tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52766913508854287912024-03-05T16:05:08.108-08:00The Adventures of an Urban Kampung GirlKampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-76364204308671484912011-05-23T15:10:00.000-07:002011-05-23T16:54:19.453-07:00A Newbie Sets up a Website<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8VfgUXjNS5FJ0QWOB0z5OiNIncb744B4enWXOrOUSxaYw-1fseu6hwaSZBahR-svxkx7v-svuCBfSNFRPorQxSVTYbMEgIdmXi6dg0tSnGMelXoaTCNcZyCvLYHrPQxVoE1I_rZ_Ekxv/s1600/fb+8+smaller+AAA+SSC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8VfgUXjNS5FJ0QWOB0z5OiNIncb744B4enWXOrOUSxaYw-1fseu6hwaSZBahR-svxkx7v-svuCBfSNFRPorQxSVTYbMEgIdmXi6dg0tSnGMelXoaTCNcZyCvLYHrPQxVoE1I_rZ_Ekxv/s320/fb+8+smaller+AAA+SSC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610063633046041378" border="0" /></a>Yes. For years I've been traversing across the internet doing things that most of us have come to accept as normal everyday life. Communicating by email, searching for info on Google, watching the Canucks beat the Sharks 4-2 on Youtube and talking to the family many of thousand of miles away on Skype.<br /><br />Everyday, I am learning more about this inetrnet creature and and how to navigate my way through it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHwMBdCd0ZdDuo-F8vOaSpmIRAUsDG5XVjWeEAi2QzUkYfjli5lg1_zt_TbnXlq09zTjqMkuSR4ZaHh3cFG0r-eY_JWXyH9z5ndIt5MmfdEXh5NelNdCdG5UnLuHtn53-UkHxjx7VTEeB/s1600/where+to+buy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHwMBdCd0ZdDuo-F8vOaSpmIRAUsDG5XVjWeEAi2QzUkYfjli5lg1_zt_TbnXlq09zTjqMkuSR4ZaHh3cFG0r-eY_JWXyH9z5ndIt5MmfdEXh5NelNdCdG5UnLuHtn53-UkHxjx7VTEeB/s400/where+to+buy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610059323350641378" border="0" /></a>Last winter I asked for more trouble (or learning experiences, as Money & You grads would say) than I really needed when I thought <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHwMBdCd0ZdDuo-F8vOaSpmIRAUsDG5XVjWeEAi2QzUkYfjli5lg1_zt_TbnXlq09zTjqMkuSR4ZaHh3cFG0r-eY_JWXyH9z5ndIt5MmfdEXh5NelNdCdG5UnLuHtn53-UkHxjx7VTEeB/s1600/where+to+buy.jpg"><br /></a>"Hey. Wouldn't it be a great idea to build <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/">a website for the Artists & Crafters of Salt Spring where everyone was in one place, thus making it easy for people to find us</a>?" Silly me when I answered "Why yes, it would." I called it <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/">Salt Spring Craft</a>, because Salt Spring Artisans just didn't sound right. That was the easy part.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w7Z8vEmpotuwDo3XZVdEcf-hc1ZrySbQouKvxyavu9oI_9SYMYJHYI4VBcGopMy_JpfG-U4ntEGasNIua8JMF0H_0ozdKBc5sELPrSXktZY7c3R0Ba0TnEusODH7Wqt0QCozEweit1NH/s1600/sumo+costume+craft.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w7Z8vEmpotuwDo3XZVdEcf-hc1ZrySbQouKvxyavu9oI_9SYMYJHYI4VBcGopMy_JpfG-U4ntEGasNIua8JMF0H_0ozdKBc5sELPrSXktZY7c3R0Ba0TnEusODH7Wqt0QCozEweit1NH/s200/sumo+costume+craft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610059670536538146" border="0" /></a>Like so many of these great ideas, it took more time, more sweat and more tears than I had bargained for. Now, I'm not saying that I'm regretting having set up the site. In fact, it's blossoming slowly but blossoming just fine. I guess I'm saying that everytime I look at the website, I feel that I can do so much more and that I'd have to go on an intensive learning curve if I wanted to make it the way I see it in my head.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ywLcTzqPxKbLcDBaqWXPlrEEqFT5P2nkEiTMFC3kycAyIGaGTYQKvk1RCtjB5ZIkmxeYQSOrGaeB7rHzVhaBEZDNLuASW8fucpoDvONxE5RQyEC_wRWGp8ebPiXN6QYKRw8r4FeFKsIv/s1600/salt+spring+craft+gRASS+LAMP+close+up.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ywLcTzqPxKbLcDBaqWXPlrEEqFT5P2nkEiTMFC3kycAyIGaGTYQKvk1RCtjB5ZIkmxeYQSOrGaeB7rHzVhaBEZDNLuASW8fucpoDvONxE5RQyEC_wRWGp8ebPiXN6QYKRw8r4FeFKsIv/s200/salt+spring+craft+gRASS+LAMP+close+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610060017753062098" border="0" /></a>Because I have no web-building experience, I figured I'd build it on a Blogger platform as I'm already using it and have become accustomed to it's idiosyncrasies. This was great for organising posts into categories like weaving or ceramics to make it easier to find an artisan. All artisans can list for free. <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/p/how-to-join.html">Click here for the form.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTTKbKB-JPda1Jbw_Wh2Lz313KjkMn5xhkI0LIR5nUm8X3xVHRqkikhrBDL-VMqFFOp3e7Q2iDpYbqcfWH-HrTVEpoZj2mNK6KrtDCOuQo-WmuuyZfBmi8UOTiBKyICulZFLRUPtP0Cme/s1600/WaterfallA.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTTKbKB-JPda1Jbw_Wh2Lz313KjkMn5xhkI0LIR5nUm8X3xVHRqkikhrBDL-VMqFFOp3e7Q2iDpYbqcfWH-HrTVEpoZj2mNK6KrtDCOuQo-WmuuyZfBmi8UOTiBKyICulZFLRUPtP0Cme/s200/WaterfallA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610060270463650578" border="0" /></a>We now have over 40 listings and it is slowly growing. However, in the midst of all adding all the artisan pages to the website, it occurred to me that many Salt Spring artisans have no web presence. So how would people off-island see their work? Ergo, the <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/p/showcase-listing-beta.html">Showcase Listing</a> was added to give artisans up to 10 pictures for their page and stacks more options & room for describing their designs, work & process.<br />Then I tried to integrate the free google search box. Well, that didn't work. Apparently google's free search box is, err, not quite up to the standard of it's paid search feature. Thank goodness for blogger how-to & know-how pages. I found most of what I needed to customise the website from there.<br />B<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOMTdZMospeumaz0SdcCuWceeqkMVq7wnHPkgHWuR5thYqu7icj3Ino6v1MXSCLBsB0j42wUkaZevrmkJ1yqmBwRIVBshrpwtBuLNgjdWqZr5sTRI01UD_UMMSVp4ak9W5YJV2gal31fH/s1600/amandlaIIA.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOMTdZMospeumaz0SdcCuWceeqkMVq7wnHPkgHWuR5thYqu7icj3Ino6v1MXSCLBsB0j42wUkaZevrmkJ1yqmBwRIVBshrpwtBuLNgjdWqZr5sTRI01UD_UMMSVp4ak9W5YJV2gal31fH/s200/amandlaIIA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610060456247395010" border="0" /></a>ased on feedback from a great many helpful people, I've added a <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/p/events-calendar.html">Salt Spring Events calendar </a>which has dates and information on as many events, classes & workshops I could find trawling the pages & website of guilds, tours, b&b calendars and the indepensible <a href="http://saltspringexchange.com/category/local-stories/">Salt Spring Exchange</a>.<br />Here's a place, if you're visiting or have freinds & family visiting, to go to to see what's happening on the island. And if you have a Art (this includes performing art) or craft event, workshop or class, <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/p/form-event-class-or-workshop.html">click here</a> to send me the info to list for free.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUvObcfXYxH61s_rJ5uRI7QmX8jg-nMDB5Wx_OtKRYM4AHSV58cSiqDTQnwC1ZRLvgJPLJJ0_rz1IHmLrKOkgAsxik5VCY4KPi-j6Ne6Ij8QxLTdSafF5g7yPD8heXS9VV55fUudkpGiT/s1600/erinbrookpots.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUvObcfXYxH61s_rJ5uRI7QmX8jg-nMDB5Wx_OtKRYM4AHSV58cSiqDTQnwC1ZRLvgJPLJJ0_rz1IHmLrKOkgAsxik5VCY4KPi-j6Ne6Ij8QxLTdSafF5g7yPD8heXS9VV55fUudkpGiT/s200/erinbrookpots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610062919565395442" border="0" /></a>That was the other thing. I'm building this webiste for artisans and organisers to list for free and yet, even with a free blogging platform & free gadgets, there are costs. That's when I learnt how to use Ad Sense and that I needed to get some revenue to cover some of the marketing costs of getting Salt Spring Craft noticed by the world at large. So, ta-dah, down the right is a space for advertisers and a Donate Button. So please donate if you feel so inclined to help independent business in a workd of the mass produced.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErcwP1qVxmbryjRWrEfXmXN9xqLUN66ogYXH20TrIAby7WzESJ7ch4BQ_7SFl8UdABskjHGu9ZQKtyxKyYJAZvbeFRVzDcWHDfV8c0r7pAzjlHNFsuxBL98uJb5oxUxUs18ofDCzmjGq9/s1600/Felted+Owl+Salt+Spring+Crafts.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErcwP1qVxmbryjRWrEfXmXN9xqLUN66ogYXH20TrIAby7WzESJ7ch4BQ_7SFl8UdABskjHGu9ZQKtyxKyYJAZvbeFRVzDcWHDfV8c0r7pAzjlHNFsuxBL98uJb5oxUxUs18ofDCzmjGq9/s200/Felted+Owl+Salt+Spring+Crafts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610063196055037474" border="0" /></a>And so was born a <a href="http://saltspringcraft.blogspot.com/">new little website</a> that will, hopefully, grow up to be useful to all who come to it, inspirational to those who seek products and experiences that come from a slower pace of life and engaging to all who value that which is handmade, unique and speaks from the human spirit.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-70870117741463669772011-02-16T22:51:00.000-08:002011-02-17T19:39:26.107-08:00How do you prune an apple tree?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdxBXpyZXOswm5PNEz1qghC2cK6NUNXi1y8j8uLaB6eM9QkdUnwGFC0-rINB7tt_iOqVKyuYrVp06aJ656vyigXNpTdkJsOfhsty_qUxLeIplvkdscyzXxEgWwuIMM2e5CKZY4-HAZRpL/s1600/b46.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdxBXpyZXOswm5PNEz1qghC2cK6NUNXi1y8j8uLaB6eM9QkdUnwGFC0-rINB7tt_iOqVKyuYrVp06aJ656vyigXNpTdkJsOfhsty_qUxLeIplvkdscyzXxEgWwuIMM2e5CKZY4-HAZRpL/s320/b46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574866622231996354" border="0" /></a>When we bought the house last year, it came with two apple trees. I'd let them grow in their usual way all year so that I could see them as they were. And what they were was leafy, full of little branches that made it look like it was having a bad-hair day. But most frustratingly, in the autumn, when the tree was full of apples, the reddest and juiciest looking ones were at the end of the highest branches, and hopelessly out of reach.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4E9NAswTdXJY7MlzVcwxgnXMLMgh-MbwUu6YkJotKBKJMCOtipMr_Gp7L7csl1qrQ37vwIYNErLtYjZyzQQECVUNsEkO48tgPURs3T8QVF5bKUZbYhmxlcq7bBflPjjq5f_45sWa-tSl/s1600/b+sharpening+tools+yes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4E9NAswTdXJY7MlzVcwxgnXMLMgh-MbwUu6YkJotKBKJMCOtipMr_Gp7L7csl1qrQ37vwIYNErLtYjZyzQQECVUNsEkO48tgPURs3T8QVF5bKUZbYhmxlcq7bBflPjjq5f_45sWa-tSl/s320/b+sharpening+tools+yes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574866750800229106" border="0" /></a>This year is going to be different. I'd learnt some about gardening and most importantly had the expert help of friend Belinda, the super-duper master gardener.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm5Q_OT8X-Fee3SVh5NV5r-9t5OmAM1hMOqlK4E4q0_h8JGWLi9D5AH_-nR01uNlXFpAoMSZnNro940WmdILPE7cQNWbXtyvmvajYE73UvpTEZ5BzU8OvD2suJP-MWAzCD1pTx-Q1JI9x/s1600/b+up+the+tree3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm5Q_OT8X-Fee3SVh5NV5r-9t5OmAM1hMOqlK4E4q0_h8JGWLi9D5AH_-nR01uNlXFpAoMSZnNro940WmdILPE7cQNWbXtyvmvajYE73UvpTEZ5BzU8OvD2suJP-MWAzCD1pTx-Q1JI9x/s320/b+up+the+tree3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574868329323842322" border="0" /></a> I had learnt that a shaggy tree full of skyward shooting branches was not the best thing for a tree; that where the bark was scarred and gueyly damp <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mfS_zP-RomQ6PQt6r8sKnr45RnzVg0RBqWXbVHz6TSRza0gyIBnEOJV_2yfltQjGCWqJyb9nZG3EjeQJXf3ZfjrGPY0YbQn0_x-3c57HheLXJFU6cbymnC29eXrY16XBrjCXghPvNymw/s1600/b+in+tree.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mfS_zP-RomQ6PQt6r8sKnr45RnzVg0RBqWXbVHz6TSRza0gyIBnEOJV_2yfltQjGCWqJyb9nZG3EjeQJXf3ZfjrGPY0YbQn0_x-3c57HheLXJFU6cbymnC29eXrY16XBrjCXghPvNymw/s320/b+in+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574868485590716114" border="0" /></a>was where there was damage and infection and needed to amputated like a gangrenous limb; that a tree so laden with that multitude of apples had to work very, very hard to churn out the harvest, which also means that quality would be sacrificed for quantity. And if I'm brutally honest, last years apples was a bit lacking in, how can I put it? taste. This year, it's going to be different.<br />Armed with newly sharpened and freshly sanitised tools, plus two ladders, we were at it with vigor. Belinda giving me tips on which branch to cut (the ones that were too small to support the many spurs at its tip, where the apples would eventually form, any shoots growing downward or inward) and were was the best place to cut it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z80IB9daINmXviSoqhEzPbYb88U3qAT2Bglz8fMr1I4NJ6lrEwguoBlYSemk-iueAbGSa8kkuhmcvGn6ZribFifRsNkj-98jdMIc_enhbcoaMcUilppQE8lZ-NgNHkw7K_WZmTsP2VtS/s1600/m+on+tree.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z80IB9daINmXviSoqhEzPbYb88U3qAT2Bglz8fMr1I4NJ6lrEwguoBlYSemk-iueAbGSa8kkuhmcvGn6ZribFifRsNkj-98jdMIc_enhbcoaMcUilppQE8lZ-NgNHkw7K_WZmTsP2VtS/s320/m+on+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574868668544770434" border="0" /></a> Three and a half frozen hours later, my initial hesitant nips at weedy shoots evolved into sawing off great chunk of branches and my previously afro-headed apple tree looked buzz-cut botak, and very sad.<br />Despite it's forlorn appearance, I know that it'll be healthier, will look better (in a couple of years I'm told), it'll bear better tasting fruit and most of all, I'll be able to reach the yummy apples.<br /><br />But now that I think about it, so will the deer! Hurrumph!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWGf78VeyrKKLuioxdvQoZRaRs6B7tpHuj-Qnmks59v5eJHvAGY-VEjgI22wCb21Fy35wkifsD2N8bAoSgpN1DtVqY0E3XJaSg5b8IJ8lWUmOYHle0AFNeOQk2bLhs7pKjhs695k_o1EH/s1600/after.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWGf78VeyrKKLuioxdvQoZRaRs6B7tpHuj-Qnmks59v5eJHvAGY-VEjgI22wCb21Fy35wkifsD2N8bAoSgpN1DtVqY0E3XJaSg5b8IJ8lWUmOYHle0AFNeOQk2bLhs7pKjhs695k_o1EH/s320/after.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574867541852618418" border="0" /></a>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-33546724904281924662011-02-08T20:38:00.000-08:002011-02-16T22:48:34.535-08:00The Slipper Chair Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElIbUm5l56Jbo5hLg9UOaRJuhtjyL26lc-1gRMu-8r8n24jgF0LcfBmYKYgXlhp-IhKGklMxZvaK4-LY212JrNKLVrqYDdqk3osPWFINSHlOzB-j-Y4T6u2R149LUoG_O47l5f4jKEcT/s1600/ws2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElIbUm5l56Jbo5hLg9UOaRJuhtjyL26lc-1gRMu-8r8n24jgF0LcfBmYKYgXlhp-IhKGklMxZvaK4-LY212JrNKLVrqYDdqk3osPWFINSHlOzB-j-Y4T6u2R149LUoG_O47l5f4jKEcT/s320/ws2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571589859146255874" border="0" /></a>This is something I've been wanting to do since I came to Canada. Having spent countless hours watching HGTV <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxPodq2032FYIqeimAAGpHWmv5VGJ4T0uaaS2Rmr0iWeTfFMkay5Nlq1EXHAkNcqDM7FC8CU9utVdfSWZET81v0XJAzkiZpdWBxCRxO9leXV8jnjuDLsvtGg-2-b-Z7NW3G0c2sP3MFyT/s1600/front0.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxPodq2032FYIqeimAAGpHWmv5VGJ4T0uaaS2Rmr0iWeTfFMkay5Nlq1EXHAkNcqDM7FC8CU9utVdfSWZET81v0XJAzkiZpdWBxCRxO9leXV8jnjuDLsvtGg-2-b-Z7NW3G0c2sP3MFyT/s320/front0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571589227020404274" border="0" /></a>during my first few months in this new land, I was swept away by the slew of shows out in cable TVland that would help you DIY just about anything. Sarah Richardson and the Designer Guys found old furniture and in five TV-minutes, covered, nailed and stained and voila! furniture completely redone, revived and reborn into a gorgeous must-have.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvEmETgZTY9wjst8KDcW3oOkVphT26Jkrb8U4DAaR4Hza7getNyhJ0jsckGF98JK96bIfjZ0Y30CARFXn1-dEWmu70bhycc_vmk6ZupQbZN-KHa09Wmdb-wanyp_uY1qJvkLCqC8OOGKI/s1600/front0.jpg"><br /></a>A couple of months ago, I was out indulging in my favourite new passion: thrift-shopping and stumbled upon the perfect candidate for my first real re-upholstery job. It was an <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PtFRmT19Hw3KqF8bQCYwGpCiWc5SLq6zlUH4qb38fZKayvnb04kves5KxSMx2TCS0pD8OW8sSu1NcEVC-j8SDplgNdUC7dDX_8aIJAqT5gZY6M_JxNyz_6JYqfCvl32Y1lbxg75solO/s1600/ratty+cu.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PtFRmT19Hw3KqF8bQCYwGpCiWc5SLq6zlUH4qb38fZKayvnb04kves5KxSMx2TCS0pD8OW8sSu1NcEVC-j8SDplgNdUC7dDX_8aIJAqT5gZY6M_JxNyz_6JYqfCvl32Y1lbxg75solO/s200/ratty+cu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571588195382313874" border="0" /></a>orange slipper chair stacked on top of a jumble of other chairs in the Lion's Club Thrift Store in Duncan. There wasn't a price on it so I asked. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-ZHJZyRKBPxS-k9Wf00h2qVY5DSiJIyuyHqaSg6F4iJ4e5FNSEYLjzSgptmSxzl1kKD9uyRwjboF_UuoiwZsxD6zMoGDhpL3zlSowPdGJQs9sDgUxMr2NwpcJDhjt2WYr-6E-Yv7RW24/s1600/apart90.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-ZHJZyRKBPxS-k9Wf00h2qVY5DSiJIyuyHqaSg6F4iJ4e5FNSEYLjzSgptmSxzl1kKD9uyRwjboF_UuoiwZsxD6zMoGDhpL3zlSowPdGJQs9sDgUxMr2NwpcJDhjt2WYr-6E-Yv7RW24/s200/apart90.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571586737240278770" border="0" /></a>"It's $10" the lady said, "but if you like, we'll sell it for $8." I said that I liked. And she said, "in that case, we'll carry it out to your car (and in this case, my friend Emma-Louise's stationwagon) for you." A bargain, I'd say.<br />I finally got my act together last month, in Victoria, and forked out $45 for a whole meter of thick upholstery fabric from Chintz & Co, being too much of a skinflint to buy a half meter more.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wz9YP8RDfBwo1nbgQqB7ZL_UbkNzRLhIOyU5r-Scm-TZrBgBCSJ2uYt42HzZbbsfnLaDp17hrFakT73GrnVg99Rg_n5xLBC9aWA5gAmDri6TOyhFDSnpzHXv54qaS88uMYL44uOSLFMR/s1600/no+back61.jpg"><br /></a> And, I know you must have guessed by now, I was half a meter short. Sigh.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wz9YP8RDfBwo1nbgQqB7ZL_UbkNzRLhIOyU5r-Scm-TZrBgBCSJ2uYt42HzZbbsfnLaDp17hrFakT73GrnVg99Rg_n5xLBC9aWA5gAmDri6TOyhFDSnpzHXv54qaS88uMYL44uOSLFMR/s1600/no+back61.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wz9YP8RDfBwo1nbgQqB7ZL_UbkNzRLhIOyU5r-Scm-TZrBgBCSJ2uYt42HzZbbsfnLaDp17hrFakT73GrnVg99Rg_n5xLBC9aWA5gAmDri6TOyhFDSnpzHXv54qaS88uMYL44uOSLFMR/s320/no+back61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571587670642530098" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuRODuV2gNFZtm4nmeY5UUvhf-R_hx71wIU4o5RNw9Ya0tYH-MDj9t3sqZjpveR8tyvIOT4MN4ff5TN7IXxVJh6Wvnoe-lWHhl6173579-gNYDOfJIF8L3akuQ_vX8WYq3ihF_oY9s3Cr/s1600/ws9.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuRODuV2gNFZtm4nmeY5UUvhf-R_hx71wIU4o5RNw9Ya0tYH-MDj9t3sqZjpveR8tyvIOT4MN4ff5TN7IXxVJh6Wvnoe-lWHhl6173579-gNYDOfJIF8L3akuQ_vX8WYq3ihF_oY9s3Cr/s320/ws9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571587900054355826" border="0" /></a>But I soldiered on with my recovering and the pictures show the result.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi6GMLhya9r1sSQwnzwPC0emfOY6qHAC7PMQ3tqaoI2nXq_eXicp0SdRvqaAqLnxOxDogyXLx3sNT8eyytXMbxdfO3mNqbAVyj5hgVRP8fngl5iPg7_tf8i36lgNVZm-l4glsheUoXMCU/s1600/buttons.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi6GMLhya9r1sSQwnzwPC0emfOY6qHAC7PMQ3tqaoI2nXq_eXicp0SdRvqaAqLnxOxDogyXLx3sNT8eyytXMbxdfO3mNqbAVyj5hgVRP8fngl5iPg7_tf8i36lgNVZm-l4glsheUoXMCU/s200/buttons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571588468956717042" border="0" /></a><br />The process was pretty easy, using the existing covers as templates for cutting the new fabric. The original piping was in pretty good nick, so that was reused and this project gave me a good excuse to buy and learn how to make fabric covered buttons.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXAQDHKeEVC44ajb0wh0zH1VHF5Hyrgjc4OxntJfiHy92jhA73v7JCKuCxXuX1ouNEWJExZrU9tOVzVjgiGRTJ2GxR_gnfjudK-MnzAquGoWqt15XeUSL6v501ZRmIMPXOy8FXwukpa4J/s1600/piping4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXAQDHKeEVC44ajb0wh0zH1VHF5Hyrgjc4OxntJfiHy92jhA73v7JCKuCxXuX1ouNEWJExZrU9tOVzVjgiGRTJ2GxR_gnfjudK-MnzAquGoWqt15XeUSL6v501ZRmIMPXOy8FXwukpa4J/s200/piping4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571588636647146546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm not too happy with the temporary brown fabric covering the back of the chair, but the next time I see the right half meter, I am so buying it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ9zXdFTEOe0wHjtVgvGNlbampffWRXRSWf2iCHAXoYHw5mm-NmBkHrZlpBWCQl7BrVq4qf_-Np1qoeBG4S5h_MN7UCMS7to0meazbl6LxHrl_ljZX09K3IWfEA-oiHLnEdutGRxrD_kV/s1600/bavk8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ9zXdFTEOe0wHjtVgvGNlbampffWRXRSWf2iCHAXoYHw5mm-NmBkHrZlpBWCQl7BrVq4qf_-Np1qoeBG4S5h_MN7UCMS7to0meazbl6LxHrl_ljZX09K3IWfEA-oiHLnEdutGRxrD_kV/s320/bavk8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571587194853381570" border="0" /></a>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-53301311796524985642010-11-21T10:26:00.000-08:002010-11-21T11:27:43.868-08:00First Snowfall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYomxlw9Bfxvnsg_c-Z9M2WuawcTU_mAJJNWJaq3akTZcnu92uku6G9CDjY1DgdmqS2OMcRoYH650ddmkDF5sqv-lhAMUM4-_E8A5DNtW_lRrvNFjninIzbiTn7mEOegvKigmQfUlFo31/s1600/bay+in+winter8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYomxlw9Bfxvnsg_c-Z9M2WuawcTU_mAJJNWJaq3akTZcnu92uku6G9CDjY1DgdmqS2OMcRoYH650ddmkDF5sqv-lhAMUM4-_E8A5DNtW_lRrvNFjninIzbiTn7mEOegvKigmQfUlFo31/s400/bay+in+winter8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542086520967352626" border="0" /></a>I'm never quite prepared when it snows. No matter how I anticipate it or mentally gear myself up for it, it always takes me by surprise.