It’s Chinese new year today and I just wanted to send greetings through this pretty peasant painting from Jinshan artist Cao Xiu Wen (曹秀文) titled “新年喜事多” or the many new year festivities.

Image: Administrative Bureau of Jinshan District

Happy new year!

What kind of house should a doll live in? I think she should call a suitcase home, just like this cosy one built by Stacy of Hart and Sew. Love everything, especially the interchangeable rooms. You got to check out how she does it!

Looking at this lovely doll, I can’t help but think about a cheap doll set I saw in a department store recently. It consists of a plastic doll (about Barbie’s height) and at least 20 dresses that was selling way below $20. The worksmanship on the clothes looked decent which actually makes me even sadder that someone’s workmanship is only worth this much. In other words that someone must be grossly underpaid, isn’t it?

Like the memo holders made from teapot lids, this stunning wreath by Belorssa is strung with lids from recycled canning jars.

With the ready hollow centres on the screw-on rings, no drilling is needed – stringing can be done in no time. How perfectly festive!

The making of the sunshine bracelets are back in full swing during this Christmas season. Always grateful to all who have supported this endeavour. Proceeds go to a local charity that serves the intellectually and physically handicapped. They are my motivation for continuing this project.

I made some in case anyone might also like to own one too. Shop for them here.

If you really like to own a sunshine but your budget does not permit, then let me send you one, free. My way of sending you some cheer and encouragement this Christmas. Let me know where to send to by filling your details below:

You already know how fond I am with looking at the nooks and crannies of paper boxes, and this latest one has a theatrical divider which I think, is worth jotting down. Perhaps you might have seen something similar.

The theater usually seats 6 but I already swallowed up the other 4.

Not long ago I watched a Japanese melodrama (“Good Life”) about a little boy suffering from Leukemia and his relationship with his workaholic father (who eventually found that he has terminal illness). The interesting part for me was when the boy began making origami animals for a zoo while staying in hospital. I took some quick screenshots of that “zoo”.

He also made “food” for the animals, like bananas and apples (the two smaller pics on the right) for the gorilla.

A new Sunshine has just been added to the toffee family.

It’s entirety is in this gallery.

I have just a few more pieces from the rest of the collection available. Anyone else like some warm sunshine? Please drop me a line (mail @ bloomize dot com). For price and dimensions, check here. Thank you.

Stringing and beading Sunshine bracelets bring me joy as I think about the people whom I’m making them for and the people whom I’m sending them to. Also grateful that through bloomize, I have met very sweet people who like the Sunshines and like me enough to support my efforts. Thank you all very much again!

I haven’t been able to engage in crafty projects as much as I like to (though I hope to get ready an origami post) except making Sunshines. I do have a few more in my Toffee collection for sale. Please take a look here and if any bracelet catches your eye, please let me know (mail @ bloomize.com).