Handmade Book

Salaam all,

Alhamdulillah, finally my second and last project for the holidays is done.

I have longed to make a book on my own especially for sketching, and after going through so many videos and blogs, I made it. It took me three days.

So, here are the pictures, during the process of making the book.

Also, as usual, the videos I learnt from. Try it out yourself.

This video, shows on how to cut the signatures. I f you want to know what signature is, watch the above.

Above, the video shows the details of sewing the book.

Enjoy watching and enjoy trying.  

Long Lost Card

Salam all,

Yes, above is a card I made long, long, long time ago. Recently, as I was reorganizing my room, this card came out of the stacks of art books I kept above the cupboard. It has been embellished with lots of sequines  and the white flowery shape paper is actually doily. The three colourful sticker in the middle is the sticker 'pottu'. Young Hindu ladies wear them instead of the traditional black 'pottu'.

I still need to add things to this card and layer the inner part with white paper. E-mail me if you are interested in purchasing this card.

Handmade Bag

Salam all,

During the break, I decided to make a tote bag. While working, I checked out some informative youtube videos which I can learn and take inspiration from. So, above is the result of a two days work. Yes, I need a lot of improvisation. While working I realized that I need to organize and watch the video at least 3 times so that I don't go back and forth, between sewing and learning.

The bag has only one handle and made of saree cloth which I had extra after sewing my baju kurung. InsyAllah, I am planning to make another one after this first experience. Attached is the video where I learnt the technique or shall I say the 'how to'.

Try it out yourself!

Inspiring video

http://vimeo.com/31746096

Salam all,

Here is a very inspiring video. I hope everyone will make their life more meaningful. Yes, there will be a time where things in life doesn't go as accordingly, but move on. Make a difference in life.

Chocolate Nestum Gana'che

Salaam all,

This recipe was modified from Coco&Me's, Basic Gana'che Truffles. Here's the link http://www.cocoandme.com/index.php?s=Basic+Ganache+Truffles

I added instant cereal before putting the mixture of cream, butter, honey and chocolate into the fridge. It tasted real creamy and chocolatey...rich chocolatey taste. YUMMMMMMMYYYYYY........

Mine turned out the chocolate being very soft. That means I added more cream than the chocolate. So I have to scooped it in the paper cups and pour white chocolate to solidify it.

Gana'che is a mixture of chocolate and cream. So, if the cream is more than the chocolate, then the chocolate will be loose or soft and is actually suitable for filling according to http://candy.about.com/od/candyglossary/g/def_ganache.htm

So, here's some info of the chocolate I made for our family reunion tomorrow. If you have the time, go to Coco& Me and try out the owner's recipe. She is so generous to provide us with so many tips, ideas and recipes. God bless her.

Why I make handmade greeting cards?

Salaam all,

When I was young, I used to collect and keep greeting cards sent to me. I still have birthdays cards friends sent  and when I read them back, I reminisce the good old days.

Greeting cards are sent to remind one of another. though we have sms and online greeting cards, the feeling of getting a posted greeting card is totally different. Once you opened the card and know that this person had send it to you, you'll feel special and appreciated. You know that the person take the extra effort to look for a card that reflects you and take time to post it to you. These days, time is very precious, so imagine if the person is willing to take the time to do it all for you.

That is the sole reason why I took up the idea of making handmade greeting cards. I know that some people would love to get handmade cards rather than the machine printed. I take time to design and cut each card with care. It started off when I was still in college. I gave my cards to my cousin sister to sell them at a shop near her office. I was happy when she gave me the sales money (thanks kak Aida). After a while, I stopped making them.

After I joined the current place, I started again. I made the cards to cheer up colleagues and to bring them together. I used to prepare a birthday card for colleagues and go to each of them for a signature.

Now, after three years, I am still making them and I am also very happy when people start purchasing them. Thank you very much to all who have been supportive. Moreover, thank you for commenting on my cards and that just makes me want to create more and more.

Importantly, I just hope the cards will bring each of us closer together.

Why Bookmarks?

Salaam all,

These days bookmarks are more associated with marking the interested sites we find while browsing. When I were to search for the history of bookmarks, the results came out relating to the internet bookmarking. On the net, bookmarks are sites where you mark and want to get back to it later. According to http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/bookmark, it is also known as 'hotlist'.

The bookmark above has been given as a gift to a close friend.

I believe, the modern bookmark borrowed its meaning from the traditional, where we mark pages on book that we are planning to get back later. So, above is another addition to the series of the bookmarks I made out of card. It measures 22x7 cm. Email me if you are interested to buy it.

Yet another bookmark.

Salam all,

I have done a simple bookmark out of some extra card stock I had from making cards. So, here I cut the wrapping paper which is placed on top of the yellow card with fancy scissors. You can see that the sides are wavy. On top of that wrapping paper, gold sequines are pasted to add contrast. Also, a hole is made with a perforater and tied with blue lace ribbon.

The bookmark above has been given as a gift to a close friend.

Hand made stamp with erasers

Salam all,

Today, again was browsing the net and found this blog, a very interesting blog that teaches to make a rubber stamp using a simple eraser. The process of making is shown through the pictures, step by step. Beneath is the link.

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/search/label/handcarvedstampstutorial

Unique bookmark

Salam all,

I have been taking wire jewellry class and above is the result of one. It is a pendant and if the ring on top is attached to a string, it can be easily worn as a chain. However, I decided to use it as a bookmark with simply tying a green printed ribbon on top. It looks very exclusive and since I am a book worm, I'll really cherish this. 

If anyone is interested in prchasing one, just email me. 

Hurry, before it's finished.

Oreo Cream Cheese Truffles

Salaam all,

Here I made Oreo Cream Cheese truffles. It is coated with milk chocolate and I sprinkled it with roasted walnuts. I also tried sprinkling it with almond and it tasted good. You can add any anything on top, it's up to your creativity. 

Beneath is the video where I got the idea. The video uses chocolate chips but I used the Beryll's milk chocolate bar. Happy trying.