My brother's engagement hantaran

Before I write further, let me take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who still follows this blog. I appreciate that as time goes by there is still an increase in my followers list, which means that I owe you, my respected reader, more posts and updates.

My brother just got engaged last Saturday, and I was happy to make the hantarans for him. The colour, i shall say is the most challenging, as he wanted blue. I am not much of a blue fan anymore, especially when it comes to that turqoise and striking blue which made a hit last few years. I think its sooo yesterday (no pun intended :))

After I made some research, I suggested to my brother to have a more of an aquamarine blue. He agreed, and so here we are. I bought the artificial flowers from SSF, because personally I think that their flowers are more realistic. And the end results is a combination of aquamarine, green, white and silver. Not bad huh?

Well as usual, I hope this colour combination inspires you nonetheless. Please ignore the messy background of my makeshift "craft room". Heheh.

Chocolates

Sirih and Rings

Fruits

Kain telekung

Set of fabric for akad nikah attire

DIY : Guestbook Cards

This entry is a response to fuchsia, who asked me to elaborate more on the guestbook cards that I made for my friend last October.

To be honest, it was not so complicated, but it does require some patience. Anyway, if you do it bit by bit I am sure it’s going to be fun ;)

First things first, the materials:

Cards and papers

My friend and I was actually looking up and down for the right material to use for the cards, until we finally decided to purchase one set of pink hued 12x12 inches card stock from a craft shop in The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. I think the shop name is Papier Love. One thing I like about card stocks is that it is thicker, and the one we bought has small polka dots texture on it. It was imported, so it was costly, around RM50 per packet (there was around 16 pieces of cards inside). These card stocks can easily be found in craft stores.

So, depending on your budget, you may use these imported stock cards, or just resort to normal A4 size cards, available in most stationery shop. It's a lot cheaper and I think if you keep searching you could find good ones. Like for example, in a big stationery shop like Czip Lee (KL).

Next, for the pretty prints, we bought 2 pieces of AEIOU brand card papers (it is intended for card making), something similar to the one I want to use for my scrapbook. We chose the one with a wedding theme, and my plan was to cut the prints out in smaller pieces and stick on the cards. It’s an A3 size, so we had plenty. Besides the card papers, I also cut out motifs and prints from extra wrapping papers which I have in my collection. I think most of all know that AEIOU has a lot of nice designs, and it is Malaysian made, so you can find it easily :)

For the tools, these are helpful:

Scissors
Paper puncher (I used a flora motif, which I bought for my wedding)
Glue
Paper cutter
Long ruler
Double sided tape (thick type)

Next, the methods:

1) Since the card stock is 12x12 inches, cut it out into smaller size, namely 6x3 inches. I used a paper cutter to achieve a neat cut.

2) Meanwhile, some help will be great, to cut out the cute prints from the card papers. How many, is up to you and how many cards you have.

3) Now its time to let your creative juices flow. Glue the cute prints on the card, or punch it with your paper puncher. The card punched out can also be reused on another card. Make sure you make enough space for writing.

Tips: To create a floating effect of the cute prints, use a thick double sided tape instead of glue. I used this method for larger prints. 4) Done! :)

As for the display idea, it was inspired from the image below, from Martha Stewart Weddings.

I bought a shallow vase from Hinode Shop (RM5), fill it with some faux petals (bride’s own) and made some gerbera flower arrangements to decorate the table. I bought a mason jar from Giant (RM4.90), tie it with a ribbon and it became the penholder.

After the wedding, perhaps you can stick the cards into a sticky album, or you may punch the corners and bind it together.

So, that’s about it. Selamat mencuba :)

Starting Scrapbooking

I have been eyeing scrapbooks lately, but honestly i have not found the right time to start doing it.Plus the materials for the project is quite expensive, because most of it are imported from overseas. For hardcores, there are a few techniques to master, but personally i think its only a matter of creativity.

