TWEEZER

TWEEZER-Use it to pick up items that are too little to grasp with fingers, place small letters on a stamp, or pull the tails of an extra tiny now.  Non-stick, reverse action, angled tweezers are great for all those little bits and pieces that need to pick up.

GLUE GUN

Joins porous and non-porous materials.  Comes in high, low, and dual temperature.

EYELET, SETTER AND HAMMER

EYELET, SETTER AND HAMMER- These metal rings can be used to secure tags, pockets, and other sturdy scraps to pages permanently. They make reinforced holes on leather, fabric, or paper, or join multiple pieces of paper with a small metal ring.

SOUVENIR FROM BORACAY

This photo was taken last May 2004, the second time I had a summer vacation with my office mates. I was with my best friend forever, Marigold in the above photo. Boracay Island is known for its sea green clear water and powdery white sand.


Every time I travel and visit a particlar place, I always bring home a souvenir. Either some taken photos or something I found on that place. Or anything that the place best known of. I brought Boracay powdery white sand as a souvenir from the said beach.

FACTS ABOUT CATS

I met domestic house cat when I went home on New Year's eve. She's so cute. She sit on my lap to get some hot body temperature.

Facts About Cats

• The love of cats is known as "Ailurophilia."
• A cat takes 20 to 40 breaths per minute.
• You could try stroking a cat to relieve stress.
• A cat uses its tail to maintain balance.
• Cats walk on their toes unlike other animals.
• There are more bones in a cat’s body compared to a human’s. A cat has 230 while a human has 206.
• A cat’s heart beats at the rate of 110 to 140 beats per minute.
• A cat is able to gauge your mood. A change in your mood might result in a change in your cat’s mood too.
• A cat has 30 teeth, which consist of 12 incisors, 10 premolars, 4 canines and 4 molars.
• When a cat is frightened, the hair on its body stands up fairly evenly.
• When the hair stands up only in a narrow band along the tail and the spine, it is an indication that the cat is ready to attack.
• Unlike dogs and humans, the cat is unable to move its jaws side to side, or laterally. The only motion that a cat’s jaw performs is up and down.
• A cat’s whiskers, eyes and ears will tell you the cat’s mood.
• A cat has a third eye called a haw, which is only visible when the cat is not feeling well.
• A cat has a more sensitive hearing compared to dogs and humans.
• As a kitten grows older, the color of its eyes changes.
• A cat eats grass as it helps in digestion and also gets rid of fur in its stomach.
• The cat’s back paw has 4 toes while the front paw has 5.
• A cat’s body temperature is 102 °F
• A cat has 24 whiskers, which it uses for measuring distances.
• Just like a human fingerprint, the nose pad of a cat is ridged with a pattern, which is unique.
• If you notice your cat snoring or rolling on its back, it means it trusts you.
• The tiny barbs, which are located on a cat’s tongue, help it to scoop the liquid backward.
• A cat is blessed with over a hundred vocal chords.
• White cats with blue eyes have higher chances of becoming deaf.
• Kittens usually open their eyes between 7 to 10 days; in some cases this might even happen in 2 days.
• The Jacobson’s organ is a special scent organ located in the roof of the cat’s mouth. This organ helps the cat to analyze smell.

DINAGYANG PHOTO CARD

The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held in the fourth Sunday of January. The main part of festival consists of a number of "tribes", called "tribus", who are supposed to be Ati tribe members dancing in celebration. There are a number of requirements, including that the performers must paint their skin brown and that only indigenous materials can be used for the costumes. All dances are performed to drum music.

Dinagyang was voted as the best Tourism Event for 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines. It is the first festival in the world to get the support of the United Nations for the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals.

The image above is the photo card I just made. The left photo was taken by me during the event. And the photo on the right is the art header I created, sewing it with skein thread served as the boarder line to enhance the image.

WATER WELL

Water well is the source of drinking water particularly in the province.  It is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, or drilling to access ground water in underground aquifers. 

It can be drawn up using containers such as bucket that are raised by hand.  It can vary greatly in depth, water volume and water quality.  It can be lined with laid stones or brick; extending this lining into a wall around the well presumably served to reduce both contamination and injuries by falling into the well.  A more modern method called caissoning uses reinforced concrete or plain concrete or plain concrete pre-cast well rings that are lowered into the hole.

Hand dug well is cheap and low tech as it use mostly hand labor for construction.  It has low operational and maintenance costs.


