Craft Workshop: "King Lion" - Story & Stamping Fun Craft Session

We had a fabulous weekend running a craft workshop for the preschoolers at the inaugural Story Carnival, held at the Enabling Village. Teaming up with the talented story tellers from Story Connections Ltd, we came together to run the "King Lion" Story and Craft workshop.

The children were told the beautiful story of the King Lion, who learns how each animal, including the little rabbit, has an unique and important role to play in his jungle army. Together with the help of their parents, they then worked on hand stamping their very own drawstring pouch to put their special treasures safe.

                                                  The little ones with their creations

The children went around the exploring the different animal stamps and the myriad of colours. They got to work excitedly; giggling, chatting and asking inquisitive questions as they created their very own personalised pouches with their mummies and daddies. 

Till our next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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Event: PAssion Arts Festival Craft Workshops at Punggol

WahSoSimple was thrilled to craft at another PAssion Arts Festival Village. We started our Saturday morning on 5 August 2017 bright and early and joined the residents at Punggol Damai estate. They had gathered for a morning to celebrate our Nation's 52nd Birthday and made some crafts together. It was a very bright and vibrant morning in every sense! The residents were all decked in red as they mingled at the various craft tables, making something beautiful with their family and friends!

We ran 3 crafting booths:

• Glass Marble Magnets - Residents made a pair of glass marble magnets with special designs under the theme of 'Breakfast in Singapore'. We saw visuals of nasi lemak, kaya toast, Milo peng, hot kopi and more breakfast yummies made into practical magnets.
• Shrink Art Tags - 'Everyday Objects' was the theme of this shrink art activity. Residents coloured Singaporean everyday objects like a phone, umbrella, pair of flip-flops, ice-cream cone, soccer ball, coffee cup, etc onto pieces of shrink plastic and we 'baked' it on spot to create a useful tag for their bags, water bottles, pencil cases, etc.
• Stamp A Fabric Bag: We made animal- and transport-themed stamps and residents stamped them onto fabric bags in their favourite colours.

All-in-all, it was a colourful and happy morning to celebrate Singapore's birthday! =)

If you are interested in having WahSoSimple to customise craft activities for your event, please email us at hello@wahsosimple.com.

Till our next post, make something with you hands! =)

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Event: Rubber Stamp Fun at the Hort Park

We had a lovely day at the monthly Gardeners' Day Out event at the Hort Park last Saturday. We took part in their 15th April event and had amazing loads of fun at our craft booth. In the spirit of reducing the use of paper and plastic, we encouraged the participants to design their own tote bags, drawstring bags and handkerchiefs which they will use in place of disposable bags and tissue.

The children especially had fun creating their own designs. They had to make really tough choices on the designs to stamp on their bags and the colour for their prints. It was a little messy but extremely fun for them as they showed their mega watt smiles with their creations.

Check out our Rubber Stamp Kit if you are interested in carving some rubber stamps at home. =)

Till out next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Handmade Rubber Stamps, Planner Stamps

I am not much of a planner girl or a planner addict. I keep a small notebook to jote down notes, ideas, to-buy/to-do lists and the usual boring stuff. I do not make an effort to make it pretty ... until recently ... I saw a friend with this sugar sweet (pink!) Kikki K planner and in it, it is filled with dividers with inspiration quotes, cute stickers, paper clips, journal cards, etc and then suddenly, I am hooked! I started to research on what people do with their planners and am amazed at the creativity! Overnight, I have become a planner girl! =)

I love making my own rubber stamps and carving stamps to accessorise my planner is now my latest 'it' thing. =)

Personalising my planner with rubber stamps makes me happy and also forces me to write neatly versus my usual illegible handwriting which I cannot even read sometimes. =)

If you are interested, shop for your DIY Rubber Stamp Kit here. Have fun!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Handmade Rubber Stamps, Just Pretty Prints

Simple prints for a batch of handmade rubber stamps. Easy to carve and pretty to look at. I will use them to add colour and life to my planners and notes! =)

Rubber stamping is a great way to personalise your notes, bags, photos, scrapbooking projects, etc. If you are interested, shop for your DIY Rubber Stamp Kit here. Have fun!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Handmade Rubber Stamps, Singlish Inspired

How do you spot a Singaporean overseas? I know a Singaporean the moment he/she opens his/her mouth to speak. The accent and the Singlish spoken are hard to miss and feel like home is all around you. No need to be shy, just say smile and 'hi' lah! =)

"so shiok!" - adjective - Used to express a feeling of sheer pleasure and happiness

"can lah!" - verb - Meaning "Yes!" and "I can do it!"

