Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Flora's Mini Dollhouse Books

On the 19th of April this year, Flora organised a giveaway of a set of her adorable dollhouse books to celebrate the joy of having 400 followers , some of whom (like me) are so ardent in our following that we almost never miss a post at her blog, La Casa delle Bambole di Flora.

This is my comment on her giveaway post:

I have acquired many a dollhouse books , so many that I did not have the opportunity to even open some of them so they are still carefully wrapped in yellowing plastic, collecting a firm film of dust :). 

But can I resist if I see more ? Of course not! You have made books close to my heart, dear Flora :). Please count me as one of your faithful follower, hopeful and thankful for this chance to win your books. 

106 of her followers participated but  I must have had about 107 lucky stars revolving around me on the draw date because I won.  Lucky, lucky me. I finally have a miniature collection alongside my humble real life collection of dolls' house books which I started buying since about 3 years ago. 

Today, I took out Flora's books and took pictures of them on top of one of my favorite, DOLLS' HOUSES -Domestic life and architectural styles in miniature from the 17th century to the present day by Olivia Bristol and Leslie Geddes-Brown. And then I thought, maybe I will show Flora my real life collection.

So here they are, 

Flora and all of you who love books on dolls' houses,  

these are mine, as at 18th August 2011.

Part of the Sandra Morris collection

More of the Sandra Morris' Collection with newer how to books.

 The DVD ,"Creating With Kiva" was a gift from Kiva Atkinson.

My very 1st book on dollhouse was "Classic Dolls' Houses" by Faith Eaton, 

bought way before I fell in love with dolls' houses.

Books that I have yet to read.

And those still wrapped in yellowing plastic, bought at the Miniature Museum of Taiwan.

Last but definitely not least, my latest and most beautiful collection,

hand made immaculately by someone I regard dearly,

Flora .

Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Jollie, Glenda & Drora

It has been a most exhilarating and intensely emotional GE 2011 (General Elections) for me.  I had only voted once in my life thus far and it is too tedious to explain why but thanks to the volunteer work I did during this election, I have never felt so involved with the politics of my country. 

Live, Love, Inspire, Believe

How apt that Jollie should send me these tiny charms a couple of months ago. And that is not all, she gave me a little sachet filled with charms. Charms she thought I might enjoy because they reminded her of me and she was spot on. I love them all. 

And then she also made me this miniature magazine with lotuses on its cover. 

I was very moved when I saw how she had used ethnic themed articles for the inside of this magazine.  

Thank you, Jollie! 

Almost at the same time, I received tidings from the shores of Israel. 

What better gifts than Mother Nature's Miniatures? 

I am thrilled that I now have seashells from Spain (Eva), Greece (Jollie) and Israel (Drora). 

Thank you, Drora!

And then last month, I received these silk fabrics from Glenda.

They are antique kimono fabrics from Japan. 

I am overwhelmed. 

Thank you, Glenda!

I am high on LOVE now. 

The love for my country where courageous men and women inspire and made me believe again.

And the love for my friends who constantly remind me with their thoughtfulness and generosity

 that this is a life worth living.

Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Fafa's Javanese Couple

When Fafa returned from her hometown near Jogyakarta, Indonesia, 

she brought home many gifts. 

One of them is this pair of Javanese husband and wife on an old bicycle.

Measuring a mere 2 1/2" (base) wide and 2 2/3" high at its tallest, 

it depicts the couple in traditional Javanese costumes. 

The lady looks a lot like Fafa who is as pretty if not prettier,

and definitely just as voluptuous. 

The lady, wearing  a long Indonesian batik sarong,

 is holding dried edelweiss found in the Jogyajakarta mountains.

The man, bare chested (very typical in our tropical countries) 

wears his udeng (headgear) and loose checkered cotton pants.

There are also edelweiss on the ground.

Fafa's gift is now sitting on top of my jewellery box from Sri Lanka.

Like a perfect little box topper. 

I love my Javanese couple soooooooo much. 

Thank you, dear Fafa.

Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Christmas

I receive my smallest ever miniature from Rosanna this year.  The side with the miniature animated scene that moves to the tune of jingle bells measures only 2" . This is a wind up box that is activated only when the box is opened. I am so tempted to open it up just to see how it works. This is an amazing work of marvel.

Thank you, Rosanna!

Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Glenda Howell

This beautiful scarf was made by Glenda Howell of Peppercorn Minis. She gave it to me for no  reason other than that I had commented on her post that this scarf is "right up my alley".

