Sunday, April 19, 2015

A box of gifts all the way from the US!

This posting is long overdue. In fact, very long overdue! 

I hope Diane doesn’t think that I am not appreciative of the things she sent me.

How can I not be appreciative, I love everything she sent me! I just could not find the time to blog on it. When I had some spare time, which is usually at night in a hotel room when I am outstation, and not able to sleep, I am without a laptop! LOL!

Today I am once again outstation. But this time, I am on holiday while hubby has to work! *grin* 

This time I came prepared with my ever so cute Samsung Ativ Tablet PC (no, I am not getting commission for promoting the tablet PC, but I think I should. *grin*) and before leaving for the trip, I finally remembered to take a photo of the box of gifts!

The box is filled almost to the brim with all things crafts.

Diane had sent a box of variegated DMC threads for NNC’s Anniversary Meet goodie bags. 


Also in the box is Diane’s very lovely neck roll done in hardanger. The work is so fine that when Mel, the lucky recipient of Diane’s AGE, opened the packaging, everyone was going ooohhs and aahhhs over the lovely piece. See posting on the Anniversary Meet.


I don’t think Mel would ever put her neck on that oh so lovely hardanger piece! LOL! 

Looks like it is gonna be a showpiece kept in a showcase in Mel’s home! LOL!

The rest of the things in the box are for me, and for me alone! LOL! ….well, OK, there are things Diane sent for me to make her a Circle Tote and there is the Block Swap that I am supposed to pass on to Zarina.


Sorry, Zarina, I forgot to bring them to the Meet. I only remembered about it when I was taking photos to update my blog.

I shall bring it to the next Bee. Do remind me about it. Very sorry!

Diane sent me materials to make 2 totes. I am still reading up the instructions here and hope to start working on the totes in a couple of weeks.

In the box is also a pack of ziplock bags in a huge size.

I had asked Diane if she could send me some as I could not find that particular size here in Malaysia. They are a good size to put in quilt block for Works-in-Progress (WIP). 


Diane also sent a length of quilted fabric which she thought I’d find a way to use it. I do but so “sayang” to use it because it is so lovely!

She sent 3 books on bag making and other than going through them really quickly upon receiving the box, I have yet to really go through the books gain.

I do notice some bag patterns which I think I am keen on making.

One thing really lovely in the box is a box of very lovely variegated threads which Diane said is meant for my quilting projects. All the colours of the threads are so lovely.

Yes! Yes! I love them all! I know I am going to find reasons to use up the threads in my quilting projects. LOL!

In fact, I love every single thing inside the box!

Thank you so much, Diane, for all the lovely things you sent me.

I will get down to making the tote soon.

I will keep you posted on my progress at the NNC board and at FB.

Sunday, April 05, 2015

NNC 8th Anniversary 2015 Meet - Part 2

Read on for more exciting report! ;)

Paul was assigned to take charge of organizing the Tag Challenge.


Every tag that was submitted for the Challenge was scrutinized with much excitement as each one was made unique using different techniques. 


Everyone was in awe of Vivian’s tag that was embellished with roses which she made herself.


Vivian's tag went to Margaret!

Mel’s tag got everyone excited when we found out that she had actually stitched over the printed Eiffel Tower!


I wonder if anyone noticed that my tag was not in the usual shape of a tag but shaped like a doll’s dress?


Hmm...... no one noticed? Hmmm...... 

I actually almost gave up trying to do the Tag when it did not turn out exactly how I wanted it to be, But, after putting on the embellishments, I thought it did not look too bad, considering that I almost gave up, and besides, I have no other time to make another one.

Anyway, Rose got my tag.


I hope she will like it despite all it's flaws and simpleness.


In turn, I got from Rose.


The tag Rose made.


Mel got from Bee Ee.


Bee Ee got from Radha.


Radha got from Mel, and Margaret got from Vivian and vice versa. 


The winner for the Lucky Draw for those who participated in the tag was Bee Ee. The price was graciously given my our dear Margaret. 

It is a lovely book cover.


Despite not being too well, Jo still took the trouble to join us, and she graciously offered 3 iPad cushion stands for a Lucky Draw.


It was Bee Ee’s lucky day when she once again won the Lucky Draw for one of the iPad cushion stands.

At the next Meet, I am setting a rule that if you win one Lucky Draw, you can no longer be eligible to win another Lucky Draw. I think it’s only fair, right? *wink*

The other two iPad cushion stands were won by Faizon and Rose.



Next came the much awaited exchange – the Anniversary Gift Exchange (AGE)!


