Banner for my new Webby!!

I've actually finished the PSD file for this banner 2 months ago, just waiting for my website to be launched before printing it. Its a 200cm by 80cm Outdoor Banner, total cost wif 4 Eyelets = $54.00. Wanted to Drill some hooks into the reddish parapet, but the ceiling looks like falling soon.. so tied a rope instead. Hopefully can help me to get some hits on my new webby.

Took a full page screen shot of my webby homepage using Cute PDF, did some editings using PS & Save to CMYK before i slept last nite @ 3++am.

Bought a Garment Rack from Suntec Carefour @ $29.90, now I can display all my new Tee Design Collection. Will probably get some better hangers in the near future.

Hope 2009 will be a LOTSA BETTER yr for everyone!!

What have I Done in 2008!!

Jan 2008 - Spent a Full day with Someone I like!! 17/1/2008 I'll never forget tat special day!!

Feb 2008 - Quit my Job @ Challenger & Decided to join Hock Gift Shop. Clean up the whole Shop, Printed 23 A1 Posters, 1000 Name cards, Started Clearing Aging Stocks, Cemented Store entrance Flooring.

Mar 2008 - Bought a 3rd Embroidery Machine for Hock Gift Shop

April 2008 - Built my 3rd Webpage Design for Hock Gift Shop since 2004.

May 2008 - Whole month packed with Driving Lessons

June 2008 - Went Back Camp for my 2nd ICT. Got my driving License on 30/6/2008

July 2008 - Bought a Digital Engraving Machine for Hock Gift Shop

Aug 2008 - Came out with a Full range of Gifts Engraving Products Displayed in Ikea Showcase

Sep 2008 - Plan to build an Online Store for Hock Gift Shop.

Oct 2008 - Took Product Shoot on all Products, Edited them, weigh all products, consolidated all Product Descriptions, Pricing...

Nov 2008 - Got a my 1st project to help Sungei Gedong eMart Reopening Door Gifts. Prepared samples catalogues for all services @ Hock Gift Shop.

Dec 2008 - Bought a 4 Colors 1 Station Silkscreen Press to start Printing T-shirts. Came out with 5 main designs, all single color print. Built a Final Webpage Design for Hock Gift Shop in 7 Days/7 Nites. A Partial Online Store.

Hock Gift Shop is my parent's Business, I'm just helping them on the background. After all the above is done, I got nothing but a GREAT sentence that i heard coming out from my mum's mouth on 31/12/2008. She said,"He only noes how to do all these useless stuff, useless things!!" She said that infront of me to a family (Our Customers). It HURTS, It REALLY HURTS!! This is not the 1st time im hearing this. Few months ago, when our relatives visited us @ our shop, She said the same things infront of me. Im wondering how many Relatives, Friends, Customers has heard these words from her when im not ard. After all the Work Done, Im just an Useless FUCKER!! I really wished Dengue fever could have killed me 3 yrs ago. or maybe I could just slp & not wake up anymore!! So much negative tots just keep poping in my mind. Wat a GREAT last day of 2008 & a GREAT start for 2009.

Why cant our family be SIMPLE?? I missed my pri sch days, b4 my Grandma left me. everyday, my Mum, My Dad, My Bro & Me will eat our breakfast in a nearby coffeeshop. I would always order a Cup of soya bean & a plate of nasi lemak, My bro will always order Hot tea wif milk & prawn Noodles, Mum & Dad will Order Black Coffee with Wanton Noodles... Den we will Da Bao 2 Packet of Fishball Noodles for My Grandma & Auntie.. I really just wan2 have those kind of days, simple family breakfast.. simple Family Life... but why is it so tough??? After my Grandma Left Me, everything juz started changing.. there is no more family breakfast @ coffeeshop, I really cant feel any love or respect in this family anymore!!

Laser Engraver Promotions for 2009!!

Laser Engraver

Yoz Anyone interested in starting a Laser Engraver Biz?? My fren's company is having some promotions recently!!

Price: POA

Currently I does not have enof excess cash, If not confirm will get it from him. All 1st Hand Machines!! For more info, juz drop mi an email @ tot@hockgiftshop.com

250++ Hits in 24 Hrs!!

