How different are they?

My two cats have different personalities. Umi is a little anti-social. She would rather sit by herself than be with other people or Tsuru. However, Umi answers when I call. She can even carry a conversation with me when she feels like it.

Tsuru on the other hand is very different. She is my doggie-cat, meaning she will follow me everywhere I go and will sit next to me, she is my constant companion whenever I'm home.

One month to Christmas

Christmas decorations went up a month ago. This year's theme is fairyland with snowflakes in the trees. What I love are the lights hanging from the side of the building.

A giant Christmas tree inside Ngee Ann City. It's about 3 storeys high.

Tussie Mussie Exchange

I participated in a tussie mussie exchange, my very first exchange. I thought it would be fun to make something for someone and in return receive something that is made by someone else. I love new craft challenges and with the exchange, I needed to get it done by a deadline. What a pleasant surprise to get this package. It just made my day. I had such a fun time opening it. Inside, everything was beautiful, thoughtfully handcrafted and chosen. We were only told who to make the tussie mussie for but did not know who we were receiving from. I loved the surprise!! Thank you so much!

Tsuru cooling off

The temperature is an average 32 degrees Celsius all year round. I cannot live without the air conditioner. Tsuru is the same. This is how Tsuru cools off when the air con is not switched on. She also loves a good tummy rub.

Tatting project done!

I tatted this card case using Delica beads (DB104) and Flora 20 cotton thread (#216) as a gift for a dear friend. She works at a place which requires her to wear this awful looking lanyard and a security card key. When she wears the lanyard she cannot wear her beautiful necklaces. So I decided to make her this so that she can still carry her security card key with her while looking fabulous. With this card case she can either wear it on her wrist or tie it to her laptop bag. It has a flower and loop clasp to prevent the card from falling out. More Czech glass flowers and leaf dangles down.

Alternatively she could hang it from her handbag. This bag of mine was bought from a weekend market in Australia. I got it from a lovely lady who handmakes it. It's been mine for a number of years now.

Tagged!

I was tagged by Pat Winter

Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs


7 random and weird facts about myself

1. Simon, Rose, Barry, Duke, Sundae, Phui phui, Umi and Tsuru are names of all my pets, past and present.

2. Ruby is my birthstone which I love but these are my other favourites: moonstone, sunstone, labradorite, tourmaline, opal & emerald.

3. I feel that I should have been a farmer. I think it’s in my genes. However when I took a quiz to find out my ideal career some years ago, it listed bus driver / driver of heavy machinery. That is strange as I’m a bad driver. Hmmm perhaps if given proper training I may be able to handle a crane.

4. I lived in Japan for a year on my own. I had my own rented car and apartment. I drove through meandering roads among rice fields to work with Bon Jovi blaring on the car stereo.

5. I have attended a number of different schools and lived in several houses/apartments over the years. If I can count correctly, it’s 9 different schools and 18 different houses/apartments.

6. I love to travel but dislike sight seeing. I’d rather spend some time in one place and experience the everyday things that the locals do.

7. I love working with my hands especially in making beautiful things. I like repetitive but also love variety. I jump at every opportunity to learn a new craft.


I cannot name 7 people with blogs to link to and will probably not fulfill the rules for being tagged. I hope I will be forgiven.

I will however name 7 Etsy sellers who have some beautiful items which I love.

1. DesignsByAnnette.etsy.com I love her style

2. artwearbymona.etsy.com I love the wirework especially with the seaglass

3. kpglassjewelry1.etsy.com I love the square glass earrings

4. beadcharmed.etsy.com I love the beaded boxes

5. MaggiesMarketPlace.etsy.com I love the china shard pins and altered art pieces

6. t8designs.etsy.com I love the charm & optical lens necklaces

7. fringe.etsy.com I love her cool knits

New tatting project

I started on a new tatting project today. I'm making this for a friend which I hope will be done in a few days. You will see what it is when its done. Did you notice the lovely tatting shuttle? I love this shuttle with the wisteria flowers handpainted on it. It tats very well. It's handmade from UK and you can request your choice of flower or image you want handpainted from http://www.lace-bobbins.co.uk/

Blooming Oncidium from my balcony garden

My balcony faces north and does not get sufficient sunlight for flowering plants but they do put out flowers occasionally. This is an Oncidium hybrid from Thailand. Beautiful large flowers (2 x 2 inches) for a small orchid plant. Only one spike with four flowers which are long lasting. It bloomed 3 weeks ago and still going strong.

Pearl and pink purse necklace

Knitting is done. The knitted purse flap is far right. Will sew up and add embellishments. I may use some pressed glass flowers instead of the dagger beads. Maybe in pink and gold. Come back and have a look in a couple of days.

New knitted purse necklace

I'm embarking on my second knitted purse necklace. This time I'm knitting the flap instead of using the glass flap. The first one was teal green and bronze, this one is pearl-coloured beads with dusty pink silk threads.