Interviewed by the Singapore Magazine

28th November, a surprise email came from Singapore Magazine requesting for an interview with me. A magazine meant for overseas readers.

Yeah! My blogs found another way to reach Overseas Readers! *clap clap clap*

So what was the topic?
My Hong Bao Lanterns!
Whoo-hoo!

They wanted to have a photo shoot session at my place. They wanted to schedule a 1 to 1.5hours of photo-taking session of me making my Hong Bao Lanterns.

I rejected upfront because I know myself too well, I would be so nervous, I think my Hong Bao Lantern that day would look horrible when my nerves get the better of me.

Because of my lack of confidence, no photo-taking session took place.

After receiving the magazine, I kind of regretted my decision. *laugh*

I imagined the difference it would make when they put up photos of me concentrating on my Hong Bao lanterns and the boys could have been part of the pictures too. Aaawww.... let go of another chance for them to be magazine models. It would be something special for them to look back on when they grow up.

Oh well, after this experience, I believe I will not reject anymore photo shoot if I get another chance to be interviewed...

Because I rejected the photo shoot session, they had to grab photos of my Hong Bao Lantern from my blogs. I was hoping that they would choose my creation last year, my 2011 Golden Hong Bao Lantern, which took me more time and effort, and one that I am very satsified with...

Guessed the quality of it was not good enough, so they chose to feature the other lantern. The Hong Bao Lantern I made in 2010 (below)

The feeling of seeing my own name and reading my own thoughts published in a Magazine is simply overwhelming. *Grin*

Thank you Singapore Magazine for giving me this opportunity. *hugs*

Chinese Hong Bao Lantern 2011

Every year, I would make a new Chinese Hong Bao Lantern for my in-law's house. This year, is the best of all my previous creations and one that I am most satisfied with. *Grin*

The only 'bad' thing is, its HEAVY!!! So much so that you cannot stick it on your celling with just blue-tack, you need a proper drilled-in-hook to make sure that it can hold the weight.

To prevent having a super long blog post, I am not going to repeat certain steps which are the same as last year's blog post on 'How To Make Chinese Lantern', so I would be referring those steps back to that post. Alright, here goes:

Things you need for this Chinese Hong Bao Lantern 2011:-

1. 36 pieces of Long Rectangular Hong Bao
2. 12 pieces of Normal Rectangular Hong Bao
3. 24 pieces of Hong Bao size Cardboards
4. 24 pieces of Hong Bao size Vanguard Sheets
5. Red ribbon or thread
6. 12 pieces of short Decorative Tassels
7. 1 piece of long Decorative Tassel
8. Long Tassel
9. Gold coloured adhesive tape
10.  Double sided adhesive tape
11. Scissors / Penknife
12. Scotchtape

STEP 1: Using the Long Rectangular Hong Bao, repeat Step 1 to Step 7 as shown in this blog post 'How To Make Chinese Lantern'.

STEP 2: Then repeat Step 31 to Step 36 as illustrated in the blog post 'How To Make Chinese Lantern'.

 STEP 3: Make 2 sets.

STEP 4: Fold the top and bottom of the remaining 12 pieces of Long Rectangular Hong Bao. The fold should be about 1cm.

STEP 5: Cut out a piece of Vanguard Sheet based on the size of the FOLDED Hong Bao.

STEP 6: Keep the bottom fold intact using your finger, as you slot in the Vanguard Sheet till it touches the folded area. Seal the Hong Bao.

STEP 7: Stick Double Adhesive Tape on the top and bottom folded area at the BACK of the Hong Bao.

STEP 8: Bend the middle section of the Hong Bao a little and stick it onto the formation you have created in STEP 3. Do it on all sides for BOTH formation.

POINT TO NOTE: Do Not Stick right to the ends, 'cos it would not bend. There should be a gap of about 1cm for both top and bottom.

STEP 9: Using the Normal Size Rectangular Hong Bao, fold the bottom part of the Hong Bao as shown in the photo below.

STEP 10: Cut out a Vanguard Sheet based on the folded shape.

STEP 11:Slot in the Vanguard Sheet with your fingers holding the folded sides. Seal the Hong Bao.

STEP 12: Paste a short Decorative Tassel onto the Hong Bao with Scotch Tape. Then stick a strip of Double Sided Adhesive Tape Across the width as shown below to hold the folded corners in place.

STEP 13:Stick the Normal Rectangular Hong Bao onto the TOP of the INTERIOR of the formation. Bend the middle section of the Hong Bao a little with your fingers to create a curve. Repeat these steps till all the TOP sides of BOTH formation is completed.

STEP 14: Lined the Gold coloured adhesive tape around the top and bottom of ONE of your formation. And ONLY THE TOP part of the 2nd formation.

STEP 15: Lined the Double sided Adhesive Tape around the bottom part of the 2nd formation.

STEP 16: Stick the Long Tassel onto the Double Sided Adhesive Tape.

STEP 17:Using a red ribbon or thread to tie the two formations together with the long Decorative Tassel at the bottom of the Chinese Hong Bao Lantern, as demonstrated under Step 40 and Step 41 in the blog post 'How To Make Chinese Lantern'.

AND THE END RESULT.... TA-DAA...:

Phew! I hope the instructions are simple and clear enough. If not, voice it out in the comments alright? And I will be more than willing to explain further....

Have Fun! And a super advanced Happy Chinese New Year!