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 ♥ 

________________

+ 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. :)

The Creative Minds: Happy Girls

Beauty, in itself, is a wonderful entity. Yet, most never have the audacity to remind its value in themselves. What is most unfortunate is how people are often inclined to ascribe it to physical appeal instead of what lies beneath. 

I've teamed up once again with the very talented Elsa from Totally Elsa, and we have created a piece with her sketch of a portrait of Audrey Hepburn and my lettering. Audrey Hepburn is indeed a inspiration to many young girls due to her poise and down-to earth demeanor, and Elsa has certainly made a wonderful illustration of her. The detail in her sketch is incredibly intricate and it takes such patience and conviction to produce a very delicate piece like the one she's created.

It was Elsa who had picked out this beautiful quote, and suggested it to lettered. I agreed to it almost immediately because the message that it carried was no doubt genuine and captivating. Of course, it must be noted that this message isn't applicable to just women as well. When people are happy and grateful with their lives, beauty and grace are also reflected in their souls as we inevitably find ourselves enduring adversities with quiet fortitude.

The misrepresentation of 'perfect' physical traits such as waistlines and makeup on television and social media has distorted the once staggering image that beauty possessed before these influences ever existed. While its definition is ostentatiously molded by these pervasive bodies, producing unrealistic expectations, we must take heart that true beauty lies within, and one of the ways we can reflect it is through happiness.

Happiness doesn't necessarily mean to be the less-than-realistic, constantly cheerful character with a plastered smile. Having that kindred-animated spirit, taking stock of our blessings or doing something that induces the warm fuzzies in another can depict happiness as well. Only in keeping this joy, we emerge as beautiful individuals - young and spry regardless of age, for this is also what manifests a meaningful life.

Until next time ♥

Illustration by Elsa from Totally Elsa, Lettering by Dian from The Happy Candle

______________________

+ The Creative Minds Series is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative. 

+ In view of the busy times ahead, if you'd like more updates and inspirational lettered quotes, you may also find me on Instagram, where some new content that isn't featured on the blog will be posted as well. :)

The Creative Minds Series: Listen (+ Freebie)

Last June, a blogger from France, Elsa, from Totally Elsa, came forward and wanted to collaborate on a project together. Totally Elsa is a place where Elsa shares her very delicate and detailed nail art as well as some of her pretty impressive drawings and portraits. She was unsure of what exactly we should work on, but proposed that since both of us had a common interest of art and creative things, we could create an art piece that featured her illustration and my lettering.

The downloadable wallpaper for this July is something that both of us had created together, with Elsa's intricate and delicate illustration of a beautiful crown and jewels, coupled with my lettering. I also decided to try out something new, and created my own gold foil to use with the crown that Elsa had illustrated.

The late Princess Diana had mentioned this beautiful quote worth a reminder to all. She would have turned 54 recently on 1 July, and will be remembered for being kind and down-to-earth, and indisputably, an inspiration to many.

Version 1 // Black Background Phone (Android/iPhone) 1080 x 1920 Laptop 2880 x 1800 Desktop 2560 x 1600 / 1280 x 1024

Version 2 // White Background Phone (Android/iPhone) 1080 x 1920 Laptop 2880 x 1800 Desktop 2560 x 1600 / 1280 x 1024

From this collaboration initiated by Elsa, I also decided to introduce a new collection/post series called 'The Creative Minds Series'. After the introduction of the Loopy Doodles, it seemed appropriate to also include another series in this little getaway to go on wilder creative adventures. The series will be a type of collaboration where it will feature the wonderful work from the contributor, and where the contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together. :)

I'm very grateful for Elsa for her initiative to start this collaboration that sparked the idea of this series. It was very kind of her and she didn't mind if this idea was used with others. She was very accepting, open-minded and happy that she gave the idea of the series as well, so I'm very much appreciative of her support. :) It was wonderful working with Elsa, she had great ideas and it was such an amazing experience to be able to work with someone from across the globe once again.

Finally, we often listen to the voice of reality of our heads, rather than listening to our hearts that harbour the growing list of dreams we constantly wish for. Let's remember that choices lead to destiny as well. We have the ability to cross off those items on our bucket list and find solace in even the smallest of things, if we just keep a close ear and listen to the whispers of our hearts.

Until next time ♥ 

Illustration by Elsa, lettering by me. Wallpapers created by Elsa from Totally Elsa and Dian from The Happy Candle. For personal use only. Not for sale or distribution. If shared, please link back to original post.

_____________________

+ The Creative Minds Series is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative.