Bookmark Exchange and Father's Day Presents

The bookmark exchange from the NeedlesnCrafts group came in from Paul Lionel (Malaysia).

Paul crocheted book thongs for me. They can stretch and fit deep into the spine.  The green one is a sprout that sprouts out of the book. The hand-drawn sakura flowers postcard is also intended as a bookmark!

My girl, Joey, just learned to crochet after I showed her some basic stitches.  After just a few small practice pieces, she crocheted this round motif for Kristine who mounted it on a 20 cm diameter ring. Kristine just love dream catchers.

Joey's next project was this crocheted monkey. She did everything herself without any guidance. Not bad for a beginner, right?  Her handmade Father's Day gift.  He is 15 cm tall.

Kristine went into baking mode again and baked a red velvet cake for papa.  Don't tell her, but it looked better than it tasted.

What the Children Did Recently

Kristine just love macarons and will go to the extent to bake some all by herself some on a late afternoon. We love the shells without filling!

This is the product of one of Kristine's school project.

Her painted canvas with acrylic.

And what the girls did for me for Mother's Day.

Last School Holidays

I took some time to collage the photos.  After "resting" for a few months nursing my fractured foot, I'm back to "action". A little pity that we didn't manage to go for any tour during the last year-end school holidays, but we still had fun with other activities.

We had the opening of the National Gallery in Nov.  Of course we couldn't miss it, though the younger ones and older one weren't too keen after walking a few halls, and my boy was feeling sick.  A pity as I would have loved to spend more time inside and the opening carnival.

My children said I'm the only Mommy who will join them on their outings with class and school mates.  But well, when I joined them, I literally joined in and participated in whatever they do and not sitting around to keep watchful eyes.  Great to be out ...

...and in the indoor playground too!!  Though I must admit I couldn't catch up with any of them, and at some spots, I really needed to squeeze through! (The playground is opened to a adults too, even without accompanying children.) All the climbing, spiralling down slides, and bowling, I was arching all over for the rest of that week. Well, I'm all game to go again!

My girls hogged the mike!

Joined another outing of my girl with her CCA group.

In a Creative Mood

My boy was busy with his prelim exams during Sep Teachers' Day celebrations, so he did these and gave his teachers only during graduation day (from Junior College). Baked the macarons with the help of his sister. How time flies, my boy is taking his A-level exams already, and going NS in another 3 months!

Kristine has been reluctant to tat because of sweaty palms, but here's her attempt almost totally on her own.

Here's my new tatted lucky clover design - simple and sweet. There is of course a bookmark version simply by extending the stem and adoing a tassel. 

I haven't been participating in many swaps, so only these few works to show. This abstract postcard came from Lee Kirk (USA).  Look felted but it's actually a fabric wipe.

Next is Paper Traders' "Over/Under" ATC swap, whereby we create a design by painting over a layer under it.  Mine were easily done once I get the idea going, by sponging distress ink on a cut-out word 福 over prints of 如意 stamped with a Chinese seal which I craved during one of the library workshops I attended.  I love the effect and the very oriental look! 

Received a poppies card from Debra Claxton (USA) and a pumpkin card from Beckie Holso (USA).

Some New and Older Works

Tatted a new ginko leaf, but does it looks like one?

The light bulb design looks cute, I tried to do 1 myself and thought some tatted flowers would add some interest.

I have problem drawing realistically and on the other end, doing abstract. These are some attempts on 4"x6" cards.

These 3 are done with alcohol ink marbling for the base colours, topped with spreading distress ink using baby wipe, accented with dimensional pearl paints and coloured glues. Titles: (From left to right) Junctions, Receiving, Want to Dance.

Another attempt.  Again, I used alcohol ink with water for a marbling effect as the base, added some fabric scraps, used coloured glue sticks and textured paste (DecoArt Paper Perfect).  Titles: (From left to right) Unveiling, Possibilities, Shimmering.

Although I am quite pleased with all these, I don't think they qualify to be called abstract art, do they?

Kristine did the polymer clay charms all on her own, including those for Teachers' Day presents. Baymax of Big Hero 6 is about 3 cm tall.

Found more of Kristine's drawings.

After so many failed attempts on her own ...

I decided to accompany her to a class, ...

and finally, some decent macarons baked by Kristine!  Italian method does work better than French method.

 

I'm Impressed with Kristine

Just want to show some of the stuff Kristine did since the start of this year. 

All the macarons done with polymer clay....

Another design.

Decorated her note books (at least no macaron on them),

and drawing in white on black papers. 

She couldn't stop making macarons and baked on her own.  After numerous attempts, these latest ones were the best so far. I better sign her up soon for a macaron baking class so that we can get to eat more decent ones!

A chocolate ice cream cake she baked with her sis for me. Appreciated their efforts but that's too much chocolate and sugar really. 

I returned from my trip to find more macarons!  This time painted ones. 

She is really madly in love with macarons! 

Last and First Workshops At The Libraries for 2014/2015

This screen printing workshop I went with my girl, Kristine. Something we have not done before.  We printed our own designs on canvas bag. A bit messy with the paint, but fun to see the result.

I don't quite like to paint, but I will always try.  Kristine is definitely better than me!

Stitching is definitely easier for me!  And I added a touch of tatted flowers.  A new friend, Jessica.

How about some Indian-style painting? I would have done a better job if not for the real lousy brushes I had to use initially.