DIY Ferro-cement Owl Garden Stool

Ferro-cement Owl Garden Stool

An owl garden stool created with ferro cement - my first such project using this incredibly simple method. So, what is ferro-cement?

Ferro-cement is a mixture of common Portland cement and sand applied over an armature or grid of wire mesh and small-diameter steel or iron construction rods.

Ferro-cement was called "ferciment" by its French inventor Joseph-Louis Lambot who constructed a small boat in 1848 using cement mortar (masonry) and iron reinforcement of iron rods and chicken wire.

In 1855, "ciment armé" was first used by another French man, Joseph Monier who created large urns, planters, cisterns and bridges. The bridge outer layer was sculpted to mimic rustic logs and timbers.

Ferro-cement is also known as ferro-concrete or reinforced concrete. It has a wide range of applications including sculpture and prefabricated building components.  It has relatively good strength and resistance to impact and can be used to form relatively thin, curved sheets to make hulls for boats, shell roofs, water tanks, roads, garden stools and ornaments etc.

The Making Of An Owl Garden Stool

You start off by putting your idea on paper and the Internet is a great resource for more ideas or information you might need as you embark on this exciting experience of ferro-cement construction.

Owl Garden Stool Drawing

  The Ingredients

Cement, sand and plaster lime mixture

The mortar consists of three basic ingredients - Portland cement, sand and water.

Usually, a ratio of 3:1  is used for most projects. This is make up of 3 parts of sand and 1 part of cement. A ratio of 5:1 is considered the maximum limit before the cement loses its properties.

A bag of Portland cement

Sufficient water is then added and mixed thoroughly with the cement and sand to form a consistency such that a line drawn with your index finger settles only slightly. Draw the line about an inch deep on the surface of fresh mortar and see how fast the line collapses. Too much water and the line collapses immediately. The trick is to add a little water at a time and mix constantly. If the mixture is too watery, add more cement until you get the consistency that you required.

Warning - cement cause irritation and damage to eyes

Putty lime

Sometimes an additive such as putty lime is added to make the mortar more "sticky" as well as to "strengthen" the mixture. This helps the wet mortar adheres easily to vertical surfaces of the mesh. 

A mold cut out from the top of a paint pail. This is use to make the base of the stool

 The Armature

The armature is the framework of iron rods and wire mesh constructed in the shape of object you are creating.

 You will need some tools and materials to help you construct the armature.

Some tools and materials needed for the project

You start off by constructing the armature. This is the foundation or skeletal structure of iron rods and wire mesh pressed and tied into the shape of your project. It can stand alone by itself or build upon a concrete base. For my project, I prefer the second option as it makes the armature construction easier.

I cut out the top section of a large plastic pail that was used to store emulsion paint. This will be the plastic mold to cast my armature base. I then constructed a simple framework of iron rods and wire mesh which I placed in the center of the plastic mold. Mortar is poured into the mold so that the wire mesh is completely enclosed in the mortar. The erect iron rods should be securely embedded in the mortar and become the skeletal structure on which the project armature is built upon.

Concrete stool base with iron rods frame

Some tools for plastering or sculpturing

A large paint pail is then placed in the center of the framework. I used the pail for two reasons - the side of the pail acts like a mold to support wet mortar being pressed through the other side of the wire mesh and it is also big and strong enough to support an adult sitting on it. The pail becomes an integral part of the framework. Secured the pail firmly to the iron rods with galvanized wire.

You do not have to use a pail for the backing. Any hard cardboard or crumpled old newspaper can be used instead as long as it can support wet mortar pressed through the wire mesh.

Another skeletal structure consisting of a framework of iron rods and wire mesh is then constructed at the top of the pail which would be the "seat" of the the garden stool.

A paint bucket is secured firmly in the center and a framework constructed at the top

Mortar is then poured into this upper framework which would eventually become the top section of the garden stool. It would take a day or two for the mortar to set or harden.