250++ Hits in 24 Hrs!!

Hey Hey Hey!! Really wanna Thanks Everyone for your Support!! In the past 24 Hrs HockGiftShop.com has received over 250 Hits. Althou my stupid Visitor hits counter is not functioning after 3Pm yesterday, i've checked my Host server & could see more than 250 Visitors served Yesterday!! Thank YOU YOU & YOU again!! Pls continue to check out on HockGiftShop.com, as we will be updating our Products & T-shirt Designs regularly from 2009 onwards!!

Alignment Problem Encountered!!

Use Internet Explorer 7.0
When Surfing HockGiftShop.com

I've try my new website using a Mac & encountered some alignment problems with the brand banner.. one of my fren using Internet Explorer oso encountered a similar problem.. haiz.. now stuck again!! hey if anyone of u noes how to solve this muz teach mi oh!! Many Many Thanks!! in the meantime, the recommended web browser for my new webby (HockGiftShop.com) will be Internet Explorer 7.0 I've tried on a few different coms, all running fine.. Luckily the alignment prob is not affecting the product images.

The Beetle!!

The Beetle!!

Still waiting for my site to be uploaded.. wah this time it really took lotsa longer to upload.. hopefully no prob after uploading, i dun wan2 do troubleshoot anymore... has been doing troubleshooting for the past 24 hrs. solve over 900 broken links.. @ 1 point of time suddenly the broken links even increased to 2200++.. kena shocked.. almost ki siao & give up.. but keep telling myself, this wont take my life anyway.. just more mouse clicking.. i can hear my Razer mouse oso changed its clicking sound towards the end of the troubleshoot.. Anyway.. everything is solved!! haha.. left the uploading.. hopefully nothing goes wrong..

Cant rmb which day, just a few days back, was taking some fresh air outside my shop. saw this little beetle crawling infront of mi.. took a shot of it.. Artistic?? haha.. nature is still the most beautiful things in this world!! for more pictures that i've took, check out Tot's Flickr Photo Album under Tot's Friends' Link.. Hope you like the photos too :)

My New Website for 2009!!

HockGiftShop.com

Your Army Online Store

So Busy this week doing my new website for Hock Gift Shop. while waiting for my new site to be uploaded, i shall update my blog!! Since last sunday afternoon, I have been planning & doing my site to get it launched b4 2009, Finally I DID IT!! haha... spent 7 days & 7 Nites doing, it almost 15 to 16 hrs per day.. & Now i would like to present to YOU the new HockGiftShop.com!!

http://www.hockgiftshop.com/

Althou so busy with the site, still manage to meet up with some frens. On Fri Nite, met up wif my ex-Colleagues (From Challenger), Crystal, Alan & Eric. They are all Malaysians. Treat mi super good when working with them. promised to spend my evening with them on the last meet up. We meet up @ AMK Hub, this time they were 15 mins earlier den mi.. haha.. started off @ Ah Mei Cafe for Prata & Coffee, wah i didnt expect the prata can be tat big.. haha.. catch a movie "Bedtime Stories". It's a good movie for Xmas.. Happy ending.. but my fren Eric doseoff after 20 to 30min from the start of the show. he was too tired last nite shifting his luggage from his JB hse to Singapore. Didnt really slp last nite..

Sat nite.. Meet up with weiqiang for a movie tat i wanted to watch 1 week ago. IP MAN!! haha.. wah so fast TM GV onli left 1 time slot for a sat nite.. the show has not even been launched for 2 weeks!! lucky we got the tix earlier.. it a good movie, actually quite funny for the dialogs, but the fighting scene not as much as wat i've expected.. WQ very steady.. rode his bike to my hse bus stop to pick mi up, den longbang mi back home.. sometime i really wish i can get a bike license too.. but my mum GUARANTEE wont let mi learn... Anyway thanks WQ for the ride :)

Sunday nite, Neo my sec sch buddy, organized a gathering @ Bedok 85 Market. Lim, YS, Neo & his Ger Fren (pai seh i can rmb her name, im always very bad with names) & mi turned up. Ordered a porridge from a stall recommended by Neo.. I onli can rmb its a Stall wif Red chinese words printed on a white signage.. on the left side of Chan BBQ stall.. wah the porridge was the best porridge tat i've eaten in my 24 yrs, no joke.. but to be honest, i dun eat porridge very often.. during the chat, i den learnt that the porridge stall was managed by our sec sch fren. Its a family biz!! Next time i'll take a pic of the stall!!

