Hello September!

Salam!

It's already the third day in September, but a hello won't hurt.

InsyaAllah ada dua blog/projek bakal menyusul, namun masih dalam fasa mengumpul bahan & alatan. Salah satunya ialah blog peribadi.  Kami tunjukkan dulu sneak peek ya.

Upcoming #1

 Upcoming #2

Sementara itu, kami ada menyiapkan dua carta jadual untuk anda yang mahu mula berblog. Selalunya bagi yang baru bermula, anda akan menghadapi situasi (a) terlalu banyak idea; atau (b) tiada idea yang dirasakan sesuai. Antara tipsnya adalah dengan menulis setiap idea, kecil atau besar, pada kertas dan membuat perancangan tentang isi, imej, link atau apa saja yang berkenaan dengan topik yg dipilih. 

Kedua-dua carta ini direka khas kerana yang ada di carian internet tidak bersesuaian dengan keperluan Artchetak. Start downloading by clicking the links below. Selamat mencuba!

FREEBIES!

Blog Action Plan

Event Action Plan

Salam Aidil Fitri 1433/2012

Selamat menyambut Hari Raya Aidil Fitri buat semua. Semoga segala amalan kita sepanjang Ramadhan diterima-Nya dan Syawal kita diberkati-Nya. Maaf Zahir & Batin dari kami di Artchetak. Hati-hati ketika memandu. And to our non-muslim friends, have a great weekend ahead!

Selamat Hari Raya 1432M & Happy holiday!

My family & I wish all our muslim brothers & sisters, a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin. May Allah's peace & blessings be upon you & your family. And may the meaning & blessings of Ramadhan & Syawal remain with you throughout the year. Have a joyous Eid!

And happy holiday to all my non-muslim friends!

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This is a sticky post. Please scroll down for latest entry.

Ekspo Kahwin KL 2011 Edisi 3

It's been a while, a long while, since my last entry. Gonna make a quick update today. We had so much fun throughout the three-day expo. Learned a lot too. Although there were a minor hiccup but the helpful organizer was quick to solve it.  Here are some of the going-ons during the Ekspo Kahwin KL 2011 Edisi 3, held in Wangsa Walk Mall from 1st to 3rd July 2011.

Booth set-up.

Setting up started in the wee hour of 1st July. We were supposed to begin work at 4a.m. We were too tired from not having enough sleep days before, so we left the house around 5.30a.m. arriving only one and a half later. Believe it or not, I missed a junction on the way over to Wangsa Walk Mall and drove all to way to KL city centre before realizing I was lost. Blame it on the fatigue. 

Attending customers & potential customers. Thank you everyone!

The expo was our first exposure to meet the customers, off-line. We had a slow start but the the pace started picking up on the second day. And by the end of the third & last day, we were so exhausted and almost drained out. 

Friends, family, fans, previous customers. Thank you all!

We have everybody, friends, customers, families & the organizer to thank for. We could not have made it without all the help & support.

Our simple booth.

A visit from the VVIP. For three days, these are the faces I miss the most. 

And guess what, there'll be one Ekspo Kahwin KL 2011 Edisi 4, to be held from 30 September to 2 August 2011, at the same place, Wangsa Walk Mall. And we'll be participating too! So, save those dates and meet us there! 

Lotsa Love!

Once upon a time in land not so far away...

She sent a friend request and I accepted. That was quite some time ago. I knew she was a graphic designer who's also offering wedding card printing services, but I didn't mind because I regarded her a fellow businesswomen & designer. A few days ago, to my surprise I saw an artwork which is similar to one of my buntings, posted on her wall. Then I found out, there are three more.

I was frustrated, dissatisfied and let it all out on my personal wall.

But, in order to clear the air, I left messages on her photo walls to inform her about the similarity and also the link to my blog. She responded a few minutes later. A typical respond which was expected earlier (refer to the above)

I left the same remark on each artwork. Note the 'copyright' claim, one for each artwork.

A few minutes later, I could no longer view the artworks and also her entire Facebook profile. I was removed as a friend. But unfortunately it did not end there...

As the saying goes, walls have ears. A few amusing questions raised when I was given an opportunity to view her wall comments later. 

