tender is the night | and tender are my thoughts

Posted on July 4, 2011 by ally

I think I might have found a new hobby.

Today, my colleagues and I got down to creating our very first craft project – altered clipboards.

For real? Yeah.

About a year ago, when I started buying scrapbooking paper, I had absolutely no idea what I’d use them for. But they were pretty, and I couldn’t resist (sucker, I know). Since then, I’ve used them sparingly and haven’t done anything remotely exciting.

Last week, my colleague QQ showed me this tutorial and when we saw how easy it was to personalise our very own clipboards, we enthusiastically agreed to embark on the project together. Gwennie’s place was to be the workshop.

We used MDF clipboards from good ol’ Daiso and our own stash of fancy scrapbooking paper. We had to trim the paper down to size first.

Next, we cut the paper into strips and used double-sided tape to seal the paper down to the clipboard.

Repeat the process on the back.

After sticking the papers to the board, we used a bit of sandpaper which not only helps to seal the edges of the paper down, but also give it a nice, distressed look.

To finish off, we used a sponge brush to apply Mod Podge so the papers are securely adhered to the clipboard. It also helps to give it a nice, glossy look.

Unfortunately, it takes about 24 hours for it to dry properly, so I had to leave it in the “workshop”.

You may have noticed that the surface of the paper is a little wavy. This is because I didn’t realise the importance of making sure every inch of the paper had to be covered in double-sided tape. I’m hoping the folds will be evened out once the Mod Podge is completely dry.

Can’t wait to see how it looks like, tomorrow! :D

I already have my next project in mind. Bring on the Mod Podge, baby!

. . . . .

Song of the Day

Timshel, by Mumford and Sons

Posted on July 2, 2011 by ally

Lately, I’ve been getting really inspired to do some crafts. Yes, that’s right. Crafts. I blame my colleague who shared with me this blog filled with pictures of gorgeous, gorgeous crafts. And because it all looked so easy, it’s gotten me excited to create some projects of my own.

For now, I really want to throw some kind of party just so I can create favours like these:

Clockwise from top left:
1. Mini Candy Cartons
2. How To Make Caramels For Someone You Like
3. Gumball Necklaces
4. Homemade Goodie Bags

Pretty, aren’t they? ;)

. . . . .

Song of the Day, because I can’t get this tune out of my head since I saw it on SYTYCD

Belong, by Cary Brothers

Posted on June 25, 2011 by ally

I had to write this email of complaint despite the time of day.

Good evening,

My friends and I were just treated to an extremely unpleasant experience in Hyundai Sonata Taxi 2397.

The booking was made this evening at approximately 2250 hours, and we were picked up at the Far East Plaza taxi stand. Upon hearing that the three of us were sharing a cab even though we all live in the East (S.R., F.A. and T), the driver groaned very audibly and did not make an effort to hide his displeasure. We do not think ours was a troublesome journey, so to hear the driver openly verbalise his indignation while trying to make his own sense of our route, came as a rude shock. Subsequently, and unfortunately for us, we had to bear the brunt of his poor attitude, such as the little effort on his part to minimise the impact each time he hit the brakes.

The final straw came after the first passenger alighted along S.R., and he missed the turn to get to F.A. After we alerted him of his mistake, instead of apologising, he mentioned that his mind was still clouded with the fact that we had 3 stops, causing him to make that error. He remarked that it would almost be midnight by the time we got to T and that he would have missed out on the opportunity to pick up passengers from Changi Airport, as there would have been many passengers waiting for cabs at that time (it was approximately 11:15 when he made these comments). Upon hearing this, I decided to alight at Frankel Avenue with the second passenger as I was no longer willing to subject myself to such a resentful driver. When he realised that he did not have to make the trip to T any more, he had the audacity to thank us, before gleefully stating that he was now able to head for the airport.

I am not sure what is your company’s policy on cab sharing, but my friends and I have made this same trip countless times, and we have never before had such an unpleasant experience. We have met drivers who have straight up told us that they were in a hurry, so in those situations, we do not get on the cab. However, instead of immediately alerting us that it was too inconvenient for him to make the trip, this driver chose to fulfill the booking anyway. Yet, he reacted unfavourably.

Surely, such behaviour is a far cry from the values that your company embodies and I believe such representation, if left unchecked, would ultimately harm the company’s vision of providing best-in-class services that leads the market.

I sincerely hope that you will look into this matter and take the necessary action.

Regards,
A.T.

I am aggrieved.

*growls*