Japanese 3D paperart workshop

Anson - my 5 years old daughter has started her summer holiday. Last Saturday night, I signed up for a parent-kid workshop at Teapot Art & Craft Workshop http://www.teapothk.com, learning how to make a 3D card using the Japanese paper art techniques.

[Photo Courtesy by Teapot Art & Craft Workshop]

We were in the 1st class of their workshop so I was really excited. And it was my 1st visit to their branch in Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong, about 30km from my home, it is in a very convenient location though.

We arrived slightly early and met the tutor who taught me how to machine-sew a fabric bag few months ago. Anson chose a material pack, featured Cinderella, her beloved princess; and chose a nice pink colour pattern paper for making the frame.

Iris, a well-known blogger in Hong Kong, who is also the own of the workshop. She demonstrated and explained how to get started. Basically it involves lots of cutting.

I cut all shapes out into different tiny pieces; and Anson used a round-shaped pen - i.e. a tool to "tilt" the pieces and made them became 3D.

[Photo Courtesy by Teapot Art & Craft Workshop]

This is a project requires much concentration but it was a good fun.

[Photo from Teapot Art & Craft Workshop]

As time moves on, there was a new joiner to the class and that is actually the mother of Anson's classmate. If her daughter was also here that would be perfect and the girls would love to work and play together.

It took us quite a while to cut everything and in the 2nd half of the workshop, Anson got knowing other kids and they played together happily.

Iris's daughter, Charlotte was also there who is about 1.5 year older than Anson. Charlotte shared some of her beloved "crystal" with Anson and shared the drawing tools with her. 

Both me and Anson surely had a great time there.

[Photo Courtesy by Teapot Art & Craft Workshop]

Since the project involves lots of steps and touch up, I actually finished them at home. I hand-stamped Anson's name on the card as she said she wish the card to be her birthday card - She is a July girl!

I look forward to joining another class at Teapot Art & Craft Workshop!

Beautiful scene of Hong Kong ~ Taken by Me

I am trying hard to update my posts to Bloggers as I am new to it and want to get myself familiar.
I have been using the Yahoo Blog (in Chinese) and that records everything about my life and my family.

While I look back all the photos in my hard drive, I found a really nice picture of the beautiful scene of Hong Kong. Have you been to here yet?

The place in the picture is Ma Wan, and the bridge connects between Tsing Yi in Kowloon and Lantau Island (where our International airport is), so it's called Tsing-Ma Bridge.

It was taken before we having dinner to celebrate my little daughter's birthday on 9th June.

My friend Stephanie has requested me to send her the original size of the picture so she can do a scrapbooking layout with it.... Can't wait to see that!!!


It was the first time I took picture of night scene and I am surprise it looks very good. Of course, I have to thank my great gear - Canon 5D Mark III.

Yes I got such a great gear even though I am a beginner, but it does helps me a lot to capturing every moment of my "fast-moving" girls!

My first trial - Decoupage Art

During my visit to the Book fair 2012 in Hong Kong last week, I saw many crafting materials are on sale and one of them is Decoupage.

What is Decoupage?

Decoupage (or découpage) is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and so on. Commonly an object like a small box or an item of furniture is covered by cutouts from magazines or from purpose-manufactured papers. Each layer is sealed with varnishes (often multiple coats) until the "stuck on" appearance disappears and the result looks like painting or inlay work. The traditional technique used 30–40 layers of varnish which were then sanded to a polished finish. This was known in 18th century England as the art of Japanning after its presumed origins.

Actually this is the 2nd time I see these materials since my last visit to the Flea Market @ Cyberport Hong Kong, I remember I've bought a kit last time but haven't had a chance to work on that.


This time I got no excuse and try to make one..

Hm... what should I make on my 1st trial... well, I've decided to test that on my used, nearly worn mobile phone protector. As I am using Samsung Galaxy Note, the protector is pretty big for me to put some design on.

Basically Decoupage can used on all kinds of materials including wood, paper, fabric, glass, stainless stell, plastic, etc I got a can of Decoupage medium (glue), a brush for applying the glue and some patterned tissue paper - This time I chose a beautiful rose patterned tissue

 

What I did was to apply an even layer of the Decoupage glue on the surface where I want to have the pattern on, then take the very top layer of the tissue paper, i.e. the layer printed with the image.


I pasted it slowly on the surface where I already applied the glue, then used a bone folder or ice-bar stick or simply use your finger to gently wipe the tissue from inside to outside. This is to ensure the tissue paper is smoothly laid on the surface without any bubbles.


After that, apply another even layer of  Decoupage glue to seal the image, so it looks sealed completely on the cover.

I found that the white background of the tissue paper has turned transparent.

I added a little bit of glitters on the flowers to highlight but you may skip it; then let it dry for 10-15 minutes.

It's pretty easy! However I am still not 100% satisfied with the ridge of the phone I think it's due to the "folder lines. But bear in mind this is just my first trial so I believe the technique can be improved soon.

Enjoy you day!

Home Craft - Ocean animal hand-painted magnets

I bought this Ocean Animal DIY magnet set from Eslite Flagship Store in Taipei about 3 weeks ago, which is designed for children. I saw this in Hong Kong before but the price in Taipei was cheaper plus it was on sales on the day we were there.

I thought this is a perfect activity for my 4-year-old daughter, Anson, to do during her Summer holiday!

There are 2 packs of powders (like that for making a plaster cast) already included in the box, you'd only need to add about 50ml of water, mix that well and you can pour into their molds which were also provided.

6 pcs of magnets are also included so simply stick them on the back of the molds and leave them dry for about 20-30 min.

The theme of this pack is Ocean Animals therefore you'll see these lovely sea animals such as fish, sea horse, Starfish, Turtle etc.

Included in the box, you can also see a set of 5 acrylic colour, as well as a painting pen

As there were only 5 color, if you wish to have a greee one, simply mix Yellow to Blue and its there!

This is a great way to let Anson learning about mixing colours

Look! She was really working hard.

On the day I let Anson paint all base colour and I just helped to touch up and decorate with multi-colour on the surface. Around 15 min; 6 ocean animals magnets were done!

Are they looking cool when I put them on the fridge door?

I highly recommend this for kids and if you are interested please let me know as I have asked for buying this at a discount.

Enjoy!