The Latest with elle Z designs
I cannot wait to get done with classes so I can spend more time on my business. I’ve been meeting with brides to help design the perfect invitations for their wedding. I’m excited to announce that I am in the process of becoming a licensed Dealer/Designer for Envelopments! It will be a perfect compliment to my line of premium DIY invitation kits. I’m also working on updating my business website which will be a fully functioning (I hope!) e-commerce site.
Stay tuned for more!
Back to School, Back to School
Sorry for the lack of posting…it’s taken me longer than I expected to get re-adjusted to the time zone. Not to mention we jumped right back into classes two nights a week as soon as I returned from Hong Kong. So, I’ve been exhausted. Truth be told, I’m still exhausted.
I wanted to share a link to Carol Chan’s blog: http://tippiehk.blogspot.com/. Carol is a 2008 graduate of the program and she did a really nice job documenting parts of our visit. I had every intention of doing the same, but until then, please check out Carol’s site. 
God Bless America
After more than 24 hours of trying, I am finally home!! Hong Kong was great but flying United was not. Let me break it down for you: My flight from Hong Kong was rescheduled due to “crew issues” causing me to miss my original flight home from Chicago. Then the idiot I had for a customer service rep when I got to Chicago cancelled my ticket for the next connection because she said I couldn’t get to the gate in time…yet when I got there I watched as the rest of the class boarded that very flight. The jerk attendants at the gate wouldn’t let me on because they were full, even though my name was on the screen for a seat held; my ticket was cancelled and they were full. I had to wait another couple hours for the very last flight out and finally made it home late Friday, which in Hong Kong time was Saturday 8AM.
Andy brought Tiger to the airport to pick me up. When I got home I walked in to find a sparkling clean house, a nice dinner, my favorite wine and chocolate, all thanks to my wonderful husband. It was so nice to be able to take a nice hot shower (in tap water you can actually drink) and crawl into my own bed. I only slept a few hours on the flight home so I slept pretty well that first night and got up at a reasonable 8am yesterday. I thought I had tricked myself back into this time zone…until last night.
Andy was super tired and started drifting off about 10pm last night. I was not really tired so I sat up until at least 12:30am. When I started waking up I thought it was about 5am but the clock said 3am. Keep in mind, that’s 1pm Hong Kong time and I was wide awake. So I grabbed my laptop thinking I’d get tired soon. I decided at 7am I might as well get up. By 2pm today I was exhausted so I took a nap for an hour. I hope I can fall asleep tonight.
Anyway…when I get back in the swing of things I’ve got more photos from my trip to upload and I really should start writing down all the things I saw, learned, and experienced before I forget everything!
Hong Kong Update
Things I’ve noticed/learned while in Hong Kong:
- Venus Williams is in town playing tennis! (My roommate Amber watched her while I was at dinner the other night)
- I saw a building that was used in the filming of the Dark Knight (I hope to get better photos soon!)
- There is no sales tax and only 15% income tax
- Healthcare is extremely reasonable – A night in a public hospital costs $12.50 per night. I’m told public hospitals aren’t as great as the “good” US hospitals, but they are better than the “mediocre” US hospitals
- The mattress on my hotel bed is ridiculously hard
- The hotel showers are very hot (bonus!)
- Hotels are energy efficient
- You must put your room key in a slot to run power in your room
- The toilets don’t have water sitting in the bowl; although it has some sort of self-cleaning (?) button that runs a long time
- Tipping is not expected, thought much appreciated
- Social dinners are an extravagant event that can last for hours
- Their shopping malls are 5-6 stories high but all the stores are TINY…more like a boutique, most less than 100 square feet!
- The subway (MTR =mass transit railway) is very efficient and inexpensive
- Real chopsticks are more difficult than the cheap wooden chopsticks I’m used to using
- They are hesitant to accept payment/directions from a woman; if a man is present they want to help him first
- Most places are very clean - almost every place I’ve gone I’ve seen workers cleaning
- 40% of the population live in government housing
- Primary languages are Cantonese, Mandarin, and English
More later!
Hong Kong Photos Posted
Well, we got hard wired internet to our room – YAY!!! I’ve uploaded 100+ photos from the last 24 hours or so in Hong Kong. Tonight we went to a nice seafood restaurant and had the biggest feast of my life! I made an attempt to try *most* of the food…a few things were just a bit TOO authentic for me…have a look and see if you can tell which dishes I passed on!
We have class all day tomorrow and then some free time in the evening. Hopefully I can venture out and check out the shops near our hotel. The public transportation system here is amazing. I was nervous to try it alone but we went to dinner as a group and it is super simple. I wouldn’t mind going to a few other spots if we have time.
On Sunday we’ll be taking a train into mainland China for a few days before returning to Hong Kong.
Officially a World Traveler
Morning: Well, we made it. Got nervous as the flight to Chicago was delayed. Them we sat on the runway to HK for an hour. But, alas, I am here. Unfortunately I have yet to get my computer to sign onto the internet. Luckily the hotel has a couple we can use but it’s going to be a LONG trip if I can’t get my own to work.
