Art Attack: Scrapbooking with Embossing and Stamping

MooMoo went to attend this Scrapbooking class with Minnie, a few months ago.  It was kinda fun except that it was too easy and not as what we expected.  The class was suppose to be about 90 minutes to 2 hours but it only took us about less than 1 hour to complete.

All the materials were provided and we are to complete the 1 page of scrapbook there.  We all started with painting on the cardboard.  Free style.... MooMoo simply painted hers instead of the usual straight lines.  The rest of them all drew lines, painted it straight and tidy, except for MooMoo and Minnie.  Hahaha.

Next, we had some fun times doing some stamping with 'Distress Ink'.  Time to destress with some distress ink.  Kekeke.  You just buy some ink and use a sponge to brush it along your paper to make it a bit vintage looking.

MooMoo had fun doing the embossing, which is something new, using the heat gun.  MooMoo did the embossing using the pressure before but never did one with heat.  It's pretty interesting.

First, you apply a design by stamping on the paper with something like glue like ink with a stamp.  Then you sprinkle the embossing dust on top and shake off the excess.  After that, you just heat up the design with the heat gun and it is all done.  The design will be raised up with a 3D effect. 

This is how it looks like.... the embossing of a bicycle design.  After preparing all the bits and pieces, you just need to cut them all out and begin your pasting.

This piece was already prepared for all - made from Ice cream sticks.  We were just suppose to paint and stamp the wordings on it.  MooMoo dabbed the gold colour at the sides to create the vintage look.

Finally, this is MooMoo's end product.  A page of 'Precious Moments' with MooMoo's 4 precious little ones.  MooMoo actually watched them grow up and the boys are actually going to be 15 next year.  How time flies.... : )

* It's always FUN playing with ARTS & CRAFTS!!! : )

"Cai Sen Ye" Balloon Sculpting

MooMoo went to Punggol CC for "Cai Sen Ye" balloon sculpting class today.  "Cai Sen Ye" also known as God of Wealth.  She got an invitation from the teacher she met previously.  All she have to do is just to register for the class and pay $3 for the materials.  It was suppose to be a 2 hour class from 7-9pm but MooMoo only left around 10:30pm and she could not finish her balloon sculpture in class.  It was more challenging than expected.  Haha!!

Material provided... slight difference from previous "Santa" pack as there's bigger balloons...

Started out with making a face with the beard...

Making the "Cai Sen Ye" hat was quite tough with the decorations at the top and the sides...

Adding the eyes... but haven't draw the eyeballs... haha...

The big balloons '360S'... much bigger compare to '260S'... (FYI: 260S means 2 inches wide, 60 inches long and S=Sempertex, which is the brand; 360S means 3 inches wide and 60 inches long)

Then, we proceed to make the shoes... some parts MooMoo just simply 'goreng' already....

Here's the red clothings, plus the hands...

Finally, this is MooMoo's product... but unfinished yet... it's time to go home...

Check this out! MooMoo's teacher's creation and MooMoo's creation.  Hahaha!  So obvious right... and MooMoo's one cannot be "Cai Sen Ye" yet coz no Gold... poor "Cai Sen Ye"....

MooMoo finished it off when she reached home... to add in the gold sleeves and the gold...  Need lots of practise to get everything right and to improve further... ^=^

MooMoo had trouble making the "Cai Sen Ye" red clothings as the class were quite big and most of them are quite experienced.  MooMoo could not really follow the class well as teacher was busy and could not check out the whole class.  Luckily, this girl I met was very friendly to teach me how to finish  off the remaining parts.  Thanks to her I manage to have a nice gold piece.  The gold piece is really challenging to make.  You need to use a small little round balloon and a small heart shape balloon.

Initially, this is how the "Cai Sen Ye" we are suppose to make... much more simple but teacher went to improvise to make it nicer and it became more complicated.  Hahaha!  Anyway, it was a fun learning experience.  

* MooMoo felt much better after sweating it out in 2 gym classes today.... Seems like Mr. Fever is gone... Yippeeee!!! ^=^

Doodle Attack!

Lately, either MooMoo's very bored or the Doodle Bug just attacked MooMoo.  MooMoo is having FUN doodling away... here and there... while in class and while waiting for the test results at work.  LOL!  Guess it's some form of de-stress too.  ^=^

Here's some of MooMoo's doodling art-piece that Ms. Mo helped to scan.

* Doodle = FUN!!!  MooMoo used to love to draw so much but have stopped drawing for so long... MooMoo may not be a GOOD Artist but just enough to have fun and make herself happy drawing all those little cartoons... sometimes, the simplest things which does not cost much can easily bring SMILES to your face... ^=^

GREEN Fingers Day

Today is a rare day for MooMoo.  MooMoo wanted to wake up for an early LSD (Long Slow Distance) run in the morning but as usual, the night before she was too intoxicated with her iPhone.  Therefore, she only woke up around 930am.  

After showering, she went to take bus to "FAR EAST FLORA" at Thomson Road.  She decided to go get some plants to help her colleagues replant their Terrariums.  This is the 1st time going there.  After checking out the bus schedule, she hopped on the bus and off to the plant nursery.

The place is really huge with different sections for BIG plants, small plants, indoor plants, creeping plants, etc.  There were even another section for fresh cut flowers.  They even have trolleys for you to do plants shopping.  Cool yea...

Here's rows and rows of different sections for different types of plants.  They are also selling different types of pots and accessories to go with it.  

Here's all the Greens... without any flowers...  for those who like the 'Lalang-Lalang'... guess the one with the flowers are more difficult to take care and maintain as it will die faster... if not enough TLC (Tender Loving Care)

Here's one section for all the 'Terrariums'...  It's like a mini garden that's easy to maintain and does not need a lot of maintenance.  Looks real nice when they put all the plants together but it's pretty expensive.  It ranges for $50-$100++.

Then, there's the cactus section with all the colourful cactus.  MooMoo bought a couple of cactus as they just look so colourful and lovely.

There's also the Orchids section but MooMoo's not a big fan of Orchids though they all look so lovely.  Anyway, there's no room for big plants at MooMoo's house in Lion City.... not even her house.  LOL!!

MooMoo found a section with all the 'Heart' shape cactus... so CUTE!!! They are so creative as they painted the heart shape cactus with colourful paint.  Nice yea....

Here's some more of the 'HEART' shape cactus.  MooMoo's got one at home too... from Ms. Mo... it's guarded by Prickles the Porcupine... Haha!!

And guess what?!?  The 'Heart' shape cactus actually came from this plant... the original plant looks funny yea... kinda ugly actually... Haha... Ok, beauty lies in eyes of the beholder.... =p

MooMoo took this picture from the Fresh Flowers corner.  MooMoo just love the WHITE Roses... they look so white and lovely... ^=^

In the end, MooMoo decided to buy these plants and 2 cactus.  After buying the plants, she rushed back home to grab her gym bag and headed off to GYM to generate her HAPPY hormones.  ^=^

Maybe MooMoo should test out the Terrariums with cactus plant.  It could possibly survive longer since it does not need much water.  

* "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  --- Albert Einstein

Terrarium Project

Recently, MooMoo's office is organizing this 'Christmas Charity Bazaar' to raise $20,000 fund for this Old Folks' Home and MooMoo was being volunteered to setup a stall to sell stuffs.  All the nett profits of our stalls will be donated.  We brainstormed some ideas and ended up with setting up a stall selling "TERRARIUMS".  MooMoo kind of have FUN making the "Terrariums" and at the same time being able to do some charity... though MooMoo had to sacrifice her time despite her busy schedule.  ^=^

What is a "TERRARIUM"?

A Terrarium is a collection of small plants growing in a closed, controlled environment. i.e. in a transparent, sealed container.  It is easy to control and can be used to simulate how an ecosystem works.  i.e. photosynthesis, respirations and the water cycle  The water in the terrarium is constantly recycled, passing from liquid form to gas and back again. As the water get condenses, it will return to the soil to be absorbed by the plants.  Then, they whole cycle repeats itself.  

MooMoo got so excited that she decided to make some for her Christmas Gifts too.  It's really FUN making them and it's easy to make as well.  You can try it out if you have the time.

Items Required

1. Clear glass or plastic container (with/without cover)

2. Small stones (coloured or non-coloured)

3. Small plants

4. Potting Soil

5. Decorative objects (optional)

How to build your Terrarium

1. Place a thin layer (about 1 inch) of small stones at the bottom for drainage.

2. Place a layer of potting soil (about 2 inches).

3. Make small holes for roots and carefully plant your chosen plants in the soil.

4. Scatter coloured stones on top of the potting soil to decorate your terrarium.

5. Lastly, finish it with the decorative objects to make the environment more lively.

6. Lightly water the plants as it does not require too much water.

7. Close the container with the cover or you can keep it open as well.

Here's the materials MooMoo had bought for building the Terrariums for some of her Christmas Gifts.  It's for making altogether 8 Terrariums.  MooMoo took about 3 hours to complete everything including clearing up all the mess.

Although it's quite tiring but when MooMoo saw the output, it's all SMILES.  ^=^  MooMoo made 4 big ones and 4 small ones.  Of course, as you can see...  MooMoo will be keeping the jar with the little MooMoo in it.  Hahaha.

