Crying Times

OK, so the packing is kinda turning out to be the least of my problems.  It's the good-byes that're proving absolutely heartbreaking.

Maya's friends threw her a big surprise farewell party, with lots of sweets, presents, and a handmade Minion cake(coz she dressed up as one in one of the school's charity events).  They also crafted up a video montage of all the best pics with her at various school trips, class-clownings and sleepovers, set to a couple of Taylor Swift songs.  A right riveting tearjerker, I tell you.

Maya's Farewell presents

And this afternoon, Ruhi said her last good-byes to her BFF, Hettie.  After a tearful hug-and -"bye-bye" at the door, Hettie stood by her window sobbing and waving to us at the bus-stop, for a whole 5 minutes until the bus came along.  Needless to say, Ruhi, too, was sobbing her little heart out.

Ruhi and Hettie, pre-sobs.

It's so heartbreaking to see the kids' hearts breaking... :(

End of a Chapter

Our time in the UK is coming to a close far too quickly.  We moved over from Singapore in November 2011, and now it's time to head back...

And so the complete and utter nightmare of packing begins.  The movers have come and done their survey, so the reality of what needs to be done has set in.  Painfully, it involves a lot of sorting, throwing out and giving away, stuff.

But those are just Things.  Even more difficult to deal with are the attachments and friendships and connections we have made during our 2 years here. It's especially hard for Those Two, who are lucky enough to have some of the sweetest girls I have ever known, whom they can cite as BFFs.

As for me, I will sorely miss the family friends and relatives who live here, the fact that world-class museums are just a short train ride away, the slower pace of life that allows me to literally stop and smell the roses, my lovely yoga teacher Emi who has helped me grow and progress in ways I never knew I could...

Gah! It's just too depressing for me to go on.  So I shall leave you with a pic...

Singapore Zoo, WE'RE BA-ACK...!!

That Inking Itch

Truth be told, I am SO dying to get more tattoos.  I have been longing for a pair of swallows with MAYA and RUHI on the inside of each forearm.  Seriously, my heart literally aches...

And it doesn't help, seeing all the massive talent and mastery out here in London.

There's Saira Hunjan.  Gob-smacking work with echoes of traditional Indian henna designs.

   
       


Nikole Lowe.  Slap-in-your-face work - outstandingly daring and so goddamned cool.

        


And Jaclyn Rehe.  Whose nouveau old skool style is supa-cute and so gotta-have!!

       

Happy Monday!

(via Lucius Art)

I Heart Art

Over the weekend, the husband and I went to the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea Park.

Yes, that's what it's called, "The Affordable Art Fair".  Not a very snazzy or creative title, considering it's for an event to do with creativity and the appreciation of it.  But, hey, at least we all get the picture. :)

All works were priced between GBP40-4000.  All you have to do is set your budget and take your pick.  It cost GBP15 to enter the giant marquee, and it was an eye-opener to see people seriously shopping for art, walking away happily with bulky, brown-paper packages tied up in strings.  (And all together now: "These are a few of my favourite things!"  Sorry, I digress.)

So inside the giant marquee is a slew of art galleries setting up temporary shop, flaunting their best and favourite pieces, as well as a small exhibition of recent art graduates' work.  Original paintings, sculptures, photography, prints... we had a field day.  It was enjoyable just to see what's out there.

Vanessa Cooper.  Sun Bowl.  Oil on board.  60X60cm. 

Trevor Price.  Noah's Ark.  Etching with chine colle.  Edition of 100.  30X36cm. 

The atmosphere of the entire affair was so relaxed, so casual, which made appreciating art refreshingly accessible.  And I was thinking to myself, what is the Singapore  leg of this event like (where art is a bit of a conundrum/struggle for the government to develop/non-existent phenomena.)?

In Singapore, I find art appreciation seems to be somewhat confined to 1. those who can afford it (which gives it  a factor of snootery), and 2. those who have some far-out new-fangled concept/medium (art is not art if it's not hyper-creative).  Basically, with reference to the term "arty-farty", it takes a lot of fart to make it Art.  The more inaccessible it is, the more artistic it is, and that's what makes it Art. Which probably explains why the government is having such a hard time convincing people to appreciate the Arts.  Simply because no one has a goddamned clue of what Art is.  Plus, few people find it not-very-profitable most-of-the-time.

Kheng Li-Wee.  Bamboo Grove.  Archival digital print.  Edition of 35.  61X77cm. 

Ron Lawson.  Struan Cottage.  Watercolour and gouache.  13X20 inches.

There always seems to be this need for "success", and by "success" I mean financial gain, be it in terms of making a living as an artist, or buying art as an investment.  It's this obsession with monetary gain that is the bane of art in Singapore.  Which probably explains why everyone (including the government) try too hard.  I mean, what good is it to say "Right, we're gonna get into art, and get people into art, and I'll give you the money for it.  Do it.  NOW.  And remember what you can say and cannot say." (I shall not elaborate on the last sentence, because the government is not very happy about any critical information concerning Them.)

Alice Sheppard Fidler.  Nasturtiums in a Small Bottle.  Oil on board.  13X18cm.

