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 .

The Doll Affair 2011

I attended The Doll Affair 2011 last Saturday on 18 June 2011 held at the Singapore Conference Hall. Started in 2007 by 2 enthusiasts who were collectors of  BJDs or ball jointed dolls, it was a small but well attended event. 

Most of the attendees were collectors themselves and many brought their own dolls to the show where they would spend most of their time discussing related topics with other collectors and taking pictures of their dolls.

Asuka's Doll surrounded by Asuka's creations

I attended the fair mainly because Cindy and Asuka were exhibitors and because this was a BJD event, most of their work for sale were mainly 1:3 or 1:4. 

Cindy's brownie with ice cream- 1:3 

Hardly any of the vendors sold dolls, just BJD accessories like clothes , shoes or wigs. I believe both my friends did well and I was really proud of them. Their creations were very popular. 

I took mainly pictures of the dolls 

because they were such a good looking bunch.

Isn't she beautiful? I found her sitting on the floor amongst bags and other dolls..

Drop dead gorgeous even when somber, I can now see the obsession with these dolls.

For these dolls, all their clothes were made by a lady clothier in Spain. 

The price tags were for the dresses. 

Settings where collectors displayed their dolls for photo taking. 

The show and gathering was over all too soon 

and for many of these dolls

they would be going home to be tucked away in their boxes.

They may be taken out once in a while for their owners to play with

but mainly these dolls live for the next Doll Affair or a similar event

where they will be shown off proudly again. 

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)