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwJfKJnuRDPag6f-TomEG2tot1s4LCGJfXmrJPR2Nbj0VLLal6Hh_OMq_dAa8-n4R-aEMqmyILTpkdXxUu4wlsgetyJ1fDYd-TqpIZ43LurdN8GMV-hnohW4fDKwnxbhadGzJfTvbP7Cr/s1600/b+down+the+hill4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwJfKJnuRDPag6f-TomEG2tot1s4LCGJfXmrJPR2Nbj0VLLal6Hh_OMq_dAa8-n4R-aEMqmyILTpkdXxUu4wlsgetyJ1fDYd-TqpIZ43LurdN8GMV-hnohW4fDKwnxbhadGzJfTvbP7Cr/s200/b+down+the+hill4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542083643868841762" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Mkj-bzSK9XhyphenhyphenStMmcts5q6B1zzWTCImlgK0aNfCTk0bUFD58X3xMsd12HKmMkpoLUT9xbJyLsewLxqC2pCj1AY1celfE37I6nJyhVll2yKToEkjUPBL_reKJYO4ENaCpRRUWOqDiPnP/s1600/van+in+snow.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Mkj-bzSK9XhyphenhyphenStMmcts5q6B1zzWTCImlgK0aNfCTk0bUFD58X3xMsd12HKmMkpoLUT9xbJyLsewLxqC2pCj1AY1celfE37I6nJyhVll2yKToEkjUPBL_reKJYO4ENaCpRRUWOqDiPnP/s200/van+in+snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542083888608025634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The weather report said that there'd be snow mixed with rain for Friday, when I first check it. It was the day b & I were to make a run to Vancouver. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3xXIxOp3a-bT1pEqdX8P4MwwxATlKA7k7NJg5dlOI3e5g-PJCHXOKvEJ3ifmrkmVYhJFTW7YCrEjmbTDj7D-QGA0g7X28oQ_mycSoSYlv46N_R3m3Req4pjfXharry1gEZKIQ4uvbBsK/s1600/chey%2527s+feet+in+snow.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3xXIxOp3a-bT1pEqdX8P4MwwxATlKA7k7NJg5dlOI3e5g-PJCHXOKvEJ3ifmrkmVYhJFTW7YCrEjmbTDj7D-QGA0g7X28oQ_mycSoSYlv46N_R3m3Req4pjfXharry1gEZKIQ4uvbBsK/s320/chey%2527s+feet+in+snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542084691808116242" border="0" /></a>Thinking that this would be the first snowfall of the season, it wouldn't amount to much. Right.<br />Out from the Long Harbour ferry and onto Vancouver, the meteorologist Russ Lecate on news 1130 gave us the bad news. The snowfall would be pretty serious <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mqYXD5PBG8wsrlFIUZUN08WHQwEqQCiJYCYWKoCn3la6vkZMAfS6K79fQagpme8Ao837IpSQkL8CfNwpdHscJtL5drBRI0ag3vMO4D5Bhqpsl9YkssHchY9-P2grOrsc6qhd3hw0z6SC/s1600/deck.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mqYXD5PBG8wsrlFIUZUN08WHQwEqQCiJYCYWKoCn3la6vkZMAfS6K79fQagpme8Ao837IpSQkL8CfNwpdHscJtL5drBRI0ag3vMO4D5Bhqpsl9YkssHchY9-P2grOrsc6qhd3hw0z6SC/s200/deck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542083800583735938" border="0" /></a>(for the greater Vancouver region anyway), 5cm of snow coming late that evening. Crikey! We take the 10:20 ferry home then. Not having dealt with a real winter since that crazy one 2 <img src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Cheyenne/Desktop/First%20snowfall/bay%20in%20winter8.jpg" alt="" />years ago, I couldn't get my head around his 5cm prediction and didn't think much about it. Hmmm....<br />At 11 pm we were still in the line-up waiting to be called onto the ferry home. The wind was whipping up and the snowflakes were getting bigger and more abundant. By the time we got to Salt Spring, it was pass midnight and the 5cm of snow had beat us to the island. Living in the 'Canadian Reviera' we don't have very many snowploughs and so the main road was icy and slippery.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ICRkd5uFz7jWaYEzSKyxAdLnoxEikWbgscd4ONXfh3KsS7LhjFo9g_4OOArr9zfL6yA0oIY7O_a7zF9bS1UFb-r8Ev8PHlclVxwKdN2svPLKfna2XzkTY2oLmX_wE1R7zudaloYRALno/s1600/window.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ICRkd5uFz7jWaYEzSKyxAdLnoxEikWbgscd4ONXfh3KsS7LhjFo9g_4OOArr9zfL6yA0oIY7O_a7zF9bS1UFb-r8Ev8PHlclVxwKdN2svPLKfna2XzkTY2oLmX_wE1R7zudaloYRALno/s320/window.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542086129714715058" border="0" /></a> It was so treacherous that we didn't quite make it home. Had to park the car o the main road and walk up the hill. In the moonlight and the snow, the scene glowed with the luminous that only a foot of snow can give.<h3><br /></h3>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-5327399245305454992010-11-02T23:06:00.000-07:002010-11-03T00:17:24.582-07:00Making Punpkin Faces<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g0KhaqYZTqeqZ5jRgNGP4FEAjAvNvxAd2m5rPN8IPa0mSNBu_0ViQ1GQ0fxqw8y63jMDyIg782e0WPVXHuIzA3LmzHop4Qmo5U_I-q4la5_YqGDvwLXP3uxQf-AJDGLFHZN_NVE5x5YW/s1600/ws+pumpkin+pair.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g0KhaqYZTqeqZ5jRgNGP4FEAjAvNvxAd2m5rPN8IPa0mSNBu_0ViQ1GQ0fxqw8y63jMDyIg782e0WPVXHuIzA3LmzHop4Qmo5U_I-q4la5_YqGDvwLXP3uxQf-AJDGLFHZN_NVE5x5YW/s400/ws+pumpkin+pair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535215451045744146" border="0" /></a>I've never carved a pumpkin before. Enough episodes of Buffy & The Simpsons Halloween have convinced me that I wanted to at least make an attempt at one, even at this late juncture of my life. Not having grown up in a culture that celebrated Halloween, all this is new to me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlgVKuMaEm8-S5gpwQbZjClSHJjIbP8lIF3YGmjk0-IKIqXhRmr2ywYq67nzqg7RznX3NzRnhaGMDr5Cbg_1MiuDm2boWRf_ZsxZRd-HJNikEWhGu9Npwxvn1DenNDEwgDpnO64ImGI76/s1600/start.jpg"><br /></a><br />But, as with many things in my life right now, I learnt how to carve a pumpkin on YouTube. There were really elaborate designs of dragons and wizards and even Barbie, that you could download and print a template from. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlgVKuMaEm8-S5gpwQbZjClSHJjIbP8lIF3YGmjk0-IKIqXhRmr2ywYq67nzqg7RznX3NzRnhaGMDr5Cbg_1MiuDm2boWRf_ZsxZRd-HJNikEWhGu9Npwxvn1DenNDEwgDpnO64ImGI76/s1600/start.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlgVKuMaEm8-S5gpwQbZjClSHJjIbP8lIF3YGmjk0-IKIqXhRmr2ywYq67nzqg7RznX3NzRnhaGMDr5Cbg_1MiuDm2boWRf_ZsxZRd-HJNikEWhGu9Npwxvn1DenNDEwgDpnO64ImGI76/s320/start.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535215905035305010" border="0" /></a>This, you could put on your pumpkin, trace out the design by pricking holes through the paper onto the pumpkin face and then start carving out the hollows with your sharp knife. After being thoroughly impressed and somewhat overwhelmed with all the choice, I chose the old way. I did what B did when he was a kid making pumpkin heads, I drew up a couple of faces on paper and then copied them with a Sharpie onto the big orange squash and I was ready to wield my chopper with the best of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHsdLJQu1MW2Ki0HpbmWfGthiMgzV3SLDME8Gds32dgC9POMp8nL4kBjNrGqoiSJhGe7_MFK2ht_PmUE4JcHCDHiGxm98QtD_l18iHhfwLxfL-Q3-RFbdphNshSclsPXgR5jdIM6jIs6h/s1600/cut0.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHsdLJQu1MW2Ki0HpbmWfGthiMgzV3SLDME8Gds32dgC9POMp8nL4kBjNrGqoiSJhGe7_MFK2ht_PmUE4JcHCDHiGxm98QtD_l18iHhfwLxfL-Q3-RFbdphNshSclsPXgR5jdIM6jIs6h/s200/cut0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535213855890122562" border="0" /></a>First it was "OFF WITH THE Top of the HEAD!!!", then you scrape all the guts out. Seeds, juice and all. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOymskehaUrXEgxBYxrSkACaFDmaQwmteEvyiIhUveh0ZYVNxIL0vwEDaIQ8Kg2JvaYY7NJ41mYPhkoVQOPYdRV0J1GeGODuVvNWe-uVUXV-GXbifFcuU4ms846Z3SLlkcuQR5-7iEP6Og/s1600/carving.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOymskehaUrXEgxBYxrSkACaFDmaQwmteEvyiIhUveh0ZYVNxIL0vwEDaIQ8Kg2JvaYY7NJ41mYPhkoVQOPYdRV0J1GeGODuVvNWe-uVUXV-GXbifFcuU4ms846Z3SLlkcuQR5-7iEP6Og/s200/carving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535213566092303346" border="0" /></a>It was a great big messy affair and my weeks worth of newspapers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqroZB51Rof1zGQQqsabIviMChWFt3ojpyfbm09VuNv5UnbZR2wYliQNd0dGXjkdIFjHFKPaW40T5EfqR6wnyGnCLI5zecTWC1broxE5qaERwx40NIjCtCuQeWTvsGWN7HZwFuUfUr1Ip/s1600/inside+pumpkinm+head6.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqroZB51Rof1zGQQqsabIviMChWFt3ojpyfbm09VuNv5UnbZR2wYliQNd0dGXjkdIFjHFKPaW40T5EfqR6wnyGnCLI5zecTWC1broxE5qaERwx40NIjCtCuQeWTvsGWN7HZwFuUfUr1Ip/s200/inside+pumpkinm+head6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535214006377721394" border="0" /></a> couldn't contain the flinging, chopping and dripping pumpkin parts. Three days down the road, the house still smells of that squashy massacre.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4WNRcIQlUO0lZKvrlAH7l_MnW3t0A5qNo2cYdmQeMPtLcBU_07M_Q0KlcHjIPBQgfMn2sQXECXS8DJ02jgVML1jJasIKSMrJOrtUmfF3moWivZcHsE2TyYAtpK5bq8qV3bB2BQdxOSct/s1600/scream.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4WNRcIQlUO0lZKvrlAH7l_MnW3t0A5qNo2cYdmQeMPtLcBU_07M_Q0KlcHjIPBQgfMn2sQXECXS8DJ02jgVML1jJasIKSMrJOrtUmfF3moWivZcHsE2TyYAtpK5bq8qV3bB2BQdxOSct/s320/scream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535214479520897426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I thought I'd have a practice pumpkin, a smaller one with easier lines. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviWbssnetsZWQYD2eTvdAVwTxbwpO22mInnwczg_7xBVF0PlrNGYwnE4uFzhyWsUlF4vl_-sD2DffLaQMJY6I8-HqOlyL70xccpXvCxVrP31bemhx0xcm2QH9dtfSp5JmevU31ZyGZiLu/s1600/scream.jpg"><br /></a>As you can see, Munch would have been proud of my ode to his Scream. Of course I had to show my creation off.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVT5U-HsY8X97cOAWiVwLPhiRYGG7vv66_Mfm9n9HnjJ2lc8-0h-HsGhlc2g_CXSwlVOTKZwpOUm0eHj9xi4_yw54k10TpOc1DtCILY_UYwM5KX4k3XDTEK79C2ZfE_b-aYI-Moa1ybuY/s1600/bat.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KDgTS4WyRvt36vFoQHjLM1Xh6Ry1GdOTiZ9LDDbq-ZyYLVoarYT2iXOwHO4HDswYOEkavZ6n2tY3nWma9cFzRcm177W_lOdfoWGouPi4eKVKD65GBRFEqHPpyyYWWcFu8H0LHNAbqBFQ/s1600/cu+shop84.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KDgTS4WyRvt36vFoQHjLM1Xh6Ry1GdOTiZ9LDDbq-ZyYLVoarYT2iXOwHO4HDswYOEkavZ6n2tY3nWma9cFzRcm177W_lOdfoWGouPi4eKVKD65GBRFEqHPpyyYWWcFu8H0LHNAbqBFQ/s320/cu+shop84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535216859029981970" border="0" /></a>All day on Halloween, my little screamie pumpkin head had his insides stuffed with dried Oak leaves and greeted the customers coming into the bookstore.<br /><br /><br /><br />The next one was bigger and has a kind of sugar-high crazed vampire bat look to it. I mean, a pumpkin head had to be , at least, a little scary, right? I liked this too. The eye-balls were the trickiest to carve out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GaAceK3CCTJpFFNVJ1dDWHKmjKmh0c9bchN_hcbJ6gSHQQFNCU_cnU90VHGy2EwoWNvv8S0k1nt8TfYJl4o07XePW2ThK7T7DZb35GAxSJKvP63viswMns-UWWM-vbvcwzH-X6QQ3Tce/s1600/ws24.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVT5U-HsY8X97cOAWiVwLPhiRYGG7vv66_Mfm9n9HnjJ2lc8-0h-HsGhlc2g_CXSwlVOTKZwpOUm0eHj9xi4_yw54k10TpOc1DtCILY_UYwM5KX4k3XDTEK79C2ZfE_b-aYI-Moa1ybuY/s1600/bat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVT5U-HsY8X97cOAWiVwLPhiRYGG7vv66_Mfm9n9HnjJ2lc8-0h-HsGhlc2g_CXSwlVOTKZwpOUm0eHj9xi4_yw54k10TpOc1DtCILY_UYwM5KX4k3XDTEK79C2ZfE_b-aYI-Moa1ybuY/s320/bat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535214337622577938" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVT5U-HsY8X97cOAWiVwLPhiRYGG7vv66_Mfm9n9HnjJ2lc8-0h-HsGhlc2g_CXSwlVOTKZwpOUm0eHj9xi4_yw54k10TpOc1DtCILY_UYwM5KX4k3XDTEK79C2ZfE_b-aYI-Moa1ybuY/s1600/bat.jpg"><br /></a>Despite lighting both the heads and leaving the out on our deck on Halloween night, no trick-or-treaters came a- knocking. Good thing too. Because B & I couldn't resist and ate almost all the candy before nightfall....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GaAceK3CCTJpFFNVJ1dDWHKmjKmh0c9bchN_hcbJ6gSHQQFNCU_cnU90VHGy2EwoWNvv8S0k1nt8TfYJl4o07XePW2ThK7T7DZb35GAxSJKvP63viswMns-UWWM-vbvcwzH-X6QQ3Tce/s1600/ws24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GaAceK3CCTJpFFNVJ1dDWHKmjKmh0c9bchN_hcbJ6gSHQQFNCU_cnU90VHGy2EwoWNvv8S0k1nt8TfYJl4o07XePW2ThK7T7DZb35GAxSJKvP63viswMns-UWWM-vbvcwzH-X6QQ3Tce/s320/ws24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535214858588208930" border="0" /></a>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-9031155780946322342010-09-20T08:56:00.000-07:002010-09-20T11:07:47.440-07:00My First Apple Harvest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pf6lVVsIpWCSlQeV8n3jf4gKrVL6Rrv2rmEGSuZUM8nC8vKmLgMG3cS-MjicVY-I4anLe2XuQAVUkzSn6K2WzZjC764w12Uu943J0lQsn8hLblfWq6f6u7PUysIInSCaj92FnZGH_6uk/s1600/apples+overhead4.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXabe_sv5ZAN29g9Gd8UfLREkEy9cjl8rxj3evJr7b8u2ys3vGaNiP4N1wBXCCsU_PMxMJ-ufnQupQdbpJPWi5ujnPazvsfmZr_LUvSvydNiK9CzTOixUng_XSQVLmbETVnpjv5ghZuNA/s1600/cu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXabe_sv5ZAN29g9Gd8UfLREkEy9cjl8rxj3evJr7b8u2ys3vGaNiP4N1wBXCCsU_PMxMJ-ufnQupQdbpJPWi5ujnPazvsfmZr_LUvSvydNiK9CzTOixUng_XSQVLmbETVnpjv5ghZuNA/s400/cu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519031147007595922" border="0" /></a>Ok. There is no way to prepare a girl from Singapore for the sheer amazement of harvesting fruit from a tree in her own garden. I mean, with most Singaporeans living in flats, the best we can hope for is a few limes and a couple of chillies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8aU6SP35ULEOdd7tM7Fiaq3zA4nTO4Ar7GdMZtdchN69myli_LE6zvayI_LTtSTx2ugeUXhLH7lMBoia9vJzQ9g2TyHvDL4mKqoTwO37GJ-dncoXqByemlSqLA27tC3gL2NyybAh2iZW/s1600/apple+in+tree2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8aU6SP35ULEOdd7tM7Fiaq3zA4nTO4Ar7GdMZtdchN69myli_LE6zvayI_LTtSTx2ugeUXhLH7lMBoia9vJzQ9g2TyHvDL4mKqoTwO37GJ-dncoXqByemlSqLA27tC3gL2NyybAh2iZW/s320/apple+in+tree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519031551376035746" border="0" /></a>But here in Kampung Canada, on this little island called Salt Spring, I have two apple trees that I didn't plant or nurture that are bearing 40 to 50 apples just like that!<br />How fab is that? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti6vIit743XHg9Yu_WPaqi58fcPQbX5gtdWIL96lFsUjyTEzz6KGNsKlIz-Ijns85tgWYeAMreiW4CaP6dkv_J1naQoqi2532LQx17BWX1X2fAET7_Dy2nt8VWfjat6fLsbeGbBw28Tuy/s1600/ms.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti6vIit743XHg9Yu_WPaqi58fcPQbX5gtdWIL96lFsUjyTEzz6KGNsKlIz-Ijns85tgWYeAMreiW4CaP6dkv_J1naQoqi2532LQx17BWX1X2fAET7_Dy2nt8VWfjat6fLsbeGbBw28Tuy/s320/ms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519032078876408946" border="0" /></a>So, now I have to quickly brush up on all the apple-involved recipes I can find. Last week, I attempted an apple pie, and forgot to add the sugar to the dough till the last minute.<br />Suffice to say, the crust was, err, not very edible.<br /><br /><br />Still, there's always this week and some more apples to aid my journey to apple pie perfection. Fingers crossed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pf6lVVsIpWCSlQeV8n3jf4gKrVL6Rrv2rmEGSuZUM8nC8vKmLgMG3cS-MjicVY-I4anLe2XuQAVUkzSn6K2WzZjC764w12Uu943J0lQsn8hLblfWq6f6u7PUysIInSCaj92FnZGH_6uk/s1600/apples+overhead4.jpg"><br /></a><br />Salt Spring is quite abundant with different types of apples which explains why we have a yearly <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/">Apple Festival on the island.</a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pf6lVVsIpWCSlQeV8n3jf4gKrVL6Rrv2rmEGSuZUM8nC8vKmLgMG3cS-MjicVY-I4anLe2XuQAVUkzSn6K2WzZjC764w12Uu943J0lQsn8hLblfWq6f6u7PUysIInSCaj92FnZGH_6uk/s1600/apples+overhead4.jpg"><br /></a> Looks to be a lovely country kampung sort of outing. Can't wait!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pf6lVVsIpWCSlQeV8n3jf4gKrVL6Rrv2rmEGSuZUM8nC8vKmLgMG3cS-MjicVY-I4anLe2XuQAVUkzSn6K2WzZjC764w12Uu943J0lQsn8hLblfWq6f6u7PUysIInSCaj92FnZGH_6uk/s1600/apples+overhead4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pf6lVVsIpWCSlQeV8n3jf4gKrVL6Rrv2rmEGSuZUM8nC8vKmLgMG3cS-MjicVY-I4anLe2XuQAVUkzSn6K2WzZjC764w12Uu943J0lQsn8hLblfWq6f6u7PUysIInSCaj92FnZGH_6uk/s400/apples+overhead4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519033136317314178" border="0" /></a>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-62554643875390898432009-10-20T19:22:00.000-07:002011-02-17T19:11:02.590-08:00So we bought ourselves a bookshop<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7valMPFf4-1AwYNoaUblbNoikU3BJHgUWPElWQW6By2UknyqG72fn4WBe22A0W5eq2gK27rNEPy1alJ80kXCbwRucUt8E4o1Z6yT3A0D6k1KNq8qtD4sXf-I0l2dKQ57faRDjnvhP4mu/s1600-h/front+door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7valMPFf4-1AwYNoaUblbNoikU3BJHgUWPElWQW6By2UknyqG72fn4WBe22A0W5eq2gK27rNEPy1alJ80kXCbwRucUt8E4o1Z6yT3A0D6k1KNq8qtD4sXf-I0l2dKQ57faRDjnvhP4mu/s320/front+door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395636778927287010" border="0" /></a>So we bought ourselves a bookshop.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It was a sudden thing, this life-changing switching of cities and of lifestyles.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But, if you know anything of my history, most of the important things that have happened in my life have happened this way.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This paraphrase pops into mind, βwhen the time is right, all obstacles melt away.β<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1juX9tXYyfgg5xTNo792eJXvvmrrzbN5Z5mq9mgafvmEb7n0TxIA8CAZpeZ4pHfQkb2V-LZa_eeDzIf8I8Ljh77xNsOg4M01G8IYwxFIPVIEBPTjlGFLD2J-_lWTnusKj88sovumEwud3/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1juX9tXYyfgg5xTNo792eJXvvmrrzbN5Z5mq9mgafvmEb7n0TxIA8CAZpeZ4pHfQkb2V-LZa_eeDzIf8I8Ljh77xNsOg4M01G8IYwxFIPVIEBPTjlGFLD2J-_lWTnusKj88sovumEwud3/s320/front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395637834675773570" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> </style> </p>It was sometime in January that B & I made the decision that Vancouver wasn't the place for us anymore. Two weeks later, we're taking a fog-shrouded ride on a BC Ferries, er... ferry, to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island to check out a charming Fine Used bookshop called Sabine's, which had come onto the market a couple of months ago.
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ndIunoZ_F9nr9jg-dbHv2V15MxufVb74b4rHxmp8eDMfjuMLS-23H1cOWvS7pLPhXYGq-bOqZvroqxzd5s59jDOWGEGHizVidIvUbislP3Lz5PeO3gQ0VNyaUqlcOIdbQRQE-waF021w/s1600-h/entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ndIunoZ_F9nr9jg-dbHv2V15MxufVb74b4rHxmp8eDMfjuMLS-23H1cOWvS7pLPhXYGq-bOqZvroqxzd5s59jDOWGEGHizVidIvUbislP3Lz5PeO3gQ0VNyaUqlcOIdbQRQE-waF021w/s320/entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395638448792172706" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/skypad-sold.html">Three weeks later, we've decluttered, staged and sold the condo for it's asking price</a>, giving us the money to put in a offer for the bookshop. And, as these stories go, the offer was accepted. <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">W</span><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/moving-to-salt-spring-island.html"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">e moved to the island in April</span></span></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> </span>and officially took over in May. And what a ride it's been!
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.sabinesbooks.com/">Sabine's Fine Used Book</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">s</span> is in the main village of <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.saltspringisland.org/ganges/ganges.htm">Ganges</a>, in a charming little shopping area called Grace Point, where there are art galleries, bistros, a spa, a yoga studio and a great jewellery <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-1Svfowi46laP8aSvwn-aN8OJbzz9-Bc6GsztIsuY-Jl30XnwH225bglGTic4_euo8lmquoo8GvqEJJ_pXWjwpLCPbTKJPMmOgcAL1DW3gxFVXE8ssGnyi9XEzlTYBW-y27OuM9S5l_H/s1600-h/wing+chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-1Svfowi46laP8aSvwn-aN8OJbzz9-Bc6GsztIsuY-Jl30XnwH225bglGTic4_euo8lmquoo8GvqEJJ_pXWjwpLCPbTKJPMmOgcAL1DW3gxFVXE8ssGnyi9XEzlTYBW-y27OuM9S5l_H/s200/wing+chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395639052245946114" border="0" /></a>shop called Frankly Scarlet.