Use enough mortar to completely cover the wire mesh and fill the mold

When the "seat" is sufficiently hardened, the plastic mold of the framework is removed. The next step is to construct the armature or framework for the owl-shape garden stool all over this structure.

The armature consists of several layers of wire mesh of different sizes, pressed and formed into the required shape and then secured firmly with thin galvanized wire to the basic structure.

Several layers of wire mesh of different sizes form the armature of the owl garden stool

Mortar is then placed over the entire armature. It is very important that you press the mortar firmly into the mesh and to cover it completely. During hardening, any gaps or air pockets in the concrete would form cracks and weaken the whole structure.

The side of the bucket supports the mortar as it is pressed through the wire mesh

Armature almost completely plastered with mortar

Sculpting into the desired shape

Once the whole armature is plastered with mortar, the next step is to sculpt it into the desired shape. This is the most difficult part of the project as it requires some skill, lots of hard work and patience but it is also the most satisfying part as you begin to feel and see your creation taking shape.

The next step is the hardening or setting stage. During hardening, the assembly must be kept constantly moist by covering it with a damp cloth. This is to ensure that the concrete is able to set and harden slowly and to avoid developing cracks on the surface that can weaken the system.

Cover your completed projected with a damp cloth and keep it constantly moist

The hardening or setting stage usually takes about two to four weeks to complete depending on the size of the project.

The concrete has hardened and ready for painting

The Reward

My very own owl garden stool

Worried About Your Weight? Eat Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight

Fruits and vegetables to manage weight

Everyone knows that there are many ways to lose or maintain a healthy weight. But, do you know that eating more fruits and vegetables together with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is one safe and healthy way to do it?

Fruits and vegetables not only help to control your weight but may also help reduce the risk of some types of cancer and many chronic diseases.

A well-balanced and healthy eating lifestyle includes a lot of fruits and vegetables because they provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.

This is also available as a brochure (PDF-244k).

Be Healthy - Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Eating fruits is good for you

 Almost everyone needs to eat more fruits and vegetables. A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. 

Go to this useful site Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find out how much fruits and vegetables you need in a day.

  
Ten tips for a great and healthy plate of food.

Nutrition for Everyone

CDC.gov (www.cdc.gov) is your online source for credible health information and is the official Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people's health. CDC applies research and findings to improve people's daily lives and responds to health emergencies—something that distinguishes CDC from its peer agencies. Working with states and other partners, CDC provides a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bioterrorism), implement disease prevention strategies, and maintain national health statistics. CDC also guards against international disease transmission, with personnel stationed in more than 25 foreign countries.

School Registration for Standard One in Malaysia (1st March: A Date Every Parent With Young Children Must Know)

 This blog is for all the anxious young parents who are first-timers in registering their children for Standard One in Malaysia. Many are confused about the procedure to register a child for Standard 1 or Year 1 (Darjah 1). Some parents may have problem with Bahasa and need a little encouragement to boost their confidence to do it online. 

I would like to share my experiences on how the application process for School Registration for Standard 1 works in Selangor which has one of the best website in the country. The procedure may vary for other states in Malaysia but the basic steps should be the same. Federal Territory also has a dedicated website for registration for Standard 1 as well as for pre-school. I couldn't find any other sites from the rest of the Departments of Education. If you have additional information, please share with us by leaving your comments.

Please take note that the links to these websites for online registration are only accessible during the registration periods. They are NOT available for public viewing once the registration process is over. For more information please go to the bottom of this page.

1st March:  School Registration Commences

 

One of the Best Website To Do Online Registration

School registration for Standard 1 in Malaysia (Pendaftaran Murid Darjah 1 di Malaysia) usually commences on 1st March of each year and lasts til the end of April for Selangor.

This registration period may vary for other states. It's very important you check this out with the relevant State Department of Education (Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri) or the school authourities. Certain states have only a one month registration period!

Standard 1 Pupils:  6-7 Years Old

A new student entering Standard 1 (Darjah 1) is normally 6-7 years old and a parent or guardian can register the child as early as TWO years before the child starts schooling.

For example, a child starting Standard 1 for the academic year 2015 must be born between 2nd January 2008 to 1st January 2009.

So, if the child is 5 years old in 2013, then the parent/guardian can register the child for the 2015 academic year from 1st March 2013 to 30th April 2013.

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School Registration Is A 3-Step Process

1. Online Registration
2. Verification of Registration 
3. Verification of Placement

1. Online Registration

Visit the official Selangor State Education Department website "Sistem Pengurusan Murid Tahun 1 Online, Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Selangor at http://apps.moe.gov.my/esppsel/ to submit your child’s aplication.

eSPPSEL stands for  
Elektronik Sistem Pengurusan Penempatan Selangor

There are 4 steps in the registration process:

1. PENGENALAN SISTEM
2. TATACARA DAN PANDUAN PERMOHONAN
3. PERMOHONAN ONLINE
4. SEMAKAN STATUS PENEMPATAN MURID

On-line Registration Web Site

 

 

 

This "Introduction To The System" page explains the rationale and objectives of eSPPSel.

There are 8 modules in the ESPP Selangor application (Modul Dalam Aplikasi ESPP Selangor).

Module #1:   Permohonan (murid)

The online application to register your child that you will be doing. From 1 March 2013 to 30 April 2013.

Action by parent

Module #2:   Pengesahan Permohonan

Verification of your online application by the school authourities at the school you intend to send your child. You must complete this verification process with the necessary documents within 14 days from the date of your online application.

 Action by parent

Module #3:  Penempatan Tahun Satu

Year One Placement. Placement of Year One pupils will be decided upon by a panel from the district/state Department of Education. You can check your child's status at the same website after 16 July 2013.

Module #4:  Pengesahan Penempatan

Verification of Placement. After you have check the website to see which school your child is assigned, print a copy of the result and go to the designated school to verify and confirm your child's placement. Verification of Admission to the designated school commences 1st August to 30 August 2013.

 Action by parent

Module #5:  Rayuan Penempatan

If you're unhappy with the school your child is assigned to, you can make an appeal to the Headmaster.

 Action by parent

Module #6:  Pengesahan Rayuan Penempatan

The Headmaster will check and acknowledge your appeal and refer it to the Appeal Committee.

Module #7:  Keputusan Penempatan Rayuan

You can check the status of your appeal application at the same website after 15 November 2013.
There is no second appeal.

 Action by parent

Module #8:  Pengesahan Murid Tahun 1 Melapor Diri

The school authourities will verify that the pupil has reported on the first day of school for the academic year.

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There are three parts to this second step of the online registration process.

The first part "1.0 Tatacara permohonan Murid Tahun 1 secara Online" has 10 items and the following are the most important:

• Registration period: from 1 March to 30 April 2013
• Any registration after 30 April 2013 will be dealt with accordingly as late application. The outcome may be unpleasant and parents are urged to complete the registration process well before the 30 April deadline!
• Please read and follow exactly all the steps and guidelines given.
• Enter all information correctly. Mistakes can be very troublesome to correct. Always check and re-check the information. It would be better to get your spouse or another person to check all the information again before your press the "HANTAR" or "TAMAT" button.
• The system uses your child's MyKid/Borang W number as your User ID to access the website to correct or update your child's profile/application and to check the status of your application.

The second part "2.0    Maklumat Anak" has two examples to help you fill in your child's full name and MyKid/Borang W number correctly.

The third part "3.0    Alamat" has two examples to guide you fill in your house address and telephone number correctly.

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This Blog Is For Information Purposes Only

Please make sure you have read and understood the first two items "PENGENALAN SISTEM" and "TATACARA DAN PANDUAN PERMOHONAN" before you proceed with the registration and click the third item - Registration Online or "PERMOHONAN ONLINE".

The information that I have presented is all taken from the official website and is correct at this point in time of publication. I am not responsible for any changes or new information that may arise after that. 

