Taking over the dining room!

This is nothing new. Ask any of my stitching friends and they will tell you that it is a universal problem. LOL!

I think my hubby has given up on telling me not to take over the whole house! LOL! He kept saying that, for as long as he has space to do his work, read his books and be able to watch TV without having to step or avoid any of my stuff, he’s happy! LOL!

He reminds me, from time to time, that I have a whole craft room, yet my things are everywhere! LOL!

Well, when I was only doing cross stitch, crocheting, scrapbooking and making cards, the space in the craft room was sufficient. But, when I started making bags and quilts, I realised that my 10’x 11’craft room is no longer enough! LOL!

I needed space to lay out my fabrics and battings, and since my craft room is an L-shape, I kept banging onto the shelves and my 3 sewing machines just couldn’t all fit into the room. So, I slowly started inching my way into the dining room! LOL!

I also prefer to work downstairs at the dining room because I want to be as close as possible to where my hubby is watching TV, and the dining room is just perfect! The dining table is also the place where my son does his homework and workbook, and so, I can keep an eye on him while I work on my bags or quilts. It might not be quality time, but, at least we are together, instead of me being cooped up all alone in the craft room, while hubby watches late night movies on TV and I get to properly supervise my son as he does his work. I also get to multi-task as I can get the cooking going while my embroidery machine is running. *grin*

I did some reorganising of the dining room last weekend, and re-oriented the dining table to make more room for my son to do his work and my hubby can bring his laptop down should he wants to do some work and still keep my company as I work on my projects.

When before this I would be sharing the dining table with my son to do my cutting, sometimes eating into his work space with my fabrics and rulers, this time, I created some sort of a nook for measuring and cutting, which is away from the dining table.

My son likes this new layout, and my hubby is happy that things are a little bit neater and more organised. I now have a proper place for my rulers which I bought at Sakura, and had placed it at the top of my cutting board. Makes looking for my rulers easier now, when before this, I kept losing them under all the fabrics and my son’s books! LOL!

I also went out to buy some plastic containers to organise my big collection of embroidery threads, and I like it that now I can see all the colours that I have at a glance.

I also have less problems with my threads getting entangled as they are now separated by colours. I don’t have all 40 threads getting entangled together, but, instead now only the threads that are put in the same container gets entangled. It’s less of a headache. Now I just need to find a way on how to get my threads to tangle less. Any suggestions?

Here’s the corner for my Janome sewing machine.

I still need to organise the back portion of the machine where I had just dumped some of my UFOs. I am still thinking how to do it.

On the dining table, I still have my embroidery machine, but at least it looks neater and I have direct view of my son as he does his work.

I hope this arrangement stays neat for as long as possible, though you and I know that that is almost impossible! LOL! But, I am sure my hubby thinks otherwise! LOL!

Thanks for your patience, Dia! Hugs!

Another day stuck in traffic

I got stuck in traffic on Tuesday, 30th March, for almost 2 ½ hours when it rained. I had left the office at 6.10pm, going home via New Pantai Expressway (NPE). By the time I got home, I was so mentally and physically exhausted that I went straight to bed immediately after dinner was done with.

On Wednesday, I decided to leave the office 40 minutes later to see whether leaving the office late would make any difference in the traffic and travel time. This time I went home via North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). I arrived home at 8.10pm, the same time I got home on Tuesday.

The difference or benefit to leaving the office later? By staying an extra 40 minutes in the office, I managed to clear all my letters for the day, cleared almost all my emails and I wasn’t so stressed out as traffic wasn’t so bad and my travel time was shorter . Because of that, I wasn’t feeling so physically tired, and actually managed to stay up till 12.00midnite to watch TV and go online.

