Tag Archives: miniature

Holiday No More

7 Feb

Somehow I don’t feel the holiday spirits of the Lunar New Year even though we are at Day Seven of the 15 days-long celebrations. We are not visiting anyone, nor are we having guests over.

Better to stay safe at this point because yesterday, the Covid-19 cases spiked up to 10,089, a five digits figure again after a few months below this threshold. Not a good sign.

It is back to work today for all three of us, although I have to admit it’s slow for us. I most likely will spend time working on my miniatures to pass the time.

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What a Journey! Part 2

4 Feb

We came home on the second day of the Lunar New Year. And what a journey it was. So unlike the trip when we went, this return trip was so much more pleasant and unexpected.

There was hardly any traffic build-up along the way and smooth sailing all the way home. Another record of sorts as we made it home in five and a half hours with just two stops only. As far as I can remember, we never made it home in this time frame. Usually, it would take between seven to nine hours. And there was once we did it in ten hours.

It is nice to be back and chill at home. I’m not even working on my miniatures. For once, doing nothing at home feels great! Visits to family or friends are minimal, if not none. There’s now the Omicron, and we are being extra careful not to go out unnecessarily.

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Indulgent Shopping

25 Jan

The Lunar New Year is next week, my goodness! There are a lot of last-minute preparations to usher in the Year of the Tiger. Like shopping for new clothes, for instance!

The last two years, with the pandemic and lockdowns, we were homebound and did not venture out to the malls at all. There were grocery runs to our local grocer nearby, and basically, essentials but not indulgent shopping.

During the MCO phases, online shopping was my go-to if I wanted to buy non-essential things. And even then, it was mostly to buy my miniature sets and carving tools. But no clothes.

So over the weekend, we took the opportunity to go on a shopping spree to buy new clothes as it is the last weekend to shop. With no more restrictions on interstate travel, it will be a traffic nightmare next weekend when city-dwellers begin the exodus for Reunion Dinners with the family and loved ones afar.

I, for one, who usually buy golf clothes, suddenly find myself buying Chinese New Year clothes. I bought not one but two Cheong Sam outfits! It must be the festivity in the air or the sudden freedom to be able to go out and try clothes on.

My two lovely and elegant outfits

For someone who does not wear or buy dresses often, the purchases were an incredible feat by my standards. Well, lockdowns change people and their outlook in life, I suppose. I look forward to wearing the outfits to welcome the Year of the Tiger with good vibes and have a roaring celebration, pun intended.

Lion Dance at the mall

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DIY Project #23, Part 2

24 Jan

DIY project number 23 is moving on at a good pace. I had the weekend off from golf and had time to sit down to work on it. But I fear this pace will be interrupted because Chinese New Year is just around the corner!

And there is much to prepare before we usher in the Year of the Tiger. Nonetheless, I’ll try to squeeze in as much time as possible on my project. Hopefully, during the Lunar New Year holiday, there is time for me to continue with it as we anticipate minimal visiting or going out.

Perhaps I should set a deadline to complete it instead of just going with the flow and mood.

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DIY Project #23

21 Jan

Towards the end of last year, I was not in the mood to craft miniatures and took a break from this activity. I was playing a lot more golf and ended up taking a much longer break than intended. Besides the circumstances, I was side-tracked with felting which was less time-consuming but equally enjoyable.

But now, I am ready to indulge in crafting miniatures again and have started on DIY project number 23. Yes, number twenty-three, but the first for 2022. That’s a lot of miniature sets I completed in the past two years during the lockdowns we had when the pandemic disrupted lives and created new routines.

DIY project #23 kicks off!

This latest set is a classroom setting, different from what I have done thus far but apt to kick off the new year as schools are reopening again under strict SOP after two years of disruption.

I hope I will not take too long to complete the set. It should be fun.

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The Year That Wasn’t Again

31 Dec

The never-ending year 2021 finally concludes today. I look back, and what a year it has been! I feel history has repeated itself, with the year being another year that fell short of expectations like 2020 because the pandemic has dragged on.

When the nation went into lockdown again in May, we were short-changed for several months to have a good year. And the lockdowns implemented under the Movement Control Orders (MCO) had so many versions, I lost track of it all.