1) All my earlier comments on the buntings similarity were removed, together with her "kebetulan" & "tak mungkin meniru" comments.

2) Did she make a 180deg turn from saying it was all 'kebetulan' and "tak mungkin meniru" to admitting copying my work? She justifiied her act by claiming that copying is an art form, but what she did was not just copying, it's close imitation of the original.

3) I do understand that we are 'inspired by' or to create new ideas from observations and research. Being creative & innovative is something, but making an exact copy and then claiming a copyright, that is something else. And if that was what her lecturer taught her, I am appalled. 

4) The industry of wedding invitation card is evolving. The designs are more personal & revolutionized. Our b2b's and g2b's are now more creative with all sorts of ideas for their special cards of the special day. Customers are wiser and more aware of getting the best money can buy. Those with limited budget should not be left behind. That is what artchetak all about. We are trying to give new and fresh ideas which are affordable to everyone.

5) How does she expect me to "bising" on her wall if I was no longer her facebook friend. YOU REMOVED ME, REMEMBER? 

What is she babbling about? Of course lah you did the editing yourself. But there's difference between coming up with a totally new artwork which is inspired by another artwork; and making ("editing") an exact copy.

  

Eh! I thought you said it was all your ideas, why did your friend said it was your customer's? So, which is it?

Ok, last but not least, this is exactly what I mean, "inspired by an idea/concept" versus "copycat" (or some say "good editing"). I spent less than 15 minutes for "good editing" artwork. But it took me 4 days and several emails with customer to get the final artwork of "inspired by original". 

 

Even I couldn't propose something with the likes of the "good editing" artwork to customer, tak sanggup beb!

It's our seventh, Alhamdulillah

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow. 

I was searching for wedding quotes for this entry and instead of the lovey-dovey, romantic words, I want to share some of the more quirky & funny ones. Please don't take them seriously...

Marrying a man is like buying something you've been admiring for a long time in a shop window. You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn't always go with everything in the house. 

- Jean Kerr

I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. 

- Rita Rudner

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. 

- Socrates

My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met. 

- Rodney Dangerfield

I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back. 

- Henny Youngman

A man in love is incomplete until he is married. Then he's finished.

- Zsa Zsa Gabor

"If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?"

- unknown

In my house I'm the boss, my wife is just the decision maker. 

- Woody Allen

Infatuation is when you think he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Connors. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford – but you'll take him anyway.

- Judith Viorst

The invitation card, the wedding ring box, the 'mas kahwin' treasure box, and my handmade 'hantaran' flower. After seven years, they are still in my safe-keeping and hopefully someday I could pass these on to my daughters.

Apam Polkadots in da house!

Yummylicious! Fluffylicious! And they are super cute! You can even personalize them with your names & greetings. 

The details are as per below:

Minimum order = 100 pcs = RM 30

Options:

1. Clear box

• RM 0.15 per piece with FREE doyley & standard tag
• Add RM 0.05 per box for packaging done by NEEKAY

2. Personalised Tag, Size 4x4cm One side full color with punch hole

• RM 35 per 100 pcs
• RM 30 per 100 pcs if order more than 200 pcs

3. Other decor items such as ribbons, stickers etc will be upon request with additional cost

4. Pick Up Points (no charge) :-

• McD Equine Park
• Jusco Equine Park

5. Delivery cost will be charged accordingly for mileage exceeded 30km(return).

50% deposit upon confirmation of order to be paid to NEEKAY RESOURCES, Maybank. 

Please call the above telephone number for more information. 

Get On Board!

This is going to be a very lengthy post. But I appeal to you, my dear friends, to continue reading this entry until its' last word.

I am a mother of two girls. My first daughter was born in 2006 and she is now a very chatty almost-5-year-old. And my younger daughter is a perky almost-3-year-old. No matter what happens during the day, watching them sleeping at night is the highlight of my daily routine. They are handful and I love them to bits. One of my greatest fear is someone might hurt them & no one would help.

Why am I sharing these with you?

UNICEF, recently, launches Get on Board campaign to unite 100,000 supporters to stop child abuse in Malaysia.

What is CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse (and neglect known formally by United Nations agencies as child maltreatment) is harm (or risk of harm) caused to a child by a parent, guardian or another person in a position of responsibility, trust or power over the child. 