On Thursday, I left the office at about the same time that I left the office on Wednesday, but, I missed the junction that would take me onto NKVE, and had no choice but to proceed onto NPE. It was a big mistake! There was a massive jam going onto Jalan Travers/Jalan Bangsar, and it was so heavily jammed up in front of Sunway Pyramid due to impatient, stupid and rude drivers who kept cutting the queue to get onto Jalan Tujuan. I sometimes wish that I could push all these stupid drivers aside and slam them with a fine so heavy that they can’t afford to renew their drivers licence ever again! Urrgghhh!

I got home that night at close to 9.00pm!

Anyway, as I got stuck in traffic along Jalan Travers, and not knowing what to do to prevent myself from getting all stressed from being stuck yet again in another traffic jam, I took time (like as if I had any other choice! LOL!) to take in the sights at night along Jalan Travers.

Luckily I had my camera with me as I had brought it along to work to take photos of my project sites, and so, I decided to snap some photos of what I had to go through daily on my drive home whenever I am stuck in traffic.

Lovely sights, huh? It could be quite therapeutic actually, but not when you get stuck in traffic almost daily! *sigh*

A sombre mood at ERA.fm

Ever since Kieran left Era.fm, followed suit later by Linda Onn, I started tuning in to other radio stations,flipping between Hot.fm and Suria.fm. I felt that Era.fm have sort of lost much of its lustre without my two favourite DJs, although from time to time, whenever Kieran is on leave, I would tune it to Reza and Adi on my drive home.

I do love listening to Reza and Adi, and I also do love to listen to Aznil, but I simply can’t appreciate the jokes by Din Beramboi. I find it too silly sometimes. Could it be because I am a serious person? But I must admit though that when I do listen to his jokes and `sawáncara’, a flitting smile do cross my face, and I must say that he is a very talented guy, able to change his voice and character within split seconds. Not many actors are capable of that, and I have found myself laughing out loud sometimes as I drive to work in the morning. LOL! *blush*

But, yesterday, when I tuned in to Era.fm the minute I heard word that Din Beramboi had passed away, there was an obvious sombre mood in the air.

It was to be expected as Era.fm had lost a DJ who is family to the station. Most, if not all the songs, played over the air yesterday at radio Era.fm were songs that were very sombre and sad, which carries meaning of loss.

I tuned in to Era.fm almost all day yesterday, feeling the loss they felt yesterday though I am no great fan of Din Beramboi, but many were. There was even one caller who cried over the radio as she sends her condolences to the family of Din Beramboi.

Din Beramboi must have touched so many lives as is obvious when you see the flood of people that when to his funeral yesterday. He will be sorely missed by many people in the entertainment industry, I am sure.

To his family, I send them my condolences. Al-fatihah.

note: photo taken from http://www.murai.com.my/ .

Another boring concert......

I missed the first 30 minutes of the concert as we were in support of Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm (unlike some people who were either, ignorant, plain stupid or simply don’t care! *sigh*) and so missed watching Daus perform Aril’s Menatap Matamu. Maybe it wasn’t worth watching anyway, going by the performance of the rest of the AF kids.

Anyway, by the time I switched on the TV, I managed to catch Aliff singing. I can’t even recall if he was good or not. Could it be that because his perfomance was too mediocre that it had failed to leave an impression on me? Hmmm.....

Both Farina and Ain were also just passable, in my opinion. Nothing to shout about.
I think Shahir was not cute enough to sing the song ‘Jangan Nakal’. Iwan would have been better suited to sing this kind of cutesy song. Shahir should have been given a more matured song with his matured look and personality.

One of the better performances for that night, I think, came from Maulana who sang his mum’s own song. However, I feel that the timing for when his mum came onstage was simply not right. Jimmy should have waited until after the critics were done with. I could sense Adlin’s annoyance at having his critics being interrupted. I would have been annoyed too.

Anum simply does not appeal to me. She has yet again failed to impress me. I also thinks that she is simply too full of herself.

I think Adira has got some potential.

She just needs brushing up, though plenty of hard work is needed from her to turn her into a shining star. I hope she stays in the Akademi right up until the finals.

