Hong Bao Goldfish and Marvelous Mess

The Chinese Lantern festival represents the end of the New Year celebrations and, as you would guess, also involves a whole lot of lanterns!! I made a Lantern out of Hong Bao (the traditional red envelope for presents) paper and into the shape of a Goldfish:

I found the tutorial online with the help of YouTube. You should try it! Though, prepare yourself for a whole lot of pausing. Go HERE for the video. 

Here are some other views of my Goldfish:

He's a pretty cute little guy. If you want to buy Hong Bao paper, I found mine on Amazon. There is paper for New Year and paper packets for wedding presents....turns out I used the wedding type without knowing and this got a few laughs from my Chinese friends. 

Why are fish so prominent in Chinese culture, you might be wondering?

The word for fish:    鱼 yú 

Sounds like these words:

1. 裕 yù  abundant  (imagine many fish swimming)
   
2. 腴 yú  fertile; rich (fish have many offspring; a full net of fish = rich)
   
3. 煜 yù  brilliant; glorious (like shimmering scales)
   
4. 玉  yù  jade (because it’s brilliant)
   
5. 慾 yù  desire; wish (for some fish, or some jade)
   
6. 矞 yù  grand; elegant (getting further away from the original meaning, but someone wearing jade looks elegant)
   
7. 誉 yù  reputation 
   
8. 伃 yú  handsome
   

And the word for goldfish:  金鱼jīnyú   literally starts with the character for gold / money. 

 (Thank you to weninchina.com for the translation!)

I shared this post at the following parties:
Between Naps On The Porch

My fave from last weeks party was....

Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal by Organizer By Day.

Now on to the party!

A Marvelous Mess #36 and Features!!!

Wow, we packed this weekend full of fun and we're all pooperd. We had a Soccer games and a bonfire (where the boys all watched the fire and the girls all watched BridesMaids....*hilarious, by the by*) and a birthday party followed by a Harvest Party at our In-Laws. Hay rides were available. Gotta love Maine in the fall!!

So many cool posts this past week....our numbers were high again. You guys are so crafty, I just LOVE it. :-)

Monster Cookie Jars from Family Embellishments

Stacked Pumpkin Topiaries from Home Savvy A to Z

Spider Web Table Runner from Freaking Craft

And, the post I am going to feature on my sidebar is....

Mummy Pretzel Rods from Pint Sized Baker!!!! These are so freaking adorable. I am already thinking about bring them in to Munchkins class sometime this week.

Thanks so much to all of you for linking up again. It's so exciting to read through all those posts....I may not have time to comment on them all, but I promise I'm coming to visit!! 

Don't forget to grab a button:

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

A Marvelous Mess #35 and Features!!!

Well, those Halloween posts are really popping up in the party now!! I hope you guys are all making something Halloweeny you can share at the party this week. I love seeing holiday posts.......you guys are so creative!! Oh!! We totally had 101 projects linked up this week. 

thank you thank you thank you thank you

:-)

Here are my fave's from this week:

Yarn Pumpkins from Cookie and Claire. 

I am *totally going to try this projects with the library kiddo's at the craft time I host each week!!

 Wreathed in Burlap from Turtles and Tails. I <3 understated wreaths. Especially when they include burlap. Hey, what can I say....I'm a crafty BLOGGER....I *must* like burlap, right?

Frosted Glass Candle Holders by Burton Avenue. Totally funky. And, totally simple. My kind of craft.

And the craft I'm going to feature for a week on my sidebar is....

Envelope to Gift Pouch from Love Notes By Bauren.
SO COOL. I am totally inspired.
Thanks to all of you for linking up!! And, don't forget to grab a featured button!!

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

A Marvelous Mess #34 and Features!!!

Holey schmoley, I just finished a day long hike in the western mountains of Maine and I am pooped!! It was incredible. The colors of the leaves are changing so beautifully in the mountains (though I can't say the same for the lowlands) and the weather was surprisingly warm for October....in fact I am fairly sure a record was set today in the state of Maine.

It was Buddy and Chloe's first big mountain hike and they did fantastic. Better than me by far. :-) 

Here is the post about our hike if you're interested!!
Here are my fave's from last week:

Apple's and Cream Trifle from Nifty Thrifty Things. Um....delicious?!?! It looks incredible. Pinning this one!!

Stamped Pillow Case from Show. Tell. Share.  Loving that apple/barn red they've got going on there. 

and the project I am going to feature on my sidebar is........

Spooktacular Halloween Window from Take Time for Lemonade. Love the use of the old vanity window!! 

Thanks to all of you for linking up to A Marvelous Mess!!Don't forget to grab a button!!

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

A Marvelous Mess #32 and Features!!!

Well, it's fall......and I saw lots of fun fall themed projects this last party. We're even talking some Halloween stuff!! I have got some Halloween projects waiting for the right time....I guess it's here!!

Here are my fave's from last weeks party:

Champagne crate inspired table from Art is Beauty

Autumn Yarn Pumpkins from Everything Under the Moon

Measuring Cup/Spoon Display

And, the post I am going to feature on my sidebar is...........

Wedding Bells from Turning a House into a Home!!

This wedding looks SO fantastic. I absolutely love the apple centerpieces and all the fall inspiration....I know you'll love it too:

Thanks to all of you for linking up and don't forget to grab a featured button!!

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

A Marvelous Mess #31 and Features!!!

Whew, I spent the day on MOnhegan island off the coast of Maine today and I've got SO many pictures that I am excited to show you!! A lot of pictures of the fairy houses they have out there.....and you know how I love a good fairy house. I can't wait to write up and edit that post ......for now, though, lets get to the features:

Love this Fall Sign from Joy in the Jumble:

I think this Book Of Shadows Halloween Scrap Book from Design DNA

is such a great idea........

This cat Bat-Winged sweater from Creative Passage is hilarious......

And, the post that I am going to feature on my sidebar for a week is.....

Burlap Spider Web Garland by Burton Avenue!!

I just love that look. So Cute!!!

Thanks to all of you for linking up!! If I featured you in this post don't forget to grab a button:

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

A Marvelous Mess #30 And Features!!!

Oh, I am just loving these parties. You guys are full of so many fun ideas!!

Here are my faves for the week:

Barley Twist and Lace Stencil from Upcycling My Very Ordinary Life

She's About To Pop Baby Shower from Holy Craft

Apples by the Pumpkin Pie Painter

and the post I am going to feature on my sidebar for a week:

Personalized Porcelain Ware by ShowTellShare
I am so excited to start using this idea. SO. EXCITED.


Thanks to all of you for linking up!! Don't forget to grab a featured button:



<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> 

Now, on with the par-tay!!

A Marvelous Mess #29 and Features!!!

Thanks again for linking up last week!! Don't forget to enter my Prefense Giveaway....hardly any entries and it ends on Friday....you could totally win. :-) It's the perfect way to start defending your kids and yourself against those cold weather germs coming our way.

Here are my Messy fave's from last week:

The Cereal Box Lighthouses  from Burton Avenue. Love the aging on the paint....it looks fantastic.

Romantic Cottage Chic from Biljana Shabby. This crafter has some serious painting talent!! Such an adorable style.

The Crocheted Rag Rug from Turning a House into a Home. Love the colors and the simplicity!!

and the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is....

 Super Blueberry Lemon Muffins from The Sweet Details. It is Blueberry harvest time here in Maine and I can totally appreciate a good blueberry recipe. In fact, I just posted a Blueberry Pie recipe a week or two ago!!

Thanks to all of you for entering your projects.....if I featured you in this post, be sure to grab a "featured" button:

<br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center>

Now, on to the party!!