'Cos we're livin' in a material world...

I'm a materialistic person, yes I am!

'Cos how else is an arty-fartist like me s'posed to make all this Darn Stuff, if without material things? 

I'm not trying to boast that Christmas was a runaway success or anything, but I must admit that I was kinda unprepared for all the orders I continued to receive, having left my supplies in England for a tropical X'mas (thank you family and friends for your relentless plugging! *grin*) And, I was a little worried that I might not be able to find the right materials to maintain the quality of my work.

But I've been pleasantly surprised by the goodies I've found...Singapore can be a veritable treasure trove for crafty people who know where to find the gems *ahem...People's Park, Arab Street..ahem ahem*

Nu heilan coo (made from UK-sourced children's stockings) is also blown away by my findings! See below...

Don't they look yummy?

Socks are also relatively expensive and limited here....many people are surprised to hear this (so was I!) I guess Singaporeans aren't really sock wearers, other than the man-worksock...and why should we, in this warm weather??? Nevertheless, I've managed to spot some uber funky ones...and LOOK what I've done with them! *glee*

I mentioned a set of 6 ducks on my Facebook status about a week ago - an order that came from a luverly lady who spotted me at YWCA. She asked for each duck to represent one of her sisters, and thought it'd be cute for them to have whistles. *Twitt twooo!* I must admit I would never have thought of that, I expected even less to be able to find decent whistles...there were these horrible plasticky football-design whistles at party shops, but I couldn't be tempted in the slightest...I got standard one, you know!

And find them, I did...

Birthday lady duck is called the 'crazy green sister' by my commissioner...guess which one that is?? 

Another sister duck is a Catholic nun...can you spot the pious one?

I don't think S'pore sock retailers are used to their stock being bought by the dozens...methinks I've cleaned out the local town centre shops of their excellent Smelly Baby socks 'cos I now can't find them anywhere! I made these Smelly Baby bunnyheads - Year of the Bunny is coming mah...and Easter too wot! - but they're sold out for now. More will be available from 22nd January, but if you're S'pore based, please pre-order in advance ok? I dowan to get socks air-flown by the hubs to here, then sekali nobody want. Can? Tank yoo, ar! Tank yoo!

So how now, brown cow? Dya like 'em?

They're also customisable, just like this brown cow's butt.

I'll work flat out to make 'em if the response is good! *hopeful*

Eye up m'ducks instead?

B..b...but, it's wabbit season, not duck season! The ducks have flown away...

Whereas if you go bai nian* with a bunny or two (or three, or four) you might get a bigger ang pao** (maybe four, or more?) Heehee...

Since I've got Smelly Babies, I guess these must be Smelly Bunnies....get them while they're hot!

*wish folks a Happy New Year

** red packet containing money 

Last things first...

Although my last post of 2010 was all about the friends I've made from showing my work at craft fairs in the UK, my last fair of the year was a first for me on the smaller island I call home. The experience has given me a few valuable reminders that I'd like to take with me into 2011.

1) Adobe is great for recreating textures and such-like newfangled visual effects, but Cotton Wool and Crepe Paper are anyone's faithful friend at $1 a pop.

2) It's great to be accepted by fair organisers who appreciate my work, but that's nothing like being invited to a show where my auntie is one of the organisers...

3) where my cousins will promote my Smelly Babies amongst the soon kueh, bak chang and  nonya kaya (local turnip, meat dumplings and coconut jam) they've been enlisted to sell.

Hey everyone, those are my Smelly Babies at the front there! *BEAM*

I added my own style to these gingies for sale at the bazaar - it was fun, and they completely sold out!

4) where my mum (and other camera-shy relatives) will help me sew like a factory, make me a spiffy slideshow to show off, help to set everything up, offer me their opinion on how the display looks...

5) where other family and friends could just drop in to show their support, without long distances and real winter stuff like snow to hinder them, aaaand...

Making sure my relatives feel surrounded by the warmth of the festive season...haha!

6) indulge in guilt-free shopping ('cos it's Christmas! And for charity!)

Whaaaaa...it's taken you so long to blog about this...do I hear you say? Ya...well, everyone in my family had decided to buy their X'mas gifts from me this year, friends have loved the smelly babies for office gifts and so have their friends and colleagues...I've been trying to keep up! I've also been on a very special trip recently and will tell you more about that soon...

In the meantime, I just want to say a special THANK YOU to my family and friends for a great Christmas and a rollickin' start to 2011 - I hope you've all had a wonderful start to the new year too! xxx