CHINESE NEW YEAR CRAFTS

For me, Chinese New Year tops the list when it comes to celebrations. Although I'm away from my home in Malaysia, I still try to do all the little things associated with it. First of all sending cards is an age-old tradition. I couldn't find any in Ireland so I decided to make some.

As my daughter Audrey was born in the year of the Rooster, I decided to make her something special.  The red packet (ang pow) in the rooster's packet contains a monetary gift. This again is a Chinese New Year custom whereby we give ang pow to family and friends who are single.

I love farm animals, so I decided to make some four-legged friends as well.

The piggy is my favourite - that's a given.

Chinese New Year Cards

It has been a while since I went near the crafting room as I was away on holiday in Malaysia and Bali in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration. This year, Chinese New Year falls on 31st January till 14th February, a total of 15 days of fun and festivity. It is also the year of the wooden horse according to the Chinese Zodiac. The best part of this festival is the meeting of friends and family and of course lots of food.

Michael and I met up with my primary school friends and we had a great meal at Royale Chulan hotel in Kuala Lumpur. One of the highlights of the occasion was the tossing of the Chinese raw fish salad ('Yee Sang') for prosperity and for everything good. Other items associated with the new year celebration include mandarin oranges, the lion dance, drum performance and exotic food like waxed ducks and sausages.

Prior to the new year celebration, we observe the tradition of sending out cards. Last year we celebrated Chinese New Year in Ireland, so I made loads of cards as there were none available in Ireland. This year I made only two cards as there were lots of beautiful Chinese New Year cards sold in shops in Malaysia.

Money Envelope

                                  Every occasion deserves a gift. Sometimes it is hard to buy or make something that someone likes, so cash is always very welcome. This is a money envelope for my daughter as we celebrate Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year Cards

Chinese New Year lasts 15 days. It is a great time of celebration with pretty clothes, lots of visitors and scrumptious food. I couldn't find any Chinese New Year cards in Ireland unless I custom make them online. So I decided to create my own to send to my friends...