CNY cards

Made a few more Chinese New Year cards since the last post. Was so caught up in getting them posted realised (too late) while I was lining the latest batch of cards to be pictured that a few of the new batch of cards are well on its way across the seas to their various recipients. No harm done, just my pictorial record of cards made would not quite be as complete. No loss really. Designs really evolve with time and experience.

I really enjoyed making this year's CNY cards though esp. breaking out of the mould of cards are made out of 'all bits of paper'. This year's cards had tassels and paper pussy willows cut to size. I guess with all that CNY decorations up in abundance one simply can't help but be inspired.

As i write this, its been raining daily for almost a week now and I can't help but notice my papers - the cardstock base I've been using are begining to warp with moisture! Its already bad clothes don't dry in the day (unless you have a dryer) but to see one's paper collection wilt with moisture is more than one can bear. I think I need a dehumidifier! Not sure where to find one of those machines ... the only place I know use them are museums.

I suppose on the bright side, the sun will come out again (only a matter of time now) and things will dry out eventually - my beautiful papers ...! Its a good thing they are alot hardier than antiquarian books and documents. Am not always this optimistic. But its a new year, time to 'turn over a new leaf'. ;)

Shanghai Tang Hues

Inspired by Jazzie's collection of Chinese New Year cards (thanks K for sharing!), I've spent the last few nights pottering on my version of CNY greetings.Admittedy, had it not been K's designs I would still be at the 'drawing board' - listlessly uninspired.

My first hand made CNY card made last year was origami inspired. I wanted to do something different this year but didn't know what until I saw K's ingenious use of tassels.

Purposely made a trip to my (now usual) ribbon/craft shop in search for tassels. Fortunately, they had some displayed else I would be lost at how to describe tassels in Chinese. I also thought those paper 'pussy willows' (one of those great many things closely associated with Chinese New Year) that was being sold could also be used in those CNY cards - giving cards that added dimensions and textures though making it a little bit harder to be enveloped and posted! (well, if we're starting on tassels one might as well indulge!)

So here's my version of CNY cards - a matching of colours that reminded me of those rich Shanghai Tang hues i.e. vibrant brights on dark base.

Its been a year since ...

...the discovery of paper thrills. Who would have thought the simple beginings of card making made out of fancy paper punchers painstakingly adhered together (I still have a few of my first Christmas cards) led to a finer appreciation of paper products and stationaries, the art scrapbooking, sewing and even photography!

I've since come to a greater understanding why it is important that a person has other pursuits (healthy and worthwhile, of course!) apart from work ... because for most work can sometimes be a real pain. Sometimes having to deal with crisises (usually not of one's doing), incompetences, tiresome politics and the stress that comes with the rigours of the day.

I daresay for most, work has become somewhat 'passion-less' yet, out of necessity we learn to be adept at what we do (while for some learn to be truly skillful in the art of 'busy bee-ing' while not letting others do all the work!) But for most the 'work' (whether in name or in the true sense of the word) we do at the end of the day defines us, our very identities. It's all consuming that all 'new' conversation almost always begin with the curious inquisition of 'what one does (for a living)' and old conversations end with 'work'.

Unless one revels being defined as a single-dimensional (more or less) 'work horse', picking up a hobby offers one the opportunity to 'get out the box' and to enjoy different experiences and moments that life has to offer. It's not only therapeutic, it's absorbingly enjoyable (for a change) and satisfying - to just be in one's element.

Happy new year, everyone! May all your dreams come true.

A fortunate fluke

This are the picture results of a fogged up lense - resulting from the changes in temperature (from air conditioned car to humid outdoors. I've never been able to capture 'candle lights' that particular way with my cantankerous compact ... Am more than pleased how the simple shot of the dinner table turned out.

But, ask me to repeat the effects i.e. fiddling along the technicalities of aperture width, shutter speed, filter etc. I wouldn't have a clue ...! I do however have some pretty nice pictures to be developed and scrapped ...

This be the cake ...

... that came with the card made for Dad. A cake inspired by Nigella Lawson's Christmas cook up that was shown on the Food Network recently, and the fact that Dad, though not quite having much of a sweet tooth, is a fan of fruit cakes. I suppose I could have 'dress' the cake up abit with royal icing but then it would just be too sweet to our liking :p (while royal icing minus the sugar would not be 'royal'. :p)

Joining the ranks of DLSRs ...

Finally got DSLR photo taking capabilities! Subjects now can take on that certain 'depth of field' effect - given I get all that twiddling of features 'right' and don't hold camera still enough. Am so pleased ... Its a piece of equiment that yours truly been admiring for years but never quite found enough reasons to get one until today, that is.

Woo hoo! This baby takes pretty decent photos at night without flash too!!

Now on to better pictures! Got to work on basic understanding of digital DLSRs. The chap (who also happened to be a professional photographer) that sold me the camera was giving me quizzical looks when I described certain digital terminology and effects in 'baking and scrapbooking terms' ... Got to work on acquiring a new range of technical vocabulary and photo taking skills, of course!

A birthday card for Dad

Glad I finally got this birthday card done ... I've been musing over design stage for weeks now. I had some designing block - realising I tend to gravitate towards the feminine i.e. florals, pastels ... while Dad will always appreciate a homemade card from his daughter, I wanted one that reflected something less flouncy and floral-ly.


Had card cut ou from polka dotted 'sixth avenue' paper by American Craft. The
'mini envelope'was cut out from vellum paper and bordered with glitter glue. Gleefully found I had some metal alphabets stashed in the deepest darkest corners of my drawers (forgotten treasures! sometimes it pays to dig...). Must make mental note no to acquire any more scrapbook supplies until I've taken a thorough inventory of what I actually have stashed throughout the various boxes, drawers and shelves!