Kopi - noun - Coffee. Originated from Hokkien word 咖啡

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Carving Your Own Rubber Stamps

Buying rubber stamps are expensive. Carving your own rubbers for your scrapbooking projects and decorating your journals is different, fun and economical. So, while I am organising my photos from my last beach holiday, I carved out some rubber stamps to make them extra special. =)

Carving or making your own rubber stamps is very simple. All you need to do is to invest in a linoleum cutter and some rubber blocks and you are ready to start.

This is what I use:

• A set of linoleum cutter
• Soft rubber / eraser block
• Ink pads
• 4B pencil
• Paper

This is what I do:

1. Have an idea of what you want to make and draw / sketch your idea out onto a piece of paper with a 4B pencil.
2. Stain your rubber block with an ink pad. This will make carving much easier as it will allow you to see that areas that you have craved out. Allow time for the ink to dry or you can stamp the stained rubber block on a piece of paper a few times to fast track the drying.
3. Transfer your image from the paper to the rubber block. You do this by laying the paper faced down onto the rubber block and rub the back of the paper with your finger tip.
4. When you have the whole image traced onto the rubber block, start craving with the linoleum cutter. Start with the thinnest cutter first to carve out the lines of your image. Follow with the thicker cutters to complete the rest of the carving / stamp.
5. Ink your completed rubber stamp and start stamping! 

Tip when buying your linoleum cutter: buy one that is comes with stainless steel blades. I bought a cutter does not come with stainless steel blades that they rusted upon contact with air. I can still use the blades but it makes the carving experience so unpleasant.

Rubber stamping is a great way to personalise your notes, bags, photos, scrapbooking projects, etc. For the materials needed for this project and detailed step-by-step instructions, tips and inspiration, check out our DIY Rubber Stamp Kit listed in our shop. Have fun!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Rubber Stamped Fabric Bag

Here I go again .. wanting to carve rubber stamps and obsessing with getting my handbag organised. =)

I carved out a couple of rubber stamps and started stamping away on my plain fabric bags with a fabric ink pad. Now I have 2 of these bags for my knick-knacks! =)

This is what I used:

• A set of linoleum cutter
• Soft rubber / eraser block
• Fabric ink pads
• 4B pencil
• Tracing paper
• 2 fabric bags

This is what I did:

1. Have an idea of what you want to make and draw / sketch / trace out your idea out onto a piece of tracing paper with a 4B pencil.
2. Stain your rubber block with an ink pad. This will make carving much easier as it will allow you to see that areas that you have craved out. Allow time for the ink to dry or you can stamp the stained rubber block on a piece of paper a few times to fast track the drying.
3. Transfer your image from the tracing paper to the rubber block. You do this by laying the tracing paper faced down onto the rubber block and rub the back of the paper with your finger tip.
4. When you have the whole image traced onto the rubber block, start craving with the linoleum cutter. Start with the thinnest cutter first to carve out the lines of your image. Follow with the thicker cutters to complete the rest of the carving / stamp.
5. Ink your completed rubber stamp and start stamping! 

