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!

May ATC Session and More Library Workshops

We did still life drawing for May ATC session at Bishan Library, thanks to Wei Lian, our librarian!

My Selfie ATCs which I did for an earlier swap but they came back to me instead, after a month out there, without reaching the destination.

I swapped them for these selfies from (going clockwise from top left) Mdm Au, Helen Wong, Jessica Chua, Selina Yeoh. Mother's Day ATC from Victor and Doris.  Theme for Jun ATC session will be "Holidays".

More workshops I attended in the libraries.  Had the chance to attend a 2nd round of the leather craft and this time, I went prepared to make a leather pouch for my shuttles, hook, needle and scissors.

Spent yesterday cycling with Kristine at East Coast Park up to Changi Beach Park.  Kristine is pretty confident now!

And it was a real fine day yesterday - blue sky with cool clouds.  I had to slap on generous amount of sun block. 

What Swaps Land in My Mail Box

ATC-ArtDolls Swaps - Dec 2013 Christmas dress, Jan 2014 New Year's Eve Party dress and Feb 2014 Valentine dress.

There seem to be lots of mishap in the mails for the swaps in this group (mails from Jessica Obryen and Laureta Linett are not arriving), Cindy Whiddon made up everything, she sent me all the 3 dresses and the Dec Santa/Reindeer doll too.

Laureta Linett attempted to sent yet another envelope, this 3rd envelope finally arrived!!! Oh, thank you, Laureta, for the so pretty Christmas and Valentine dresses, a most pain-takingly constructed mermaid for Feb doll swap and the just-too-cute handmade birthday card!

Most of the time, international mails take about 2 weeks to or fro any countries.  However, 1 mail I sent on 4 Feb to South Carolina, USA, was returned in my letterbox after 1 straight month, while another swap to Minnesota, USA sent on 6 Feb, also took 1 long month to reach.  Wonder if they were affected by the icy weather in USA in Feb!

Let's see my Valentine dress and mermaid that I sent to Cindy!

And another set for myself.

[artisttradingcards] "Chinese New Year swap - Year of the Horse", hosted by MaryAnn Arnold (USA).  I did 3 CNY Year of Horse red-packet style ATCs with 2 number of 50-cent colour-pencil rubbing paper coins enclosed in each. Almost the same idea as for my last year CNY swap.

Swap received, going clockwise from left: 1) From MaryAnn Arnold, (2) From Sam Jordan, (3) From Janes Graham, USA.

[Paper_Traders] My Secret Valentine greeting card swap.

I did my Valentine card with some tatted flowers and heart/words die-cuts.  I also enclosed a small tatted heart bookmark for Connie Holso (USA). 

 In return, I received this fine handmade card from Amanda Evans.  Amanda included some ephemera, ribbon and heart buttons too.

Beckie of Paper_Traders organised a Lucky You Altered Tag Swap in March, this is the first time I did a tag. The requirement was the use of stencil(s) to create an altered tag with a "Lucky" theme in size #5 manila tags (4-3/4" x 2-3/8").  I did mine with distress inks over hot glue gun stencils, top with some coloured glues and mica flakes. Mine went to Pam Prosser (Australia).

I received this Irish lucky tag from Pam Colosimo (Canada). She sent some ephemera (old book pages, stamped images, etc.) too.

Lisa Alff sent more Guatemalan worry dolls and more treasures!  I'm so excited to see the painted laces in person!!

In the mood for haiku, I composed this one of the evenings as I opened my letter (mail) box...

Button Fairy, Worry Dolls and Workshops at the Libraries

Never mind Christmas was long over but Lisa Alff's button fairy will surely bring some smiles! Santa came with someone else. 

strangers to me
small but turn out precious
these worry dolls

The events our public libraries organised are sure getting more and more interesting - sketching, binding chapbooks, making a light box for photography, needle felting, doodling, haiku appreciation, leather craft, and making a clay leaf plate last year.