Fabric Painting Class

Erin + Ribbons = Everything Nice!

Erin took a handmade pledge! - This lil' thingie on her blog caught my attention.

Check out Erin Rizz at http://erinrizz.blogspot.com

When i first came across Erin's blog, i was like WOW! So psyched to check out all her trinkets. Her products have very sweet colours and funky designs. You could try adding some of her ribbons to your craftwork, very chic!

Erin’s love for DIY, craft and sewing paid off with her incredible blog selling assorted craft materials. She loves fabrics, ribbons, buttons, wrapping paper… I completely understand how she feels. I too get that “I want I want I want” thought when I come across irresistible craft materials. I can quickly imagine how I can put it to good use for it.

Check this out, I came across a cool embroidery book on her blog! And on the right, that’s her latest DIY project. I think the shirt looks good.

Simplicity makes complex~

Craft lovers can check out her other appealing products on the right side of her page labeled under, My Gallery. Her products ranges from craft materials, handmade pillows, handmade handbags, DIY projects and more.

Looking at her stuff certainly has inspired me, i now have couple of new craft projects in mind.

Lastly, i didn't notice this until today. Thank you Erin for giving me a special spot in your blog! Just for me. And thanks for the promo. As a thank you, i'm doing this review as a surprise! Cheers Erin!

November Feature: Get to know Crafty Heart

Crafty Heart- Scrapbooking and Cardmaking trinkets!

Inspired and motivated by a good friend i just met, Sha-Lene from Your Shopping Kaki (Thanks comrade!), I was geared up to start writing features or reviews of the arts and craft scene. The Artsy Craftsy is very new, to be honest, this is my first but i am very excited about it. The purpose is to give new twist to my blog, rather than posting up pictures of my work. I've seen interesting things places that i travel to or things i surf on the web. And i thought, why don't i start writing on things that i find interesting.

So, couple of days ago, i came across Crafty Heart. I was so amazed and caught up in all the interesting knicks knacks that Debbie sells. Since, the scrapbooking and cardmaking is popular nowadays, i think this is something good for those hobbyist out there. Her prices are superb and her stuff is just amazingly cute! For those who have not heard about Crafty Heart but want to know more? Here's your chance.

[Studio G Clear Stamps]

Best-selling products!

RM8.50 per pack

[Mulberry Paper flowers] Imported from Thailand, available in many sizes and is acid-free.
Great for scrapbooking and cardmaking


A cuppa' with Debbie of Crafty Heart

1. Tell us about yourself before it all started?
Well, I'm one of those who fell of the IT bandwagon. I graduated right when there were already too many unemployed graduates in Malaysia. Unable to find a job, I somehow managed to figure out a business plan and started my online craft supplies store, Crafty Heart Online Store.




2. Tell us about Crafty Heart?
Crafty Heart is basically my online store, not to be confused with my craft blog, which is also named Crafty Heart (formerly known as Craft N Swap). I sell affordable craft supplies, particularly card-making and scrapbooking supplies.


3. When did it started and why? Any significant experiences you’d like to share?
I officially launched Crafty Heart Online Store on 1st October 2008. I wanted to provide affordable craft supplies to Malaysian crafters, especially those who do not have direct access to craft stores. Since there are not many craft stores in Malaysia, I thought that Crafty Heart Online Store would be one of the alternatives for crafters. I've always wanted to save on my card-making supplies too, so by starting the store, I'm able to shop and also share cheaper resources with other crafters who are looking for great bargains and savings.


4. How did the name, Crafty Heart come about? What does it mean?
I have always been creative for as long as I can remember. I also believe in creating arts and crafts from the heart, hence the name Crafty Heart. I'm not sure if it's a copyrighted trademark. I hope not! :)


5. What is the motivation behind starting this online store/blog/hobby?
The motivation behind Crafty Heart Online Store? Besides the fact that I wanted to be my own boss, I just wanted to earn some money while doing something that is close to my heart. I want more people to be creative. I want everyone to be able to craft without spending much.


6. How would you describe your style of art or craft?
I must say I'm trying to dabble as much as I can into a variety crafts. I love making handmade cards, and occasionally, I make altered journals, altered jars, and altered matchboxes too. I try to do some Zentangles aka doodling whenever I can. My card-making style would be simple and classic, but when I alter things, I love to reuse and recycle. On the other hand, my doodling involves a lot of flourishes, swirls and sometimes tribal patterns.


7. What kind of items do you offer and where are you based?
I'm managing my business from my rented room in Kuala Lumpur. At the moment, I offer various card-making/scrapbooking supplies, such as imported mulberry flowers from Thailand, paper pads, clear stamps, ribbons, brads, and various stickers. Most of my items are acid and lignin free, which is important in scrapbooking. My prices start from as low as RM0.80 for a pack of large mulberry flowers.