<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The bookshop itself has a marvellous olde worlde feel about it with lots of woods and carpets like you seen in the libraries of period BBC programmes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTVDIEllvsrZV3IXjMgYDuyaUV4k3k-09H2MUoNvc2uBNDJht8wUUsmx_h6gvPQmHcgf3fh-NMCSlofes_MX71EsC1LeiyubleZcydBaod6IT4_RtvlNrQZRyNwTHcRE2cIegjdY_q6RC/s1600-h/atlas+into+fiction.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTVDIEllvsrZV3IXjMgYDuyaUV4k3k-09H2MUoNvc2uBNDJht8wUUsmx_h6gvPQmHcgf3fh-NMCSlofes_MX71EsC1LeiyubleZcydBaod6IT4_RtvlNrQZRyNwTHcRE2cIegjdY_q6RC/s200/atlas+into+fiction.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395631943970335186" border="0" /></a>Bookshelves stretching themselves from floor to ceiling and hugging you as you walk between the aisles.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pZ5RkTi3J4Jip1lPt2bMCdLi2xuKkSM1udX_qTp56J1SmrvPwGgmMCZlGck9_jCfmzAf75sBcECOHL7XY87MplZz-f4iSvwQK_LzCtCNP_nycKd6eKUcZiTH4n2SnI_8clDVGyUf6BRc/s1600-h/fiction.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pZ5RkTi3J4Jip1lPt2bMCdLi2xuKkSM1udX_qTp56J1SmrvPwGgmMCZlGck9_jCfmzAf75sBcECOHL7XY87MplZz-f4iSvwQK_LzCtCNP_nycKd6eKUcZiTH4n2SnI_8clDVGyUf6BRc/s200/fiction.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395632403458219282" border="0" /></a>Hundreds of books filling all two floors of the shop with antiquarian books from the 1800's to brand new reads like 'The Book of Negroes'. The first estate sale we went to we bought a beautiful<a href="http://www.sabinesbooks.com/store/"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">black, green & gold leather bound set of Shakespeare's works</span></a> which we sold in the summer for $450. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jTauS1KpRmuLrztsG1r3Dt9GAOz7RCchusu0OPGwd4rLR2MuQXccX0eKVyRGAjbADVh-cnsoLcH1CXKY0u_hKDYkUxRmpCP48Do5nyRl2P-mmgp8rnFdQ25MI1n_xsGAX0BbFpEPdSAi/s1600-h/rubiayat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jTauS1KpRmuLrztsG1r3Dt9GAOz7RCchusu0OPGwd4rLR2MuQXccX0eKVyRGAjbADVh-cnsoLcH1CXKY0u_hKDYkUxRmpCP48Do5nyRl2P-mmgp8rnFdQ25MI1n_xsGAX0BbFpEPdSAi/s200/rubiayat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395632631858181314" border="0" /></a>It was a wonderful feeling to be able to turn a profit. Kinda like what <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovejoy">Lovejoy</a> does, it does!</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The funny thing about Sabine's is the coincidence of the bookshop's name and that <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.nickbantock.com/interviews.html">Nick Bantock</a>, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19bShWmZvUnOBNsPgyaR1QBnxXzaCCcuKKnqImXwbzeSkuXsjkDhjB4pfEJYLTb5EzMalZMq-2JSyZSwQQcY6ELslfz3r4MeMa0WctnYxYPSgesJS6GgVVoHIA7HfaS4RzTlBQKe_oVqy/s1600-h/griffin+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19bShWmZvUnOBNsPgyaR1QBnxXzaCCcuKKnqImXwbzeSkuXsjkDhjB4pfEJYLTb5EzMalZMq-2JSyZSwQQcY6ELslfz3r4MeMa0WctnYxYPSgesJS6GgVVoHIA7HfaS4RzTlBQKe_oVqy/s200/griffin+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395632850187105346" border="0" /></a>the author of the <a style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);" href="http://www.nickbantock.com/Gryphon/Griffin_and_Sabine.html">Griffin & Sabine books</a>, came to live on the island. So it made all sorts of sense that Sabine, the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb-IO13BzzMVTq5UBfGyoZK-R5XFkXyxk6hrm87Q2GMUePhHkz-JPcoiAy3jfqAs5LRzIRQ4bIntr9XEzsrosLge-0glgixOD9ciJkSCDuY0VnpKYne-2w_KpdTvuLeX0wXF39Q3Ik1Bp/s1600-h/dshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb-IO13BzzMVTq5UBfGyoZK-R5XFkXyxk6hrm87Q2GMUePhHkz-JPcoiAy3jfqAs5LRzIRQ4bIntr9XEzsrosLge-0glgixOD9ciJkSCDuY0VnpKYne-2w_KpdTvuLeX0wXF39Q3Ik1Bp/s200/dshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395633211998564098" border="0" /></a>original owner of the bookshop, joined up with Nick to create the Griffin Room. A special place on the upper floor for a <a style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);" href="http://www.nickbantock.com/index.html">great many things </a><a style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);" href="http://www.nickbantock.com/index.html">Nick Bantock</a>. All his titles are here, including most of Nick's out-of-print pop-up books as well as his original prints and the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWaF4uR_tLOqkellm1kK10asQiAGlJ0gZFEll62JNkoPif2y8VJM-egQfNaOO1pxMzd5o_KAdDrMw2G9W-RxkD3ZZ4bce7nwKdmjUAMyWLsU-SZDVPsY9lVWL5wrIfI2K0mVhDtYF3V-p/s1600-h/upstairs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWaF4uR_tLOqkellm1kK10asQiAGlJ0gZFEll62JNkoPif2y8VJM-egQfNaOO1pxMzd5o_KAdDrMw2G9W-RxkD3ZZ4bce7nwKdmjUAMyWLsU-SZDVPsY9lVWL5wrIfI2K0mVhDtYF3V-p/s200/upstairs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395633879583691970" border="0" /></a>drawers of strange & curious ephemera (like Indian court documents and old stamps).</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Now, it's the autumn and 6 months since the move. Although the flood of summer tourists have eased up, the enthusiasm and optimism for this move to be islanders and bookshop owners hasn't abated. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuBD4EgHujcxc4uCLLMzekLjEFyXBIsE6u9bX-5Wazxjt9NBBJ7vpPzmjoM7FlKdRmbTx0to8v3Ll5X3hkN_IBZ15QIs4GfGSuybjGIOfnjIjE8G9rs1pZlOFWw3oGqN2UjsNgRuagvmB/s1600-h/kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuBD4EgHujcxc4uCLLMzekLjEFyXBIsE6u9bX-5Wazxjt9NBBJ7vpPzmjoM7FlKdRmbTx0to8v3Ll5X3hkN_IBZ15QIs4GfGSuybjGIOfnjIjE8G9rs1pZlOFWw3oGqN2UjsNgRuagvmB/s200/kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395634149945554578" border="0" /></a>Wish us luck!</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">2011 Update| And now we have a Facebook Page. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/blacksheepbookssaltspring</p>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-3016384793508309512009-05-18T09:23:00.000-07:002009-11-17T23:23:44.054-08:00There are Wild Things in the Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA71UC2OeK7SbAmGZ3LLguFX_9iBN7_1cQih6kUaRlD9fqx_VXf6L_YX_15h4FuntuUdl8vy2TcBX7TfRcGXE7FUpQlwOTPufGwz4Ww2goYSpgO7tfAIFjC-ICDJpHCdJcCUy3yS4XiWJ/s1600-h/st+mary%27s+lake1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA71UC2OeK7SbAmGZ3LLguFX_9iBN7_1cQih6kUaRlD9fqx_VXf6L_YX_15h4FuntuUdl8vy2TcBX7TfRcGXE7FUpQlwOTPufGwz4Ww2goYSpgO7tfAIFjC-ICDJpHCdJcCUy3yS4XiWJ/s320/st+mary%27s+lake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337291694798557618" border="0" /></a>For a city girl like me, living in a little cottage in the wood is a very novel thing. I'm not used to not having rows of street lamps leading me home, or not having a gate, a fence or a buzz code that separates my little world from the the rest of the world outside. Or indeed, to have to burn wood for heat <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ZNUO54wKIEI8a0wVnDKE7eI519ee4mh0OMAL0GkMwsWGAGSqIMu5mlEppUpoLFVI_-ZKaRSZBIFZVtwweaVR0-KJOl76IeAYMkOXzMSw3i3VV3ObtEEwGMtJH07oNTueDCdEgK1-tF4/s1600-h/penny's+lane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ZNUO54wKIEI8a0wVnDKE7eI519ee4mh0OMAL0GkMwsWGAGSqIMu5mlEppUpoLFVI_-ZKaRSZBIFZVtwweaVR0-KJOl76IeAYMkOXzMSw3i3VV3ObtEEwGMtJH07oNTueDCdEgK1-tF4/s200/penny's+lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337291844274651122" border="0" /></a>instead of just turning the thermostat knob for an instant gas fire to pop to into life. But the thing that really bowls me over, every minute, is the nearness of nature. Just next to the house, not 10m away is the woods. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiBDyTScnDoWpQpMqB1kpIZlbu4tKQPPodPIH98iyNIfiSmwixdDTsBklLu2oigDJXXBvUXzCDgJpr03X-LqxKA0Abw5FOEn0guiBijkVVWVI6Rs9wdjW7YQG2GE4aOsh4wMHsIHTQDis/s1600-h/Tree+on+top+of+mt.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiBDyTScnDoWpQpMqB1kpIZlbu4tKQPPodPIH98iyNIfiSmwixdDTsBklLu2oigDJXXBvUXzCDgJpr03X-LqxKA0Abw5FOEn0guiBijkVVWVI6Rs9wdjW7YQG2GE4aOsh4wMHsIHTQDis/s200/Tree+on+top+of+mt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337292060826680562" border="0" /></a><br />There's a walking trail that is so overgrown I wouldn't have recognised it if my neighbour & landlady, Penny, hadn't pointed it out. Everywhere I look are trees. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaICsoJvfzh5DXTdGDO9OJ_ClytWt59saG6V9L1amXuEKKdpwMv40ADD6vqtpNaW1tl5mQkiS1J1P4zM_5vv4J95QFQm-SIpRRRInI-pLy4MGpeikNo35M7b0VNBLdRJVNrLi7U5UkUIl/s1600-h/Towards+Salt+Spring.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaICsoJvfzh5DXTdGDO9OJ_ClytWt59saG6V9L1amXuEKKdpwMv40ADD6vqtpNaW1tl5mQkiS1J1P4zM_5vv4J95QFQm-SIpRRRInI-pLy4MGpeikNo35M7b0VNBLdRJVNrLi7U5UkUIl/s200/Towards+Salt+Spring.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337292234855259538" border="0" /></a>The straight & upfight Fir, the over green & over abundant Pine and the picturesquely scarggly Arbutus.<br />And then there's the quiet. Quiet enough to hear the wind caressing trees, the bees buzzing and the somewhat oddly regular crunching of leaves?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdBvxrLhSMP_UMexrQnBcfYH_k_P2MsyDqxbkRWJBRYq8z86wGKhZU8uO1MVW_Ec4KmikTkQnKC6E64-xwMNwf1xWSk11IZeIjUaCDnNmpwBIJ25wzuBxq2xv4w4xgApA8dumMVuOWDTe/s1600-h/deerout+of+shadow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdBvxrLhSMP_UMexrQnBcfYH_k_P2MsyDqxbkRWJBRYq8z86wGKhZU8uO1MVW_Ec4KmikTkQnKC6E64-xwMNwf1xWSk11IZeIjUaCDnNmpwBIJ25wzuBxq2xv4w4xgApA8dumMVuOWDTe/s320/deerout+of+shadow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337292487224784594" border="0" /></a>A curious sound that I just had to investigate.<br /><br />Looking into the trees<br />I saw the most wonderful sight.<br /><br />A couple of deer had wandered into<br />the garden below our deck<br />and without so much as a by your leave,<br />were grazing on the grass & shrubs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OVd18QfYsw-oNAZleSyLNEhP8TWAcTCHz7rrKqNp8PEXy4lsuEoAKUcHWWh8qFOnNy8zRT1G-A2OGC-xW7GvlUBnZd55_w4lTFbcA__02_buw6gbxOJx3Ozwlgf6fitm4uDirWVqxLDP/s1600-h/munching+wih+daffys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OVd18QfYsw-oNAZleSyLNEhP8TWAcTCHz7rrKqNp8PEXy4lsuEoAKUcHWWh8qFOnNy8zRT1G-A2OGC-xW7GvlUBnZd55_w4lTFbcA__02_buw6gbxOJx3Ozwlgf6fitm4uDirWVqxLDP/s200/munching+wih+daffys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337292919427059954" border="0" /></a>I snuck across the deck to its edge to have a closer look, taking the greatest care to make as little noise as possible so as not to scare them. It was the closest I've come to a creature of the wild (unless you count Minke the demon cat, who is, by the way, getting more feral, if that were possible). It was magic! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_mzyc_xGe5vzpjCOYEbbL-jsyGXQq_Ptk33QCLHhNjr2Pp15SI0eq5HsugMmERYXS5pNxw0UZBoIye-VFw53ehN9KY_6F2FFaoyPp62l0ttwhXwFMOoSUL6GpSzO8oz3GFFoGARS9P3w/s1600-h/with+car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_mzyc_xGe5vzpjCOYEbbL-jsyGXQq_Ptk33QCLHhNjr2Pp15SI0eq5HsugMmERYXS5pNxw0UZBoIye-VFw53ehN9KY_6F2FFaoyPp62l0ttwhXwFMOoSUL6GpSzO8oz3GFFoGARS9P3w/s200/with+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337293086765893090" border="0" /></a>Then, I heard the loud Putt Putt puttering of a car coming down the road and was afraid the deer would run away and hide and my magic moment would come to an end. But no. Those deer continued with their veggie & daffodil buffet unperturbed (so much for the Ford Escape Hybrid commercials). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ng4N3jga7TvS4KbsHOreoGogG1lKNmLwBkyY2fcfp5O65gV5bJRWCEMjExXrckOw9Dt1OMqDs6kqwhU8x7TFB2uVaunkcJM12y4xGwb4nieb9BzL5KN95GQnRaUSDpxwrhhurd86qG9g/s1600-h/deer+looking+up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ng4N3jga7TvS4KbsHOreoGogG1lKNmLwBkyY2fcfp5O65gV5bJRWCEMjExXrckOw9Dt1OMqDs6kqwhU8x7TFB2uVaunkcJM12y4xGwb4nieb9BzL5KN95GQnRaUSDpxwrhhurd86qG9g/s200/deer+looking+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337293676386211554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijieBA9WzFyRYOM-hCjpYimU1wxxJCNSudZV8kZlK33XGitJVjjNvAPbKJVPcyhKjPKNU08PysE6eUr5L1i9YqLtZmUKrQYh6YBYos5Z2Z3j9JyEUrzAwPShWywvuItWKAgJRtKHsByQxx/s1600-h/deer+by+rock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijieBA9WzFyRYOM-hCjpYimU1wxxJCNSudZV8kZlK33XGitJVjjNvAPbKJVPcyhKjPKNU08PysE6eUr5L1i9YqLtZmUKrQYh6YBYos5Z2Z3j9JyEUrzAwPShWywvuItWKAgJRtKHsByQxx/s200/deer+by+rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337299720409341650" border="0" /></a>What's more they, made themsleves at quite home and plonked their ample tushes down under the dappled shade of a large Fir tree then proceeded with their after lunch nap.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NZ_B25PoLm0rKUFBF-rZmtm7ogJyAMTbtAzqT84a9cSgOCzoki0PXhx3XOUGgocIj2NF1jeBJ295kYeDl9ZXlaM2-Wd7ZL32lG_M_wma1Ng9iLFPBP3jCw2Q2dWJeesABjNPxrSNOjVl/s1600-h/deer+sitting+by+fern.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NZ_B25PoLm0rKUFBF-rZmtm7ogJyAMTbtAzqT84a9cSgOCzoki0PXhx3XOUGgocIj2NF1jeBJ295kYeDl9ZXlaM2-Wd7ZL32lG_M_wma1Ng9iLFPBP3jCw2Q2dWJeesABjNPxrSNOjVl/s200/deer+sitting+by+fern.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337293213818539986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I guess this city girl still has a lot to learn about the country kampung life.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-2159771193690542562009-05-05T15:15:00.000-07:002009-05-18T09:23:15.664-07:00Moving to Salt Spring Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVH8EgGPsi2MofxZtkImLPGqpbqEg0bjgxkkA5Xz83ylKKpi0hSxykSfr8Hu1N77uWj8bZLHEDiAuT4juPZdw3Ke5CG1ev29RU6gWlkzGeQHskDBqBuXOypHyKbsK4aaiNMsg3uTWqjW_/s1600-h/dining+room+yes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVH8EgGPsi2MofxZtkImLPGqpbqEg0bjgxkkA5Xz83ylKKpi0hSxykSfr8Hu1N77uWj8bZLHEDiAuT4juPZdw3Ke5CG1ev29RU6gWlkzGeQHskDBqBuXOypHyKbsK4aaiNMsg3uTWqjW_/s200/dining+room+yes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334049957780524130" border="0" /></a>When I was a little girl, moving houses was always looked forward to. It was something rare & exciting. It was a welcomed change in routine, exploring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3tKdLDUQsYPFSqOvrgIv3K4ffOZ5yWf6Zb_U1G8PRbXVvbBIYEDVChvihRkwb2BwMZSeRkvC3_PxpNrbMBVQuprIZBsBwVO4AdrM5DRo51SSTwa_q7nFg9bkTNQLPsF44WoE1C2sGR_t/s1600-h/living+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3tKdLDUQsYPFSqOvrgIv3K4ffOZ5yWf6Zb_U1G8PRbXVvbBIYEDVChvihRkwb2BwMZSeRkvC3_PxpNrbMBVQuprIZBsBwVO4AdrM5DRo51SSTwa_q7nFg9bkTNQLPsF44WoE1C2sGR_t/s200/living+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334049831893072914" border="0" /></a> new rooms and a new neighourhood. It was looking out new windows and seeing the world in a whole new light.<br />I guess moving houses then you're an adult isn't that much different.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp_kT9b5IndWF6ob74rwBxaR_wedRIBfg9RFEr6Gc7aFTUyylpGswIeYzFrdRCzIMAOCju3cvWfIw8zOuGPmUVGoa4B4dnD7JDwbMieaVLgjHT-xXVUCCDLMqMIKdZ98WZaZMD8UrT7Xi/s1600-h/wraped+up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp_kT9b5IndWF6ob74rwBxaR_wedRIBfg9RFEr6Gc7aFTUyylpGswIeYzFrdRCzIMAOCju3cvWfIw8zOuGPmUVGoa4B4dnD7JDwbMieaVLgjHT-xXVUCCDLMqMIKdZ98WZaZMD8UrT7Xi/s200/wraped+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334050114793431650" border="0" /></a> Except for the mountains of stuff you have to pack, ship & then unpack. You tend to amass stuff as you go down the road of life. I do at least. These days, I am learning to buy less and reuse more these. Not so much because I'm trying to be green (which I do try, and now living on Salt Spring has forced me to) but more so that I'll have less to lug around when the next move comes along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfa14WfQj8KZ2xbXYQZocDNKBShvpqfPWEkxvw38oDuQKeh3SaKbn5K9L_1h6i4WvxDvHG5tzo1oqtepyuEcSVisdEVIcpZKrYBeNl9taZxPEb5pkSVdIym_34R-X79Kii6W3HZX6ABOa/s1600-h/packed+chey%27s+car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfa14WfQj8KZ2xbXYQZocDNKBShvpqfPWEkxvw38oDuQKeh3SaKbn5K9L_1h6i4WvxDvHG5tzo1oqtepyuEcSVisdEVIcpZKrYBeNl9taZxPEb5pkSVdIym_34R-X79Kii6W3HZX6ABOa/s200/packed+chey%27s+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334054449711680194" border="0" /></a>So, in early April, we did the BIG move to from Burnaby, in the Metro Vancouver area, to <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.saltspringisland.org/">Salt Spring Island</a>. For those scratching their heads trying to figure out just where this Pulau Air Asin is, let me enlighten. It's part of the <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=salt+spring+island&sll=49.102645,-123.75&sspn=2.067896,5.668945&ie=UTF8&ll=48.850258,-123.442383&spn=4.156843,11.337891&z=7&layer=t">Southern Gulf Island group</a> which is sandwiched between Vancouver Island & mainland North America.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR00Hv4k_gscn9MrAPxCqRCSB-9qvGAKEq1_p0HrM0ONN_o0cK-2oN3FsK8iZ92Zq7BMPYcIcuJAoWGDMD7ol_aWuxSkJRRNKdZmzegFY_szdXuPNDlMpJFRZGSxx2HTsGXVAPFXbvn8V/s1600-h/milan+crofton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR00Hv4k_gscn9MrAPxCqRCSB-9qvGAKEq1_p0HrM0ONN_o0cK-2oN3FsK8iZ92Zq7BMPYcIcuJAoWGDMD7ol_aWuxSkJRRNKdZmzegFY_szdXuPNDlMpJFRZGSxx2HTsGXVAPFXbvn8V/s200/milan+crofton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334054091165375122" border="0" /></a> And because the move involved catching two ferries and travelling over 150km (slightly further than Mersing is from Singapore), we had to do it over two days.<br />Day one was to pack the huge 5 tonne Budget truck, which our friend Milan heroically drove. After we crammed our possessions into the truck, I could see that we were in serious trouble.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1q1fygGUChsvnw6bBh75Unfm0pWf9HuUg15ls8eblkiC7TvUHWO-HAVmHNy67IO4gTVi4FBhpCIA-wYnQVWszjKY5HCGFl2iyFWukD1XFnxj-ANiu4CGx92HD74Rqq19b82NlU9r2OVs/s1600-h/cehy's+car2a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1q1fygGUChsvnw6bBh75Unfm0pWf9HuUg15ls8eblkiC7TvUHWO-HAVmHNy67IO4gTVi4FBhpCIA-wYnQVWszjKY5HCGFl2iyFWukD1XFnxj-ANiu4CGx92HD74Rqq19b82NlU9r2OVs/s200/cehy's+car2a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334056093085914738" border="0" /></a> We had more stuff than we had space. Which simply meant that all that couldn't be stuffed in the cars had to be left behind or thrown away.That's when I resolved to learn to live with less because of the nail-pullingly painful decisions on what we had to leave behind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqvy-mCs3UdtaYyT4rS2Bhs4qwJ-m4yYORL48kVqyfo1CvF6Ue9M9tgmFm076vXwDD_o3RBjPwn0nv3ffugXBBRHxfWtDYoEPVRKKe4LPbKr_Klctg2cp0wc7PvLte8PUIlQxkK_nthtp/s1600-h/crofton+ferry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqvy-mCs3UdtaYyT4rS2Bhs4qwJ-m4yYORL48kVqyfo1CvF6Ue9M9tgmFm076vXwDD_o3RBjPwn0nv3ffugXBBRHxfWtDYoEPVRKKe4LPbKr_Klctg2cp0wc7PvLte8PUIlQxkK_nthtp/s200/crofton+ferry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335062994922613682" border="0" /></a>The next day started bleary-eyed at 4am to travel from the skypad we has sold to catch the first ferry on the first leg of our move. Horseshoe Bay in West vancouver to Nanaimo on Vancouver island. Then the hour drive to Crofton to catch the local ferry to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqXsHZQ7zpIvbx-TNbSvJpcn11TYHkYJUlBaNzJGkMrIG6BwE-VlRyA7YsWTPa6YmK9vRVYZS6Evr_NMp_hAg8X57_0_C24prOiPrPvCYoCNhRexUcALFNy0mK5P314xA4fivn4f2u78M/s1600-h/jumble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqXsHZQ7zpIvbx-TNbSvJpcn11TYHkYJUlBaNzJGkMrIG6BwE-VlRyA7YsWTPa6YmK9vRVYZS6Evr_NMp_hAg8X57_0_C24prOiPrPvCYoCNhRexUcALFNy0mK5P314xA4fivn4f2u78M/s200/jumble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335064574843059618" border="0" /></a> Everything went without a hitch. Even Minke, the demon cat behaved. Not a single peep, or sound or crumpling of the steel door of her transport box.<br />We were lucky, as we have been since coming to the island. The sun was out and nothing got wet. Only a few bumps & scrapes on the furniture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIZ66kZX_n6ln6BTeAviHmetHXZCjw87N4Goo4ycBHjUlfHTb92NBXV0cdJYlu0tjRAjT3P1AppQzBlS_1sJrBb9-3OE0zq9gGa0UHu3Imm7V7rf5di_V2pWAHQntCu12vD0a2xxb0jAv/s1600-h/House+Deck+from+below.A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIZ66kZX_n6ln6BTeAviHmetHXZCjw87N4Goo4ycBHjUlfHTb92NBXV0cdJYlu0tjRAjT3P1AppQzBlS_1sJrBb9-3OE0zq9gGa0UHu3Imm7V7rf5di_V2pWAHQntCu12vD0a2xxb0jAv/s200/House+Deck+from+below.A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335064483357790450" border="0" /></a>Evening saw many familiar boxes & furniture jumbled about in an unfamiliar wooden house. Our new home is a cottage in the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SfHdGjEI6ZUv31IYnjmWXx-K3fdnyoN2eXLjDNnLBVXBmNgtS82PzrjF5-3Q7vvKLvOEJTtsHajVbcPsLmQuNQZYdWpng-zR0R-G1fpwYW8BKhGIbqT4lJTmadUSF25H4WzJCy5u-NpM/s1600-h/deck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SfHdGjEI6ZUv31IYnjmWXx-K3fdnyoN2eXLjDNnLBVXBmNgtS82PzrjF5-3Q7vvKLvOEJTtsHajVbcPsLmQuNQZYdWpng-zR0R-G1fpwYW8BKhGIbqT4lJTmadUSF25H4WzJCy5u-NpM/s200/deck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335063909774160674" border="0" /></a>woods in a place called Trincomali heights. And we are settled. At least for this year.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-17966658176489784962009-02-13T20:53:00.000-08:002009-02-16T21:36:28.825-08:00Skypad SOLDIt's done! The skypad sold in under a week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0t3ezTzl3Gf0sDmVvQrHLd__NGbcHb_zYdCxCX8Y3A_G3rQMfBggOHjizehqE1jAHttCA8lFcypYWvMAWRjm2Bmr6SKxvzPpzcf-RqLaR2s3lO_Xf8HUPHz1mA8GXAnTFa3d6MH9J4DG/s1600-h/above+the+clouds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0t3ezTzl3Gf0sDmVvQrHLd__NGbcHb_zYdCxCX8Y3A_G3rQMfBggOHjizehqE1jAHttCA8lFcypYWvMAWRjm2Bmr6SKxvzPpzcf-RqLaR2s3lO_Xf8HUPHz1mA8GXAnTFa3d6MH9J4DG/s320/above+the+clouds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302536373535541202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIntdKQpkYPi_Ajg48I0V-XN4loP7ie21lYZG3A-KfAJFCI9bVfv1ftPjZ7tPQu3sRJPKXbyIYprZpsvO4wa-wsBRQGRfJlOczPGRCda4T9LCCz_ypBdAh0cUqCoyk3V9ni1tZJvbA-ef/s1600-h/Mt+Baker+CU.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIntdKQpkYPi_Ajg48I0V-XN4loP7ie21lYZG3A-KfAJFCI9bVfv1ftPjZ7tPQu3sRJPKXbyIYprZpsvO4wa-wsBRQGRfJlOczPGRCda4T9LCCz_ypBdAh0cUqCoyk3V9ni1tZJvbA-ef/s320/Mt+Baker+CU.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302537445951304130" border="0" /></a>After four years of living 18 floors above the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71mW6tmZiRFDjHwj-6UQ-CHAinkMamQ7g-y4L_VuHBCGf41LuxGHKU7u7qJHQZuEN0t4QELiQZrWKjYc1VSJM6ufSNHpd1J09NUiAQCRhtXhgocclonfUIq6sDL98y-ONaoyitvRW9wHS/s1600-h/South+Arm+Fraser+River.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71mW6tmZiRFDjHwj-6UQ-CHAinkMamQ7g-y4L_VuHBCGf41LuxGHKU7u7qJHQZuEN0t4QELiQZrWKjYc1VSJM6ufSNHpd1J09NUiAQCRhtXhgocclonfUIq6sDL98y-ONaoyitvRW9wHS/s320/South+Arm+Fraser+River.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302537732819368178" border="0" /></a>Burnaby skyline, with truly spectacular views of the winding Fraser River, Vancouver Island,<br />the North Shore mountains, the city and Mt Baker, I'm trading it all for island living.<br />But that's for a later story.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94MhgN0wwZyYkI5p_8PibnfxUh0UxRyjYLUrrICYnrusU07Ls_iNoWVxmfHItEB7SsbiRBGiVC3Pi0P6DklHVm917b0jGac6ovK7wj7hGI_4U4eZDOh3r2JKir5aaEXcgOG5-PzZ_Lx_Q/s1600-h/living+room+verticalA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94MhgN0wwZyYkI5p_8PibnfxUh0UxRyjYLUrrICYnrusU07Ls_iNoWVxmfHItEB7SsbiRBGiVC3Pi0P6DklHVm917b0jGac6ovK7wj7hGI_4U4eZDOh3r2JKir5aaEXcgOG5-PzZ_Lx_Q/s320/living+room+verticalA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302534323556486434" border="0" /></a>It took a month's hard graft to get the flat into shape.<br /><br />There was the painting of rooms, skirting and doors; fixing all the little bits that needed fixing and changing the gawd awful brass fitting the previous owners had installed in the bathrooms & replacing them with nifty, less fussy brushed nickel ones.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And cleaning like I've never cleaned before.<br />Who knew there were special cleaners for every surface imaginable? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJWJdrPAvFi3w8PF9X7svzg9cCrIsO-kwyYm3_JDEqB6r-mks4hm66nwIv-eoy9Wb-NJYeViWRKLlXNf6GJ0X1theFqVLqveoq0qvCkyWwdv2UnZ4glQLDHkbKMHbIPQTAz2V4ZNM80pV/s1600-h/dining+amoire2A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJWJdrPAvFi3w8PF9X7svzg9cCrIsO-kwyYm3_JDEqB6r-mks4hm66nwIv-eoy9Wb-NJYeViWRKLlXNf6GJ0X1theFqVLqveoq0qvCkyWwdv2UnZ4glQLDHkbKMHbIPQTAz2V4ZNM80pV/s320/dining+amoire2A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302538464460478066" border="0" /></a><br />The wood surfaces needed lemon oil, the kitchen counters had to have a strong but fresh orange smelling cleaner, the stove top need a ceramic cleaner, the windors & mirrors had Windex and the floors required some evil smelling anti-bacterial glunk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRmP7qORL35eqqB3pIgl2Pxiy8QqASdrmi9twj1AbdR87lWgj98uMOasK0pfGGOAC-9p6soKjnu25Z5hxfQ83VBNoXJaKOydD0IsByQOf_4bIPED4owHxT4vteYh4s_SWz2oqA_5BZkAL/s1600-h/bathroom1++2A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRmP7qORL35eqqB3pIgl2Pxiy8QqASdrmi9twj1AbdR87lWgj98uMOasK0pfGGOAC-9p6soKjnu25Z5hxfQ83VBNoXJaKOydD0IsByQOf_4bIPED4owHxT4vteYh4s_SWz2oqA_5BZkAL/s320/bathroom1++2A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302540602050542098" border="0" /></a>Thank goodness the spring flowers were already in the garden centres!<br />The cheapskate in me reasoned that daffodils, primroses & pansies would last longer than cut flowers when we had our open house. so we just had to have them.<br />Especially if we had to have several open houses over the next couple of weeks with the property market being so depressed and all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRa2xdI93xWSLPVtD3TuO3q-nz19o9JIL7mynXg1Tqn2woK1UxnTrl-Go98ye07uXttMgHPNCtUGLA2fGumOqekXLwGNinfke2Vr2qODTG-jDxy-nGuco6odUTM-NJ4X6ZCN8JyGusYOS/s1600-h/chey's+studio2a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRa2xdI93xWSLPVtD3TuO3q-nz19o9JIL7mynXg1Tqn2woK1UxnTrl-Go98ye07uXttMgHPNCtUGLA2fGumOqekXLwGNinfke2Vr2qODTG-jDxy-nGuco6odUTM-NJ4X6ZCN8JyGusYOS/s320/chey's+studio2a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302541517145366050" border="0" /></a>The colourful spring flowers really do add cheer and life to both the winter battered balconies.<br /><br />But, it looked like we didn't need the daffodils to last that long after all. In fact, they only needed to last a few days. Because <a href="http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=7928454">Jeff Harrison, our super realtor</a> worked a miracle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmAaI1Rir6IOjcGYv0wndhB66B1WY1Mq_CqvmbQK9Tu-LabDlWpUP87PfVfYwN6SXqtWCORhVgipfXn-bjlrqaTJ3Prl4kFvo1LpUTn_PnsgswJJAciKyAgT7_cAWFhBJ0T8xrEN3hze9/s1600-h/front+balcony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmAaI1Rir6IOjcGYv0wndhB66B1WY1Mq_CqvmbQK9Tu-LabDlWpUP87PfVfYwN6SXqtWCORhVgipfXn-bjlrqaTJ3Prl4kFvo1LpUTn_PnsgswJJAciKyAgT7_cAWFhBJ0T8xrEN3hze9/s320/front+balcony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302542662246947330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It chuffes me to say that we got multiple offers the next day after the open house.<br />And less than a week later, today as it happens, there was confirmation that the apartment has been sold. At the asking price.<br />In a word...<br />YIPPPEEEEEE !!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNJukH0N-gtovXAfmB7oHWGh-uyXRBRoVhdwKfrKwJfht8ldcyj49DFD4tEibx_5dcco8IyFLCHrGC6Kk90Oy5EE_ZGfpQgsn-BritaeXbFo1pZIaZE1fcskt0Ut7KmWUVf93-D53GTw7/s1600-h/sherry's+pixA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNJukH0N-gtovXAfmB7oHWGh-uyXRBRoVhdwKfrKwJfht8ldcyj49DFD4tEibx_5dcco8IyFLCHrGC6Kk90Oy5EE_ZGfpQgsn-BritaeXbFo1pZIaZE1fcskt0Ut7KmWUVf93-D53GTw7/s320/sherry's+pixA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302543376160348898" border="0" /></a>Looks like my years of hard slog as a journalist and stylist at Home & Decor Magazine wasn't wasted.<br />All in all, I'd say that it paid off. In spades!<br /><br />Have a look and tell me what you think.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-60640807739586251132008-10-25T17:41:00.000-07:002008-10-26T23:03:10.694-07:00Journey to the East<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicR_yxo5z0U0qekZaKZT-gK8wftlyWufm1UJRhTfTnOG5yWUkadBClFDWp5hX3_mU6AIOhNfHpMxpkXKJGELnSgkQQAS5tyR-MMbsfJpZcYUM1leZdaaDoLrpQzYOBGBAueAi4anUVbCT/s1600-h/House+by+Kingston+LockA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicR_yxo5z0U0qekZaKZT-gK8wftlyWufm1UJRhTfTnOG5yWUkadBClFDWp5hX3_mU6AIOhNfHpMxpkXKJGELnSgkQQAS5tyR-MMbsfJpZcYUM1leZdaaDoLrpQzYOBGBAueAi4anUVbCT/s320/House+by+Kingston+LockA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261347778897077426" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>.<br />So most Canadians wouldn't consider Ontario & Quebec the East of Canada since the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Scotia</span> & Prince Edward Island are more eastern. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc1u9GcsSU4bv4eiMEZI9RM0ed12jzJp1qakCzH7hbQoTM_jhBzrTdJljnlK57KrKzpvISDnAkBxv5iAMBluz2DyjG2_N4aip1um1czSJfhDloJgmNN1BPk1MxnmjnOU5P-BFjGAFTXbD/s1600-h/foot+on+dunderA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc1u9GcsSU4bv4eiMEZI9RM0ed12jzJp1qakCzH7hbQoTM_jhBzrTdJljnlK57KrKzpvISDnAkBxv5iAMBluz2DyjG2_N4aip1um1czSJfhDloJgmNN1BPk1MxnmjnOU5P-BFjGAFTXbD/s320/foot+on+dunderA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261348183019231890" border="0" /></a><br />But for a girl who's lived over four years in Vancouver (in a very western province) anything beyond the Rockies seems kinda east to me.<br />Anyhow, this year we start the Canadian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">educati</span>on of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kampung</span> Girl. Which is why a trip was taken. Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston & the very touristy Niagara Falls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshCaiDOqBhyphenhyphen2he30RfRxE2tvFzjhyY7y7qhHOPJZ-NMFDUrLftKEq1GsK7p9mqMeEmCq6aapNUR9H7_VxXR4qVT2ErWIeOGymfWv_toUPhR2a1ABIMx4RkLvJO7Kn_wzBhCrHL2uHMi9G/s1600-h/Mckenzie+King+GardenA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshCaiDOqBhyphenhyphen2he30RfRxE2tvFzjhyY7y7qhHOPJZ-NMFDUrLftKEq1GsK7p9mqMeEmCq6aapNUR9H7_VxXR4qVT2ErWIeOGymfWv_toUPhR2a1ABIMx4RkLvJO7Kn_wzBhCrHL2uHMi9G/s320/Mckenzie+King+GardenA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261347976150537250" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWpDNCjihxBooHgOmrq6tcKnyBpIFKdUcbfyoEdhyAxXWd-9-w1JhO8IJDSWNBadSj6dfQPtGeI896w9yvnH8OgQIzNpnAdYiNu7VudAllFe77_LFUAlJSNxaVLwLAeiOeiyKGm95OAyn/s1600-h/Round+treeA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWpDNCjihxBooHgOmrq6tcKnyBpIFKdUcbfyoEdhyAxXWd-9-w1JhO8IJDSWNBadSj6dfQPtGeI896w9yvnH8OgQIzNpnAdYiNu7VudAllFe77_LFUAlJSNxaVLwLAeiOeiyKGm95OAyn/s320/Round+treeA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261348385533761218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And I must say, that if you plan to visit these cities, the autumn is undoubtedly the very best time to go.<br />Never seen so many variations of golds, reds, yellows & browns.<br />Never seen trees so dressed in their best.<br /><br />I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The cities were kinda fun too.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFA0yRs_24dyFppnmpO8Ri6l5snSFhS1PEFc2r0V3Sjr5k2LOANV7D947F_y1GbCyAlXHeeKpvt2IVijOckpKBVRDZVu2w0w31I9WPQ04XPo4Qm7afPVbDvmUU2TtvRsriMPH0xKllFcE/s1600-h/Botero+smileysA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFA0yRs_24dyFppnmpO8Ri6l5snSFhS1PEFc2r0V3Sjr5k2LOANV7D947F_y1GbCyAlXHeeKpvt2IVijOckpKBVRDZVu2w0w31I9WPQ04XPo4Qm7afPVbDvmUU2TtvRsriMPH0xKllFcE/s320/Botero+smileysA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261351220694928466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Toronto had hard-to-keep-a-straight-face<br />art in the most unexpected places.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl8E984tZEXTCoH3FQmRnkLqrpHw2sXK129A4WAJ8TK2KE8Ky3k9Ujva1QLlAu-TPWM1jV_eaqLsoDlL43HCUwyiHUOWvf0N8DJHt88UO6T3d4HwQs7chXdXeMg7e9Ga3tk0PblSEBV3K/s1600-h/ROMA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl8E984tZEXTCoH3FQmRnkLqrpHw2sXK129A4WAJ8TK2KE8Ky3k9Ujva1QLlAu-TPWM1jV_eaqLsoDlL43HCUwyiHUOWvf0N8DJHt88UO6T3d4HwQs7chXdXeMg7e9Ga3tk0PblSEBV3K/s320/ROMA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261352938559262354" border="0" /></a>And their ROM (no, not the Registry of marriages, rather their Royal Ontario Museum) looks like a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">jagged</span> spaceship of steel & glass landed onto a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">centuries</span> old cathedral. And no, the people in front of it are not running away from an imminent alien invasion. I believe it was a charity run thru the city.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvTs8pyiNCDgYkaoP9K7OHCc35Sq6jjZkgPaifT1BKYoBp0NnqeHMtZabjzksr6ngSXgCB_StXYIYGNTlTW_d2ghVuN-QX6Uk7aGvYoeYR8TEa5LZRjU8Am9wcSNiDWnmujKgs2_a4XbJ/s1600-h/Parliment+OttawaA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvTs8pyiNCDgYkaoP9K7OHCc35Sq6jjZkgPaifT1BKYoBp0NnqeHMtZabjzksr6ngSXgCB_StXYIYGNTlTW_d2ghVuN-QX6Uk7aGvYoeYR8TEa5LZRjU8Am9wcSNiDWnmujKgs2_a4XbJ/s320/Parliment+OttawaA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261356269097399170" border="0" /></a>Ottawa was pretty impressive with it's oldy worldy parlimentary buildings perched on a high river bank.<br />What's amazing is the countless rivers, riverlets, canals and lakes that are found within that area. Apparently in the winter, Ottawa's canals freeze over and it's citizens go skating on it. How marvellous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt1IjCdJgKt0oT3h8L_g9SVvMUr02OVxKwQtvn0-p1CEb5V3n1M-lMHQuNAOUDKu27iNrjBaNmgGQSEU2JhBX9ehGKHWVqYKQQlFsoV5AC2iazzH0r7FQulZpzF8s8peGwnj_fGaVHU64/s1600-h/kingston+lock+2A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt1IjCdJgKt0oT3h8L_g9SVvMUr02OVxKwQtvn0-p1CEb5V3n1M-lMHQuNAOUDKu27iNrjBaNmgGQSEU2JhBX9ehGKHWVqYKQQlFsoV5AC2iazzH0r7FQulZpzF8s8peGwnj_fGaVHU64/s320/kingston+lock+2A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261627181879434530" border="0" /></a>And another bit of fascinating trivia, did you know that Canada has more lakes than all the lakes in the world put together?<br />As we travelled through this land of lakes & locks, rivers & canals, I can't say that I'm surprised.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTUOwC94uwS3K1h4zsP9_3IS23eKh7I4PFAH0KF87pNQYKGGYjyN-sSgmYgxwcukWRGRlS_mQl3DsKU5cCqKvbf1Wqhi_Upi86z0ydK-ec1Pym4Mkky16OELouaZKIxG9orPppidGir6D/s1600-h/peterborough+lift+lockA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTUOwC94uwS3K1h4zsP9_3IS23eKh7I4PFAH0KF87pNQYKGGYjyN-sSgmYgxwcukWRGRlS_mQl3DsKU5cCqKvbf1Wqhi_Upi86z0ydK-ec1Pym4Mkky16OELouaZKIxG9orPppidGir6D/s320/peterborough+lift+lockA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261360033413542802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We went to a place called Peterborough and saw an amazing lift lock. It's kinda like a lift for boats to get from one level of a river to a higher or lower level. It uses huge pumps to raise & lower the water-filled lift.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxNI4WUPklmjMEyNvE7cC1VA4psnXbW3KkhHHakt44J3ny0BlpYgGs-QdLBQpYAuDgGOes4Mx0nRa5xinxe_LoEUCkMn77X5J2OKRnXpH07QTMUnF8IW-WeJh9aETMyi6pOsa8Y90ne_4/s1600-h/bycycles+up+the+buildingA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxNI4WUPklmjMEyNvE7cC1VA4psnXbW3KkhHHakt44J3ny0BlpYgGs-QdLBQpYAuDgGOes4Mx0nRa5xinxe_LoEUCkMn77X5J2OKRnXpH07QTMUnF8IW-WeJh9aETMyi6pOsa8Y90ne_4/s320/bycycles+up+the+buildingA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261362673746494418" border="0" /></a>Quebec City was quaint and the most like Europe. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxOK3UFyJuFhBH0bYauhpRZ0UZolmxCRy512WRSdAQ_34qzx4YXGjbC0CeVT-45NUmflkA6HsylAJF1GV43gzmGrSTn4SpjpnwP-JesowbloYR8KN5HK2Lh77pZDlwg6ks7EVx8BCUzkk/s1600-h/flower+pots+Quebec+Citya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxOK3UFyJuFhBH0bYauhpRZ0UZolmxCRy512WRSdAQ_34qzx4YXGjbC0CeVT-45NUmflkA6HsylAJF1GV43gzmGrSTn4SpjpnwP-JesowbloYR8KN5HK2Lh77pZDlwg6ks7EVx8BCUzkk/s320/flower+pots+Quebec+Citya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261362864224329522" border="0" /></a>With its sensibilities too. Like, the painted bicycles fastooned onto building walls and huge brightly painted flower pots remind me more of quirky colourful Amsterdam.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o-sMu9eWc0dkdw4NuCNxa7D5GUQ5XLmOvCIXPacP_W-USly9uz_IlIS7hDUKpt7QXY0kmn35-23c1c6h5iATnX-o7mWVwwY_yW2hjgtLX5-_ILYPUR3rS1numcnros-vxdO9f9xtPWvy/s1600-h/Hotel+FrontenecA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o-sMu9eWc0dkdw4NuCNxa7D5GUQ5XLmOvCIXPacP_W-USly9uz_IlIS7hDUKpt7QXY0kmn35-23c1c6h5iATnX-o7mWVwwY_yW2hjgtLX5-_ILYPUR3rS1numcnros-vxdO9f9xtPWvy/s320/Hotel+FrontenecA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261364597128792786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xuf2lNQg5l2rUOETgwMaQAaGO7Gg5S02nktSPApIZTG3ccRtNyu9ePuIhv9bv4XD250Ru_ZH0cmVVXiFOtgENMLG9KrgqruBjBJH0Tk1KJc_AjQEVTWkEd7A_0MfmfRWDQ6Zju_CpLu6/s1600-h/Inushuk+in+ParlimentA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xuf2lNQg5l2rUOETgwMaQAaGO7Gg5S02nktSPApIZTG3ccRtNyu9ePuIhv9bv4XD250Ru_ZH0cmVVXiFOtgENMLG9KrgqruBjBJH0Tk1KJc_AjQEVTWkEd7A_0MfmfRWDQ6Zju_CpLu6/s320/Inushuk+in+ParlimentA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261364716354999090" border="0" /></a>But the native Inushuk in front of the Provincial parliment house and the railway type architecture of the Hotel Frontanec feels very Canadian to me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5IrMpCx8CYsGAYtk4ujcce2ko4f5FCOeAbMZZ_GnHBx62y2MUSuQuk0tFwNw4xuQUe-Y0DSZiTjR7e4AczyJlLW-5lw7oeAZkKdfkeUTpTEjyIoQRHRz1PZusn_FcFUMYpFBDEcKKv-J/s1600-h/shoes+at+niagaraA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5IrMpCx8CYsGAYtk4ujcce2ko4f5FCOeAbMZZ_GnHBx62y2MUSuQuk0tFwNw4xuQUe-Y0DSZiTjR7e4AczyJlLW-5lw7oeAZkKdfkeUTpTEjyIoQRHRz1PZusn_FcFUMYpFBDEcKKv-J/s320/shoes+at+niagaraA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261365864771953666" border="0" /></a>We ended the trip to the touristy Niagara falls. What to do?<br />We were so close to it and it seemed a shame not to visit this place that's I've know from American TV shows since I was little. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMTPqkgRi0D0qSkZDbxqU2hgc0nsvZ6wQpZsZeQkV_vBHeD-mNuB88yAXUIM33DSzOndUdH78NnfhtyCUMUgLrhptJfhjkLyYVtm3BLp3hoy0GHF0bKi0VpfGKmW-6ti5QuElkv8h6m-G/s1600-h/rainbow+and+boatA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMTPqkgRi0D0qSkZDbxqU2hgc0nsvZ6wQpZsZeQkV_vBHeD-mNuB88yAXUIM33DSzOndUdH78NnfhtyCUMUgLrhptJfhjkLyYVtm3BLp3hoy0GHF0bKi0VpfGKmW-6ti5QuElkv8h6m-G/s320/rainbow+and+boatA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261366411628549202" border="0" /></a>B got us a room facing the falls and boy was it worth it! The view was gob- smackingly gorgeous.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOGw_1BRI925DsqFydHYDBqEXe2W_nLvvx868vBmbYSPIVq5Rsft-_SIrIiL1sd9Mdul1o-njO5DKKwDl75gAAmAVZhuuZjPn00fWpMPjwDonfiTtADPAEugbWE-bU9h0h5iL9zjc31i6/s1600-h/Year+4A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOGw_1BRI925DsqFydHYDBqEXe2W_nLvvx868vBmbYSPIVq5Rsft-_SIrIiL1sd9Mdul1o-njO5DKKwDl75gAAmAVZhuuZjPn00fWpMPjwDonfiTtADPAEugbWE-bU9h0h5iL9zjc31i6/s200/Year+4A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261367432495655282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here's to<br />four good years<br />of the married life!Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-34278015772428370802008-02-16T22:42:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:04.393-08:00Bags of Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-ufNPvpwUWKRl9p64rUZQ6FdiGwJLLzruaTgs_1XN3LzHGTJukl1Bt4HOrUGL4p8qkoTVo3A32HzNTXS5iGvTLIPW2eMj-4yEZOQ7Veh1KazWlev0Q2K26sRVulXx9URPA0VOjmjRpxc/s1600-h/graphic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-ufNPvpwUWKRl9p64rUZQ6FdiGwJLLzruaTgs_1XN3LzHGTJukl1Bt4HOrUGL4p8qkoTVo3A32HzNTXS5iGvTLIPW2eMj-4yEZOQ7Veh1KazWlev0Q2K26sRVulXx9URPA0VOjmjRpxc/s200/graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168032160838496610" border="0" /></a>I can't stop! It's like the gears in a perpetual motion machine always working,whirring and engaging. Always searching for a new way to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e4sdAoT1gVtDUqsuZWBmFk64oYT5kjMMJ2xHw4Jvuf79W879t_8UwFsb2OD9qlOqx2RvaLIi8-EsJM2ywM0sA0F_8uapnpJE4STXrqDWTX7yQSOc7Q4zVPNczHGpsGR7M3U8KaD_KTrY/s1600-h/lapel+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e4sdAoT1gVtDUqsuZWBmFk64oYT5kjMMJ2xHw4Jvuf79W879t_8UwFsb2OD9qlOqx2RvaLIi8-EsJM2ywM0sA0F_8uapnpJE4STXrqDWTX7yQSOc7Q4zVPNczHGpsGR7M3U8KaD_KTrY/s200/lapel+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168032444306338178" border="0" /></a> attach a pocket or a handle. Sketching out in my mind, kinda like a butcher, how best to cut a coat. Which pieces to become what part. For instance, could the lapel really be the edge of the cover flap of a bag? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY9SiPJTKhAH3F1FOyTaUwL_C2LMEDJZzRtUdleILwb5TTG97OLALqd0TLQLYbB8SebSeswBLE5G5cqRb4Uwn8E4Z_Y-8LjES_mn6Eo0zdmFBZyGNkGSaDIwyep5SNVA1nRE11p6RjI-W/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY9SiPJTKhAH3F1FOyTaUwL_C2LMEDJZzRtUdleILwb5TTG97OLALqd0TLQLYbB8SebSeswBLE5G5cqRb4Uwn8E4Z_Y-8LjES_mn6Eo0zdmFBZyGNkGSaDIwyep5SNVA1nRE11p6RjI-W/s200/front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168031160111116546" border="0" /></a>Wouldn't it be too asymmetrical? Too rad? Apparently not. <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7458887">Little Emma, The Recycled Suits Tall Messenger bag</a> was snapped up hours after it was listed on Etsy. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z9nIOsasGj12p5QX542dqDmZywT_j2n8Y_pwIUTHyzPXS9axfunCHqymtxgwzs0oA0n6GocqscTsbRR3_Y_0ipT3EGfJI-ikhWG2KQmeRF9UJN-pAWOpS-f_vfTHMzrJaSYg27G6_Nr7/s1600-h/cu+rose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z9nIOsasGj12p5QX542dqDmZywT_j2n8Y_pwIUTHyzPXS9axfunCHqymtxgwzs0oA0n6GocqscTsbRR3_Y_0ipT3EGfJI-ikhWG2KQmeRF9UJN-pAWOpS-f_vfTHMzrJaSYg27G6_Nr7/s200/cu+rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168031331909808402" border="0" /></a><br />Ok... I'm getting ahead of myself. <a style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/it-suites-me-just-fine.html">Last weekend</a> after the frenzied making of <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94376&section_id=5019323">suited iPod cozies</a>, I had some time to start cutting lovely coat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRiEAl1yVBR-TnlvIA5ubfK3cAuunSD2TpuOhHgz7ykI8hG98GULsIg1GxJS4MYYm4WmzSn0gaFvl4R4r3F3azqlbwcVoMoNA2TKphu_JmVbFXousroffqrvNkcVgG6Y2Nut68NHdjoZq/s1600-h/side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRiEAl1yVBR-TnlvIA5ubfK3cAuunSD2TpuOhHgz7ykI8hG98GULsIg1GxJS4MYYm4WmzSn0gaFvl4R4r3F3azqlbwcVoMoNA2TKphu_JmVbFXousroffqrvNkcVgG6Y2Nut68NHdjoZq/s200/side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168032607515095442" border="0" /></a> I got at the Sally Ann. It took some intimate getting-to-know, during this process to find out how the coat was made in the first place before I could deconstruct it. And it was fun! It was like learning to read in another language. Someone else had written her design and her work in this coat and the story was spelt out in the stitching.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9POe-wpvAXOckSiSYRWUZcj-xOgdkQ47Mo9aQ_HOr1SJNyb6ygAZIqxBLkbMRBiTus9CstBaK2Ww8sXFZHHTNzwCh12VhJ9cGWfJD5SSjqrs97jdKf3zKrcbGEaELMxMpBepVP7nKdYkM/s1600-h/back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9POe-wpvAXOckSiSYRWUZcj-xOgdkQ47Mo9aQ_HOr1SJNyb6ygAZIqxBLkbMRBiTus9CstBaK2Ww8sXFZHHTNzwCh12VhJ9cGWfJD5SSjqrs97jdKf3zKrcbGEaELMxMpBepVP7nKdYkM/s200/back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168032281097580914" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/it-suites-me-just-fine.html">Well, it looked like these 2 designs won out when it came to making my bags.</a><br /><br />The first was<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9543379">Emily, a messenger bag</a> and then came <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7458887"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">Emma, her sister and a vertical messenger</span></a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sGxQx6mQb8auspCSH7QYxiUWyvIlo106i5acUlOclgssZ6I4gHU1GpfiTsmTLTFA4cOKNyOvRjShBBZb65OgcmNnk0FDlfLNrpvE96iYd3WGyAf7_bhdfteki69Bc6WVIizQTSJDL2KG/s1600-h/button+graphic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sGxQx6mQb8auspCSH7QYxiUWyvIlo106i5acUlOclgssZ6I4gHU1GpfiTsmTLTFA4cOKNyOvRjShBBZb65OgcmNnk0FDlfLNrpvE96iYd3WGyAf7_bhdfteki69Bc6WVIizQTSJDL2KG/s200/button+graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168031602492748082" border="0" /></a>Both their outer pockets were reworked from the coat's pockets and their straps were made from the coat's front button holes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_p67ZYAhWkTb4GsqGcEvvoIb0FEd_bF6YmudGPq4rJ9tqaOl0DN58UPJWv0IYEF-_CiqbV2SVnjoE5ei7BHYt2XBfqdgXi1MeqihZ5IgOnn9phk3tLJmJ8l7NvO1pElFR1712F_H6_ZS/s1600-h/syuff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_p67ZYAhWkTb4GsqGcEvvoIb0FEd_bF6YmudGPq4rJ9tqaOl0DN58UPJWv0IYEF-_CiqbV2SVnjoE5ei7BHYt2XBfqdgXi1MeqihZ5IgOnn9phk3tLJmJ8l7NvO1pElFR1712F_H6_ZS/s200/syuff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168031774291439938" border="0" /></a> This was so that I could make both bags adjustable for different body sizes and purposes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXfv2r2t3ydWcWVU5YYFEoq_10MJX0AyaeGF3Y9elwho9v85WorsOlmOTXcEEq7V9R35E4wppKrPgSt4LEGzI3u2700vyOMOOZFWr0aUJlg9pC86ZzBP_opO-6lbmdLgsPKAyYXJ3Kokq/s1600-h/inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXfv2r2t3ydWcWVU5YYFEoq_10MJX0AyaeGF3Y9elwho9v85WorsOlmOTXcEEq7V9R35E4wppKrPgSt4LEGzI3u2700vyOMOOZFWr0aUJlg9pC86ZzBP_opO-6lbmdLgsPKAyYXJ3Kokq/s200/inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168031950385099090" border="0" /></a>The buttons also came from the old coat and I felt it gave a sense of integrity to the bags. As did reusing the inner dusky rose lining.<br /><br />Since I have no talent for painting pictures, I guess making bags will just have to do.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-16685644132074997702008-02-09T10:30:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:05.521-08:00It Suites Me Just Fine.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Fd8ZjuhwUSh613xdpP-HJQQgHobf466AMmb9nQunbQorbIfwnCP0iROBUlP8NWnAURj1DUt8OFhdaHqgR0pEmUA8K5WzPIVUh4AjN0kT62XDv5MEw1Cne12LOeDkiCO0qt9x5Q67S27C/s1600-h/suits.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Fd8ZjuhwUSh613xdpP-HJQQgHobf466AMmb9nQunbQorbIfwnCP0iROBUlP8NWnAURj1DUt8OFhdaHqgR0pEmUA8K5WzPIVUh4AjN0kT62XDv5MEw1Cne12LOeDkiCO0qt9x5Q67S27C/s320/suits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196000659419266" border="0" /></a>Have you noticed how really well made men's suits are? Good suits have the best fabric and the stitching is <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCqRtddbYkaHi37sgbKgNCKXQ5O59yrzML-f4ScXgV5-_oZbKfsjWLghDipKp2FlsUFR_1Kr7Yq2Oa8zgMOQIDLig1AXOd8DOHNG_Vj9hIn3RTz2raslL4K9WF9M0KFOwtjZAyKwbdpeH/s1600-h/brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCqRtddbYkaHi37sgbKgNCKXQ5O59yrzML-f4ScXgV5-_oZbKfsjWLghDipKp2FlsUFR_1Kr7Yq2Oa8zgMOQIDLig1AXOd8DOHNG_Vj9hIn3RTz2raslL4K9WF9M0KFOwtjZAyKwbdpeH/s200/brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165195523918049378" border="0" /></a>sturdy & for the most part hidden. Ergo, this new line of cozies & bags I've affectionately dubbed<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94376&section_id=5019323"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">The Recycled Suits.</span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYmxlmkFtzX9YILA38YmqgUipPfome0ENHM88Ub6LZ5QAH4ZQn7xwlMCmRzd_h8c2RBdlbsZxdSKS5EzNxbXTMYKcgU_HKzaxvtDk46GbK9E5EIvp2FlSdQQ6B6bZwz8YzRFPiaDRM0Df/s1600-h/3+grey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYmxlmkFtzX9YILA38YmqgUipPfome0ENHM88Ub6LZ5QAH4ZQn7xwlMCmRzd_h8c2RBdlbsZxdSKS5EzNxbXTMYKcgU_HKzaxvtDk46GbK9E5EIvp2FlSdQQ6B6bZwz8YzRFPiaDRM0Df/s200/3+grey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165195403658965074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpuf9tzI9jUIVlUraQmNxU6Nil-LNpqJe8h5wJc-P8B_K5cRffBv9zttOvhyiZLMgfaoyDWh1slYw0kLgWT89E7gez49BQOZA-F2fIg9SbqoB3MTHMt4nZy40ezf5gAOw8gtZYLV-nAYN/s1600-h/slip2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpuf9tzI9jUIVlUraQmNxU6Nil-LNpqJe8h5wJc-P8B_K5cRffBv9zttOvhyiZLMgfaoyDWh1slYw0kLgWT89E7gez49BQOZA-F2fIg9SbqoB3MTHMt4nZy40ezf5gAOw8gtZYLV-nAYN/s200/slip2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196258357457042" border="0" /></a>In the total other extreme of my pendulum swing from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94376&section_id=5009436"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">femminine, lush, shiny & silky taffetas</span></a>, I've fallen for rough, muted,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin9zKf8ckOLneeCKit1nTM9Z5bmdwmX8fAd_cHpXUaUBi63Z0VM_JgSIYqiyG8Pfr5mGKuLK3o2pYQvHKdgCYh0jpd0V-_OQiwIJCRMjmRQPfhRBSb-ekYnTvfsGXGjxfofDRi4st57c2/s1600-h/side+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin9zKf8ckOLneeCKit1nTM9Z5bmdwmX8fAd_cHpXUaUBi63Z0VM_JgSIYqiyG8Pfr5mGKuLK3o2pYQvHKdgCYh0jpd0V-_OQiwIJCRMjmRQPfhRBSb-ekYnTvfsGXGjxfofDRi4st57c2/s200/side+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196434451116194" border="0" /></a> understated and stiff woolens & linens with the drama of a avalanche falling into a still lake.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyyb1__c4msUsAhjGyUIftf1NkjqV6cHKdPK_In4NPy2FUJcmGWTohGbIHA_wXjpeQFFL8GuIE16vjnXcAAsyRVuygMEYgzcV8z6BC_cL55e5KiMBxum-C6ML3HWYjURsYRDA8qnQEhcR/s1600-h/cu+bottons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyyb1__c4msUsAhjGyUIftf1NkjqV6cHKdPK_In4NPy2FUJcmGWTohGbIHA_wXjpeQFFL8GuIE16vjnXcAAsyRVuygMEYgzcV8z6BC_cL55e5KiMBxum-C6ML3HWYjURsYRDA8qnQEhcR/s200/cu+bottons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196610544775346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />What I love about this range is that it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgindtz3LmCjiivqsrR86cTCoN1h0PeHiPBpAEsj0mIGKTJ-tRXLC4UdX82ZSjy7dhGJ1-ZXOtm65vosrvspXYDGiwlGvI_c9I76THpXOSNJ4KmUQjmByMztV-IFWEjMr92ktrcNqtILZP6/s1600-h/cu+corner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgindtz3LmCjiivqsrR86cTCoN1h0PeHiPBpAEsj0mIGKTJ-tRXLC4UdX82ZSjy7dhGJ1-ZXOtm65vosrvspXYDGiwlGvI_c9I76THpXOSNJ4KmUQjmByMztV-IFWEjMr92ktrcNqtILZP6/s200/cu+corner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196769458565314" border="0" /></a> reinvents & reuses 2nd hand but thoroughly cleaned jackets that might have otherwise have gone to a landfill where it'll take up space to degrade over tens of years.<br />So not only will they be well made, but <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XYqxOknuARbthF4d74aFKjn_bjcq32Kv7fB_9_oOnJb0xuudG37HdSJewMs9PBrE0r66iNuYVb623OGq2V7u79MPb_r3tPK7-9DioTPblusA4Q3hunhCqu0egm9te4DwS4D9T5P2cGRF/s1600-h/slip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XYqxOknuARbthF4d74aFKjn_bjcq32Kv7fB_9_oOnJb0xuudG37HdSJewMs9PBrE0r66iNuYVb623OGq2V7u79MPb_r3tPK7-9DioTPblusA4Q3hunhCqu0egm9te4DwS4D9T5P2cGRF/s200/slip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165196941257257170" border="0" /></a>the bags & cozies will also be eco-friendly.<br />The thought of which always warms the cockles of my heart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And, for my first offering - cool & dapper iPod cozies. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PCoj3OLGC4EIHEa8DWlmhX6CK63F9O9av12leEGALHx5okPQx2ojBi_r3LPJZtPs0iE4PZdLKwf8Lqwo0Gt8vJ3ztrhsDUuIVRV3NpImb7S042An71Mgss4eAT4ndCOWJBnP7p-MD1vU/s1600-h/button+CU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PCoj3OLGC4EIHEa8DWlmhX6CK63F9O9av12leEGALHx5okPQx2ojBi_r3LPJZtPs0iE4PZdLKwf8Lqwo0Gt8vJ3ztrhsDUuIVRV3NpImb7S042An71Mgss4eAT4ndCOWJBnP7p-MD1vU/s200/button+CU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165197061516341474" border="0" /></a>The first three have just been listed on Etsy and have names befitting the type of jacket they were made from. There's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9469512"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">urbane Mortimer</span></a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9469772"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">outdoorsy Fitzwillie</span></a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9478831"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">hunky Ken</span></a>. The guys started out life as part of dishy double breasted suits. The left cuff of which morphed into the snug little cozies. In the spirit of reusing, I try to keep their original buttons and lining. They've been made tight and will snuggle most generations of iPods and many mobile phones, but was made specifically for the classic video iPod.<br /><br />There are so many ideas fighting for attention in my brain right now for bag designs, I cannot begin to tell you. All are exciting and I cannot wait to get them out of my mind and into my hands...... Stay tuned to see which ones win.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-29278119020510830412008-01-12T22:50:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:06.526-08:00What's a Girl to Do?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyOloVBOWijK-bPNEgHBmXZM-4g4YtombfU45HNOy83bW2xVsvGRPZhXumwcmS_PaEN359rMR-hRTQ-4qLG4u8Ma5Oor2sknu_12LMMcRWvxJeE8F8STwoCvVL2Pum1ycGd4ZAuCaacBY/s1600-h/treasure+beadsa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyOloVBOWijK-bPNEgHBmXZM-4g4YtombfU45HNOy83bW2xVsvGRPZhXumwcmS_PaEN359rMR-hRTQ-4qLG4u8Ma5Oor2sknu_12LMMcRWvxJeE8F8STwoCvVL2Pum1ycGd4ZAuCaacBY/s200/treasure+beadsa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154864863195755266" border="0" /></a>Shopping is a woman's prerogative. Shopping and shoes. And hats too. And these days, interestingly enough also cars, the fuel cell or electric cars, especially the new and utterly delicious <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.teslamotors.com/"> Tesla Roadster</a>.....Have I left anything out? My point, perhaps. But I can get so easily distracted nowadays.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHO5Xww87NcIeZsGeivKXNML45NXHq442uybiMv9JjGPhYMGjH1dBjM_VnycKl6twFnrft4d0GZkQ4x7HcPpwfegY3qqUXm6GfAdBVQDbAr_UZAZZtJuByf9Y8Ya3WtRaE725UVu28KSq/s1600-h/lotsa+beadsa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHO5Xww87NcIeZsGeivKXNML45NXHq442uybiMv9JjGPhYMGjH1dBjM_VnycKl6twFnrft4d0GZkQ4x7HcPpwfegY3qqUXm6GfAdBVQDbAr_UZAZZtJuByf9Y8Ya3WtRaE725UVu28KSq/s200/lotsa+beadsa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154864970569937682" border="0" /></a>Okay, back to shopping. In these western cities, an amazing and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">indubitably</span> exhilarating ritual exists. The day after Christmas, most of the stock in stores goes on sale. The wonderous and exciting event called the Boxing Day Sale. And they are real sales, not like the ones we have in Singapore, where items usually go for 50% -75% off the retail price. A concept that warms the cockles of my value-for-money Asian heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVr5_AB9BrQcfK0aA9g3VJyr5QnoeDEBy062M0zHvg70AwOsPe34Rh7pgmAhwf1wilLPhM0Qf7rkRRekJAr7pGe9LXfn6jBIqLKjf0hYtiFlbAkNlK3PMn-YKUobI_UOyVP4nrWjiHmHB/s1600-h/upholstery4a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVr5_AB9BrQcfK0aA9g3VJyr5QnoeDEBy062M0zHvg70AwOsPe34Rh7pgmAhwf1wilLPhM0Qf7rkRRekJAr7pGe9LXfn6jBIqLKjf0hYtiFlbAkNlK3PMn-YKUobI_UOyVP4nrWjiHmHB/s200/upholstery4a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154861646265250498" border="0" /></a>Anyway, I took time off and wandered the fabric stores to hunt for fabric, beads and tassels for the new 2008 range. $800 plus later, I have the pleasure to showing off the treasures plucked from the hands of other boxing day warriors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3H4xLJDeA3ws_KCCy21_TF_bnbPptrybDn-nl_MRbsJAvJYO_YgZTE1VFC59U_ycm08KGP9QHmON8VVyUmKZoS_qdvzWW1tqdbxdTeneF1YYkfMdQeOluPeeW_nw4WM0o1CVKc-hSFEu/s1600-h/flocka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3H4xLJDeA3ws_KCCy21_TF_bnbPptrybDn-nl_MRbsJAvJYO_YgZTE1VFC59U_ycm08KGP9QHmON8VVyUmKZoS_qdvzWW1tqdbxdTeneF1YYkfMdQeOluPeeW_nw4WM0o1CVKc-hSFEu/s200/flocka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154864498123535090" border="0" /></a><br />There's the gorgeous tassel beads in a dozen dazzling colours.<br /><br />Also found some brilliantly tactile flocked fabrics. The thinner ones are gonna be great for summer scarves and the nice thick ones for the flap covers of the new bags that'll be probably starting next week.<br /><br />Then there's the sturdy, earthy upholstery grade fabrics, which are destined for lumbar pillows and the inside of bags that I can't wait to make.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNo5jhvy78Lw6Gplv7PMIiwh4DPpaGfDFHIofep9nvaMfxOoQ-PLaO2YHHtuwq1rM31cO7SMKPWtl3vr4Z1b3_FOkGAlDAzn4ObSpUS6459AU9IJYhCQVsKt7Ro-5j1BsYI9Tsu9VsrCP/s1600-h/tafettaa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNo5jhvy78Lw6Gplv7PMIiwh4DPpaGfDFHIofep9nvaMfxOoQ-PLaO2YHHtuwq1rM31cO7SMKPWtl3vr4Z1b3_FOkGAlDAzn4ObSpUS6459AU9IJYhCQVsKt7Ro-5j1BsYI9Tsu9VsrCP/s200/tafettaa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154863918302950098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And of course interspersed with all the goodies are the beautifully smooth and shimmery taffetas. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpba90qki_zg3imkSohut2FqzCJz00Sb6FNE0fItOEE8hjjuwvFhCSfFER0nAXEdBktmTpA94a5Gt-upyX5Zhk6foAOEacowzAuVdb651yWtuWJcboUP5bOnMTlcQnz4DboDG8Eq_Zu0f/s1600-h/plum.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpba90qki_zg3imkSohut2FqzCJz00Sb6FNE0fItOEE8hjjuwvFhCSfFER0nAXEdBktmTpA94a5Gt-upyX5Zhk6foAOEacowzAuVdb651yWtuWJcboUP5bOnMTlcQnz4DboDG8Eq_Zu0f/s200/plum.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154864141641249506" border="0" /></a>The mainstay of <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94376">Rumah Kampung</a>'s range of scarves. In<a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8754735"> soothing blue</a>, <a style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8766840">cool titanium</a> and <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8751137">juicy black plum</a>.<br /><br />Fab as these fabrics are, I'm sure that I'll not be able to restrain myself as I see other designs in the shops throughout the year. So I guess this cannot be said to be the all encompassing variety for this enterprising year of the <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/store.asp?pid=232024">Earth Rat</a>. Which is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac and is said to be an industrious bringer of prosperity, luck and new beginnings.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-38977082900383135612008-01-07T11:03:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:08.388-08:00Making Your Own Paper<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >The Materials </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN5bi8ygOYNq-r9lqSe0N4bNoIgEP132SKsF1Lh15Zk_NpwyhCKXsNuy5oRE8Cj_SpDrGOQLjQxaV8cZMho_2P1oFr5mO1s0KsykD35WVjJr_JCmpyU1ym7_cVY6Qiny4d6cerdcgeOIH/s1600-h/fan+red+pink+teaA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN5bi8ygOYNq-r9lqSe0N4bNoIgEP132SKsF1Lh15Zk_NpwyhCKXsNuy5oRE8Cj_SpDrGOQLjQxaV8cZMho_2P1oFr5mO1s0KsykD35WVjJr_JCmpyU1ym7_cVY6Qiny4d6cerdcgeOIH/s200/fan+red+pink+teaA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152828172524122754" border="0" /></a><br />* Deckle (or any square frame with a wire/plastic mesh stretched across it)<br />*Mould ( another square frame of the same size of the sieve)<br />* A pair of stiff boards slightly larger than the sieve<br />* Smooth drying cloths slightly larger than the sieve<br />* A sponge<br />* A blender<br />* A tub or basin large enough to fit the sieve<br />* 50g or so of waste paper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW0XUjTNyrdJnDQjodJKClGm25LWtMFsZQR2n6ahK0ytSLSfrJSViUEV0Yr8-wVdGX40VnUX_d3o5sd00qn_hKLJMWCohvR2htmG27mfB51HRO8vFADjx9MbOVhhhUkBb-5qIySF5bNg/s1600-h/1A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW0XUjTNyrdJnDQjodJKClGm25LWtMFsZQR2n6ahK0ytSLSfrJSViUEV0Yr8-wVdGX40VnUX_d3o5sd00qn_hKLJMWCohvR2htmG27mfB51HRO8vFADjx9MbOVhhhUkBb-5qIySF5bNg/s200/1A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044866657236166994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Method</span><br />1. Shred the waste paper and soak for at least 4 hours. Soak overnight if you plan to make paper the next morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBMI_Ea88YBQvAGADRRvgBCgGWpukFDIsmk1x_NZuyGVza1WXSc1YpvyRZEW9Dj7APxuF7QFzzYaDg-LnMK3bYypeC4P_7Fo_uotsn4Bz45UprE0q5JTig4OIQE1G-aAHwIRAiPYsrpA/s1600-h/2A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBMI_Ea88YBQvAGADRRvgBCgGWpukFDIsmk1x_NZuyGVza1WXSc1YpvyRZEW9Dj7APxuF7QFzzYaDg-LnMK3bYypeC4P_7Fo_uotsn4Bz45UprE0q5JTig4OIQE1G-aAHwIRAiPYsrpA/s200/2A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044875144091543906" border="0" /></a>2. Place a handful of shredded paper into the blender and fill with water to make up 1 litre.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbou3blC72VYwGkjTQKDKxZwpMU-eGRAXKCfQHfS5z3IZHUeASvKpZqclokPnNVWhvBf78ehYNnJtu3A2y45-8axGVWgKy6Rgmfay_zV-5Pkv422YK08gEkIYRM0PenXlszmOSNj3T80/s1600-h/3A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbou3blC72VYwGkjTQKDKxZwpMU-eGRAXKCfQHfS5z3IZHUeASvKpZqclokPnNVWhvBf78ehYNnJtu3A2y45-8axGVWgKy6Rgmfay_zV-5Pkv422YK08gEkIYRM0PenXlszmOSNj3T80/s200/3A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044875406084548978" border="0" /></a>3. Blend for about 15 seconds or until the pulp looks like wet cotton wool. Pour the pulp into the tub. Repeat until all the paper is used up. Add 2 more litres of water into the tub.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQFSSrf87cImwGsw-9D25qEJ83Y2sLlQ5eB-BKPO0v3MQD1bWjZgXbBieoDNPdNgAL3NSLR2MN1QMcsyJ_gxSSu54NoGuWPSP-vSE1NuIwqX53e2rssQm9jX7lLDVxzrgR7kVwP_joy0/s1600-h/4A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQFSSrf87cImwGsw-9D25qEJ83Y2sLlQ5eB-BKPO0v3MQD1bWjZgXbBieoDNPdNgAL3NSLR2MN1QMcsyJ_gxSSu54NoGuWPSP-vSE1NuIwqX53e2rssQm9jX7lLDVxzrgR7kVwP_joy0/s200/4A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044875577883240834" border="0" /></a>4. Place the mould over the deckle with the netting in between them. Dip the furthest end of the frame into the pulp mix. Level into a horizontal position. Make sure the frames are deep enough for the mould to be just covered with pulp.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoNH1gzS4tahwUMsuY4pBhNGHEFd_qxQK4vRYoaXD8euyzTEmktyZDh-Ni_3oGgpWarMTgnMZjuAPZaFI3-syyj9G7srccYThdixaBWH5xcTOyfU8M4a178WNJTVmSV3u_aSJnLOXOFQ/s1600-h/6AA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoNH1gzS4tahwUMsuY4pBhNGHEFd_qxQK4vRYoaXD8euyzTEmktyZDh-Ni_3oGgpWarMTgnMZjuAPZaFI3-syyj9G7srccYThdixaBWH5xcTOyfU8M4a178WNJTVmSV3u_aSJnLOXOFQ/s200/6AA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044880542865435154" border="0" /></a>5. Lift the frames from the mix keeping it level. The remove the mould and let the excess water drain.<br /><br /><br /><br />6.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TXWyLu2Z0mdrJHH7YR99Agq0qBoKhZkL9jbC0Mc36kAfCGTdZfK8N8KABugOCXvH6y61DPHmC7sXfqH5eAd6Hg8pLb22BZWci0z4Bt0VLChyphenhyphenY5pOrgKD3tdOjDIh79S4ZoFT6uI73NU/s1600-h/5BA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TXWyLu2Z0mdrJHH7YR99Agq0qBoKhZkL9jbC0Mc36kAfCGTdZfK8N8KABugOCXvH6y61DPHmC7sXfqH5eAd6Hg8pLb22BZWci0z4Bt0VLChyphenhyphenY5pOrgKD3tdOjDIh79S4ZoFT6uI73NU/s200/5BA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044876256488073634" border="0" /></a> Place a drying cloth over the pulp. Flip the deckle onto one of the stiff boards with the cloth beneath the pulp.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OGmF9nTUsPkLVYWmZTdIawB1E4rlOGR-kgMfWbyFs8FPh-bpHV5GhRuqfxFua30SSe-lHumFFweSQMQu13Ajx4HTUhYcRw7FmLIEwjGgfoa8b2ud0055rppwSowvVhyphenhyphenBHNqNAuowcFk/s1600-h/7AA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OGmF9nTUsPkLVYWmZTdIawB1E4rlOGR-kgMfWbyFs8FPh-bpHV5GhRuqfxFua30SSe-lHumFFweSQMQu13Ajx4HTUhYcRw7FmLIEwjGgfoa8b2ud0055rppwSowvVhyphenhyphenBHNqNAuowcFk/s200/7AA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044878141978716642" border="0" /></a>7. Use the sponge to draw out the excess water from the pulp. Gently knock the deckle netting to dislodge the pulp as you slowly lift up the sieve.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL7DrmqyQ2xC23fowkRYVBt_uJOF2DF0XoTVZWOXvUXPzB8sOhNxxk3L26uzJkBAEs-UZlgwDttvGs91Jw8zH7N2QNN9qxVQyHjXiRO9PjFO7MixqPV89jI21r6uduU0Sdq6CgFUu0_I/s1600-h/8A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL7DrmqyQ2xC23fowkRYVBt_uJOF2DF0XoTVZWOXvUXPzB8sOhNxxk3L26uzJkBAEs-UZlgwDttvGs91Jw8zH7N2QNN9qxVQyHjXiRO9PjFO7MixqPV89jI21r6uduU0Sdq6CgFUu0_I/s200/8A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044878279417670130" border="0" /></a>8. Repeat steps 4-7. Pile each finished sheet, separated by a drying cloth,on top of each other until you've used up all the pulp.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10eJcJAaIwIpp1NU5pLZpAZeYE6Y63GvU9JOOocoTKjPtDphjjk7ACSj4Ooz9-7RzdQHaOREwkw1L9f6dd9FiU4UwCfMHw6Kkd1pXHSmFmSFLo7ZZXW2b7PPi9ftsrZ5skZ_9nIL17A/s1600-h/9A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10eJcJAaIwIpp1NU5pLZpAZeYE6Y63GvU9JOOocoTKjPtDphjjk7ACSj4Ooz9-7RzdQHaOREwkw1L9f6dd9FiU4UwCfMHw6Kkd1pXHSmFmSFLo7ZZXW2b7PPi9ftsrZ5skZ_9nIL17A/s200/9A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044878472691198466" border="0" /></a>9. Place the second board on top of the finished pile. Place any heavy object on the top board to squeeze the excess water out. You could try standing on the pile if you want to feel more involved in the process :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Paper Pointers</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;">Some ideas to help make your new found skill more colourful, varied and fun<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;">* Before you throw away the bottle with that last bit of perfume, add some water into the bottle and then pour the solution into your pulp. This nicely scents your paper.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;">* Stale potpourri, shredded and pulped with the paper will not only add scent but colour and texture to your papers.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;">* Should you want to be able to use markers or fountain pens on your paper remember that you first have to size the dried paper. This is easily done by lightly painting or spraying each sheet with gelatin or starch and then letting the sheet dry. Ballpoint pens, however, are fine on unsized paper.</span>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-81183940098272376662008-01-05T21:05:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:11.768-08:00Goin Green bananas<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >As part of my new year resolution to consolidate my blogs, for the first post of 2008, I present here a little story of how a crazy kid went green bananas... enjoy!