A collection of leaves, several pockets of time, stories to be explored, one leaf at a time.
Introduction Leaves are found everywhere in Singapore, but are rarely given a second look. They represent parts of our everyday life that we often overlook in our busy lives. When we make something with our hands, it becomes an opportunity to slow down. Our mind is given time to rest and rediscover thoughts, ideas and memories often neglected. This project hopes that through creating with our hands, we can relax and imagine a little more; and in the process, reconnect with ourselves.
The Process Contributors were asked to create a leaf personal to them and share a bit about their leaf or thoughts they had in the process of creating. The following is a showcase of the leaves which came back. Maybe they might inspire you to create too.
Creations had to fit the size of an envelope and sent back through post or hand-delivered.
Chye Sim and I viewed from Brownie, the Rabbit. I started out viewing leaves as sustaining life and playing a part in ecological balance on mother earth. Our family has a rabbit, named Brownie. We feed Brownie with fresh vegetables every evening and the main vegetable is Chye Sim, a Chinese leafy vegetable. This creation is motivated by this fact that Brownie likes Chye Sim. I enjoyed creating and sewing this item and the satisfaction I had was obvious, because as a male I can sew too.
Life in a Leaf In making the origami figures, “leaves” of paper are imitating life. In the case of the leaf origami, a “leaf” of paper has become a leaf. At the same time, paper usually has prints of something alive on it, such as the leaf print and the goldfish print (on the crane). And so there’s life in the paper, in more than one way.
After a craft session at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), participants were asked:
If your leaf could talk, what would it say?
30th November 2012
When I was making the leaf, it reminded me of the birthday cards I’ve made for my friends in the past year. Custom-making each card for them is my way of saying thanks for being such an awesome friend. I haven’t been making cards recently due to my busy schedule, perhaps its’s time to get back to card making and show my appreciation to my friends. :)
“The rose leaves on the leaf is like a parody of itself.”
Stitch-a-Leaf This leaf is part of POPIN’s community craft project for 2013, Stitch-a-Leaf where the public is invited to stitch leaves using cross-stitch techniques. A thin rope with different shaped leaves (the leaves will be cut out from mesh material used for cross-stitch and needle point) will be prepared by POPIN for the participants to stitch in any fashion they please.
a last note of
thanks
When I first started this project, I wanted to get a collection of leaves as I was curious to see what is it that my friends would come up with. I must say I was pleasantly surprised each time I opened the letterbox to find a handcrafted leaf waiting to be revealed. With each leaf I could feel the effort that went into it and the time spent while making it. And even by looking at each leaf, I learnt a little more about each person which is what makes handmade so special! To everyone who sent me a handcrafted leaf, I am very grateful that you took part in this project! Thank you for being game to try something so seemingly random even though many a time I recieved the question “can really do anything?! No guidelines at all?� I hope that as you were helping me make a leaf, you had fun too.
Leaf contributors: Ailin, Miyuki, Guan, Kim Tong, Lin Ping, Lynette, Jane, Li Sze, Participants of AIC craft workshop, Caire, The Quirky Girl Crafter, Chau Lee, Grace, Valerie, Karen, Jia Yin, Lydia, Amber, Happy Tree Friends, Popin