Completely justified

Israel is completely justified in bombing Palestine at the moment. There is absolutely no doubt about it in anyone's minds.

Even Hamas should come out and say so (they may have, I might not have seen it).

A six-month ceasefire was broken when Hamas launched rocket attacks at civilian Israeli targets. Israel responded by attacking Hamas' rocket sites and other known locations. Hamas tends to site its weapons and command posts in heavily populated areas, using other Palestinians as human shields to put pressure on Israel to reduce civilian casualties.

Luckily, Israel don't give a shizz about negotiating with Hamas anymore, and proceded to target them continually. Then they did something awesome. They started a YouTube channel.

That's a video of the Israeli Air Force destroying an underground missile bunker, located in a residential area. You can see one of the Palestinian missiles shoot up just after the attack.

There are heaps more videos like that. This one is great - the camera zooms in (in night vision!) and destroys some rockets in transit.

They even have helpful subtitles explaining what's happening.

I love this. Israel is sick of being portrayed as the bad guy. And fair enough too. They gave Palestine more than they had to, they've done what they can to make peace with their neighbours, and they have to put up with Iran, Egypt, Syria and Jordan constantly threatening war and destruction. They have a democratically elected government, a fair system of justice and freedom of the press. Why aren't they the good guys again???

Anyway, I love how they're trying to win the propaganda war. And in propaganda, it always helps if the truth is on your side.

Mill & Mia Tiered Voile Dress at Ten Little Indians Boutique

How lovely is this little dress? From online boutique, Ten Little Indians, the Mill & Mia Tiered Voile Dress
in it's pretty pink, white & lilac hues, is the perfect summer party dress. I recall when Gigi was a baby I bought her this style dress in red and she looked like a little Christmas tree

Happy New Year - 2009!

Happy New Year from my family down under to yours, wherever you are in this wonderful world of ours. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous 2009 x x x x x

Happy Birthday, Girls!

Welcome to this wonderful world, Cathleen and Shannon.

If Hilfy doesn't play, I say goodbye Andrew Hilditch

For the Australian selectors, Miss Field shows how it's done.

Unfortunately they did not heed her advice. The selectors only made the changes that were forced by injury. Lee and Symonds out, Watson still out. Matthew Hayden - he of the giant bat, imposing physique and horrible, horrible form - is still in.

That selection shows two things: stubbornness by the selectors, and a complete lack of faith in the emerging generation of openers. If you're Rogers or Klinger or even Hughes, you would look at Hayden's performances this summer and think "you know, I reckon I might have made it out of single figures more than once".

Robert Craddock and Ben Dorries have both written articles attacking the Australian selectors, in particular Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors. Hilditch made the decision to give Cameron White a full series in India. Apparently he was labouring under the misconception that White was a spinner of some kind. Hilditch also made the call to keep a clearly injured Watson and a "day-by-day proposition" Symonds in the squad.

The other three selectors, Merv Hughes, David Boon and Jamie Cox, need to step up a bit I think. I have a lot of respect for Boonie and Cox, I've interviewed them each several times, and I know at least one of them was arguing hard for Ben Hilfenhaus to get a Test in either Perth or Melbourne.

Here's what Trevor Hohns, the old chairman of selectors would have done:

Hilditch said last night it was not time for "chopping and changing" the side.

Well if now isn't the time, after one of the most demoralising performances seen by an Australian side, then when is the right time?

Former chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns, an uncompromising man who made the tough decisions, would have had none of it.

Hohns was the man who famously denied Ian Healy a farewell Gabba Test, telling the wicketkeeping great he had played three more Tests than he deserved.

Test cricket is a very unforgiving game. If your head isn't right, if you're out of form, or just feeling a bit unlucky, you will be exposed.

This is the squad:
Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Andrew McDonald, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.

They better bloody well give Hilfy a bowl. In Shield games this season, Bollinger has taken 14 wickets at 22.14, McDonald has taken 15 wickets at 23.93, and Siddle has taken 2 wickets at 76.

Hilfy? A paltry 24 wickets at 18.66 with his right-arm swing bowling. That's right, we do have a bowler who consistently swings the ball. We've just been ignoring him for hard-working toilers, apparently forgetting Hilfy sent down the most overs the competition a season or so ago.

Come on Hilditch, Hughes, Boonie and Cox. Get it right this time!!

We love Ava Jackman's Parka....or is it just a gratuitous Hugh Jackman post... ; )

For our northern hemisphere friends, I am sure you are happy to know where you can get the cute parka, as worn by Ava Jackman, daughter of actors Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness. It is from the cute yet oddly named children's label Finger in the Nose, available from online boutique Antigone & Balthazar. For the rest of us, it is simply a gratuitous Hugh Jackman moment....sigh!

Ugg Boots

I don't get it.

I believe in Harvey Dent

This post has been percolating in my head since July. If you haven't seen The Dark Knight by now, well, you probably aren't reading this blog, because you live in a time when the film wasn't released. Even Afghan tribesman fighting the Taliban have seen a bootleg dvd by now.

Some themes from The Dark Knight

The Hard Decisions
Making tough decisions is a constant theme throughout The Dark Knight.

- Society is strong enough to make tough decisions together, but falls down when individual people have to be relied on. This might be controversial, but stick with me. The people on the boat made the right decision to blow up the other boat full of prisoners. In purely rational terms, the prisoners had contributed less to society than the other boat. Gotham would have been better off with the boatload of civilians surviving. However when it came time to blow the detonator, no one would take individual responsibility. No one would make the hard decision, even though society had already democratically deemed it correct.
- No one had taken responsibility in Gotham for many years. Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent were the only ones prepared to make the tough decisions to go after the mob. It was working. But the Joker took things to a new level by killing people until Batman revealed himself. It was working too. Until Dent made a hard decision himself and took the decision out of Batman's hands. He knew Batman was too important to Gotham to be brought down in this way, so he took the risk that the Joker would kill more people in order to give Batman a better chance of bringing the Joker down.
- After Dent turned into Two Face and killed five people, Batman and Gordon knew the truth could never get out. It would destroy the criminal cases Dent had brought and devastate the people of Gotham, who had come to believe in Harvey Dent. So Batman made the hard decision to take those murders on himself. In order to protect Harvey Dent's reputation, and thereby the people of Gotham, Gordon had to end his friendship with Batman and tell the city he had killed a couple of crooked cops and a few mobsters. It was the right decision for the city. But a hard one for Batman.

The Truth Hurts
People need to be protected from truths that will keep them from living their lives productively.

- The citizens of Gotham could not know the truth about what happened to Harvey Dent as it would shatter their growing faith in humanity. "He was the best of us". And he fell. It meant that if Dent couldn't stay incorruptible, no one could. Batman and Gordon chose to conceal the truth in order to preserve the good work Dent had done.
- Bruce Wayne could not know that Rachael was going to turn him down and marry Harvey. Alfred chose to conceal the information from him in order to protect him. Rachael was one of the last links to his childhood. He didn't need to know that she had rejected him.
- Harvey Dent chooses to conceal Batman's identity and place himself in danger. Maintaining Batman as a symbol, invincible, was more important than bowing to the Joker's demands.

Democracy
An interesting one.

- The people are shown as being able to make hard, unpopular decisions when presented with the chance for a vote. However decades of taking no responsibility left Gotham horribly corrupt. When it comes down to one person having to make a tough choice, the decision gets left unmade.
- Harvey Dent talks about how in Roman times when the city was under threat they would suspend democracy and put control in hands of one man under the threat was over. They did this so he could make the hard, unpopular choices that lesser men would refuse to take responsibility for. Batman does this at the end of the film, when he takes responsibility for Two Face's murders in order to protect the city.

The Outsider
Can make the decisions no one else can make

- Batman is the outsider. Due to his position, he can make tough choices about the direction of the city. He was prepared to take on the mob, and he won.
- However he realised that the position of Outsider is not tenable long-term. Eventually people would come to resent or fear him. "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villian." Batman wanted to see Harvey Dent rise up within the system, as the Insider, the one going about it the right way, to replace him. He wanted to see the system triumph, rather than the individual. In the end, it did, although not without some deception.



There is a lot in the film. It's definitely not a traditional Hollywood message. I find it very interesting. I'm glad it did so well. Hopefully it will send a message to other filmmakers that intelligent movies, with awesome action and great performances can be incredibly profitable and artistically rewarding.

I think it's how superhero movies should be. They should reflect and comment on society, using an outsider as a fly in the ointment, to provoke reaction and change.

Harlow Winter Kate in her Babystyle Organic Winter Woolies

What a little cutie - out and about in LA with mummy Nicole Ritchie, Good Charlotte's number one fan, Harlow Winter Kate Madden was all rugged up in Babystyle Organic Cotton Pants & Organic Cotton Cardi. Love the ugg boots as well : )

Marcia Cross and daughter Eden stepping out in Umi Kids Shoes

Desperate Housewives star, Marcia Cross, caught up on some last minute Christmas shopping last week with one of her twins daughters, Eden (nearly 2), at the Brentwood Country Mart. WE, meaning Gigi & I, just LOVE those patent leather shoes by UMI. The Bluebell style shoe, with gorgeous button & stitching detail, is listed as sold out on their website but we found some still available at Amazon.com

Time Friendly Printed Postcards from Stationery Online

I am back from a few days of much needed family time and ready & rearing to go! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that you made Santa's nice list. For those of you who are time poor during the holiday season - as so many of my friends have told me they are - I had a solution this year to that annual job we all seem to put off until the last minute....you know the one I am talking about - your family Christmas cards. I have had email greetings from friends apologising for not sending cards due to time constraints and believe me, had I not found Stationery Online, that would have been me this year. In the past I had been one to do a family newsletter (you know, those sometimes annoying summaries of what you have all achieved in that year) but for the past couple of years, with three children to attend to (yes, hubby included ha ha), ballet classes, pre-school, swimming, tennis and trying to squeeze in some "me" time as well, who really has the time anymore. I used the beautiful photo of my girls we had taken by Hawkins Photography (which I have previously blogged about), and it was as simple as emailing it with my chosen template, proofing the text (there is room on the back to have your greeting pre-printed to save on having to sign off on all of them) and once that was all finalised, I received them the next day. Melissa and her team were awesome - so helpful and friendly - and I would highly recommend them for any printed items you may need - party invitations, birth announcements etc. As you would expect, it was a little more expensive than buying cards at the supermarket and not as personal as a handwritten note but my extra time with my family is priceless this time of year and though I did jot down some personal notes on some of the cards for close family, most of the recipients were stoked to get a beautiful photograph of the girls to put on the fridge. For more on the templates available, go to the Stationery Online website and have a sneaky peak

Chop chop chop

If I were still a sports journo, I would still have a weekly column. And it would be about cricket this week. Specifically, the Australian Test team. It would go a little something like this:

IT is time for the Australian selectors to find their axe.
The one they used to end the careers of Ian Healy, Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie.
Between now and the Sydney Test, they should be busy swinging it through the Aussie team like David Foster in a timber yard.
Hayden, 37, has made just one double-figure score this summer.
CHOP.
Lee is injured, out of form and his head's not right.
CHOP.
Symonds may have played his last Test for Australia. He's 33, injured, batting poorly and not bowling.
CHOP.
Hussey needs to make a score. His form over the last few years will give him some space, as he's never had a slump.
Captain Ricky Ponting has been criticised for being grumpy on field.
I have to say, I can't blame him.
He has publicly and privately backed Hayden, Symonds and Lee to get the job done.
They each have immense talents, proven track records, and are the senior players in the team.
And they have failed Ponting this summer.
At least Ricky had the guts to grind out 200 runs this test. That's approximately 196 runs more than Hayden has made this summer (give or take).
The Victorian media has been on Ponting's back, mainly because he's captain ahead of Saint Shane Warne.
They should leave him alone and turn on the players who have let him down.
Hayden, Lee and Symonds will be gone.
Rogers, Hilfenhaus and Watson should be in.
Despite the criticism he has copped, Ponting has shown he is still Australia's best batsman.
It's time to give the players who have dominated at Shield level a chance to do it in a Test match.
And if they can't, the axe will be back out.

Argh, this has been an annoying Test. Why would we pick one in-form bowler, a crap spinner, a not-very-good Victorian, a non-bowling all-rounder, and Brett Lee??? Who the hell is supposed to take the wickets??? Johnson can't take them all.

JASON MRAZ- I'M YOURS

song that i like so much!!! favourite aku sorang ni nk buat concert kt Malaysia tp aku nk laaa PEGI SGT2 tau...

arrrgggghhhhhhhh....nk pegi, nk pegi, nk pegi!!!!

PRESENTS FROM HUBBY!!!

Finally,selama yang aku dok think...think...think dh pun terbongkar!!! aku dapat perfume BVLGARI OMNIA AMETHYSTE from hubby. i like the smell cozz x kuat sgt bau sbb aku tak suka sgt bau perfume yg terlalu kuat sbb nanti aku gerenti sakit kepala la so bvlgari ni bau dia just nice and i love it!! 

so thanks hubby coz u gave me this great present... really appreciate sgt2!!!

all done...chowwww....

CAMERA HILANG!!!!ARGGGHHHHHHHHHH.....

 SAKITNYE HATIKU BILA CAMERA LAKIKU HILANG!!!! AKU PUN X TAU LA APE PUNYE SUWEYY LA. 

sebab camera hilang aku kena marah ngan lakiku kaw2 la. sampaikan handfon pun kena tarik balik,dia kata nanti aku hilangkn fon tu lak!!! arrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh... mmg sakit hati+otak semua la sakit! bukan murah nyer camera dh la mahal,grrrr grrrrr....

so now hanya tinggal kenangan je la!!! abis semua picture yg aku amik hilang!!! sumpah kalau org yg jumpa camera aku tu mmg aku x halalkan.... I MEAN IT!!!


ok lah chowwww...

Chapter 81.4: Earthrise on a New Era

I had almost forgotten that forty years ago, our first moon adventurers were in orbit. One of them, Bill Anders, took the photo that accompanies this little post.

Andrew Chaikin, who wrote A Man on the Moon, which was the basis for what became HBO's excellent From the Earth to the Moon series, posted an article on Space.com about the legacy of that flight and the prospect of a future flight to Mars. I can only hope, like Chaikin, that in the not too distant future we send a new group of astronauts to Mars. While it seems unlikely to happen soon, given the economic crisis this country and many others are facing, to my mind a flight to Mars is about reaching beyond ourselves and achieving together that which we can never achieve alone. Landing humans on Mars won't happen in 2009, but I hope that we make progress toward that end.

#100 Neapolitan Baroque Christmas Tree at the Met

"The Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche has been displayed each year since 1957 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from late November to early January. The annual candlelit spruce tree, adorned with angels and surrounded by a lively 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene, is a tradition inaugurated by collector and museum patron Loretta Hines Howard....who began collecting crèche figures in 1925 ."

via keith maquire at flickr and the virtual tour of the tree at about.com

#99 Tiny Titanium Christmas Tree

Five inches wide by five inches tall, the "tree" was grown in a vacuum chamber and consists of a three-dimensional latticeword structure of titanium-alloy powder, shaped by controlled melting through the agency of an electron beam.

from the Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Engineering [source]

#98 Neon Christmas Tree

by christinelam via flickr

#97 Place Vendome Christmas Tree circa 2004

#96 Place Vendome Christmas tree circa. 1950

by Yvonne Jean Haffen, via the archives of the Ministry of Culture for France

Chapter 81.3: A City Not Forsaken

And so this is Christmas, for old and for young. Another year over. A new year just begun. And so happy Christmas, I hope you have fun.

In the background, as you may have guessed, is John Lennon's And So This Is Christmas, a song from the CD that my wife bought me for Christmas. (Yes, Virginia, there are CDs.) Another reason for celebrating this Christmas is because I have finally reinstalled the Internet to the computer, which is now part of the makeshift office/nursery. We have set up the house in preparation not exactly for the Christ child, but for the two little girls who are coming to join us.

When? That's not exactly for us to know, just yet. Suffice it to say, it could be any day now. It could be today. It could be almost three weeks from now. But it won't be any longer than that. Alas, these children will be born within a Bush presidency, but at least they will never truly know it.

But unto us shall be born quite soon two children, who shall know love and joy and music and words — such beautiful words have not yet been spoken.

This morning, as I sat at Christmas mass (during the boring priest's homily) I read the readings that I'd missed because I was late. And in one was a line I'd not remembered; I think it was from the Old Testament. It was about a city not forsaken. I've forgotten much of what was said already (it was 7:30 mass and I was tired), but I suspect that line was not talking about my children. Yet, that's how I took it.

I intend to not say much about my children on this blog. It is too unprivate. Too exposed. Those who I wish to share thoughts with of that nature know where to find me. But on this Christmas day, when all things are possible — even peace on earth — I can't help myself.

These children provide me with a modicum of hope. I long to meet them, to share with them, to feed and nourish them as they will nourish me. I long to feel their hair, to smell their skin, to clean and pamper them. (And Pamper them ... or whatever brand name we end up with.) They find me unforsaken. Brimming with hope. Happy.

Merry Christmas, everyone. May peace be upon you.

#95 Tissue paper Christmas Tree

One last retro festive post from curly-wurly...

#94 The Snow Queen's Dress Christmas Tree

also Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs...

#93 Spaghetti Christmas Tree

Complete with forks, from a past year of Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs

#92 Castelbajac Christmas Tree

by Jean-Charles Castelbajac, also from Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs

#91 Gaultier Christmas Tree

also from Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs

#90 Gucci Christmas Tree

from the annual "Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs" charity auction to benefit the Sol En Si charity organization, which helps children and families living with AIDS in Paris.

#89 Skateboard Christmas Tree

Velvet Christmas

Aside from Fallout 3, I haven't unlocked many outfits recently. On the bright side, I saw that new outfits for the upcoming game Velvet Assassin were released today. Just in time for the holidays!

This is the outfit the main character appears to wear on the cover. It's a very nice, retro rocketeer-looking leather suit. A good start.

You can't infiltrate Nazi headquarters without an outfit like this. I wonder if they made this for her before going in or if she found this on location since it seems to fit so well.

I love the unique boots. Elevates what would otherwise be generic street clothes.

Because of the blood stains, I'm guessing you are only going to be able to use this outfit in one specific mission/stage. Would be interesting albeit unrealistic if it was at your disposal any time.

#88 Museum of Natural History Origami Christmas Tree

The American Museum of Natural History, New York has been decorating a Christmas tree entirely in themed origami every year for over 30 years. “The theme of this year’s tree is Folding the Museum, featuring colorful paper ornaments representing denizens of the habitat dioramas, permanent halls, and special exhibitions.” This year’s tree is 13 feet tall and has about 500 origami decorations.

So Santa is officially on his journey, and I hope this does not happening, because I am looking forward to getting my Hanna Montana Malibu Beach House, DON'T LET ME DOWN FAT MAN!

Where in the World is Santa?

Track Santa as he makes his way around the world this 

Christmas Eve. Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas, Hapy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays from the Extreme Halloween Family!

From our family to yours, we hope that the holidays bring you happiness, peace and joy!

Merry Christmas from Gigi & Lulu x x x x x

All the very best wishes for a wonderful Christmas to your family from ours x x x x x
May the New Year 2009 bring you much joy and happiness - God bless x x x x x
Gigi & Lulu x x x x x

And finally....my favourite Christmas Little Red Dress #25 - Baby Gap Ruffled Party Dress

When I first started my blog, I came across this lovely dress and have been saving it for a special occasion ever since then - no pun intended. The Baby Gap Ruffled Party Dress is A-line with ruffle trimmed front button placket and mock collar, short puffy sleeves, decorative bow, attached tulle petticoat and attached nappy cover. Simply the most delightful of all the 25 dresses...Merry Christmas x x x

Christmas Little Red Dress #24 - Totem Kids Bailey Tiered Party Dress

Here it is - a dress that is perfect for that Christmas Eve BBQ for your little princess. This adorable dress, with it's bright print, flowy skirt and shoulder ties is called the Bailey Tiered Party Dress by Totem Kids. And guess what everyone....one more sleep......x x x

You better not shout, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town!

Soulja Santa

Crank dat Santa Claus.....................2 more days until I hopefully get my Hanna Montana Malibu Beach House...Here's Hopin'

Face it Kent... you threw up ON Dean Wormer.

Toga! Toga!

Finally recovered from the Xmas Bash... WOW! Had a great time, and I hope everyone who came to the party did too.

Otis was awesome, and I think the Vic Ferrari guys did a great job as his backing band (the "White Knights") on such late notice since Otis's band got snowed in and couldn't make it to the party.

Be looking for more (and more and more and more) photos from the bash to keep showing up in our Photo galleries. Joe already uploaded some of the ones he took, and I'll get my pics up later today... then we've got the hundreds that our professional photog took at the party. Prepare to enjoy the backstage pics from the sexy pillow fight girls...

See you next year at our 11th Xmas Bash...

Christmas Little Red Dress #23 - V Neck Holiday Dress fromTiny Tot Dress Shop

The countdown continues with another beautiful poly-taffeta red dress for Christmas from uber cute online boutique, Tiny Tot Dress Shop. The perfect Christmas dress, with it's V neck and bow accent, your little princess will definitely find her prince

Christmas

Partying like it's Christmas for a while

Catch up soon

In the mean time, enjoy this archive of crazy costumes.

My favourites include:
An AT-AT from The Empire Strikes Back
Or check out Marie Antoinette headless.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Because Explosions are COOL!!!!!

This is the RCA Dome in Indianapolis on Saturday morning being imploded. The Colts played there for 24 years, and now they play at the big oil drum, Lucas Oil Field across the street. Boom goes the dynamite!

Christmas Little Red Dress #22 - Oobi Baby Vintage Corsage Fireworks

Our family loves Oobi Baby - as I have mentioned in an earlier post, we have several little dresses in our princess wardrobes. This is one of my faves - the Vintage Corsage A-Line Pinafore Dress in Firework print. You can remove the rosette and pin it on a cute white t-shirt or leave it on this dress, Carrie Bradshaw style. Either way, this little number is the perfect opening-up-presents-on-Christmas Day dress. Oobi Baby is an Australian company and proceeds from the sales of their garments go to the Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service which assists Aboriginal women and children in remote communities. They also support the Malawi Project which is a Youth Centre for Orphans of HIV, World Vision and WSPA. You can get this delightful dress from online baby boutique - Kid's Got Style
Source: Photos & logo courtesy of the Oobi Baby website

Challenge: describe movies in seven words

Your challenge! Figure them out:

Loser impregnates hot chick, continues being loser.

Arnie not evil, dies; 'will be back.'

Jessica Alba in a bikini. In greyscale.

Street rat gets princess. Thanks singing genie!

Drag queens on a bus. Not sexy.

Cockneys have cool accents yeah. Everybody dies!

Bride's wedding destroyed? You get the sword!

Have fun!

And, apropos of nothing, here is a photo of Tyra Banks - the one that made her supermegafamous. That is all.

Christmas Craft - Santa Serviettes

How cute are these? Something to keep the kids amused and at the same time, something practical you can use on Christmas day. I found this craft project on one of my favourite sites - Kidspot. Simple Santa serviettes made from some white craft paper, a couple of googly eyes and a red serviette. A great way to liven up your dinner table on Christmas Day ; )

Suri Cruise out with mummy in another Bonpoint winter dress

Another cold New York day, another gorgeous Bonpoint dress - this time Suri Cruise is wearing the Brooke Velvet Dress in velvet corduroy, available at the Little Fashion Gallery online boutique
Source:

Christmas Little Red Dress #21 - Ouch Ruffle Pleat Shirt Dress

Another lovely find from online boutique Kid's Got Style, the Ouch Ruffle Pleat Shirt Dress. This pretty little dress would be perfect for Carols by Candlelight on a warm Aussie summer night. Maybe not so practical for our Northern Hemisphere friends...but gorgeous none-the-less. You can always put it away for your northern summer..

#87 World's Smallest Christmas tree

"Complete with presents and little girl, the artwork measures just a fraction of a millimetre in size and is covered in crushed diamonds to give the effect of lighting.

The tree, made from tiny fragments of nylon was created by Birmingham sculptor Willard Wigan who carved the little figure from a flake of cable tie.

Mr Wigan then painted his Christmas scene with a hair from a dead fly as he peered through a microscope.

The incredible work of art is part of a touring exhibition of the artist's "micro sculptures", now showing in Nottingham.
.
Mr Wigan said: "I have to work between heart beats. Just the movement of my pulse can destroy the work. "I have to hold my breath while I work so I don't inhale them. It can take weeks and weeks to make just one piece at times because I work so slowly.

"It's the smallest things that matter. Perhaps that is something to ponder during Christmas."

via the telegraph

#86 Community Garden Christmas Tree

Love the corbels/stand. via lost city