Book Feature - I Heart Stationery

Hello there, I’ve a piece of news to share and I’m pretty thrilled about it! Cookie Cutter is featured in a book! It’s a new book, “I Heart Stationery” by the lovely Charlotte Rivers. 

Despite the dominance of digital technology, the old-school way of communicating via handwritten letter/card is still adored by many (raise your hands!). In her book, Charlotte showcases the works of designers around the world who employ different artisan processes in their making of stationery. Yours truly is humbled with an entry, featuring these notecards I made by hand stitching on paper.

My sweet friend, Sarah, spotted the book in the store last week and tweeted me a picture. That got me all excited and I nabbed myself a copy over the weekend. If you, like me, have a weakness for paper goods and beautiful designs, you will LOVE this book! Think an indoor Saturday afternoon, a cup of tea, the couch, and this book! It is so inspiring to see all the great work that is being done (eye candy!) and to learn about the many methods and materials people employ in making stationery. 

Thank you, Charlotte for letting me be a part of your wonderful book!

You can purchase a copy of the book online here. Alternatively, I bought mine from Kinokuniya.

Package from Japan

Ever since I left Japan, I’ve tried to keep in touch with the wonderful Japanese friends I’m blessed to have met during my stay there. One of the things we do is to send each other a little package during the Christmas and new year period. Well, actually “little” more appropriately describes my packages to them. They on the other hand, are the most generous! I tweeted not long ago about a package full of Muji snacks I received from one of them. Now, look at all the love another of my sweet friends put into this AWESOME package she sent me!

She must have found out about my weakness for snacks. Haha! Super cute packaging! Learning about my craze over Japanese masking tapes, she also went out to get some to include in this package! There was a little handwritten note in the box and amongst other things, she told me to “enjoy the snacks and remember Japan”. Don’t I have awesome friends?!

Watercolour Class by Dawn

Just before all the lunar new year feasting that began last weekend, I attended a watercolour painting class by Melbourne-based artist, Dawn. I must say, I’m so glad I went! We were in a little class of about 10 and we each picked 2 food packagings to paint. I really liked that because for one, it’s food (who doesn’t love food?). Secondly, it’s something that we are constantly in contact with (I especially enjoy walking down supermarket isles and checking out food packaging, swooning over the beautiful ones).

The last time I really touched watercolour painting was when I was in kindergarten but Dawn was most encouraging. It was great to rekindle that interest! 

Dawn brought many food packagings for us to work with

a little jittery about that first stroke I'm about to paint

work in progress

ta dah!

I also met a few sweet new friends in class who revealed that they know Cookie Cutter *blush*! Thank you for that!

Guess what? I’ve already gone out to get my own watercolour supplies. Now, I just need to find time outside of sewing to play with my new toys :)

SK-II Clear for Life Project - Kym Ng Interview

You may remember the SK-II trial I did not too long ago (I’m still happily using the products by the way). Following that, I was invited to do an email interview with local MediaCorp celebrity, Kym Ng, who is involved in SK-II’s Clear for Life Project. I don’t usually do such interviews on the blog but what sparked my interest was that it was about highlighting the water crisis in asia and helping women in need connect to a source of safe and clean drinking water. 

This is something which many of us take for granted and I thought it apt to post this today. Just as many us in Singapore prepare to celebrate the approaching lunar new year (23 Jan) with lots of food and drinks, I hope we are also aware of the plight of those around us and what we can do to help. Here are Kym’s responses to a few questions of mine. And to those who celebrate it, happy dragon year!!

---------

Q: What are some of the charity projects that you have been personally involved in?

Kym: I've always supported charity work, and over the years, I have been involved in performances for “The President’s Star Charity”, “The Cancer Charity Show” and “Ren Ci Charity Show” in a bid to raise funds for the needy. I believe strongly in furthering the work of charitable organizations. I hope that through my humble effort, I am able to help and hopefully, encourage more people to also lend their hand for the less fortunate, regardless of the extent of one's contribution.

Q: We are very fortunate to be blessed with clean drinking water in Singapore. What are your thoughts on the water crisis in Asia and SK-II’s Clear for Life Project, which helps women in need connect to a source of safe and clean drinking water. Is this something that is close to your heart?

Kym: I think this is a very pressing issue in Asia given the recent natural disasters that have hit quite close to home, eg. the earthquakes in Japan. Water is a very basic need and in Singapore, we have such easy access to water with just a simple turn of the tap. In reality, there are many out there who lack access to this basic necessity. The water issue affects women most as they are the ones who bear the bulk of the burden in transporting water.

Q: Could you tell us a little about the items you selected for SK-II’s Live the Life You Love charity auction? Why did you pick them and are they significant in any way?

Kym: I donated a pair of boots for this auction. I hope to inspire its wearer and other women to take that bold step out of their comfort zone and empower them to walk in confidence to help other women in need. I also donated a charm bracelet by Quintessential. I wore it during the filming of “It’s a Great, Great World” - my latest movie -  and the press conference event as well. 

Thanks, Kym! 


[image: SK-II]

Organic Cafe in KL - Haven

Aside from being down with the flu bug, last week was pretty interesting for me. I managed to squeeze in a little trip to Kuala Lumpur. A visit to a nice cafe was the icing on the cake for me! My sweet friend, Fenny, took us there. 

Haven is a tranquil little cafe which serves organic food (cherry points for being healthy!). It was really nice to step into this space after being faced with one skyscraper after another, one mega mall after another. I loved the abundance of natural light in the space and the simple but cozy furnishing. The clean and refreshing colour palette complemented the theme of the cafe.

A little tricky to find but I’ll want to revisit this place the next time I’m in town :)

Paper Friends - Blanca Helga

Smitten with these adorable “paper friends” by Blanca Helga! So much can be made out of materials that are readily available around us. It just takes a little creativity.

Happy Friday, folks!


[images]: Blanca Helga

[Bali] - W Hotel

Did you like the last post? I was staying in W Retreat & Spa Bali and it was awesome! I LOVE the design, especially the openness on the ground level. It brightened up the area and added to the sense of space. I also liked how they played with the “W” in naming things eg. the reception is labelled “Welcome” and concierge is “Whatever”. You can’t blame me for dreaming about a return trip.

Here are a few snapshots taken at the hotel:

[Bali] - Sun, Sea, Sand, Food

Remember the little island getaway trip I made last December? I went to Bali, Indonesia. It was quite a spontaneous trip and that added to the fun factor. I really enjoyed myself because it was all about the sun, the sea, the sand and of course food. I didn’t even venture out of the hotel much. It was one of those trips where you lazed, read, chit chatted and dozed off. 

Perfect for the year-end because it made all the hard work in the year worth it! 

Happy 2012!

Happy new year, folks! Did you have a lovely holiday. I certainly did! I gave myself a little break, found time to read, caught up with friends, ticked off what I’ve achieved in my 2011 resolution list, and had an awesome new year’s eve. I also want to say thank you for sticking with me for the past year and for the sweet comments you left which kept me going. 

Today’s the first official work day of 2012. While there is an inevitable slight sense of dread that all the celebration has ended, I’m also excited about the brand new year that lies ahead. I have some plans lined up for Cookie Cutter and can’t wait to have them realised. Let’s all make this an awesome year! Never stop dreaming because it’s when you dream that you can have a dream come true!

Happy 2012!

First workday breakfast of the year.