Back to T-shirt Printing!! From Jan 2008, i'll Print 3 different designs each month & get them posted on the last day of the month. All Tee's will be displayed @ Hock Gift Shop. or you can purchase directly from our online store @ http://www.hockgiftshop.com/

Thanks for Visiting HockGiftShop.com
&
Do have a Happy New Year 2009!!

Paint my House Project!!

Paint my House

According to my mum's History Record, the last time our family painted this house we are living in is in 1997 (12 Yrs Ago). My Bro Spent 40 days to finish that Project. 12 Yrs later, thanks to all the lizards that are living under one roof wif us, Flooded every wall with their solid art pieces ("The Lizard SHIT!!"). CNY Coming, my mum suggested to repaint the walls, Esp. the living room. Everyone Agreed!!

Equipments bought by my Bro:

• 1 Small Tin of Pearl White Paint for all the Water pipes
• 1 Large Tin of Apple White Paint for the Walls
• 1 Paint Container
• 2 Rollers
• 1 Bottle of Turpentine

BEFORE...

Can you imagine how dirty are the walls??

mum & Bro doing a fast wipe to remove dust b4 painting

Bro stirring Apple White paint
(make sure everything is evenly Mixed)

My Tools

Covered the Fish Tanks with Newspaper
(The Fishes muz be thinking "WTF U guys trying to do?!?")

2.5 Hrs Later...

After 2.5 Hrs of non-stop painting, my Bro & mi completed half of the living room wif 1 large tin of paint!! The feeling is like Non-Stop working out in the gym for 1 full Hr.

No more Lizard SHIT on the Walls

Changed 4 Large Pails of fresh water for my dad's parot fish

My 2 Little Gold Fish (Shy when they see camera)

Can u see how much Difference??

Need to buy more paint for the other half of the living room & 3 Bedrooms.

Work done @ Shop

Name Embroidery on Bed Sheet

Name Embroidery for Child Care Centre's Uniform


Name Embroidery for Child Care Centre's Tee


Close up Shot

Shorts Embroidery

Linda is Back for more Embroidery Work

Name Embroidery on Pillow Cases

Hope you will like the fonts & the position of the text on the pillow case, Do njoy ur weekends & see ya again :)

Things to be done next week:

1. Get a Garment Rack for displaying all my T-shirts @ Hock Gift Shop
2. Do my 1st multi-Color print on a White T-shirt
3. Monday go get more blank t-shirts
   100% Cotton Tee:
   - Black 20M,20L, 5XL
   - White 20M, 20L, 5XL
   - Red 10M, 10L
   - Bright Green 10M, 10L
   - Tueqouise 10M, 10L
4. Meeting Ex-Colleagues on Fri (26/12/2008)
5. Zap OScommerce Book!! Print out all Documentation Notes, Learn Them!!
   

Silk Screen T-Shirt Printing Process

T-Shirt Printing

It has been ard 1 week i have not written any notes on silk screen printing process. Previously, I've noted on the application of emulsion onto the screen & leave it to dry. 2day i'll be noting on the T-Shirt printing process.

Step 1: Print Your Favourite Design on a A4 Laser Image Film

Keep all your films in a clear file holder,
everytime when u need them,
there they are ready for u to use

Step 2: Coat your Screen With Emulsion & Exposure the image using Flood Lights (Noted in Previous Tutorial)

These few day keep on raining, after 4 Hrs with a fan blowing directly on the screens, the emulsion still wasn't 100% dried, I left it alone till the next evening before proceeding to exposing my image. (When emulsion is not dry, there is a strong tacky feeling when touched.)

If you happens to expose your screen b4 the emulsion is completely dried, you will find tat the undried portion will be washed off easily. End up need to start everything all over again.


Step 3: Tape up the sides of the inner screen (Squeegee Side) tat are not covered by the emulsion. Also check for any pin holes. For Pin Holes, cover them with tape from the Outer Screen (paper side).

