Archive | Activity RSS feed for this section

Dinky’s Progress

21 Nov

Dinky the Dinosaur in 3D is coming along fine. Much effort was put in to shape it but unfortunately, I couldn’t have its arms and legs intact. So this means I have to improvise with add ons – either toothpicks or wooden chopsticks.

But now I face a predicament. I’ve come to realize that 2D Dinky is a flat two dimensional character especially with both its eyes on one plane, defying perspective. Almost Cubism but without the collage that Cubism is known for.

Both eyes on one side will stay true to its original character but now in 3D, surely I can’t have it like that! Then the other side, another two eyes? That would make my Dinky freaky with four eyes!

Hmm….
IMG_1253.jpg

Tags: , ,

Making the Effort, Part 2

20 Nov

I finally decided on what to carve for the four inch block: my dinky dinosaur! I feel it’s an apt choice but a very challenging one because of the tiny arms and legs.

I just hope they don’t break off when I exert a little bit more strength to carve out the limbs. Otherwise I may have to improvised and use toothpicks or wooden chopsticks to add on. We’ll see…

Dinky for now is 2D on my leg; let’s see how it turns out in 3D as a wood carving piece because thinking in 3D and 2D are two totally different process. Not easy.

Wish me luck!
IMG_1166.jpg

Tags: , , ,

Making the Effort

16 Nov

Finally, I pushed myself to carve and it felt therapeutic. But unsure of what new species I want to embark on, I started off with yet another Citizen and another Monument to get the momentum going. I must say the details on the new Monument are more prominent compared to the earlier 3-citizen piece. Practice makes perfect.

So while this is ongoing, the mind is contemplating and thinking what next. It should be a good challenge ahead because I have decided to go with the four inch block.

IMG_1146.jpg

IMG_1136.jpg

Tags: , ,

Dry Spell

13 Nov

Lately, I am going through a dry spell on carving despite having comfortable cool weather. I don’t know why. There shouldn’t be any excuses.

The last Citizen carved was 24th October followed by the Halloween Owl a week later. I’ve gone almost two weeks without any new additions, a rather unusual stretch. Maybe if not more Citizens, at least some gnomes, another monument or two, superheroes or even the big pieces. OR… maybe something totally new.

We shall see…

Tags: , ,

One Cute Little Sad Egg

10 Nov

Recently I have taken a sudden liking to the cartoon character, Gudetama, a depressed little egg yolk with a butt crack and bought two little keychain plushies of this popular Japanese character.

It was M2 who introduced me to it when she showed me her Holika Holika Gudetama Edition Lazy & Joy Dessert hand cream, a gift from her friend. The character tickles me so much so that I have the sad little fella sitting like one fried egg on top of the dashboard in my car and one hanging behind the driver’s seat.

While I do have other favourite characters and collect them, I don’t put any of their plushies in my car. This time, I find myself having two Gudetama in the car! And my sheer driving pleasure increases every time I look at it whenever I have to stop at the traffic light. It’s certainly one appealing cute little sad egg.
IMG_1050.jpg

Tags: , , , , ,

Aggravation! Aarrghhh…

7 Nov

Last week, the internet at the office was down for a good half of the work week. It was most aggravating as we could not work at all. Nowadays work is so dependent upon connectivity and when the connection is down, we find ourselves on edge.

Important emails could not be sent out or received was the bane of the situation. Forget social media updates or glancing at headline news which could not be accessed from the desktop computer anyway. The stress was most unbearable especially with deadlines looming over the head.

To make matters worse, WhatsApp was also hit apparently and for a couple of hours, we were totally disconnected! I felt as if a limb was cut off.

The internet was finally fixed on Saturday and yesterday morning everything was okay until after two o’clock. The connectivity was down again! Aarrghhh.…

So I find myself unable to work again and there’s nothing we could do except to report the breakdown and wait it out. Aggravation indeed. Aarrghhh.

Tags: , , ,

A Halloween Owl, Part 2

6 Nov

I think I deserve a pat on the shoulder for carving up a four inch Citizen of Gigglesville. The Halloween Owl is a pretty good effort for a first attempt on a bigger and harder piece. And suddenly I find my other citizens so minuscule!

How did I ever managed to carve up 111 pieces of one inch tall or thereabouts of the Citizens and a band of Superheroes too? Just as amazing.

Now that this is completed, onwards to color it!
IMG_1092.jpg

Tags: , , ,

A Halloween Owl

3 Nov

This year for Halloween, I did not have time to buy whole watermelons to carve like I did in 2013 when M1 was still around. And not only pumpkins have gotten too expensive, they are unavailable at our regular grocer! So I opted for something very different this time.

I carved a Halloween Owl.

Several weeks ago, my only sibling bought a pack of wood with different size blocks for me to vary my carving pieces. It was very thoughtful of him to push me beyond my comfort zone, which I think is a good thing.

The basswood pieces are so much bigger and harder in density than my usual one inch wide soft balsa. I feel very pumped about the challenge. I had to plan thoroughly because now, the size and shape of the character are somewhat different. The block is four inches tall, four times taller than what I am used to work with.

So on 31st October, I started on a Citizen of Gigglesville wearing a witch’s hat and a big cape. I must say even the carving process has been different with more strength applied, being a harder wood, and all the tools were utilized.

Work is still in progress but it’s coming along good. I hope to finish it by next week and have it painted up!

Tags: , ,

They Gotta Wear Hats!

27 Oct

Out of the blue, I decided that my Citizens of Gigglesville should wear hats! I don’t know why but I suddenly developed an urge to sew or make hats for them. It would make them even more cute than what they are now.

I even bought some tiny fluff balls with the intention of making some Santa hats for them. But I have failed miserably because I couldn’t even get the cone shape of the Santa hat right. I won’t give up though.

Then a brilliant idea hit and I didn’t even have to make anything!

My citizens now don sombrero-like hats, made out of fruit nettings! Hahahaha….. it’s just cuteness overload. I had so much giggles ‘dressing’ them up and taking snapshots. Clearly only Citizen #53 was not amused by the session. Hahahaha…..

Tags: , , , ,

Online Shopping is Fun

26 Oct

Online shopping seems to be a new favorite thing to do between hubby and I. Just about every week or every other week, both of us are buying stuff online as if trying to outdo each other. I would look at carving tools to add to my supply and he, at air plants to add to his collection.

But the difference between our purchases are the sizes of the boxes/packages that the things arrive in. Mine comes in flat little packs while his are in big huge boxes except that one time when I ‘won’ hands down with the arrival of the big bean bag. On Tuesday, his latest purchase finally arrived.

Look at the size of the box!

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →