Happy New Year!!

I planned to post this earlier, but since coming back from vacation, I am still extremely busy with unpacking, clearing, laundry, plus entertaining an overseas friend who came by. I've been eating pretty much non stop since I was back. Chicken rice at Mandarin, french cuisine at Au Petit Salut, seafood buffet at Ritz. The desserts are to die for at Ritz..

Looking back, I've been playing and making miniatures for over 4 years. 2009 was a humbling experience for me. I got to know many wonderful people...through them, I learnt how to be patient, how to have fun, how to continuously improve in my work. I'm humbled that my handmade creations have been mailed to some faraway countries, in the homes of loving collectors. It is an unbelievable feeling whenever I receive emails and mails from collectors all over the world who tell me how happy they were to find me, how much they like my creations. I am deeply grateful, that you loved my creations. You know, creating beautiful miniatures makes me happy. Being able to create something so small and yet aesthetically pleasing to the eye brings tremendous joy to me. Having to hold it in my hands and knowing I can marvel at it whenever I want to is an undescribable feeling. Having people who like them as much as I do is definitely a bonus for me.

The past year also tested my dedication and passion. It gave me deeper insights into what made me happy. At the end of the day, I knew creating miniatures was something I loved doing. The process of creation took my stress away and sets me free. Sometimes it can be stressful because I only have a pair of hands, and I can only churn out so many within a short time frame, but I am grateful people understood when I explained the painstaking process and time taken to create each piece of work. I always believed that if I didn't enjoy the process, it would show in the work. I know, for sure I will continue to enjoy creating miniatures in the new year. I want to keep that going.


Thanks to all, who have given me opportunity to make something for you. It has always been my sincere desire that the miniatures I create brings you much joy, I can't be there personally to see your reaction to my creations, but I can only hope whenever you see them, you will be smiling. That has been my goal, and it always will be.

Thanks to my friends, who have supported my passion and believing in me. Even when I doubt myself, you still chose to believe I can do it.

Thanks to all, who have come into my life and given me much huge impact and learning. Thanks to my teachers, who have shared their knowledge, little life stories, experiences. Each little exchanges we have, gave me glimpses and deeper insights in your journey. Through them, I have a new found respect for passion. Passion for handmade, passion for creating, courage for taking the road less travelled.

2010, a new year. I don't really set new year resolutions. My wish is to continue to work on new creations, enjoy the process, and hopefully it shows in my work. Everything else, is just really a bonus.

With that, I wish all of you a Happy New Year! Wishing you the best of health, happiness and success in whatever you do!

Macarons Tasting

Last week, I tried macarons for the first time in my life. And I mean, real macarons.
It was a little different from what I imagined it to be. I thought it would be a crispy biscuit pastry, but it’s not. The outer crust is crispy, but it is a little soft inside. I picked chocolate and raspberry flavour. I love raspberry… My overall verdict? The flavors were rich and I love the raspberry flavour most, but I personally found macarons a tad too sweet. I would have loved it if the sweetness could be reduced by at least half. I’ve not tried other brands, but now I’m a little worried if all macarons are going to be that sweet. :P

The tea I picked was English Breakfast Tea. Nothing complicated, but a hot cup of tea is something you’ll truly be thankful on a cold day. The tea tastes good, and you can tell they put in a handful of tea leaves. I love that I can pour 4 cups out from the tea pot. Very generous serving of tea indeed!

An even smaller profiteroles tower

I like to please, and I try my best, wherever possible. So when I knew that my current profiteroles tower would be too "large" to fit on the counter display shelf, I had a strong desire to make a smaller, shorter version. I think it looks pretty cute at only 3cm tall. I took a photo to show the height/size comparison with my current tower. ;)

I'm going to make more of these smaller version ones next year. In fact I have another version that I wanted to try, but never had the time to really sit down to experiment. It's still in my list to do!

Featured as one of Top 10 Great Asian Gifts!

I had a very pleasant and unexpected surprise when I was told I was featured on CNNGo as one of the Top 10 Great Asian Gifts!

Please visit this link to see the other fabulous featured gift ideas:

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/shop/ten-great-asian-gifts-you-wont-find-high-street-079558

Show and Tell Monday ~ Another christmas present and a blue cake display shelf

I spent my weekend putting together a 1:12 scale christmas profiteroles tower. I've never tried putting togerther a tower in such a short time, but I've been really hard pressed for time. It can be done, but first, all the profiteroles have to be prepared. And I made sure I make more than enough!


The first picture shows the piece on its own, and the second picture shows how I display it in the display case - ready to be presented. It will be kept clean in the acrylic display box :)

I also wanted to show a work in progress photo I am currently working along with other projects. I've never painted a cake display shelf in blue colour before, I was actually worried how it would turn out, but I'm glad it turns out well. In fact, I really do like it myself too. I think this particular blue is very pretty. :)

I'll be leaving for holidays end of this week! I'm excited, and wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!

I'll be back before the new year!

Show and Tell Monday ~ 1:12 Dollhouse Miniature Scale Gingerbread House Scene

I've been busy working on a few multiple projects at the same time, and one of which was a handmade gift exchange piece for a Christmas party that I'll be going later this month :)

I'm also excited as I hear about a brand of acrylic paint that I need to try. As soon as I try it out, I should blog about it.

For the christmas gift exchange, I further expanded on the christmas gingerbread house theme, and made it into a mini scene.

Complete with outdoor christmas tree, shrubs, fence....

I hope the one who received my gift would be happy :)