Usually with 2 coat on the outside & 2 coat on the inside,
you will not encounter any pin holes @ this point of time.

Step 4: Register your screen on the printing press.

Make sure image is centralized or 3 finger below the neckline.
For easier estimation, insert a tee as a guide.

Step 5: Apply ard 4 spoons of ink on the screen, make sure the ink is more than enough to cover the whole image comfortably.

Step 6: Without applying any pressure, lightly glide your squeegee over the image. Allow the ink to flood the entire image. Lift up the squeegee & return it to its previous position.

Step 7: Hold your squeegee firmly @ a 60-80 Deg Angle toward you. Pull the squeegee towards you with some pressure (You will need some practise to understand how much pressure is required). After clearing the ink across the image, lift the squeegee with the ink back to the previous position.

Step 8: Flood & Clear the image again (Recommended)

Step 9: Lift up the screen & check the print. Make sure no Pin Hole Spots. Ready for you 2nd Print!!

Swing the screen to the side, Check your Print!!

Clean & Neatly Printed!!


With a correct amount of pressure applied,
there should be no ink left in the image when the screen is lifted up from the t-shirt.


Strange Orders


120 pcs of Bookmarks for an indian Temple.


Prom Nite Winner Banner Embroidery
(I dunno wat they call it, but it looks like a banner to mi)

Notes Written by: Tot Chua from HockGiftShop.com
Disclaimer: All the above information is from my personal experience, Do more practise & you will get used to the whole process. Always search thru forums, you can really learn lotsa tips from these discussions. Thank You for reading :)

BoA the LIVE DVD

BoA the LIVE

This DVD Arrived in Singapore ard the last quarter of 2007. Got it from Gramophone last yr. Its a live concert celebrating BoA's 20th Birthday. I've watched it for more than 10 times for the pass 1 yr & everytime it touches mi deeply inside my heart.. there is a very strong feeling of LOVE, HAPPINESS & SORROW!! Trust mi go get it, Watch it & Feel it for urself!!

BoA the LIVE

Go Get it NOW!!

Poor Tree!!

Poor "Sua Mei" Bonsai Tree

Last week, i happen to see the whole tree was infected by some white spider looking bug happily breeding on our family sua mei tree. All the leaves & branches were infected & the only cure is to chop those parts off. this is not the 1st time such thing happening to this tree. I rmb a few yrs back, every morning my dad would suck out some of his dirty fish tanks water to water our plants. after a few months, the tree was infected by the same bug. We have been asking him to stop watering the plant wif his fish tanks water, but ... haiz...

1 Week Later...

I can see some little shoots growing!!

Poor Tree!!

Earlier this morning, one of my regular customer (Sam ~ a 40+ Indian Uncle, whole body filled with Tattoo, super big eyes, he's a very friendly person), came wif his new Stainless Steel Zippo Lighter & wanted to do some engraving on it. We came 2gether to do this design on his new Zippo Lighter. Cool?!? haha.. Will waiting for the engraver to do the job, we chat for a little while. Learnt that, his older brother (Age 52) was oso a Naval Diver, a Pioneer Batch (Super Garang Type). Now his bro is living in Japan, Married a jap wife. So envy him, haha, mi for the past 24yrs oso nv been to Japan once..

Pls Note: The Zippo Image is not done by mi, The Name is

Stainless Steel Pendant (Designed by SAM)

Sam really Like this chinese Char (Ox)

This is a Apron embroidery for Chef Matt. Hey Linda, if u are reading this, i would like to apologize for my mum's attitude. She is like tat all the while.. i've been trying to ask her to change the way she talks to customers, but i tin im not influential enof to change her now. Anyway, hope you will like the Apron Embroidery. If next time if i happens to see your restaurant anywhr in Singapore, i CONFIRM will bring my frens go there eat!! All the best for your Biz!! Gambatte!!

