Happiness Double Tier Sewing Kit

Sometimes, just having pretty objects like a colourful sewing kit can make a chore like the odd mending of loose buttons or hooks on shirts and skirts less tedious. Pretty up that dresser or walk-in wardrobe, this sewing kit may do the trick ;)

Happiness Double Tier Sewing Kit, $20 (limited stock)

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Product details:
- Hard cardboard container with two-tier separate compartments and cap.
- 11cm diameter, 12cm height, 5cm depth per drawer
- Includes Chinese-design pin cushion, mini scissors, assorted needles and 5 rolls of thread (various colours).
- Re-useable, recyclable material for sustainable, green living

- Design motif is a stylized “囍”(xi) Chinese character. The repeated character has the symbolic meaning of double happiness and is commonly used in events like weddings.
- The box can be closed using the the knotted Chinese buttons and elastic band.

- Decorative box in vibrant colours with a slight reflective sheen.
- Perfect for storage use on open shelves in walk-in wardrobe or on the dresser.

- Also great as gift or starter sewing kit for beginners.

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Travel-friendly Mahjong Cards

Originally a game played with a set of tiles on a table of four, you can now take this well loved game of skill, strategy, logic and chance on the road with this petit pack of Mahjong cards. 

Travel-friendly Mahjong Cards, $8

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Product details:
- Deck of 160 cards, 8cm length, 2.5cm width
- Fabulous for the small apartment, travel, daytrips, road trips and picnics without the weight of real mahjong tiles/table.

Usage suggestion:

- Stimulate your mind. Learn and Play. check out: A beginners guide to learning how to play mahjong. 
- Add an instant Eastern accent to a room. Frame and display as decorative wall art.
- Gift for Mahjong fans.

History of Mahjong

One of the myths of the origin of mahjong suggests that Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, developed the game in about 500 BC. The three dragon (cardinal) tiles also agree with the three cardinal virtues bequeathed by Confucius. Hóng Zhōng (紅中, red middle), Fā Cái (發財, prosperity), and Bái Ban (白板, white board) represent benevolence, sincerity, and filial piety, respectively.

The myth also claims that Confucius was fond of birds, which would explain the name "mahjong" (maque 麻雀 = sparrow).

Many historians believe it was based on a Chinese card game called Mǎdiào (馬吊) (also known as Ma Tiae, hanging horse; or Yèzí [葉子], leaf) in the early Ming dynasty. This game was played with 40 paper cards similar in appearance to the cards used in the game Ya Pei. These 40 cards are numbered 1 to 9 in four different suits, along with four extra flower cards. This is quite similar to the numbering of mahjong tiles today, although mahjong only has three suits and, in effect, uses four packs of Ya Pei cards.

There is still some debate about who created the game. One theory is that Chinese army officers serving during the Taiping Rebellion created the game to pass the time. Another theory is that a nobleman living in the Shanghai area created the game between 1870 and 1875. Others believe that two brothers from Níngpō created mahjong around 1850, from the earlier game of Mǎdiào.

This game was banned by the government of People's Republic of China when it took power in 1949. The new Communist government forbade any gambling activities, which were regarded as symbols of capitalist corruption. After the Cultural Revolution, the game was revived, without gambling elements, and the prohibition was revoked in 1985. Today, it is a favourite pastime in China and other Chinese-speaking communities.

More about Mahjong on Wikipedia

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Lotus glass tea light holder

The lotus flower is a popular motif in Chinese, Indian and Muslim art. This tea light holder in the form of the lotus flower gives an instant cultural accent to any modern home. 

Lotus tea light holder, $6

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Product details:
- Available in clear and/or pink-tinged glass
- Approx. 5” diameter, 1.5” height
- Fabulous for outdoor/dinner parties, home floral arrangement, weddings and other receptions.

Usage suggestion:

Get more use out of this small and cute tea light holder! Use it to add extra oomph to your floral decor.

In this East meets West floralscape, a stalk of the Star of Bethlehem springs from a miniature Chrysanthemum field which in turn emerges from the Lotus-shaped holder. Line a row of three such arrangements for added impact.

Not into DIY?
Get this fresh floral arrangement, $28
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More about:

I am always looking for longer lasting cut flowers for the house. And these lovely white Orni (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) are definitely lasting well into the second week for me so far. :)

Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Star of Bethlehem) is a perennial herb, 20 to 50 cm tall, with round bulbs becoming dormant in the winter months. The plant has few (5-7) fleshy leaves that die back after flowering. Leaves range from 15 to 30 cm in length and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in width, are lance-shaped, smooth and soft-textured. Flower stalks are leafless and produce either a tight cluster of flowers (30-50) in a raceme or few flowers (5-20) in a loose corymb with flowers reaching almost the same height. Flowers are white or creamy-white, usually with a brown or green centre that fades with age. The capsule is spindle-shaped and thin walled, splitting longitudinally to expose black, shiny, variously shaped seeds. [from list of flower names]

Guide: Caring for the Star of Bethlehem

The usual vase life is two to four weeks. Look for flower heads with only a few florets open, and strong, turgid and green stems. The flowers will continue to bloom upwards as time progress. Remove florets as they fade. To maximize Ornithogalums’ already long vase life, recut the stems, change the water and clean the containers thoroughly every two or three days.

The Star of Bethlehem is phototropic and will bending in response to light (as evident in the photos below). These interesting plants grow and surprise daily with their changes so you get to enjoy them time and again throughout their vase life :)

Note: Indigestion and symptoms of toxicity may occur if parts of Ornithogalums are ingested, and dermatitis is possible if there is prolonged contact with the skin. Usually the symptoms are minor, but it’s wise to handle these flowers with care particularly with pets and children.

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Payment, Shipping and Returns

Hi there! 

Little Shop Window opens today - 12 April 2012 - for business!!

As Little Shop Window is a fledgling home business, what you will find is the personal touch when it comes to customer service from product questions to arranging the shipping and final delivery to you.  

Payment options

• Paypal 

Shipping and delivery

• International shipping available.
• Fresh flower delivery service currently available only in Singapore.
• All prices quoted on this blogshop are exclusive of shipping and delivery.
• Shipping/delivery charges will be shared with you via email before final order confirmation so that you may rest assured that there will be no surprise charges to you.

Returns

• All returns and exchanges must be sent, via a track-able method, to our return address.
• Unfortunately, Little Shop Window will not be responsible for items lost or stolen while in transit.
• Once we receive your package, we will promptly exchange or refund the cost of the items as you instruct.
• The refund/exchange is exclusive of any shipping/delivery charges incurred in the process.

Have we missed out any detail? Please feel free to leave a comment or email littleshopwindow[at]gmail[dot]com

More products coming your way!

 

xoxo,

Counter Girl