NNC turned 5! Part 2 – The celebration

I was up early that day, 14th April 2012. I hardly slept, in fact. I slept very late the night before, doing some last minute packing. This time, it was really last minute as I was still up at past midnight trying to finish up everything.

I actually took leave that Friday the 13th to finish up whatever that I have yet to finish. I had the whole day, and I thought that it would give me plenty of time, without having to rush, to finish up making my posting gifts, packing them all up, cook the spaghetti (the Meet was Potluck style) and still have time to work on some appliqué which I hope to be able to show off to my friends at the Meet. *grin*

But, as fate would have it, on Thursday nite, my hubby came home and told me that one of his uncles is very critically ill and that he would like to visit him who is in Johor Bahru. We had earlier planned to go on Saturday, and I had asked if we could go after the Meet. But, my FIL said that Saturday might already be too late.

So, after sending Aiman off for his school motivation camping trip at 7.00am, we headed off to Johor Bahru. However, one hour into the journey, we got a call to say that the uncle has passed away. Al-fatihah.

Since we were already on the way, we decided to proceed anyway. We wanted to at least pay our last respect to Ayah Bid, my hubby’s uncle, and to lend some support to Aunty Chah, the widow.

We thought that we could make it in time to at least pay our respect before the burial, but, for some reason, our journey that day took longer than usual. It would usually take us only 3 ½ hours, but that day, it took us 4 ½ hours. By the time we got to JB, they were already performing the prayers.

We stayed on for a while and chit chatted with the family and caught up with some cousins whom we have not met for some time. It’s odd how we only do catching up at such occasions – weddings, funerals and such. Maybe it’s time to meet up more often with friends and families to keep our ties strong.

I plead guilty for not playing my part more, as work always plays a major role in my day to day decision. I don’t know how many times that I have had to cancel my leave to spend time to Aiman at the last minute when duty calls. Even Aiman has started to complain that his Mummy and Abah is always so busy. Maybe it’s time to look back and reflect at the way we run our lives...... but, till then, it’s back to my story telling on the NNC Meet! *grin*

By the time we arrived back in KL, it was already very late. There was a bad jam going into KL from JB. There was even a point when the traffic was totally stalled. I arrived home tired but forced myself to finish up packing whatever I could.

As for the spaghetti that I promised would make, it was totally out of the question now that it was late, I was tired and I still had the packing of the gifts to do.

I smsed earlier to Mel and Margaret about it during my journey to Johor Bahru of my emergency, and luckily they assured me that there will be plenty of food. They were right! Just look at the spread of food for the day!

And just look at Mel’s lovely table setting of the awesome cupcakes! I just love them – both the cupcakes and the setting! Mel is so creative! Can I steal this idea, Mel? *wink*

This corner is the worse! I call this the sinful corner! LOL!

Just look at that chocolate fountain! I could stand in front of it all day and let the chocolate coat the fruits. Fruits are good, right? LOL! *wink*

I arrived at slightly past 9.30am with Sally and Jo who took a lift from me to Mel’s house, our Hostess for this year’s Meet.

I immediately got to work with Janet to sort out the Door Gifts.

My! The door gifts are starting to get more and more interesting and exciting by the year! Just look at the contents!

I’d better start planning for next year’s Meet now! LOL!

I made these labels to ensure that everyone gets their door gifts and so that members do not get them mixed up with someone else’s should they put them aside to enjoy the rest of the celebration.

Notice that it's got a bird theme?

Mel had some extra items to give away and they were all so awesome!

She had them laid on the table in 3 lovely decorative containers. The containers themselves containing the extra items were all so lovely, I wish I could take the containers too! LOL!

The first agenda was breakfast, and everything was so delicious.

I hardly ate most of the food though. I was still feeling tired from the long journey the day before and so had very little appetite. I was also missing my son.

I ate a lot of tit bits though – the dim sum was delicious. So were the Roti Jala and the Potato Cheese Balls. But, I spent a lot of time in front of the chocolate fountain. LOL!

I think I have this bad habit that whenever I am tired; I look for something chocolaty to eat. When I am down with a cold, I look for something hot and spicy to eat as when I have a cold, I have lost most of my sense of taste and smell, and so, spicy food usually helps me with the taste so that I have an appetite to eat.

While some of us were enjoying breakfast, we took turns to chit chat with Diane on skype from across the globe.

We also took a tour of Mel’s lovely house. I just simply love this novel idea of using a clothes hanger to hang ribbons.

Thanks, Mel, for the inspiration!

Just look at Mel’s collection of handmade bags! All so lovely!