Glenda had written that she made this scarf using Noro silk and wool mix for yarn . Although the yarn for this scarf was store bought, she had once spun these yarn herself after shearing the sheep , also by her. She then made rectangles using a hand held 6" x 4" weavette loom and then  crocheted each piece together. The sheep was  probably fed by Glenda too. I now own this scarf that is made by the multi- talented Glenda's hands.   Can you imagine how in awe I am of her? Or maybe you can't. By the way, not only was weaving a big part of her life before miniatures, Glenda was also a lace maker and an embroiderer. I remembered how  overwhelmed (and over the moon) I was when I found out that this super talented woman wanted a pair of my shoes.

I received her parcel on 8th July 2010 but did not post about it because I was waiting for the right occasion.  Today is the right occasion  and you will find out why when I complete my post on my other mini blog at The Maharajah's Palace. 

Needless to say. this is now my all time favourite scarf. I place it near where I work on my minis so that I can use it , see it and appreciate it often. It also serves a reminder of the wonderful people I have met on blogland. 

Thank you Glenda, very very much!

Gifts, Swaps & Thrills-Tomohachi

I am an avid follower  of Tomohachi's blog. She was introduced to me by  2 other  Singapore based miniature artisans, Cindy and Asuka who knew her from way back when.  On 1st September 2010, Tomahachi organised a giveaway to celebrate her anniversary on blogland (5 for her Japanese blog and 2 for her English one). 

She announced the winner on 8th Sept 2010 and 5 days later, my goodies galore arrived from Japan to Singapore.

Firstly, there is this absolutely amazing strawberry container. They are made with perspex material for the transparent part and plastic for the cover. Just like the real thing. A neatly packed trio of macarons are tucked inside.

 

She also made a charming country box with 2 bottles of olive oil, extra virgin and virgin with apples to match.   

Here are her super realistic breads and cheese. There is also a bag of scallop biscuits that my nephew will love, if they are life size.

I believe she designed this mug herself and of course, she very considerately put in a bag of marigold tea and a paper crane for company. 

Arigato gozaimasu,  Tomoko.

I will treasure your gifts, always.

My Maharajah's Palace-Bazaar-Rolla n Ro

This is an excerpt from the post which 1st appeared on Day 93 of My Maharajah's Palace:

The 2nd scene for the bazaar is completed and it is of the opening day of the store. There was a musical performanace by the gypsies led by the Rollas. Rolla is on the tabla and Ro on sitar.

The other dancers too, take their place on the stage, frozen in their starting pose before the tabla begins.

If you look to the left of the stage, you'll see Sumaiya in a flowy orange sari and matching veil, her famous mehndi-ed hand around her man's neck.

And even the resident mystic has taken her place, shielded by a panel of delicately embroidered tapestries and surrounded by the various heirloom pieces from Rosanna. There's Ganesh in his lotus position on OM's table and Sissy, peeping through Sans! copy-bag.


Jai is sitting in the VIP seat.

A crowd, drawn by the music has also gathered.

And before they can sing "Jai" Ho (in honour of their VIP), dancing in the crowd has started.

The lone girl in the ribbon of orange veil with no partner can't help swaying to Rolla's drums and you can see she risks spilling and dropping her jug of goat's milk,kindly supplied by Sylvia.

A mother laden with a baby and 2 pails of wood and charcoal has to stop too as her baby gurgles in delight and wriggles to the beat.

I added her veil which is plain cotton with a mere slice of ribbon at the edge bought at the S$2 store.


A group of palace servant girls with their brass pots filled to the brim sit firmly on their heads.

They take their place at the far right hand corner. Their work cloth is made of fabric from S$2 store and SuZ's stash. The rings of cloth holding their pots are the same ones I used to make holders for handbags.

Then there are the students with heavy loads of their girl friend's books in pink basket (ebay junk to some)

or her shabby satchel and more text books, (more ebay junk)

They stand right at the back.

Only 1 couple seem oblivious to the celebration, incredulously occupied with the Royal Fan.

Standing behind the stage, they stare at the ridiculous size of the peacock feather on the fan. Comparing it with their albino baby peahen, they wish they have a giant one instead.

And here are the wares at the store:

For a start, we have the tapestries which are actually bookmarks.

Then there are plates of powder paint fronting the stall which are actually incense cones from Bangkok sitting on Thai plates. These incense cones represent gulal in India, the powder paint are used to celebrate the Festival of Colours or Holi.

The carved wooden toys were bought from my regular bead shop in Chinatown.


while the cloth ones were from Bangkok

Then there are the cushions on centre stage while

heritage Indian painted toys on "6 in 1" and traditional drums flank the right.

An update of the flower stall next door:

I have added dried flowers to the topiaries and they look like the have bore fruits!


Finally, the aerial view of Rolla n Ro.