Rubber Stamp Carving Workshop

Opps, another overdue post, should have posted this entry last week :p

Last Sunday I attended a Rubber Stamp Carving Workshop conducted by LoveSprouts at BFF Zakka Store. When I saw the advert for the workshop on FB, I thought it's super cute and quite fun and since it's just a 2hr workshop, why not give it a try?

The workshop was $88 and inclusive of a rubber carving block, tracing paper, pen knife, carving knife, artist eraser, ink pad and free patterns.

The rubber carving blocks and ink pads are imported from Japan and comes with many pretty looking colours :)

We were taught how to trace the patterns and transfer onto the rubber blocks as well as basic techniques of rubber carving.

Here's my work, quite ugly-looking (I chopped off one eye of the chickadee by accident!). It seems simple but actually requires much focus, meticulous and nimble fingers. I certainly need lots of practice!!

 Here are some stamps created by the instructor, Jo who has been doing this for 5-6 years already.

Each participant was given a free tote bag as well and we were free to use all of Jo's stamps to customize our very own designs on the tote bag =D

An afternoon well-spent where I learned another new craft skill :)

Crochet Projects I

Since I attended a crochet workshop conducted by Sewinlove last month, I've been busy churning out lots of grannie squares, doilies as well as two kiss-lock purses!

Both the grannie square and doily patterns (symbol and text instructions) were included in workshop, and after working on a few, I got more confident. In fact, it's quite fun and addictive and I could multi-task while crocheting like watch you-tube videos or TV.

The blue-border one was done during the workshop, and subsequently I did another two during the same yarn and 6mm hook. Noticed the size got smaller? I think coz as I got more familiar with crocheting, the stitches became tighter.

These grannie squares were completed using cotton yarn and size 5mm hook.

All the above doilies were done using cotton yarn and size of hooks ranging from 4mm to 6mm.

These doilies and grannie squares were also completed using cotton yarn and hook size 5mm.

This was a different doily pattern, which I learnt from a youtube video. Cotton yarn with size 5mm hook.

These two grannie squares were also pattern that I found on youtube. Cotton yarn with size 4 or 4.5mm hook.

While I was making these two projects using the youtube videos as guides, I was very glad that I had attended the workshop because it provided basic knowledge and good foundation. Otherwise I don't think I would be able to understand the youtube videos.

Kiss-lock purse sold as DIY kit. Sooooo sweet!

Had some problems understanding both the symbol and text instructions initially but after some time managed to decipher and figure the crochet stitches. Before starting on this project, I had preferred symbol patterns but particularly for this project, I preferred the text instructions.

Had wanted to complete both purses for my mum and mil before CNY but due to some family matters, only managed to complete this second one recently. I must say this second one was much better done in terms of both crochet stitches and sewing and completed within a much shorter time frame overall.

Most of the grannie squares and doilies were taken by gifted to my mum and mil, including the the two kiss-lock purses :p So now I gotta start making more again! Also looking forward to attending more workshops such as amigurumi or lace accessories. Hopefully could share more on crocheting soon :)

Crochet Workshop conducted by Sewinlove at BFF Zakka Store

Yesterday afternoon, I attended a 3hr crochet workshop conducted by Sewinlove, at BFF Zakka Store.

Now, I must confess that I have very clumsy hands and fingers (cue: I have a number of burnt marks on my hands to prove the point since I cook and bake so much) and I'm absolutely hopeless in sewing. So why on earth did I decide to attend a crochet class that I reckon needs nimble fingers? Haha. Well, coz I was very attracted by the grannie square, doily and fashion accessories done using crochet by Diana, founder of Sewinlove Workshops and Yarnshop. I have a few pieces of doily which I bought in Tokyo and the thought of me, able to crochet my own doily instead of buying sounds good.

And so why did I buy doily in the first place? Hahaha, coz I'm a zakka fan and I hoard such stuff! Actually I hoard a lot of place mats, napkins, coasters and such because I use them when I take food photos. Talking about zakka brings me to another point, yes I've been wanting to visit BFF Zakka Store since it opened last year. Being a zakka fan, how can I not check it out? Just that I stay in the far west of Singapore and Joo Chiat is kind of far :p (ok, excuses). I missed the past crochet beginner workshops last year, either busy or travelling so when notice for this class was posted, I registered immediately! This is killing two birds with one stone! Ok, I digress.

BFF Zakka Store is located in Joo Chiat, on second level of a row of shop house very near 112 Katong. Not difficult to find since there's a hand-drawn motif on the wall at the entrance on ground floor.

Colourful flight of stairs leading up to the shop.

Photography display outside the door.

Welcome to BFF. The interior is long and narrow, quite spacious as compared to zakka shops in Japan.