Rubber stamping is a great way to personalise your notes, bags, photos, scrapbooking projects, etc. If you are interested, shop for your DIY Rubber Stamp Kit here. Have fun!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Earphone Cord Holder Made with Air Dry Clay

When I saw the earphone cord holder / keeper on Pinterest, I got really excited! This is exactly what I need to keep my earphone cord neat. I always squish and squash my earphone cord into a small bag and when I need it, it is almost always tangled up in knots. Then I have to spend a minute or two untangling it before I can use it. This is too much work for me. Hope my new clay earphone holder can help to keep the tangles at bay! =)

This is what I used:

• Air dry clay
• Rolling pin
• Clear sheet of transparency (or you can use any type of smooth surfaces to roll your clay on)
• Clay slicer / pen knife / cutter
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Drinking straw
• Alphabet stamp
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Tape
• Paint brush
• Paint palette

This is what I did:

1. Shape: Knead and roll the clay on the clear transparency sheet to about 3 to 5mm thick. Use the cookie cutter to cut out a heart shape. Then use the drinking straw to pierce 2 holes about 5mm away from the edge and use the cutter to cut from the holes to the edge (see picture above). Gently remove the excess clay.
2. Stamp: Use the alphabet stamps to stamp in your name or words to make your holder more interesting. This is optional.
3. Dry & Sand: Gently lift the clay off the transparency sheet and place it at a safe place for overnight drying. Let the clay dry for about 24 hours or until it becomes dry and hard. Once the clay is dry and hard, use a piece of sand paper to smooth out the rough edges, if any.
4. Paint: Paint the holder in any colour you like with the acrylic paint. I have chosen to paint one in pink and gold and the other in blue and silver. I used a piece of tape to help me keep the line between the colours neat.

 I hope you will have fun making this!

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Air Dry Clay Dish

Here's a DIY craft idea to help you stay organised! =)

Have you ever had the experience of opening up your dresser drawer and all your stuff (ear rings, bracelets, coins, keys, buttons, etc) are in an unorganised mess? And you cannot find that red bracelet that would go so well with your outfit today? Sounds familiar? I also have the same problem with my dresser top. I pile everything up and clear it up when I cannot tolerate the mess. New year resolution is to get organised so I decided to make some clay dishes to organise my stuff and make my dresser top look pretty at the same time.

Time to whip out the air dry clay that I bought months ago and my acrylic paint to make some clay dishes! This is what I used:

• Air dry clay
• Rolling pin
• Alphabet stamp and cookie cutters
• Clay slicer  (or you can use a knife)
• Clear sheet of transparency (or you can use any type of smooth surfaces)
• Small dishes (I used sauce dishes)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Paint palette
• Sandpaper

This is what I did:

1. Open up the pack of clay and take some out. Store the remaining clay in an airtight container. The clay will feel slightly wet and when it dries when you are working with it, it will stick to your finger tips. So, it will help if your fingers are slightly wet when you are kneading and rolling the clay and have a damp towel at arm's length.
2. Knead and roll the clay on the clear transparency sheet to about 3mm in thickness. Place your small dish bowl upside down over the clay and cut around the edge of the dish with the clay slicer. It will be good if you can do the cut crisp and straight so that your edges will look neat.
3. It is time to be creative! Stamp in any words that you want or use your cookie cutters to create some designs.
4. Gently lift the clay off the transparency sheet and place it into the dish. Gently push the clay into the dish until it lightly touches the bottom. Smooth the edges with your fingers. Tip: please do not push the clay too hard into the dish, it may get a bit challenging to pop it out of the dish tomorrow.
5. Let the clay dry in the dish for about 24 hours or until it becomes dry and hardens.
6. Gently pop the dried clay out of the dish. If the edges or any part of the clay dish is not smooth, sand it down with some sand paper.
7. It is time to be creative again! Paint the clay dish in any colour you want with the acrylic paint. 
8. Let the acrylic paint dry and TA-DA! you have your own clay dish now! =)

Hope you will enjoy making these clay dishes. My dresser top is certainly much neater and prettier now!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Print Your Own Wrapping Paper

Want to make your gift wrapping unique from others? Consider this simple DIY craft of printing your own wrapping paper with hand carved rubber stamps and acrylic paint. =)

It is quite simple to do ... All you need is some brown paper, a rubber, some acrylic paint, a small container to hold and blend your paint and a paintbrush.

I used a cookie cutter to get my rubber to a heart shape and used a cutter to to cut out some diagonal lines to give the heart some texture. Blend the paint to a color that you like, use the paintbrush to smear some paint on your rubber and start stamping away. Easy as ABC, right?

Add in a ribbon and I am done. Finally, my gift can be the unique one that stands out from the crowd.

