75 maut gempa dekat Padang, ada gempa kedua

Selepas menggoncang Padang dengan gempa sekuat 7.6 Rabu tadi, sekurang-kurangnya 75 orang mati.
Angka ini akan melonjak dalam beberapa hari ni sebab masih ramai yang tertimbus, menurut laporan.
Bangunan dan rumah banyak yang runtuh.
Dan petang tadi, ada gempa kedua sekuat 6.2.
(Insiden Disember 2004 yang membunuh 230,000 orang di Sumatra, Phuket, Sri Lanka dan negara lain adalah akibat tsunami selepas gempa sekuat 9.15. Maknanya yang semalam rendah juga).

Gempa pertama skala 7.6 telah menggegar Singapura - termasuk pejabat saya!
Rumah saya di Singapura pun goyang, kata anak.
Di Kuala Lumpur dan Penang pun bangunan bergegar.
Alamak.

Ramai terkejut kerana sebelum ini mulanya Filipina, kemudian Vietnam, Cambodia dan Laos kena typhoon dan hujan lebat. 38 mati.
Lepas tu, pulau Samoa pula kena tsunami! 100 mati.

Mujur, Airport Minangkabau di bandar Padang dimumkan terus dibuka.
Saya sendiri ditugaskan untuk ke Padang ke sana kejap lagi (hari ini dah Khamis dah) - saya akan ke airport Changi nak naik pesawat ke sana, buat laporan.

Jika tak dapat Singapore-Padang (Tiger Airways), mungkin Singapore-Pekanbaru (AirAsia), lepas tu berteksi 5-6 jam ke Padang. Jenuh.

Menurut laporan, Bukittinggi dan Pariaman - dua bandar dekat Padang pun kena teruk.
Ketiga-tiga ni adalah bandar terbesar dalam provisi Sumatra Barat, salah satu dari 33 provinsi di Indonesia.
Nasi Padang datang dari sini dan juga orang Minangkabau.
Baru dua hari lepas, nama Isa Samad, orang keturunan Minang, disebut ramai orang.

Dikhuatiri rakyat Singapore dan Malaysia ada sedang holiday di Padang dan bandar-bandar lain di sana. Mungkin nasib baik juga masih seminggu lebih Hari Raya, jadi mungkin tak seramai yang ke sana berbanding musim lain termasuk sebelum raya minggu lalu!

Kerana hotel banyak juga terjejas (ada yang roboh), dan letrik dan telefon putus, saya rasa tak ada internet lah.
Jurugambar dari Singapore membawa satellite phone untuk berhubung.
Seorang lagi rakankerja akan terbang dari Jakarta.

Ini semua bermakna, blog ini terpaksa berehat beberapa hari.
Harap maklum.

(Jika nak sangat membaca cerita yang saya tulis, mungkin kena Google nama saya mulai Jumaat ler).

Book Reviews: CraftCycle by Heidi Boyd and The Crochet Dude Little Books Series

Book Review
CraftCycle
Heidi Boyd for North Light Books

Craft designer Heidi Boyd is perhaps best known for her best selling Simply Beautiful beading series, but that’s only a small part of her crafty repertoire. Heidi spent a number of years designing for a major craft magazine and she’s got some serious crafty skills. She puts them to good use in her wonderful new book CraftCycle that serves up crafting with an eco conscious focus.

There are great project ideas running through every page and a generous sprinkling of tips and hints for sustainable living. The book is broken up into the four seasons and Heidi shares a variety of seasonally themed green minded activities, recipes and ideas at the end of each section. I loved so many of the projects it’s tough to pick just a few, but some of my favorites include a whimsical bowl made from melted colorful plastic cowboys and Indians, a stunning avant garde hanging lamp fashioned from water bottles, an ingenious old slide lampshade and an adorable bracelet watch fashioned from used colored pencils. She covers everything from home décor to pet accessories to jewelry using a huge variety of techniques and materials and every idea, even if it’s familiar, is given a distinctive Heidi Boyd spin.

Craft enthusiasts will love these fresh ideas for upcycling and repurposing and eco minded folks will love finding new ways to stay green. This is a book for all ages and for both sexes, and includes some great garden and furniture projects that should get the men folk excited to get back into the workshop. “Recycle, reuse and recraft!” and have a darned good time doing it with Heidi Boyd’s inspiring new book CraftCycle.