I could not help feel like the ending of the concert was not an ending when the song Menuju Puncak was not sung. It was like as if the concert was hanging and it came to an abrupt stop. Almsot like an anti-climax. *sigh*

Another boring concert......

Note - photo taken from Akademi Fantasia's official website

NNC 3rd Anniversary Celebration 2010

NNC is 3 years old already! How fast time flies!

Anyway, we had the celebration last Saturday, 27th March, and this time Sabariah graciously offered her house as the venue for our Meet.

The organisers were supposed to meet at 10.00am at Sabariah’s house, buy I did not get there until close to 11.00am! Sorry about that Margaret, Paul and Sabariah!

The night before I had slept close to 3.00am trying to finish up the tags for the door gifts, Thank You gifts, and the bookmarks for the door gifts.

I also stayed up to make two pincushions as Thank You gifts to Margaret and Paul for helping out to organise the Meet. After that, it was time to pack up all the door gifts, Thank you Gifts, the Hostess Gift (for Sabariah), and the Anniversary Gifts, but not before I took some photos of all of them, all after midnight! LOL!

It was never planned for me to do everything at the last minute as I always prefer to get things done early and just wait for when the time scomes, but, this week, things turned upside down when I find myself coming home late almost every day except Thursday. I even came home late on Friday when the traffic was bad again, arriving home only at 8.30pm. I could not get to work on the tags and pincushions until after dinner was done with. I finally sat down to work at 10.30pm!

I actually woke up quite early on Saturday morning, but, maybe because I was lacking in sleep, I must have moved ever so slowly, and by the time I got breakfast done and the laundry hung up to dry, it was already 9.30am!

I rushed to get ready and finally headed out to Sabariah’s house. I thought that I could get there in 20 minutes, but I missed the exit to her house and before I knew it, I was heading towards Meru in Klang!

Luckily I realised it not too far off from the exit, and was directed back onto the right road after getting more directions from Sabariah. By that time, I was told, Sabariah was already `talking behind my back ‘and grumbling as to why I am still not there when I should have been there at 10.00am! LOL! Sorry, Sabariah!

Anyway, when I got to Sabariah’s house, I quickly got into gear to get the door gifts ready.

I had a lot of help from almost everyone who were already there to fill in the bags, as everyone was curious to know what they were going to get! LOL!

We started the Meet, as usual, with the food, and there was definitely plenty to go around for twice the number of people that we had, and we could even have more than 2 rounds. Just look at the spread!

Everyone was eyeing Mel’s delicious Strawberry Cheese cake, but not so much for the cake than for the fresh strawberries on top of it! LOL!

There was also another lovely cake I believe was contributed by Jo.

I can’t recall all the food, but there was Nasi Lemak, Apple, or was that Peach Pie, Fried Mee Hoon, curry puffs, samosas, nuggets, jelly, tarts, rendang, and fruits, just to name a few. Everything was simply delicious!

Our next agenda was the appliqué class demo by Janet. I had initially wanted to join in as I had already cut up my fabric to size and brought all the things needed for the class demo, but, since I was lacking in sleep already, I dare not strain my eyes further, especially since my reading glasses was also not very clear. I needed to have the power checked, only that I just could not find the time to visit the optician.

Anyway, those who did join in the demo were Margaret, Jackie, and Mel, while the others just looked on and listened.

Usha’s 3 daughters too managed to squeeze (it was a small coffee table meant to serve only tea and coffee, and not meant to do a sewing demo! LOL!) their way in to learn some new techniques from Janet.

Thanks a bunch, Janet!

While the demo was going on, Sabariah showed the rest of us who were not into learning the appliqué around her house which she had just moved a few months ago.

Just look at all those cottons she has in her cabinet, and taht's only some of her stash!

I simply love the purple curtains in her daughter’s room, but I forgot to snap some photos of the purple curtains. *sigh*

Then it was time for Show and Tell, though this year, I noticed that fewer people brought things to Show and Tell. I wonder why.....

I had brought many bags that I had done in the last 3 months to Show & Tell.

