My First Crochet Project as a Beginner

Beginner crochet project.

I finally did it — I completed my first crochet project.

Meet Fred the dino. 🦖

This is something I’ve been wanting to try for a long time. My mum was always really good at crochet. Growing up, I remember seeing her work, and somehow it always felt a bit out of reach for me. Like… I could do cross stitch, maybe some knitting, but crochet? Different story.

Recently, I kept seeing beginner crochet kits on Instagram, and I decided to just give it a try. I ordered one, thinking it would be a small and manageable first project.

The kit came with everything I needed, along with step-by-step video guides. It made learning crochet as a beginner feel less intimidating. I used this kit if you want to have a look: The Woobles Crochet Kit.

But still… it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

I had to restart a few times. Actually, more than a few. I kept losing count of my stitches — please tell me I’m not the only one 😅 — and every time that happened, I had to undo everything and start again. Typical perfectionist behaviour, and yes… I did get a bit frustrated at some point.

Funny enough, I caught myself thinking — closing monthly accounts feels easier than this.

But I kept going. Slowly figuring it out, one step at a time.

And then… somehow, it started to come together.

Not perfect, but I made it myself.

This little dino is actually called an amigurumi — a type of small crocheted stuffed toy. I didn’t even know that term before I started.

It’s not perfect. You can probably tell it’s a beginner’s work. But I made it myself, and that counts for something.

There’s something quite satisfying about creating something with your hands. I guess I’ve always liked handicrafts — seeing a piece come together is just… satisfying.

The struggles, but it is all worth it.

So yes — a small win, but a meaningful one.

And now, Fred sits there as a reminder that maybe I can learn new things, even if it takes a few tries (or many restarts).

I might try another one… let’s see how it goes.

May xx

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How I Organise My Pokémon Card Collection (Beginner Collector)

I finally sorted all my Pokémon cards and organised my Pokémon card collection into binders.

As a beginner Pokémon card collector, I’ve been learning how to organise my Pokémon card collection, sort bulk cards, and build my own binder system.

I didn’t expect to get back into collecting Pokémon cards after more than 20 years, but here I am — slowly building a collection again, one card at a time.

I started with just two black binders — a small one for my 20+ year-old vintage collection, and another for the cards I got from CG. That was how everything began.

From two binders to this… it escalated quickly

Then I started learning more, bought some bulk cards, and slowly grew the collection. Now… it has expanded quite a bit, and I’ve added a few more binders along the way.

From the bulk cards, I managed to get a lot of new additions. Of course, there are duplicates (which I keep separately, not in binders), but I still enjoyed going through everything. Along the way, I realised I was getting close to completing one series — Scarlet & Violet (SVI English). That got me thinking… maybe I can try completing a master set. So I’ve dedicated a blue binder to that.

The rest of the cards are sorted into a few separate binders — mostly randoms, but still part of the collection.

As I learn more about Pokémon, I’m starting to notice the types and designs I really like. So I created a “favourites” binder — the purple one. Any card from the other binders (except the SVI set) that makes it into the purple binder… means I really like it 😆

Slugma and Magcargo...slowly became favourites.

A bit random, but that’s the fun of it.

Helioptile and Heliolisk. Somehow, these caught my attention first.

Right now, some of my favourites include Slugma, Magcargo, Helioptile, Heliolisk, Slakoth, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Mimikyu, Dipplin, Flapple, Hydrapple, Eiscue, Eevee, and Espeon.

It’s still a mix of random favourites, and I think that’s what makes it fun. I’m still learning, still exploring, and slowly figuring out what I really want to collect.

I think that’s enough for now…

But knowing myself, this is how it always starts 😅

This is part of my Pokémon collecting journey — I’ll share more as I continue building my collection.

May x

My First Pokémon TCG Pack Opening: Suicune Knockout Collection (Surging Sparks & Twilight Masquerade)

Sometimes, I find myself wanting to try something new… but also hesitating a little.

This time, I decided not to overthink it.

I filmed my very first Pokémon card opening video — something simple, something I’ve been quietly enjoying lately. No big setup, no perfect script, and definitely no voiceover. Just the moment of opening packs, seeing the cards, and reacting in my own way.

It felt a bit strange at first, watching myself do it. But also… fun. There’s something oddly satisfying about opening Pokémon cards again after so many years — a mix of nostalgia and curiosity, not knowing what you’re going to get.

I opened the Pokémon TCG Suicune Knockout Collection, which came with two booster packs: Surging Sparks and Twilight Masquerade. Nothing too fancy, but enough to make it interesting. Honestly, I’m still very new to this, so I don’t really know what counts as a “hit” or what I should be expecting to pull.

But I did manage to pull a card that I genuinely like — and I think that’s good enough for me.

I don’t know if I’ll keep doing more of these yet. But I’m glad I started.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes — just starting.

May xx

🎥 You can watch my first pack opening here on YouTube.

Magcargo and Helioptile Joined My Pokémon Shelf

Two cute Pokémon plush finds: Magcargo and Helioptile.

I brought home two small additions to my Pokémon collection — Magcargo and Helioptile.

I found these Pokémon plush toys at the Pokémon Center Singapore when I was in there a few days ago.

I didn’t plan to buy them.

But sometimes you see something cute, and that’s enough reason.

The red one is Magcargo, a Fire and Rock-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. It looks like a lava snail and is known for its extremely hot body temperature.