Book Review
Leisure Arts The Crochet Dude's Little Books Series
Drew Emborsky aka The Crochet Dude

Drew Emborsky has four fab new crochet pattern books for the crochet enthusiast or the enthusiastic novice. These straight forward value packed portable tomes are filled with appealing designs, great pictures, easy to follow patterns and detailed back material that supports the skills you need to create the projects. Each book focuses in on a specific topic with a nice variety of designs to suit a wide variety of tastes.

I like that these are small bites rather than big meals, because it lets you pick the design focus that suits your needs. Drew has a gift for taking crochet and making it look totally fresh and modern. You won’t find any doilies here, but you will find a bevy of beautiful ideas. Sweet Pet Comforts has seven crochet designs for your furry friends. All Washed Up shows you how to make charming crocheted kitchen accessories. Must Have Handbags has 6 fetching purses that are perfectly sized for a gal who likes to carry her crafts along with her and are stylish enough to use every day. In All Caps focuses on cozy crocheted headgear for cooler weather. There’s a title for everyone in this series and they’re so affordably priced, you may just want to scoop them all up.

If you are looking for new patterns or if you’re looking for a new hobby, Drew’s new ‘little books’ are the perfect fit. I can’t wait to give some of these designs a spin with the yarn I stocked up on last winter!

Buildings in S'pore, KL shaken by Sumatra quake!

My flat in Singapore was shaken, says my son.
My house in KL was shaken and the TV shook a bit, says my wife.
And my own office on the second floor in Singapore, swayed a bit around 6pm.
Early reports say 7.6 to 7.9 magnitude quake in southern Sumatra.
Our office got many calls from concerned Singaporeans!
And this on the same day as the Samoan tsunami.

The one that caused tsunami in south Sumatra was 9.0.

This is pretty grim news.

Didedah akhbar, Ms World Singapura turun takhta

Budak pompuan ni menang Miss World di Singapura.
Tetapi baru menang, akhbar My Paper, mengeluarkan cerita bahawa Ris Low pernah bekerja di sebuah klinik di mana dia mencuri tujuh credit card pelanggan.
Digunakan untuk membeli barangan mewah dan makan di restoran.
Hari ini, setelah berdolak-dalik seminggu, Ris, 19 tahun, turun takhta.

My Paper ialah akhbar percuma di Temasek seperti The Sun. Cuma ia dwibahasa. Di depan bahasa Inggeris, di belakang bahasa Mandarin - sebab ada market untuk pembaca dwibahasa ni.

Yang menarik juga, baca 70-lebih posting pembaca di bawah cerita tu.
Ada juga yang sokong dia.

Cerita tentang Ris sama panas dengan perlumbaan F1 di Temasek hujung minggu lalu.
Kesian juga. Baru 19 tahun dah ada wiki entry.

Dia memperkenalkan perkataan popular baru di Singapura.
Sama seperti 'I'll be back' (Arnold Schwarzenegger) atau 'wardrobe malfunction' (Janet Jackson), Ris menggunakan terma 'bipolar disorder' untuk menjelaskan kenapa dia jadi budak baik satu hari, budak jahat esoknya.

Free Halloween Craft Project: Drop Dead Gorgeous Mixed Media Necklace!

All designs, images and text copyright Margot Potter

(Click on images to view in close up)

Drop Dead Gorgeous
A Darkly Romantic Short Story
Copyright Margot Potter

She was walking home from an evening of dancing with her friends. It was late. The streets were empty. Perhaps she'd had one too many glasses of chardonnay...perhaps...okay definitely. Her hips swayed in a syncopated rhythm as she struggled to maintain the illusion of sobriety. In the city, a girl needs to have her wits about her. One never knows what might happen if she doesn't.

She heard the faint sound of footsteps about a block behind her. Slow and methodical and most definitely male. She casually turned her head and saw him. Tall, dark, pale, dressed head to toe in black. He was strikingly handsome and she was sure she'd seen him before, but where? He smiled slightly and she quickly turned around. Something about this felt off. She was only a block away from her apartment and she needed to focus. Where was that key...she reached into her purse and began rummaging. Five different shades of lipstick, two lip glosses, a wallet, some breath mints...damn...she knew it was in there. She tried to ignore the footsteps behind her as they quickened.

