MAY THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON BE LUCKY FOR US ALL!

I just can't believe how quickly January is going.  I've just got over the new years celebrations and here we are celebrating the chinese new year - the year of the dragon.

Each year I make a card for Michael and his family, to wish them good luck for the new year.  I always have a bit of a panic in case the writing I put inside, which I hope is "Happy New Year" is correct, and that I haven't caused serious offence by a miss spelling.  They are all still talking to us, and as he runs our local exceptionally good chinese takeaway The China Garden and hasn't poisoned me in revenge, I think I must have cracked it ;0)

Paperfolded Fan card in black, red and gold with lucky coins attached

My Year of the Tiger fan card with, hopefully, correct sentiment inside

So Kung Hey Fat Choy or Gong xi fa cai to all my Chinese friends and here's hoping 2012 is not only happy, healthy and prosperous for them but for us all!!

Branching out

Having had a fair bit of success with the bells, I've now started to branch out into other crocheted items.  The fans turned out particularly well and have been requested by friends for bridal good luck gifts.  Again I had a few hours of brain twisting to get the boxes to fit and look professional.  I've had several attempts that looked good but either didn't stay together for very long, (see picture) or didn't stay shut properly, but eventually I hit gold and am so pleased with the final product.