Tag Archives: miniature

DIY Project #27, Part 3

20 Mar

Last week, I completed DIY project number 27. It took me three weeks because I took a week off from working on it. Thus, a two-week job, and not longer, being such a small set.

I found this set to be very different from the past ones that I’ve worked on. The pieces were smaller, and there were more paper-based props. Man, it was tough. But all in all, I think it was a good challenge.

With a dust cover provided, DIY project number 27 now sits outside and not in the Ikea display cabinet! Yay, this was a bonus because the cabinet has so many of the completed sets. I jumped right into number 28 immediately. On a roll here!

DIY project #27

DIY Project #27, Part 2

24 Feb

The latest miniature project, number 27, has kicked off! I opted for the Elegant Studio set. So far, it’s going well. However, the challenge lies in understanding the manual, which is in Chinese and not English. But with the Google Translate app, this minor challenge is hardly one with the phone in hand to do the job!

The bonus of this set is the dust cover that came with it. So upon completion, I don’t have to worry about crowding my Ikea display cabinet. I can decide where to place this Elegant Studio anywhere in the house. Nice!

DIY Project #27

21 Feb

I am undecided about which set to work on for DIY project number 27 – so many choices, so little time. Recently, I bought another two sets from my favorite online shopping site. It was an impulse purchase, but also for a sense of security.

When I started project number 26, there was this sense that my mountain of miniatures had reduced, so I had to replenish it quickly. Hahaha. Of late, I noticed my DIY purchases are getting smaller and smaller in scale compared to my earlier sets.

Subconsciously, I think I am mindful of my Ikea display cabinet – it is running out of space. I really should buy another cabinet to resolve this issue. Then again, it is fun to work on tiny sets, although it can also be trying at times. I love the challenge, I guess.

So DIY project number 27 is a toss-up between the new tiny purchases over the other sets that are much bigger. And as the two new choices have books, my preferred theme for miniatures these days, I will close my eyes and pick one.

Which one to work on? Hmm

DIY Project #26, Part 2

13 Feb

Once the momentum kicks in to stay focused to work on the miniature, it’s a breeze all the way, a situation I had forgotten the past year when I derailed from crafting to do other things instead. It is nice when there are no hiccups or lengthy pauses to hinder the pace.

So, in less than two weeks, minus a few days of non-crafting, DIY project number 26 is now a complete piece and ready to join the others in the Ikea display cabinet. I hope I can find a place for it!

DIY project number 26
With the light on!

Number 26 is another bookshop that I seem to like; there are now three books-related sets that I have done – two bookshops and a study. There were challenges, of course, but they are nothing when one stays focused.

I will take a break for a few days before deciding which miniature to work on next for DIY project number 27.

A Sleep-in Day

6 Feb

It’s a Monday, a public holiday, and a rainy day. The weekend has stretched yet again to a three-day, with today being a replacement public holiday.

It is perfect for a sleep-in with the cool weather and doing nothing, and the thought of working on my miniature pales to the lure of the sofa. The Weather app is showing a rainy day until this evening. Going out feels like a hassle with the wet condition. So it looks like staying put is best.

DIY Project #26

31 Jan

Feeling inspired that I finally completed the last miniature, I started on the next one immediately, project number 26. It should not take so long since I have to be home to continue my road to recovery from my medical issues.

DIY project #26!

I have yet to play golf, so it’s a matter of allocating enough time to the project daily. Then there will be progress. I find these DIY miniature sizes more enjoyable to do. Also, the completed set does not take up much space in the IKEA display cabinet. Nice!

DIY Project #25, Part 3

30 Jan

Finally, DIY project number 25 is a wrap! It took me six months, the longest ever, to complete a miniature set. And I had forgotten the sense of satisfaction and achievement upon completion because I had neglected my craft work for so long. So it’s nice to feel this positivity and accomplishment.

I should get back into doing my miniatures more this year. Last year, I was so busy with other activities and travel, and there was hardly any time for my hobbies. I did no carving, minimal felting, and only occasional miniature work.

My sweet little Jam Shop
Details of the shop

Perhaps this year, the priority is to focus on these activities again and have an enjoyable time.

Non-festive Weather

24 Jan

The weather has not been festive; it’s gloomy and raining, unlike the typically hot and humid weather during Chinese New Year. But it suits my mood.

My Jam Shop, DIY project #25, has been my bright thing so far. There are a few more steps to go before it is complete.

However, I am skipping a few things because I do not want to stress myself or add to the non-festive mood.

Road to Recovery

23 Jan

I had a follow-up appointment at the hospital last Friday, and all are fine with me now. Phew. I only have to continue my meds, and the road to recovery is clear.

Technically, I’m not supposed to drive or go for long car journeys nor exert myself yet, i.e., no golf for a while. So I’m staying put, not going anywhere to usher in the Lunar New Year of the Water Rabbit.

And to keep myself busy, I have decided to finish up the DIY miniature that has been sitting on my table for months, a wise decision to minimize my dependency on my iPad Mini constantly.

There’s progress, and I should be able to display this with the rest of the completed sets. Yay. However, I’m wondering whether I should immediately jump into the next one – DIY project #26. Hmm. We shall see.

2020 – The Year That Was

30 Dec

Well, another year has come and gone, almost. With another day left for 2022, it’s time to reflect on the year that was.

I have seen on the web that touted 2022 as ‘2020 Too’ and not 2022. Get it? A repeat of the year that upended everything. To a certain extent, it was true. But I think the good things that happened far outweighed the unpleasant, at least for me.

The highlight of the year for us was M2’s graduation, and we had the opportunity to travel to Dublin, Ireland, to attend the Commencement Ceremony. During that time, travelers no longer needed to be quarantined upon arrival, so that was good. It added extra days to our plans, and we added London to the itinerary to stretch the holiday.

The downside of such a long holiday was the weather! It was cold to the core, and at times, the numbness from being in the cold made the experience unpleasant. But we took it in stride, and it was indeed a wonderful time.

2022 was somewhat of a year of new beginnings for us. Regrettably, we gave up our office space and officially worked from home. However, it was a good decision and a blessing in disguise. We no longer have to stress over traveling to/from home/office and have more time and flexibility. And as far as work is concerned, well, there have been ups and downs, but we prevailed. Let’s hope the new year will be better.

2022 was also a year of medical concerns. With Covid cases on the uptrend, people I know were positive at an alarming rate. It was only a matter of time before I contracted it. True enough, I tested positive in June and had the most miserable week of my life battling it. I was in no mood to share my episode then and, as time passed, forgot about my ordeal. However, in the aftermath, I notice I frequently experience brain fog and memory loss! Yikes. And I lost distance when golfing. Double yikes!

Sometimes I say it was the booster jab that compromised my health. But then again, I should say the booster jab saved me from complications or worst. So I should be thankful in this sense. My golfing distance has since returned, but my brain fog is still there. Perhaps this is purely due to age instead? I have to monitor further on this.

The year also saw a decline in my miniature crafting. Weirdly, I have so much time, yet no time at all. We played golf often and ate out more, yet no progress for my miniatures. DIY project #25 has stopped for the longest time! Maybe 2023 will see a revival of my interest? We will find out.

So what do I envision for the new year? Well, nothing too extreme, better health would be good, after all, I am a year older. In short, let there be peace, harmony, and good health. Here’s wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year!