She wanted to stop so she could find that damn key, but he was getting closer and she didn't dare give him any indication of vulnerability.

"Just keep walking, you'll find the key." She told herself.

He'd been watching her for months. He had spent centuries looking for the perfect red head and she fit the bill. His first love had been a red head...and...well...they'd had a complex relationship. That was in the past and this girl, this girl was most definitely the future. He'd waited patiently for an opportunity to get her alone. He would make her his. He would show her things that would blow her mind. They would travel the world, seize every moment, drink every last drop of every evening from sunset to sunrise...for eternity.

She heard him begin to whistle. Soft and slow. She recognized the tune. It was an old song that was meant to be darkly romantic...and one she happened to love...but it took on a darkly sinister tone here in the quiet of the city night. Then he began to sing softly. Find the key, find the key...

"I put a spell on you..."

Damn where the hell is that key? I know it's in here. Fine tip marker...subway ticket stub...another lipstick. Why do I have so many lipsticks? I always wear the same color. Still no key.

"Because your mine."

He was right behind her. She was only a few feet from her front door. She could hear his raspy breathing and the song was crawling under her skin. Should she yell? Was she being paranoid? What if he was just a guy, walking home? He probably lived in the neighborhood, they'd probably stood in line at Starbucks together. Sure. Calm down. He's just a guy. The key...she found it.

Then she felt his hand slowly slide around her left arm...

"I put a spell on you."

She tried to break free, but his grip was too strong. She started to scream, but his right hand covered her mouth in an instant. She felt his hot breath on her neck...then she felt his teeth...

"Because your mine."

"Drop dead, gorgeous."

Ah, Halloween.

I don't usually like horror flicks or shows, but give me a good twist and a complex hero or heroine and you may just have me. There is nothing quite like a villain who has redemptive qualities, something in the human psyche finds that endlessly compelling, which is why vampires are iconic and Dexter is a hit show. We are simultaneously drawn towards and repulsed by these dark characters. So here is the first in my bi-weekly offerings of Halloween themed projects...BOO!

Drop Dead Gorgeous
Copyright 2009
Margot Potter
For inspiration purposes only and not intended for resale

Materials
Tim Holtz Fragments large square pendant
Tim Holtz Ornate Plates
Tim Holtz Foliage Flowers in gun metal
Tim Holtz link chain in gun metal
Tim Holtz link chain toggle clasp circle only
Tim Holtz Grunge Paper
6 5mm CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements rounds
18 gauge dark annealed iron wire (Metalliferous)
Beadalon BeadFix Adhesive
Traci Bautista Collage Pauge Matte
Crafty Chica paint in red
Aleene's Liquid Fusion
Edwardian script font size 12 "Drop Dead Gorgeous" printed on white paper
Dover Books permission free Great Anatomical Drawings skeleton image printed on white paper

Tools
Scissors
Computer
Round nose pliers
Memory wire cutters
2 pairs chain nose pliers
Hole punch (1/16")
Pencil

1. Create the words Drop Dead Gorgeous in a document on your computer using Edwardian Script ITC font in size 20. (Or similar vintage style font) Print. Trace with acrylic pendant and cut paper.

2. Mark and punch a small hole in paper so it’s in the same spot as the hole in the tile.

3. Adhere paper to back of tile with a thin layer of Collage Pauge. Seal back of paper with another thin layer of Collage Pauge. Allow to dry.

4. Use an old toothbrush or a small paintbrush to flick a small amount of red paint across surface of acrylic tile. Allow to dry.

5. Print Dover skeleton image. Place metal frame over image, centering skull. Trace around inside edge of frame using a pencil and reaching under the lip. Cut out image.

6. Place frame on grungeboard paper. Trace around inside of edge as before and cut paper. Adhere image to grungeboard with decoupage medium. Allow to dry.

7. Glue image edge to lip on frame using a thin bead of Liquid Fusion. Paint a thin layer of decoupage medium on image. Allow to dry.

