I hope everyone had and is still having a wonderful Christmas. We have had less pouring rain these couple of days starting from Christmas eve, which is quite different from the year before.

The fellowship began on the eve of Christmas eve at a dinner party hosted by my sis. While the main dishes were catered from her friend, I contributed an Asian-Mediterranean salad infused with fried pineapple (fried with garlic, onions, a bit of chilli) mixed with regular salad greens, then bathed in ev olive oil, apple cider and turmeric.

On the 24th, we spent time with my family. As I was responsible for the games segment, I did a little research a few days earlier to find fun group games where both the young and the young-at-heart could play together.

So my findings were: newspapers, scotchtape, string, cardboard, clothes pegs, a ping ping ball, paper, pen, and…that’s it! Not surprising huh?

• Newspapers + scotchtape
  Perfect fabric for an evening dress competition.

• String + cardboard
  The string is threaded through a hole cut in the middle of a small piece of cardboard. The ends of the string are held up by 2 persons.

  From a starting point, each team member has to blow with just one breath to move the card along the string. The team that moves it nearest to the finished mark wins!

  One big breath won’t work!

• Pegs + ping pong ball
  Each team player has to place an item between the knees and walk towards the end to deposit into a container. The team that collects the most wins. The ping pong ball proved to be the toughest and it was used for the tiebreaker.

• Paper + pen
  Pictionary!

We also played charades at the end. Winners of each game do walk away with prizes, which are all practical household stuff.

As always, everyone was a good sport and that itself was good fellowship.

Do you count the number of times you say “I love” this and “I love” that? Well, I think not. There are certainly quite a lot of things to love especially when it’s for a very good reason which is exactly why I love these gifts, handemade by Isabelle with me in mind. And they arrived here yesterday, in time for Christmas. This is just so wonderful! She knew I needed a pin cushion though I had not mention it and I have to say this is one of the prettiest and elegant stockings I’ve ever seen. Merci beaucoup Asilis! I really appreciate it and the card as well. The dark chocolate bar wrapped in silver and blue is now in the fridge, awaiting for a tasting session due very soon!

And to all my lovely blog friends, may the full joy of Christmas encourage and enrich you and yours this day and the new year ahead. Have a blessed Christmas!

Tagged by Tracy in October, for a “Why do you craft?” meme, so please allow me to tell you why:

Q. When did you start to create and make crafts?

A. I suppose it began when I was serving in a Christian ministry, where everyone would make encouragement cards to send to each other within the ministry. Both senders and receivers can pin up or pick up their cards on the “encouragement board” (that’s the name of the notice board) hung in our meeting room in campus.

I’ve pulled out some of the handmade cards from the stack for I MUST show you the encouragement given to me from my friends! Don’t they look fabulous? It’s quite a good thing that e-cards were unheard of back then!

I don’t remember the kind of cards I made for them but one thing’s for sure, we all had a fun and meaningful time with paper, pen and words while serving the Lord together as students juggling lectures, tutorial and lab classes. And yes, I kept almost every card.

It was also during this time that I began beading bracelets as gifts using fishing line (as fine jewelry wire was seriously missing) which my dad had pointed out to me that it is one of the strongest strings around. He used it for his own projects.

Q. Why did you start creating?

A. As a kid, I explored my dad’s tool boxes, mom’s sewing basket and jewely boxes frequently. They were my favorite ‘hangouts’ at home. The exposure to the things stored within each box was but an informal introduction to the variety of materials available out there. Dad made clocks out of old records and he was innovative in many ways, while mom’s needlework is a skill I wish I have. I like both their styles which have an influence on me.

Q. Why do you create?

A. I find joy in the process of creating a particular something that is different or unexpected. For me, creating is also about learning, problem-solving and growing wiser.

Q. What do you create?

A. Websites (design and content), bloom knots, gift tags and cards. I will obey the basic laws governing a particular craft but would most definitely bend or modify the rules to see what else I can get.

Q. Has this changed since you began crafting?
A. Not really.

Q. What are your crafting goals for the future?
A. I hope to experience paper-making and maybe some sewing too.

I really really like to give these perishables as gifts, for Christmas (or for other occasions), and hopefully spread the message of natural goodness:

• Coconut oil
  I’ve read about the many benefits here and currently I use this for frying. Can be used for baking as well. I hope to try other brands like Fresh Shores and Tropical Traditions.

• Miso paste
  A good source of the favorable genistein, a soy isoflavone.

• Green tea powder
  This green superpower must be used within 5-6 months.

• Evening primrose oil or fish oil
  Great for dry skin and flaky heels, especially during the cold season.

• Tea tree oil or aloe vera gel
  Perfect for cuts, burns, rashes and unexpected breakouts. Tea tree can be used to kill fungus and mold not only on the skin but also eliminate those lurking in humid corners around the house.

• Bamboo charcoal
  Comes in desiccant/deodorant packs like these. The bamboo charcoal, which is charcoal derived from burning bamboo, can be buried on the ground or mixed in compost when it can no longer be reused.

I will attach a note with each gift, listing the benefits and other bits of details.

What kind of perishables do you like to give?

Made with real cow’s milk, specifically milk protein casein.

Old Fashioned Milk Paint, water-based, solvent-free, fade resistant, quick drying, colours can be blended, suitable for porous surfaces, and I can’t wait to see them in stores here!

3 days ago I was going through the contents in the storeroom and I found this piece of work (which is kind of flatten though).

And thanks to my labeling habit, this one was done in December 1994. Back then, I was asked by a friend who was overseeing a student camp to teach the arts n’ craft session. So this was my prototype to show the students.

The LED was the highlight of this easy-to-assemble bouquet.

I used placemats (for the backing), dried and artificial flowers, yarn, velcro strips, glue, blue tac, keyrings, a hole puncher and of course, flat batteries to light the LED.

The yellow LED still works! Just had to add 2 1.5v batteries and the light up begins!

Can you see it?

How about now?

Looking at this light up, I think now I know how my love for LED flashlights came about.

Saturday afternoon, we headed to a lesser known fair held in a mall called the Concourse. I was there at this fair last year and I almost didn’t want to leave.

The fair will not be held next year in this building because Concourse will be pulled down and the vendors cum tenants will be shifting out to different places, which means the future of this annual gathering may be bleak.

The winter ornaments and cosy Christmas lightings are all so pretty and nice. They will look even better against a cold and snowing background. But that will never happen on this warm tropical island where winter is only found in an indoor snow entertainment complex.

A view of the city from the highest floor in Himeji Castle in Japan.

Everyone entering the castle was given a pamphet.

Upon reaching the 6th floor (the highest), there were a few people gathering around a small table and I saw that they were stamping onto the back of that pamphet, with a stamp that was provided. I did the same thing.

That’s the red circular stamp on the right. So this must be proof that we had indeed been to the top after having to climb up many ultra-narrow stairways. Apparently not everyone knew about the table nor the stamp, the scenery was far more appealing.

The tiny pin on the left is from a 100 yen slot machine.

The movie “The Last Samurai” was filmed in part in the city of Himeji.

Picture taken on: 4 January 2007