Hehe...we were in the news

For a moment there... I felt glamorous. Don't know whether Aniza and Zaitun felt the same way... but I know I felt ... like wow!! I'm going to be in the papers hehehe. Then another thought struck me almost immediately... I hate to be photographed!!! I'm never photogenic.. and ALL angles are bad angles hahaha!!! ... and this was what I got...when my darling Syakirah commented... "Ma... you look so scary!!!" hahaha.... that deflated my bloated balloon...deflated? did I say deflated???...Nay... it was more like... my inflated swollen head burst to kingdom come!!!... muahahaha. Yup!yup!yup!.... Syukrina and Syuhaidah just had to agree *sigh*... how honest and truthful can my girls be!!!

Anyway... we finally went public. The pics and article were for Utusan's Mega section published last Wednesday, July 9... Sentuhan Pelukis Dekoratif. If you had not viewed the article... please go to Aniza's website... she's got the whole article there for you to read ;)

Whilst I'm here... I have an announcement to make... next weekend... July 19... we'll have another workshop... this time with Kementerian Pelancongan and Laman at Saloma Bistro, Jln Ampang.... so hint hint... I have more to show off later laa... so until my next post.... here's Nora wishing you... a very good day... muah muah muah

Vicki...you're great..

Hey!hey!hey!...I've soooo many things to tell u.... buutttt...I feel so blur now...getting the writer's block so they say...yup!yup!yup!...so where do I begin....

OK...let's just start where I last left my blog... hmmm...Vicki! Wellll.... she came, she saw and she conquered!!! She's GOOOD...had so much fun and gained new tricks of the trade from her workshop. There were 11 of us in attendance...10 roses and a thorny Zahir (hehe sorry Zahir...just couldn't resist that!) . It was a good noisy boisterous group hahaha.

Anyway...there's this medium called the Magic Mix. I'd had it with me since it was first introduced some 2 or 3 years ago but had no idea what-so-ever on how to use it...(you see, I have this sickness...I MUST have anything and everything that's supposed to be beneficial for my art hahaha). Thankfully...I finally learned the benefits of Magic Mix from Vicki... and now am happily using it in almost every project I'd done since the workshop hehe...I'd recommend you to give it a try too...(errrr if you're an artist too la ...duhhh hehe). Don't know how to use it? Have no fear la...Nora is here hahaha...

And so...what do I have to show off? ...another UFO la...what else???... muahahaha. When will I finish it???...ohhh...1 fine day...God Willing...1 fine day ;)... and then I'll show it off again...yup!yup!yup! I'm very good at showing off....muahahahaha... I'm sure it's THAT obvious hahaha...

Class of '75... 50th b'day bash

July 5 2008... a date I'll always remember. That's the day we Assuntarians, Class of '75 ... turned 50 together. After 33 long years, we finally reunited .... and believe you me ... these half centurians are actually still really gorgeous looking chicks!!!! ... yours truly included laa hehe... yup!yup!yup! And ... to top it all ... our beloved Sr Enda was there with us.

We literally walked down memory lane ... such nostalgic memories. I walked in rather apprehensive at first. I came alone ... didn't know whether I'd be remembered ... don't know what to expect .... but oh boy! the moment I entered, I saw Yasmin, Anis, Amy, etc etc etc .... so many familiar faces .... some whose names I can't recall thanks to my failing memory!!! (shucks...blush!...embarassing!!) ... but ... hehe thank god for the name tags tho'.... yup!yup!yup! It was a night beyond description ... a night to remember forever ... for as long we can remember .... when we ended the night with a NOISY photo session and sang our school song with such gusto and pride ... more memories came flooding in ...esp when Sr Enda had to blow the whistle to quieten us down long enough for the photographer to shoot us hehe ... the goose bumps and a tingling sensation was what I felt ... once an assuntarian ... always an assuntarian .... we are a big and happy family... I love you guys ... lets have more nights like this ya...

Vicki's workshops

Below are details of the workshop as provided by Craft Haven, One-Utama... have a look-see, give it no 2nd thoughts...come join us la. Need more info... call Craft Haven at 03-77273541 ok?

Workshop 1 : Textured Rose on Canvas
Date : 28th June 2008

Time : 10am-5pm
Venue : Dataran Prima, PJ

Cost : RM450

This design has a textured background incorporating texture paste used through a stencil. The background is then scumbled with tone on tone colours. A final wash of gold over the canvas before we settle into painting this achievable design. The rose is painted step by step, using colour layering with a wet-on-wet blending method. In this lesson we will cover designing, colour theory and painting skills.

There will be 2 patterns to choose from. Students may bring their own favourite stencil if they would like to, however Craft Haven will have enough for the students to use in class. Students will be supplied with an informative workshop pattern booklet of the design.

Workshop 2 : Rose Tray (Choice of metal or wooden tray)

Date : 29th and 30th June 2008

Time : 10.30am-5.30pm

Venue: Da Vincci, Ikano

Cost : RM750

This tray is painted in romantic toned colours. Students will have a chance to create their own colour scheme while painting these lovely roses. There will be a choice of 2 patterns, however we will also go over the principles of design, giving students a chance to design their own pattern. In this lesson, students, will discover how to mix colour values and how their background colours will relate to the foreground colours to create a look of harmony. The roses are painted in a refined blending method with over layers of glazes. Students will be supplied with an informative workshop pattern booklet of the design.

Vicki is coming to town...