8. Use the Beadalon jump ring making tool to create 2 15mm jump rings with the iron wire. Cut rings with Memory Wire shears (iron wire will ruin your regular cutters.)

9. Attach pendants together with jump rings.

10. Glue small flower on top of the hole in fragments tile with jeweler’s glue. (Make sure you don’t cover the hole!)

11. Glue a second flower on the lower left side of the pendant. Glue a crystal in the center of the flower. Allow the glue to cure.

12. Create a large hook using the iron wire

13. Thread five crystals on a length of steel wire. Create loops on both sides.

14. Attach loops to chain on one side and your hook clasp on the other.

15. Slide chain through top jump ring on your pendant. Attach the circle end of the toggle clasp to the open end of your chain.

HOW ARE YOU,DEAR?

HOPE TO HEAR THE BEST.........

29th,sept,2009,

tuesday

6p.m

Dear Friends,

Good evening!these days the sky is cloudy n the weather is cool.it's raining and i enjoy the moments as it's a holiday!it's fun to allow the raindrops splash on my face n trying to catch the drops!and these days i wanted the showers very badly;to get refreshed,the mind n body!when we enjoy the holidays,as the bonus in life,i want to reach out the friend with whom i kept the distance with a burning heart.........

As the sun sets in the horizon,

Looking at the passing clouds,

I was asking them to carry a message!

How are you,my dear friend?

Looking at the rising waves,

The boats that sail at a distance,

I was all alone,lost in my thoughts.

I wished to walk on the waves,

Hoping that they will take me faster to u.

I am waiting for the storm to pass,

And to dance in the rain holding your hand;

Eager i'm to feel the moist of the raindrops,

Oh,My God,let them cool the fire!

I didn't know why this has happened,

Why the words were exchanged in hot temper;

The careless words once sopken ;

Brought grief to our hearts;

And the words can't depart so easily.

I really feel,n realise now,

The language of silence is more powerful;

Than the sound of words.

With the power of strong feelings,

My heartbeats are taken forms!

We know the ultimate truth,

We support each other the very best,

We celebrate our achievements together,

We are with each other in our lows,

We help to live the life giving space,

And we have chosen each other taking time!

Such choices will bring out,

The riches of fulfillment n happiness in life!

As today, the fourth day,killing me in silence,

Words don't flow,i get a mental block,

It's rightly said,only in one's absence we realise,

How deeply we are fond of him/her.

Hope you understand my silent communication,

And turn the denial into acceptance;

The chaos to order n confusion to clarity.

And atleast today,let me sleep peacefully;

Tell me once how are you?

And tell yourself,everything's the same.:)

M y dearest friend,it's a passing phase,

And i miss you terribly,these days.

It's a mutual feeling,i do realise;

And the golden words need not be repeated!

the day was long specially,when the heart is heavy. after a heavy,shower,just like the sun shines again,with hope n prayers,anu wishes all of you a sweet night!the dedication is the beautuful song which will bind the bonds strongly.:)and you know my dearest friend,it's for you!anu loves you all.my sparrows are chirping a lot.......they are so concerned asking me,how is our dear anu,as i hadn't talked to them since four days.it's feeding time.see you folks!

it's anu signing off..........

sasneham,

anu

Writer with sharp words, William Safire, dead at 79

They say the pen is mighter than the sword.
This is one guy who showed me that.
Although an arch conservative in the old American mould he is.
One of my fav columnists, Safire is dead.
At a time when American journalism is in decline too, after failing to adjust to the Internet age.

Singaporeans will remember him, perhaps, for his run-ins with the Lees of Singapore - see here also.

There's No Place Like Home

There's No Place Like Home! There's No Place Like Home!

I get tears in my eyes, when I think of home. It has been a year, and I need to be there now. Wednesday, September 30th I will be leaving at 3am to head for Oklahoma. I am driving straight through. It will probably take about 20+ hours to get there. I do the driving as DH is not able. It will be a long one, so please keep us in your prayers. I am so going to need them. Thank you, each and every one of you, for being such wonderful sisters, wonderful friends, and wonderful prayer warriors. We have needed each and every one of you.

