to be away from the place you have lived majority of your life. Kris and I were born in the Philippines where we finished our studies before starting a new life in New Zealand then moved to Australia. Along with the new adventures come some challenges in adopting to a new culture, tradition and food as well.
Craving Filipino dishes on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas is not easy. Most of the time we have to learn how to cook and bake from scratch since it’s difficult to find a shop that sells these traditional meals and sweets. We do find ways to get them as it’s not only the taste that we want but also the experience and the memories that come back to us every time we have a bite.
Good thing we have Filipino Stores around Australia that bring home closer to us by selling familiar ingredients and goods. Kris and I were so glad to discover this particular Filipino Store in Sydney where we found most of the food and groceries that we crave for.
We hope that this post could help our fellow kababayans who are looking for a filipino grocery shop where you could also dine in and enjoy their delicious meals. Enjoy!
Come and visit them at 211 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW or follow and like their Facebook Page @ Filo Pride by clicking HERE!
A lot of people still get surprised when they learn that I am working as a registered nurse when I am not painting. I would be lying if I say I never thought of giving up my nursing career and do my art full time. However, I believe that one of the essential components of my creative work is being a witness of real life stories of our own vulnerability as human beings. As a nurse I have grieved with my patients and their families in the midst of unthinkable tragedies and celebrated with them as they overcome health issues and recover from illness. Those beautiful stories become part of me. And then I pour my heart and soul in creating each layer of paint on my canvas – where I weave serenity and joy with a gentle touch of humanity.
I don’t want to sound a bit cheesy but it is a blessing to be married to someone who has an amazing talent in art.
My favourite part is not just his paintings but the way he inspires me to believe in my dreams and work hard to achieve them.
For many years I enjoyed our countless art store shopping. I have seen how Kris toils on his paintings, brainstorm ideas and work on endless experiments using different art media. I have never met anyone as determined as him who aims to deliver polished project.
He puts his heart and soul into his art works and the end result of it amazes everyone. I did not know someone could paint emotions not until you see his ‘out of this world’ paintings. A lot of people have been inspired by his works and some are blessed to own some of his pieces.
I am so proud of what he has achieved as of this time and just recently he was featured by @theotherartfair Sydney as Fair Director’s Pick!
Kris reminds me of the Parable of the Talents in the book of Matthew 25: 14-30. It is a story about a master who puts his servants in charge of his property while he went away for a trip. He gave each servant a large amount of talent/money. Upon his return, the servants returned his money with good profit as they have used and invested on it wisely but one unfaithful servant hid the talent/money and returned it untouched. The master rewarded the wise servants in return and on the other hand chastised the unreliable servant.
Kris never fails to give back all glory to God at all times, who created us and gifted each one of us a talent unique from everyone else. I believe that we should use our abilities as what are intended for. As for me, I have found my talent in arts and in serving.
How about you? Who inspires you in your creative journey?
Instagram users GIVEAWAY ALERT! I’ve been overwhelmed by your amazing support with my Aurora Illuminata series. All the paintings have found their new homes within 24 hours of posting. So I would like to say a big THANK YOU by giving away this mini Aurora Illuminata painting. Up for grabs is a 29x29cm canvas on board mixed media painting in a beautiful white frame. Click this link to my Instagram post for contest rules: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAWTtsFHfAx/
If I were to count how often Kris often we go to Gipsy’s Kitchen Cafe when we were still in New Zealand I would say it’s at least every 2 weeks for the entire 6 years we have been together. That’s how we love their coffee and pastries.
Since we have moved to Sydney last year, we have been missing our favourite Cherry Pie, Rhubarb scone, Apple Pie, Peach and Passion Fruit Friand and Halloumi Roll. They have been dubbed as purveyors of the best flat white coffee in Wellington. I think we have memorised every pastry they sell and the warm welcome by the staff. I could still remember every inch of their cafe and Rowan busy preparing the aromatic pastries in the kitchen as we walk past through going to the private indoor garden spot at Strathmore. They have the best spot and area where you could chill and unwind.
Gipsy Kitchen is always jam pack at summer so we make sure we get there before 10 in the morning.Going to Gipsy’s has been a routine before going to Bunnings to shop lots and lots of Plants! 😉@JessieStreetTeAro@ourFavouriteSpotInStrathmoreA dose of Gipsy before and after our flight.Best Scone Ever paired with Greek Yogurt.It’s always Coffee Time @gipsy‘sCaffeine and sugar, the two basic food groups. -Laurell K. Hamilton@JessieStreet @gipsykitchenWewere one of the first customers to queue on their first day opening @ JessieStreet, Te Aro.Journaling @gipsy, Sometimes the Best Ideas come up while having the best coffee in Gipsy.
I will never forget way back when Kris and I were in a long distance relationship. He sent me an overnight package of cherry pie from Wellington to Christchurch for Christmas Eve! How sweet was that! I married him the next year! LOL! I mean, who would not want to marry the man who makes things possible? 😉
Best Christmas Gift 2014
We have invited friends with us and it has been a place where we share wonderful moments and laughter together. Gipsys’s Kitchen gives you not only the best food and drinks but the best experience as well.
Here are our favourites through the years and we just want to share our wonderful memories of Gipsy’s.
Cheers!Day Off + Sunny Day = Gipsy Kitchen 😉@theHeartofTheCityA great place for first dates and plant lovers.
Kris and I were so much looking forward to visit New Zealand this year but we have cancelled our plans due to travel restrictions. We are so much looking forward to travel back in Wellington soon and the first thing we would do is to visit Gipsy’s Kitchen and order all our favourites. We can’t wait! Syndey has the best cafes as well but nothing beats Gipsy’s Kitchen. We left our hearts in their kitchen and they will always be number 1 in our hearts wherever we may go.
3 Locations 4 Glamis Avenue Strathmore, 1/37 Jessie Street Te Aro & 112 Cuba Street Te Aro. Wellington, New Zealand
Creative Journey of Kris and Aileen 