Contest Results

le SIGH... It seems that no one reads instructions nowadays.  Haven't you all learnt from Amazing Race that it is very important to read instructions carefully?  In our contest, I specifically stated that you have to:-

• identify the felt items showed in the previous post - Little Red Riding Hood was not shown in that post
  
• name any one book and write something interesting about it.

Well, some entries identified the felt items but made no mention of books.  Others named all books (although it's amazing how that could be achieved) but made no mention of the felt items.  And all entries included Little Red Riding Hood.  Since you all are so fond of her, here are three more pictures of my library.  See whether you can find her (it's not as simple now because she is well-camoflagued).  To up the ante, you should not enlarge the photos.

 

 

Sorry, no prize for getting the answers right.  Your only consolation is that you get to warm up your brains before the start of the work week.

 

Back to the contest, the winner is Koh, who not not only identified the felt items but a majority of books, overwhleming me with excerpts from Dilbert.  Congratulations!  You'll be receiving your prize soon.  Once I start making it up.

I hope all of you had fun with this contest and you can look forward to more.  Don't forget to check out the continuing saga of Peter's extremely colourful love life and help him choose the right girl for him.  Tired of his philandering ways, Peter has finally decided to settle down with just one girl.  It's an important decision and he needs your help. 

New items on HSH

After the massive commissioned project, the HSH decided to focus on small items.  Guess what these things are?

Still can't figure it out?  Here's another look.

Well, they are cardholders.

Dragonflies series (also suitable for guys)

 

Flowers series

These handy and compact cardholders can fit your EZ-link cards or name cards.  All very elegant and classy.

 

 

What?  You want something bigger to also fit your access card?  We hear you.

 

Look at this oilskin pouch.  The water-proof material just arrived from Australia last Friday and Tinkerbell was quick to put it to good use.  I am sure you'll be seeing more items made from this practical, bright and cheerful fabric soon.

In the meantime, check this out...

 

With a keyholder attached, I now have no excuse for losing my access card.  I also won't be caught rummaging in my cavernous handbag for my EZ-link card during peak lunchtime MRT traffic.

What?  You want something bigger still?  To put your camera in?

 

 

This little pouch may look small but it fits my Canon IXUS perfectly.  Sorry, I can't show you 'cos I need to use my camera to take this picture (duh).  You will just have to take my word for it.

 

What?  You want something bigger.  That's it, no more.  This is supposed to be the Petite Series and anything bigger will belong to our Pouch Series.  I really like the Petite Series because like me, the pouches are small, compact but pack an effective punch.   

 

Teehee, did you notice something?  Yup!  I've added yet another teapot to my collection.  This one is also small and petite but don't play, play, it could serve up to six cups of tea.   

Peter on yet another date

As if his life is not complicated enough, Peter the Pirate found himself irresistably drawn to Valerie the Ballerina.  The pretty and elegant girl however only had one man on her mind - Henry the Fireman.  She's set her sight on him for a long time but he seems to have other more pressing things to do.

Peter decided to pursue Valerie with a vengeance...

He bought her flowers

He brought her for walks in the park

 

Heck!  He even splurged on an expensive dinner in a french restaurant.

But Valerie remained unmoved.  She continued to pine for Henry.

 

 

 

"Henry isn't coming back, Valerie.  He's gone off to help rebuild the villages in quake-torn Padang.  He'll be gone at least five years.  With communications down, he won't even be able to call or write you.  He'll eventually forget you.  You should move on too.  A pretty girl like you shouldn't waste five of your prime years all alone."  Peter's timbre tone seduced Valerie.

 

Peter's words struck too close to home.  Those were the very thoughts which had been plaguing her for the past month.  What he said was true.  Henry left without a word, he didn't even ask her to wait or tell her that he'll be coming back to her.  She's a fool for still clinging onto him when she never had him in the first place.  And here is Peter, who has treated her like she's the most important thing in the world to him.  Peter, who is here for her.

Oh, she's in such a bind.  What she should do?  Her body ached to be hugged, her cold heart yearned to be warmed.  How?  Should she give up on Henry and succumb to Peter?

 

Peter on another date (it's getting complicated)

Now, you wouldn't think I'll let you go to bed tonight without another bedtime love story, would you?

Do you all remember Bella?  The surgically-enhanced ballerina?

Well, it seems that Surgeon Sia's skills were not as great as touted to be and Bella had complications arising from a botched attempt at breast enhancement and had to be hospitalised for awhile.

Fortunately for her, she fell under the care of the ever-capable Dolly the Nurse.  The two soon became fast friends.  Now, here's the complication.  Bella went for the breast augmentation in the hope of gaining an advantage over the other ballerinas in winning Peter the Pirate's heart.  But...

Peter and Dolly were old-time sweethearts from Dolly's beer lady days.  Whenever he's ashore, Peter would hook up with his old flame (ah, time has been unkind to Dolly who now looks older and stouter than Peter.  But men like their old shoes for that worn feeling and would be hard put to throw them away).

One fateful day...

Bella saw Peter going off with Dolly after her shift.  She couldn't believe her eyes!  One is her best friend, the other the man of her dreams. What should she do?  Confused by the torrents of thoughts, Bella made to run off but being her tall gangly self, she fell unceremoniously, her legs splayed in all directions.

Being ever chivalrous, Peter rushed to her aid.

Bella was rather big-sized and carrying her was quite a mammoth task. But Peter had years of training, loading cannon balls and hauling up anchors.  Bella never felt safer.

 

Peter settled Bella in the outpatient clinic.  But actually, except for her ego, Bella wasn't hurt.  She asked Peter to send her home (forgetting that she has yet to be discharged from her hospital stay).

Well, if you have watched enough Korean dramas, you would know what happened next.  Dolly came over to find out what happened and saw Peter and Bella wrapped around each other.  She felt hurt but was not surprised.  After all, Peter had always had a weaknessfor ballerinas.  And having the attentions of such a suave man as Peter may help Bella with her emotional healing (or NOT).

So, Dolly decided to take herself out of the equation.  Peter saw her leaving and grabbed hold of her hand.  Bella saw that and she quickly grabbed hold of Peter's hand.  Oh dear, this is getting complicated. What will happen next?

Stay tuned to this post to find out.... 

Ok, hope I didn't keep you up all night, wondering about the outcome of this cliffhanger.  Let me put you out of your misery.

Peter persuaded the two ladies that they can all work something out together.  Dolly couldn't resist the pleading in Peter's puppy-dog eyes and Bella reached out to put her arm possessively around Peter's shoulder.  If nothing else, she thought, at least she has the height and age advantage.

Our 1st Commissioned Project

Fifyjo recently passed me this piece of fabric and asked HSH to make somehting of it.  Anything.  She bought the fabric just because she liked it, with nary a thought of what can be made out of it.

I fingered the pale cream fabric gingerly, my chest tightening.  The faint line drawings, combined with washed-out water colours, were a departure from Fifyjo's usual choice of cheerful fabric, and was frankly, rather uninspiring.  But business is business, I will take it as a challenge.

On closer examination when I brought the fabric home, I finally realised why Fifyjo loved the fabric so much.

 

 

The pictures depict the daily scenes from the life of Anne of Green Gables and were deliberately rendered in a vintage hue, as befitting such a children's classic.

This picture depicts family love - here, Anne is trying out the new dress bought for her by her caregivers (admittedly, I didn't read the book so I'm not sure whether these people are her parents or she is orphaned, as is oft the plot for most children's classics).

 In this scene, Anne is being reprimanded by her teacher for breaking something (aren't we are familiar with that?).

Anne's story celebrates friendship...

 

..kinship...

...and being yourself, standing up for what you believe in..., themes I hold dear.  I was therefore determined to make a showcase of this commission.  I decided to consult Tinkerbelle, a veritable creative genius (in the meantime, Bobo is away cha-ing cha-ing on an overseas holiday.  BBCC (shouting from afar), "how many times do I have to tell you that I am on a buying trip for the stall, not holidaying!")


Anyway, as serendipity would have it, before I could show Tinkerbell the fabric, she excitedly whipped up something she just bought in the morning.

Does anything look familiar?  Why, it's Anne's life, this time depicted in postage stamps.  Even the shade of brown was complementary to Fifyjo's fabric.  We were so excited that we jumped up and down, like the little girls we actually are.

Things moved fast from then on, as ideas tumbled upon each other...

 

The inspiration for the final product came from the fads Fifyjo and I went through:-

• Laying out the pictures like in a photo album reminds me of the brief period when a few of our colleagues went crazy over doing up photobooks.  
• I deliberately restrained from over-doing the embellishment because I wouldn't want to insult Fifyjo, whose talent in scrapbooking is unsurpassed.
• As for the crocheted doilies - Fifyjo would remember them as my and her 1st attempt at learning crochet.  I even sacrificed the original, very flawed, piece because it would be more meaningful.

The whole afternoon, I was painstakingly handstitching each and every piece onto the background fabric.  I now present to you....

Now, I have a dilema.  I don't know what to do with it next.  The piece measures 72cmX76cm.  It can be mounted on a styrofoam or cork board and used as a notice board.  There is enough empty space left for Fifyjo to further embellish or pin her own special memorabilia.  Or this can be made into a lap quilt - just enough to cover those cold knees in the freezing office.  Anyone got any other suggestion?


Oh, Fifyjo, your humble servant awaits your further instructions....

Peter on a date (with Samsoon)

Remember the ballerinas?  They are very civilised and have formed a queue to go on a date with Peter the Pirate.  First up is my shifu's ballerina.  She is un-named because she is yet to be given away.  But for this blog, I will call her Samsoon.  Why?  Because of all the ballerinas, she is the oldest and is rather on the stout side.  Like Samsoon (Jing Sun Soon), she's left on the shelf and is feeling rather desperate.  Although not very pretty, she's got a heart of gold.

Therefore, all the ballerinas, out of respect for her, allowed her to be the 1st to go on a date with Peter.  Samsoon is really nervous because she has never been on a date before.  What should she say?  What should she do?

The atmosphere was awkard as Samsoon could not peel her eyes off Peter's ruggedly handsome face.  Peter couldn't help noticing that the small boat he had hired for the occasion seems to be quite a tight fit for Samsoon's generously-endowed body.

 

He leaned over to help adjust her seat.  His proximity was too much for Samsoon.  Her heart was racing, her mouth dry and palms sweaty.  She was glad she was wearing her tutu and he couldn't see the sweat stains from her armpits.  She dared not look at him in case he saw the adoration in her eyes.

"Samsoon", he called in his smooth and soothing voice.  Tentatively, she stole a peek at him.  Hmm,  Peter thought, in close-up, she has a certain beauty about her.  That which only an older woman who has never been loved, who doesn't think she can ever be loved, who doesn't think she can compare with the nubile young ballerinas prancing around, can exude.  An aura of vulnerability surrounded Samsoon.  Peter's heart reached out to her, as he yearned to give her what she missed out on.  

Church bells ring, fireworks burst forth in the day sky.  Samsoon's heart stopped beating and she forgot to breathe.  No!!!!!!!!!!!  I hear some of you screaming.  It's too late, Samsoon has given her heart and her virgin kiss to Peter. 

 

Oy!  Samsoon, you are supposed to close your eyes when being kissed.  Well, at least that's how it goes in the movies.  Not that I would know better.  Ahem.

 

Well, I think the date went pretty well.  Look at Samsoon, she has a glow about her.  She seems to have found new confidence.  Well, that's the kind of guy Peter is - he'll make you feel like a million bucks (or a million pieces, depending on which end of the relationship you're in with him).  I think they look pretty compatible - with their matching hair, age difference notwithstanding.

Over the next few days, Peter will spend time with each of the other ballerinas to get to know them better.  At the end of it all, you my loyal readers (who have to put up with all these nonsense), will help me decide which ballerina makes the best couple with Peter the Pirate.  Remember to check back often.

Oh, be still my flustered heart

Well, gals, here he is... the much-anticipated.... Peter the Pirate.

Peter's a rogue, a rake, a heartbreaker.  But then, I have to confess that I have a fondness for bad boys.  See those red bits and pieces trailing behind me?  Yup, that's my heart, broken into a million pieces.  I'm fine now, thank you for asking. And here's a piece of advice from one who has loved and lost, you will live another day.  I thought it was the end of the world, I thought I would die of dehydration from the copious amount of tears shed, I thought I would starve to death because I had no appetite anymore, I thought I would go mad because my nerves were raw from waiting for the phone call which never came.  But you know what?  Here am I, well and alive, none the worse from the experience.  And definitely no regrets.  So, mothers, don't keep your daughters away from guys like Peter and broken-hearted girls, don't despair.  Life is to be loved and experienced.  The human spirit is strong and will prevail.


But I digress.  Back to Peter the Pirate.

As I said, Peter's a fun guy to be with.  He is free-spirited and life with him will be filled with adventures.  He will love you with passion but don't count on his consistency.  He will make you laugh and he will make you cry.  There is never a dull moment with him.  And importantly, he is very good-looking. Debonair in a careless way.  A typical date would be a day out at sea, snorkelling and fly fishing.  Do you think you would want a guy like that?


Or do you prefer someone like Charlie the Clown.

Charlie's a SNAG (sensitive new age guy).  He is all about poetry, fine dining and pure love.  He's sensitive to every quiver of your feelings and could listen to you through the night.  He is sensitive and attentive to your every need.  He is the type of guy who would watch Korean dramas and go shopping with you.  Charlie's good-looking too because he is metrosexual.  In fact, he could look even better than you.  He loves you but he is in love with the idea of love more.  A typical date would be afternoon high tea at St Regis, followed by a play (preferably a Broadway musical and not Broadway Beng) at the Esplanade.  Do you think you would want a guy like that?

Or do you prefer Henry the Fireman?

Henry's like our fathers - the steady, uncomplaining breadwinnder.  He doesn't say or express much but when you fall down, he'll carry you in those strong arms of his and bring you for treatment.  He won't know what to do when you cry, but he'll stay by your side until he sees that you're alright.  He won't buy you flowers but if in the middle of the night, you ask him to get you prata, he'll go out even in the haze to get you your craving.  Henry's not a looker but he appreciates your inner beauty.  A typical date would be to stay at home where Henry builds you a dressing table while you sit nearby reading.  Do you think you would want a guy like that?


So, gals, cast your vote.  Who do you like - Peter the Pirate, Charlie the Clown or Henry the Fireman?  As for me, I loved Peter but married Henry (a much paler version of course!).



Next up, Peter goes on a date.  Stay tuned!

Peter waiting for his date.