Every year, there is always much excitement to see who gets Mel’s lovely AGE, because Mel will always come up with something BIG that gets everyone going goo goo gaga over the things she made. LOL!

Every year too, Mel would come up with a game to determine who gets whose AGE, and it never fails to get everyone attending the Meet laughing out loud and anyone outside of the room who hears us shouting will get curious as to what we are actually up to when we excitedly asked each and everyone who gets the gift to quickly open up the gifts.

Can you imagine how it may sound when all you hear is, “Open! Open! Oohh! Aaahhh!”Wow!” LOL! *grin* 

This year is no different when Mel came up with a game called the Egg-drop Draw.

However, there was a slight technical glitch when at the first round, no one got anyone’s gift when no one managed to get their eggs into a numbered paper cups! 


Mel had to do some adjustments and finally the game was under way with much excitement as each one got their Gift Exchange.


Margaret got from Vivian of 3 cosmetic bags. Seen here is Paul with the gifts.


Diane got from Radha of all things cross stitched that got everyone admiring every single piece of item in the box.


The Queen of Biscornu never fails to amaze us with her awesome stitching work and finishing. 


I think the gift is perfect for Diane. She can put the lovely bell ornaments on her Christmas Tree.

Mel got from Diane a lovely Hardanger Neck Roll piece.


Everyone was admiring the intricate work of the edging and the hardanger. Unfortunately it does not photograph well. 

Vivian got from Jo a lovely casserole carrier and Jo demonstrated how the casserole carrier should be carried.



Jo in turn got from Margaret a lovely set of items all in red consisting of a hexagon pincushion, a set of needles, a mini charm pack, a needlebook, a length of lace, and a magnetic needle keeper. All these came in a lovely drawstring bag with a hexagon cross stitch piece.


Bee Ee got from me a tote bag in red with a matching box pouch.


In the pouch, I included some items I had bought from Spotlight Australia and Spotlight IPC.


This is only the second time that I have learned to put on the snap button by myself on a bag since buying a gadget for it.


I in turn got from Bee Ee a very lovely patchwork and cross stitch bag that came together with a lovely pouch with a cross stitch piece on the front bearing the words “Stitching B”.


In the pouch was filled with lots of treasures of these items (except for the lovely tag on the left - that is from Rose)!


Thank you so much, Bee Ee, for such a lovely gift!

Finally, Radha got the biggest and most awaited gift of all – from Mel!


Mel had to help Radha open up the huge plastic bag! LOL!


In the huge plastic bag all nicely wrapped up with flowers is this oh so very lovely bag!


I think Radha will be using this bag from now on for shopping! LOL!

But that's not all!

In the bag were more great items that seems like there is no end to what’s inside the bag as Radha kept opening up more and more items from the lovely box.


I think everyone was in awe of the things inside the bag, and most probably was silently wishing that they had been the lucky recipient.

Next year, I am going to get the gift from Mel as I think I am the only one left who has yet to get a gift from Mel! LOL! *wink*

So, next year, there’s no need to draw for Mel’s gift! LOL! *wink*

Radha was so happy that she had gotten Mel's AGE that she had to give Mel a huge big hug!

Awwwww! So sweet!

She said that her trip coming all the way from Kedah was worth every cent spent on the ticket to finally get a gift from Mel!

After all the excitement of exchanging the gifts, everyone started getting hungry again, and we took a short quick break to have another round of meal.

As members were eating, Jo took the time to explain about the classes she intend to have at Kelvin’s, starting with only 4 members first, that is, Margaret, Jackie, Bee Ee and herself.

Unfortunately, those working full time would not be able to join them as the classes will be held on weekdays for a start. 

I also took the opportunity to show off my Card Trick Quilt, but unfortunately, I am unable to put up any photos due to publishing rights.

Before the Meet ended, I took the opportunity to explain to everyone my plans to have a Craft Retreat this year sometime around October , November or December, which is around the date of NNC’s 9th Anniversary.

I will be posting at the board more details on the Retreat as I have the plans more detailed out over the next few weeks. So, I hope members will go to the board and keep a look out for the postings on the Craft Retreat.

I am hoping that I will get good response for the Retreat, and I hope that it will be a great success.

We ended the Meet with Zarina selling off her collection of fabrics bought at Pesona in Klang.


The Meet ended on a happy note with everyone going home happy with their goodie bags, Anniversary Gift Exchange (to those who joined) and Tag Challenge or Lucky Draw gifts.

Here are the contents of the goodie bags.


