What do you do? I am a freelance writer.

What brand is your sewing machine? I have a Homemaker surplus sewing machine.

Where did you buy your sewing machine? Just like everything else I own (I kid), I got it from eBay.

Why are you more narcissistic these days and post more photos of yourself? Hello to the friend who asked me this (you know who you are). Well, in case you are wondering, too, I have decided some time last year to make my thrift-shopping adventures a part of this blog. This blog, after all, is called Bored and Crafty. And when I’m bored, you will most likely find me shopping.

If this is a “style” blog, why don’t you post the brands of the items you wear? Because I did not want to have a “style” blog that looked like any other “style” blog out there. So I had this brilliant idea (in my opinion, anyway) to list down only aspects of my outfit that I have made (CRAFTED) or bought at thrift stores (THRIFTED). This way, the “style” part of my blog would still follow the original DIY grain.

I should also mention that I am hardly ever into brands. I can afford all pretty things I can find at the malls but buying them will go against this principle: If something at the mall costs more than a brand new book, don’t buy it. With the exception of shoes, watches, and yummy fabric, I pretty much use that principle as my mall-buying guide. Does this make me cheap? Perhaps. Does that make me someone with a skewed sense of consumerism? Most likely.

So you are cheap! Well, that’s not a question now, is it? But let’s answer that. Yes, I am. But I have my reasons for favoring thrifted over brand new clothes. For one, it’s green. The recent heat wave had me purchasing an AC. Hence, I am doubling up my efforts to not buy brand new in order to be more green. Another reason is that I have found items at thrift houses to have better quality than the brand new dresses imported from Bangkok or Korea or any other Asian country where boutiques source their merchandise. Being somewhat of a seamstress, I can tell shoddy stitch-work from a mile away. Plus you have the price and uniqueness factors.

Where do you go thrift shopping? First off, I should mention that I live in Cebu, Philippines. I buy thrifted items from that thrift outlet near the Fuente Circle. It’s that building right across Robinson’s.  I also do Sunday thrift-shopping at Carbon and online thrifting on eBay.

What camera do you use? I have a Nikon D40. Clear photos here are taken with my D40 while the ones of me out and about are often taken by the boyfriend  with his iPhone.

Who is your boyfriend and what does he do? The boyfriend’s web home is here: http://uziemperado.com. He is an artist.

Any plans to start a family? I swear I hear this at least twice a week. And the answer is: not right now, no. The boyfriend and I have had many playful discussions on what we’ll name our imaginary kid or where we’ll send him/her to school but I am still undecided on whether I actually want to have one. I have had a minor medical operation with pain akin to childbirth and I am not exactly excited to go through it again. I don’t think a person should be born hearing the most colorful swear words known to man. Besides, having a kid means not being able to admit that Toy Story 3 made me cry or have photos like these:

Do you take special sewing commissions? Again the answer to that is “not right now.” I usually take one or two a month and right now, I am covered as far as sewing orders go. Besides, writing takes up a huge part of my life, too.

Are your geek glasses real? Yes, they are, thank you very much.

Where did you get your glasses? I got these at Acebedo in Ayala. If you fancy a fake pair, you go to People Are People.

Are you as friendly in real life as you sound on your blog? No. Not because I am mean. I’m just shy and somehow missed all “how to make small talk” seminars that have been given up to this point. I am fairly certain that I am boring in real life.

Do you have patterns of the dresses you have made and shown here on your blog? No. I have forgotten everything I learned about pattern-making for clothes in Home Ec.

Where do you buy your fabrics and other craft supplies? Most often, I buy fabrics from Metro Ayala. The place has wonderful Japanese fabric scraps that are cute beyond words. I get my other craft supplies from various stores in downtown Cebu.

Favorite eBay stores? jnlink777, ymcollections, atlrr.

Are you open to the idea of giving sewing lessons? Good heavens, no. Did I mention I’m shy? I should also add that I giggle a lot when I am nervous. It’s embarrassing, really.

Are you open to a link exchange? Sure! Shoot me an email at handmadewhimsy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Are you originally from Cebu? Nope. I came here for college when I was almost 16. I am originally from another island called Samar. The boyfriend always teases me for being a “small town girl.”

You’re 20-something! Why do you look like a teenager? Uh….genetic anomaly? But seriously, I don’t smoke, I drink water a lot, I watch what I eat, and I don’t take things (myself included) too seriously.