Happy Family

I did this piece at a friend's request. It's for a book project she is working on. It took me quite a while to finish since I could only grab 5 or 10 minutes here and there before the little one started climbing on my lap and knocking things over. 

I've been wanting to try gouache for quite some time so this was the perfect excuse to get myself a set. It was surprisingly not easy to find. Hmmm.

Faces

I managed to find some time to do a spot of drawing this past week. Here are two that I did. I used my favourite pen - Pilot G-TEC-C4. You can get really fine, clear lines. Unfortunately, the ink is not water resistant. But that's ok. For the hair and other details that require filling in I used ZIG Brushables by Kuretake. 

I'm hoping that I'll be able to get more done soon. Fingers crossed :)

Stuck

I started this piece about a month ago, got quick sand, neck deep stuck and stopped painting ... anything... completely (except for Pouch #17 which doesn't count in my book).

Picking up the brush suddenly became overwhelming and scary. Maybe it's just a phase but dealing with this silly paralysis head on was the only way to move on. So, today I dabbed on some paint here and there, layered on colour upon colour and doodled on some plants. I figured I should at least work on it to the point where I kinda like it. Yes, kinda like it would be fine. 

And here I am now. Do I like it? Hmmm ... I don't know :)

Pouch #19

Pouch #19

Hand printed, hand embroidered and hand sewn

Printing!

When my super talented friend * Lynn Wong, sent me this cool link about printing with contact paper, I immediately looked up this great video I had found a couple of months ago via this blog and decided I was going to try it once and for all. Thanks, Lynn!

So, today I grabbed the ready made screen I had bought over at Popular Bookstore, cut up (more) buildings on a piece of contact paper and stuck it on. I used Pebeo Setacolor Opaque Fabric Paint and an old ATM card for a squeegee. Since I was feeling a bit ambitious, I did a two tone print.

The contact paper was tightly rolled up when I got it, so keeping it flat was a huge task in itself. But I finally managed and printed away. 

Voila! 

I'm happy. 

Unfortunately the contact paper did not adhere long enough to the screen. And some parts printed all splotchy. Plus, if I keep using Pebeo fabric paint it will break the bank eventually but...

I am happy :)

* The Super-Talented Lynn Wong is one half of the dynamic duo behind We Make These. Check out their cuter than cute handmade crafts :) 

Pouch #18

I used the stencil from the test and my Pebeo Setacolor Opaque Fabric Paint for the buildings. Not the best colour choices with the grey fabric, though. Looks a bit washed out under brighter light but I had already prepared the pouch and I really wanted to see how stenciling would work out. My arms got tired from holding the stencil in place and from dabbing on the paint. Really tired. I should probably get a proper stippling brush.

I think you can tell I started on the left - it's a lot more smudgy :)

 Can't wait to try screen printing with contact paper next.

Recipe #3 - Pizza

Here's my lazy version of a pizza using store bought puff pastry. 

Step 1

Pre-heat the oven and prepare the pastry according to instructions on the packaging.

Step 2

Slice tomatoes and arrange on pastry. Drizzle olive oil. Sprinkle salt + pepper + mixed herbs. Dot with fresh mozzarella.

Step 4 

Bake.

Step 5

Turn off the oven and add the basil, leaving your pizza in till basil wilts.

Step 6

Enjoy!

Note: I had so little pastry left that I rolled it really, really thin which is probably why it didn't turn out  

         quite so puffy. Or maybe the oven wasn't on the correct setting. Still, it was yummy :)