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!

Art Running Routes- I Light Marina Bay

 Lumenocity Singapore by Sasha Crocker and Andrew Daly (Australia)

Some of you may already know that I run regularly. On Sunday mornings, I run with a group of very dear and wonderful friends who often look for interesting routes so that we are motivated to wake up at 6am , sometimes, 5 , just to run.

Positive Attracts by Edwin Cheong (Singapore)

It has become almost a habit now that even when I run on my own, I look for places of interest (once I even diverted and shopped for 6 hours instead). Monday night, we hit jackpot when we ran to see the outdoor light installations by international  artists along Marina Bay. I took my camera along and even though we ran for 2 over hours, it felt shorter because it was wonderful.

 ( / ) by Angela Chong

This is one of my favourite installations. I love the title which is a symbol for the backside. The description says "This installation  is a functional sculpture which illuminates at night while allowing the public to use it as a sitting area." Cher Kuan, if you are reading this, I took the last pic to prove that I took the photographs . Yes, it is with the same camera that you own. Eat your heart out!

Human Tiles by Ocubo, Nuno Maya (Portugal) & Carole Purnelle (Belgium)

Another of my favourite, the pattern on the wall changes depending on who is standing in front of the projector. 

Singapore-Flora by Warren Langley (Australia)

Giant can also be beautiful which is why I have decided that I will make this post here featuring non-mini things for the first time. 

The Living! Project by Kenny Eng, Allan Lim & Sun Yu Li (Singapore)

 Details of The Living! Project which is made with plastic cups and 

plastic bottles. The public is encouraged to add to the installation with their own plastic cups.

Last but not least, the changing colours of The Whirlpool by Martin Klaasen, Shane Richardson & Pascal Petitejeab (Australia & Singapore)

Thanks to my running mates, I have found so much more beauty in my country.

OOOPS! Nearly forgot this one:

Energy Saving Lights by Fai (Ipoh, Malaysia)

A Japanese Ningyo Doll

I saw this  Ningyo (human form in Japanese) doll at an Asian antique shop in Tanglin Mall when I was out running last Friday. The run started at 10am and I didn't get home till 6pm that day because I ended up shopping along the Orchard Road belt. 

I usually do not go for  traditional dolls especially the Japanese ones but this one caught my eye. It was supposedly 50 years old-the fabric does look faded and the details were quite remarkable.

 

Some of my friends who have read my post on the Krishnanagar dolls on the other blog will know how much I like hair on dolls. You can see why I am charmed by the hair on Ojiisan ("Granpa" in Japanese) .It's so neat!

But in the end, what really sold me was the fact that the doll is made of plastic! I did a double take when I found out. Are you surprise too? I had thought it was clay until I held it in my hands and it was so light.

Punch and Jiji chatting in my garden whilst Punch is working

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.