Life is a Boat -- by Rie Fu

I like the thought behind the song. It tells about the metaphor of life, the simile of living and the allegory of existence.

Like the two images ... life sometimes feels like being alone in the midst of everything gray and vagueness.

Parade of Queens, The Beginning

It’s that time of the year again. Christmas is just around the corner and I’m left with the dilemma of what gift is best to give. I know that it’s the thought that matters but wouldn’t it be great if I can make it a step better? Not to mention the fact that we had fun the last time we did this. I can also remember how delighted the recipients were when they received these gifts.

So here we are again. Last year was the parade of princesses. My mom, my daughter and I have embarked on a mission to transform ordinary ballerinas to elegant princesses. The same team is now embarking on the mission of transformations in the likes of Cinderella. I could have just bought this in the big malls but it is so pricy considering the fact that I can (with the help of my mom) make one and be able to design it according to the preference of the person i’m going to give it to.

One Saturday morning, we went to this specialty store that sells these jewellery holders mannequins at a much lesser price. It is priced so because the dresses were not that pretty. It doesn’t matter at this point because we are going to change the dresses anyway. I bought bigger ones this time because I want them to be queens after. Last year was petitie ballerinas, this time they are bigger.

Meet the future Queens. They look okay... but they can be really really better.

We went to the fabric store next to buy some supplies. We need some really nice fabrics but we hope to get some at low price. All we need to do is rummage through the leftover fabrics which were being sold in a much much lower price. We were very please with what we found. We also needed some really classy laces.

Then it's time to bring out the beads, crystals, flowerettes and all the ornaments we need. Our imaginations are in full gear by now. We have searched the internet of very good gown designs that we can replicate and hopefully apply our own personal touches.




This is our workshop. My mom is incharge of the sewing machine. Me and my daughter is incharge of the glue gun. We all have inputs to the design of the gown we will be doing. I'm also the official photographer for the whole production run.


Watch out! get the front seat! Calling on all fashionistas out there! Be the judge... who the best queen will be??!

One Naked Apple

My daugther was helping me make apple pie this afternoon. She was peeling the apples when an idea popped into her head. Probably brought about the monotony of her task, she placed a newly peeled apple on top of another unpeeled apple, and said "there's your naked apple".

Next thing she took the above shot! What a shot!

Finally! They're up on the wall!!

Caricatures... better than the truth...hehe

"A caricature is either a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness, or in literature, a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others."

That is the definition of a caricature according to Wikipedia. It also adds that it can be insulting or complimentary and can serve a political purpose or be drawn solely for entertainment. On our visit to wonderland today, there on one of the sidestreets, a couple of caricature artists is waiting for people to have their potraits done. There were a few samples to look at and I was attracted by how funny the pictures were.

The above picture is me and the picture on the left is my daughter. As you can see...we do look like we are relatives....hehe. It's not as exagerated as the displayed pictures but they are funny enough and close enough to our real faces. I think ... they are even better looking than the real ones...lol.

I will have these caricatures framed and displayed.

Artwork of Joey Velasco.... Inspiring!

When my relatives arrived from vacation back home, one of the “pasalubong” (souvenir) we got is this wonderful 2008 Calendar. It was a collection of Joey Velasco’s artwork. It’s the first time I’ve heard about this painter. So, I was off to the internet to look for him. He was a young man indeed but very very artistic. He is not just an ordinary artist. For me he is an artist with a spiritual and patriotic heart. He had brought into his paintings his faith in God and his love to the Filipino people. Each artwork touches the heart of the beholder. I know for it has touched mine. Each painting has a Title and a short commentary which is equally moving.


More information about the artist can be found on this link :
http://joeyvelasco.com/about_theauthor.htm

I will try to post about the painting each month to ponder on the message of each work of art.

Pagkakasubsob , 2005. Oil on canvas, 60x48

This painting is more than just about falling down. Picture a humble God who draws strength from a heavy fall; he allows a powerless and insignificant child to nurse his wound, to love him. A sign of weakness? Christ knows about a different strength. He allows people to love him. This painting is about being humbled and awed at the same time. It is about allowing others to give us a lift when we fall and feel weak. And as the paint dries and hardens on my canvas, it teaches me how to
soften my stance and tenderize the soul. Sometimes, all I need is a good cry.
Joey Velasco

Pardon the picture. Better ones are in the above mentioned site.

Of Flowers and Butterflies

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan'y papagapagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad
May payneta pa siya -- uy!
May suklay pa mandin -- uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad na pakendeng-kendeng.

