Thing to Learn: Copperplate Caligraphy

Copperplate calligraphy is (at least for me) harder than brush calligraphy. I used to think that it's something only professional calligraphers can do. But after trying it myself, I think it was a silly thought! Come on, it's just a pen. You're writing with a different pen, that's all. You just have to get used to the new pen and... write away!

What you need?

1. PEN
I'm new at this too, so before starting this thing I asked the seller's recommendation for a beginner like me. She said that there are two kinds of pens: fountain pen & dip pens. Fountain pen has an ink cartridge attached to the nib. you fill it with ink and you can start writing. Dip pen only consists of nib & holder. You dip the nib in ink, and start writing. I use dip pen: Tachikawa T-25 holder & Baignol & Farjon 190 nib.

2. INK
I haven't tried a lot of ink, but I found out that you can use watercolor solution too! Cheap and colorful but transparent (don't add to much water). I also use Parker Quick for the black ink but I found it smudgy on some papers. For metallic ink , I use Gouache Extra Fine Quality from Talens. There are a lot of color selections, I used the light gold in the picture above. It looks good on black paper!

3. PAPER
I tried writing on several kinds of paper, and I find smooth paper is easier to write. But there are some papers that are easily scratched by the nib even when I give it a very slight pressure. Find various kinds of paper in your home and have fun!

Thing to Learn: Brush Lettering

I like writing. Not writing stories and publish a book thing. I like writing words on paper, or maybe I can say calligraphy?

If you want to learn calligraphy maybe you can start with brush lettering or brush calligraphy. You can get the tools easily and start right away!

I use Zig Kuretake Fudebiyori Metallic Brush Pen (Gold) to make this one. You can also use watercolor brush and your watercolor paint. Write some quotes and frame them!

DIY to Do: Hand Painted Tote Bag

Since "plastic bag free world" gets famous, you can spot tote bags everywhere. You can get it easily, even for free sometimes. I have several plain tote bags and decided to draw something on one of it. Why don't you (or your kids, yes, it's that easy) draw on yours too?

What you need:

• plain tote bag
• pencil and fabricolor pens

Instruction:

Decide what you want to draw on your tote bag. The simpler, the better, unless you're Picasso. I pick black and white Totoro since I only have black pens.

Put a magazine in the tote bag and start drawing. Use pencil for the sketch, and use technicolor pens for the outline & coloring.

Iron the tote bag to make the ink permanent & washable. And voila, it's done!

Life Lately: Doodling, Crocheting, Munching Food

It's been almost 2 months since I bought Samsung Galaxy Note II, and I've made some more drawings using Sketchbook Mobile X.

I posted this on my tumblr about Shinhwa because I talked too much about them on this blog.

Anyone recognize them?

Made this for SHCJ Indonesia's 3rd Anniversary tomorrow

Honestly I made a lot of drawings of Shinhwa...

Jay Chou, as requested by a friend who believes they'll somehow end up together

Cha Seung Won, my all-time-favorite Korean Actor

 

Addicted to this drama, The Master's Sun

I also participated in a drawing contest by Green Tea Graffiti and yesterday I received an email that I'm one of the winners. Yipeeeee! They'll send me the prize from Korea. I think they didn't know that I lived in Indonesia when they chose me, I'm crossing my fingers hoping they won't say, "You're too far come and get your own prize."

I also (finally) finished my second amigurumi.

The most difficult part is finding the suitable pot for the cactus. Accidentally saw this cute little bucket at Opus One and bought it without second thought. Anyone want the pattern for the cactus?

This bunny is my first amigurumi, you can find the pattern here.

And... food.

Full Monty & Thai Lemongrass Beef Salad

I went to Hummingbird Eatery, located at Jl. Progo no. 14, Bandung. It was actually not my first visit, but it was the first time I took some pics of what I ordered there, so as usual I'll share them on my blog.

I went there with my family to have brunch. The breakfast menus are served at 7-11am and we were there at 10.30am. We ordered Full Monty (a complete breakfast set) from the breakfast menus and some drink. Other dishes: crepes, salad, soup, grazing, main course, are served at 10.30am-10.30pm according to their website but the waitress told me that I have to wait until 10.40am to order, so we waited and then ordered Thai Lemongrass Beef Salad, Traditional Rendang Hitam, Tenderloin Steak, and Grilled Creamy Salmon. We left with full and happy stomach heart.

DIY Project #3: Amigurumi

Easter is coming! I learn to make amigurumi (Japanese crocheted stuffed toy), and for my first one, I decided to make this cute bunny!

Making amigurumi is not difficult. You only need to know these simple stitches: chain stitch (ch), single crochet stitch (sc), slip stitch (for the end of each row), increase & decrease (inc & dec) in single crochet (sc).

Even though the stiches are simple, amigurumi is pretty small, so you need to be careful in order not to miss any stitches. You can turn this doll into a keychain or phone charm, it also makes a cute gift.