As a concerned parent you must check the official website eSPPSEL  regularly for any new development or announcement.

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Selangor School Directory

You may want to check out the name and address of the school you intend to enroll your child. 

You can go to this official website "School Directory for Selangor" at
 
http://www.moe.gov.my/jpnselangor/jkict/indexTS.php

Note: There are 3 types of primary school in Malaysia: 

SK,  SJK(C),  and  SJK(T)

           Use these initials in front of the name of the school or place you are searching.  
 

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There are 4 components in this online registration module.

Permohonan Murid Tahun 1

1. Pengesahan

• Warganegara

• Daerah: (Pull-down menu - select one from 10 school district)

                      Klang
                      Kuala Langat
                      Kuala Selangor
                      Hulu Langat
                      Hulu Selangor
                      Sabak Bernam
                     Gombak
                     Sepang
                     Petaling Perdana
                     Petaling Utama

• Jenis Sekolah dipohon: (Pull-down menu, 3 choices): SK, SJK(C) and SJK(T)

• Status OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya)

2. Maklumat Pemohon

• No. MyKid:

• Tarikh Lahir:   Hari          Bulan         Tahun

• Nama

• Jantina

• Kaum

Alamat Pemohon

• Alamat
• Poskod
• Bandar
• Negeri
• Email untuk dihubungi

Maklumat Sejarah Pra Sekolah Pada Tahun.....(fill in the year)

• Agensi Pelaksana: (Pull-down menu, select from 10 choices)

Maklumat Penjaga/Keluarga

• Nama Penjaga
• No. KP
• Nama Ibu
• No. KP

• Pendapatan Keluarga: (pull-down menu, choose 1 from 6 choices)

• No. Telefon Rumah/Pejabat
• No. HP

• Bil. Abang/Kakak Bersekolah di sekolah dipohon:  .......orang

• 1. Nama Abang/Kakak:
• Tahun:

• 2. Nama Abang/Kakak:
• Tahun:

• 3. Nama Abang/Kakak:
• Tahun:

3. Sekolah Dipohon

Go to the State Department of Education website and click on "Senarai Sekolah" at the "Maklumat Sekolah" menu (situated at the bottom right of web page) to find the Primary School that you intend to send your child.

JPN--Selangor

The list of schools will be displayed as a PDF file. Don't panic if the page "hangs" and you can't click your cursor to move the page. Just download and save the file by going to "File" on the top left hand corner of your computer screen, open it and click on "Save Page As..". Now, you have a copy of the list of schools to browse through at your own time.

You can also check for any school in the country by going to website at the Ministry of Education:

Complete School Directory for Malaysia

4. Cetak Senarai Semak

Check and recheck all the information that you have put in and make sure they are correct before you press "Tamat" or "Cetak".

If you do not have your own printer, save the file and have it printed elsewhere. You need a printed copy to bring to the school for verification.

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Print the completed Registration Online forms and bring this and other documents for the next step below.

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2. Verification of Registration

You have to go to the school that you have chosen in the online registration i.e. the school you want your child to start Year One.

Do this second step as soon as possible. Don't wait til the last minute. You have only 14 days from the date you registered online to complete this step.

Your child's registration process is only considered complete once the school authorities have verified  the necessary documents and give your application a registration number.

During the school visit, you will have to bring along various documents for verification at the school’s administration office.

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You have to bring the original documents together with photocopies of them.

•     Printed online registration form
•     Utility bill (electricity or water) of the address used
•     Birth certificate of your child
•     MyKid card
•     You and your spouse's Identity Cards
•     Marriage Certificate
•     Return envelope 4"x 9" (self-address with pupil's name and affixed with stamps).

The above mentioned items are  some of the usual stuff parents have to bring along for the verification process. Sometimes, you may have to fill in another application form at the school. Some schools may want additional information or items not mentioned in the online registration. Don't just listen to the clerical staff (they do not know the registration process). Always talk to the senior teachers or someone in charge of the registration process. Many parents complained about schools
asking for personal information such as income tax, employers, place of work and so on.   

