Brain Cactus

I have not had luck with growing cacti or succulents. I tend to kill them off by over watering. Cannot restraint myself from watering them each day and the lack of sun in my balcony does not help either. I would love to grow this. Saw this at the gardens in the flower dome. 

Maureen, I heard you. 

Mammillaria elongata 'Cristata'

JS Doily VI

It is finally done. It took several weeks with months of inactivity in between. May I say that it is quite pretty. It is not perfect as I posted earlier that there were some mistakes in earlier rounds but it did not affect the latter rounds. I am glad I decided to complete it instead of giving up.

The pattern is from Jan Stawasz in his book Tatting Theory and Patterns on page 83. Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 threads in Coral Splash Col. 188 and Terra Cotta Col. 673.

Today is my mom's birthday. She celebrates her 77th. Happy Birthday Mom. This doily is dedicated to you.

My Other Obsession

Plump Pigeons

They lined up in a row for me.

Now all I need to do is make them face the camera.

Unfinished Edging Completed

When I first started tatting edgings, I often did not know what it would end up as, so I would leave it unfinished. 

I found this one which I tatted years back. I no longer have any of the pink thread so I unpicked some rings and chains and joined it to the beginning. But not before I found some mistakes. There are still mistakes if you bother to look closely. I could edge or border a small oval pillow with it. The thread is Venus Size 40 in a dusty pink and a dark plum.

A Green Japanese Meal

These were exhibits in the recent Garden Festival. A table set with plants mainly succulents and other plants - Fittonia, Selaginella, Lithops, Pilea etc.

Care for some sushi, ramen, udon or soba anyone?

Carved Jade Earrings - Green and Lavender

Very light colours but the carvings are quite neatly done. The lady showed me several pieces of jade and there were some with bird carvings too. Pretty, but unfortunately I did not want to spend too much. The second photo shows the other side of the jade. The jump rings and ear hooks are 14K gold-filled.

Lunch At Home

Wolfberry bread from Duke Bakery with chicken breast and dijonnaise, and a salad. 

Favourite Landscape Garden

What I love about this is the plant colour scheme. 

Different shades of purple, lilac, pink and rust.

The lounging pod blends perfectly into a 'wild' landscape.

There are wild orchids with pretty blooms near the waterfall feature.

It won the Best Outdoor Lighting Award but I did not get a chance to see it at night.

This was my favourite landscape garden at the Singapore Garden Festival 2016.

Jade Silver Threaders

Some prefer silver to gold. Another mismatched jade stone colours, one in light green and the other in pale white. Connected with 925 silver jump rings to the 925 silver threaders. Simple and easy to wear.

Kalanchoe Astray

These little Kalanchoe babies have naturally landed in between the bark crevices of this tree and have found a comfortable new home. Nature at work - wind dispersal. 

JS Doily VI WIP

I am halfway through tatting this last round. It was difficult to get into the momentum of tatting. I easily got bored and distracted each time I finished one repeat. It was not after several starts and stops did I get the hang of it. It should be completed in a week's time, . . . . hopefully. Will post it then.

Cha Soba Tempura Set

My favourite thing to order in a Japanese restaurant.

This was the small portion. 

I did not understand why they would cut the noodles up before serving.

Olympic Gold

Singapore is celebrating

Olympic Gold for Joseph Schooling
50.39s
Olympic record for 100m butterfly

First for Singapore

One for the history books

Singapore Garden Festival 2016

The Singapore Garden Festival 2016 was from 23 - 31 July 2016. You get a chance to see this every 2 years. I preferred the 2014 Garden Festival although the organizers did a fantastic job again this year.  This time round, the exhibits were more widely spread out. Plenty of walking - a pleasant stroll if only the weather was less hot and humid. Since the festival is open to 10pm, you might want to consider visiting in the evening too. If you are interested to see some of the exhibits, I will make more Garden Festival posts in the coming weeks.

Jade Peach Earrings

A very light green jade carved into a shape of a peach fruit. In Chinese culture, peach symbolizes longevity or immortality. Done with simple 14K gold-filled ear hooks.

Tatted Flower

This was found when I was looking for some unfinished edgings. The problem with unfinished projects is that I often do not remember which pattern, thread or colour it was started with. 

Well, since I could not show you what tatting I have done with the JS doily, I had to rummage around to show you my unfinished projects.

I completed this but did not construct the flower. I finally sewed its centre with a Swarovski crystal. It is about 2 inches across. It looks like it was tatted in a Perle cotton with some Delica beads. I have sewn this flower onto a fabric container.

Sunset at Gardens by the Bay

There is a light show at the Supertrees every night at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.

During this period you can watch the Garden Rhapsody (Singapore Edition) light show arranged to some national day songs.

Happy 51st Singapore!

Ikebana

There were many arrangements on display at the Ikebana International 'Colours of Spring' Exhibition. 

I liked this one because of the Polyscias branch with many offshoots sprouting 90 degrees up and the Gloriosa lilies.

Tsuru and Mr G

What did you want me to look at?

Oh . . . . . dreamy blue eyes

Isn't he handsome?

Yes, I think so too!

Jade Earrings - Yellow and Green

Jade comes in several colours. The shape and size of these two pieces match but not the colour. It does not matter. I got the jade and made the earrings with 14K gold-filled ear hooks and findings. 

I might keep them for myself or it could be a gift. I did make a few other pairs and have not quite decided which to keep. They measure about 1.3cm and hang down about 6cm.

Things To See

I was exploring the Downtown Line and this greeted me at the Promenade station. 

A large installation by Phunk Studio titled Dreams in Social Cosmic Odyssey.

I was on my way to dinner and walked through Suntec City catching a view of the Fountain of Wealth from the basement level. 

This photo shows the fountain from ground level.

JS Doily VI WIP

I left it like this in June because I found mistakes in an earlier round. It was frustrating as correcting it would be very tedious. 

I contemplated leaving it unfinished. But after blocking it, I decided to tat the last row after all, but not before a long break.

I just started the last round but I am afraid it might take some time before it is completed.

Green With Envy

I have not been tatting.

It was a two month holiday from tatting and blogging.

Did anyone miss me at all?

LOL

No progress on the patchwork blanket either.

But I did enjoy this.

A tiny but pretty mousse cake from Antoinette cafe.

I would love to watch how this was made.