This week's FSO photo theme is water, lakes and streams by Nicole Howard

SEPIA COLOR

Angel Kate is one of my grandchildren. I missed to see her again this coming New year. I like this photo very much because of its color. I just let her pose for the camera and I liked the outcome.

PAINTED CHRISTMAS CARD

I made this Christmas card several years ago. It's the last Christmas card that I painted because I am always busy in my work. I am into photo card for now. Yet, i wanted to paint some soon if I have extra time.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND WRAPPERS IN UNIQUE AND PERSONAL WAY

One of the greatest joy of Christmas comes from giving gifts to those we love. There's a special delight in crafting our little surprises and wrapping them in festive paper to be opened on Christmas Day.

Here's my Christmas gifts wrapped in a unique & personal way last year. I am working with Christmas gifts and wrappers for this year.

CARD FROM A FATHER ON FATHER'S DAY

It's Father's day!  I'm pretty sure everyone greeted their father already.  At the same time every father received a gift, a phone call, a kiss or a hug from their children.

Nowadays, the convenience of the internet and cell phones has made things easier and faster.  For me, receiving a snail mail or handmade card still surprised me.  It is greatly appreciated!

I still make personalized cards myself.  I still make people surprise by original and handmade cards.  You don't need to be an artist to create simple cards.  You just need to take the time to send a simply beautiful handmade card to someone you love.

The kite on the card is inspired by the Centrum commercial of Piolo Pascual saying "I wanna fly a kite with my son". And the boat is inspired by the Globe commercial of Santino.  I am not promoting a teleserye.  Honestly I am kinda excited to watch NOAH on primetime bida.  Anyways, I made this card for my so called son.  It will be given when the right time comes the he knows how to read and understand fully the message inside the card.

STEPS TO THE PERFECT SHAVE

I comfortably used this cheap blade since nagkaroon ako ng face hair and mustache.  Takot ako gumamit ng razor.  But the fact is I don't know how to use it until I've read the proper way of shaving.

Shaving can scrape off microscopic layers of skin & leave your face feeling stung and irritated.  To avoid this, lubricate your face before shaving.  A good shaving cream should form a slippery cushion that allows the shaving blades to glide without scraping your skin.  Leave it on your face for about a minute before you shave.  This will guarantee a better shave and a fresher feeling after shaving.

Shave in the shower.  Shaving should be the last thing you do before you leave the shower.  The warm moisture of a shower makes your facial hairs soft and plump and opens up your pores wi\hich all help in giving you a cleaner, more refreshing shave.

Here's some excellent shaving advice.  Avoid shaving the moment you get up in the morning.  If possible, give your skin time to wake up a little.  This will allow the "puffiness" that you get from fluids collecting in your skin during the night to recede.  This means you and a good day to look forward to. 

Here are four steps to the perfect shave:

1.  Apply shaving gel.  This will give you a smoother, more comfortable shave.

2.  Make sure you choose the right razor to ensure the closest shave possible.

3.  Use a sharp, fresh blade.  Make sure to apply light pressure on your face.

4.  Nourish and restore your skin after shaving with an after shave flash.

Source:  Watson's planner 2010

Trivia:  In real life, I want to be called a plain blade rather than a double blade.

MY COLLECTION- WATERCOLORS

I love to paint. I learned using watercolors by myself. I was not able to take a study of painting or any other short courses related to arts. I only developed my passion by practice. Practice makes it perfect they say. But I am not a perfect painter at all. This set of watercolors is more than 8 years old now. I still use it especially in painting roses and nature.

In addition, all the decisions that an artist makes, perhaps the most complex and personal is the choice of color.  Color use is like a signature as recognizable as a piece of handwriting.

FSO ROCKS

I always bring-home souvenirs from the place I visited.  And I got this long shaped stone from the beach. 

I love this hut on the rock.

A cave

rock formations

Nothing more to say.  Work sucks!  It makes my brain tired.  I kept thinking more to say but obviously it's not working.  I am looking forward to see rock formations and rock in the big city around the world.  It's FSO's photo theme this week by ChefE.

FROM A DISTANCE- FROM PHILIPPINES TO USA

Despite the far distance, I was able to let my online friend the feeling of my presence through sending handmade card. I can express my feelings and ideas through arts that's why. But I can only paint or draw when I am inspired to.