Next on the agenda was the demo on using the Sizzix Big Shot – the first of 2 demos planned for the day.

Thanks, Vivian and Janet, for the demo. I already have a Sizzix die cutting machine, but a much smaller one, and a very old version of a die cutter, but I am just tempted to get the Big Shot after seeing the demo, especially when I read that it can also be used for doing patchwork and appliqué!

The next demo was by Zarina on how to put together the blocks for the Postage Stamp Quilt (PSQ).

We have planned a PSQ Quilt-Along (QAL) at the group to encourage members to give a try at quilting. So, this demo was just appropriate.

Just look at the lovely baby quilts made by Zarina! They are such an inspiration.

Thanks, Zarina, for the demo!

BTW, we also had a corner for selling craft related items, and Zarina brought some lovely Layer Cakes, Charm Packs and Fat Quarters. I bought a pack. I also bought some overdyed threads.

Sally sold some threads which she purchased from Superior Threads, and I bought 2.

Faizon sold some tatted pieces, while I put up my owl and cat pouches for sale. I only made one sale that day, and it was from Janet. Thanks for the support, Janet!

I will be putting up the rest for sale at my blogshop. Do drop by and make your order.

We also put up a corner to sell items contributed by members where the proceeds will go towards paying for the postage cost to send back the Anniversary Gift items and the door gifts to Diane, Shanny and Radha who joined in the Anniversary Gift Exchange and contributed towards the door gifts despite being far away.

Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Next on the agenda were the results for the most liked bird. But, before that, here are the birds all nicely perched on Mel’s bay window.

Aren’t they all so lovely? Aren’t all our members so creative and talented?

Sally’s origami bird has more than 500 folded pieces of paper put together.

I just love this bird sitting in the nest made by Mel. It is so cute! Wished that I had won this one too!!

Zarina made some lovely tatted birds.

See that Angry Bird? That’s the one made by Usha which I won with her Exchange Gift.

Aiman was elated that I won an Angry Bird, knowing how much he loves Angry Birds. It is now perched on his PC and he brings it to bed with him each night!

I can’t remember the rest of who made which bird, but the bird I made is the one in blue to match my Anniversary Gift.

Back to the Bird Challenge, votes were cast by members themselves, and the winner is..........Veronica! Two years in a row!

This lady is really talented, and I am envious. I wish I have the talent and TIME to come up with such a creative design.

Veronica did not make just any bird, but a bird that is actually a purse.

It has two pockets on the side which are under the wings of the bird. Really awesome, and the bird is really lovely! Congrats, Veronica!

Can I echo someone’s suggestion that you no longer be in the running for next year’s prize? LOL! *wink*

No, I wouldn’t do that. That only means limiting your creativity, and I wouldn’t want to do that. Maybe next year, we can have two prizes instead? One which will almost surely go to Veronica, and another one to the 2nd most liked creation so that we still have another winner without putting a stop or damper to Veronica’s creativity?

I’ll discuss that with Margaret. Maybe she can also let me in on what next year’s challenge will be so that I can start planning on it NOW! LOL! *wink* Psssst! Margaret! LOL! *wink*

To thank Margaret for coming up with the Bird Challenge, some members gave Margaret owls and chicks to prove a point to her that owls and chicks are birds too, as she said that she will confiscate any bird that looks anything like an owl and chicken, other than banning me from doing an embroidered bird.

Hey, Margaret, how come Zarina wasn’t banned from doing a tatted bird since she is also an expert tatter, like you banned me from using Em, my embroidery machine, since embroidering a bird would make making my bird a breeze? Not fair!  LOL! *wink*

Next on the agenda was the giving away of the Posting Prizes.

Diane won for the 1000th message posted the 31st of December 2011, and here is what I made. It’s a spectacle case.

I know Diane loves cats. I hope she will love this cat too!

I had actually made her an owl pouch, but she posted at the board a request “No more birds!” LOL!

She has had enough of birds! Who wouldn’t, after the talk on birds for months since Margaret put up the challenge? LOL! *grin*

Since Zarina and Janet stayed up with me on 31st December to try to reach the target of 1000th posting in December 2012, I decided to reward both of them.

Zarina won for posting the last message for the year at 11.59am on 31st December 2011, and Janet won the prize for posting the first message for the year 2012 at 12.02am. Congrats, Zarina and Janet!

Here are their prizes.... I made Zarina a Flip Flop Spectacle case, and I made Janet an owl pouch. Zarina too had requested no birds! LOL!

Usha won for posting the 80,000th message at the board since NNC was formed 5 years ago. I made her a pouch with her name on it as 80,000 is a big achievement for NNC! Congrats, Usha!

