Chinese New Year Celebrations 2104

I have  had  a fair  share of  CNY celebrations this year.This year we were lucky enough to catch up the lighting in China Town, went to River Hangbao,Chingay parade ,attended CNY Reception @Istana. There was CNY celebrations in our neighborhood  too and  we went for that too.This year I made Arshi pose for CNY here in my house too.

China Town Lightup:

What is CNY without visit to China Town.As this year is that of  horse year, there were many galloping horses in the light up. I.I loved this year's  edition very much.

galloping horses

golden coins all around

  Chinese Festival of Arts @ Esplanade:

As we were walking past River hangboa, we spotted some youngsters playing traditional Chinese instruments in the outdoor theater of  Esplanade.

  River Hangboa 2014:

This is  an annual event alongside Marian Bay.As usual, there were many floats with different colors.It was very hard for a  person like me to capture all the moments there.As usual there were many information about CNY and the 12 different animals and their Zodiac  sign.

A family picture after a long time

at top Float

Chingay parade:

It is  an annual event and in fact it is  Asia's grandest street parade.It is  organised a s  part of  CNY celebrations .Though meant to be  a CNY event, they have performances from different culturesaround the world.Crackers are burnt here.It is always filled with colours, colours and more colours.I loved this year's theme-colours of  fabric-one  people.There were pre- preparations for this year's edition long back in the heartlands and I am glad  even we played  a small part in it.Batik painting were done by many residents of  Singapore at various CCs and  events throughout the  year and they were consolidated to form a  giant batik art.I loved the knit with one  heart too where many residents knitted .Even Arshi knitted a small fabric.We were lucky enough to see the art work go live  before our eyes in Chingay. Another thing that needs mention is the giant puppets which were operated by not 1  but 3  person altogether.













Chingay @ Heartlands:

Every year Chingay comes to some selected heartlands.I went to Siemei to have a look at that.

magic show @ streets

love this setup

CNY in my neighbourhood:

There were CNY celebration in my neighborhoods  too.We watched Tampines West CC's light-up ceremony for CNY.We enjoyed that evening watching many traditional Chinese performances.

carnival game booths for kids

pink and pink

in the jumper

my hangboa lantern

A Chinese performance

with God of  Fortune

outside Tampines West CC

Our own Lightup

nice right?

CNY Reception@ Istana:

I had  already mentioned that I am a  grassroots  leader and this year I was invited to Istana(president's house) for the Prime Minister's CNY Reception.It was one of  my memorable  evening.

myself

Yu-Seng

PM's speeech

Those who were at my table.You remember Sarojini Varathappan in this picture.She is from SINDA.

CNY  photoshoot with Arshi:

I have taken this picture of  Arshi......greeting all a  prosperous  CNY -Horse year ahead.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Pop out book

This march holidays I attended so many programs on art and  craft all thanks to the kind  people of  TRL.This one is about how   Arshi created her own pop out book.It's  very simple.Ask your child  to read a  story book along with you.If  they are a  little  grown up, you can ask them to write their own short story.After they have finished reading the story , as k them to write it down on papers.Ask them to draw the main characters .When we are using characters , make sure you make  a  mirror image too  as  we need  to stick it backwards in the flap paper we a re gonna make as  our pop out.For  smaller kids, parents can help draw the characters, cut them and  ask the kids to color.Once done, paste it like the one  shown in this picture.

What happens when we blend Story telling and painting together?

I went to story telling sessions with Arshi when she was small.Later on when she picked up reading on her  own, our visit  to such sessions decreased.I usually read some books   to her    or  she  will read the books  by herself.This holiday READ Singapore ! had  organised for story telling sessions and  after we  were treated with a   beautiful story on Starry Nights, kids were asked to draw their own version of  starry night, not necessarily from  the story .The kids were encouraged to visualize their own starry night and bring them back on Canvas  through Canvas painting.I loved the session very much.We used acrylic paint on the Canvas.

Do you like  Arshi's version of  starry night.I love this.I also love the idea  of   asking our kids to paint something after we have  read a  story.We need  not stick to canvas painting as it will consume more time, but can ask our kids to draw simple drawings,can encourage them to use colour pencils, sketches, water colour or  painting using any medium they are comfortable with. This will improve their creativity and   at the same time the kids will loom forward for their crafty story telling with you soon.Believe my words.Do try this with your kids.It will work out.

Chinese finger painting.

It is a  traditional Chinese painting and  we drew cherry blossom, very common in Chinese ink painting.We use a  special type of  ink called  as  Chinese ink which are available at art stores.usually, for this method of  drawing, we use brush, but in this workshop we used our own fingers.Rice papers are used as  base paper to colour..But as we had  already tried on rice paper before, this time we tried  doing on paper plates.May be when you don't get Chinese ink we can try with normal ink too.Draw  the stems first with some gap and add bunches of  cherry blossom and  buds in the gap.We need to add nodes to along the  branches.

rice paper Chinese ink painting

It is laways fun when you join in with your  kids.I saw  a toddler painting with his mother.It also provides  bonding time  with your kid.Never think, it is  too early to start art and  craft activities with your kids.

Done by the insructor

Arshi's art work

Our's