Some took the opportunity to do some shopping at Yee’s with the 20% discount voucher we got courtesy of Yee’s to those who came and paid for the cover charge.

I wish to thank Mel for organizing the AGE. I think everyone had fun just throwing the eggs into the paper cups!

Thanks, Mel, too for doing a demo on the use of the envelope maker. I am so eager to learn what other things I can make with the Envelope Maker!

Thanks to Margaret and Paul for organizing the Tag challenge. 

Thanks to Bee Ee for doing a demo on Margaret's doorgift of a hexagon pincushion.

Thanks, Vivian, for the demo on using the ModPodge. I am sure everyone went home happy with a finished decoupage bottle cap and bottle.

Margaret, there is a bottle in your goodie bag but unfinished.

Thanks to Rose for being such a great Finance and Administrative Manager! I just love how organised she is!

Seen here is Zarina filling out the Guest Book and the payment book or whatchamacolic book.


We now have records of who got from whom for the AGE this year with Rose's record book and we also know who came for the Meet with Rose's idea of having a guest book.

Now why didn't I think of this earlier? LOL!

Thanks, everyone, for bringing such delicious food!

I had great fun, and I am very sure everyone who came had great fun too! I am glad we went ahead with the Anniversary Meet this year!

Thanks again, everyone, for coming!

NNC 8th Anniversary Meet 2015 - Part 1

Despite still feeling tired from just coming back from Kuala Terengganu just the evening before, I was excited that the day for the Meet is finally here. I was eager to go and woke up a little earlier than I would on Saturdays as I had tons to do before I can leave for the Meet.

I had the laundry to do. I had breakfast to get ready. I had to pick up the Nasi Lemak to bring for the Meet. I have to pick up Faizon and Rose. I have to get the place ready before the other members start coming in.

We got there at 9.00am sharp and Bee Ee was already there but Yee Button House was still not opened.

We sat in the car awhile and chatted as we waited.

At 9.15am, Mrs. Yee arrived and we started bringing up our things and immediately started preparing the goodie bags, organising the food, and laying out the table for the Anniversary Gift and the Tag Challenge. 

We started the Meet with breakfast and chatting up.


June showed us her bag of yarns which she recently bought at the recently opened Spotlight at IPC

We were going goo goo gaga over the photo of a cute teddy bear she made for her daughter using the fluffy wool she bought at Spotlight. 

Unfortunately, in my excitement, I forgot to take photos of the different types of yarns that June had brought with her. I also do not have a photo of the adorable teddy bear to show. Maybe June herself can show us the very adorable teddy bear.

The Meet formally started with the distribution of the goodie bags first.

It was the start of the excitement that lasted throughout the Meet, as it always did every year. 

Every item that came out of the goodie bag was received with much excitement and laughter as there would always be someone would get extra excited over an item contributed by a member. LOL!

The first demo for the day was a hexagon pincushion contributed by Margaret. Bee Ee had kindly did a demo on how to complete the pincushion. 

I think trying to teach adult students is no easy tasks as there is always someone who would come with some smart answers to questions being asked on how to do the pincushion, with one naughty student *wink* always coming up with all sorts of excuses not to complete her pincushion! LOL!

But, here she is, all hard at work, trying to complete her pincushion. 


Well, at least she tried..... LOL!

Seen here is Bee Ee patiently showing how the pincushion should be done up.


As usual, Faizon is always the obedient and hardworking student who would quietly do as she is being told. I can’t recall if she completed her pincushion though. Did you, Faizon?


Seen here are 3 other hardworking students...... Headmistress Margaret would be so pleased..... LOL!*wink*


Next came the demo on the use of the Envelope Maker which Mel and I had recently purchased at Spotlight.


I think Mel makes a very good teacher! She is very clear in her demo and could actually get everyone to listen to her, including the naughty student! LOL!


The demo got everyone excited...err.....is there anything that didn't get us all excited? LOL!

I think many are thinking of getting the Envelope Maker after this when they found out how great the gadget is!

The next demo was on how to use the ModPodge by Vivian who did a splendid job despite having our youngest member, Ashley, strapped to her body as she sleeps quietly.


I think we laughed too loud as at one time we woke up Ashley from her sound sleep! LOL!


Everyone got a cute little bottle to take home which they had successfully completed to cover the cap using the method Vivian taught using the ModPodge. 


Vivian also gave everyone a magnetic letter on a cork board with our initials, which she had made herself.

Thank you so much for all your efforts, Vivian! 

Next it time for more excitement as Paul was assigned to take charge of organizing the Tag Challenge.

Wait for Part 2 to read on the excitement!