Chinese New Year : Decorating inexpensively

Gong Xi Fa Cai : Happy Chinese New Year : Happy Lunar New Year.

It is a time for family reunion, red packets, spring cleaning

and decorating up the home.

The economy is bleak for the moment.

Instead of brooding.

Why not bring in some smile and cheer with these

inexpensive and yet pretty decorations.

Add pretty paper mache birds like these to your display.

They will enhance any reused or recycled flowers.

These lovely stones that looked like jade actually resemble each of the

12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac.

The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

I bought these in Chinatown for only S$10.00 for 3 strings

On a lighter note :
I hope this will not be a sleepy year like this bull as it is a 'BULL' year in the Chinese Calendar....

In reply to the enquires:
I found this moo moo lazing in a souvenir shop on Mount Titlis.

The Great Castle : Castello Sforzesco, Milan

My next visit was to a castle.

To me, a castle would be a walled up fortress with a mort surrounding it.

Fortified and built during the medieval era.

I was anxious to see the castle.

Slowly passing those trees.

There!

Unveiled the Castello Sforzesco

situated in the middle of Milan.

The tower.

Entering the Castle

Inside the castle.

The high walls that I anticipated to see.

Out through the back gate.

The moat.

It has turned green instead of being filled with water.

Murano : Fine art of Venice

Flamboyant, intricate, lavish, elegant and sometimes beautifully gaudy, i.e. rococo..

Are words, I would describe of things one can find in Europe.

These days, avant-garde designs can be found in many things too.

Venice was no exception.

Like at this fabulous Murano fine glass gallery.

So spectacular were the merchandises.

You will be spoilt for choices from the baroque to the avant-garde.

Something for the home?

Maybe a chandelier.

Murano

Fine and delicate pieces of art.

We were told..
Among the colors..

red with gold is the highest price.

An extensive array of merchandises.

There must be something for the house?

In all shapes and sizes.

Small figurines.

Lovely bells.

Modern artistic vases.

A Baroque Wall Mirror.

Luxurious Chandeliers.

This is one of their master pieces.

Short videos : on how the glass was being shaped into an object by the master.

The kiln.

When you visit Venice,
don't miss the Murano glass gallery
and like the host said..

"There are many imitations.. be sure to get the original."

Interesting stuff in this shop.

This piece looked similar to the one displayed at the Art Gallery,

'Master's Formula-The Artistic Drive'