Happy Chinese New Year!
I recently bought some of these super cute piggy wrappers, just enough for handing out and making a few lanterns. I’ve been calling them my Day of the Dead piggies, but my very Chinese sister doesn’t approve (superstition dictates no mention of mortality during the CNY period)…
I dragged out my old instruction books…
…and made some old favourites…
…as well as a couple of new designs…
This one really tested my spatial skills, which are rubbish at the best of times…
Chinese New Year lasts for fifteen days, so there’s plenty of time left if you’d like to make a lantern. You can buy the red packets at most Chinese grocery stores, or substitute red mailing envelopes. Sometimes you can get them free from the banks as well. Here’s my tutorial for a very simple ball shaped lantern, and an even easier one for a single packet decoration.
. . . . .
A couple of weeks ago, I sorted out my lantern making supplies and took all my surplus stock to Reverse Garbage.
As I was going through them, I found these gorgeous old world wrappers – I’ve hoarded them for over a decade because I loved them too much to give away, knowing that they’d be discarded minutes later. I thought they might get a longer life if I gave them away as bookmarks, so I dragged out my old laminator and guillotine and set to work.
I made these ones as well…
Chinese New Year is always snake bean season in our garden, and we’ve had a bumper crop this year. We’ve picked this many every day for the past couple of weeks…
We feasted on them for our New Year’s Eve Reunion Dinner…
We had chicken rice and homemade dumplings…
And Malaysian prawn crackers of course, fried to order…
. . . . .
Wishing you every happiness and the best possible health this Year of the Pig! And in honour of the swine, I hope you get to enjoy many delicious meals with your loved ones! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
And happy Year of the Pig to you and yours!
I was hoping to make a Pig of myself with some super crispy-skinned pork belly in celebration, although that probably wouldn’t lead to the good health you’ve wished us. Apparently the secret is to stab the skin all over with a sharp instrument and stick it under a boiling hot grill when the roasting is done. Now, what did I do with my barbed felting needle…?
Happy New Year of the Pig to you also!! What wonderful lanterns etc you made :)
happy new year… yum… save a plate of dumplings for me..
Happy Chinese New Year! Your lanterns are lovely!
Happy New Year to you! My BFF bought me a copy of Ottolenghi Simple and I made the chraimeh sauce. Nummers! Thanks for the recommendation. :-)
Happy Year of the Pig to you as well! Love the lanterns. Decorative papers are one of my favorite things. I have a hard time throwing away something that’s so interesting. I keep thinking I’ll cover a box with them or some such thing.
Goong hee fat choi
Celia, your lanterns look sensational and your bookmarks are a creative gift from the heart. What a great way to recycle your pretty paper stash! (Swoon-worthy food, too.) Happy Chinese New Year, my friend. xo
Happy Chinese New Year Celia.
Love and hugs from Nairobi. xo
Wishing you and your family a very happy Chinese New Year, Celia.Our family enjoys your blog very much. Thank you.
Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones…
Happy New Year of the Pig to you and your loved ones. And I have to say, they are some of the best looking snake beans i’ve ever seen
What a grand dinner, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones too.
A worthy well-wish, I believe if we are able to eat well then it means the other aspects of our day-to-day lives are in order.