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2l0EXKG5ghKpCQMNC4B2wzZ4PIhCu521-RQqpD1BRuVSUY2Bi9gTWHKzepK8z1MQIWZUWMpbkBUhTeSdQuD7LURkJSk3Nsfj7nHY6hQ-sdVOZI4FSHzxtf3hSZfox6UT3cz-dG4zJO8/s1600-h/Chey+Mac+CU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2l0EXKG5ghKpCQMNC4B2wzZ4PIhCu521-RQqpD1BRuVSUY2Bi9gTWHKzepK8z1MQIWZUWMpbkBUhTeSdQuD7LURkJSk3Nsfj7nHY6hQ-sdVOZI4FSHzxtf3hSZfox6UT3cz-dG4zJO8/s320/Chey+Mac+CU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044798311421585394" border="0" /></a>Funny how life moves in cycles. About 15 years ago I started a little eco company in Singapore called Green Bananas that made a paper making kit for people to recycle their own paper at home. Green because I wanted people to know it's environmental bent but more likely<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Ms24WpgwosRo0fxAgJJQb6he24WsOPdGr5wwv-XLa4sJaBl5el5TDgQZ5wcep8skQ-X7akP3tYe5q1EC_vohsEfs6q7DUijK2idIYo3rI6DzkVEro787bS4H_KJPnbepkSxCZ3En3w/s1600-h/Green+bananas+Logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Ms24WpgwosRo0fxAgJJQb6he24WsOPdGr5wwv-XLa4sJaBl5el5TDgQZ5wcep8skQ-X7akP3tYe5q1EC_vohsEfs6q7DUijK2idIYo3rI6DzkVEro787bS4H_KJPnbepkSxCZ3En3w/s200/Green+bananas+Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044798448860538882" border="0" /></a> because I was totally green to the cutthroat world of business and Bananas because everyone thought I was crazy to give up a good and stable job for what? An unlikely little paper making kit that may not even have a market.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU_0VYXrlFx-eDnzTjJmLMTtYr-_O9iHN-FNPhfTpVpJe3GNuIafS53b8cyfheMTizYO-lEIpyXNFzQgSJJ4cXG_yaeEFKLMiyt58UB4Ok1kNUJlFrnzMQz2jSBWyg6SMgxmR7Ln4Bojr/s1600-h/Mom+Ian.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU_0VYXrlFx-eDnzTjJmLMTtYr-_O9iHN-FNPhfTpVpJe3GNuIafS53b8cyfheMTizYO-lEIpyXNFzQgSJJ4cXG_yaeEFKLMiyt58UB4Ok1kNUJlFrnzMQz2jSBWyg6SMgxmR7Ln4Bojr/s200/Mom+Ian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152245869448065618" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />We did sell about 1,000 kits during the 2 or so years the little<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntGeWjt8meohLDK-R0Z65mwtIj1YFXwQwbjtYi5M1m5umDXH-tqU4hKk5eugrktKeBS6-cXFbg8D0YqWUEKTkvBbCML_xmPT9rxcvac8tRBz0NlX-Bc6sGD6k1Ou83XsCuCkR7dKIXt0/s1600-h/PPP+noel+carol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntGeWjt8meohLDK-R0Z65mwtIj1YFXwQwbjtYi5M1m5umDXH-tqU4hKk5eugrktKeBS6-cXFbg8D0YqWUEKTkvBbCML_xmPT9rxcvac8tRBz0NlX-Bc6sGD6k1Ou83XsCuCkR7dKIXt0/s320/PPP+noel+carol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044972206057466482" border="0" /></a> Green Bananas was out there doing paper making demos; giving magazine, TV & paper interviews encouraging people to start recycling paper in their own homes (in those days, Singapore had no recycling system for anything.<br /><br /><br />Things have changed now though) and even holding a handmade paper art exhibition called, you guess it, Paper * People * Planet.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-OCitJxMh8ERNc3YB2rfIpZ7oJLyzM0WRpCQWgkyk7ViS7eV3nHUprFidD6wFNhk3bSEvcOzEdYVj5qrSOkGqN5ePqIVwsfEuKz4FfHpDMoxguGOr_auvCVTDV0sjZGHqH-RwvsrmmQ/s1600-h/PPP+film+crew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-OCitJxMh8ERNc3YB2rfIpZ7oJLyzM0WRpCQWgkyk7ViS7eV3nHUprFidD6wFNhk3bSEvcOzEdYVj5qrSOkGqN5ePqIVwsfEuKz4FfHpDMoxguGOr_auvCVTDV0sjZGHqH-RwvsrmmQ/s200/PPP+film+crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044813545670584482" border="0" /></a><br />Back then I had quit my well-paying<br />job as a writer for a Interior design magazine and put all my meagre savings into designing, manufacturing and marketing a simple paper making kit that made A4 paper.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80h7sPIzZtW8Mzsa6Ev2YlNQMSg8p2vK-jcQFTnN75aHNkBKpkM7y3vw5qVeMw9zosxCEmXEmw-4Gn5W3Xi9KqIpXPIqImK123oO3DuziZX5QC3jilDVBnehE-QYx7BuyjhL7v5S2YGs/s1600-h/PPP+Jo+and+Naz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80h7sPIzZtW8Mzsa6Ev2YlNQMSg8p2vK-jcQFTnN75aHNkBKpkM7y3vw5qVeMw9zosxCEmXEmw-4Gn5W3Xi9KqIpXPIqImK123oO3DuziZX5QC3jilDVBnehE-QYx7BuyjhL7v5S2YGs/s320/PPP+Jo+and+Naz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046995484441152594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It had everything you needed to make paper (apart from the blender) and packaged, quite charmingly in a jute bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx_JG-Fdy7NndMNsNL61Zv0ULDqrIQuAQG1FMlW9vzKDNrZVzsOwmbb8YkBAflhWNRK9mxg3RqO-iqPwYCJsOm2wNZTo9ygHADYUf0P6oggstub4WFPpy1vKhCHGN21Dnm0YMGN4xVzQ/s1600-h/WEnv++Day+Mom+Sherry+A+mattar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx_JG-Fdy7NndMNsNL61Zv0ULDqrIQuAQG1FMlW9vzKDNrZVzsOwmbb8YkBAflhWNRK9mxg3RqO-iqPwYCJsOm2wNZTo9ygHADYUf0P6oggstub4WFPpy1vKhCHGN21Dnm0YMGN4xVzQ/s320/WEnv++Day+Mom+Sherry+A+mattar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044972382151125634" border="0" /></a>How I managed to wrangle my friends & family to help out in it's publicity and sales I have no idea. I just stand in grateful awe that they did. We had quite a ride with it. I am willing to bet that at least 50 friends and family still remember how to make their own paper today. And if they've forgotten and would like to teach their children, the next post will help them along their way.<br /><br />And this is was the purposely unintimadating instruction leaflet that came with the kit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirneiIb5Z8l5estj2BvNCKzoM-1MwoGF3MUbWCa8Z8GNMWIooP_M9nw1Jk4_1_Kz9KyQrlnynDTdyNBfyuOpzVK3il4Bna3Z1wrQZvwvGrFN8Iq7-PPm8EiPtuBmVNI7A_g4LtUNwPHKk/s1600-h/Paper+Maker+cover+A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirneiIb5Z8l5estj2BvNCKzoM-1MwoGF3MUbWCa8Z8GNMWIooP_M9nw1Jk4_1_Kz9KyQrlnynDTdyNBfyuOpzVK3il4Bna3Z1wrQZvwvGrFN8Iq7-PPm8EiPtuBmVNI7A_g4LtUNwPHKk/s400/Paper+Maker+cover+A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044629192789338002" border="0" /></a>And now, here I sit years later, writing a blog on the beautiful diversity of handmade & recycled paper. On how people can use this humble medium of paper to help make this planet a bit better, by art & by recycling, for those who live in it now. And also for the children who will come after.<br /><br />Greening the earth seemed so possible then.<br /><br />And so it still is. It must be.<br /><br />Because if not now, then WHEN?<br /><br />And if not me, then WHO?Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-72625422384154676652007-12-22T15:49:00.001-08:002008-12-09T01:05:11.909-08:00This CHRISTMAS<div style="text-align: center;">Oh so many years ago, a good friend sent me this for Christmas.<br />In the intervening years, life pulled us down separate and diverging paths.<br />Into different countries, vocations and beliefs. Still, this anonymous poem stayed with me. Accompanying me through the dark anguish and the giddying highs.<br />I guess maybe the meaning that Christmas held for us when we were young still holds as we move into the second half of our lives.<br /><br />This one's for Adrian and for all who look for a little meaning beneath the glitter, the commercialisation and those ghastly repeating pop carols.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvBAe2ENArVFXeeYGoZN_CsE0N3qES6vb51VD_xxeoZqI8Ba12mF380X9JSql68Vv0OGGSUOC-RbZ4IxJDBkHKUqShRYmm1w0_gj4XszKuX4dm9fA070ufgJ08qSwI1sF_c8xDyVM57eB/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvBAe2ENArVFXeeYGoZN_CsE0N3qES6vb51VD_xxeoZqI8Ba12mF380X9JSql68Vv0OGGSUOC-RbZ4IxJDBkHKUqShRYmm1w0_gj4XszKuX4dm9fA070ufgJ08qSwI1sF_c8xDyVM57eB/s400/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146948723073151554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Very Merry Christmas One and All.<br /></span></span></div>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-34224516636010500702007-12-11T21:15:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:05:14.759-08:00The Road Traveled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE4HIIDDRC8G5UMYhzIioHljh-dwPqMbnjInM7hoZc_q-Eg8UCPMjD-xaYsLwxYb3ntgk_Y_jlZTDXKYqVfR4RDoRojhZjZyddmXLKE_B7tHjCN_kc-gS2Vlq-bxUPw_jB9k_7khTFxwx/s1600-h/Olian+and+Chey.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE4HIIDDRC8G5UMYhzIioHljh-dwPqMbnjInM7hoZc_q-Eg8UCPMjD-xaYsLwxYb3ntgk_Y_jlZTDXKYqVfR4RDoRojhZjZyddmXLKE_B7tHjCN_kc-gS2Vlq-bxUPw_jB9k_7khTFxwx/s200/Olian+and+Chey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142958700052045858" border="0" /></a>I had wanted to do this last year. Filled out the application forms and all. <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.amandashome.com/road.html">But knowing how way leads onto way</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">,</span> I purposely got distracted with all the other happenings in life and did not apply to participate. I decided not only not to take the road less traveled. I decided not to travel down any road at all.<br /><br />But this year, this year was different. A path seemed to be leading down toward the building (rather than playing at) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKG0J2XGhW_g9lgxuvPRwODIbJXabhB4pzdxdxwjG351XEDcx8dboQNSzrLC0iMz9eG9V0OmK0lFVE9uHj_Txb_FFH_ZkF0UX5Ibq5gSMw6VUUHLvmLMNbRKF84luL9AkuAvNMWxZAmPo/s1600-h/drawersA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKG0J2XGhW_g9lgxuvPRwODIbJXabhB4pzdxdxwjG351XEDcx8dboQNSzrLC0iMz9eG9V0OmK0lFVE9uHj_Txb_FFH_ZkF0UX5Ibq5gSMw6VUUHLvmLMNbRKF84luL9AkuAvNMWxZAmPo/s200/drawersA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142972723120267490" border="0" /></a>of an actual business revolving around making things with gorgeous fabrics. For the time being , the gorgeousness covers mostly scarves & bags.<br /><br />So I applied to take part in a Christmas Craft Market. <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.creativefinds.ca/">The Creative Finds Market</a> to be exact. I had been so impressed by the organisation and marketing zip of a fab crafter called <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://brushedwithmagic.com/">Nicci Battilana</a> who's in charge of the Craft Market that when she asked if I'd wanted in, I said "Yes" before I had time to consult with my doubts. A good thing too. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfPPrTa-fX82edp2pkgkUfSkAH24ZmnMkzN6sdoXLmBAw_b4MfIdEOMp-GBHELF5k8U5fvn-ENvv1GGZMJD_YXVrnculcpnBJEZMRDIYXTK22oyQcHHpBv6YhEYaxZ30eUtpA6b197IA4/s1600-h/CU+items.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfPPrTa-fX82edp2pkgkUfSkAH24ZmnMkzN6sdoXLmBAw_b4MfIdEOMp-GBHELF5k8U5fvn-ENvv1GGZMJD_YXVrnculcpnBJEZMRDIYXTK22oyQcHHpBv6YhEYaxZ30eUtpA6b197IA4/s200/CU+items.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142959168203481170" border="0" /></a>Because I sold stuff and, more importantly, I followed my sister's advice and actually had fun. And for the first time since I'd come to Vancouver, I felt more in touch with the person I'd left in Singapore. And that's a wonderful thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpbAr70ZSGacwJl5BghZC0jw716jAAfy3ZkMDz8T89fyD_2VtXZcotv2fLJNurlj3JwNnMXnWfPPenAAj1S53k9vpI8VD28Xa_hlhQbm_e6xJ3Ah-QU__5c9dRjQeFD0r-Gpqt21Qophg/s1600-h/Olian+with+drawers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpbAr70ZSGacwJl5BghZC0jw716jAAfy3ZkMDz8T89fyD_2VtXZcotv2fLJNurlj3JwNnMXnWfPPenAAj1S53k9vpI8VD28Xa_hlhQbm_e6xJ3Ah-QU__5c9dRjQeFD0r-Gpqt21Qophg/s200/Olian+with+drawers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142958983519887426" border="0" /></a>It also helps to have friends. Especially girl friends. They support you through your craziness and your joy. They let you rant your frustrations and roar your successes. And, they also accompany you when you have to man a stall for 8 hours at a Christmas Craft Fair (how else would you take a loo break?) . Thank god for girl friends. Thank god for Olian. Who not only helped bring the extension cords I forgot, but also flaunted the fact that she was one of my first happy scarf customers to my new scarf customers. That endorsement really helped sell. Besides, she knows how to dress. Which only made the scarves look better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGjnsqQBG81scX_e7D89mxAOP_gVy6agkkI5MIucYjwYOxQn1CnDh-IVsaNZww4D0Z57kzGFdX1PCPm-YzZ9NtpICr8IMZ9jM8OnKM50QMIwuayV0pazVcasvyfqXtMlgUQGFSTjedRCr/s1600-h/bags1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGjnsqQBG81scX_e7D89mxAOP_gVy6agkkI5MIucYjwYOxQn1CnDh-IVsaNZww4D0Z57kzGFdX1PCPm-YzZ9NtpICr8IMZ9jM8OnKM50QMIwuayV0pazVcasvyfqXtMlgUQGFSTjedRCr/s320/bags1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142971310076027074" border="0" /></a>And I guess it's true then. This belief that the spirit or the intent behind which something is done communicates, somehow, unseen to people, strangers. And they react to it. Which is probably why, the scarves got sold, women, and some men left smiling and chuffed, and we won the stall holders prize for best display, packaging & product. Which was all the more satisfying because it was never expected.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy9C6knUdCD_ehJLktQZfPbYBgkXPjmX5IwzC-5LIlUw3L4YQ7WlJAYpireovb-zW7iz97CYHovelwp-BWuJHMcu8Z9dC0_ii0YHi9Hltc7K2zTzGFhkGNLC7sYFA0Tud0_dJwIlinv0g/s1600-h/car+tracks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy9C6knUdCD_ehJLktQZfPbYBgkXPjmX5IwzC-5LIlUw3L4YQ7WlJAYpireovb-zW7iz97CYHovelwp-BWuJHMcu8Z9dC0_ii0YHi9Hltc7K2zTzGFhkGNLC7sYFA0Tud0_dJwIlinv0g/s200/car+tracks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142970996543414434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Little Note:</span></span> I have to apologise for the incredibly blurry pics at the Craft Market. It was cold that day, snow up to your ankle (and for a girl from the tropics, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOE24BNrl22NFQvz9H98QRp1SlptshbDpN4c-4KbVueeRjMmS7JokoVFq-wbJ3DcvthyBuYsH8ZVOl-qbwrknIFLkKXFDPqxYe0yh-3IFeXcwF35CUgR-xeA7_-91HqJvsWAKJmK1FnwF/s1600-h/CU+fish+in+snow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOE24BNrl22NFQvz9H98QRp1SlptshbDpN4c-4KbVueeRjMmS7JokoVFq-wbJ3DcvthyBuYsH8ZVOl-qbwrknIFLkKXFDPqxYe0yh-3IFeXcwF35CUgR-xeA7_-91HqJvsWAKJmK1FnwF/s200/CU+fish+in+snow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142971172637073586" border="0" /></a>that's alot especially when you have to drive in it), and I had only 4 hours of sleep the night before, worrying, preparing, worrying, planning,worrying, packing and did I mention worrying?Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-75514268601315215822007-11-03T08:05:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:17.560-08:003 Weeks in Portugal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxRgFVcQ8__6s7tGuQDcttIexP-34nZiLRYH8Qv3f0nKo7ebpqmYr7oiJXP1PAGj1ujH1Ec1MngMNkteKvz4C_VuJGFbUYqWkP_c5RVz8k_naQyj7opFNsL8dZCCY4WqI7lKT3eBjJCUm/s1600-h/Belem+st+jeronimoa+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxRgFVcQ8__6s7tGuQDcttIexP-34nZiLRYH8Qv3f0nKo7ebpqmYr7oiJXP1PAGj1ujH1Ec1MngMNkteKvz4C_VuJGFbUYqWkP_c5RVz8k_naQyj7opFNsL8dZCCY4WqI7lKT3eBjJCUm/s200/Belem+st+jeronimoa+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128783046494365186" border="0" /></a>Been away, as I'm sure you can tell. To a country I've always wanted to go but never had the chance, Portugal. It was always, somehow, just too inconvenient to get to, being at the edge of Europe and all. And every previous trip to Europe centered around London, Nice & Vienna.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZNUficpqytSnoUppL6pu4FJncnrchhE8yfOnZCL-cGe5oNKRCPGTIprfw13krzz0zJmkhnWwMyKNpBKrUBXrXBT2qvCiJ-fPhRFEkMaiLI92qMnSqDLhMUk2B8owRoeeS6pSRNBmcJ0o/s1600-h/lis+rossio.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZNUficpqytSnoUppL6pu4FJncnrchhE8yfOnZCL-cGe5oNKRCPGTIprfw13krzz0zJmkhnWwMyKNpBKrUBXrXBT2qvCiJ-fPhRFEkMaiLI92qMnSqDLhMUk2B8owRoeeS6pSRNBmcJ0o/s200/lis+rossio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128783282717566482" border="0" /></a>But to a girl from Singapore, growing up propped at the tip of the Straits of Malacca, you hear <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.colonialvoyage.com/malacca.html">stories of the Portuguese. </a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Of <span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;">Afonso de Albuquerque</span> who captured<span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;"> </span>Malacca, of how the seafaring Portuguese ruled Malacca as a trading port & emporium back in the 16th century</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span>and you'd also have many Eurasian friends descended <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTiUVKB8HBQS5nnsrUuY0P1kuRUKsPWq2_ACCcdkeBqKVqtdRmPWSvhLAtKGxWDdif_REgZWpB_Gy-BfFFG2-9SG6ZkwEOX0BSVoaURNZcX1xio5c-eThyxtPa3e7Y8itL3Tv1Yw92K9i/s1600-h/lis+church+steeple.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTiUVKB8HBQS5nnsrUuY0P1kuRUKsPWq2_ACCcdkeBqKVqtdRmPWSvhLAtKGxWDdif_REgZWpB_Gy-BfFFG2-9SG6ZkwEOX0BSVoaURNZcX1xio5c-eThyxtPa3e7Y8itL3Tv1Yw92K9i/s200/lis+church+steeple.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128787801023162018" border="0" /></a>from those early colonialist with surnames like De Souza, Thesiera, D' Almeda. Although Portugal was thousand of clicks away, it still felt unexpectedly familiar.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwKKzT4_fadbpGeKG-C0z4F27fyhJv8l9fN7MGe7vzSkZzH135A5M_zT24Eu3A5igif3841xwikmIkKZc6LzL9ZQ3cdz87ASCNNNXmLh6YZtJnfFq7GrAbp9fexmmUHe-KSvjh3Dq762w/s1600-h/portugal+trip+map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwKKzT4_fadbpGeKG-C0z4F27fyhJv8l9fN7MGe7vzSkZzH135A5M_zT24Eu3A5igif3841xwikmIkKZc6LzL9ZQ3cdz87ASCNNNXmLh6YZtJnfFq7GrAbp9fexmmUHe-KSvjh3Dq762w/s320/portugal+trip+map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129006711211271922" border="0" /></a>b & I only had 3 weeks for the land of the <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusitanians">Lusitanians</a> so we decided to concentrate on just the south: <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/plains/index.html">Alentejo</a>, the <a href="http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/algarve/index.html"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Algarve</span> </a>and around <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/index.html">Lisbon</a>. No point mad-dashing through a host of towns spending only a day there with not much time t o soak up the atmosphere. No, we'd take a fairly relaxed route. Moving out from Lisbon eastward toward the medieval town of <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marv%C3%A3o">Marvao</a>, perched on a high outcrop overlooking the dry plains of western Spain; then working our way southwards to <a href="http://www.manorhouses.com/unesco/whevora.html"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Evora</span></a>, with it's romantic Roman ruins, to <a href="http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/mertola.html"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Mertola</span></a> where a languid river runs, then to the Algarve . Staring with a charming town called Tavira, staying in a converted Tuna factory, working westward toward the end of the world to a place called <a href="http://www.sagres.net/index.htm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Sagres</span></a>, then travelling up northward to coastal Alentejo and back to Lisbon having circled the south in 2 weeks.<br /><br />But to spare you from a long-drawn tale of travel, I'll be splitting up the story into 3 parts.<br /><br />This one will be about Lisbon, the place where there's so much to tell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dnLktUGSTXRQQ_d-7KZt09V3QKW4cXgs-LR8m0_jtBj6O2mXLmmSDwagxfyQneuHAMFlGobroe35kBiuqTBZwf5944pi92biUsAHV8c4b4Qk3Bv0cJDsvn2YTjv17uL6a7igUh6AcwL0/s1600-h/Evora+Chapela+Dos+Ossos+St+Fernando2aa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dnLktUGSTXRQQ_d-7KZt09V3QKW4cXgs-LR8m0_jtBj6O2mXLmmSDwagxfyQneuHAMFlGobroe35kBiuqTBZwf5944pi92biUsAHV8c4b4Qk3Bv0cJDsvn2YTjv17uL6a7igUh6AcwL0/s200/Evora+Chapela+Dos+Ossos+St+Fernando2aa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128785133848471106" border="0" /></a>I'll do the next post on the inland Alentejo pit-stops. Especially morbid was the Chapelle Dos Ossos, The Chapel of Bones, which was built with 5000 skeletons....freaky.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The final post should cover the meandering through coastal towns in the Algarve, Alentejo & around Lisbon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85DbvksNIAJHNdTf5qsvFDRBYolm_PxwDJ4ap34zTFEBnQp6WBJ6ytr8iAtvCweSIrvbECWCV86m1iNuK4_hniFP4KgkR6irIUIvgLlUEC8MFfDnyl47VrZc_VGP07vXh8FhO2qdEheQ6/s1600-h/lis+detail+elevator.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85DbvksNIAJHNdTf5qsvFDRBYolm_PxwDJ4ap34zTFEBnQp6WBJ6ytr8iAtvCweSIrvbECWCV86m1iNuK4_hniFP4KgkR6irIUIvgLlUEC8MFfDnyl47VrZc_VGP07vXh8FhO2qdEheQ6/s200/lis+detail+elevator.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128787075173688962" border="0" /></a>It's been a couple of years since I've been back to Europe and so it was Lisbon's Euro-ness that struck me. I couldn't keep my eyes off all the architectural intricacies, the millennia of history seeping out between the cobbled streets and the oh-so stylish cars zipping about the roads.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0phTUMHYah_vOsf_O7qaXBrVu3txa8oGRrL13sob7Vft07wntHVloswpZsPgmZROA4lJ-XKf3y2GZD8epBNxt3uUvUr5vjBtDNgemwlPkKYYILt9elfdEraKMrCghpkeC_x__2EhH_4y/s1600-h/lis+cracked+door+carmelite+church.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0phTUMHYah_vOsf_O7qaXBrVu3txa8oGRrL13sob7Vft07wntHVloswpZsPgmZROA4lJ-XKf3y2GZD8epBNxt3uUvUr5vjBtDNgemwlPkKYYILt9elfdEraKMrCghpkeC_x__2EhH_4y/s200/lis+cracked+door+carmelite+church.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128705999076042130" border="0" /></a>Lisbon was all but demolished in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_earthquake"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">g</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">reat earthquake of 1755</span></a>, one of the worst earthquakes in history. The city was rebuilt by the then Prime Minister, the <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquis_of_Pombal">Marquis of </a><a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquis_of_Pombal">Pomba</a><a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquis_of_Pombal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">l</span></a>, who was one of the first to build a city based on a grid road system. The buildings constructed during his rule were made earthquake proof. And this is in the 16th century! This was just one example of his futuristic thinking. He also built extra wide 3-laned roads in the time of horse & carriage. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NIFrZtYJxV0eCkra0SMkqrWgPpcBCI_5TLLX8QAYAsGIDjoi3H27vRmljkrdpRvJtG7Iwy8QzBp0upJAUDDuPesDBqZ0A6OYrRCn3-BXhqn9yeOy1Cy52a59_HvAjJbZECASu4eNgaxq/s1600-h/lis+inside+carmelite+church.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NIFrZtYJxV0eCkra0SMkqrWgPpcBCI_5TLLX8QAYAsGIDjoi3H27vRmljkrdpRvJtG7Iwy8QzBp0upJAUDDuPesDBqZ0A6OYrRCn3-BXhqn9yeOy1Cy52a59_HvAjJbZECASu4eNgaxq/s200/lis+inside+carmelite+church.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128798396707481314" border="0" /></a>When someone asked him why, he said that someday these roads would be small. And while drinking potent cafe pingado on a street side cafe and looking at the choc-a-bloc stream of cars chugging down Avenida Liberdade, I'd say Pombal must have had a crystal ball.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll0F1aZh_T8JuH8YmIzc_n1C_W61d7ZBNkB_3551i8HpQz8Ev6SrFzspZnJ00H6Zj6qVb6T6a7yh6Ju8vpjiBceU6OzznW0UFz5-SvpOAqrgHj-FVPqpQ9SAA_jtgYuGx35cszSlNHKDG/s1600-h/lis+carmelite+chapel+and+elevador.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll0F1aZh_T8JuH8YmIzc_n1C_W61d7ZBNkB_3551i8HpQz8Ev6SrFzspZnJ00H6Zj6qVb6T6a7yh6Ju8vpjiBceU6OzznW0UFz5-SvpOAqrgHj-FVPqpQ9SAA_jtgYuGx35cszSlNHKDG/s200/lis+carmelite+chapel+and+elevador.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128705526629639554" border="0" /></a>The city spreads over several hills and in the course of exploring the sights, there were tons of puffing up steep gradients.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmE9OhUZ_DQbc0KoP0IOmqsADYdDrIpiiJ3p0xQquu6QEiohiWw8_aKfuZE48yOEfYwMSp1z6xh3iYQzzLDfIcSYkkyxIER09_xfesa5a-yI-yEJpJnioSP1fgz8Cc32R3PVSunCdMvhh/s1600-h/lis+st+jorge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmE9OhUZ_DQbc0KoP0IOmqsADYdDrIpiiJ3p0xQquu6QEiohiWw8_aKfuZE48yOEfYwMSp1z6xh3iYQzzLDfIcSYkkyxIER09_xfesa5a-yI-yEJpJnioSP1fgz8Cc32R3PVSunCdMvhh/s200/lis+st+jorge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128785790978467426" border="0" /></a>Lisbon's ingenious solution to taking the pant out of hill climbing was to build elevators and trams, otheriwse known as <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.luso.u-net.com/funicula.htm">funinculars</a>, that ply slopes. Although most of the city folk don't use them anymore. More for the tourists like this girl.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6-fordrs-rl2nAmTzOXHOM3RiqBHPgnLyMnvK6-KhdpFDiIjXqadfTpVikQ2Dz7UEjIOhwiFOiIEPcMcWAAqPanKRamI2xu-i1849y2k3Ge2jPZUhZi26nIJ2Ad5ZdGOdsQSCm_hzKRR/s1600-h/lis+alfamaA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6-fordrs-rl2nAmTzOXHOM3RiqBHPgnLyMnvK6-KhdpFDiIjXqadfTpVikQ2Dz7UEjIOhwiFOiIEPcMcWAAqPanKRamI2xu-i1849y2k3Ge2jPZUhZi26nIJ2Ad5ZdGOdsQSCm_hzKRR/s200/lis+alfamaA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128704276794156370" border="0" /></a>And like tourists we also took the other wooden tram to explore an area called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfama"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Alfama</span></a>. It was one of the precious parts of Lisbon not destroyed by the earthquake.<br /><br />In the 700;s when the Moors wrestled parts of southern Portugal away from the Visigoths and other Germanic tribes, Alfama made up the entire city of Lisbon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlIFmn5rrK1AEqyudrsUIPD7aTfGTx90A8vbF4rGSr1yZi_pDMukTvSpAQUgqM_SqIfbE2f4x7AiU52sFNoKpus6JNdzQv6lgZMTlhVsQ3Lo75ovtSlhSeqdLWchCYixR6JUkxJSJiXtD/s1600-h/lis+tram+thru++alfarma.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlIFmn5rrK1AEqyudrsUIPD7aTfGTx90A8vbF4rGSr1yZi_pDMukTvSpAQUgqM_SqIfbE2f4x7AiU52sFNoKpus6JNdzQv6lgZMTlhVsQ3Lo75ovtSlhSeqdLWchCYixR6JUkxJSJiXtD/s200/lis+tram+thru++alfarma.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128705144377550194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gUJ1TPdQEk2Zxw7jj1DZ4-giRJq35zTBLlg2tHJp1iNP_GZ4CuICT6AOXsQSjY3ebsVyLuYQC5ICdrIjRvY8Gn_4sCNeAnO1oFrnZfXv6lzwxBZ36fdIWGLeRTzto1eH52rRwLjSZRVF/s1600-h/lis+outside+tram+alfarma+street.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gUJ1TPdQEk2Zxw7jj1DZ4-giRJq35zTBLlg2tHJp1iNP_GZ4CuICT6AOXsQSjY3ebsVyLuYQC5ICdrIjRvY8Gn_4sCNeAnO1oFrnZfXv6lzwxBZ36fdIWGLeRTzto1eH52rRwLjSZRVF/s200/lis+outside+tram+alfarma+street.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128704616096572770" border="0" /></a>Today, though, it is a labyrinth of narrow & twisting streets. And that wooden tram ride through it is not for those of you with weak stomachs.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-ZVIdtBv7VyHqLckGrZaeRR6ZyBuOsi1E1dyp_0pMts-IbCYYdoq029sUonnGyN-P49zUYFsODkFC59NtVToKFeMDtHR1utzZh1hjlZasfXSVUvnmOMj3QIzCddHcPhTsnQkr9j_NGFA/s1600-h/lis+st+jorge+hill.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-ZVIdtBv7VyHqLckGrZaeRR6ZyBuOsi1E1dyp_0pMts-IbCYYdoq029sUonnGyN-P49zUYFsODkFC59NtVToKFeMDtHR1utzZh1hjlZasfXSVUvnmOMj3QIzCddHcPhTsnQkr9j_NGFA/s200/lis+st+jorge+hill.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128714915428148706" border="0" /></a>On top of one of her hills is <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_S%C3%A3o_Jorge">Castelo Sao Jorge</a>. An expansive fortress castle with a commanding lookout over the river Tagus. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35_6ey5-GcgRT4UkuOLDcjVFHdWvQ4yNp7p7alXlRHAsYRBDap7tChwstW9MId_N_IvaPXxsrOPl_TqGNY308Dij1F1k9FCN5BIas8On9oI8orY8Yjr8IxlaMmFawolIcIyKWh0EtRLVZ/s1600-h/lis+bridge+behind+city.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35_6ey5-GcgRT4UkuOLDcjVFHdWvQ4yNp7p7alXlRHAsYRBDap7tChwstW9MId_N_IvaPXxsrOPl_TqGNY308Dij1F1k9FCN5BIas8On9oI8orY8Yjr8IxlaMmFawolIcIyKWh0EtRLVZ/s200/lis+bridge+behind+city.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128787586274797202" border="0" /></a>It gave us one of our first overviews of the city. The replica of the Golden Gate bridge, the other hill Barrio Alto with it's destroyed Cammerlite church & lace steel street elevator, the large squares with statues and it's many green parks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZtnhMXEPiEqpEL569PAGJDpJAhm4zcF0pXl5Fqzp6fFnC5J5tg1Rz1Yg3uWfHzAqem_6j3ke7OZUNjlx9KVSOBGB0zIn054P5HHU2_2r6JTRtYAsEYNChkwLPWiaNIvcmQtvHRLyittb/s1600-h/lis+greens+in+cafe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZtnhMXEPiEqpEL569PAGJDpJAhm4zcF0pXl5Fqzp6fFnC5J5tg1Rz1Yg3uWfHzAqem_6j3ke7OZUNjlx9KVSOBGB0zIn054P5HHU2_2r6JTRtYAsEYNChkwLPWiaNIvcmQtvHRLyittb/s200/lis+greens+in+cafe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128788114555774642" border="0" /></a>I think that one of the enjoyment of travelling is the unexpected that greets you when you turn around an unfamiliar corner. On the Thursday before we were to come back to Vancouver, on our way to lunch, we turned the corner that linked our hotel to Avenida Libradade. Sprinkled among the streams of people were many wearing garments of a particular green. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQI6WgE31OuM_nQdEKqmwWkTw05ReF-OEnJFx_kEvMo6QbPm86ZNU5_-KihXQ0044p_5lB7sRLTzgVj-A1wGiGj-Oc1MwBZLST4UFWdikybRlw_kTygsuxx9aQMQfNXH1Bi1PLGkbjEUQ/s1600-h/lis+greens+in+rossio.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQI6WgE31OuM_nQdEKqmwWkTw05ReF-OEnJFx_kEvMo6QbPm86ZNU5_-KihXQ0044p_5lB7sRLTzgVj-A1wGiGj-Oc1MwBZLST4UFWdikybRlw_kTygsuxx9aQMQfNXH1Bi1PLGkbjEUQ/s200/lis+greens+in+rossio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128788402318583490" border="0" /></a><br />As we walked toward the Rossio we started seeing more and more of these greenlings. How odd! Then rounding another corner we came face to face with an entire square of leprechaun green Celtic Football club supporters come to Lisbon for a game with Benfica, one of Lisbon's teams. It was such a happy festive <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8UTtgJLNkjHBvuzB6ytvXuzTQOBMUh5cHaRtIvocoUl0-vALC8PbzhMlvndJAHTc8a1tm6t2VZFo88KR1NPWTm-P2Ebh5Mfa4aizT41D9WqQzml_hc6o2puBWNwZ5O0jNUN_gM5vYYLV/s1600-h/lis+greens+rossio+MS.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8UTtgJLNkjHBvuzB6ytvXuzTQOBMUh5cHaRtIvocoUl0-vALC8PbzhMlvndJAHTc8a1tm6t2VZFo88KR1NPWTm-P2Ebh5Mfa4aizT41D9WqQzml_hc6o2puBWNwZ5O0jNUN_gM5vYYLV/s200/lis+greens+rossio+MS.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128788604182046418" border="0" /></a>atmosphere buzzing the city that day. Of anticipation and pride. So taken by the vibe were we that we actually made it to street cafe to watch the game. It was like world cup all over again! Magic!!<br /><br />Sadly for the Celts, they lost. Suffice to say, there were many dark & depressed-looking fans in green the next day at breakfast lamenting the game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgR__bWxUyh-XEKeU35x_LEAq21plJYmxKfyq1GWpHZdaVu-jZcNg1nC8uqMxfx1HA43dJoTswUen9cI2XXdMP2W1rzM6i7wwlOk-X0J6x7mUKT3g3rKqWphbubLuLUazhn0mDcQMK6sZ/s1600-h/lis+natural+history+museum+attack+butterflies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgR__bWxUyh-XEKeU35x_LEAq21plJYmxKfyq1GWpHZdaVu-jZcNg1nC8uqMxfx1HA43dJoTswUen9cI2XXdMP2W1rzM6i7wwlOk-X0J6x7mUKT3g3rKqWphbubLuLUazhn0mDcQMK6sZ/s200/lis+natural+history+museum+attack+butterflies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128706527357019570" border="0" /></a>The other thrilling unexpected find was the little known & extremely vicious Attack Butterflies of Lisbon. So dangerous are they that they are locked up behind heavy steel doors in Lisbon's Natural History museum. A must see for all brave souls.<br /><br />Well, that's the bit for Lisbon. Will be posting the rest when I gather up enough steam.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-39329239430598601122007-08-09T17:11:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:18.490-08:00Reaching the Inner Princess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCvXWnogqSrF4q6oZpdQm5NHZjurPlFh8YoWEhT8UhW4Yy0SuSYM5ikvBAM_784h0zKgB9piCByEFb1Lcq0pQAI2k6nX5PtyYMv82E5q6VVnfTYkMrLF41esouCvHH1n93DSnRstH-ZdH/s1600-h/Georgia+biting+tableAjpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCvXWnogqSrF4q6oZpdQm5NHZjurPlFh8YoWEhT8UhW4Yy0SuSYM5ikvBAM_784h0zKgB9piCByEFb1Lcq0pQAI2k6nX5PtyYMv82E5q6VVnfTYkMrLF41esouCvHH1n93DSnRstH-ZdH/s200/Georgia+biting+tableAjpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097629464757180706" border="0" /></a>Our friends Thom, Pauline & their little daughter, Georgia, were leaving Vancouver after more than 15 years living here (well not Georgia, she's only been around 2 years or so). They were driving across the breadth of Canada, to Ontario, to make a new home there. For those of you who are used to Singaporean or European distances, it's like driving from Singapore, up peninsular Malaysia, through Thailand & Cambodia, up the length of Vietnam, pass Yunnan and southern China to Beijing. Or from London to Tehran. But this is beside the point.<br /><br />The point is. I didn't get to say goodbye to Georgia, not that she'd remember me, her being a wee girl and all. But I felt that I wanted to give her something to remember Vancouver by. Reaching into the depths of my <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUXZyPKQLNHy0047SSMIuHCUpZwZvmR_tR4BMJAmxNB-4aurdy60uyd5z_5IcMgCTBX_7yLFbYKiKucZcvAfz-PL9pfggg1Gw4T-1BGAlXutWRd2mkEvHPUfCOKxPzLgTPnI_mQ3YimK8/s1600-h/MS+side.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUXZyPKQLNHy0047SSMIuHCUpZwZvmR_tR4BMJAmxNB-4aurdy60uyd5z_5IcMgCTBX_7yLFbYKiKucZcvAfz-PL9pfggg1Gw4T-1BGAlXutWRd2mkEvHPUfCOKxPzLgTPnI_mQ3YimK8/s200/MS+side.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097630461189593394" border="0" /></a>own inner Princess (which I knew EVERY girl must have inside her) I dredged up long forgotten memories of what someone shorter than 3 feet would find fab & fun. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WKmDYSiDxQNx9nkKun_bba5oC0pjkSO0VW0THyBHaIl6Py8wKmU6CP1iGm8h6W6Tm-YvLz0G-enw0F-zgQLF57IV2h1HvnSBgSYg3r6463iGbKuQWlpzCb2RSoOYepFBXnNZGha3qoF_/s1600-h/back.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WKmDYSiDxQNx9nkKun_bba5oC0pjkSO0VW0THyBHaIl6Py8wKmU6CP1iGm8h6W6Tm-YvLz0G-enw0F-zgQLF57IV2h1HvnSBgSYg3r6463iGbKuQWlpzCb2RSoOYepFBXnNZGha3qoF_/s200/back.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097630594333579586" border="0" /></a>Then I put together the design for 3 little girl purses. All were made of glow-in-the-dark fabrics which will give children loads to fun with after the sun sets.<br /><br />Inspired by another princess from a long time ago and a galaxy far, far away, <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6655280">Princess Neon Cheesecake came into being.</a> She's was a twin of the one that went to Georgia. Pink, yellow with headphone-like handles resembling the clenched fists of a power puff girl. She was bought the moment I'd put her online.<a href="http://rumahkampung.etsy.com/"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgx4NRhQ0bb1SqupknSt5Fkv9IxRSgJGSU7l9XWSNMyWNM6IZJUPwt1M5GQD_nLHpbcWqouB9-nG-LZGzTJFJgBY1gSXVKrmqui0zt9PAcIiBRKyAVJ3m9yFaSu4KoglCVnVIoIUQ9Lhy/s1600-h/bag+standing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgx4NRhQ0bb1SqupknSt5Fkv9IxRSgJGSU7l9XWSNMyWNM6IZJUPwt1M5GQD_nLHpbcWqouB9-nG-LZGzTJFJgBY1gSXVKrmqui0zt9PAcIiBRKyAVJ3m9yFaSu4KoglCVnVIoIUQ9Lhy/s200/bag+standing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097631096844753234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfEZCLjM_BNZEjuVxMversDKxzZZYM_27qzbXZViTDY8nMWYZh6l1VKc6QsInQVarLEWFKUGSLyByMEIRbUKdvElcPALj93FvYKtab-DbHou0HnzdN-NhiupXpoN9Xw7aKrO1KU-tGsWq/s1600-h/Croc+front+MS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfEZCLjM_BNZEjuVxMversDKxzZZYM_27qzbXZViTDY8nMWYZh6l1VKc6QsInQVarLEWFKUGSLyByMEIRbUKdvElcPALj93FvYKtab-DbHou0HnzdN-NhiupXpoN9Xw7aKrO1KU-tGsWq/s200/Croc+front+MS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097631294413248866" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6670365">Then came Princess Lime Sherbet to keep Cheesecake company.</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8CtQPAYnR87EON32JEC9TOk7k96Ma24tLBdImHWxhdg_1hStElnpFhxkaEyWONJMj8AodemGLhXobo3rEK0i24IObHvo9pQYiaBBcq9RQD7B-IRnYWZMXGmEeVFdsdjnZPhWTexdTQZV/s1600-h/angel+artsy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8CtQPAYnR87EON32JEC9TOk7k96Ma24tLBdImHWxhdg_1hStElnpFhxkaEyWONJMj8AodemGLhXobo3rEK0i24IObHvo9pQYiaBBcq9RQD7B-IRnYWZMXGmEeVFdsdjnZPhWTexdTQZV/s200/angel+artsy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097631560701221234" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6712223">Princess Lemon Lollipop completes the trio of royalty.</a> Each with a colour & a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtqtOjSm4N1lw3ThNJqLaB-k04c9R598QQJyXSEsmdbddlbMDIcp_VlvUWzkIF_REEebgSWluyhddloW9kGzJlvrCG3SFA5Yw0stc_7wMwbFRikYZVQZTi6Ib954xlFaY-Sn1q9PBR_Z3/s1600-h/Ws.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtqtOjSm4N1lw3ThNJqLaB-k04c9R598QQJyXSEsmdbddlbMDIcp_VlvUWzkIF_REEebgSWluyhddloW9kGzJlvrCG3SFA5Yw0stc_7wMwbFRikYZVQZTi6Ib954xlFaY-Sn1q9PBR_Z3/s200/Ws.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097631685255272834" border="0" /></a>character of her very own. Kinda like every little princess exploring in every girl. Or sleeping in every woman.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-92073619165654384032007-07-29T14:33:00.000-07:002007-07-29T15:06:38.383-07:00We've Struck Oil !!!Never thought I get a first-hand taste of living in the Middle East till last Tuesday.<br /><br />I was visiting Hazra's place in<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=Barnet%20Road&city=Burnaby&state=BC&zipcode=V5A&country=CA&title=%3cb%20class%3d%22fn%20org%22%3eBarnet%20Road%3c%2fb%3e%3cbr%20%2f%3e%20%3cspan%20style%3d%22display%3ainline%3bmargin%2dbottom%3a0px%3b%22%20class%3d%22locality%22%3eBurnaby%3c%2fspan%3e%2c%20%3cspan%20style%3d%22display%3ainline%3bmargin%2dbottom%3a0px%3b%22%20class%3d%22region%22%3eBC%3c%2fspan%3e%20%3cspan%20style%3d%22display%3ainline%3bmargin%2dbottom%3a0px%3b%22%20class%3d%22postal%2dcode%22%3eV5A%3c%2fspan%3e%2c%20%20%3cspan%20style%3d%22display%3ainline%3bmargin%2dbottom%3a0px%3b%22%20class%3d%22country%2dname%22%3eCA%3c%2fspan%3e%3c%2fspan%3e&amp;amp;amp;cid=lfmaplink2&name=&dtype=h">North Burnaby, near the Burrard Inlet</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">. </span>And we were having a fun time with her teaching me how to make a proper Malay Mee goreng. After filling out tummies & just before dessert, I noticed a young fireman walking up her garden path. All my thoughts of how cute he looked in his sleeveless overalls were truncated when he calmly informed us we had to be evacuated from the house. Pronto. There was some sort of oil or gas leak a couple of doors down and all the residents were to be moved to a little pub about 1km away.<br /><br />The video will give you a better idea of what happened.<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jIYjIitKnKk"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jIYjIitKnKk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />The oil spill closed the Barnet highway for 2 days ( a major route from Port Moody to the City) and the environmental damage to the wildlife of the Burrard Inlet is yet to be determined. Apparently a city road crew punctured the pipe and for a while, it looked like the oil strike from the Beverly Hillbillies.<br /><br />Almost a week later and the pipe's been repaired. The highway's been cleaned up, the homes & gardens covered with the crude oil will probably not restored.<br />And the funny thing is, for me, the flavour of Nasi Goreng will forever be laced with the pungent & headache-inducing aroma of dark crude oil fumes.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-87813632438094046052007-07-22T21:58:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:20.638-08:00Every Girl Needs a Little Fountain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQoCKdXnQI/AAAAAAAAAoM/xKvlgVQcjiQ/s1600-h/Fountain+Pots.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQoCKdXnQI/AAAAAAAAAoM/xKvlgVQcjiQ/s200/Fountain+Pots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090237496467889410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTsMB6-AMl4iFmMmTvwK2ZpaLi06do-5n2ASMaJUdkLOVhl817GPyXrT9NUBdYO2r0JUPhpGxIeKFMUCAPlQfraTPzIsjt3IWdmEtK1tfknkIEXxpuSzJg9gakw-dlcPdg0aTaYyZf_Yb/s1600-h/Fountain+Pots.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTsMB6-AMl4iFmMmTvwK2ZpaLi06do-5n2ASMaJUdkLOVhl817GPyXrT9NUBdYO2r0JUPhpGxIeKFMUCAPlQfraTPzIsjt3IWdmEtK1tfknkIEXxpuSzJg9gakw-dlcPdg0aTaYyZf_Yb/s200/Fountain+Pots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090789395470458306" border="0" /></a>The sound of flowing water, especially when you live in a busy, bustling,noisy city can give surprising comfort. Maybe it's something to do with the feng shui of having energy made moving by the trickling water. Maybe it's a gentle reminder of the visceral simplicity of being in nature where the body just knows how to relax.<br /><br />I worked in a wonderful tropical spa on the beautiful island of Bintan for quite a few years before I came to live in BC. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQovqdXnRI/AAAAAAAAAoU/9ZSWgcXyJlo/s1600-h/Floral+Bath+at+Asmara+Pavilion+-+Smalll+Size.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQovqdXnRI/AAAAAAAAAoU/9ZSWgcXyJlo/s200/Floral+Bath+at+Asmara+Pavilion+-+Smalll+Size.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090238278151937298" border="0" /></a>In and around this spa were many places where water flowed. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6KigoXpOMz5pfGmiBUcMvJnAq6jznMuN5P0ajibIn6K2vbalVCWx1n_ELZlYCJNPyrHiG8cnVxVRVQyslodJ6pjbpZU2LaW7y92p-MkIr0uwC9GWmWqnbnZriXHr7m3faTt_qP2MRjSO/s1600-h/Floral+Bath+at+Asmara+Pavilion+-+Smalll+Size.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6KigoXpOMz5pfGmiBUcMvJnAq6jznMuN5P0ajibIn6K2vbalVCWx1n_ELZlYCJNPyrHiG8cnVxVRVQyslodJ6pjbpZU2LaW7y92p-MkIr0uwC9GWmWqnbnZriXHr7m3faTt_qP2MRjSO/s200/Floral+Bath+at+Asmara+Pavilion+-+Smalll+Size.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090789816377253330" border="0" /></a>From tilted jars made of volcanic rock to large jars overflowing in a symphony of trickles and splashes. It made the plants look lush and helped the over-wrought people who came to the spa chill and thoroughly relax.<br /><br />Methinks, I was gonna have me one of them water features.<br /><br />If I were back in Singapore, I'd know where to get one. <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.natureco.com.sg/">The Nature Company</a> was the place where the spa used to get all her water features. They have all sorts. From the rustic to the modern to the air-spritzing kind. In fact, for the cost-conscious, they even have<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.natureco.com.sg/diy.asp">simple DIY instructions</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"> </span>where all you need to do is to buy the components to build your own little water feature.<br /><br />But since I'm now living in DIY country. I had to make one on my own. Also, to get someone else to do it would cost an arm & a leg. And then how could I go on crafting? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQvladXnUI/AAAAAAAAAos/QHXGk60fnNg/s1600-h/pipe+.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQvladXnUI/AAAAAAAAAos/QHXGk60fnNg/s200/pipe+.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090245798639672642" border="0" /></a>Nothing for it then but to scope out the rock suppliers and garden shops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBm0nGec77LzARGsFE0KWoroAD_6MFwV_iWbQl8w5ZNDsZsiO47SZ94VpJPvoS6YXQFUjroV9zye014br2zOFfHzZ2VmqhlcVq7gRyGR3UicEFACErqi2P6ezXm88X-FVWgu5SJEnJOQz/s1600-h/pipe+.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBm0nGec77LzARGsFE0KWoroAD_6MFwV_iWbQl8w5ZNDsZsiO47SZ94VpJPvoS6YXQFUjroV9zye014br2zOFfHzZ2VmqhlcVq7gRyGR3UicEFACErqi2P6ezXm88X-FVWgu5SJEnJOQz/s200/pipe+.