Jake & the Neverland Pirates - Constantine's 6th Bday Bash

This is by far my most difficult bday party ever...

Constantine wanted a Jake & The Neverland Pirates themed bday party & I can't find anything to buy on the website, not even from ebay...so I decided to DIY everything...I must admit, I was rather regret with the decision as it was a very very tedious job! Plus, it is during the CNY period...so I was rushing for CNY decorations, Constantine's theme party preparation, & crocheting (I have orders to fulfill as well). Luckily, with many non-sleep nights, everything ends well...

So, with nothing I can buy off the shelves, I have to think of something different to do...

Firstly, I search online for Jake & the Neverland Pirates (JNP) pictures...Then, I put everything together...

Now, the time consuming part...To prepare the following:

Invitation Cards
I put Neverland Island as the backdrop & put Jake's crew on the hard card...I then printed a message & tie the Invitation Card for each of Constantine's friend...

Party Packs
In the party pack, we have:
1) JNP's Notebook

2) Coloring Page

3) Gold Coins Chocolate Candy

4) JNP's Stickers
Stickers before cut out...

Stickers after cut out...

5) Snacks

6) 4 flavors of the Cupcakes

7) Thank You Note

JNP's Audio
With no where to buy the OST, I have to convert the songs from YouTube to MP3...

Final product with party bag...

Games/Activities

I planned 2 games...1 treasure hunt for Treasure Chest & 1 Puzzle solving game...
Treasure Hunt for Treasure Chest & Gold Doubloons
Treasure Map...tx to hubby...

Treasure Chest...What the kids need to find...

Treats in the treasure chest...Chocolate candy & gold doubloons...

This is the hard card of gold doubloons before they are cut...

Puzzle Time!
Actual picture before cut out into puzzle pieces...

Kids busy putting up the puzzle pieces...a black & white picture is furnished so that they can refer...

Photo corner
I wanted to print life sized character but couldn't find a printer that can do it, so I have to make do with this on A3 size...

Constantine is not happy because kids from other classes kept disturbing & touching the characters...LOL

Cake/Cuppies...I've decided to bake cupcakes instead. Was very careful & used all new utensils when preparing the cuppies to ensure it is HALAL...I prepared 4 flavors: Vanilla, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip & Chocolate flavor & put a cupcake topper of the character...
Cupcake Toppers before cut out...

Cupcake Toppers after cut out & with picks...

Putting up the cuppies...

Can you see the candles??? :)

All in all, it was a success...but mind you, all artworks have to be cut out from either A4 hard card or A3 hard card, of which takes up a lot of my sleeping time...lol

Does it worth the sacriface? Yes...to see those happy faces...it's priceless!

Chinese New Year is just around the corner...

With CNY just around the corner, I'm sure everyone is busy doing spring cleaning, shopping & more shopping.

I did my CNY shopping thru out the year...this is to avoid the last minute rush.

As for the CNY decorative items, I can't recall if I ever buy them, as I always make them myself. Reason being, well, those over the counter decorative items are either too expensive or too common. Imagine having the same lanterns as your neighbors! LOL...

Hand make lanterns are unique, uncommon & even if you buy them, it is so unlikely you will have the same unit as most of the people.

My CNY decorative items last for years...the last time I made the decorative items for my house were 4 years ago, when we 1st shifted to our own house.

Although the decorative items are still useful, I've decided to add some new items this year...since it is my year...LOL...

Below are the item I made for my house this year:
Giant Golden Gourd x 2

According to the Chinese, the gourd is popular as a charm symbol to ward off evil spirits and disease because its first character (hulu 葫芦) has the same pronunciation as the word to "protect" or "guard" (hu 护) and also the word for "blessing" (hu 祜).
In some dialects, the Chinese word for gourd (hulu 葫 芦) sounds the same as fulu (福 禄) which means "happiness and rank (as in attaining a high government office)".

Gold color is a symbol of abundance & prosper...didn't we Chinese love gold?

I plan to hang this 2 giant gourds at the verandah, to replace my fire crackers.

Everytime I make lanterns, I will make for 3 houses, mine, my mom's & my in-laws'. Hence, I will get busy for a few days just to finish off the items. For all of the items that I made this year, it took me a week to finish, with some body aches & sore legs, but I guess the end results are rather satisfying...:)

This is what I made for my mom:
1) Mandarin Oranges basket

A little small, but I like the shape. Was wondering whether I should make this for everyone when we go house visiting. I can put all the gifts inside this basket. This can be something different rather than the usual paper bags. Hm...the problem is...I'm not sure if relatives would appreciate them as much as I do. It will be very heart broken to see it end up in the rubbish bin after CNY...what do you think?
Oh, mom puts Oranges in it since we have yet to get the Mandarin Oranges. But it still looks good. Mom puts 10 L size Oranges in it...

2) Fishes (for both my mom & in-laws)

The Chinese character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for "abundance" or "surplus" (yu 余). The fish symbol is, therefore, frequently associated with other symbols and Chinese characters to symbolize the wish for "more" in the sense of "more" good luck, good fortune, long life and children.
Usually, Chinese will put 2 fishes, as it means double of everything....we Chinese can sometimes be very 'greedy' huh...lol

3) Revolving Lanterns x 2

I never thought this can turn out so great! I was contemplating whether to make this as I felt it is too simple; but I was wrong. It is not simple at all. I finally decided to make these because my mom's house ceiling is rather low & I can't make such a big lanterns. So, this is the perfect size.

