nHappy Year of the Sheep
1. Say it with Flowers
Plum trees blossom onto the barren landscape in the cold winter, when other flowers have withered– so the plum blossom is called “a friend of winter” , it most vividly represents the value of endurance, as life ultimately overcomes through the vicissitude of time. The fragrance of plum blossoms “comes from the bitterness and coldness,” as the Chinese saying goes. Souls are tempered in the depth of experience, growing in inner strength and unyielding courage.
(Barbie’s Plum Blossom Dress is hand-painted by me, using Fabric Markers sold at Marshalls & Target)
2. Firecrackers & Red Envelops
Google knows the best: “In ancient China, bamboo stems were burnt to create small explosions in order to drive away evil spirits. In later times, the lighting of firecrackers signalled a joyous occasion and became an integral aspect of the Chinese New Year Eve’s celebrations.”
Red envelopes/packets are money wrapped in red paper given to Children from their parents, I think its time for Barbie to hand out Red Envelopes instead of receiving one, b/c she is no longer a child but old enough to be a grandma.
Barbie’s Firecrackers are made of drinking Straws: just cut the straw into short pieces and string them together.
3. The sign is looking Good
I think this “Fortune” Sign has become a universal symbol.
4. Red Couplets
Writing Red Couplets isn’t an easy task, as not everyone is a poet, even a best poet may not be able to come up with a pair of perfect couplets. but all Barbie has to do is to buy a couple of them and hang them up . they look pretty & festive, that’s good enough.
