NNC February 2012 Stitching Bee

We had our first Stitching Bee for the year this year at Restaurant Sri Melaka, Amcorp Mall on Saturday, 11th February 2012.

Our very first stitching meet 4 years ago was held here but with a much larger crowd. That day, there were only 9 of us, but the excitement and noise that we made was loud enough, it sounded like there 20 of us! LOL!

Anyway, I got there quite late. We were to meet at 10.30am, but since that day was also Aiman’s 3-way conference at his school with his teachers, I could only make my way to Amcorp Mall after we were done with the conference. I had already told the members that I would be late.

I finally arrived at about 11.30am. When I got there, most of who were supposed to come had already arrived. There were Zarina, Anna, Jo, Veronica, Bee Ee, Margaret and Jackie. Paul smsed to say that he was going to be late.

As soon as I managed to catch my breath, Jackie excitedly showed me the oven mitten she had made, which coincidentally matched the bag I had brought with me! LOL! Unfortunately, in my excitement, I had forgotten to take a photo of the mittens. Maybe Margaret can do it for me and upload it to the group?

I started the excitement going by taking out my box of treasures or, shall I say, my treasure trove (in other words, the great stash) from my recent trip to Singapore (will blog about the trip in another posting).

I had managed to haul up quite a lot of things from the trip to Spotlight and Quilts & Calicoes.

Since coming back from the trip, every night, I would open up my treasure trove and look at the stash in it one by one before going to bed! LOL! Non-crafters would probably call me insane, but another crafter would surely understand! LOL! *grin*

Anyway, back to the present posting, as if my treasure trove wasn’t enough to get everyone excited, when Zarina took out 2 of her awesome postage stamp baby quilts, everyone squealed in excitement. Yup! Squealed! You read that correctly! LOL!

I think we probably got everyone in the restaurant looking at us, wondering if someone had gone mad or something! LOL!

According to Jo who had arrived early at Sri Melaka, they actually asked the waitress for a table in a corner or at the back of the restaurant so as not to disturb the other customers, but the waitress had refused, saying that the corner area where we wanted was closed for the weekend.

Jo actually warned the waitress that we are going to be quite (did I say “quite’? LOL! *wink*) noisy, and it might annoy the others customers. But, the waitress refused. So, don’t blame us if we are noisy. We already warned them, right? *wink*

Next time, maybe they won’t be so adamant should we ask them for a corner area, or, do you think they will even let us in? LOL! *wink*

Anyway, Zarina had completed her Postage Stamp Quilt, which we had planned on having it as a Quilt-A- Long at the group as part of our activities for this year.

Quoting what Margaret had said, Zarina was officially named as one of the Advisors for the PS QAL journey in case any of us have any problems along the way. I didn’t hear this, but Margaret mentione din her report at the board that upon seeing the postage stamp quilts Zarina made had made Anna decided to join us for the PS QAL!!!

That would be great, Anna!

Another round of excitement followed when Anna took out to show us her lovely crocheted shawl in progress.

Another amazing work that got everyone excited was a bag done by Veronica for the Friendship Bag Exchange where Margaret became the lucky recipient.

I must agree that it does looked like latticework but it isn't! Borrowing words from Paul’s description, the insides are 'pinched' at intervals like smocking which gives it its latticework look. And the handle of the bag was woven from self-made fabric tubings. Indeed a very beautiful work! I must have Veronica show me how it’s done the next time we meet up.

Things quietened for a while when everyone started getting hungry and we decided to have our lunch served. Did I say things quietened for a while? Not really actually. *grin*

Even when the foods were served, it got everyone excited to see how good the other person’s food looked! LOL!

We had quite a variety of choices as you can see from the photos.

As we were having lunch, Paul arrived and proceeded to order his lunch.

As soon as Paul was done with lunch, the excitement continued with Veronica taking out her lovely overdyed linens and evenweaves which she had bought from Silkweaver.

Next, Jo's lovely bags became the center of attraction, and again, everyone admired the work and effort out into the lovely bags.

We got excited too (I don’t think there was ever a time when any member brought out anything that did not get us all excited when we meet up! LOL!) when Anna brought out her lovely baby blue project. I got excited when I saw the size of the yarn! I have never seen such a huge yarn here in Malaysia before.

Just to let you all know, even a set of chopsticks which Anna gave to Paul, Margaret and Jo got us excited too when we saw how lovely the designs of the chopsticks were. I think we are just naturally appreciative of anything and everything crafts. *smile*

When it got to 2.00pm, we decided to adjourn to Book Axcess to check out some craft books as we know they used to carry quite a selection. However, I was a tad disappointed when there were only one or two quilting magazines available. I bought the two magazines that were available and made my way to the flea market on the 1st and ground floor of the Mall.

However, I was also disappointed with the stalls available. Amcorp Mall use to have many craft stalls, but today, there were only a handful. Could we have gotten the dates wrong?

I went to do my groceries instead, and after that, left to pick up Aiman from his tuition.

Overall, the Stitching Bee was again a success where I had loads of fun, and I am sure all those present enjoyed themselves too. Even Paul who was not feeling too well made it to the Bee and I really appreciate the effort.

Thank you, everyone, who made it to this first Bee for the year 2012. I hope many more will turn up for the subsequent Bees. Looking forward to the Anniversary Meet next in April!