I need to be with my family at this time. So, sad as it is, I will be away from my blog for 3 weeks. I will not have access to a computer while I am there. I will be back home the week of the 26th and will get a post back up at that time. All of you that have been following my blog, now how important it is for me to be home at this time. I need my family and they need me.



I will be passing the torch to my daughter Heidi @ Fairy Footprints. I will be in touch with her each and every day, and she will post daily about our Amy Girl. She will be very faithful in keeping each of you Prayer Warriors updated. I love and cherish each one of you.

So, as I lay my head down tonight, I thank each and every one of you for stopping by my little piece of heaven here in the desert that I so love to call home. God Bless you all. Country hugs and love always, Sherry

Free Halloween Craft Projects Version 2009!

I'm super excited to be gearing up for a month of devilishly delicious designs here at The Impatient Crafter blog! I spent the morning sketching up concepts and soon I'll be sharing a bevy of 'boo'tiful ideas with you. I'll be posting a free project for I Love to Create for the next four Fridays and then sharing links to fabulous Halloween themed ideas from across the blogosphere on Terrorific Tuesdays! I'll throw a few more ideas into the cauldron for good measure along the way.

In the meantime, I've got an RSS Feed filled with great Halloween themed ideas from last year you can peruse. I'll be adding more there as the month progresses.

Mwahahahahahahaha!

Don't forget to throw your name in the hat for my Friendly Plastic giveaway. I'll announce the winner next Monday.

Oh and check out this fun new video offering from my friends at When Creativity Knocks.

Goulishly yours,
Madge

RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE

28th,September,2009

Monday

18 Rules for a successful life

Dear friends,

HAPPY VIJAYADASHAMI!MAY GODDESS OF LEARNING,MA SARASWATHI,BLESS ONE N ALL!

today i want to share a forwarded mail with you.hope you will like the rules.i strongly feel the silence before the storm.[n if i get carried away with the storm,cool......................]

wishing all of you a wonderful evening,reminding anu loves one n all,

it's anu signing off........,

sasneham,

anu

Apa jadi dengan imigresen airport Penang tadi?

Apa kita nak kata pun tentang agensi kerajaan Malaysia, ada satu agensi biasanya tak ada problem besar dengannya, sehingga kita semua 'take for granted'.
Apabila kita keluar-masuk Malaysia, pastinya ada orang cop passport.
Mungkin nak komplen mereka kerja slow, atau lebih gemar bercakap dengan rakan daripada bertugas dengan lebih semangat, tetapi mereka tetap ada di kaunter.

Tetapi Ahli Parlimen Jeff Ooi mem-blog di sini, di lapangan terbang Pulau Pinang pagi tadi, mereka tak datang kerja pada masa yang ditetapkan!?!?!
Alamak. Apa dah jadi?
Mereka kena jelaskan, sebab ini melibatkan ramai orang, dan imej negara.
Ada isu dengan bos ke? Atau sengaja boikot datang lambat?
Tak boleh suka-suka 'bang, akak, ini bukan kerja kat restoran tepi jalan.
Bukan pun kaunter kerajaan di pejabat biasa yang lain - kalau pegawai gi makan kita boleh tunggu satu-dua jam pun.

AirAsia, penerbangan yang terlibat, juga pastinya kena check dan beritahu orang ramai.
Saya khuatir juga sebab saya kalau keluar-masuk Malaysia suka naik flight pagi (melalui LCCT Sepang atau KLIA).

Saya harap jika ada rakan dari media perdana yang baca, tolong check sikit. Untuk kebaikan negara dan rakyat, bukan nak tuduh melulu atau marah.
Jika sistem lemah, boleh diperkuat. Adakah ini pertama kali ia terjadi?

Singapore says F1 good for its branding

The F1 night race is in Singapore this weekend, for the second year.
Even as Malaysians agonise and question the need for the 1Malaysia F1 Team Lotus, Singapore says being involved in the racing has been good for the country's branding as a "happening place".
"We want to have a reputation that this is a good place to work, to live, to play. F1 helps us to acquire that reputation," said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong here.

There are details of how much is being spent each time - S$150 mil/RM345 mil, 60 per cent by the Singapore government.
And how much money is brought in was also mentioned in story; you can't see in the online version, but I have mentioned it here before - over three days, 40,000 foreigners came last year, spending S$168 mil/RM386 mil.