KENT USHER

I really wanted to see myself in a photograph when I was a new-born baby but unfortunately I don't have any baby photos to prove that I was a cute baby too.  :-)  All babies are cute, don't you agree?

I am into scrapbooking ever since.  Most of the photo albums I have are my own photos.  I started making photo scrapbook exclusively for my nieces, nephews and grandchildren only this year.  I wanted them to remember me when they grow up.  It will be their remembrance of me and theirs- their cute moments and childhood memories.They are my inspiration to do their photo scrapbook

He is my 6th grandchild.  Oh no, Lolo!

Supplies I used:

*specialty white board

*crib is made of felt papers

*mosquito net is made of skein thread and a bead

*felt paper for the name tag

*colored paper for the birth date

*pens for the handwritten letters

I FALL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE

I really fall head over heels in love with the world of arts.  Although I was not able to pursue my interest in arts, I developed it through self-practice and I still keep practicing.

In drawing, I use pen & ink and pencil as mediums.  But I still want to learn to draw using pastel or charcoal.

I really believe in the saying, "Constant practice makes it perfect."  It took time for me to perfect this drawing. 

In painting, I am more comfortable using watercolor but I am frustrated to use oil paint.

I did this illustrated painting when I was in high school using watercolors.  I still have it until now.

Photography is an art too.  I love to capture the wildlife, landscape, portrait and still life photography but I want to learn the advertising, fashion & glamour, food, editorial photography and the photojournalism. 

I never expected this sunset photo turned out perfect.  I always bring my cam whenever I go.  Perfect moment is rare...you never know when it happens.  So always be ready to grab great opportunities. 

These are the simple things an ordinary person can do.  Believe me, you can do it too.  Constant practice is needed.  There's an art in everything.  Even the way you smile, the way you laugh... it's is an art.  You can draw, you can paint, you can take photos.  The way you draw, the mediums you use in painting, the subject you love to capture, is an art.

THE ILOILO PARAW REGATTA

The Iloilo Paraw Regatta is a race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. It is instituted in 1973 and has grown both in size and renown. The event has become more exciting, colorful and challenging. This is an activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers.

BORACAY SUNSET

Even though it's a filmed-shot photo, I still love this photo because it has a lot of good memories. Taken at Boracay Island year 2003 with my office mates. They were lined up watching the sunset.

SAN JOAQUIN'S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

When I visited San Joaquin last year, I was so amazed with its architectural heritage.   San Joaquin is the last town in the  first district of Iloilo.  It's church is one of the most impressive works of art in terms of architectural design indeed.  Skilled masons, famous sculptors, celebrated painters and craftsmen from Spain and Mexico were employed to translate the brilliant ideas of Fr. Tomas Santaren, the master architect.  Behind the appearance of this impressive masterpiece is a story of suffering.  Forced labor was employed in the building and gathering of materials.

These two sculptured bulls found in the plaza of San Joaquin symbolize the Pasungay festival.  This spectacular and exciting event find its origin on a hillside in one of the inland barangays when resting farmers witness for the first time the fight between the two bulls, set loose by their herdsmen.  It caught the fancy of the barangays folks and since then, has become a popular entertainment in the most barangay fiestas.  Prized bulls from the different barangays fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.

This is the classical motif architectural designs of the San Joaquin cemetery's chapel.  It was a small customary place where the dead was blessed but it's closed now.  It's a octagonal structure inside the cemetery.  It is one of the most beautiful  mortuary chapels in the Philippines.  The San Joaquin cemetery was built in 1892, by the way.

This week FSO's photo theme is Public art by Barry and Linda.

MY FIRST EVER CRUSH

I used to have a childhood sweetheart when I was 8 years old.  I still look and admire pretty ladies.  However, I can only offer them my friendship.  It was different with boys.  No brotherly love here.  I wanted something more.  There's an attraction present that isn't there with your friends.  Let's face it:  sexual attraction is what defines one's sexuality.  No matter how close we are with our girl friends or how much we care about them, there are boundaries we won't ever cross because they're straight and we're gay.

Let's call my crush "J".  J caught my attention one morning when I was in the school lobby and he was crossing the street to our school.  He was so lean as if a puff of wind would blow him away,  He was moreno and tall.  His tantalizing eyes really caught my eyes.  With the male appearance, my imagination really flowed.  But whenever I would describe a female character, the description would be brief.  And this was before I even knew what being gay was!