Different schools have different requirements. 
Therefore, it's prudent to check with the
 school authorities before you make this trip.

Always check with the official websites
and schools for the latest information.
 

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Here is a poster notice with the dates and time to check the placements

3. Verification of Placement

Once all steps are done, you can wait for the results of placement to be announced by visiting this same site and click on the ‘SEMAKAN STATUS PERMOHONAN‘ button. You would only need to key in your child’s MyKid number.

Official Website

Results are usually ready for display at the eSPPSEL website by August.

Print out the status, then go to the school together with your child's MyKid and birth certificate to confirm the registration. You MUST confirm your child's placement. Please go before the deadline. Not doing this important step and within the time stipulated may invalidate your registration.  

Verification of Admission to the designated school commences:
 

1st August to 30 August 2013.

Do NOT wait for any letter from the school or Department of Education to inform you - there won't be any!

It's your responsibility to check the results!

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              Important Dates To Remember

• Online Registration: 1st March 2013 - 30th April 2013

(Some states have different closing date - please check them out)

• Verification of Registration: Within 14 days after online registration

• Check Your Registration Status: August 2013

• Verification of Placement: 1st August - 30 August 2013.

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Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory

This is the official website for online registration

SISTEM PENGURUSAN PENDAFTARAN MURID
TAHUN 1/ PRA SEKOLAH

JABATAN PELAJARAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN PUTRAJAYA

JPN- Federal Territory

School registration for Federal Territory - Official Website

http://apps.moe.gov.my/sppm/

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At MOE, click 1 for English, click 2 for Public, and click 3 for Directory

At Directory, click 1 for Education Sector, scrool down 2 till State Education Department, click 3 for Selagor

At Selangor site, click under Capaian - Sekolah or School

Under Aplikasi Untuk Sekolah, click Pendaftaran Tahun Satu (2015-2016) for Registration

Note:

Registration for Standard 1 is only available to the public during the official period usually on 1st March to 30th April. 
And from from 1st August to 30th August.

During other times, the link to this application is unavailable.

Homemade Yogurt: Easy To Make, Good To Eat

Making simple and nutritious yogurt is easy and lots of fun too. Here are 10 steps to make good yogurt for the family.


1. Gather All The Ingredients and Equipment

You can find most of the items in your kitchen

Ingredients

• Milk (whole, low-fat or fat-free) 1 litre or 1 quart
• Yogurt culture/starter (freeze-dried powder) 1 packet 5g
• Powdered milk 1 cup

Equipment

• Pot/pan -  large enough to hold the milk for heating
• Spoon/stirrer - stainless steel or plastic
• Container (plastic/glass/ceramic) to hold cooled milk for fermentation
• Small containers- 5 or 6 pcs for yogurt servings
• Thermometer (optional but useful if you are doing it for the first time)

For home-made yogurt that is fast and easy to make and delicious to eat, I use flavored milk and add some powdered milk for a thicker or firmer texture. Omit this last item if you prefer your yogurt smooth and delicate.


2. Add Milk To The Pan/Pot
   

First, dissolved powdered milk with some milk.

Pour rest of the milk into a pan or pot for cooking

Pour dissolved milk powder into milk and stir thoroughly

Add powered milk for a thicker consistency. The amount to add depends on your preference. You can also add your preferred flavoring at this stage.


3. Heat Milk Until It Start To Boil

Heat over medium fire. Stir constantly until milk starts to froth or boil. Do not over-cooked.

Most people recommends heating to 85°C  (185°F)  when milk starts to boil

Heat the milk over a medium fire. Keep stirring the milk as it heats up. You want to see the milk start to forth or form little bubbles as it reaches around 82°C  (180°F). Continue for a minute or two and then turn off the fire. It is not necessary for the milk to boil over. Do not over-cooked or burn the bottom as you do not want a "cooked" milk flavor.

