Happy New Year 2012

The year 2011 is ending and I was looking for a diary for 2012. I thought I saw a diary which is quite nice in Starbuck. But unfortunately it cost a fortune to buy it there. It is selling at RM 88 for a diary or buy 15 drinks. ...who wants to drink 15 Latte at a time ??? so ridiculous. Disappointed, I went to Popular and buy a cheap one instead. Once I had painted on the cover, it looks very exclusive. Save me some money too. By the way I'm using enamel paint.

Cake Painting 2 - Again!!

I have tried a second time to bake the cake, make the fondant and paint it up with different design and colour scheme. It was almost a disaster but in the ned managed to make it more presentable. Too much effort being put into it that it should not be wasted. So, I decided to cut and eat it..hahaha!!!Everything is edible !

Impiana Jan 2012 Issue

Majalah Impiana Jan 2012 issue is already out in the market. My craft is featured in the DIY section of this magazine. I'm decorating a recycle jar using the glass paint. Go and get yourself a copy if you are interested to know more.

Wanita Hari Ini - TV3 (27/12/2011)

Just had the shooting with Wanita Hari Ini - TV3. Did a very fast demonstration of painting on unwanted CD using enamel paint. I also had a chance to promote my book. In the same program the editor of Impiana Magazine also spoke about next year's trend in Interior design which also include refurbishing and recycling old items. Watch out for the January 2012 issue of Impiana Magazine which will come out this week. I am on the DIY section.

Another decoupaged wood item

This is another wood item that have decoupaged and half-painted. It's a bit quiet on Boxing Day. Looks like everyone is chilling out at home after the festive day. Anyway, If you have accessed to TV3 tomorrow afternoon, don't forget to watch me doing a demo on Wanita Hari Ini.

Merry Christmas 2011

I would like to wish Merry Christmas to all those that celebrates it and to everyone have a Happy Holidays. Those who are traveling, have a safe journey. Don't eat too much sugary stuff.... by the way, we will open for business tomorrow 25/12/2011 at 12.30 p.m. If you are in town and not doing anything else, please come and "lepak" here.

Large Enamel Tray

I remember during those days when I used to visit my late grandmother, she always have this large enamel tray to served drinks, etc. Some one had asked to make this tray more contemporary by painting roses on it. I would have just retained the authenticity of this tray and keep it as an antique. Nevertheless, following her request I have based it with gesso and then paint the green colour of her choice as the background. I have to paint many layers just to cover totally the original colour of the design. The roses are painted in pink.

Cake Painting

This is my first attempt at cake painting and it has been quite a satisfying experience. I have been baking cakes as a hobby but all I wanted to do was to decorate it. A lot of people have been trying out doing faux cakes but I feel that it is worth learning to bake a real cake and making the decorations where you can enjoy eating it rather then just looking at it. The toughest part for me is to make the fondant just right for painting and to choose the right kind of edible paints to use for brushstroke method. Anyway, I enjoy doing it and may try to do again.

A student from japan

The past few days I have been teaching this student from Japan who learned Folk Art painting and decoupage in three days. Both of us don't speak each other language so I just use a lot of demos and body language to instruct her.....but some how it was very effective and she can follow the lessons well. The best part is ...she bought my new book !...as they say Art is so visual that you can still communicate....if there is a will there is a way. She said she will be back to learn again at the end of next year.

Recipe stand

This is a recipe stand which I have painted with still life - baking tools and ingredients inspired by my new hobby....baking cakes...I may use this stand for myself since I'm still experimenting with cake decorations...making fondant and painting it. At least we can eat our painting if it is not nice and then practice painting it again...hahaha!!!

Decoupaged and half-painted on wood item

After doing so much painting, I decided to do some decoupage on wood items. In order to make it more interesting I also painted a bit on it. Quite fun to do and shorten the length of time in painting.

Christmas Candles

Did some decoupaged on candles with Christmas motifs. Hopefully I can sell some during this festive season.

Latest photoshoot with Majalah Keluarga

I had a photoshoot with Majalah Keluarga yesterday. This is for the coming issue in 2012. I did two items, a metal plate and a terracotta pot.

Decoupage on Biscuit Tin

The tin that I picked up from my neighbour's rubbish bin the other day had turned into gold. I have decoupaged and half-painted it with English cottage theme. Sometimes it's fun to do decoupage in order to get away from spending so much time on painting the details. This is especially helpful when you want to make a quick gift for someone.

Hand painted greetings cards

I have some hand painted greeting cards for sale at the shop. These cards are painted using the watercolour painting technique. They are blank cards which you can write your own message. It comes in a theme like Christmas, Angels, Oriental, Scenery, etc... If you are interested please come over to the shop. The price ranges from RM 8.00 to RM 12.00 depending on the size.

Decoupage for Christmas

These are some of the items (tin, wood and candles) that I have decoupaged and half-painted with Christmas theme. The biscuit tin is compliment from my next door neighbour's rubbish bin...hahaha!. I got a few of those to do now.