But life goes on. With what we had experienced in 2020, we handled 2021 a little better. We became more accepting of the situation and were more productive, and the hobbies picked up in the year before continued. We also got vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, and it was our passport to venture out (if needed) without hassle.

Towards the end of the year, I picked up another new hobby – felting. What fun this turned out to be! Felting is immensely enjoyable and therapeutic when I am not carving or crafting miniatures as it is a short and fast activity to complete.

Looking back, being home this time around wasn’t so bad because there’s so much to do at home, and I love it. There is no rush or fear but simply comfort and ease. As long as there is good time management, the days go by quickly.

M2 came back for her Summer holidays, and it was great to have her home. My cooking skills improved from last year, and there were many great mealtimes together at home as a family since we couldn’t go out at all.

Then M1 came home for good after completing her Master’s degree, and both of us are very blessed to have the family as a complete unit. But soon after, M2 returned to Ireland, and M1 started working. By the third quarter, we were juggling work, albeit not much, and playing golf when the country reopened to more activities.

But just when we thought things were improving with vaccination and economies opening everywhere, the world saw a new virus variant! The Omicron. The pandemic management globally was sucker-punched with this new development. Travels, activities, and economies were restricted once more, and many countries faced fresh lockdowns. When will this onslaught of the unknown ever end?

So we start 2022 with uncertainty again. I see no point in toasting the New Year for better fortune and goodness. Just brace yourselves to stay negative (Covid-wise) in a positive way, stay healthy, and stay safe. Goodbye 2021, I wouldn’t say it was the best, but we survived. Happy New Year, folks!

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Felting is Fun! Part 3

17 Dec

I have to admit this piece is my third character before the gnomes. Soon after finishing Mike from Monsters, Inc., I wanted to do something for myself. Hence, an owl to go with what I have been carving to make Gigglesville.

A felted owl to join the Citizens of Gigglesville!

It took some 3D visualization effort, and in the end, I am pleased with the result! It looks like crafting miniatures and carving are taking a backseat for this.

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Felting is Fun! Part 2

10 Dec

What am I felting next? These days my routine has changed, and felting is my go-to activity when I need a break. To start a new miniature – DIY project number 23 is too time-consuming, especially with the year ending, Christmas coming, and so many things to do. I can forget carving too, as there’s not enough time for this as well.

The differences I find between these hobbies are many. Crafting and carving take a lot of time, patience, and discipline. In comparison, felting and carving require more creativity and the visualization process. My only hindrance is my inability to create what I see in my mind. By this deduction, carving on Meranti wood (not balsa) is, by far, the hardest.

But for now, felting is the way to go for me because it keeps me on my toes, as far as creativity is concerned. It’s a nice variation to balance my time, and it is satisfying to create something out of nothing.

My latest felting piece. What is it?

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Felting is Fun!

6 Dec

So I have been felting when there is an opportunity to do so. Suddenly crafting miniatures or carving seem tedious and time-consuming. I have to admit, I have been busy and have not had much time for my hobbies. Even with my golf outings, I have reduced my playing time.

After the thrill and satisfaction of completing the Totoro character, I started on another felting piece. This time, it is my interpretation of Mike from the animation movie – Monsters, Inc.

My version of Mike from Monsters Inc.

A little thinner than the actual cartoon character, I think my attempt is not too bad. After all, this is only my third piece, and practice does make perfect. I need to do more and often. And it looks like crafting miniatures and carving will be taking a backseat for now.

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A New Hobby, Part 2

3 Dec

So I finally sat down and tried felting after completing DIY project number 22. It was just right to attempt this since I was in-between crafting and carving. And my goodness, I loved it!

So simple yet, so time-consuming, I found myself seated at my little workstation and poking away at the wool for some time. My first piece, following the tutorial, came out a little out of proportion, but I got the hang of things.

My first felting piece!

Then I decided to make a Totoro since it was seated in the living room. I thought this was better than referencing something from the internet. Such fun I had! I took two days to complete my second felting piece. And I sense this is the beginning of something new to keep busy when I get tired of crafting miniatures or lazy to carve.

My second felting piece, Totoro.

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