Evening: Took a tour of Hong Kong today, had some delicious dim sum. Learned I’m NOT as good with chopsticks as I thought.
Finally got my own PC to work in spurts, so that helps. Have spend about 5 minutes chatting online with Andy since I left. 
I miss him. Wish he would have come too.
Most of the class is going to a really nice seafood restaurant tonight; not sure how much I will like that but I’ll give it a shot. Took lots of photos today and will try to get them posted to our Flickr account soon. Very tired right now 4:30pm Hong Kong time, 2:30am US time. I’m getting adjusted but pretty tired.
Will keep you posted!
Ready or Not – Hong Kong Here I Come!
Much like the anticipation of our wedding, I can’t believe my trip to Hong Kong is finally here! Andy will drop me off at the airport on the way in to work tomorrow morning. I leave at 10am and fly into O’Hare first, then it’s a 16 hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong, where it will be 6pm their time on Thursday when I arrive. Yikes! Stephanie gave me her copy of Twilight and I’ve got a couple other books and magazines. Plus, I see that United has free in flight movies – Bonus!
Looks like the plan is to tour Hong Kong, take a train to mainland China, and visit multiple companies over the course of the 9 days I’ll be there. This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was like 10 years old and I’m super excited and a little nervous all at once! I’m bringing two cameras (’cause I’m afraid mine might stop working at any moment) so I’ll be sure to take lots of photos and try to post while I’m gone.
Bedroom Project
Andy & I are really excited to get started on the bedroom project for my nieces. But since I’m going out of town it probably won’t happen this month. Oh well…Andy has been playing around with his new tools so maybe we can shoot for next month on the bedroom project. My sister is really hoping to pull off this huge surprise for the girls by having them stay with someone for the weekend so when they come home they walk into an entirely new room, nice and organized with fresh paint and of course a really cool bed.
There are so many fun options for childrens beds and I’ve been poking around the internet looking at the variety of styles available today. When I was a kid I think the coolest option was a racecar bed. I was a tomboy, but not quite to THAT extent. Now you can get all kinds of beds – shaped like a horse and carriage, a Jeep, an excavator. Too fun! Of course, I am still loving the dollhouse design Andy has drafted. How fun would it be for an 8-year old and 2-year old to have a real-life dollhouse bunk bed? I can’t wait to get started!!
Giant DIY Cupcake Stand
Here’s a great project for all you crafty brides with crafty husbands-to-be!! Design your own cupcake stand – I promise it will be a big hit!
Don’t have the time or resources to make your own? Now you can order your very own custom made stand! (We also have other sizes available.) This tutorial has become so popular we are currently working on multiple versions for other sizes with much more detail and LOTS more photos, tips & tricks. If you would like to be contacted when these instructions are available, please e-mail me and let me know.
Tracey, a reader who used our tutorial, was nice enough to provide me with a metric version! You can obtain those instructions here. Thanks Tracy! And have a look at her beautiful stand…didn’t they do a fabulous job?!
Materials List
49″ x 97″ x 3/4″ MDF Board (1 sheet)
Cut to size:
32″ x 32″ (2 pieces)
24″ x 24″ (2 pieces)
17″ x 17″ (2 pieces)
12″ x 12″ (2 pieces)
4″ x 2′ PVC (2 pices)
4″ PVC Coupling (4 each)
1/2″ 6′ All Thread Rod (1 piece)
1/2″ Hex Nuts (2 each)
Paint
1/2″ Flat Washer (2 pieces)
6-8 Knobs (to put on the bottom for feet)
2 yards of 44″ or wider fabric
32″ x 40″ Foam Board (1 piece)
Cut to size:
23 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
16 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
11 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
*NOTE: You will need to cut 2 pieces of foam core slightly smaller than the dimensions above so they all fit snug. I re-measure and update when I get a chance.
Have Lowes cut the MDF board, then cut a small circle in the center of each piece. Put the threaded rod through layers of the MDF board and PVC. (Notice that you don’t have to paint the top and bottom of everything, only parts that will show.
Countersink a hole in the top so the threaded rod does not stick out. You can add a nice piece of acrylic, or another board or something on top if you wish but it’s not necessary.
We routered the undersides of the layers so we could slip the panels in and out. You can skip the routering if you don’t intend to change the fabric panels.
Lay out the foam board and cut the fabric a couple inches larger. Wrap the fabric around the panels and adhere with a strong glue. Let dry, then slide into the routered grooves.
Add the knobs at the bottom for feet and you’re ready to go! Keep in mind this thing is somewhat heavy, and large:
You will definitely need a truck to transport it fully assembled. But, it’s easy enough to tear apart and reassemble if necessary.
Please send me photos if you make one and we’ll feature it on our site!!
DIY “Here Comes the Bride” Bridal Banner
I just finished an order for a “Here Comes the Bride” Banner so I thought it was a perfect time to make a tutorial for those interested in making their own! Read more