The blue and yellow gift tag is made with oven baked clay. Check out how you can also make one here.

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Oven Baked Clay Gift Tags

If you like DIY crafts and baking, you will love making things with clay. Both need kneading and rolling, both need cookie cutters, both need some attention to detail and both bring smiles to people’s faces. =)

Give your gifts that extra loving care, have a handmade gift tag. 

All you need is some Sculpey II Oven-Baked Clay (any 2 colors will do), alphabet stamps, some kitchen supplies (cookie cutters, toothpick, drinking straw), some super glue and your creativity.

All you have to do:

1. Warm the clay in your hands by rolling it in your hands.
2. Using the rolling pin, roll the clay out to about 3mm in thickness. 
3. Create your tag with the alphabet stamps and kitchen supplies.
4. Place the tag onto a baking tray lined with a baking sheet or aluminum foil. 
5. Bake the tag in the oven as per the instructions on the Sculpey packaging - 130^oC or 275^oF for 15 minutes. Please do not microwave or exceed recommended temperature and baking time.
6. After the tag has cooled and hardened, super glue the parts together if needed.

If you are interested in crafting with oven baked clay, check out our Word Clay Magnet Kit at our shop. Practical and fun! 

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft Kit: Hand Make Your Own Rubber Stamps

When I am stressed, I find working with DIY crafts to be very therapeutic and relaxing. It takes my mind off my stress and I just concentrate on getting my piece of craft done. I get a sense of happiness and achievement when my craft piece is done. One of my favourite craft / hobby is handmaking my own rubber stamps. 

I started off with carving on soft rubber blocks or erasers with a regular pen knife but that did not turn out well. I can only do straight lines and that is quite limiting. So, I invested in a set of Linoleum Cutters and I tell you, it is really worth it!

This is what I use:

• A set of linoleum cutter
• Soft rubber / eraser block
• Ink pads
• 4B pencil
• Tracing paper

This is what I do:

1. Have an idea of what you want to make and draw / sketch / trace out your idea out onto a piece of tracing paper with a 4B pencil.
2. Stain your rubber block with an ink pad. This will make carving much easier as it will allow you to see that areas that you have craved out. Allow time for the ink to dry or you can stamp the stained rubber block on a piece of paper a few times to fast track the drying.
3. Transfer your image from the tracing paper to the rubber block. You do this by laying the tracing paper faced down onto the rubber block and rub the back of the paper with your finger tip.
4. When you have the whole image traced onto the rubber block, start craving with the linoleum cutter. Start with the thinnest cutter first to carve out the lines of your image. Follow with the thicker cutters to complete the rest of the carving / stamp.
5. Ink your completed rubber stamp and start stamping! Super for your scrapbooking projects!

Visit our shop and check out our Rubber Stamp Kit!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft Kit: Word Clay Magnets

Jazz up your fridge and notice boards at home or in the office with magnetic clay words! I love written messages but sometimes I like to be different and add some colors to my messages. These word clay magnets are very easy to make. =)

This is what I used:

• 2 blocks of 2-oz Sculpey Oven Bake Clay
• Alphabet stamp
• Clear plastic sheet or transparency
• Rolling pin
• Sharp cutter
• Magnet tape
• Scissors
• Superglue
• Oven

(I did not manage to take pictures while doing this batch of words, so I have used pictures from a previous project.)

This is what I did:

1. Roll the clay out on to the clear plastic sheet to about 3mm in thickness.
2. Using the magnet tape as a guide, cut out strips of clay with the sharp cutter.
3. Stamp as many words onto the clay strips as you like, cutting them out as you go along.
4. Arrange the words into a baking tray and bake the clay in the oven as per instructions on the Sculpey packaging - 130 degree Celsius or 275 degree Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. My oven is a bit hot and so I baked mine for about 12 minutes.
5. After the clay has cooled and hardened, attached the magnet tape to the back. For extra security, I put 2 tiny drops of superglue at each end of the tape to ensure that the magnet sticks to the clay super well.

For the materials needed for this project and detailed step-by-step instructions, tips and inspiration, check out our DIY Word Clay Magnet Kit here.

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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