Then again, sometimes I get the feeling that Malaysia doesn't want to be known as a happening place. It wants people to come work, live and PRAY.
Nothing wrong with that, if you are a religious site or city with religious history (like Rome, Qom, Fatima or Madinah), but a disaster for Malaysia where the most religious site was the teapot kingdom of Ayah Pin.

Then again, Malaysians are correct too, to agonise.
They don't question the holding of F1 RACE in Sepang (the idiots in opposition who opposed the event that started off in 1999 has long shut up, seeing that it did bring benefits to the country's branding).
Malaysians are now questioning the need for an F1 TEAM.

Although PM Najib Razak has said the government will have NO equity in the team, it still begs the question of why anyone wants to waste zillions of dollars a year for something that won't bring much financial benefit to the country.
Also, people want to know who will pay for the LAND and the COST of building the Malaysian F1 technical centre in Sepang, and to develop a race car for Lotus (RM1 bil total costs did someone say?).

There is that feeling that the government is NOT putting everything on the table.
(I am just asking the questions that many people want to know).
- No we won't have any equity in the team, but yes we will provide land for the technical centre? And maybe even raise the building itself? Rakyat's money?
- No we are not involved, but Proton, majority-owned by the government, is involved because Lotus is the constructor of the cars? Rakyat's money?
- No we are not involved but Petronas, owned by the government, will be a sponsor to provide engine oils and lubricants? Rakyat's money?
- And there is the nagging question that if the three private groups are so keen to support 1Malaysia and Proton/Lotus, they will surely want some return on their investment? So what do they get? The joy of seeing a few Malaysians learning new engineering skills?
Though to be fair, Tony F did say that he expects the team to make money. But he didn't want to talk details.

My worry is this: Sad to say, in typical Malaysia style, the move to defend a policy or major event comes in dribs and drabs. After weeks or months had passed, and negative perceptions formed, only then will the government decide to step in or come out to explain properly.
Again I say, don't you guys in government (or in this case, the F1 Team) watch West Wing the series?
Learn how to handle public relations and PR disasters?
Or maybe it's time to call in Fox Comms.

Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin Visit Feedsack Fantasy

Good Morning Pooh! Today we are going to take a journey and go and visit a special friend of mine. Her name is Marydon Ford and she lives at Feedsack Fantasy, just like we live here in 100 Acre Woods. Anyone that hasn't visited her blog, can do so by clicking on our picture, as I read to you. She's a wonderful person, has a beautiful blog, and Pooh, I'm going to tell you a secret. Sshhhh! Today is Ms Marydon's Special Day, yes that is right it is her Birthday. Shhhh! Don't tell a soul now, and come on along.















As this is a special day for Marydon. We need to go and pick up a few of our friends. Everyone will want to come along. We so love celebrations in 100 Acre Woods, can you imagine what her special day will be like at Feedsack Fantasy? I am sure my friend, Mr. Harold has some wonderful things planned for Ms Marydon. I can't wait to find out what.

Okay Owl, I believe everyone is in line, cleaned and shined, and ready to go to Feedsack Fantasy. We can march forward when you call it. Now Tigger, no bouncing ahead, you must stay in line today, we are on a special journey to Ms Marydon's special day. We must all be on our very best behavior, or next time we might not be invited.

Oooh! Look Pooh, here is a sign. It reads Feedsack Fantasy - 1 mile. At this rate, we will be there before you know it. I believe it is just around the corner. I hope we make it in time. I told Mr. Harold we would be there, and you know it isn't polite to be late. Oh my goodness look at this.

We're here gang! Look there are balloons Pooh. It's all of us. We're on the balloons. Oh Mr. Harold knew Marydon would love us, and look she sure will.

Ohh, we all need to take a hat. It's a party. Hurry gang, we all need to get our hats on. Ms. Marydon is coming. Surprise Marydon! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!

We would like to introduce Ms. Marydon Ford. Our Birthday Girl!!!

Or is it this one? Oh dear, or is it the next one?

No, no that can't be her, I think it is this one. Oh bother! What are we to do? Would the real Marydon please step forward?