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090790245873982946" border="0" /></a>My main problem was where would I get the reservoir big enough to hold the water? Since my water feature was on above ground on a balcony I couldn't dig and in ground reservoir. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQVTauyJyUB8GXYm9cO-nxBsoXu107uC1FWp65w0_GqnN1HZZH6XwL7sKv4V76XzICOJdl2cjUJ6JRyRGvNkmFpAA0H-nXMbvhrP3Iyq4bAZ5YjuFzFctaRGydS78fSDxZsYhv5YpHoWZ/s1600-h/Fountain+set-up.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQVTauyJyUB8GXYm9cO-nxBsoXu107uC1FWp65w0_GqnN1HZZH6XwL7sKv4V76XzICOJdl2cjUJ6JRyRGvNkmFpAA0H-nXMbvhrP3Iyq4bAZ5YjuFzFctaRGydS78fSDxZsYhv5YpHoWZ/s200/Fountain+set-up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090790404787772914" border="0" /></a>Custom fiberglass containers were priced ridiculously out of range, and most rectangular containers had sides that were too high. Finally, the <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2007/03/transformation-of-cushion.html">demon cat</a> came to the rescue. Her litter tray was, why, it was just the perfect size. Ok, I'm not that gross to use her litter tray as my reservoir, but the pet shop down the road had one just like it.<br /><br />Next step was to choose something from which the water <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQv76dXnWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pXsA6CXiHi8/s1600-h/Still+waters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQv76dXnWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pXsA6CXiHi8/s200/Still+waters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090246185186729314" border="0" /></a>would spout. An object d'art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnffCcGGyIO_DYgkfmvvDrJh5NKZTJ-FqwauUmuOVVXMpYqGCDKvT9H-SE66er_dzmWmdaudKU7jX6sLGyVbzeHaLKqtULXbXu44_Xb9_xyna0EjPHNSCEw-xqDdXzEY1Ghp7LSaGFRB8/s1600-h/stones+dry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnffCcGGyIO_DYgkfmvvDrJh5NKZTJ-FqwauUmuOVVXMpYqGCDKvT9H-SE66er_dzmWmdaudKU7jX6sLGyVbzeHaLKqtULXbXu44_Xb9_xyna0EjPHNSCEw-xqDdXzEY1Ghp7LSaGFRB8/s200/stones+dry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090790598061301250" border="0" /></a> as my favourite <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);" href="http://www.hgtv.ca/ontv/hostdetails.aspx?hostid=40544">City Gardener, Matt James</a> says at least twice an episode. And I'd the perfect thing. An old clay urn I'd found in a deserted fisher hut on the east coast of Malaysia, which I'd lugged home to Singapore and subsequently brought to Canada.<br /><br /><br />Drilling a hole in its bottom was a heart attack and a half. I'd never done any <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIdwIrhHxr5lzzMpuL-WGhr6-lzGvC6PAexmzxPeyjXPqlB9tEEcs2ygod-DeA9w8QVISbngkHdw6B1oylxNzCM0tXST5eWD7J9LVhLX6d57VPChfjWdXNnuACIHoGuPBktCIorfR55z5/s1600-h/Still+waters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIdwIrhHxr5lzzMpuL-WGhr6-lzGvC6PAexmzxPeyjXPqlB9tEEcs2ygod-DeA9w8QVISbngkHdw6B1oylxNzCM0tXST5eWD7J9LVhLX6d57VPChfjWdXNnuACIHoGuPBktCIorfR55z5/s200/Still+waters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090791379745349154" border="0" /></a>delicate drilling before! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQxTqdXnZI/AAAAAAAAApU/sJ2fi0DldrM/s1600-h/Ws.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ftBF5L7CvsM/RqQxTqdXnZI/AAAAAAAAApU/sJ2fi0DldrM/s200/Ws.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090247692720250258" border="0" /></a>What if I drilled and then cracked it? Breath held tight, heart beating at full gallop, I proceeded. The gods must have been in a good mood that afternoon because it was a hole in one.<br /><br /><br />Hoses fixed to a pump & into the urn. Bricks around the reservoir,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwWmMHd8YZNFdHRavyEirXdbEHqp1R_4_kKI5QO8mNo6C_E-k2vgN_i3gh299bNnPLVfgBX0fVpfUqZGqKCnJeATzPrSWHhM_eUMLJ86zK03aLGET58Vv_T81NsMrbGDv0i5cOg4QIChB/s1600-h/CU+flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwWmMHd8YZNFdHRavyEirXdbEHqp1R_4_kKI5QO8mNo6C_E-k2vgN_i3gh299bNnPLVfgBX0fVpfUqZGqKCnJeATzPrSWHhM_eUMLJ86zK03aLGET58Vv_T81NsMrbGDv0i5cOg4QIChB/s200/CU+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090792204379070002" border="0" /></a> plants placed to soften the hard edges and river rock in the urn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb2mGexB3hKN7NzOx8G2qpxow-zekUlLR0Ii1iZLY-HtJkqSJToc0zAYye307_agM0ybCAraQa5J1ErZF3U9PZOJiY1qI-bOwBomY3YJmu8UvRu4J9PS37L4IsA88lBHSmke4K3GSg4s8/s1600-h/Fountain+Upright.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb2mGexB3hKN7NzOx8G2qpxow-zekUlLR0Ii1iZLY-HtJkqSJToc0zAYye307_agM0ybCAraQa5J1ErZF3U9PZOJiY1qI-bOwBomY3YJmu8UvRu4J9PS37L4IsA88lBHSmke4K3GSg4s8/s200/Fountain+Upright.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090792535091551826" border="0" /></a> to moderate the fountain. And there you have it. Some flowing shui to go with the whipping feng in this wild west coast .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJdK4SeNpFpiH8NsuxgxHD_Ja_G9nOq0wsCHD1r7tFcPOczrdoj0S-1Kgx8n65j5SApqom4h6D8fNFJh4nRmvJNGCAPLUBBruXxNNVY9O_bLdJzlCnjgS3WIa0IdJ7nniAoPMf85dvsoU/s1600-h/Ws.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJdK4SeNpFpiH8NsuxgxHD_Ja_G9nOq0wsCHD1r7tFcPOczrdoj0S-1Kgx8n65j5SApqom4h6D8fNFJh4nRmvJNGCAPLUBBruXxNNVY9O_bLdJzlCnjgS3WIa0IdJ7nniAoPMf85dvsoU/s200/Ws.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090792694005341794" border="0" /></a>But more than that. It gives me a small sense of being able to make a thought, and idea, a feeling see the light of day.<br /><br /> And that is a good feeling.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-30450535452845620542007-07-19T08:38:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:21.114-08:00One BILLION Trees<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GiHoFNZC8_DEqONdDw6ExYlhS4C10oZjpyl5FZi5Nqp2tKah0Dt4SEtzkU2ldXWjmSCn1DMLs1cE3e95vOK0UfSB-pwsLqLQAoaWZMYvoSPFukjL6QjMSHWZ9GrtdRI3MMfTWj1Xwe3J/s1600-h/PLANT_LOGO_English.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088956451607735746" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GiHoFNZC8_DEqONdDw6ExYlhS4C10oZjpyl5FZi5Nqp2tKah0Dt4SEtzkU2ldXWjmSCn1DMLs1cE3e95vOK0UfSB-pwsLqLQAoaWZMYvoSPFukjL6QjMSHWZ9GrtdRI3MMfTWj1Xwe3J/s200/PLANT_LOGO_English.gif" border="0" /></a>I turned on the radio in the middle of a BBC interview a couple of months ago. Owen Bennett-Jones was on with his programme called The Interview. Had no idea who he was talking to or what it was about until I heard "Plant a Billion Trees". Now that caught my imagination. It turned out to be an interview with Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and environmental activist whom I'd never heard of (shows you the depth of my general knowledge!). There was something down-to-earth and compelling about the way she spoke. I listened on and was happy. Following is the BBC's website's write up on that interview. Click on the link is you want to read some more about her.<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3726024.stm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3726024.stm</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliQcFmDiJwn1yHw8sCCojSjc2rFv0TNzItGgdL5tbXTZrvVxSDLP_CAKziduvaf5ngyjvk8dHZWJ7CP2Ef42a2evejWULRZJ57IUtr9a9dUQyeL9JOO2vuOruNOM5k1it_xdyt3MWkODw/s1600-h/Mathaai.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088956614816493010" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliQcFmDiJwn1yHw8sCCojSjc2rFv0TNzItGgdL5tbXTZrvVxSDLP_CAKziduvaf5ngyjvk8dHZWJ7CP2Ef42a2evejWULRZJ57IUtr9a9dUQyeL9JOO2vuOruNOM5k1it_xdyt3MWkODw/s200/Mathaai.jpg" border="0" /></a> "Dig a hole and plant a tree!"<br /><br />Wangari Maathai is an environmental activist, a Kenyan government minister, a Nobel peace prize winner. Her despair at the chronic deforestation evident in her home country, when she returned after 15 years abroad, led to a simple act: she began to plant trees.<br />To date she has helped local women plant over 35 million trees in Kenya and she is challenging the global community to plant a billion trees by the end of this year.<br /><br />The connections she has made between deforestation, hunger and political unrest have brought her powerful enemies as well as international acclaim; of Daniel Arap Moy, the former Kenyan President, she says: "He sure didn't like me much, did he!"<br /><br />I've always believed that one of the simplest thing a person could do to help the planet remove the CO2 in the atmosphere and lower global temperatures was as easy as to plant a tree. And if you only have a balcony or a window, then plant flowers, herbs or shrubs. Just plant something. Anything.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrhoPBk5nacCMNLmDxGPSdTCQPRVj032FYs7GN9G6yClvmnPv_-IGuodapbXpDcyMO-ZZi5E2TnBmvUuvnCakgsnE2tt5S6TmdJ2S9SC2JebeV7JFwRhU75FRiJjlt-oYPYlUpPOSS7hp/s1600-h/Man+who+planted+trees+cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088956730780610018" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrhoPBk5nacCMNLmDxGPSdTCQPRVj032FYs7GN9G6yClvmnPv_-IGuodapbXpDcyMO-ZZi5E2TnBmvUuvnCakgsnE2tt5S6TmdJ2S9SC2JebeV7JFwRhU75FRiJjlt-oYPYlUpPOSS7hp/s200/Man+who+planted+trees+cover.jpg" border="0" /></a>I guess I'm not the only one who thinks that way. βThe symbolism β and the substantive significance β of planting a tree has universal power in every culture and every society on Earth, and it is a way for individual men, women and children to participate in creating solutions for the environmental crisis.β Al Gore, Earth in the Balance<br /><br />Much of the inspiration comes, I'm sure, from the book (and later <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093488/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Oscar winning animation</span></a>) titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Planted-Trees/dp/1860461174/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4/102-4068172-5152167?ie=UTF8&s=books&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;qid=1174948747&sr=8-4"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">The Man Who Planted Trees.</span> </a>The story about a shepherd who revives a desolate ecosystem of a secluded valley by single-handedly planting a forest over a thirty year period. And what did he do?....why he planted 100 acorns a day.<br /><br />Wangari Maathai has an organisation called the <a href="http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Green Belt Movement</span></a> working in conjunction with <a href="http://www.unep.org/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">UNEP, the United Nations Environmental Programme</span> </a>to get people all over the world to pledge and then plant at least one billion trees in 2007.<br /><br />If you'd like to get involved, go to the UNEP's Plant a Billion Tree website by clicking on this link <a class="linkification-ext" title="Linkification: http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/index.asp" href="http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/index.asp"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/index.asp</span></a> There is a space on the on the top right hand corner that tells you the target, how many people have pledged to plant and how many have already planted trees. Currently the tally stands at 1,819,898,686 pledged and 1,008,033,579 trees planted. Looks like we've hit the mark. But several million more can only help rather than hurt. It's a really comprehensive site with links to organisations around the world involved in tree planting and even has technical instructions on how to successfully plant your own tree.<br /><div align="center"><br />"If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree." Chinese poet, 500 BC </div><div align="center"><br />"The best friend on Earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the Earth." </div><div align="center">Frank Lloyd Wright </div><div align="center"><br />"They are beautiful in their peace; they are wise in their silence. They will stand after we are dust. They teach us, and we tend them."</div><div align="center">Galeain ip Altiem MacDunelmor </div><div align="center"><br />"Though a tree grows so high, the falling leaves return to the root. " </div><div align="center">Malay proverb </div><div align="center"><br />"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." </div><div align="center">Greek proverb </div><div align="center"><br />"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." Martin Luther </div><div align="center"><br />"The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, 'In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!'" </div><div align="center">John F. Kennedy </div><div align="center"><br />"Trees are poems that Earth writes upon the sky. We fell them down and turn them into paper, that we may record our emptiness." </div><div align="center">Kahlil Gibran </div><div align="center"><br />"A tree is our most intimate contact with nature." </div><div align="center">George Nakashima, woodworker </div><div align="center"><br />"A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun, the tree perfects its character and becomes great. ... Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree." </div><div align="center">Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao </div><div align="center"><br />"Plant trees. They give us two of the most crucial elements for our survival: oxygen and books. " A. Whitney Brown </div><div align="center"><br />"To me, nature is sacred; trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals." Mikhail Gorbachev </div><div align="center"><br />"God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools. "</div><div align="center">John Muir </div><div align="center"><br />"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life and activity; it affords protection to all beings." </div><div align="center">Buddhist Sutra </div><div align="center"><br />"People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world which cannot sustain people. " </div><div align="center">Bryce Nelson </div><div align="center"><br />"Reforesting the earth is possible, given a human touch." </div><div align="center">Sandra Postel and Lori Heise, Worldwatch Institute </div>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-38696607446269991012007-07-07T17:35:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:21.636-08:00Face Forward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCTRunVGa2Obvf1KConUcpvlKiX7x4K6b_j62zC5Y5JF9KE6kqsnngeQrXjJcrjcxhkJL9UiqkYHwv79ri_161DLRSijKWMCTZW0FGpJKxYbl2Hz4ApOWcDI1HpVhUojYo4rId7vRiKcr/s1600-h/blog.jpg"></a><br /><div>I had bought an A5 hardback journal for my craft ideas because of its plain white pages. So good for sketching and non linear (read: messy) writing. It was the right size to fit the handbag too, with the hardback protecting its pages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyHeJjCwtypq8zfKMLuHeffdd9o5ALQsqekWa6xbT2kpnmk0koNHU5HfwNpNR72mEng3KAsNc1jivNTcIveVvgNsxKXMEuwAvbW1xUWpjyYlLc5Q-EnXpVOgIj3Ur6mFo4WG5tP47eqE6/s1600-h/knot+graphic.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_d6nakwz9vaIEamcgMZh-XlPBiNrqaxT81v73btsEy2Qeeft_cz9CznpogqlDmr7CfpvMi2cFbzNuAbOWWmRTclk1jnQltpHr01OUqRp7yN0dmL9kI21yDhU6nR5wPee_Z4L7akKwOf5/s1600-h/blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085376948845396850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_d6nakwz9vaIEamcgMZh-XlPBiNrqaxT81v73btsEy2Qeeft_cz9CznpogqlDmr7CfpvMi2cFbzNuAbOWWmRTclk1jnQltpHr01OUqRp7yN0dmL9kI21yDhU6nR5wPee_Z4L7akKwOf5/s200/blog.jpg" border="0" /></a>But the journal was faceless, nondescript and worst of all , grey! Looking as if it should contain spreadsheets or engineering schematics instead of wild, saturated, unrelated ideas fit for gestalt.<br /><br />Since journals are such personal things, they really should have something on their faces to say who they are and where they are going. Thus inspired, I'm doing a range of <a style="COLOR: rgb(255,153,0)" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94376§ion_id=5043575">Face Forward Journals</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSST1NE6Bzso56DJLH8A0hGXte1DeSU_6jP6xcIDkPLn4F1IDxoGYr0Z1-Rhk0RR0xndiacrWS-0sw_SeOYsTLBPHIXOE2FizP83hnB8-fiXK-hhi0asTrhdhCpnkJZVl0PnowiaTcZ69/s1600-h/Front+MS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084620678119015218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSST1NE6Bzso56DJLH8A0hGXte1DeSU_6jP6xcIDkPLn4F1IDxoGYr0Z1-Rhk0RR0xndiacrWS-0sw_SeOYsTLBPHIXOE2FizP83hnB8-fiXK-hhi0asTrhdhCpnkJZVl0PnowiaTcZ69/s200/Front+MS.jpg" border="0" /></a>So I decided to jazz up these plain Jane journals with all manner of fabrics to fit all sorts of moods and all types of people.<br /><br /><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,255,153)" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6385239">Using the last bit of a ancient 70's vintage fabric given to me by my mum, I made a pretty zen tile for the cover of one.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4teqSPC0LiobfquKouSZus5mrhPKAOM9_lkMtCFb56WL03DagcQYOWtsOQGW0n_KpTxjsOx389If5LzLjohPEqbF7lEaFxKTHDPJDiUo-fSjQT1Cb-2Q4lmbU80JgPdyxX18rFiIykYF/s1600-h/Standing+slant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084620867097576258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4teqSPC0LiobfquKouSZus5mrhPKAOM9_lkMtCFb56WL03DagcQYOWtsOQGW0n_KpTxjsOx389If5LzLjohPEqbF7lEaFxKTHDPJDiUo-fSjQT1Cb-2Q4lmbU80JgPdyxX18rFiIykYF/s200/Standing+slant.jpg" border="0" /></a><a style="COLOR: rgb(204,255,255)" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6385325">Then there's the understated sage & gold tile for another.</a><br /><br /><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,153,0)" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6388610">And the third is one that ties shut for privacy using a fab golden brocade ribbon taken from the decorated ends of a lime green sari</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeAEMBq1Abz61hO-H1VYQ5_OG8NTWzAckDwojVcpF6INNNkL1XDK84nVJm7R2LnkVOtsBCNyvmitCAzBexzXwzdtOs2rHJw3CuOWuOvqVP5mwmnplVzj4ttZGympJ7gHU8_urCvusuDBT/s1600-h/Top+knot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084621081845941074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeAEMBq1Abz61hO-H1VYQ5_OG8NTWzAckDwojVcpF6INNNkL1XDK84nVJm7R2LnkVOtsBCNyvmitCAzBexzXwzdtOs2rHJw3CuOWuOvqVP5mwmnplVzj4ttZGympJ7gHU8_urCvusuDBT/s200/Top+knot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There will be more to come. As ideas never stop flowing, we'll always been needing pretty places in which to keep them safe.</div><br /><div></div>Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276691350885428791.post-41030643125539445942007-07-01T23:01:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:05:22.253-08:00Fat Flower's Got A Sister<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFOvebTodaxs3qEy-yI23h7R1LXd5sVBfV-x4tsaWf1nwMoG4cYqF_X1CdJS72jkZdboBoboui_c7uFhTsvZSyaE5Wk-mojquKo9wwp6spmQ7Jt-HPt_El45qeSOTt0cTbAYFeLsfoUoI/s1600-h/bag+MS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFOvebTodaxs3qEy-yI23h7R1LXd5sVBfV-x4tsaWf1nwMoG4cYqF_X1CdJS72jkZdboBoboui_c7uFhTsvZSyaE5Wk-mojquKo9wwp6spmQ7Jt-HPt_El45qeSOTt0cTbAYFeLsfoUoI/s200/bag+MS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082477287574848194" border="0" /></a>Yes, it's Fat Flower's sister bag. everyone.<br /><br />Been fun making it and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcJz-2TWd6gbw1C2WS6TRIyr3rR_ka06lqhyGmWR4SZqsA_VFY5FXGR8wYiElrK7Rr0sGNsRmDz02q88BkKi4BwsDrf5zMSE7TiVb0nDOQSPGdgL0MtE2465TI81VpfAcAPdRM62FncSi/s1600-h/handles+CU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcJz-2TWd6gbw1C2WS6TRIyr3rR_ka06lqhyGmWR4SZqsA_VFY5FXGR8wYiElrK7Rr0sGNsRmDz02q88BkKi4BwsDrf5zMSE7TiVb0nDOQSPGdgL0MtE2465TI81VpfAcAPdRM62FncSi/s200/handles+CU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082477566747722466" border="0" /></a>this bag's got some spunk. Never had as many pin pricks or cuts as I've had making this bag. But at the end of it all, it's been worth it.<br /><br />She's a bit longer than <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://worldkampunggirl.blogspot.com/2007/06/fat-flower-bag.html">That Fat Flower Bag</a>, so she can actually take a small folded umbrella. Ermmm...not that I carry umbrellas.<br />And she's got Labradorite & Shells as ring details on her shoulder straps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFI_sQXTzX7Ypu8T6BobhIwR7GO-VCOR81rcPAGVjaPiwHX4iLL5zTiaDZC-Oq-WnDKePya5eLWJilWKQiGU6LoGNoIanwmI9ub7hGDXGPnTNCdqCR-AK7JXj9lZ6l8zVIwLK5e8oL2Ea/s1600-h/one+pocket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFI_sQXTzX7Ypu8T6BobhIwR7GO-VCOR81rcPAGVjaPiwHX4iLL5zTiaDZC-Oq-WnDKePya5eLWJilWKQiGU6LoGNoIanwmI9ub7hGDXGPnTNCdqCR-AK7JXj9lZ6l8zVIwLK5e8oL2Ea/s200/one+pocket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082478047784059666" border="0" /></a>She also has a sly pair of hidden magnets that close the inner pockets. The new owner of the bag won't know why the pockets just seem to want to stay close. I love gadgets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWnId-FTiMZWhH8GbYxgjv1AOq9x-8c0rUjBqHI8oznou4EWupb3uZx4GUWldbxu-D2LcPJ_3WQ7eZlKZV9R-86zNCN8NuZg0geqd_6sedKqHVcG_l7WyWAlkUioIGLEaqNexJw94T2jz/s1600-h/2+pocket+MS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWnId-FTiMZWhH8GbYxgjv1AOq9x-8c0rUjBqHI8oznou4EWupb3uZx4GUWldbxu-D2LcPJ_3WQ7eZlKZV9R-86zNCN8NuZg0geqd_6sedKqHVcG_l7WyWAlkUioIGLEaqNexJw94T2jz/s200/2+pocket+MS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082477884575302402" border="0" /></a>And I hope someone loves this bag enough to buy it.<br /><br />It's on <a style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6334360">Etsy</a> should you know some one looking for another<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6266776">Fat Flower Bag</a>.Kampung Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14912423282858334051noreply@blogger.com0