8. Do you find that your products are eco friendly?
As far as I'm concerned, not many card-making/scrapbooking supplies are eco friendly.


9. Any specialization that your consumers should know about Crafty Heart?
Crafty Heart Online Store specializes in supplying card-making and scrapbooking supplies, but I've also recently added some products that can also be used to make baby/toddler hair clips, such as padded hearts and dotted satin ribbons.


10. As the first crafter that T.A.C interviews, any sharing or advice for inspiring crafters out there?
Am I really the first? I'm really honoured! I'm a firm believer that everyone has a creative bone in their body. You just have to find a way to trigger that creativity in you. I hope that everyone who reads this will be inspired and motivated to start crafting. :)



And indeed everyone will, Debbie. Even me. lol! Hobbyist of all ages, get out there and start surfing on Crafty Heart. Her prices, like mentioned are cheap, her knick-knacks are good quality for scrapbooking and cardmaking. In my opinion, i think fashionistas can purchase some stuff from her too and add on as embellishments. For more information, contact Debbie at:


Email address: crafty.heart@gmail.com
Craft blog: http://www.crafty-heart.com/
Craft store: http://shop.crafty-heart.com/


Testimonial:

"I received my crafting items today from Debbie. :D Excited as well as thankful cause Debbie (owner of Crafty Heart) is really a nice lady. Got my stuff 1 day after I done my payment. I purchased lots of brads, some silk flowers and a Doodlebug Design ribbon. I like them all!! Debbie was so generous that she include a free gift! As well as a handwritten note too..how sweet! :D Thanks Debbie!!"
- Cindy from Subang, Selangor

P/S: T.A.C wishes Crafty Heart a Happy Belated Birthday!

Lampshade- Fabric Painting

I am currently working on a lampshade. Using Pebeo paints- Seta Opaque, transparent and Seta Soleil. For the applique', i am outlining with Gutta Gold on a piece leftover Shantung silk, color filling with Seta Silk paints.

Although, in my last photo, as you can see i made a mistake. I underestimated the paint, thinking it would be okay to paint wet on wet. I was trying to create a stroke with a round brush, the more i paint, the more it spreaded. Not a very pretty sight, sigh...

Trial and error, i am going to make sure it will turn out nice. Read to check out the finishing piece soon! Cheers!

Ye Olde' Mask

This is a picture of a friend of mine posing with my mask- an old design of mine used in PLU ICON fashion show 2006. Apparently, the photo went missing so we decided to take a photo of her posing with it again for old time's sake. lol!



Mask making made to order is available*

Incomplete Arts

I am hoping to finish this as soon as possible. Can you believe it? Its just the eyes that i need to finish, yet i can't seem to get myself to control the brush steadily and paint the eyes. This is my adaptation of Venus by Andy Warhol. I was suppose to do this as masterpiece for my fabric painting Master teacher- Adel from Craft Haven. And in the end, i didn't finish it. AND to make things worst, because of my overdoing-it habit, i added frame and swirls with texture paste and create crackle effect with crackle medium. Oh ya, and gilding wax too.

This mask is... well.. it is finished, i just haven't spray the varnish to seal the paint. Its made my Gedeo face/mask strips.

This was painted 3 years ago, suppose to be a gift for Justin's mother. I couldn't bring myself to finish it at that time. Was not motivated enough, so i left it. 3 years later, i'm inspired once again.

More incomplete projects added to my current projects.

The girl in the hood 1947

I tried another round of random sketch of my window, it was 7pm in the evening. I tried adding colours to it too.
















19 October 2009
The girl in the hood 1947

The other drawing of mine was bit more different. There are times i tend to have visions, i don't know what do people usually call them but i call them visions.
Sometimes i have strange dreams, sometimes when i am in between the awake-sleep state, there are strange images that would appear in my head. The would usually come and go very quickly, sometimes leaving me with strange feelings too.
I could be wrong about them, or being silly. But i think it's interesting to record them through drawings.
Describing what i saw, as these i would say that it is truly directly from my heart and soul.

Description of the drawing:

Top right:
- I was half awake and half asleep. In between dreaming and reality.I saw this vision all of a sudden.

There was more to it i saw but i can't seem to draw it. Everything was black and white.
I saw a man, almost old, lying down as if dead. Then, he got up and and his mouth started moving. He was talking, as if saying alot. He was very tense and as if in a rush. He got up a little bit, then started pointing around. As if trying to say something. Then, that's when i saw a girl in a hood. I can't see her eyes, and she was standing over him. And in her hands, she showed the numbers, the year 1947.
After that, the guy continued to point around, then immediately lied down. And the images stopped.

strangely interesting...