Heating the milk to almost boiling point kills bacteria in the milk including undesirable ones which are killed if exposed to temperatures over 55°C  (130°F). Heating also denatures the milk proteins so that they set together nicely and not form lumpy curds.  

Just remember to heat the milk to about 85 to 90°C  (185-195°F).


4. Cool Heated Milk to 43-50°C  (110-122°F)

The milk is then cooled to about 43-50 °C (110-122 °F)

Pour the heated milk into a container and leave it to cool down for about 30 minutes, or you can use a water bath to quicken the cooling process. Your target temperature should be within 43-50 °C (110-122 °F). If you do not have a thermometer, place your hands around the container. It should feel warm without burning your fingers.

Remember, yogurt bacteria are killed if exposed to temperatures over 55°C (130°F), and they do not grow well below 37°C (98°F).

5. Inoculate Yogurt With Yogurt Stater

Dissolve yogurt stater powder(inset) with some cooled milk

Pour mixture back into the rest of the cooled milk

For my first batch of yogurt, I use 5g of freeze-dried yogurt starter powder or yogurt culture for 1 litre or 1 quart of milk. Dissolve the culture in a small bowl of cooled milk. Mix thoroughly and pour mixture back into the litre of cooled milk. Mix well to evenly distribute the yogurt culture in the litre of cooled milk.

Stir vigorously to completely mix the yogurt culture with the cooled milk

Once thoroughly mixed, you can use the same container to begin the fermentation process or you can distribute the inoculated milk to small clean containers or jars, filling to the neck.  Cover immediately with clean tops and tighten well.

If you do not have yogurt stater, you can also use a small cup of commercial yogurt from the supermarket but make sure they contain active lactic bacteria such as L.casei, B.longum, L.bulgaricus, S.thermophilus, L.acidophilus.

Put half a cup of yogurt in a small bowl of cooled milk, mix thoroughly and pour mixture back into the litre of cooled milk. Mix thoroughly.


6. Cover Up and Keep Warm Inoculated Yogurt

Put on the cover tightly to prevent contamination

Wrap the container with bath towels to keep it warm

It is very important to keep the container with the inoculated yogurt at the right temperature during the fermentation process which may take from 3 to 12 hours.

There are many ways to keep the inoculated yogurt warm. You can use a oven, hot-water bath, yogurt maker or heater-pads and the time required usually ranges from 3 to 7 hours. I use large bath towels to keep my inoculated yogurt warm.

7. Leave Inoculated Yogurt Undisturbed To Ferment

Since this is my first batch using yogurt starter, I have leave my inoculated yogurt to ferment or incubate undisturbed in a warm place for 12 to 15 hours to reach the desired firmness and the characteristic tangy flavor.

After wrapping my inoculated yogurt with the bath towels, I placed the container into the micro-wave oven which is quite warm with the door closed and I left it there overnight. You can put your inoculated yogurt any where in the kitchen as long as it is warm and undisturbed.

Wrapped-up container in a warm micro-wave oven

8. Turn Milk Into Yogurt

Home-made yogurt -  fresh and delicious

After about 12 hours of the fermentation process, my inoculated milk has turned into a firm texture. Stir vigorously to smoothen out any lumps. You can scoop the yogurt into smaller containers for single servings.


9. Chill Yogurt To Stop Fermentation Process

Put yogurt to the back of the fridge - it's the coldest here

Put the yogurt in the fridge to cool overnight. This thickens the yogurt  further and stop the fermentation process. You can store yogurt in the fridge for 10 to 14 days.

10. Enjoy Your Home-made Yogurt

Yogurt is a very versatile food - eat it by itself or add any flavorings that you like

Home-made yogurt is fresh and nutritious without any of the additives that come with commercial yogurt.

You can enjoy yogurt all by itself or you can add fresh fruits, nuts, granola, cookies, honey, vanill, jam, syrup, jellies. You can eat as snacks or desserts, and is use in many food recipes.

Watch the video here: