Welcome to my little corner of blog land... an island in Asia!
My name is Cathy and I live with my husband in Singapore! Living here is exotic, exciting, and hot!! We have lived in Singapore for two years and have two more to go.
A few tidbits about Singapore:
* Singapore is a city and a country. It is made up of one main island (slightly smaller than New York City) and 63 small islands (most are uninhabited).
* It is only 85 miles from the equator - this means every day is sunny and hot hot hot.... with temperatures around 85 degrees and humidity level around 85% every day, all day.
* Singapore is one of the safest, cleanest (you can be arrested for spitting, littering, or chewing gum!), and wealthiest countries in the world. But this also means it is one of the most expensive places to live.
* There are 4 official languages - English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), and Tamil (Indian). Most everyone speaks English... except my hairdresser : 0
A few tidbits about Singapore:
* Singapore is a city and a country. It is made up of one main island (slightly smaller than New York City) and 63 small islands (most are uninhabited).
* It is only 85 miles from the equator - this means every day is sunny and hot hot hot.... with temperatures around 85 degrees and humidity level around 85% every day, all day.
* Singapore is one of the safest, cleanest (you can be arrested for spitting, littering, or chewing gum!), and wealthiest countries in the world. But this also means it is one of the most expensive places to live.
* There are 4 official languages - English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), and Tamil (Indian). Most everyone speaks English... except my hairdresser : 0
- See more at: http://donaldandcathy.typepad.com/ma_vie_trouvee/cards/page/3/#sthash.fxMKZLRI.dpufKathmandu, Nepal - christmas 2013
A few tidbits about Singapore:
* Singapore is a city and a country. It is made up of one main island (slightly smaller than New York City) and 63 small islands (most are uninhabited).
* It is only 85 miles from the equator - this means every day is sunny and hot hot hot.... with temperatures around 85 degrees and humidity level around 85% every day, all day.
* Singapore is one of the safest, cleanest (you can be arrested for spitting, littering, or chewing gum!), and wealthiest countries in the world. But this also means it is one of the most expensive places to live.
* There are 4 official languages - English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), and Tamil (Indian). Most everyone speaks English... except my hairdresser : 0
- See more at: http://donaldandcathy.typepad.com/ma_vie_trouvee/cards/page/3/#sthash.fxMKZLRI.dpufThis blog is about my life as an expat; talking about life in Singapore, Asian cultures and traditions, art, crafts, photography, food, travel, everything I love! I started my blog, ma vie trouvee (my found life), on March 12, 2010 when we were living in Brussels, Belgium - hence the French name. We lived in Brussels for four and half years.
I love to create altered art - collages & jewelry. I have several pieces of art published in the Stampington family of magazines. I am an avid photographer and have been known to take two thousands photos on a one-week trip.
This is my second year participating in Vicki's blog party. I had so much fun last year meeting new blog friends, I had to participate this year. AND, I am giving away a gift - a package with art/craft goodies from Asian and maybe a few tidbits from Europe. Just leave a message on this post and tell me if you prefer creating with paper or fabric or both and your two favorite colors. If you follow my blog, I will give you an extra chance to win. I will select a winner on Valentine's Day - February 14th! UPDATE: Per Vicki's party guidelines I will draw and announce the winner on the 15th - so you have an extra day to enter! Good Luck!
The hubby has SE Asia, Australia, and New Zealand as his region, and we travel frequently. In fact - I just hit my 50th country - Nepal! Last year we took 17 trips to 9 different countries. To see a recap of all the countries we visited in 2013 click here.
Photoshop is one of my favorite toys. I love mixing my photos with vintage images like the ones below. We visited this castle, and I am in the photo... under the vintage lady - my alter ego.
The horse image was taken in Romania.
A photo from Vietnam with a postcard overlay.
Textures and images from India.
I am also a shopper and I love to find unique items for my art when I travel. I miss the flea markets of Europe!
Asia has unique treasures as well!
Hand carved wooden stamps from India...
Fabrics from the Hill tribes of Vietnam and Laos.
A collage from treasures I found in India - I want to have it framed.
And one of my favorites, a batik cap (pronounced chop) for stamping images on fabric. It is large 8 in x 8 in.
Thank you for stopping by for a visit! It was hard to pick only a few things to share, but I hope it gives a feel of what my blog is about. I post several times a week and I love to chat with my readers and visit your blogs, so please leave me a message.
I also write a blog about our travels - The XtraSuitcase.com. And I am very excited to say our travel blog is featured in the February issue of Stampington's Artful Blogging Magazine.
A HUGE thanks to Vicki at 2 bags full for coordinating and hosting this fun blog hop. I look forward to visiting all the blogs who are participting this year.
A very nice summation! All best blog love!
Posted by: bobbie h | 01/23/2014 at 11:17 AM
Look at you, ahead of the game with the time difference! This is a great post and summary of what Cathy is all about. Bravo!!
Posted by: Kathy | 01/23/2014 at 11:52 PM
Hi there
I just found you through the GYBP which I'm joining for the first time this year. I too am an avid traveller and love "collecting countries"!! I look forward to exploring your blog more as you're in an area I absolutely love. I lived in Vietnam for many years and I adooore what you've done with the Vietnamese fishing boat picture. So beautiful. Very inspiring.
Posted by: Phoebe @ Lou Messugo | 01/24/2014 at 05:19 PM
Hi Cathy--I'm visiting via the GYBP; this is my first time participating. We were expats for two years living in England and we loved it! I love your artwork and jewelry, and what fun you're having buying up all kinds of Asian goodies. I did not see how to sign up for your give away, but I prefer paper and my favorite colors are pink and purple :) So nice to meet you--hope you'll stop by for a visit. Blessings, Diana
Posted by: Diana Petrillo | 01/24/2014 at 10:54 PM
hi there, i'm Beth from "E. Lizard Breath Speaks" & a "Grow Your Blog" party volunteer, i'm helping Vicki out by visiting several of the blogs from the link up. so many folks to see & we volunteers are all working together to check you guys out. i want to welcome to the party!!! i sure hope you are having a great day. be sure to go check out some great blogs. there are so many to see. ( :
wow, i love to travel as well ... you are traveling parts of the world i would love to see ... one day i hope. those beads are amazing. beautiful views. having a ball & love all moments. happy weekend to you.
Posted by: Beth | 01/25/2014 at 08:29 AM
What fun! I love reading about travel and places far away. Singapore sounds fascinating!! Thanks for the giveaway option -- I prefer fabric arts, and as for colors? Anything rich and deep ... blue, deep reds, whatever :) Have a lovely day!
Posted by: mary kathryn | 01/25/2014 at 11:02 AM
Your life sounds very interesting. I love fabric and blues and purples.
Posted by: Emily C | 01/25/2014 at 11:13 AM
I found your blog via GYB. I am also an avid traveller and your life and blogs seem very inspiring and exciting!! Please pop in to my blog www.path-of-divine-love.com -I share a few of my travels there. I would like to receive your blogs and will be figuring out the feed burner option
Posted by: Hettienne Grobler | 01/25/2014 at 01:41 PM
I found your blog via the Grow Your Blog party, and I am fascinated by your experiences. I look forward to seeing more of your travels and experiences in lands that are so exotic to me.
I enjoy fabric crafts (a cross stitcher myself http://ladynero815.blogger.com ) and love blues and greens.
Posted by: Tazzy | 01/26/2014 at 11:37 AM
Hey Girlfriend, just popped by for a quick Hello and to wish you fun and success in this year's GYB party. I can't believe it's already been one year since we met at last year's party! You are still making me crazy with those stamps and that batik chop!!!! I'm going to have to do an ebay search... I just have to have some of my own!!! LOL! Well, you know I create with paper, fabric, wool and lots of other things... I'm a lost soul when it comes to crafty supplies! :D
Hugs and enjoy the party my sweet blogging sister!
Beth P
Posted by: Beth P | 01/26/2014 at 12:47 PM