A Garden & A Library

And so I was reading Maria Kaplan again... and saw Cicero's quote "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." And I wish it is just as easy to understand and live up to... but it's not....I have seen several libraries where the books were donated by well-meaning private individuals but the books were never read, instead, they remain a collection for photo opportunities... what a waste.(Ingga's Garden in our dreams)
If I were to choose, I'd have a garden as big as Martha Stewart's... but of course, I would not hire foresters to haul the fallen twigs and tree branches for composting. lol. as far as I know, they compost as long as they connect to the natural ground. But then, I can't even afford one of her pots!

(our city garden in reality)

...but in a crowded metro, a family of 5 is lucky to have one like this... yes, I am lucky!

(badz and our version of Martha's garden)
but in ilocos, our family also maintain that smaller version of Martha's garden (an'taray) in a contested ancestral land at the Cordillera's. It served as refuge, not only for my father but his children as well.

Recyling Bottles for Gardening

My dad found good use of the alcohol (cuatro y cantos) and 7-up bottles for his garden...

The Flash Flood

The flash flood that occurred in Metro Manila about a few weeks ago was the first of its kind. According to my close relatives who actually experienced it, the rush of water from nowhere (not the rains) was unprecedented: water rose from the ankle up to the neck in a matter of seconds (+-) while they were running...

The school of my kids was flooded, too, it being located beside a creek. The markings on the school wall showed it was above a man's head level.

This is the main reason why we had to relocate. Had it been a school day, I dread to imagine what could have occurred.My Ivvong's classroom is located in the ground floor, and they were more than 30+ in class. While I want to believe the teachers are competent, there would still be around hundred children to look after had the calamity occurred in a school day... we have a lot to be thankful of, despite the man-made calamity... Man-made because the floods weren't caused directly by rain but by simultaneously opening dam sites without warning the populace that would have been affected nor the various government bureaus being ready about it at all...

The children had to be transferred in new school(s). One of the more difficult part about moving is relocating my craft workshop... But anyway, we have settled... and I have been crafting non-stop again (unless I had to attend to my current event project...)

...my craft workshop...

... mini trees... some of my copper wire creations... all wired on beach stone...

... a mini Christmas tree... about 6" tall...


... white glass hexagon beads wired on beach stone with natural shell...

Cordillera Landslides

Philippine islands has been hit by a series of storms causing floods, landslide, deaths of about 540 already according to the AFP news service, and displacement of millions of my countrymen.

This photo was taken from Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, one of the Cordillera (mountain range) provinces, which, as of this moment had its share of numerous landslides already.
(Source: AFP through Yahoo! News)

AFP added that dozens had been killed of the landslides.
While sparsely populated, Northern Luzon, particularly the Cordillera Administrative Region, surprisingly has been subjected to major landslides throughout history. Attributed to the displacement of communities, as well as weakening of its natural defenses, the landslides' causes has been ironically through its natural blessing: gold, silver & copper deposits. Currently, there are three major mining companies in Benguet alone: the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Benguet Consolidated Incorporated and Philex Mines Corporation (Boquiren, A. 2006, Haribon Foundation).

Related to the typhoon and the victims, we have started collecting relief goods, raising funds, and hopefully start transport of collected materials before the end of this month. Since material donations have mainly been food and clothing, we will be using funds raised to help furnish learning materials to damaged schools in the Cordilleras and Northern Luzon.

To help, we shall be donating 50% of gross sales to this cause. We hope you would signify your help, too.

Maple

I have always loved maple leaves, although maple does not grow in my area. I was always drawn to it, so that when I finally got my EK punch, I was ecstatic! Quite obviously if you'd check my recent posts at my etsy. So, I've started recycling using maple leaves punched in magazine pages and catalogs. It is quite easy and they look good decoupaged. Just seal the punched leaves with glue by hand or by brush, let dry prior to coating with varnish. I have not posted them in my shop yet because I am quite sure shipping will be a big problem for costing, and I still haven't figured out yet how to price these are they are quite huge compared to my usual stuffs I ship internationally. I mean, I already have a big problem with packaging and shipping for small items like jewelry, so, I still need to figure out the best way to ship bigger items without me losing more in the end...

GiveAways

Okay, for the winner of my Etsy post, this is what you'll get... a dangling bronze with jade chips earrings est. 2 inches long.

A While

It's been a while that I have not posted. I had been confused a lot -or madness has crept I worked and worked! Here are samplings from my workshop... available at my showroom or at etsy. Otherwise, convo me if interested.

I have not uploaded about 70% of what I have done. Around 60% haven't been taken photos yet. And the rest, I really am not that confident enough, honestly, to even plan to take photos of. I feel like I will remain a neophyte for long... to complicate to that, a confused neophyte.

This is supposed to be something else, NOT a necklace, but my sis thought it would look good on her neck. So far, I have no comment. I wish to remain objective, unbiased, etc.
This mobile is made of die-cut recycled papers.
These are 3D butterflies - die-cut and made from recycled papers.
This is an authentic recycled levi's jeans turned into messenger /laptop bag
This is a twig ring, ikebana fashion (my li'l girl holding it, in case you'd think it's huge!). I have a leaning on ikebana and minimalism, so I often have a disagreement with my sister about my works. She prefers capricious and excessive design.

...Went out with my old pals and I brought them some stuffs... here are the pics. We were at Tanke's 1521 resto. Clockwise, starting from me (in black) is Donna (retired from Abbot pharma), Reg (vid editor & producer with Nickelodeon), Misyel (UN-Germany) and Tex (GMA news & public affairs). In spirit, Odette was there, so, the "other" finger. In college, we were an odd bunch, the wart in the class, although there were bigger warts (in my point of view) like Tanke, and Victoria.