Thursday, August 28, 2014

Wabi Sabi? Domino Books and Rainbow Loom

First time I joined Paper Traders Speed Round ATC Swap  (#4 Wabi Sabi/Jun 2014), mine were done with weaved tea-stained background, white tatted flower and fabric scrap.  What is wabi sabi?  This is what I understand - nothing is permanent, nothing is perfect, accept imperfections and finding beauty in imperfection.
Wabi sabi ATCs received from Jo Murray(Australia) [left] and Beckie Holso (USA) [right].

I never know how to play dominos, and it never is popular in Singapore, I had a real hard time trying to find standard domino tiles.  Guess Toys"R"Us is the only place here that sells them.  I'm not learning the game still, so why am I searching high and low for them?
Before this, I didn't know people altered these tiles into books among other uses.  I cramped 7 haikus (of which I composed 5) to accompany each and every of the cancelled postage stamps. This went to Connie Holso in USA.

Did another similar book for myself.

My swap came in from Donna Authenreith (USA). 
Donna also did a mini-domino pendant for me.  I was wearing it right after receiving it!  Thanks,  Donna!!!

And since I am composing haikus these past months and planning to compile them into a chapbook, I put the 5 haikus into ATCs.

My girl got a rainbow loom for her birthday earlier, but I think those rubber bands bracelets are too childish even for her age, until I saw the owl she made.  That caught my attention. I borrowed her loom and made 1 for myself too!

Monday, August 18, 2014

August ATC Session @ Bishan Library - Papercutting

I explored another craft with our participants in Aug ATC session - papercutting.  Although I have done some papercutting on my own previously, I have never really read up on it.  This time, I read a few books and did more online research, and shared the history and characteristics of papercuttings from different cultures and more importantly, tips on papercutting.
Some time back, we did round robin ATCs during 1 of our sessions, we are doing it again but this time, 7 of us are doing them for swap and for 3 consecutive months. The 1st month (Round 1) is completed - all different and a number of interesting backgrounds! 



Here are my new papercutting ATCs. 

The theme for our ATCs was "Red & White". Couldn't resist doing the merlion. I crocheted a small little red heart and placed it on the white merlion done by layering paper.  And guess what, the background was done with food colouring!
I tried to drop the colours on this particular paper, but it didn't absorb fast enough, and my girl played with it behind my back (more like messed with it). Ruined for a background as I originally intended it for, but amazingly, I just saw it as another intuitive drawing as the colours dried!

Swapped for some fantastic cards - Country Side by Doris, Potted Plant by Maureen, Red & White At the Beach by Cheo Hiang, and Red & White Kit Kat by Selina. 

The theme for Sep session is "Autumn".



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Library Workshops - Duct Tape, Batik Art, Lino Print and More

There were again a number of interesting workshops at the libraries, so I was literally running around different places on my weekends. Great that most of our public libraries are relatively near the MRT stations. 
My girls are usually too busy with their school work and CCA to join me, but they managed to come along for this duct tape workshop since they just finished their mid-year exams in May.

I don't know how I managed to piece together this collaged parrot  within the 2-hour workshop, but I know I was one of the last to finish! 



Wondered why I decided to do the roses at that moment, should have worked on my favourite bird - the owl.  Someone in the workshop did an impressive one, and we couldn't resist taking a shot of it!

I was thinking of making this into a cover for all the haikus I have composed so far.  Will need to touch it up and arrange my haikus into a chap book.  Another project to work on! 

My children have all done this in school.  I only did it once last year at a school function, but without any introduction or instruction.  I can now appreciate this batik art better.

I always think I'm lousy in drawing.  It was an eye-opener to see Mr Han drawing so effortlessly all the illustrations.



Yet another workshop on leather craft.  We didn't need to sew for this one, so it was quite easy. My alignment was slightly out though, but hey, this is what handmade means!


Another lino printing workshop, but this workshop was longer and the lino was larger.  It was more organised than the previous one, and perhaps also because this was my second attempt, my lino print turned out much better.