My opening line is so cute. It’s a folk song that very small children would first learn back home (i.e. during my time ). I have no idea when or where I’ve learn this song but in the very back of my mind I still remember it. Maybe broken and fragmented but I can surely hum it. I can remember how my friends and I would sing it complete with hand and hip gestures. It’s a very funny song about an overly dressed young lady (which is why she was called a field butterfly). Anyway, this post has something to do with butterflies but not entirely.

The artistic side of me has flared up again. I have this episode every once in a while. I saw these albums on sale in the mall. It was covered with pink fabric and maybe due to storage has somehow stained a little. Being in constant look out for bargains, I was not able to put them down. I could make some improvement on these or make them personalized.

So, off I went to the Dollar Store to buy some small flowers, butterflies and some stick on letters. Guess what? It didn’t take me too long. I have personalized the albums to be given to my two nieces back home. I am sure they will both like it.

Parade of Princesses

I just have to give a proper introduction to my Princesses. I’m still in euphoria over their transformations that I’ve decided, they needed to have more time in the limelight. So the party is all set! Each Princess will have their proper unveiling.

Princess number one was named Princess Tatiana. Showing a before and after look, it definitely proved an amazing transformation. Wearing a flowing black and gold gown accented by golden laces, ruffled around her waist and yellow glass beads. Princess Tatiana is a sight to behold. She will be a permanent and honored guest to the house of Suzanne.

Princess number two was named Princess Victoria in a flowing red and white gown. The string of red and pink roses around her waist as well as the glistening red flowers that adorned the edges of her white skirt has created the feminine aura that best describe her passion. Princess Victoria will be a permanent guest to the house of Violy.

Princess number three is Princess Anastasia. She is a lover of the light and therefore has chosen to wear the color of the sun. Vibrant and cheerful with the flowing orange and yellow gown, please welcome Princess Anastasia. The exquisite orange lace like fabric has given the desired flowing effect that mimics the radiance of the sun. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Lady Fe.

Princess number three is Princess Fiona. Truly mesmerizing in a pink and white gown, Princess Fiona has expressed her love of being a woman. Accented by a lilac tool skirt and pink and lilac glass beads, has made this creation worthy of a princess. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Jenny.

Princess number four is Princess Charlotte. Adorning an exquisite black and silver gown, Princess Charlotte is ready to face the world. A lover of elegance and grace, she will be perfect to keep her owners most precious jewelries. Princess Charlotte will be a permanent guest to the house of Mommy Ellen.

Princess number five is Princess Octavia. Her passion and fire was excellently expressed in her choice of red and gold gown. Her radiance and charm is definitely the likes of a Queen. Princess Octavia will be a permanent guest to the house of Michelle.

Last but not the least, Princess Louise! Designed and conceptualized by my daughter, she is a vision of freshness. Modern and yet classy, Princess Louise is wearing a white satin gown accented with a green lace and flowers with strings of pearls flowing from her waist. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Louise.

That concludes the parade of Princesses. Hope you enjoyed it. Next project will hopefully be the parade of Queens! :)

Gifts worth Giving

When is a gift worth giving?
Is it the cost that merits importance?
Or the thought that counts
And the spirit of sharing that gives its substance?

I was really happy that I chanced upon these beauties!!! In spite of the pending snow storm looming ahead, my mom, my daughter and I, went to this Chinese store to find some not so expensive Christmas gifts for friends and relatives. I know, I know, I’m a bit of a procrastinator. I should have done my Christmas shopping a long time ago. I did try and I’m not so satisfied to what I have seen. This time it is different. I saw …. “Cinderellas”!!!! That is not a grammar mistake; I am meaning to say multiple Cinderella. I saw these little Ballerinas that have hooks for heads and arms. It’s a bit gross but the hooks were used to hold jewelries. It gave me this great idea. So, I bought 6 Ballerinas and called them my Little Cinderellas! I have asked my mother and my daughter to help me in a little quest. We will turn these Ballerinas to beautiful Princesses.

The quest began. With a small trip to the Textile store for bits and pieces of fabrics and some glass beads we went home and started. My mom is the head Fairy Godmother here. She handles all the sawing and approves all design proposals. My daughter and I were just her assistants and in charge of the glue gun. Although during the session of transforming these little Ballerinas, my daughter has decided to design her own fashion style. It was a lot of work but fun and fulfilling. We were like playing with Barbies! It took us until 3AM to finish everything.

Here are the fruits of our Labor!! Our own Princesses all dressed up for the Ball. I like all of them although my daughter says her creation has the most original and modern style. Hers was the Princess with the green ribbon around her waist. But it’s not a beauty contest! All of them are work of art!

Now these … are gifts worth giving!