You can find a lot of free amigurumi patterns online, and I’ll also share mine in this post. First, these are some things you need to make this bunny:

• White yarn 
• 1.6 mm crochet hook (no. 1), or larger if you want to make larger doll
• Needle 
• Black & white embroidery floss 
• 2 black beads for the eyes 
• Red colored pencil to make the cheek red
• Fiberfill 
• Dog slicker brush, to make the bunny fuzzy (optional). This can help you cover some messy stitches ;) 

Now, let's make each part of the bunny!

Head:
R1: 2 ch, 6 sc in second ch from hook
R2: 2 sc in each stitch around
R3: 1 sc , 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R4: 2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R5: 3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R6: 4 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R7: 5 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R8: 6 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R9-13: sc around, you can add several rows to make the head longer
R14: 1 dec, 6 sc, repeat 6 times
R15: 1 dec, 5 sc, repeat 6 times
R16: 1 dec, 4 sc, repeat 6 times
R17: 1 dec, 3 sc, repeat 6 times

This is the time to brush the head if you want to make a fuzzy bunny.

Attach the eyes and embroider the nose. Stuff fiberfill into the head.

R18: 1 dec, 2 sc, repeat 6 times

R19: 1 dec, 1 sc, repeat 6 times

Continue to stuff the head.
R20: 6 dec

Ears (make 2):

R1: Ch 2, 7sc in second ch from hook.
R2: sc around
R3: 2sc in first stitch, 6sc
R4: 2sc in first stitch, 7sc
R5: 2sc in first stitch, 8sc
R6: 2sc in first stitch, 9sc
R7: 2sc in first stitch, 10sc
R8-13:sc around
R14: 1 dec, 10 sc
R15: 1 dec, 9 sc
R16-...:sc around until desired length
Brush your ears and attach to the head.

Body:
R1: 2 ch, 6 sc in second ch from hook
R2: 2 sc in each stitch around
R3: 1 sc , 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R4: 2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat 6 times
R5-9: sc around, you can add several rows to make the head longer
Brush and stuff the fiberfill
R10: 1 dec, 2 sc, repeat 6 times
Continue to stuff the body.
R11: 1 dec, 1 sc, repeat 6 times
R12: 6 dec 

Arms (make 2):
R1: Ch 2, 7sc in second ch from hook.
R2: sc around
R3: 2sc in first stitch, 6sc
R4: 2sc in first stitch, 7sc
R5: 2sc in first stitch, 8sc
R6-8: sc around
R9: 1 dec, 9 sc
R10: 1 dec, 8 sc
R11-...: sc around until desired length. 

Brush and stuff. Attach to the part where the body meets the head.

Legs (make 2):
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook.
R2: 2 sc in each sc around.
R3: 2 sc, 1 sc inc, in each sc around
R4-6: sc around
R7-...: 1 dec, 1 sc, repeat 6 times, until desired length
Brush and stuff the legs, attach to bottom of body.

Tail: make a small pom-pom and attach to the back of the body.

Sew all part together. Adore your bunny and take some pictures ^^

Good luck!

DIY Project #2: Dog Shirt

Several days ago I welcomed a new dog into my life. Say Hello to JCo, my cute Pomeranian!

His previous owner trimmed his hair. He seems cold, so I tried to make a shirt for him. What do you think?

Making a shirt for your dog is very easy and it takes only about an hour. I didn’t use sewing machine. If you do, I’m sure it’ll be done faster. I’m not really good at sewing, but simple stitches work just fine for this.

I was lazy to measure JCo first, so the shirt is a little too big. If you want to make this, don’t forget to measure your dog first and then scale the pattern.

Good luck!

(Patterns are adapted from here)

*Update: Hello again! I've grown my fur! ^^

DIY Project #1: Hand Painted Mug

About two weeks ago I made a “things-to-do-in-2013” list. I made it to keep me motivated because I’ve been bored with my routine lately. One of the things to do this year is to make 5 things from my “things-to-make” list (Yes, I made a lot of lists). I have saved some picture and DIY projects from a lot of awesome blogs around the world and promised myself to make them when I have the time.

The difficult thing about living in my city is there are a lot of things I need but unavailable. Luckily last week my friend went to Singapore so I asked him to help me buy some things I need.

Actually I wanted to buy a porcelain marker, but he couldn’t find it. It turned out that thing is not only hard to find in Bandung but also in Singapore. But he found this “Uni Super Ink Marker”, which is a permanent marker, and it’s written there: “Writes on all kinds of surface. For use on: fabric, craft tape, plastic, glass, metal, paper, etc.” Close enough. And it's pretty cheap: 1.95 SGD.

And then using this marker, I made a hand painted mug...

Unfortunately, the ink was not permanent on porcelain. I tried to scratch it and the ink came off. I painted it again and put it on my desk…

I think baking the mug for some time in the oven will make the ink more permanent, I should try it soon~ I'll let you know the result! But if you want to make yours I suggest you to use a porcelain marker from Pebeo.