For Mel, to thank her for hosting this year’s Meet, I also made her a pouch with her name on it. Thanks, Mel! Big hugs!

Mel also received some lovely Hostess gifts from the other members, but I can only put up photos as I can’t recall she got what from whom.

I hope everyone like their prizes. I wanted to do more or add more to the prize, but I was short for time this time around. Maybe next time. In the mean time, keep actively posting at the board, members. More prizes will be rewarded from time to time!

We had some lucky draws for gifts contributed by Diane and Shanny, but since I did not take any photos, nor do I have record of who won, I can’t report on it. I ran out of memory space on my memory card in my camera at the time the lucky draw was done. I had to spend some time deleting some old photos, and so missed out on the event. 

But, luckily, I did not miss out on the big event, and that is the exchange of the Anniversary Gift! I managed to delete enough old photos to snap most of the photos of the much anticipated event of the Meet, though I still did missed out on some. :(

Here are photos of who got what from whom...

Janet received from Diane.

Here’s me holding up the gift Veronica made which Shanny got, and more close-up of the winning bird. I wished I was the one who got this gift!

Jo helping Zarina to open up the gift she made.

Instead of wrapping up the gift with wrapping paper, Jo had wrapped it up using fabric. Her explanation being that if she wraps up using paper, whoever gets it will just tear up the paper and throw it away. By wrapping it with fabric, Zarina gets to keep the fabric too and make use of it! Good idea!

Zarina got a lovely handmade bag from Jo.

Usha received a lovely set of stitching accessories from Radha.

I have always admired Radha’s stitching work and hope to someday be her lucky partner for the Anniversary Gift Exchange.

Mel received a lovely piece of patchwork piece from Janet which got everyone going ooohhh and aaahahhh! LOL!

I must say that it really is a lovely piece, and has inspired me to get started on my PQS piece.

Now comes one of the most coveted Anniversary Gift of all – Mel’s Anniversary Gift!

Each year, everyone would eye Mel's gift. It always comes in the biggest packaging and never fails to get everyone excited. This year was no different.

It was Sally’s turn to pick a bird, and she stood next to Mel and said allowed, I want Mel’s gift!

As if in answer to her request, she picked out the bird with the number that matches Mel’s gift!! LOL!

Come to think of it, Mel, did you hint to her which bird to pick? LOL! *wink*

Next year, I am sitting next to you! LOL! *wink*

Jo received from Sally (sorry, no photo), and Bee Ee received from Lillie.

Lillie made this very beautiful pincushion that resembles a doll’s dress.

It’s really pretty and very creative. I must ask her where she got the design or idea to make this pincushion from.

Veronica received from Vivian. Unfortunately I did not manage to get a photo of all the things she got, but you can read it all about it here at her blog.

Vivian received from me.....

.....and and this was what I made.

Like I mentioned in an earlier posting, I got the pattern from Embroidery Garden. It is a pincushion cum needlebook cum scissor holder cum thread holder, and I included a seam ripper and needle threader.

I think this owl with the spool of thread for its foot is really cute! Wouldn’t you agree? *wink*

I know that Vivian is more into cardmaking, but I still hope that Vivian will find some use for it and will still be able to enjoy using the pincushion.

For the 3rd time since we started having the anniversary Gift Exchange 5 years ago, I again got Usha’s gift. I think it has been fated that we are soul mates! LOL! *wink*

Anyway, I got another crocheted doily from Usha in the same colour that I got earlier from her, but, this time, it is bigger. Each time I get a doily from Usha, it gets bigger and bigger! LOL! *wink*

Now with 3 doilies in matching colour, I have a complete set to decorate my living room. Thanks, Usha!

I won’t be using the pot holders though. I don’t want it getting burnt after all the hard work and effort put in by Usha to make them. They are definitely going into my Craft Showcase.

I love the Angry Bird. It is just so appropriate for Aiman!

I did not manage to snap photos of the other gifts the members received when my camera ran out of memory space, but, for the record, here’s the list of who got from whom.

1. Janet received Diane

2. Shanny received from Veron

3. Radha received from Shanny

4. Zarina received from Jo

5. Lillie received from MW

6. MW received from Zarina

7. Diane received from Bee Ee

8. Usha received from Radha

9. Mel received from Janet

10. Sally received from Mel

11. Jo received from Sally

12. Nik received from Usha

13. Vivian received from Nik

14. Bee Ee received from Lillie

15. Veronica received from Vivian

After the big event was done and over with, some continued to eat whatever food that was still leftover from breakfast. Margaret, Jackie and Lillie, however, had to leave as it was Margaret’s son’s birthday that day.

