Extraordinary mondays - Robert Lang

You know how much I love origami. So when I stumbled upon the list of all the TED talks and found Robert Lang's name against a lecture, I was intrigued.



He makes it all sound so simple!!

Did you say my SIGG bottle may have BPA?

Did I hear you correctly? Did you say that SIGG bottles are not BPA free? Yeah, you heard me right. SIGG CEO, Steve Wasik, recently released a statement that announced that the Sigg bottles manufactured before August of 2008 contained BPA in its lining. Read all about it here.

Before you go throwing away your bottles, SIGG has provided a comparative photo of the lining so that you can determine if it is a bottle containing BPA. Take a look below. The one on the left called new SIGG EcoCare liner is BPA free and the one of the right, which is the former SIGG liner, contains BPA.
Am I glad I went with my decision to buy Klean Kanteen for Zach and Amelia. Read my review of the bottles here.

I've just recently introduced Amelia to her bottle and she has taken to it quite well. I think she just likes the fact that she has a bottle like her big brother's. On the flip side, Zach has requested for his Avent spout back instead of his sports pop top. I suppose he just wants to be like his sister.

A LATE Extraordinary Monday - The Nomadic Museum

Images taken from New York Architecture Images

This may be really old, old news to you but I've just discovered it. Above are images of Shigeru Ban's first major building in New York. It only lasted 4 months, from March to June 2005, on an abandoned pier on the Hudson River.

The building was essentially shipping containers that were stacked and staggered with paper tube columns and fabric ceilings to complete the internal space. The ingenious idea was that the content of the museum could be packed into the shipping containers that made up the walls!

The museum was designed specifically for an exhibition by Gregory Colbert called Ashes and Snow. The exhibition is still travelling the world. Visit it online here. His images were ephemeral, truly baroque in nature. The capturing of a moment, a posture, a thought, an emotion. I found they truly drew me in with their quietness but created such loud internal emotional responses. These two below particularly connected with me. The intense emotion of freedom and respect between girl and a majestic being like an elephant. WOW!

Images by Gregory Colbert

Free felt star pattern fixed

My sincere apologies for those of you who have been trying to get to my free felt star pattern. I've fixed the link now on the side bar and it should work now. Don't know what I'm talking about? Go here to my previous post.

Extraordinary Mondays - Perforated House by Kavellaris Urban Design

I have just stumbled upon a gorgeous little house that exemplifies the Burra Charter principles of new with old. Perforated House designed by Kavellaris Urban Design is not only playful but serious in its telling of a story in the streetscape. Some in the architectural heritage profession may not particularly like this as it probably makes a critque of the prevalence of facadism in "heritage" architecture. However, I find the "tongue in cheek"-ness rather appealing. Kavellaris Urban Design articulates it far better:


"The built form is essentially an urban infill within a very small 5.5x14.4m envelope. The perforated house is our proposal to establish an alternative language of our cultural attitudes towards critical questions of identity and heritage. We were interested in retaining the ‘idea’ and the ‘symbolism’ of the terrace but elevating the gesture to an ironic, even satirical, level to incite a public debate. The irony being that only in the absence of matter, through perforation, rather than through a physical reproduction of a terrace house, is the symbol of a terrace house apparent."

The juxtaposition of playfulness and seriousness runs throughout the interior. The "backyard" mural vs the living room complete with "Barcelona-lounge-austerity". It certainly is a piece of architecture worthy of some public discourse.

All photos in this blog post are taken from Kavellaris Urban Design's website. There are heaps more there as well as a Sketch-up model for those who are interested.

Cate

My cousin in Singapore has just opened her very own online fashion store called Cate featuring designers from Singapore (and some others). I don't feature much fashion here but I really like the collection she has put together. I think she has a really good eye. Take a look:




What's great about the shop is that there is a little write-up on each of the labels. I like that. You get to know the story behind the brand and designer. Tells you more about the clothes you are wearing. I think that makes each piece extra special. Take a look, okay?

PopMats

I don't know about you but when someone takes a single sheet of paper and turns it into a work of art, I go soft at my knees and swoon. I did just that today when I saw these:


They are designed by Lian Ng with inspiration drawn from children's pop-up books. Even better, these are made out of recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer fiber. So what are they exactly? They are placemats! Available to buy and bring home at Publique Shop. Won't they just make your party table setting just a little bit special?

I know it probably doesn't compare to Peter Callesen's artworks, which I posted about here but these placemats you can own!

Can't remember what his stuff looks like? Below is one of them. I better go sit down. I'm feeling light-headed.

Image taken from www.petercallesen.com

Bookcrossing

Following on the same line of thought as Monday's post, have you heard of Bookcrossing?


I think it is such a great idea! You join, for free, on the website and register a book you wish to 'release' into the 'wild'. After getting that number, you write it on a bookplate with your name and you leave it in a public area for someone to pick up.

Such a sustainable idea. Books are read and read and read. There are thousands in the wild ready for you to hunt down and take home. Books even find their way across continents! It's popularity is evidenced by the inclusion of the word 'bookcrossing' into the 2004 edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary.

I haven't registered yet as I'm quite attached to my books but if I have to do some culling in the future, I will certainly think about bookcrossing.

Extraordinary mondays - The Toy Society

Have you ever heard of the Toy Society? They are randomly spreading love around the world by leaving handmade toys on street benches, sculptures and other public areas for a complete stranger to pick up and take home. No strings attached! Isn't it wonderful? I am so loving this about the whole craft scene at the moment. The Pay it Forwards, the random acts of kindness, etc. I do love giving more than receiving so I've joined up. It was quick and easy. Just fill in your details in the box on the left of the webpage and an email will ask for your confirmation and then another email will be sent to with you easy instructions on how to package your drop and what to include in it. Easy peasy!

If you are curious, check out their website here and see for yourself. If you want to see the past drop offs, check out their Flickr site here. Look at the toy drop below, it was right here in Perth!!


Now, what shall I make? Where shall I drop it off? Any suggestions?

Jason Mraz

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat


This is probably really old news to you all but I've just discovered Jason Mraz's new album and this is my current favourite from "We sing. We dance. We steal things".

Extraordinary mondays - 3D softie How-to

Have you ever wondered how some crafties bring to "life" a cartoon character? No need to wonder anymore. Lauren Venell of Sweet Meats has put together a tutorial to show you how to transform a 2D drawing into 3D softie here!

She uses this drawing:

and makes this:
Beware though, the tutorial is for serious 3D crafties. It is for those who want to convert a 2D character into true 3D form with all the details. I find it rather involved as most of my creations kinda grow organically and honestly, I don't think I would have the patience to see the process all the way through.