I have found a few websites regarding this hobby, which of course related to Malaysia. I also found a few online shops selling the materials.You can find it in my Craft Connections links on the right hand side of this blog.

A few weeks ago, i was out with my girlfriend Mira to search for her guestbook materials. It ended up not her buying, but me. We went to Czip Lee Plus in Jalan Telawi,Bangsar to look at the products from Smida Paper (a Malaysian online shop for crafts). Because i was so in love with the cute stickers and whatnots, i bought myself a set of Wedding Stickers for my own wedding scrapbook ;) It costs me RM15.90 for a set.Huhu.

After that, we went to Midvalley, again, i bought myself two pieces of cute papers from Moof (also Malaysian).Moof has not yet produced scrapbooking materials, but they are more to card making. I hope they can start producing malaysian made scrapbook materials, so that we do not have to burn holes in our pockets anymore.

After giving a thought, i think for the mo' i can improvise the materials for my wedding scrapbook. There are a lot of leftover ribbons, embellishments,etc from my wedding preparation last time, so i think i can make use of it.

I hope this project completes, eventhough it may take a while :)

If you are interested in scrapbooking too, don't forget to browse to the sites i linked ok? Seriously, it will make you jumping to start making your own!

Some updates on my guestbook project

Mira's wedding is coming up soon (in like 2 months plus) and i am now finalizing the guestbook concept for her reception.

I suggested to her of having a card-based guestbook station,instead of having the normal "book" for her guests to drop some lines. She agreed :)

So of course my all time reference is Martha Stewart (pics below are from the site), and we are most likely going for this concept:

All the cards will be compiled in the end of the day, and will definitely make a cute and valuable (not to mention space-saving) keepsake.

Can't wait to go shopping for the cardstocks. Mira bila ko free nih? Heheh.

Real Wedding : Our Bersanding Episode

Some shots from our Majlis Bersanding (Bride's Reception).Many thanks to Parkroyal Hotel crews for making our wedding dream come true :) Definitely a recommended place for events, and marvellous food too!

Date: Saturday,18 April 2009 (24 Rabiulakhir 1430H)

Venue : Grand Orchid Ballroom, Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Bridal Attire,Dais,Decorations,Accesories,Makeup,Hand Bouquet : JEZ Wedding Made Easy, Wangsa Maju

Fresh Flower Deco : Wishing Tree Florist, Kuala Lumpur

Cake : Made by my uncle's sister in-law

Table Signage and Guestbook table deco : Me :)

Flower Girl attires : Flowergirl at One Utama Boutique

Entertainment (Combo,Bagpipes and Percussions) & Videography : Jabatan Penjara Kajang

Doorgifts and Chocs : SSF, Beryls & Dini Gifts

Catering : Parkroyal Hotel KL

Photography: The Photographer Kuantan Crew

Real Wedding: Cousin Azrinoor

Here are some shots from my cousin's wedding last weekend.Not much of nice pics coz i just used my SE k810. Hubby was not around coz he had to join a bicycle expedition,if not of course i will get better pics from his beloved Pentax and Fish Eyed lens.Huhu.

Nikah Ceremony : A mosque near Kampung Melayu Ampang
Reception : Dewan Gemalasari, RISDA, Jalan Ampang
Bridal Attire and Makeup : Athi'z Collection, Setiawangsa (attires are from Man Kajang, and the owner (Kak Mimi) is one of Man Kajang's preferred makeup artist. Rate affordable,ok?)

Hantaran and Nikah hand bouquet was a last minute endeavour,but thank God we made it on time. Lesson learned, please don't make things last minute ok brides?

Nevertheless, the wedding went on smoothly and fun. I had extra fun coz i get to karaoke. Aha.

Congratulations dear cousin. Let's add more headcount to the family now :P

Oh ya, not to forget, here is my first ever hand bouquet. Also many thanks to Ino's bestfriend, Fiza. It's the effort of us both. Hehe. Ok lah kan tu? Gotta practice more :P

"Take away love, and our earth is a tomb."--Robert Browning