Batik Painting

I bought three batik painting kits for kids some time ago after chancing upon them in a kids' arts class nearby my favourite coffee house.

They are meant for me - something safe and simple to recapture my amateurish hobby.

Sea world themed

I chose to do the simplest - 'Nemo'

Each kit comes with a brush and six colours.

Some instructions and samples at the back of the kit.

They are meant for kids, 3+ and above.

The batik canvas is stapled to a cardboard frame which is meant to serve as a picture frame for the finished product. I tore out the centre so that the colour will not wet the cardboard and mess up the canvas.

The edges of the cardboard could be tucked together to form a raised surface for painting.

This is how it looks like raised.

Ready for the paint.

Voila! The completed kids' art. It took me about 30 minutes. However, I'm not that pleased with this piece. Something is missing and seems like I've lost my sense of colour.

This piece of 'Nemo' was done last year and was gathering dust on my work table. I've bought some magnets and hung it on the fridge last week. It's my temporary display before framing all four to be hung on my wall.

Voila! Side by side for now.

Recycling

I had been collecting recyclables for my uncle who used to collect them for recycling centres in exchange for some cash. He would come around in his old faithful van and collects them.

Unfortunately, the last batch was never collected as my uncle fell ill and was in and out of the hospital for quite some time before he breathed his last.

Looking at the pile at home reminded me of him and I knew aunt would be too heart-broken to even want to collect them.

However, she changed her mind and came down town for a short weekend stay with Aunt W. And we went for Sunday breakfast and had a good time.

I know it is a tough time for her now as the pain of losing uncle is just too raw. She seems to have lost her will to live right - falling sick and complaining of pain here and there and not eating right.

After brekky, she thought of all the recyclables at my house and wanted to collect them. So, I made a detour back home to collect them before sending aunt home. There was so much trash that some had to be put at the back seats.

A trunk full of recyclable trash.

Counter Clearance

The kitchen was solely Ma's territory. No one disturbs or messes up with her haven. Simple and functional, it was Ma's.

Even when she was taken ill, it was still her place - that is until she left us. The kitchen is no one's.

The kitchen is left as it is since the day Ma left. Often, I'd prepare my breakfast and lunch for work but it isn't mine. It never feels like mine.

Many a time, I had wanted to clear everything up but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Earlier this year just before the CNY, I tried. I started with the first top drawer. It was a mistake. I saw all Ma's medication and I just broke down and cried. I didn't expect the sadness that could overwhelm me. So, I left the kitchen as it is.

A section of the counter top was getting messier - new ones on top of the old.

A mess! The broken juicer which I used daily to process fresh juices for Ma.

Ma's health supplements

The new packet of Korean seaweed I bought for Ma just a few days before she left us.

I was / am still stuck with the past. Unwilling to let go of certain items. Hanging on - for comfort, perhaps?

In my mind, I would tell myself to clear up the kitchen but it was only in my mind.

Today, I just went ahead and cleared it. Threw away the expired, wiped down the dusty surface and arranged what's left.

What's left

 

The emptiness

 

For the rice cooker... and perhaps a new oven / pressure cooker?

I would like to feel like the kitchen's mine.

Slowly, but surely.

Loveliness

It's another bunch of loveliness - a burst of colours to my otherwise mundane dining area.

 

Bursts of Chrysanthemums

Went to my fav grocer and spotted more fresh flowers.

Couldn't resist these lovely pink chrysanthemums! So refreshing!

Returned the next day and saw the green bulbous variety. Succumbed to temptation and bought two bouquets!

Arranged them with the pinks and voila!

Aren't they gorgeous together? Pink and green match beautifully!

And on a closer look at these lovelies!

Sigh... heart melts... ^^

Just too gorgeous for words!

My crazy crush at the moment.

Fresh Flowers

I've always loved flowers - fresh flowers. Was grocery shopping on Monday when again I browsed through the fresh flowers section, admiring them as usual.

Somehow the flowers looked more beautiful and appealing than usual and I just decided to take two bouquets of carnations on the spot. Maybe it's because I've the empty vase in mind. It would be the perfect vase for long stem cuts.

I thought my maiden effort at this simple flower arrangement is quite successful. These beauties bring so much cheer to me. Just love that joyful feeling to come home and admire them everyday.

Fell madly falling in love with them.

Colourful lovelies

Aren't they gorgeous?

Also beautified the piano top with some water based plants and a bouquet of artificial flowers a few months ago.

So, the humble dining area is my favourite corner for now.

I hope the carnations will be able to last longer so that I can stretch my money's worth ;)

Am in the slow and long-drawn process of cleaning, rearranging and decorating the house. There are just so much to do and so much to store and also throw away. It's high time to start afresh!

If I could get the working area rearranged this weekend, that will be a feat! Hopefully I could get a matching double tablecloth and move the table down from the upper floor for this.