Doing Christmas decorations together

It's fun to do aa activity together as a family on some Christmas projects. This family had learned to create Christmas decorations using Christmas Stockings and Angels Cut-outs. I'm sure they had a lot of fun since they will be coming back to do more.

An event in Kuala Selangor

I did a demo this morning at the Kompleks Pelancongan Kelip-kelip in Kuala Selangor. Quite a remote area where it is famous for its tour of fireflies at night. First time at the place just to promote my craft and the new book.

Artisan Bread Chalk Board

This board was taken from my neighbour's dustbin after they had a birthday party. Before it gets into the rain I quickly take it and paint it with a black chalk paint to make it as a blackboard. The bread painted was inspired by my visit to a friend's bakery shop at Jln. Ipoh. He made all the bread and pastries sold there....so talented. You can actually see him making croisaant as you walk into the shop. http://tommylebaker.blogspot.com/

Enamel paint on glass

This glasses has been given to me by my student. I decided etched the bottom part of the glass and paint roses using the enamel paint. Quite elegant.

FA workshop in Kuantan, Pahang - 3/12/2011

Those who are interested to learn folk art, I will be conducting similar workshop as in JB and Ipoh at the Vistana Hotel, Kuantan on Saturday, 3/12/2011 between 10.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. You will learn to paint 6 different flowers and a background effect technique. If you are interested please call 03-79555909 or send me a request for detail using the form at this location :
http://www.creativecottageonline.com/feedback.php

Worshop in Skudai Johor

These are some of the students who had attended the workshop in Goodhope Hotel, Skudai, Johor. They had fun learning the smoking technique (all of them knows how to puff a cigar now...hahaha!!) and different flowers. Hmmm...the lunch was really good.....I'm dreaming of Assam Pedas already....better watch my diet again.

By the way if you are around Kuala Selangor, please come and support me for an event at Kompleks Pelancongan Kelip-Kelip, Kg. Kuantan Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor on 27/11/2011. I will be demonstrating my craft between 10.00 a.m. till 11.30 a.m. and promoting my new book.

Projects from Jars, Jars, Jars

These jars are being painted differently. Instead of using enamel paint or glass paint, I had used Decoart Americana Acrylic paint. The method of painting and design are taken from the book Jars, Jars, Jars 3. Quite fun to do. You can order the paint online from http://www.creativecottageonline.com/eshop/m-americana-white.php

FA workshop to upgrade yourself

Even though you think you already know all the tricks in Folk Art but there are still room for improvements. As such I had attended a second workshop done by the Jo Sonja's Instructor from Australia previously, just to upgrade myself. Should you want to acquire the knowledge and skills in Folk Art painting, you should come and join my workshop in Skudai, Johor this coming Saturday. Call 03-79555909.

Majalah Keluarga Dec 2011 & Impiana 2012

My craft is featured in the DIY section of Majalah keluarga Dec 2011 issue. I have shown step-by-step on how to paint a vase using Enamel Paint and Lead strip. If you are interested to know more details you can get a copy available now at your local newsagent. I also just finished having a photoshoot session with Majalah Impiana. Some of my craft will be featured in this magazine for the upcoming bumper issue Jan. 2012.

Christmas gifts and decorations

You can use blown light bulbs to make as Christmas tree ornaments by painting it with Enamel Paint. You can also paint up some drinking bottles and candles using this paint to create gifts or decorations. This is one way of saving some cost of buying Christmas presents. The items painted are all recycled and the paint only cost you RM 13.90 per bottle which you can paint a lot of items with it. You can buy the paint at Creative Cottage, Amcorp Mall, PJ or order it online at www.creativecottageonline.com. You just need to use any cheap round brush (cost you only RM 2.50) to apply it on the surface. Plus the paint can be used on many smooth surfaces such as glass, plastic, tile, mirror, candle, etc...very versatile. No need to apply any protective coating after painting the item. Just leave it to dry for one day and you can wash it with no problem. Just get important colours : Yellow, Red, Green , White, Black and you are already on your way to creating something beautiful for Christmas.

If you don't know how to do it, you can also call 03-79555909 and make appointment to learn. It's RM 35 per person for one hour inclusive of material. Act now before its too late (so cliche ! ....hahaha!!).

Straw Hats from Vietnam.

These are straw hats bought from Vietnam. I was asked to paint it up for decorations in a restaurant. A very difficult task to paint on a surface that is not smooth and flat especially if you are applying a brushstroke technique.

Sample for craft classes

One thing that happen on this glorious day of 11.11.11, I received a call from a customer in Sabah telling me how she liked my new book that she received from her friend as a gift. This really make you feel the effort of producing a book worthwhile. Especially when you make someone feel happy reading it.

By the way, here are some of the samples that I have made recently for classes such as glass, mirror and mug painting. Also in the picture is samples of decoupage on wood, on glass as well as tin. If you are interested to attend the class please call and make your appointment.

For those who plan to give Christmas presents, this is the time to pick up some skills so that you can do your own Christmas gifts rather than buying.