Nice thing about artist Lie Fhung's Kolo Noci project is that she made it as a keepsake for herself soon after her experience-of-a-lifetime, when emotions were still running high and the memories fresh. She added her own unusual creative touches, such as rubber-stamping on the clear photo-pocket sleeves for a touch of frosty elegance, and using soft white Kolo photo corners for a special aesthetic effect, even though the photos are secured by (removable) photo-pocket sleeves.

I think the Kolo Noci photo album in the color "cobalt" is perfect to record the highlights of my Artist in Residency in Vermont Studio Centre back in March-April 2008. The vibrant blue reminds me of the crisp winter scenes with the deep blue sky that I cherish. It was my first real winter experience. I've never seen so much snow in one place like that before. The residency itself was fantabulously fantastic - it was such an invaluable experience for me, as a person and as an artist.

More photos and details about this project are here, but below are some highlights:

Album Cover: I chose the mini-propeller and the "soar" title as a metaphor for my uplifting experience during the residency. It was like flying high indeed. I got the mini-propeller from ITOYA Paper Shop in Tokyo . I used Ztampf! Clear-Stamps for stamping the swirly motif behind it. The tiny tag is from MakingMemories.

Title Page: I decided to cover the front endleaf to hide the hardware used to secure the mini-propeller on the front cover. It makes a nice title page, too. On the right is an image of the first piece that I did during my residency.

The printed digital page on the left is done with paper from Soaring Kit and label from Bohemian Rhapsody Kit and fastener from Year In Revue Add-On Kit, all by Lie Fhung of Ztampf! Kolo photo corners are used to frame the pictures here.

Layout 1: I love sitting on the window seat when flying long distance because of the amazing photo opportunity it provides. Took these pictures on sunrise from the plane. The clouds were breathtakingly beautiful and lively.

Layout 2: When the aircraft started to maneuver down, I almost couldn't believe my sight... so much snow... the city down below looked so charming and cute. The right page is a view from my hotel window at Anchorage Inn, Burlington, Vermont, where I spent the night. It was snowing lightly as the sun was setting. So dreamy!

This album was on display at a recent Kolo event at c!ty'super's Log-On store at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. Other projects displayed at this event can be seen here and here and here.

- Ugo