Craftsalon

Babushkins here we come!

2011-06-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

I created these guys quite a few years back. I called these Russian dolls, the Babushkins. And at the time I wanted to make a story out of them but somehow didn't get round to it. Maybe it's time for a revival...

Introducing the Mixxie Kids

2011-04-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

So far, I have managed to create more faces and have even given them a name called the Mixxie Kids. But not sure what I can do with them other than create a pattern with their heads for now.

Make your mark the cute way

2011-03-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have been able to be crafty and creative. So by setting up an Etsy shop, I thought it might give me more motivation.

But the question is, what can I make? How about customised rubber stamps?

We all need to make ownership of our own possessions, so why not make it in a cute and adorable way! So I started off illustrating generic boy and girl illustrations. But when I gave it some more thought, I came to the conclusion that I could possibly expanding on the idea and create more faces.

Cupcake icing

2008-09-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes addict. Just experimenting with icing and ready made sugar flowers. Not bad for a first attempt.

Tokyo dreams

2008-05-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Finally, sometime away from one big smoke to another! Here we are in Tokyo. Having the spent the last 4 days here, there's been much to see and do. Having exhausted ourselves on their complex metro and subway system, it is now time to go back but here are just some of the coolest and in some cases kawaii highlights.

Cyber environment

2008-02-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

For a month, I'm working at Cyberport, Hong Kong. It's a very desirable place to live - for the mega wealthy but for the rest of us working class, it's considered to be a bit of a nightmare commute for Hong Kong standards. In a more remote part of Hong Kong island, Cyberport was built to represent a Silicon Valley of Hong Kong. But sadly, with inadequate transport links, it is not the most desirable place to work. But I would say, they had some 'cyber' themed Chinese New Year decorations around the vicinity - which 'cutified' the scene and made it less stuffy.

Claim to fame

2008-02-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

I got an important parcel in the post yesterday. I had been waiting for it for months. Actually, tell a lie, I only found out that the publishers were going to publish the article a couple of weeks ago. And finally it came and I unwrapped it to see it in its flesh and glory. And how did it come about?

When I was back in the UK last October, Taiwanese publishers, Suncolor, picked me out of a few UK artists and asked me for an interview when they were on their travels in London. I suppose the saying goes, you've got to be at the right place at the right time!

Gone with the old and in with the new

2008-02-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

So, it's been tough training for the 10k run next week. But I think I can do it. Over the past few months, I had been accompanied by my favourite ipod shuffle which my boyfriend bought me this time last year. It's cute and dinky and fits very nicely in my pocket. In fact, it fit so nicely that I forgot to take it out of my pocket when I put my tracksuit bottoms into the wash this evening. Anyway, it still looks the part even if it's gone bust!

I bought the skin in Korea for it - it's pretty robust because it's still in tact even after the wash. I'm not too worried about not being able to use it again though because I can reapply it to my next one.

Window shopping

2008-02-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

Ok. So I've been lazy with the blogging lately - and you can see why! I love these cute window displays and I am quite spoilt for choice in Hong Kong for kawaii.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

2008-02-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

First there was Christmas, New Years and now comes Chinese New Year. The exhibits and souvenirs are coming thick and faster than before and it's not going to be long before Valentines either.

I'll be glad when things calm down a bit once my birthday comes around.

A quiet baking moment

2008-01-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoons are just made for relaxing...and making shortbread. Actually, it's the first time I've ever baked cookies in Hong Kong but there's always a first time for everything. Found this cute idea in a new book I bought. Button shortbread. Actually looks better than it tastes!

A new shopping experience

2008-01-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have been interested in daring the crowds at Causeway Bay on a friday night after work. I've heard so much about these new 'cubic shelves' which you can hire to sell things. Apparently, the concept came from Japan and now it's the latest craze over here in Hong Kong. The concept is simple, you hire a shelf unit for a minimum of a month and the shop will help you take care of the transactions. Prices start from around HK$380 per month depending on the level it is. Natually, the most expensive are the ones at eye level which could fetch as much as HK$1388.