I even brought along Diane’s big bag to show off (I will blog more on it later), though I had yet to put in the buttons.

Zarina brought a few lovely quilts that she had done, and I really love her free motion quilting. I wonder when I can ever get to that level of free motion quilting. *sigh*

In the mean time, Faizon was also busy showing how to tat to some of the interested members while Sabariah showed how to bead.

It was time to eat again before it was time for the much awaited event of the celebration – the Anniversary Gift Exchange! But, not before we had a lucky draw to give away a felt flower book courtesy of Diane all the way from the US!

And who could have won this great book, but yours truly! LOL! I was like going, “really?”I opened the number I had drawn earlier wondering if I was dreaming! LOL!

Thanks, Diane, for the lovely book!

Then the next draw was for a tatted bookmark courtesy of Faizon. Paul’s number was drawn, but since he had already got a similar one from Faizon (hey! How come only he got one? heheh...), he offered up the prize again for a draw, and the lucky recipient was Jackie, Margaret’s sister.

I also announced a prize for the 60,000thposting at NNC and it was won by Zarina.

Next came the highlight of the Meet . But, before that, here are the gifts all in a row..err...., well, sort of! LOL!

Below are photos of who got from whom....

Mel received MW's gift (co-incidentally, she also received MW's Anniv Gift last year!!)

Rose received Janet's gift, while Faizon received Diane's gift. It was coincidental that Diane received Faizon's gift in return.

Alynn received Sabariah's gift, while Tini received Mel's gift

Janet received Rose's gift, while Zarina received my gift.

Sabariah received Alynn's gift

MW received Zarina's gift

Usha received Tini's gift, while Paul received Shanny's gift. Coincidentally, Shanny also received Pauls'gift.

Here's me opening up Usha's gift.

Each time anyone opens up a gift, Headmistress Margaret was quick to check to see if we had included in our gift the compulsory felt flower. At one point it became so amusing that we started teasing Margaret! LOL!

Here are all the felt flowers put together. Don’t you think they look quite real?

Up next was opening up the Hostess Gift.

I think Sabariah had great fun opening up all the lovely hostess gifts and was recommending to everyone to open up their houses next year for the Anni Meet so that they too can get Hostess Gifts! LOL!

Seen here is Sabariah with the tea cosy set I made for her.

I also made pincushions for Paul and Margaret to thank them for co-organizing the Meet this year.

I completed both the pincushions at 2.00am! So, Paul and Margaret, if you see any flaws on the pincushion, just shut an eye, OK? LOL!

Some of the members had brought their Pincushion Exchange to pass on to their partners, and so, it was another exciting time opening up those lovely pincushions one after another! LOL!

I salute all these talented NNC members! I hope more will join in the exchanges organised at NNC.


When all the excitement of receiving and opening gifts subsided, Faizon left together with Jo, followed soon after that by Alynn and her family.

I wonder what does Alynn’s hubby thinks of all our screaming and laughter and excitement! You think he will let her join us again? LOL! *wink*

The last event of the day was another demo, this time by Mel on how to make fabric covered buttons.

I just love big fabric covered buttons. They would look lovely on my handmade bags! Now to go look for more of those button casing!

I think this year we had more demos than we had things to Show & Tell. Could it be because our Stitching Bees are more regular now (every 2 months) and so we tend to bring things to Show and Tell during the Bees rather than the Anniversary Meet and leave the demos to during the Meet when we would have more time and space to do the demo.

Anyway, whatever the reason may be, I had lots of fun last Saturday! There was so much food, laughter and excitement.

Thank you, Sabariah, for hosting this year’s Anniversary Meet. Thank you to Paul and Margaret and Jackie for helping out to organize the meet. Thank you to all the contributors of the food, door gifts and the kids’ goodie bags.

Thank you, Janet, Mel, Faizon, and Sabariah, for the respective demos.

Thank you all for coming and for making it another great NNC anniversary celebration! I hope that everyone had a great time! Hugs!