There's an entire section dedicated to plants. Although I don't have green fingers, I was also tempted by these soothing terrarium.

Display of different knick knacks. In the far end was the cozy area for our crochet workshop.

My favourite section of the store. I always love the soft feel of natural light coming through the window draped with day curtain and accompanied by lovely display of plants and ornaments.

Small section selling serve ware. Felt so tempted to buy one of the tea pot set and glass cups as well.

A full cupboard of assorted stationery and stuff.

Assortment of handmade jewellery. Used to buy so many when I went Japan.

Crochet accessories like necklace, bracelet, ring, made by Diana of Sewinlove.

I like the clock, and the banner.

Eco-friendly cloth bags.

Cozy corner for shoppers to relax.

Kawaii crochet and handsewn soft toys!

Crochet cake. I like this so much!

 

Almost wanted to buy the mugs and spoons, but seriously I have too many at home, so KIV first.

I thought the overall feel of the shop is quite similar to some of the zakka shops in Tokyo, especially those at Jiyougaoka, Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa. It's heartening to see more people appreciating and adopting zakka culture in Singapore, hope to see more new products coming in!

Now, about the workshop. There were seven participants including myself. Each of us received 3 balls of yarn, a crochet hook, a tapestry needle, a stitch marker and a printed set of notes with pattern instructions.

I really like the colours and size of these grannie squares. These are 2 sizes smaller (using 4mm hook) than what we were taught in class. For beginners, it would be easier to start with 6mm hook and heavier/thicker yarn .

Honestly I was quite overwhelmed during class because the stitches and all sounded confusing and I kept forgetting the steps! Like Diana said, learning curve is steep but once I got the hang of it, it all started to make sense. I was so pleased with myself for completing a grannie square (almost, left with final stitches) at the end of the workshop.

Worried that I might forget the steps, I practised another grannie square when I reached home (close to 11pm coz went shopping and dinner). There were some steps which I forgot, luckily there are youtube videos for reference. It was past midnight when I completed the square, but I had strong urge to try the doily! So, I pressed on and completed the doily based on free pattern provided. By the time I finished it was close to 3am! Exhausted but really happy!! Next morning when I showed my work to hubby, he said they were well done especially the doily, I could make more for CNY.

All in all, it was a very fruitful workshop and I'm glad to attend it and learn something new :) I'm already thinking of purchasing more yarn and hooks to make more squares and doilies.

And oh, what did I buy at BFF Zakka Store? Love at first sight when I saw the plant. Although I'm a notorious plant killer, hope that this lovely potted plant will survive ok? And this set of coasters and place mat was on sale, and so I couldn't resist again :p

Paired the new potted plant with my crochet doilies, which looks the best? Each has a different feel. I think I need to make more with different colours like green and brown soon! Need to get my hands on more yarn. Oh dear, I still have a long to-do list before CNY, and with this new hobby coming on board, oopsss....

Petite cupcakes and mini contact cards

Was busy preparing and baking for a cupcake order immediately after I returned from my Koh Samui holiday.

For this order, I highly recommended the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and the Oreo Cream Cheese Cupcakes, both petite sizes. I thought these 2 flavours complement each other really well, each has its distinct flavour yet not too overwhelming for pairing. There are 2 other flavours that I'd like to recommend as well - Carrot, Walnut & Orange Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream Frosting. But these 2 flavours have strong taste and I think may be better-off on their own.


I'm totally into petite size cupcakes these days. This way, it seems less sinful =p Haha, how deceptive, I forgot about second helpings. Ok, nicely put, more flavours can be savoured :D

My usual white box packaging with colour labels.

One gripe though, I can't seem to find affordable broad-base paper bags around. Really hate to settle for those fugly looking plastic bags. Probably have to consider handmade paper bags one of these days.
During the process of preparing ingredients and baking the cupcakes, I suddenly have this idea of making my own mini contact cards as giveaways. The cards could serve as a thank you card and would be useful as a bookmark or decor piece (in office cubicles) and with contact info should anyone be keen to place orders. Had thought of printing namecards before... but semi handmade cards would probably add more personal touch.

Moreover, I have ready materials - scrap paper stock, brads, eyelets etc from my card making hobby. I'm all set to go!

So here they are. Mini contact cards with prints of some of my favourite cakes :) Very easy and fuss free to make.

Hope these cards can cheer people up as well. Although the photos are not professionally taken nor printed, I believe the personal touch and thought that goes into each and every piece counts.

Whatever it is, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing now. This is what matters, right?

Realised I have a number of handmade cards yet to showcase. Got to find time to blog about them soon.

Till then, looking forward to the weekend (I'm attending 2 cooking/baking workshops). So exciting!