I think the choice of Ang Pow packets also make a lot of difference too. I purposely choose this ang pow packets because the flowers are almost the same as the picture on the packet...can you see?

This is what I made for my in-laws' house:
1) Big revolving lanterns x 2

This is another favorite of mine. Sometimes, you just have to make it to appreciate it! By looking at the picture, it wasn't so appealing, but when it is done...I'm abit surprise as it turned out this pretty. But this is abit big, so you need higher ceiling in order to hang it, otherwise, it won't look nice. Good thing my in-laws' house has high ceiling.

Planning to do somemore if I have time. But these are the main items that I made so far...

Valentine's Day Preps

Are you ready for V-day?

Ran out of ideas what to buy?

Considering something unique?

Here's what you might like...

According to the internet, these flowers are in the top 10 of the most romantic V-Day flowers.

#1 Roses (Meaning: I Love You)
Roses have always been associated with love. But it is also based on its colors:
- Red: Love, Desire, Respect, Courage, Job well done.
- White: Charm, Secrecy, Silence, You're Heavenly, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness and Innocence.
- Yellow: Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Jealousy, Welcome Back, Remember me.
- Pink: Love, Grace, Gentility, You're so Lovely, Perfect Happiness, Please believe me.
- Orange: Enthusiasm, Desire.
- Lavender: conveys enchantment; "love at first sight".
- Blue: "I can't have you but I can't stop thinking about you"; mystery; "You are extraordinarily wonderful".

In this case, I made 6 full bloom Blue Roses as Blue is my Favorite color...I add a lil' light Blue Forget-Me-Not ( Not sure if you can see it, but it means faithful love)

#2 Daisy (Meaning: Innocence, Love, Purity, Loyal)
Daisy is by far my most challenging artwork. It took me awhile to figure out how to do it...I added some green fillers to 5 full bloom daisies (Haven't figure out what is its name yet)...

#3 Tulip (Meaning: Perfect Love)
Tulips are symbolic of fame and perfect love.
- Red: "believe me" and are a declaration of true love.
- Variegated: "you have beautiful eyes".
- Yellow: "there's sunshine in your smile" and cheerful thoughts.
- Cream: "I will love you forever".
- White: heaven, newness and purity.
- Purple: royalty.
- Pink: affection and caring.
- Orange: energy, enthusiasm, desire, and passion.

This bouquet comes with 3 full bloom tulips, 3 tulip buds, & 2 hearts...

#4 Lily (meaning: Beauty)
- White: "My First Dream Of Love".
- Orange: symbolizes passion, wealth & pride.
- Yellow: symbolizes gaiety.
- Red: Love.
- Pink: Youth and Acceptance.
- Purple: Majestic, royalty.
- Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and purity of heart.

I made both Calla Lilies & Stargazer Lilies...
This is 6 full bloom Calla Lilies with some shining Plastic beads...

This is 5 full bloom Stargazer Lilies with 2 lily buds...

#8 Wild Flower (Meaning: Adoration)

This is 12 full bloom flowers with some shining beads...You can consider changing it to Swarovski Crystals if you want, with extra charge...

#9 Daffodil (Meaning: Most Cherished Love)
- regard and chivalry; indicative of rebirth, new beginnings and eternal life; symbolizes unrequited love. It comes in White, Green, Yellow, Pink, Orange & Red.

This is 6 full bloom Daffodils with some green fillers...

Bouquets may be custom-made according to your choice. It can be any colors & quantities; whether you prefer to be in a vase or hand bouquet...

Even if you prefer other flowers, just let us know what flowers you prefer & its color. We will do it especially for you!

Each bouquet comes with a personalized message.

Prices as follow (And it is according to your preferred meaning):
1 Stalk = ove at first sight or devotion - RM 15 per stalk
2 Stalks bouquet = exclusiveness of a bond between two lovebirds - RM 30 per bouquet
3 Stalks bouquet = stands for "I Love You", but in powerful way - RM 45 per bouquet
5 Stalks Bouquet = someone loves you more than you can imagine - RM 70 per bouquet
6 Stalks/Half a dozen Bouquet = someone loves you and misses you - RM 80 per bouquet
7 Stalks Bouquet = show a high degree of infatuation - RM 90 per bouquet
9 Stalks Bouquet = reassurance and they show that you will live with someone as long as you are alive - RM 100 per bouquet
12 Stalks/One dozen Bouquet = you are my one and only love - RM 120 per bouquet
13 Stalks Bouquet = I'm your secret admirer - RM 130 per bouquet
15 Stalks Bouquet = Please forgive me, I am so sorry - RM 150 per bouquet
24 Stalks/Two dozens Bouquet = miss you 24 hours everyday. Can't stop thinking of you - RM 220 per bouquet

We offer delivery services within Klang Valley as well. Per trip is RM20 - RM50 depending on location. As for areas other than Klang Valley, we will courier it to your preferred address, at your own shipping cost.

Crocheted Items for Wedding

Early in the year, my cousin got married. I made some corsages, wristbands, bridesmaid's hand bouquet & a center-piece for her wedding. My 1st experience with it...took me awhile to put everything together as I wasn't sure how to go about it...

But, I'm glad it turned out great...:)

Work in Progress...From this...

To this...

To this corsage...

& this wristbands...

Center-piece for the main table...

Too bad I didn't manage to capture the photo of bridesmaid's hand bouquet, too rush as I have to deliver the hand bouquet right after I finished the last piece...maybe one of these days I will make one, just for the sake of taking some photos...lol