There are four major types of child abuse:

• Neglect: failure to provide for a child’s basic needs.
• Physical abuse: punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, stabbing, choking, or otherwise harming a child.
• Sexual abuse: fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
• Emotional abuse: constant criticism, threats, rejection as well as withholding love, support, or guidance.

Child abuse affects children’s health, development and strips away their dignity. In most cases, long-term emotional scars are left behind. 

Children and young people with special needs, including children with disabilities and those living with HIV and AIDS are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Undocumented children, migrant and refugee children are also at risk.

Do you now that, based on statistics from the Department of Social Welfare, Malaysia :

• Child abuse is on the rise in Malaysia with an increase of some 700 reported cases between 2006 and 2008.
• Average of 7 children in Malaysia were reported to be victims of child abuse each day in 2008.
• 1 in 2 child victims reported in 2008 were abused by a parent.

Based on 2008 reported figures, neglect is the most common form of child abuse in Malaysia. The breakdown of the three key forms of abuse are as follows:

•  952 child victims experienced neglect, meaning a caretaker failed to provide for the child’s basic needs.
•  863 child victims were physically abused.
•  733 child victims were sexually abused, 72% were incest.
•  58 child victims were abandoned babies.
•  Failure to provide care and supervision has become the most frequent cause of death among children.

The more alarming issue is most child abuse goes unreported and the statistical snapshot could be just the “tip of the iceberg”.

CHILD ABUSE: Myths and Facts

MYTH 1:

It’s only abuse if there is physical violence.

FACT:

Physical abuse is just one form of abuse. Children can also be harmed by emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. These types of abuse are usually hidden from sight and, as a result, people are less likely to take action and help the children.

MYTH 2:

Only bad people abuse. Good people don’t.

FACT:

Not all abusers are bad and want to harm their children intentionally. Some abusers may have been victims of abuse themselves, and grew up not knowing any other way of parenting or treating children. Others may be struggling with mental health problems, alcohol and drug addiction and other personal problems.

MYTH 3:

Many children do not know their abusers.

FACT:

Although some children are abused by complete strangers, many actually know their abusers and trust them. Abusers are most commonly family members, or someone who is close to the family and the child.

MYTH 4:

Child abuse doesn’t happen in “good” families and wealthy households.

FACT:

Child abuse can happen in any household, regardless of ethnic background, culture, religion or economic status. Sometimes, a family that seems to have it all can hide a different story behind closed doors.

MYTH 5:

Many adults who suffered abuse in childhood are not affected by this abuse in adult life.

FACT:

Although some adults manage to cope with abuse they suffered as children, many remain deeply affected in adult life. It is not easy to just get over child abuse. Survivors of child abuse need care and support to overcome the trauma of abuse and live full healthy lives.

MYTH 6:

Abused children will definitely grow up to be abusers.

FACT:

Some survivors of child abuse may unconsciously repeat the violent or abusive treatment that they experienced as a child. However, many have a strong motivation to protect their own children from experiencing what they had suffered and, instead, become wonderful parents.

MYTH 7:

A child is responsible for the abuse that he/she suffers.

FACT:

A child is never responsible for the abuse he/she suffers. The responsibility for abuse lies solely with the offender. In the case of sexual abuse, offenders often try to shift the blame for their actions by accusing the child of being promiscuous or seductive, especially if it involves a teenager.

MYTH 8:

Children lie about being sexually abused.

FACT:

It is extremely rare for children to lie about being sexually abused. In reality, children may not want to disclose sexual abuse because they are embarrassed, afraid or uncomfortable.

CHILD ABUSE : What can you do if a child confides in you?

The Do’s

• If a child approaches you to confide in you, remain calm and listen. 
• Believe the child. Talk to the child in a non-leading, non-threatening way.
• Reassure the child that it is not his or her fault.
• Look out for signs or symptoms of abuse.
• Let the child know that telling you about what happened was the right thing to do.
• Reassure the child of your help and support.

The Don’ts

• Do not demonstrate feelings of shock.
• Do not react negatively to what the child has to say.
• Do not confront the abuser.

Seek help by calling 15999.

Alternatively, report to the nearest police station or contact the Social Welfare Department directly. If you believe that the child needs medical assistance, take the child immediately to the ‘Accident and Emergency’ (A&E) Unit of the General Hospital or the nearest hospital in your locality.

IT’S OUR BUSINESS

Child abuse is not someone else’s problem. It is OUR problem. You can do your part to help and make a difference: By learning more about abuse. By talking about it and raising awareness. By asking questions and staying alert. By minimising opportunities for abuse. By getting involved and reporting abuse or any suspicion of abuse.

DOING THE RIGHT THING!

Children need love and support if they are to grow and develop to their full potential. They need protection from abuse which can distort and destroy their lives.

I’ve raised my hand. How about you?

Get on Board is a "peoples' campaign" by UNICEF to provide the Malaysian public with the knowledge, insights and resources to stop child abuse. The digitally-driven campaign, a first by UNICEF in the region, aims to unite 100,000 supporters to raise their hand in support of children. We hope the Malaysian public will embrace this campaign as their own, and support and promote it in their own unique ways to ensure a safe and protected childhood for every child in Malaysia.

DO THE RIGHT THING.

GET ON BOARD.

FIGHT CHILD ABUSE!

I'm on board and am now one of thousands official campaigner.

The above facts and infos are just some of reading and campaign materials prepared by UNICEF. 

Happy D.I.Y Pelamin : Before & After

It's been almost three months but I have not done blogging about my brother’s wedding. Read earlier posts here and here. This entry will be a short one, of our very own D.I.Y pelamin. Spending thousands of RM on a pelamin would cause a serious damage to our budget. So we commissioned a local carpenter to build us a base for the pelamin and later did the decoration ourselves. 

Metres of cloth and fabric are from my mom's collection. The same chair & mini stage were used at my wedding & my sister's. We bought only three things for this pelamin. One is the glass lantern, and the other two, were bought at a shop selling bakery supplies. Any guess?

 

They are, the shining gold doily paper and the mini crown on top of the pelamin. It's made out of round gold mini cake cardboard, commonly used as base for mini cakes.

Something Old

Set merenjis

Something New

Glass lantern

Something Borrowed

Tapak pahar

Something Blue

Bunga telur

How was your raya & weekend holiday?

Selamat Hari Raya & Happy holiday!

Wishing Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all our Muslims friends

and have a great long weekend for everybody else. 

Happy D.I.Y Hall : Before & After

Previous entries on this wedding reception are posted here and here.

We started off preparing the hall two weeks prior the reception. My father and I checked out the hall, accompanying us was Pak Din, the carpenter we had hired to build the pelamin. Six years ago he built my pelamin and my sister's three years later. We were very fortunate to have the hall newly painted by the Majlis Daerah Rompin and the colours matched the wedding theme perfectly.

Majlis Daerah Rompin gave us the green light to begin work two days before the big day. The family, cousins, aunts, uncles all gathered together and with full force, started off by arranging all the tables & chairs. Pak Din came and had the pelamin assembled & erected early so I could begin work on the decorations. Yup, that's me laboring over the doily papers for the pelamin. All the table top covers, clothes for the scallops & table skirting are my mother's. Yes, the banquet chair covers & the ribbon sets too. She has a stockpile of them, which she had earlier bought for my wedding and my sister's.

We had the hall all to ourselves so we placed some mats on the floor, we had picnic, and we even brought some pillows. My sister and I brought our kids along and the hall provided a very spacious area for them to run around and boy, they had a ball!

On the eve of the big day, the caterer came to set up the tables with plates, drinking glasses and such. We installed some light bulbs for the pelamin, placed the telur rebus on all four bunga telur stands, did a sound check, did the bunga manggar and many more of teeny meeny touching-ups.

17th July came and feeling a bit discontented with the table top settings done by the caterer the night before, we spent the last few hours before the event to finish off the pelamin, the main tables and the VIP’s. We took a few rounds inspecting the hall, lit some candles and headed home to get ready.

Finally, after working vigorously for two days and nights, everything is all set and ready to receive the guests.

Postings on pelamin and door gifts are to follow soon.

Happy D.I.Y

Alhamdulillah, the wedding reception went smoothly. We were super busy, with sleepless nights. But we had tons of funs 'D.I.Y'ing the whole event.