Back then, I became an inquisitive fellow searching everything about J and of course the first thing I wanted to know was his name.  The next weird thing I did was sending him an admiration letter.  After he received my letter (Of course I knew because it was posted in the school bulletin board.), I noticed some good changes in him.  Before he was always late.  Before he looked as if bagong gising.  Before he dressed up like walang pakialam.  The after image of him changed into neat, always smiling with matching pa-cute, and went to school early.

I continued to stalk him until I got his home address and telephone number.  Wala pang mobile phone noon.  I got the personal information in the guidance office, sa student's file.  I sent him a Christmas card but I graduated in high school that school year.  The next school year, he was on his last year in high school.  I still updated about him since my niece who is closest to me (we are close in age too.)  was a junior high school in our Alma mater.  We tried to call him for the first time but he was not yet home.  On the following night we called him again and my niece introduced herself to him as the admirer.  That's what we call poser.  We were both poser.  Bad us!  In between lines, pinapasa ng niece ko ang phone sa akin at nakikinig lang ako.  Since then, he went home early and they talked on the phone every night.  But the kalokohan cut off with this line:  "Ti ma-phonepal na lang kamu, di na lang kamu maeskwela?!"  It was my spinster sister's voice.

This is the only memory I still have and keep from "J" :-) <3

GREETING CARD FOR EDGAR

I made this card for Edgar, my online chat friend originally from Dominican Republic. He liked the black color. It was spring season that I sent this greeting card to him. I used water colors for the whole painting, a 3r sized card.

ORIGAMI

One of the most familiar forms of paper arts is origami. We do know that the Japanese were producing sophisticated forms some 1,200 years ago. The word itself is Japanese from ori(to fold) and kami (paper).

Why do people find pleasure in folding paper? Most do so because they enjoy making something out of nothing. Another reason is the simplicity. Folding paper needs no tools or specialist equipment. It is realxing, involving, and rewarding, too.

I tired to make simple origami for my self-satisfaction and art challenges.

Here's an origami I made.

moon and the six pointed stars for art challenge.

DRAWING

It's really my weakness to draw human body. I really don't know how to draw it perfectly. So here's my simple drawing.

We have two eyes and just one tongue,
which means we need to look twice and talk once.

We have two ears and just one mouth,
so we need to listen more than we talk.

We have two hands and one stomach,
so we need to work twice as much as we eat.

We have two major brain parts,
the left and the right, and one heart,
so we can think twice but love only one.

Isn't it amazing that our body parts remind us how to live right.

PAPER GIFT BAG

This personalized gift bag is made of specialty papers. They're shades of green with abstract style plus my signature. Remember that a hand-decorated wrapping paper will give your gift that special personal touch.

THE FAMOUS CHICKEN ADOBO

This week's FSO's photo theme is MENUS by Sara Williams.  I humbly represent the famous Filipino menu:

THE FAMOUS CHICKEN ADOBO

The native chicken adobo my mom prepared for me the last time I visited home in the province as my favorite order.  It was a priceless MENU.  I like more when chicken adobo has annatto as food flavoring.  It tastes slightly sweet and peppery.

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN ADOBO

2 lbs. chicken

6 chicken liver

1/4 cup vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp peppercorns

3 tsp soy sauce

1 bay leaf, torn into pieces

salt to taste

annatto as food coloring (optional)

HOW TO COOK

1.  Soak all the ingredients in a bowl for 30 minutes to an hour

2.  Remove the livers and place the rest of the ingredients in a covered saucepan.

3.  Simmer until chicken is almost done.

4.  Add the livers and simmer for five more minutes.

5.  Drain the meat and save the liquid.

6.  Heat cooking oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken.

7.  Combine the browned chicken and the liquid in a saucepan.  Simmer for five minutes.

PERSONALIZED BAGS

When I was in college, I had a collection of personalized bags that I sewed and designed myself. They were made of cloth and cord. I embroidered and did cross-stitching the designs. I used one bag on Monday, another on Tuesday up to Saturday. Some of my classmates requested me to make one for them. They just paid me the materials and labor.

MY INTERVIEW

Photography

When did the photo bug bite you?

-Since I was a kid, I really like looking at the photos that every time I visits the someone's house I scan the photo albums.  Photos remind me of special people, memorable moments and beautiful places.

What was your first camera and what do you use now?

-I had an analog filmed Kodak camera when I was 8 years old given by my sister.  I only have Canon digital camera at present time.

Have you ever taken any photography courses?

-How I wish I've taken a photography lesson.  I am that kinda busy working 6 days a week and still working at home in Sundays.  I know everyone can take photos but it's really better to learn the how's and what's the best in capturing something as a photo subject.  For now, I am just learning photography by photo sharing and photography ideas from other online photographers.

What inspires you to turn on the camera, the gotta have it shot?

-I inspired to take photos of cute little creatures, admirable people and beautiful views around me.  You can't replay anything visible to the naked eyes; you can't go back and take a shot for the second time around.  I also inspired of others' beautiful captured photos posted online.

What is on your equipment wish list?

Maybe DSLR of any brand.

Have you missed an awesome shot because you didn’t have your camera with you?

-On May 15, 2010, I noticed Venus appeared so close to the moon. It was mistaken as being inside  the crescent moon.  I was out and too bad I was not able to bring my cam with me.  My bestfriend even texted me asking if I saw the beautiful moment in the sky.

the  photo of the real view captured by my friend.

Blogging

Blogging since ……

-I am blogging since May 30, 2007.

Why  did you start blogging?

-I was a follower of a vegan Prince's blog.  And he encouraged me to blog too.  It's sad that he stopped blogging already.

Is there a story  behind the name of your blog?

-My favorite color is red.  And I coined it with Lan to come up a codename.  Redlan-that's my virtual name.  I am into arts and I want to share it on the web.  REDLAN'S WEB OF ARTS that is.

What does  blogging mean to you now?

-Blogging really means to me.  It's like my personal journal. I can write everything on it.  Moreover, I found virtual but real friends.

What advice would  you give to a new blogger?

-Be yourself.  Most of the readers love to read personal posts.  Avoid blogging about negative things unless it turned positive or there's a lesson to learn from it.  Personally, I love to be inspired reading blogs.

Do you have a  favorite time of the day to write posts?

-I am a night owl blogger.  I like to write a post when no one is disturbing me, no sound disturbance.  Most of the time, I write the post in rough drop before typing it.  I prefer doing it coz there will be no time in thinking and pausing while typing a blog post.

Have  you set any goal about your blog? Anything you want to achieve with it?

-I don't have goals in blogging now.  All I want is to share my personal experiences and the things I learned and at the same time learning from others' blogs too.  And I already achieved to have a domain name and that is REDLAN'S BOOK OF LIFE.

Personal

If  you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

-First, I want to explore the whole 7,107 islands of my country.  For the record, I only visited the neighboring islands around my city.  Of course I want to go around the globe.  I would love to visit the cleanest country in Asia which is the country of Jama.  The greenest NZ where Ann and Pauline live.  The historical countries in Europe.  GingerV always entice me to visit Brazil.  And honestly I wish to come in the USA.  It's my ultimate dream since I was a kid.  :-)

What  would you like to teach others?

-I am usually a follower and a learner.  I prefer not to teach but to share.

Which  adjectives best describe you?

Loyal.  I am loyal in everything including friends and when it comes to foods and clothes.  It is hard for me to trust new friends and to try new things.  But I am open to changes.

What is  happiness to you?

-Happiness to me is when the people especially those who are important to me at their best.

What are your basic stats  that you would like to share?

- I am a pure Filipino and I am gay.

Besides  blogging or photography, what is your favorite thing to do?

-I love to do crafts and I like the beach!

Is  there a question you would like asked in the guest interview for the  next person?

-For blogging:

What do you do with your taken photos?

-For blogging:
What's the satisfying compliment someone told you about your blog or post?

-For personal:
Can you take a look outside and describe the view at this moment?

Favorite saying or quotation:  (or any comment you would like to make)

-"Experience is the best teacher."
-It's the best experience for me to part of the FSO group and be interviewed.  I really like to join the photo theme every week but sometimes am kinda busy at work.  With photo challenges, I learned to appreciate the nature fully and to show my own city as well.

FSO is not just a photo-sharing.  It's actually builds nations and friendship  We communicate and ineract each other..  I wanna thank the founder Patty and Shabby Girl who are the founder of this group.  The administrators namely:  GingerV, ChefE, Gordon, Jen, Sarah, Doreen and the rest of the members.

Thank you guys and Mabuhay from the Philippines!