Here's a Top View of the 4 big Terrariums.  Lovely, isn't it?  There's a mixture of different types of plants but do not ask MooMoo the names of the plants as MooMoo do not have 'GREEN' fingers.  MooMoo asked her colleague to help get the plants for her.

And here's the 4 little Terrariums with coloured covers.  MooMoo find the Mini Terrariums are kinda cute and it's really striking with the coloured covers and giant ornaments in there.  Hahaha.

This is the Top view for the 4 small Terrariums.  The choices of the plants are limited because the containers are smaller.  Therefore, have to find mini plants to put in there.  

And lastly, here's some Tips and Guide to care for your Terrarium plants....

1. Light: Keep away from direct sunlight.  Keep away from heated up place to avoid getting roasted.

2. Water: Rule of thumb-always better to be too dry than too wet as it is almost impossible to get rid of excessive water.  Only light watering is required when the soil gets a bit dry.

3. Pruning:  If the leaves are yellowing, you can remove it from the terrarium.

4. Fertilizer:  No fertilization is required as you do not encourage rapid growth.

Well, other than having fun with this "Terrarium Project", MooMoo also learnt new stuff and get to know some colleagues better.  It's not that bad after all.  MooMoo also ended up making 8 Terrariums on her own for gifts.  ^=^

MooMoo will have to do more at work next week to fulfil all the orders before the actual Charity Bazaar next Thursday (15th Dec).  MooMoo will have to sacrifice her lunch time.  Well, no complaints since it's the name of charity.  Hope our stall will make good business and raise more funds!! Ganbatte!!

* MooMoo had a good stretch at Balance class today after being away from GYM the whole week.   How time flies... 3 more weeks of year 2011 left.  Hope it will be a BETTER week next week.  ^=^

Fun with Origami Paper

MooMoo having FUN with the origami papers she bought from DAISO. Japanese are just so creative with the ORIGAMI Art.

ORIGAMI (折り紙) originated from the word 'Ori' which means folding and 'Kami' which means Paper and it is the traditional Japanese Art of Paper Folding.

The most famous, all time favourite origami would be the paper crane. Paper cranes reminds MooMoo of her trip to Hiroshima... 'Thousand Origami Cranes' at the Sadako Sasaki memorial.

Well, MooMoo bought this cute origami papers from DAISO for fun and they looked so cute coz you can fold them into kitty cats and piggies and stick them on the background paper of 'Day' and 'Night'. Hmm... the lighting in MooMoo's room is not so good so the photos seemed to be a bit dark and gloomy...

This it the paper that you can either fold them into a Kitty or Piggy.

Here's Piggy and Kitty on 'Day' background...

Here's 2 little Piggies pak-toing under the 'Moonlight' background...hehe...

* 'PASSION' VS 'MONEY'?!?

Stretching the 'WRONG' thing...

MooMoo supposed to go for 'Balance' stretching class today... but ended up stretching her wallet instead... she really stretched her wallet to the extreme today. Shopping therapy?!? =p It started with lunch time... must really leave the credit card in the office when go out for lunch next time. MooMoo just can't control herself when she walks in a craft shop. She saw her favourite craft book again. She was looking for it all over in Japan bookstore but could not find it. This time, she just can't resist it and now the book is hers. Hahaha... And this doesn't stop here... MooMoo continued to stretch her bleeding wallet after dinner. Hahaha... She went to Paper Market with her gym buddy and got poisoned by all the lovely scrapbooking materials.... all shouting to her "BUY ME!!! BRING ME HOME!!!..." She even ended up being a VIP member after her purchases... * If Piggy is here, she will faint...

Time to start another project. Hahaha... My gym buddy got a bit infected after seeing the li'l mini project I did for Ms. Mo... Art Attack... kekeke....

The papers all look so lovely right?!? MooMoo just can't resist... she decided to work on another project for Cutie Pie's birthday... a scrapbook album.

Looking all all these lovely papers make MooMoo's day. It just brings a smile to her face just by flipping through them. ^=^

MooMoo got a quite good deal on this 'Scrapbooking Kit'... It was on SALE for the last piece and it only cost about $16.90 for the whole set. It's real cool coz it comes in a box with a scrapbooking album, 24 pieces of scrapbooking papers, 93 punch outs decor, 338 stickers and 6 chipboard accents.

This is a booklet of "sayings" stickers which can be used for the scrapbooking... for BABY GAL.

This is a FREE Gift of Alphabets for the purchases done... and we got 25% off the total bill for the VIP 1st time purchase. Quite a good deal! ^=^

It's time for MooMoo to have FUN.... "HAPPY SCRAPBOOKING!!!" ^=^

* MooMoo wonders what would it be like if she were to do this in her daily job?!? hahaha...