Come to draw, boys! 3 / 孩子們來畫畫吧！3

一早楷維就問何時可以過來上課，我吸地的時候他就坐在最愛的廁所門口等待。

In the morning Kai can't wait to have art class after breakfast. While I am vacuuming the floor, he keeps me company sitting in front of the bathroom. 

        今天我們要做摺疊書叫「帶恐龍去散步」。

   Today we are making accordion books titled I Take My Dinosaur for a Walk. 

        我們利用壓克力塗在紙上，趁紙未乾之前趕緊轉印到小書上，所以我最常說的一句話是：很緊急喔！

   We color a separate piece of paper with acrylics and press it onto the book while the paint is wet, so the boys love to parrot me, "It's U-R-G-E-N-T!"

        小書的背面是各種天氣，從頭到尾分別是晴天、起霧天、星空和雨天，楷維的配色用得真好。

   On the back of the book are four kinds of weather in which we take walks. From the top to the bottom are sunny days, misty days, starry nights and rainy days. Kai uses color schemes really well.  

        為了幫楷維寫文字，我問他在不同天氣散步有什麼感覺，他的官方答案總是：很涼很舒服。我只好自由發揮。

   To write for Kai, I ask him how he feels about taking a walk in different weather. He has only one official answer: It's cool and comfy. Looks like I have to turn to myself for help. 

        把回收的彩帶拿來綁一綁，多麼美麗的小禮物！

   We make use of the recycled ribbon and turn the book into a wonderful gift. 

        我可愛的小學生！

   My cute young student! 

        哥哥的作品很明亮，而且他會寫國字喔！

   Kai's color tones are bright, and he knows how to write Chinese characters! 

imagined drawing II / 想像畫法（二）

這個星期每天不是收到郵件就是包裹，我不禁想到「美味關係」中的茱莉，因為她的三百六十五日烹飪計劃，網友們熱情贊助，我的寄信人都是認識的家人朋友學生，但我有種在精神上被資助的感覺。在所有明信片之中，子榕寄了一張很有土耳其風味的手繪明信片，我一度以為是別人的郵件，內心有些小小的嫉妒，再仔細一看居然是寫給我的，我一定是本棟的郵件女王！

This week I receive either mail or packets every day. I recall Julie in "Julie and Julia." Because of her 365-day cooking project, netizens chipped in to support her. My mail senders are either my family, friends, or students, but I feel supported mentally. Among all postcards, Jasmine sent me a very Turkish handmade card. I once thought it was meant for someone else, and thus felt a little bit jealous. Upon closer inspection, it was  mailed to me! I must be the queen of letters in the F block!

開始了第二本速寫本，因為一本要花上一點三磅，我連封面都會設計，主題延續周一的題目：算對總數。

I started the second sketchbook this week. Since this one costs 1.3 pounds, I want to get the money's value. I design even the covers. The subject is the same as that on Monday: Getting Your Sums Right. 

星期二參加了一場婚禮，回家的路上想著，這世界上的關係各式各樣，每個人要的是怎樣的關係呢？換成數學說法，你要的是一加一小於二或者等於二或大於二的婚姻？同一天收到弟弟的婚宴禮物，就把它變成功課的一部份。

I went to a wedding on Tuesday. On my way home, I thought about various kinds of relationships in the world. What does everyone look for? In mathematical terms, do you want a 1+1<2, or a 1+1=2, or a 1+1>2 relationship? I happened to receive Jei's wedding gift on the same day, so I incorporated it into my sketchbook. 

這是我在房間裡被每天的花費困住（白色部份是由我從來到這裡到現在每日的記帳），而從室內往外看的門牌號碼代表我會有永久的財富，剛好形成強烈的對比，上面則是窗外藍天的延伸，不如讓帳單都隨風飛去吧！

This is me in my room trapped by my everyday expenses. (The white part is actually my daily bills after I came here.) However, my room number 89, seen from the inside of the room, symbolizes forever prosperity. There is a strong contrast between the two. The upper image is an extension of the blue sky in which I decide to let all the bills fly with the wind... 

我又玩了文字排列遊戲，人生從最簡單的數學問題開始，接下來越來越複雜，就再也不只是數學了，我想要讓版面有上層的重量壓下來的感覺。

Next I played with typography. Life starts from the bottom with the easiest math question, and then it gets more and more complicated. It is not just about math anymore. I'd like to present a layout that is about to crush from the top. 

卡洛斯林姆是世界上最有錢的人，可是那些算不完的錢在他過世之後最多只能用來買墓前的花，而其他人的生命依然繼續。

Carlos Slim is the richest man in the world, but the countless money he owns can at most be used to buy flowers placed on his tombstone after he passes away. Yet other people's life will go on... 

嘉蕊說她會想用立體的方式呈現，我試圖把她的想法畫下來，把立方體一直加上去。

Jazel said that she would like to present the idea from a 3-D perspective. I attempted to put down her idea on paper by adding the cubes up. 