I've taken a few snapshots to show you what's on offer. But I have no idea what is selling like hot cakes yet...

The kind of thing that are on sale are things like jewellery, Rubic's cubes, toys, clocks and even plants.

This last one is jammed packed full of Hello Kitty memorabilia - most likely to have been imported from Japan.

Christmas break

2007-12-27T04:54:00.000-08:00

Apologies to everyone as I really haven't been nearly as hard working on updating my blog for a long time now.

This year I've really not made much of an effort with festivities as I may have done in previous years. I wish I were in London or New York but alas, I decided to stay in Hong Kong but kept away from the crowds. Got a whole week off work and a delivery of some goodies that I had been expecting to receive for weeks now! Planning on designing some more t-shirts in the new year. Unfortunately the Artline inkpad didn't work so I am thinking of trying a few home made recipes and techniques I found on the internet the other day.

http://www.curbly.com/Chrisjob/posts/1355-Print-Your-Own-T-Shirts-Using-Homemade-Stencils

http://www.threadbanger.com/post/490/diy-screen-printing-how-to

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/artrecipes1.html

T-shirt printing

2007-11-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

At last, I have had time to catch up on some crafting! It's been a whole month of manic work and wedding plans since I've been back. But it's great that I had a Saturday night in to relax by myself this weekend. So, seeing as I bought a whole bunch of different inks and paints to experiment my rubber stamps with, I thought I'd put them to good use. Surprisingly, I think the Artline ink pad works quite well. I've ironed it at the 'cotton' temperature so fingers crossed, it will still be there when I put it in the wash.

Treasure maps

2007-10-07T02:41:00.000-07:00

Was rummaging through my things in the drawer and came across some lovely maps of Paris that I had bought around 4/5 years ago. They came in a pack of 10 fold out maps and were illustrated by French illustrators, Philippe Bucamp and Magali Tessier. I remember I bought them from this gorgeous european book shop in Covent Garden. I hope it's still there.

Asian Dolls

2007-10-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

I went to Tate Modern today and I found this cute image of dolls in a book. It's given me some more food for thought for a set of dolls that I have been trying to create for ages....

Yummy warm muffins

2007-10-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Went to Spitalfields yesterday afternoon - at least what's left of it. Leon, the trendy coffee shop is still there. Look at these yummy muffins! Mmmhmm....

Making a mess of things...

2007-09-24T04:03:00.000-07:00

You don't have to use ink pads to get inking. I've tried using some old block printing water colour inks to experiment with. I think the results aren't too bad. Now my next step is to get some more permanent inks for printing onto fabric.

Nesting dolls

2007-09-22T03:12:00.000-07:00

Look what I found! Packed away in boxes in my room, were these little treasures that I had almost forgotten about. Ok, so they're not antiques... but they're pretty cute! Especially the Indian and Caucasian dolls. They were a range done by Oxfam a few years ago.

Visiting an old friend

2007-09-18T23:55:00.001-07:00

It's great to catch up with good friends and I always seem to draw inspiration from an ex-colleague whom I'm known for around 5 to 6 years now. We spent the whole day together at her new home in Harlow.

Am I sitting on a small fortune?

2007-09-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

They were a rare find but a few years back I bought these really wonderful religious picture books in a car boot sale near my parent's home. I was enticed by the naiveness of some of the titles, 'I'm Sorry', 'Thank You God' and 'Please'. And the imagery is gorgeous! They've been sitting in the drawer because I'm just waiting to find something to do with them.

Rubber stamp mad

2007-09-11T04:04:00.000-07:00

Finally, I made it back. After a 12 hour flight, 2 aeroplane dinners and 4 movies, I am now safe and sound at my parent's home in Tylers Green, Buckinghamshire, UK.

I even brought back my rubber stamps in case I get some spare time to get crafting. Could be the start of something different...

Give your old greetings cards a facelift

2007-09-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is so simple but it's also a really useful way of utilising your greetings cards or memorable cards that you have kept stashed away for sentimental value or simply because you really liked them.

