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Meet Elsie: a warm, sparkly soul based in Penang who brings a whole lot of love, laughter, and doodles to the world. Under the name Elsiewithlove, she shares bite-sized videos and cheerful posts that follow her journey through art, journaling, and navigating life as a mama, art-repreneur, and someone whose thoughts often wander in creative directions. Her feed is like a cozy corner of the internet where creativity meets chaos (the good kind), and everything’s sprinkled with heart.

As someone who journals regularly myself, chatting with Elsie felt like swapping stickers and stories with an old friend. We talked about her passion for journaling, the birth of her whimsical stationery shop, and the big dreams behind her doodly world.

Elsie, doodling in action | Photo by Natasha Yong.

 

🌱 Planting the First Seed

“My love for art began when I was just a child. I’ve been doodling for as long as I can remember,” Elsie shares with a smile. “In secondary school, I excelled academically, and my teachers encouraged me to stay in the science stream. But deep down, my heart was shouting, I love art!

After graduating Secondary School, Elsie took up a part-time job to fund her studies in Foundation in Arts and Interior Design. She also started teaching journaling and doodling at a local stationery store; planting the seeds for what would eventually blossom into Elsiewithlove.

Cutest Cacti in Town: Introducing Kakpoot | Photo by Elsiewithlove

🌿 A Sprout Named Kakpoot

During the quiet and isolated days of the pandemic, Elsie sat beside her daughter during online classes and began doodling cheerful little potted plants. Through playful chatter and bursts of imagination, the mother-daughter duo dreamt up an adorable cactus character, Kakpoot.

A little plant with a big personality, Kakpoot grew from those sweet moments of connection, creativity, and hope. And just like that, a character was born.

With the heartfelt support of her husband, and alongside her brother Ryan (who co-founded the project), the brand Elsiewithlove was brought to life.

Stamps and Stickers | Photo by Elsiewithlove

🌼Blooming Into a Brand

Kakpoot’s name is a clever mash-up of Bahasa Malaysia: Kak (from kaktus, meaning cactus) and Poot (a fun twist on “pot”). It’s a nod to Elsie’s Malaysian roots and quirky sense of humor.

Turning Kakpoot into a full-blown stationery line meant lots of creative doodling, sketching, and solving little journaling dilemmas like, “How do I make tracking energy levels cute and functional?” 

Elsie’s secret fertilizer? Letting go of perfection.

“Don’t strive for perfection,” she says. “Focus on growth and making art that feels real and relatable. Every piece has its own story.”

 

🪴 The Art of Hand-Potted Stamps

Every Kakpoot rubber stamp is handmade from meranti wood and bright red rubber, designed to stamp beautifully and last for ages. Elsie and Mama Kakpoot (aka her awesome helper) sand, assemble, and wrap each one by hand, like a tiny, joyful gift.

“I actually love the wrapping part,” Elsie laughs. “It’s super soothing, and I imagine how happy someone might feel unwrapping it; whether it’s a treat for themselves or a surprise gift. It’s like a little celebration in a box!”

 

MOSSFEST  Journal Jam 2024 | Photo by Elsiewithlove

 

🌸 Tending to the Creative Garden

Elsie also runs journaling and doodling workshops, where she connects with fellow creatives and curious beginners. These sessions are part inspiration, part idea-fuel.They help her understand what people love (and need) in their journaling journeys.

From hearing stories about why people journal to watching which designs spark joy across age groups, her workshops help her keep Kakpoot growing in the right direction; cute, useful, and full of heart.

 

GeorgeTown Festival x Elsiewithlove Stamp Rally 2025 | Photo by Elsiewithlove

🌾 Scattering Seeds in the Wild

This July, Kakpoot is going on an adventure with the George Town Festival! Elsie’s latest project? A stamp rally! A creative treasure stamp hunting where people can explore Penang’s landmarks and collect custom stamps along the way.

“It’s such a fun way to blend the old and new,” Elsie says. “There’s woodblock nostalgia, cartoon charm, and cultural storytelling, all wrapped into one joyful journey.”

Catch it from July 19 to August 10, 2025

 

🌻 Watering the Soul

Behind all the creativity is a deep love for self-care. Elsie’s go to? Slow mornings in cozy cafés and the art of brewing coffee (especially drip-style).

“It’s more than just coffee,” she shares. “It’s a ritual. Like journaling, it grounds me. The aroma, the rhythm, it brings me back to myself.”

🌼 A Garden of Kindness

Elsie isn’t just building a brand, she’s nurturing a community. Elsiewithlove is all about kindness, creativity, and connection. It’s a space where people can show up as they are, create freely, and grow together.

She reminds us that art doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be you.

“Not everyone will connect with every piece. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to impress; it’s to express.”

🌷 Dreaming of a Bloom Beyond Borders

Following the  success of her first Kakpoot plushie, Elsie is working on a new version that packs even more charm and personality. She’s also dreaming up collectible journal goodies (hello, blind boxes!) and expanding her product line in playful new ways.

But ultimately, Kakpoot is more than stationery.

“I believe Kakpoot has a deeper story to tell,” Elsie says. “It’s something that connects people. And I want it to grow into a symbol that proudly represents Penang, and Malaysia, on the global stage.”

 

🌞 Keep Watching It Grow

Want more Kakpoot in your life? Follow @elsiewithlove on Instagram for doodles, journaling tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, and a front-row seat to one cactus’s big-hearted journey.

 


About the writer: An educator who is also an art enthusiast. Tasha is a life-long learner, stationery addict, journal enthusiast and a bookworm. She is often found in stationery shops (hoarding unnecessary stack of papers, stickers or art supplies) and cozy cafes planning, reading or sketching. During her free time she’s with her lovely family binging on anime shows. | Instagram

 

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