Cards of Christmas Past: Aunty Toy’s Treasures

One of the great things of handmade cards is that you tend to keep them because you know the card giver put his or her heart in making it just for you.  I was sorting through this year’s Christmas decorations and found the cards Twyla made for the past four years.

She started stamping at least 4 or 5 years ago.  She gave started to give out her cards pretty much when she started this hobby.  Because I keep them, I just noticed how much she has improved each year.  My favourite is the one she gave me in 2009, the snowman is actually in it’s own snow globe. 

I can’t wait to see what card she decides to bless me with this year.

2007	2008
2009	2010

Origami Audi A7 created completely from paper

Origami Audi A7 by Taras Lesko

Bulembu: Handcrafted Wall Art

Bulembu is a small town in Swaziland, South Africa, that was once a vibrant community supported by a local mine.  In 2001, that mining company closed down.  Much of the key infrastructures that supported this community such as hospitals, schools, stores closed or downscaled.  The community fell apart.  This sounds terrible isn’t it?  Well, there are people who cared and wanted to help.  In 2006, a group of developers and entrepreneurs purchased the town with the key intent to restore Bulembu to be again a self sustaining community. 

My company is a funding partner for Bulembu cause, I can’t remember exactly which year, but I think they sponsored this town close to the beginning when the town was purchased.  Over the past few years, we had numerous charity events and donation drives.  My company even give employees the opportunity to go the Bulembu as a volunteer!

This year, the Swazi people wanted to give their thanks.  The Creativity Centre in Bulembu made this handmade advent calendar as a gift!

It was such a pleasant surprise.  The quality of work is beautiful.  I wish you can see it in person. They hand stitched each felt piece; the detail work is amazing.

As beautiful as it was, we didn’t have a place for it.  So, after being displayed for a couple of weeks so everyone had a chance to admire it, we raffled it off and donated 100% of the proceeds back into Bulembu.  

My favourite part are the angels over looking the town.  I didn’t win the raffle, but I wish I did!

 

 

Framed Origami Art: Tulips and Butterflies

Back in June, I made a personally designed graphic as their wedding present.  I really liked the frame I used for that present.  So when a birthday was coming up, I remembered where I got the “LOVE” frame, there was a matching “Hello.” one, which was perfect!

I was thinking of making these for my online store but the store no longer carries these frames.  Would you buy one?  I’m now thinking of finding the wholesaler for the frames or something of equal or better quality.

 Lesson’s Learned

• Allow adequate time when making a birthday present.  I only gave myself one week, would loved to had more time.
• When taking photos, the best light source is natural light

 

Stunning Fields of Rice Art – CBC Video

I just watched this video the other day, local farmers in a small village in Japan plant intricate art in their rice paddies using different coloured rice plants!

It’s absolutely amazing and so beautiful!  They make it a family affair as they involve all the villagers to plant the rice shoots.  It’s sad that this only has a three month expectancy before they have to harvest.

Japan's Rice Field of Dreams – Celia Hatton

Origami Design: Tine De Ruysser's Banknote Jewellery Collection

A fellow member of Money Folder’s Yahoo group forwarded this article about an European artist, Tine De Ruysser, who made jewellery out of banknotes.   My favourite are the US Bill bracelets!

Ruysser folded her jewellery in true origami purist fashion.  No cuts, no glue and they will have longevity as money paper is designed to withstand years of wear and tear.

Quentin Tarantino: Inglourious Basterds

We just recently watched the Quentin’s Tarantino’s movie, Inglourious Basterds.  It’s focused on a American-Jewish aligned military group stationed in France during WWII.  Their mission: spread fear and terror among Nazi soldiers during their occupation in France in WWII.  There is an overlapping plot of a Jewish woman in hiding who wanted revenge for what the Nazi military has done to her family.   I really enjoyed this movie, how Tarantino scripts the dialogue in all his movies is so entertaining.

I thought it would be fun to see if I searched the movie title on Etsy.  I was delighted to see artwork that’s based on this movie! 

Inglourious Basterds Poster by claudiavarosio

Quentin Tarantino - 18 x 24 poster by dhildreth36

Enchained Chainmaille Creations – A Change in Opinion

You know how you form a opinion and after time, you start realizing that you were wrong?  Well, that’s what happened today.  I featured this artist back in December as I really like her chainmail art, but wasn’t a fan of her origami themed mobiles.  I originally felt the cranes took away the beautiful look of her art.  However, she posted some recent photos on her Facebook Fanpage and started a blog.  I realized that origami cranes didn’t take away from her art, it!

What is was is that the  original photos didn’t give me a real sense of the size of the cranes and how small and intricate her chainmail work really is. 

I’m glad she posted more photos.  I have a greater appreciation of her work.

My original post in December 2009

Rolls By Anastassia Elias

You should check out her portfolio, her work is beautiful.  Not only she cuts miniature scenes from empty toilet roll inserts but she is also a painter and illustrator.

Anastassia Elias's Gallery

My favourite is the ballroom scene.

From the Artist:

I cut the small paper shapes That I stick inside the toilet paper rolls. I use tweezers to Manipulate the paper shapes. I select the paper of the same color as the roll. It Gives the illusion That figures make the paper part of the roll. I need few "hours to make one piece. The Press review of the rolls in Press.