1. Just cut up some spare paper and fold them in half so that they fit inside the greetings cards.

2. Make 3 holes in the middle of the card fold and the paper fold with a needle. And sew.

3. When you have sewn the card together, close the book and trim off any excess paper that sticks out from the edges of the cover.

Turning junk into funk

2007-09-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

And so we have it. Mini masterpieces!

Well, there were a few mishaps along the way - especially in choosing the wrong type of glue. Hence, why I have been using this Japanese binding stitch technique which works wonders! It’s environmentally friendly because I use less glue. I am now getting quite good at it. At least I remember the order in which the stitches go off by heart now.

I've still got more to do but it takes time working out which fabrics and patterns go well together.

It's totally amazing!

2007-08-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

It's just so fantastic being surrounded by such nice junk! I didn't realise I still had these clipping lying around. I'm going to be busy this weekend for sure!

Bookbinding frenzie

2007-08-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've been going through my collections of patterned fabric and ribbons that I have accumulated over the past 3 months and decided to finally be creative with them.

And seeing as I am still in my book binding phase, I thought I'd experiment. Here, I have used cable tape and ribbon as binding on the spine. Interesting results. It's a good way of recycling old scraps. At least it makes note taking more interesting...

#5 Making your own wedding favour

2007-08-21T18:59:00.001-07:00

I happened to be in my old neighbourhood the other week and walked past this shop that sold bamboo steamers and only bamboo steamers. They sold ones that were as big as the circumference of a hula hoop but the ones that caught my eye the most were these cutesy diddy ones! With a diametre of only 2.5", just big enough to fit a piece of chocolate inside. Dress them up with a ribbon, Martha Stewart style, or just keep it plain. Ideal for a wedding favour.

#4 Presentation makes all the difference

2007-08-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

How can you make an ordinary photo into a stunning display? The obvious answer has to be in the way that you 'dress it up'. I took a photo of some crochet cakes - could have easily been mistaken for being a magazine picture that it was so ordinary... but what if you put it against a cute gingham background? I also found some eyelets to enhance the presentation. Of course the hardest part is in researching which patterns go with which photo but you can have fun doing it!

TIP: I find the best way to frame images with busy backgrounds is with a nice simple white or wooden frame.

Bookbinding progression

2007-08-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I managed to bind my first hardback book from SCRATCH! I was pretty chuffed at my first attempt. I may consider binding my own portfolio this way. It's more rewarding than just covering an existing book with your funky fabrics. As an artist, you want to be able to have more control of the size. etc

Last week was when I attempted to bind my first softback book. I used newsprint like paper for the insides to print my illustrations on. It worked well for some of the less detailed illustrations but didn't do my bigger pictures any justice.

And today, again we found some more toadstools growing in the soil of another plant. It must be the soil from Wellcome that's making them grow. But it's a shame that they die within 24 hours. Best to capture them when you can.

Unidentified smurf abode...

2007-08-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning to find a small toadstool growing in amongst the soil of our aloe vera plant. Any ideas as to whether this is a good thing?

Sweet sweet basil

2007-08-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Over the past 3 months, I have been nurturing my sweet basil which, I am proud to say, have been grown from seed. Thanks to my sunny kitchen window sill and the 'Diamond' water which really works wonders with my plants around the flat. Our fish seem to really love it too! I can't wait to make Tomato and Basil soup next week. Anyone know of a good recipe?

folio updates and summer break

2007-07-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

I realise it's been almost two months since I last updated my blog so to highlight what I have been up to, here are a few photos and illustations which I have been feverishly been working on. I've been away to Kenting and Kaoshiong in Taiwan which was fantastic in terms of weather and food. You can see some of the other photos in my collection at my flickr page. But since returning home, I have been totally dedicated to updating my illustration folio. I think it's coming along quite well but I am still developing it. You can see it at www.ilovecolour.com

I love green

2007-06-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

As well as increasing the size of my foliage collection. I have also been illustrating and finding out a bit more about what these plants are called. Here is a new project which I have started on. I am aiming to create a set of fact sheets or something of that nature.