今天進印刷室忙了一整天，就拿這張圖當底圖，還有其它好幾個版本，下周一才拿得到。

I spent the whole day today in the printing room. This drawing was my draft. In the end I produced several versions, but I won't get them until next Monday. 

益智節目當道，所以我也來一題超簡單的數學題！

Quiz shows are always in, so here is a super simple math question from me! 

如果把不同種類的東西放在同一個數學題裡要怎麼算呢？

How do you add things of different categories in the same question? 

待續‧‧‧

to be continued...

i carry your heart with me / 你在我心裡

來到倫敦之後，一直要重新經營My Little Room，雖然外在的誘惑很多，我每天儘量抽時間做新商品，可是我選了一個很複雜的開頭，我想要做月曆，卻又想用能打動我的主題，前一陣子重讀康明斯的小詩「你在我心裡」，便立志要重新詮釋它。雖然我沒有特別喜歡貓，但最近看到許多美麗的貓，就想把新環境給我的影響放到新作品中，今天終於完成了，這可是我花了好幾天、犧牲出去玩的時間做的，不過我很開心，這代表我的心靜下來了。

After coming to London, I've wanted badly to reopen My Little Room. Though there are tons of temptations outside, I try to spare at least some time designing the new item every day. However, I chose a pretty complicated beginning. I'd love to make a calendar, but I wanted to go for a topic that would speak to me. A while ago, I came across e. e. cummings' i carry your heart with me again, and I was determined to re-illustrate it. I don't take a special liking to cats, but lately I've seen many beautiful cats. I figured I should add the element of my new living place to the work. I am glad to have finished it today. Well, this is the result of my sacrificing days for fun, but I am quite happy because that means I can concentrate on drawing again.

我隨身帶著很多人的心，今天小方和我說他想我想到快哭了，我和他說，我們都在交新朋友，等我們各自收集五百個朋友就會再相見了，那時候我們的心會很大很大吧！

I carry many people's hearts with me. Today Von told me that he misses me so much that he feels like crying. I told him that our mission is to make new friends, so when each of us meets about 500 friends, we'll see each other again! By then, our hearts will have become ENORMOUS!

本日一物─「你在我心裡」2012年懸掛式月曆─19.8 cm x 27.3 cm

item of the day: i carry your heart with me--2012 wall calendar--19. 8 cm x 27.3 cm

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82168157/i-carry-your-heart-with-me-original?ref=pr_shop

me or others / 我或他們

經營My Little Room後對於做作品的觀點改變很大，以前多半在表達自己的想法，現在要策劃產品之前我不停自問，顧客會想要什麼產品和內容？果然自我表達的商品人氣不是太高，這成為了我要再接下去做的重大考量。

After I reopened My Little Room, my way of thinking has altered dramatically. I used to create for expressing my experience and thought, but now I have to constantly ask myself, "What do customers want? What kind of images do they prefer?" As I wondered, items which I design for self-expression are not too popular. This lesson decides the new products I will bring forth in the future.

這星期發現婚禮的主題是個商機，凡是和婚禮相關的產品因為有強烈的實用性，購買率自然比裝飾性商品高，雖然我真的得收個尾了，我還是無法把這個婚卡的想法拖到去倫敦之後才執行，因為到時候又會有別的想法啦！

This week I discover that the subject of weddings is something I should tap into. Products related to the theme are of practical value, so they are easy to sell, compared with decorative items. I am so aware that I should draw an end here and go on with packing. But I really can't put off the idea until I go to London. I will surely indulge in newer ideas by then!


每日一物─「我們結婚吧！」手作婚卡─一套四張─每張 20 cm x 13.6 cm （附精美手工彩色封套）

object of the day--"tie the knot" handmade original wedding cards--set of four--each measures 20 cm x 13.6 cm (handmade colorful envelopes attached)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81210263/tie-the-knot-handmade-wedding-cards-set?ref=pr_shop

LUCKY DAY / 幸運日

每次推出一個產品之後，我得放慢腳步好好搜集靈感。今天本來計畫一早起來寫寫書法，修身養性， 想不到打開信箱就發現我的第一筆交易！小雪在客廳忙弟弟婚禮弄得焦頭爛額，我卻忍不住抱著她又叫又跳，之後忙了一整天，終於把顧客的貨品寄出去。

Every time when I have brought forth a new item, I have to take my time the next day to collect inspirations. I had planned a relaxing morning for writing calligraphy to stay zen, but when I opened my email box, guess what? I received my FIRST transaction order! Mom was busy preparing Jei's wedding in the living room. I couldn't help jumping and shouting at her. It took me a whole day to prepare the package and mail it to my first customer.

最近開始不在意白頭髮了，我洗澡的時候還會對它們說謝謝，是它們幫我想出許多好主意。

Lately I have been less obsessed with my gray hair. When taking a shower, I even say thanks to them. It's they that help me come up with so many good ideas. 

到了傍晚之際，我又得到我的幸運星幫助，訂了第二筆交易，今天一整天都覺得世界真美麗！明天還要繼續努力！

By this evening, I had won my lucky star's help and got my second deal. I am really in seventh heaven today! I'll head into tomorrow with more zeal!