I’ve been meaning to have a look at the small chinese-goods stores in Chinatown for a long time now and finally got that chance during my lunch break today. There are so many goodies to be found in those shops not just for crafting but for decorating the home and cute little things for my daughter. But since I was on a crafting mission and had a limited budget, I had to stay focused, as difficult as it was.

After about almost an hour in one shop I managed to emerge with these: a framed paper-cut print for my little nook at home, various small silk (and cheap) purses (two of which I will pull apart to re-use the fabric), and a handful of little chinese cards that have notes of encouragement printed on them which will work well in some collages I’ve drafted up (I had to ask the shop-assistant to translate each one for me!).

With my lunch-break almost over I hurried over to The Invitation Gallery in the Paramount on Chine centre and picked up some gorgeous paper - vellum, printed and hand-made. I love the fact that because of the popularity of make-it-yourself invitations and scrap-booking, paper suppliers are producing more varied and interesting papers today. More goodies for use in my collages!