Xian

2007-06-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last made any updates on my blog. Since leaving my full-time job, I have been away with my parents to Xian. It's the only other place in China which I have been to which has a great deal of Chinese historical monuments that are still in their original state. Although I am not so sure whether it will be the same in ten year's time. It's difficult to know. But here are just some interesting images which I captured along the way.

I just love the cute mobiles they are selling at the market stalls in the Islamic quarter.

Actually, if you would like to see more, you can view them at my flickr account.

Potting lesson

2007-04-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today is May Day public holiday here in Hong Kong. Apart from spending time with my parents recently, I have been taking lessons from my mum about potting. I made the mistake of leaving my plants in the temporary pots for too long and in the process have killed some of them off ;-(
I suppose I did what most novice gardeners did - neglect them. Thinking that these succulents were like cacti, I didn't water them enough but now I know that they need a lot more nurturing.

Home comforts

2007-04-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

It's so relaxing coming home after a long day's at work. We've been here almost a month now but it seems much longer. We live in a development called Liberté on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. I think it really helps that we have some new greenery and the fish tank really makes a BIG difference. In the concrete jungle that we live in, every bit of green helps!

The wallpaper that we picked up from Homebase on our trip back to the UK really makes the place much less sterile especially with our white walls and white ceramic tiles. Its easily, one of the best environments to get creative in!

Creative juices

2007-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am quite excited about building my salon. Everything I record here in my blog really relates to my thoughts on how the salon will develop. Now that I am in Hong Kong, there are lots of things which I miss from the UK and in particular craft fairs – especially Spitalfields Market and Chelsea Craft Fair. But thank god for http://printpattern.blogspot.com if it wasn't for trendsetter, Bowiestye, I think I would be flying back on the first flight to the UK next week!

I also keep thinking about how I should really make use of my illustrations that I had been commissioned to produce over the past couple of years. These illustrations I've shown here are just a few that were commissioned by Macmillan for a couple of ELT books that were being sold to schools in the middle east. I must admit, I really made a big improvement with drawing characters when I did this job.

#3 Jellifish fever

2007-04-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

On our one year anniversary yesterday, we went to celebrate it by taking a trip out to Ocean Park. It was 20 years ago since I last went so I had high expectations. There is much more to it there now, than just being a theme park. It's more like a nature reserve. This year, jellifish were high on the agenda. There was a massive queue to see them but we didn't really know what the fuss was all about so decided to queue up for the cable cars instead. Someone tell me that I didn't miss that much really...or did I? I was more disappointed we couldn't go and see the pandas.

#2 Urban Greenfingers

2007-04-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

This easter break has been the most relaxing holiday I have had in Hong Kong ever! My boyfriend and I went to the flower market in Mong Kok to get a new plant for our new flat. But instead, I came back with a new hobby - I found a new love for cacti! I discovered cacti don't have to be prickly like the Saguaro cactus which are most commonly found in many western films.
In fact, I have been reading up about the plants that I bought and they are most likely to be succulents. In short, both cacti and succulent belong to the same family. Generally, succulents don't have prickly thorns but they are recognisable because their leaves are bloated in appearance. Aloe Vera is one of these. Now, my next step is to find out their names. Does anyone know what this plant is called?

#1 Fabric covered book jacket

2007-04-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

I found this really cute patterned fabric from one of the many fabric shops in Sham Shui Po (the main area in Hong Kong for haberdashery and fabrics). I thought it was perfect to cover my hardback notepad. It's amazing what a difference a cover adds to a book. I don't believe that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover nonsense. I use it to write down all my notes and findings.

Craftsalon project#1

2007-03-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of research on how to start craft salon. I am quite excited about it as I think it will be fun as well as being able to recycle stuff that's been lying around the house for ages. I am thinking about making some really nice handmade covers out of fabric for hardback books. For some reason, fabric covered hardback sketchpads or notepads are really hard to come by in Hong Kong. But it's so easy to do!