The yellow one is Helioptile, an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VI. Its large ears, which look like solar panels, allow it to absorb sunlight to generate electricity.

Nothing rare. Nothing serious. 🤭

Just two small plush toys that made me smile.

Sometimes, collecting Pokémon cards and toys is less about value and more about simple enjoyment.

And these two were too cute to leave behind.

May xx

Starting Pokémon Card Collecting Again After 20 Years

I never thought I’d be back into Pokémon. After all, it had been years since I last touched a card or knew the newest Pokémon.

It all started when CG gave me some Pokémon cards during my last trip to Singapore. Seeing them again brought back so many childhood memories.

Cute Pokémon cards in my binder, including the ones CG gave me that started this journey.

More Pokémon cards in my binder from CG.

Earlier this year, in January, I wrote a short post about how Pokémon came back into my life. If you want to read that story, you can find it here: When Pokémon Came Back Into My Life.

Recently, I decided to start collecting Pokémon cards again. Nothing serious — just buying cards I think are cute and keeping them in a binder.

My Pokémon binder and some cards I bought from Shopee

My first daring purchase of Pokémon cards from Shopee

For now, I’m not studying prices or rare cards. No spreadsheets, no checking price history, and no real strategy. I’m not collecting to chase rare cards or make money. I simply enjoy choosing cards I like and arranging them in my binder, seeing the old and new cards side by side.

CG also mentioned something interesting when we were talking about Pokémon cards. Sometimes it actually makes more sense to buy single cards instead of opening packs. So for now, I’m just picking up a few singles from Shopee whenever I see cards with artwork that I like.

It reminds me a little of childhood, and honestly, it just makes me happy.

I bought a simple binder from Shopee to store my cards. Nothing fancy, but it feels surprisingly satisfying flipping through the pages after a long day.

Maybe one day I’ll learn more about the collecting side of the hobby. But for now, I’m happy just collecting cards that make me smile.

Sometimes, that’s more than enough.

May xx

How I Mark Each Trip

Every trip has its checklist.

• Run in a new place.
• Visit a bookstore.
• Send a postcard.

I’ve made it a habit to send one to myself and my family whenever I travel somewhere new.

It’s not about collecting souvenirs. It’s just something I do — a small way to mark each trip.

I pick a postcard, write a few lines, and drop it into the postbox.

Simple ritual, but one I genuinely enjoy and hope to keep for a long time.

Years from now, I think these postcards will mean more than I expect.

What’s something you always do when you travel?

May xx

When Pokémon Came Back Into My Life

I honestly can’t remember exactly when I first started collecting Pokémon cards — probably over 20 years ago, sometime in my early 20s. I remember getting a starter pack, playing for a bit, enjoying the adventure for a while, and then… life happened. Work started, routines kicked in, and I completely stopped. Pokémon slowly faded from my daily life.

But here’s the funny part: I didn’t throw my cards away. I kept them in good condition, carefully packed and stored — almost like I instinctively knew they might matter again someday, even if I didn’t realise why at the time.

Recently, a friend of mine reignited that spark. She kept sharing her Pokémon card finds and shopping hauls, and suddenly it all came rushing back. I remembered my own collection, dug it out, and… yes, guess what — they’re vintage. Cards from the early sets, still in really good condition, quietly sitting there all these years in my old floppy disk case. The rulebook, small glass pebbles, status markers, and playmat aren’t lost — they’re carefully stored somewhere in storage, waiting for their turn to be rediscovered.

My #VintagePokémon Card Collection

Seeing them again made me realise how much Pokémon has changed since I last paid attention to it. It’s evolved so much — expanded, grown, and exploded into something far bigger than I remembered. In a way, it feels like I’m picking things up from where I left off, but also having to relearn the whole world all over again.

That feeling didn’t stop there. Inspired by my friend, I picked up Pokémon GO again. I hadn’t played in years, but this time it felt different. Since I already enjoy walking and running, letting Pokémon quietly sit alongside that routine felt natural rather than forced. Eggs hatching by distance became a small bonus to something I was already doing anyway.

There’s something quite nice about that. No pressure, no rushing — just moving, being outdoors, and occasionally stopping to catch a Pokémon (while still watching the road, of course). It’s a gentle mix of the past and present, showing up in small, ordinary moments rather than anything overly exciting.

That said, I’ve probably been a little too focused on catching Pokémon lately — to the point where my partner has had to compete with my phone for attention. Slightly guilty, but also slightly amused at how something I picked up years ago has quietly found its way back into my daily life.

The craziest thing is how timeless Pokémon collecting is — whether it’s cards or Pokémon GO. Some people do it for nostalgia, some for gameplay, some for investment. I think mine sits somewhere in between. Each card tells a story — not of childhood, but of a different phase of life — curiosity, patience, and the simple enjoyment of collecting something just because it’s fun.

Now, with my old collection back in my hands and Pokémon GO becoming part of my walks and runs, I feel like I’m reconnecting with a part of myself I didn’t even realise I missed. Vintage or not, every card and every catch feels like a small piece of magic.

Do you have something tucked away somewhere that could surprise you if you looked for it? Or maybe a collection you started and forgot about? I’d love to hear what you’ve rediscovered — leave a comment or share a story. Sometimes, the things you thought you left behind come back in the best way. They surprise you, delight you, and make you feel… a little more like yourself again.

May x