Who's she? She's the Senior Support Artist for Jo Sonja products. Vicki is an Australian teacher who is also the Decorative Art Ambassador for the development of Teaching and Techniques in decorative painting. She has over 24 years of experience....ooohhh a very experienced lady:)

Besides regular teaching in Australia, Vicki teaches internationally where her enthusiasm has reached and inspired many who wish to acquire and further their own skills (...people like you and I la...) Vicki’s expertise is somewhat unique. Apart from a complete knowledge and control of the craft and all its applications; she has a well-constructed and applied philosophy of teaching her subject. She has extended the education programme to include support for professionals and offers courses in practical training and colour and design. Her lessons take you on a creative journey, encouraging all students to reach their potential and achieve excellent results. Vicki has been rewarded in seeing many of her students open businesses and become leading teachers and artists in their field.

When not travelling, Vicki loves painting the many aspects of her artistic repertoire. Her art work is featured on calendars and in magazines both nationally and internationally and offers a range of versatile pattern packs.... and now she's coming to town, offering 2 workshops with Craft Haven this end of June. Soooo...don't miss this opportunity...come join us la...

Haih...what a week...

This has been a very busy week. Apart from painting trying to complete the orders...I'd been in the hospital for a couple of days....nay...not me...but my manja one. When my kids are hospitalised...so am I. I'd be there for them from beginning to the end....no matter how old they are. How is she now?...she's good, thank you. Why was she in?...gosh... we don't know... honestly...she got better before the docs could put in another needle into her for more tests hahaha.. anyway that's my Syakirah :)

Anyway... I need to tell you this. Vicki Nicholson is coming to town. She'll be here end of June to run 2 workshops organised by Craft Haven. Anybody with the love of decorative painting would not want to miss this. It's an opportunity not to be missed!!!! Will tell you more about Vicki and her workshops later ya... need to prepare for my classes now ;) Pls do drop by again soon k...

More on Furniture

Been very busy lately. Apart from painting on small decorative items for the home, I'd also been painting on huge furniture... cupboards, sideboards, hutch cabinets. Thank you Zaitun for recommending me to Jun.... and thank you Jun for accepting my style of painting :) Fyi... Jun supplies the furniture... Zaitun and I and a few others paints 'em for her...

It's an entirely different kind of satisfaction here once the project is done.... to know that one's painting adorns another's home is really satisfying. However... eventhough I'd always yearn to paint on my own furniture...(1 of the reasons why I learned this form of art anyway.... hahahaha yup!yup!yup!) I never really got down to do it for myself... and now my decorated furniture lies in other people's homes *sigh* ... oh wellllll... 1 fine day...yup!yup!yup! ... 1 fine day I'll get mine done muahahaha...yeah right... only God knows when :(

Anyway... my favourite so far is this scenery I'd done on a 2-door cupboard. The pic is not too clear as I'd to take it with my phone-camera.... my digital cam went bonkers and has been sent for repairs. I also painted roses on another 2-door cupboard... now... that was a wee bit of a challenge... hehe it wasn't easy to paint roses facing downwards!!! It's easy to paint roses facing any direction on a small item...but on a huge heavy standing cupboard ???? Anyway... at the end of the day... I went back a very satisfied lady who has accomplished what she'd always wanted to do... eventho' there's none in the house that says....hey I've done that... heyyyy... hehehe now that reminds me... I must finish the painting I started on the door of my fridge about 8 mths ago.... hmmmm muahahaha ... (laughing my guts out...yeah right...when will I ever finish that??? )

Alhamdulillah...we did it...

Last Friday, Zaitun and I (Aniza, unfortunately could not join us due to prior commitments), went to Utusan Publications to collect our book. Though excited to the max...we took our time to go there. Took our time with breakfast and had a slow (by my standards...hahaha) leisurely drive to Taman Shamelin where Utusan Publications is located. For once the steps up to the Nora's office felt so steep hahaha...

Anyway, the feeling I felt when I laid my eyes and hands onto our book was beyond description. Kind of like the feeling you have after going through a hard labour with your first child... to see a book with my name printed on it is like really really unbelievable!!!! (Well...I had one other book with my name on the front cover... but that was my thesis... a compulsory requirement to complete my degree with honours!! That's a very different kind of sigh of relief hahaha...) Anyway....needless to say both Zaitun and I were beaming and grinning like excited teens on their first date hahaha... yup!yup!yup!...well...at least I did ;) That's our book there...bright aqua blue...something bright enough that you can't miss it on the shelves yup!yup!yup!

We have nine projects to show off...three from each of us. Something for all...from the beginners to the intermediate and those who need to refresh. The first few chapters are a must to read to acquaint yourself with the tricks of the craft if you are new to it or have left your brushes to rest too long!!! For RM36 I should say this is a real bargain!!! Anyway... you have a look-see and tell us your thoughts, opinions, comments...wtv. It would help us to make our second book a better one, InsyaAllah...God Willing! To all decorative painting lovers...this is for you. Have a great day y'all... oh btw...did I mention we have a translated BM version on the go? Well... that would be out soon too...

Painting on furniture

Completed a few items on furniture...one on a metal tray with stand and another on a wall shelf. Painted roses on them...I kind of liked the way the roses turned out ;) I very seldom draw huge roses... but that must have been my "rose day" as I call it...a day when my roses turned out as I wish 'em hahaha

I also painted topiaries on a wooden bin with a swivel top. Kind of liked this one too... the top I painted with ivy leaves and ribbons... drew different topiary tops on all four sides...

The pictures are not clear tho'...don't know what's wrong with the camera. I mean how difficult can it be when you have a digital camera and all you have to do is just click the button.... right???... definitely it's the camera hmmmm.... muahahahaha

Alhamdulillah...FINALLY...

I have an announcement to make...received good ...very good news yesterday...OUR BOOK...AMAZE YOURSELF WITH STUNNING PROJECTS...IS FINALLY OUT. YAY!!!! So lovers of decorative painting...please be on the look-out...

Hehe.... that's all I can say for now...get back to this later. My mind is soooo full with excitement that I'm actually lost for words....oh btw...it's only RM36/=...very affordable yes???