The Real Meaning of Christmas - from Santa

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor.

This is how it happened.

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house.

I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.
"What are you doing?" I started to ask him.

The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.

Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.
The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle.

Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.

Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.

God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.
He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.

Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love.

Real love never ceases.
Love is one continuous round of affection.
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF.

Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality.

It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior.

The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.
Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.

Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook.

The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock.

The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.

Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth.

The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.' Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.

Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return. Santa looked at the tree and was pleased.

He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes.

He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

Rain Flower $ 33

Matching earrings for Carine('s lucky friend). Notice the little small silver flowers amongst the stones. (Click on the picture to see a blown up version.)

All materials are set on rhodium chains so that tarnishing is greatly reduced. I can also set on silver chain but the problem is that once tarnished, it is very difficult to polish.

Rain Flower (Pendant) $ 20

Another version of the Scent of Spring pendant made for Carine. Colours in this version shows well against the skin. Blue Chalcedony, White Agate, blue Howlite, freshwater pearls and the same oxdised silver flower.

L'escalier

For those interested to pick up felt art and many other crafts, here's the website :) The place is located one floor above Kinokunya. The online schedule is updated every month. Many of the instructors are Japanese. Have fun!

http://www.lescalier.com.sg/

Hobby # 2 (Not intended for sale)

During my MIA period this year towards the end of my pregnancy, I was desperately doing stuff that I thought would be impossible after Chunchun came - Movie Marathon, endless shopping trips, meeting up with old friends etc etc.

I started picking up a new interest - Felt Art, at a workshop in Takashimaya with friend C.

This was what I made during the workshop, taking 3 full hours! It's a cartoon sausage dog. The technique is really simple - just poking and punching at a ball of fleece. We went Kinokunya and bought a book on dogs.

My second piece of work done at home the next day. This is a Labrador Retriever.

I started to put in more efforts in the contours of the dog, the muscles, the hips, the blending of colours, the expression.

And its young:

Miniature Dachshund:

Siberian Husky:

Then trying out the Miniature Schnauzer in a sitting position:

And something more fury that requires new techniques, the Pomeranian:

Err it may seem that I have a profound interest in dogs but to be frank, I know nuts about them. This is my happy family of dogs:

Hopefully I can add on to the number :)

Gloria (Champagne pearls and Garnet) $ 60

Another beautiful version of Gloria. The same pearls are used as in the original version, and tinted with Garnet (which looks black on my pic) and Swarovski crystals. Customised for Corinne :)

Winter White earrings $ 42

With the same focal design, like snowflakes :)

Materials used for both necklace and earrings: Moonstones, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls.

Winter White $ 85

Commissioned specially for Joyce. Haha she requested for something not too elaborated for her wedding but somehow my fingers just couldn't help! Can be 'toned down' or 'blown up' in terms of scale of elaboration. One of the most enjoyable works I ever come across.

















On a darker surface to show the contours....
















And holding up against the light but failed to show how sparkling the whole thing is (really!).

To Joyce: The real thing is much better than the pics, I have difficulty taking pics of jewelry that's too sparkling such as crystals or 925 silver. Made many attempts and decided to post up whatever I have.

To scale down: change the pearl chain to just 14K goldfilled chains.
To scale up: add a loop of pearls and crystals on each side of the necklace.

Fame $ 30 (Price revised)

Gold-plated leaves with 14K goldfilled chains and little ruby stones dangling on the chains. Ideal for Christmas parties.

Autumn 2007 $ 34

Leaves turning red...brown leaves falling to the ground, leaving a few green ones behind...you see all these colours in this pair of earrings.

Carved aventurine flower tied with a golden pearl to an agate doughnut, with the falling brown leaves represented by brown Keishi pearls (yes pearls!).

Goes perfect with autumn colours in your wardrobe (for me, it's as simple as white tee and long brown skirt, hair tied up).

Hi There!!

Chunchun says hello :)

Scent of Spring (Pendant) $ 20

A dainty, dangling pendant requested by Ellena as a Christmas present.

I really love the oxidised silver flower. Citrine with pearls and faceted peridot. Length is about 4 cm. Looks best on a 16" silver/white gold chain.

I can substitude the Citrine with other stones.

明 Ming - $ 36 (3 pairs ONLY) SOLD

I just 'cut up' a strand of new stones - faceted natural moonstones. These moonstones are lovely, they do not have bright colours nor interesting inclusions. They are just humbly beautiful, you have to give them some time to realise how pretty they are. There are only a few of each colour in the spectrum of white to orange to brown.

(This explains why I can't make more than 3 pairs of Ming.)

I have given these earrings the name of a Chinese dynasty as they look as if they have some historical background :)) Jade doughnut + gold vermiel + moonstones. Probably one of the most dainty pairs of jade earrings I have made.

Cleo $ 18

Barrel-shaped faceted Citrine with a small Garnet drop. Drop is about 2 cm. Another piece great for daily wear :)

Greens $ 13

Requests to make more affordable earrings - here it is :) Lemon Topaz, Peridot and Green Garnet with a goldfilled leaf dangling.

Can me mismatched or matched. Dainty and wearable.