Marydon says for each of you to have a cupcake. Pick the one of us you love most. I believe I'll have Pooh thank you, Ms Marydon. What a wonderful celebration. It's absolutely wonderful. We have had such a delightful time. We can't thank you and Mr. Harold enough for inviting us all. Celebrations are such fun and it is always poohtastic to get together with friends.

Thank you for having a celebration today Ms Marydon, we have had a wonderful time. Happy Birthday to you. May all your dreams come true, and may you have many, many more to come. I love you sweet Peanut Butter, I love you. All my love, Cherry Jelly



Please thank Ms Heidi @ Fairy Footprints in the Sand (click on her link) for sponsoring Disney Sunday, thus the Disney Birthday Party. Please stop by and visit her if you haven't already. She will delight you with her fairy blog. It is magical just like Disney.

As always thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven here in the desert that I so love to call home. Country hugs and love, Sherry

TastyLinks Saturday!

Image Copyright Gil Elvgren

Another week bites the dust! It's time once again for my weekly blog link round-up. Here's what the Crafty Bloggers gang have for your craftcentric education, entertainment and edification:

About Family Crafts Never run out of Halloween crafts, activities, and motivation. Get new Halloween projects delivered to your email box every day for 31 days! Find out how...

Aileen's Musings Aileen has a crafty Halloween project and template just for you.

Cathie Filian Cathie has a quicky way to jazz up plain glass candle holders and it uses scrap ribbons!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a crocheted pumpkin pattern, how to sew a shower curtain and towels, an interview with Tracie Lyn Huskamp author of Nature Inspired and a Mixed Media Dada Dolly TP cozy.

Crafty Princess Diaries A granny square dress? Is it over the top or a true crafty fashion statement?

Cross Stitch at About.com Louise is proud to show off her first project, a Peter Rabbit Cross Stitch Bookmark by Anchor. It's a great first time effort.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Do you sell your crafts? Have you ever? Read Linda's musings and share your stories in the comments section.

Mixed Media Artist Give your favorite building a new look by creating a fractured photograph!

Naughty Secretary Club Join Jen on a week long screen printing adventure as she reviews books, plays with a YuDu, puts a unicorn on a onesie, plays with vinyl records and more.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Army men are melted into service to make this cute coaster using the wonderful tutorial from the new book Craftcycle by Heidi Boyd

The Artful Crafter Recycle artificial flowers into frilly fairies. Teens, tweens and kids-at-heart will love making and “hanging around” these little creatures.

The Impatient Crafter There's a brand new The Impatient Crafter YouTube video to inspire you to declare yourself an artist! Madge explores the Cricut Expression in this quirky new video offering.

PM Najib, Subra and Makkal party woo Indians

Yes, we know that S. Samy Vellu is a liability to MIC and BN.
MIC has been abandoned by the Indians.
(If he is much loved still, he wouldn't have been voted out in his Sungei Siput ward, a constituency that he nurtured for umpteen years).
But is it true also that MCA has been abandoned by the Chinese?
And surely, we are not wrong to say that to many poor urban Malays, Umno is not relevant to them?

So how?
Will ditching Samy help MIC regain the trust of the Indians? (Under G. Palanivel, a Samy shadow).
Just like - will ditching Ong Tee Keat and putting up Chua Soi Lek help MCA bring back Chinese voters to BN?

Now, there is talk that after having lost recently to find relevance in MIC, S. Subramaniam may ditch the party. Utusan has the story here - word has been out on the street since he lost in the fight for the MIC No.2.
Subra, it is said, will soon leave MIC and hopes to bring a big chunk of the party faithful.
Where will he go?
Perhaps to a party that will be launched by PM Najib Razak soon.
But the big question remains: If Umno-BN-MCA is still seen as irrelevant to many voters, will ditching MIC for Parti Makkal Sakthi (People's Power) Malaysia help bring back Indian voters?

Maybe PM Najib is banking on this: The MIC has already been abandoned, so there is nothing to lose in opening a new book with a new ally.
Throw away the old baggage, buy a new luggage carrier from Samsonite.