We engaged our photographer friends, Mr. Jai & Mr. Yus, for the reception, and as more photos are coming in, I will share a few more soon.

Pretty photos make me happy, really really happy. Jai & Yus, thanks a lot. Job well done!

A family affair

Yippee! Another balik kampung trip early tomorrow morning. We are having a wedding reception (my brother's that is) on the 17th and that also means another family gathering. Something which we've been looking for since our last family trip to Sedayu Lodge a year ago, exactly. Yes, you can reserve the whole lodge for your event.

Almost all the uncles, aunties, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews will be there. Sadly, though, a few could not make it this year.

So, dear all, we will be a bit lagging in replying your emails & inquiries, unintentionally. It WILL be a hectic weekend but we try to make time to get back to you the soonest possible.

Damai memanggil pulang

Agak lama tidak pulang ke kampung. InsyaAllah seminggu di sini untuk melepas rindu.

image source

Happy Father's Day

I'm a little behind but not wanting to miss the boat, I'd like to wish Happy Father's Day to all the fathers who played their roles with all their hearts and souls.

Do a happy doily

More inspiring crafts made from doily paper.

image source & how-to from here

image source & how-to from here

image source & how-to from here

image source & how-to from here

And last but not least, on my own bedside table, crafted from empty mayo jars, some ribbons and of course, doily papers.

Jana RM Dari Rumah

Pada 22 November 2009, www.artchetak.com berpeluang muncul di segmen Bekerja Dari Rumah di rancangan Apa Kata Wanita di TV1. Sejak itu, dari semasa ke semasa, saya menerima e-mail dari wanita-wanita, terutamanya kaum ibu yang berhajat untuk mula berniaga secara kecil-kecilan dari rumah. Dengan pengalaman yang amat cetek, rasanya saya bukanlah sumber terbaik untuk memberi nasihat. Yang boleh cuma sekadar pandangan yang tak seberapa berdasarkan pengalaman sendiri.

Agak sukar untuk mendapatkan bahan bacaan yang ditujukan khas kepada kaum wanita bagi isu memulakan perniagaan dari rumah. Kebanyakan yang berada di pasaran adalah di import dari negara barat. Walaupun secara amnya, boleh digunapakai, tetapi masih perlu buku rujukan tulisan anak tempatan.

Alhamdulillah, pada Mei 2010, buku bertajuk Jana RM Dari Rumah berada di pasaran. Buku hasil tulisan Masayu Ahmad, di tulis khas untuk kaum wanita, para ibu bekerja khasnya yang berhajat untuk bertukar kepada status bekerja dari rumah.

Jana RM Dari Rumah bukan sahaja memberi pelbagai idea jenis perniagaan yang boleh di jalankan di rumah, malah, menjelaskan pelbagai perkara yang berkaitan. Terdapat panduan-panduan bagaimana untuk mengurus masa, cabaran bekerja dari rumah, pengurusan pemasaran, persaingan dan kewangan turut diterangkan.

Bekerja dari rumah tidaklah semudah yang disangka. Sesiapa yang memasang niat, perlu mendapat maklumat apa yang bakal dihadapi. InsyaAllah semuanya ada di dalam buku ini, begitu juga panduan motivasi diri sekiranya apa yang dirancang tidak membuahkan hasil.

Buku yang berharga RM15 ini boleh dibeli secara online di MPH Online atau Karangkraf Mall.

Kulit muka hadapan & autograf penulis.

Berlatar belakang blog Panduan Bekerja Di Rumah oleh Masayu Ahmad.

Isi kandungan Jana RM Dari Rumah

www.artchetak.com berkongsi cerita & pengalaman.

Family time

image source

The wedding reception has been called of due to some very unfortunate reasons. I do feel a little frustrated but very much sorry for the couple. We hope and pray that things will work out for them. That leaves me with some extra time on my hands to clear up a few orders for wedding cards. I decided not to accept any orders until mid June to spend more time with the husband and kids. We had picnics, we baked, we spent time doing absolute nothing. The kids enjoyed themselves and so did us. Thus the neglect on this blog.

We will upload more photos of the recent wedding cards and more designs for budget handmade invitations. But for now, it's family time.