The Spirit of Giving (Project Cereal Fundraising)

There is much happiness in giving. We often forget this in the process, but when we give, a certain sense of fulfillment takes its place within, and it helps us be grateful of what we have.

It's been a long time since this little space has had an update, and I truly apologise. University life is certainly overwhelming with assignments, projects and readings. Despite all the frenzied mess, this October, I do have some wonderful news to share, and I cannot be more excited about it because it's all for a good cause.

Next week, The Happy Candle will be selling its first ever line of products - brush lettered Bookmarks and Greeting Cards - as part of a fundraising event for an Overseas Community Service Project (OCSP) called Project Cereal. Here are some details about the project:

"Project Cereal is a pioneer student-initiated OSCP to Cambodia. The first of its kind, Project Cereal has tied up with Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Faculty of Social Sciences to launch a two-week project in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu. Project Cereal aims to advance social mobility through poverty alleviation missions. Its first mission primarily aims to equip Cambodian children with English as well as basic computing skills."

The fundraising will be held from 12 to 16 October at my very own university, SMU, and the bookmarks and cards can be purchased there at the SMU Basement, opposite of Pastamania. If you're an international reader, and you'd like to show your support, don't hesitate to like Project Cereal's page on Facebook or follow them on Instagram for updates. :)

Each Bookmark costs S$2, and three of them are sold at S$5. For the Greeting Cards, each costs S$3, and two are sold at S$5. The Bookmarks come with a ribbon, and the Greeting Cards are one-sided. Both of them are printed on 250gsm white paper and come in various designs, and among them includes my first digital illustration, so it'll definitely be fresh and interesting. :) 

A significant percentage of the proceeds from the fundraising will go to helping the children in Cambodia, Kampong Speu. I'd also like to thank one of my seniors, Alina (Ali), who helped out with some of the designs and gave helpful pointers for this entire launch, I honestly couldn't have completed this without her. :) 

A lot of time and effort has been put into to making this happen with The Happy Candle's new brand stickers, packaging and designs, to make sure that there'll be a fulfilling outcome from the project, the fundraising and the cause, so your support is greatly appreciated. 

Giving is living. Let's stay compassionate, and live with meaning. 

Until next time ♥ 

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+ Do check out Project Cereal on Facebook and Instagram to find out more details about the project. :)

+ As with my last break from this space, I suppose it'd be courteous to inform readers about the future reduction in frequencies of posts as well. I'd just like to mention this concisely, just to ensure that readers are informed and (hopefully) look forward for future posts. 

I might not have the time to write, but if you'd like more updates from The Happy Candle, you may follow me on Instagram, where I'll post some additional lettering work and some behind the scenes that are not featured on the blog as well. :)

Freebie: Love Her Tender (Mothers' Day Special)

It wasn't an extraordinary day for the family. By this, I mean it was treated as any other good day. Once in a few years, we might have had a little dinner out, but most years, Mothers' Day wasn't a big deal, yet it didn't creep over the weekend inconspicuously either. 

I didn't realise why this was until I had a relatively fruitful discussion with my sister about it. She pointed it out that we regarded Mother's Day as a reminder, not a celebration. And this was something that was more significant than having a mere celebration of the occasion itself. 

The Internet is filled with ideas and ways to celebrate Mothers' Day and things to do with our mothers but it is underlying purpose of Mothers' Day that is often overlooked. This doesn't mean we give the day depleted attention to entertainment either. Though unnecessary, a party or a day out is still acceptable because it allows us to spend time with our loved ones and eventually, it may serve as an alternative course to express our appreciation. 

Inevitably, Mothers' Day is a time of reflection. It is in human nature for people to forget. This day allows people to realise the importance of mothers and their innumerable contributions. What can we do to improve ourselves to be more understanding to them? What can we do to be better sons or daughters? 

Depending on the country we live in Mothers' Day is just a day or two away, (it falls on 10 May). Cards are great simple ways to write a short letter of gratitude and apology instead of a big day out. They are also more heartfelt and genuine. For anyone who hasn't made any preparations to give thanks, here's some printable cards I've made that you can use and print easily if you decide to give something to your mother at the last minute. :) 

There are 2 versions of the cards, one that says, "Happy Mum's Day" and another that says, "Love You Mum." The cards have a touch of watercolour with floral details, but I've also created plain cards without the floral details available for download. They also come in various sizes. If you'd like a mini card (that's half of an A4-sized paper), the links to those have been included below as well. There's lots of choices you can make to suit your individual preferences. :)

Version 1 // Happy Mums' Day Floral Download Floral (Small) Download Simple Download Simple (Small) Download

Version 2 // Love You Mum Floral Download  Floral  (Small) Download Simple Download  Simple (Small) Download

I started learning more methods to watercolour in the past week and the flowers on the card are just a little detail I added to apply what I learnt. I am fully aware that it's not the best, and there's a lot more to improve on, but I'd just like to take this as an experience and see how it goes. :)

People are often misguided that mothers only need to rest and take time to relax on this day. Yet in truth, she deserves a break whenever she wants and whenever she needs it, not just on this day itself. When the chips are down, she's been there for us and if she experiences something similar, she deserves timeouts as well.

It may also suffice to adopt an alternative perspective where if any day should ever be celebrated as and deserving enough to be a "mothers' day", it should be our birthdays - the celebration of our birth that has made the woman who took care of us mothers. These are the days that actually celebrate their new adventure into motherhood, and have made them stronger, happier and more blessed.

This Mothers' Day, let's remember to be thankful of these dedicated women. Run a detailed inventory and take stock of all the things she has sacrificed and done for us. After all, we are indeed indebted to her.

Happy Mothers' Day. ♥

+ All cards are for personal use only. Not for distribution or resale. Please give credit if reshared. Thank you.
Photo + Lettering + Illustrations by me