WoOoooHohoh.. Finally it comes to my Manulife Financial Planner (Cai ling ~ a super hard working, Bubbly & PRETTY Young Lady). Received her Xmas card (attached with her family photo) last weekend. If i didnt rmb wrongly, she got married late 2007 or early 2008. & Now having a Cute little Baby (Sze Han). Hey Cai ling, have brought lotsa happiness to all your frens & ppl ard you!! Keep it up, the world really needs more ppl like you, Thank You Cai Ling :) All the best in your career, GAMBATTE!!

Tot's Recordings ~ Simple & Clean

Simple & Clean

This is my 1st time trying to sing this song, its a great song by Utada Hikaru. I Love It!!

Below is an audio clip of mi singing the last 2 verse of the song, I've tried my best, tats the max tat my voice can go for now, haha... Hope u like the song too!!

http://www.hockgiftshop.com/TotPrivateFolder/rec1216-221908.mp3

Lyrics

When you walk away
You don't hear me say
"Please, oh baby, don't go"
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings
The future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before

For the actual song,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RefdhRjRSM

osCommerce is Killing Mi!!

osCommerce is Killing Mi!!

Wanted to Build an Online Store for
Hock Gift Shop Since Sep 2008

My 1st Step: Sourced for Singapore freelance web designers, all beyond my budget. 1 of them even suggested mi to ask some india programmer to do for mi, its a great idea!! but i didnt noe anyone living in india.

My 2nd Step: Den i asked around my frens to see anyone is doing this for Side Line. Fortunately my Sec Sch Fren MS's younger sister offered to help mi @ S$2K for helping me to create a Database Foundation & Shopping Cart Features. I agreed to upload all the rest to the images & infomation by myself. She agreed the online store can be complated by Mid Nov 2008. After 3 months of waiting, I still have not seen a prototype of my site database. I've tried to arrange meet up on every week since mid Nov 2008, but she keep giving mi excuses to postpone the meet ups. On the 1st Week of Dec, i've finally got her sms reply, she said the site is ready & apolozied for the delay. I was so happy that asked my dad to prepare the cheque payment for her. den my mum reminded mi to request to see the site b4 paying. so i made an appointment with her on 8/12/2008, 730pm Str8 after my work.

On 8/12/2008 (Monday), ard 530pm, i received her sms again to postpone the meet up to 10/12/2008 (Wed) Evening 8pm. Excuse Given: Database not ready, Everything got mess up during file installation to my web server. I gave in again & agreed with the date change.

On 9/12/2008 (Tue), i received her sms to say she is going for a malaysia trip on wed. need to catch her 9PM coach @ Golden mile. requested to meet half & hr earlier. I agreed to the time change again.

On 10/12/2008 (Wed) Evening, ard 5+, received another SMS from her. My blood start boiling when i saw this sms. she said would have to meet on Sunday after she come back from her malaysia holiday trip. Excuse Given: Database not ready, Everything got mess up during file installation to my web server. (PLS NOTE: SAME EXCUSE USED AS 2 DAYS AGO). Immediately, i went to osCommerce.com to download the open source shopping cart file & open up my own site files to check wat she has actually done. after comparing 8 to 10 files, they were exactly the same programming codes. nothing was changed, no new infomation was keyed in. I replied her "I really regretted for waiting so long!! i've just checked my site, you've onli installed osCommerce into my site & with all empty file, i'll do the site myself instead."
After a few mins, she replied "Everything is Done!! they are not empty files, but if u wan2 do it yourself, i oso have nothing to say!!"

I'm not a smart person, but i really felt like i'm being cheated!! All my trust for her were gone & will nv be back anymore!!

My Final Step: Read this book & do it myself!!

New T-shirt on Sale NOW!!

New T-shirt on Sale NOW!!

Fold them nicely & Pack in clear bags

Hang 1 Sample/Design (Des: Skull 1 White Tee)

Hang my Favourite Design @ the BestSeller Spot!!
(Des: Skull 2 Black Tee)

Des: Skull 3 Grey Tee

Des: Skull 3 Grey Singlet

Des: Dragon 1 Grey Tee

All T-shirts can now be Purchased @

Hock Gift Shop

Price: S$10.00 Each

Shop Add: 21, Transit Road, Singapore 778891
WebSite: http://hockgiftshop.com/Contact%20Us.htm
For Singpost Registered Mail Order: Additional $4.00 to Total Bill