All that is needed now is for the Indian community to see that Umno-BN is sincere in wanting to help them (like no more cow-like antics, including by Home Minister).
It might just work.

But first, we shall see what happens at the planned large Indian gathering in Klang Sunday/tomorrow for the Maperum Perani, the Great Movement.

CELEBRATING VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL.....

HAPPY DUSSEHRA!

26th sept,2009,

saturday.

4p.m

Dear Friends,

Good evening!after many days i went to Shree Ayyappa Temple yesterday.i felt so nice after having the darshan of Lord Ayyappa n updevas.my mind was filled with peace,heart with love n postive thoughts.pavizhamalli pookal had spread white carpet.wow1then i thought of amma,nanda n trichur n our pavizhamalii tree!there the road near the compound wall is covered with the fallen flowers!last year,i was at trichur for navrathri!nanda used to take me to different temples and i must tell u the atmosphere was so soothing!bomakkolu was kept in Shiva Temple,Poonkunnam.on one side bhajans were going on!and amma guided us about the rituals!Navrtahri time always presented wonderful cultural programme!Gujaratis presented Dandiya Ras for nine days!

Hindus observe fasting n honour the Mother of Goddess and triumph of Lord Rama over demon Ravan.Dussehra also symbloises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon,Mahishasura.Thus it is a celebration of victory of good over evil.

It's the beginning of winter time;

The auspicuous time for celebrations,

We worship Goddess Shakti these nine days;

The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi,

Goddess of wealth and prosperity;

The next three days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi;

Goddess of learning and arts,

And the last three days to Goddess Durga[Shakti].

Bommai Kolu is a wonderful sight;

Dolls are arranged atistically stepwise,

In the forms of Gurus,Gods n Goddesses.

Lamps and flowers are spread everywhere.

It is set up on the very first day.

The nights n evenings are colourful,

with Garbha dance in traditinal attire.

To get physical,mental n spiritual strength;

On the main day of dussehra,

The effigies of Ravana,Meghanadh n Kumbhakarna are set to fire.

Witnessing the tradition is considered as auspicious;

Thus we burn the evil within us,

And follow the path of truth n goodness.

An atmosphere of purity n serenity are formed.

Let us give up our bad habits n forget the bad deeds.

Durga Pooja is the main festival of bengalis,

Idol of Goddess Durga will be immersed,

Into the nearby river or lake,

On the day of Vijayadashami.

this custom is called 'visarjan'.

In southern parts of India,

Vijayadahami day is the day of Vidyarambham;

When the day begins with puja of books n learning materials.

It is the best day of to start new form of learning.

Weapons and other instruments are worshipped.

Devotees rush to Mookambika Temple,

For writing the first letters of the tinytots,

In the holy presence of Goddess Saraswathi;

My Little Star n Kishen had the functions ,

At Shree Mookambika Temple.

Vehicles are washed n cleaned,

Roli is put n swastika is drawn.

In Uttar Pradesh,leaves of Banni trees are collected,

friends n relatives are greeted with these leaves,

These are considered as gold;

The entrance of homes are decorated;

With flower studded strings.

The leaves of Apta trees are exchnged among friends.

The Dussehra celebrations are popular,

In Mysore n are conducted with great pomp.

Ramleela ,a folk play retells the life of Rama;

It is enacted for the nine days of Navrathri,

Ending on the day of Dussehra!

Songs are sung in praise of Sree Rama,

the jewellery,make up n drama attract people.

It is also considered as Vishwakarma Day,

The National Labour Day of India.

Friends,it is time to worship the Goddess of Shakti,wealth and knoweldge.here,in Mapusa,during Navrathri,people worship Lord Krishna.this city is known as Krishnapuri of this state.

yesterday was the naming ceremony of chakara vava;before vava getting her real name,Lakshmi,Saraswathi n Parvathi are whispered in the ears of our little angel.Girl is the other form of Goddess;she is the strength of the family not a burden.

this post is dedicated to all the Mothers,girls n ladies of the world ,the bold n beautiful creation of GOD!

HAPPY DUSSEHRA!

it's anu signing off..........

i hope n pray all the bloggers will write a new post on Vijayadashami Day!anu loves you all.

wishing you a wonderful autumn season.........

sasneham,

anu