Work of recent graduate, Esmeralda Dominguez Pueyo

Whether it's big or small,  realist or abstract, paint or print, cheap or expensive, we all don't just like what we like, and make/paint/buy something just because we like it.  We are hardwired to calculating "What's in it for me? Ka-ching"/ "How can I make this worth more? Ka-ching"/ "Excuse me, exactly how many dollars??"/ "OMG, are you sure it's OK to say that???"

More importantly, I think the government has failed to realise that the Arts is more about self-expression than about having the funds to be creative. In an environment with as much censure as there is in Singapore, Art basically has a snowball's chance in Hell.  I'm not saying that we all become libertines and dance around stark naked with body paint tomorrow.  But if you're constantly being checked and guided, guided and checked, there is no way a people is going to be truly creative, and/or learn how to be appreciative of creativity.

Honestly, there should be a less stolid perspective towards Art, and simply more of a "hey, I really love how this looks!" and "ooh, I like the way you think!"  After all, Art is, well, just Art. (The word is looking a bit weird now, isn't it? Hehe.)

No, I haven't said anything substantial about what art is.  And the fact that art in Singapore is a tad too strangled, and too attached to being "successful" isn't really new.  But, hey, at least I got it off my chest. ;)

Of Swaps and Squares

I've put my name down for some fun via the lovely blog oh, hello friend.  If you haven't been round, you've got to.  Danni shares some of the most wonderful ideas and inspiration for simplicity and gorgeousness.  Plus, she does loads of fantastic deals and yummy giveaways! :)

Anyway, what happens with this shop/swap is that, if you are a crafter with a shop, you sign up for the swap, and Danni will pair you up with another crafter with a shop, and you send each other a surprise-something!  How fun is that! :D

 

On another note, my Big Square Baby Blanket is coming along nicely.  A few more rows and I should be done.  I just hope there is enough of this baby-soft cotton yarn to go round.  Coz I bought this yarn in Singapore, and I don't even have the labels to search for it online.  Silly me: should always keep yarn labels...

Scenes from MAYA & RUHI at Old Spitalfields Market

Glad to report: all went with MAYA & RUHI at Old Spitalfields, without any major hitches or squabbles.  Although the day's takings weren't fantastic, we all had great fun!

Maya the Muscle.  Doesn't look like it, but this girl can lug the shop-in-a-suitcase up and down flights of steps in the Underground.  O_O!

Before...

... and After. :)

Lots of gushing-over, and tryings-on, and a few sales.  All in all the day went really quickly.  It wasn't as busy as I expected, but at least we managed to cover cost.  I suppose it's still a little early for Christmas shopping.

Lunch break for the hardworking.  Chicken Chow Mein!

 As such, there's a whole lot more I will be putting up at the online shop.  As soon as I get round to photographing all of them, and sitting at the computer for a couple of hours.  Watch this space! ;)

All Clogged Up

This is me for today: Ralph Lauren shirt, classic Fairisle cardi from Primark, and my lovely new clogs from Lotta From Stockholm.  I have to gush over my clogs, coz I ordered them online yesterday, and they arrived this morning!  Plus they are supa-cute, curiously comfy, oh-so-stylish, and totally complete my Nordic get-up! :D

Ready to Roll

Gosh, has it seriously been THAT long?

I have no idea what happened, but the time has just flown by.  I guess a month-long visit to Singapore, and coming back to Wimbledon, settling into routines, and now preparing MAYA & RUHI for the holiday season, just takes its toll.  On the blog.

I am otherwise very excited to report that I have put ink to paper with regards to setting up shop for a day at the historic Old Spitalfields Market on October 13th.  So right now, I am super busy getting enough stock crafted up, and getting ready the nitty-gritty, like having enough packaging, effective signage, earrings stands, mirors...  Really, you can never be too ready.

It's cold, wet and dark today.  But I feel so good about winter approaching, for some reason.  As nice as it is to enjoy a warm summer day picnicking in the park, I like a cold, wet autumn day for cosying up at home by the heater, and getting down to some housework and crafting. :)

Some of the new Klimts that will be at Old Spitalfields come October 13th!

Catching the Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch relay went by our little street on Monday.  As such, people turned out in droves to catch a glimpse of it going by.

The long, hot, wait...

Maya and friends, Issy and Charlie, take the opportunity to raise some money selling drinks, cupcakes, and brownies.

 

Finally, the sponsors come by.  Coke was giving out bottles of Coke, and Samsung did as much as they could atop the bus to get everyone into party mode.

The Olympic Torch bearer for our leg of the relay was Jennifer Deeney, a Merton local with an inspirational life story, and an impressive portfolio of volunteer work.

The mood was so celebratory, the police motorcade was high-five-ing everyone along the street.

Then it was off to the grounds of Ricards Lodge School nearby for dose of community spirit and an afternoon of family fun.

 

The steel drum band belts out a rousing rendition of "Tequila"...

  

...while Maya, Issy and Charlie quickly set up shop.

  

 

And they're good to go!  Here are their first customers - hungry little boys! :)