It was nice of Margaret to still come despite it being her son’s big day. I really appreciate it!

Sally, Jo and I left soon after that, but we did not head straight home. Instead, we made a detour to Kelvin’s shop. I needed to get some fusible web for an appliqué project that I am currently working on. I will post on that in a later post.

I think, all in all, everyone went home happy, and I think everyone had a good time.

Thank you to everyone who came. Thank you to Margaret, Jackie, and Lillie for organising the Anniversary Exchange. Thank you to Paul for organising the food. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the postage cost and towards the door gifts. Thank you to all who brought the food.

A huge and special thanks to Mel for opening the doors to her lovely house and hosting this year’s Anniversary Meet.

Looking forward to the next one, God willing!

A clutch, a purse or a bag? Neither! It’s a pouch for my .......... *grin*

Since buying Sam, my Samsung Tab, as a birthday present to myself last year, he has been my constant companion on my travels for work whenever I travel for only one night as he is small enough to be carried into my handbag or backpack, instead of having to carry Pinky, my laptop.

Poor Pinky! But, I do bring Pinky along when I have to travel for more than 2 days as it is faster to do my work on Pinky than on Sam.

Whenever I have Sam with me, I get to check my emails, both from the office and my personal email account, no matter where I am, and my staff can easily get in touch with me in case they need me to check through letters or schedule a meeting.

As I travel more and more often these days, my emails tend to stack up, and trying to reply to emails on a visual keyboard can get very frustrating at times. So, recently, I went out and got myself an actual keyboard that connects via Bluetooth. It is actually a keyboard meant to be used with the iPad, but when I tried it out the shop, Sam was able to connect to it and so, I decided to get it.

I had actually wanted to get one that comes with a folder that acts as a protector for the keyboard and the Tab, but, for some reason, Sam could not detect the keyboard as it was made to be used with the Samsung Tab 10.1.

Hmm......funny that Sam can speak with the keyboard meant for the iPad but could not communicate with the keyboard meant for the Sam’s younger brother, the 10.1. LOL!

Anyway, as this keyboard came ‘naked’, so to speak *grin*, I was afraid that it might end up being damaged when I pack it up inside my backpack or carry-on luggage, so I decided to make a pouch for it. And the result......

Doesn’t it look more like a clutch or a purse that I can bring to work or smart casual functions?

I just love this pouch, though I wished that I had added a pocket inside it to put in some spare batteries for the keyboard. Now, each time I open the pouch to take out the keyboard, the spare batteries fall out. *sigh* Oh well!

But, I am proud of this pouch, It is a first for me making a pouch of this design, and one that I designed myself too!

If anyone of you out there is interested to order one for your portable keyboard, do let me know and we can work something out. In the mean time, I am off to work outstation again with Sam and his new companion, the keyboard, whom I have yet to name. *grin*

Like magic!

My mum bought a video camera recently when she was here in Kuala Lumpur. She came over to my house to spend the night, and while here, my brother asked if I could make a small pouch for the new video camera for mum as the camera bag that came with it was too big, and he can’t imagine having mum to carry it around.

When my brother first asked me to make the pouch, I drew a blank but in my head, I was trying to figure out what kind of pouch would best suit the cute little camera.

I had to stop the design process and imagining in my head when we went out for dinner to celebrate my son’s 12th birthday, but the minute we walked back into the house after dinner, and my brother asked again about the pouch, I thought I saw a light bulb in my head! LOL! I was like doing a magic trick of sorts by pulling a rabbit out of a hat, only it wasn’t a rabbit that I pulled out, but a pouch out of my bag of pouches which I had recently made for the NNC Anniversary Meet.

As if like the pouch was meant to be made for the camera, the pouch I had in hand fitted the video camera perfectly like a glove!

How cool is that? LOL!

The pouch measures approximately 6 ½ x 4 ½ inches. I think the size is just nice to fit into a handbag, and can also be used as a mini purse or handphone wallet.

The pouch is available for order at my blogshop , but you can also order them here too. It can be customized to include a monogram or with your name or the name of the person you want to gift the pouch to at an additional cost, as can be seen in the picture below with Usha's name.

NNC turned 5! Part 1 – Making the gifts!

NNC celebrated its 5th Anniversary recently. The actual date was 30th October 2011, but since everyone was busy (as always! *grin*), so it was decided that we would have the celebration on the 14th of April 2012.

Phew! That gave me some breathing space to prepare for the Meet after completing my Project Management Certification program where it was scheduled for the Final Paper to be submitted in early March 2012.

As soon as I submitted my final paper and took a much needed rest (sleep! LOL!), I immediately started work on making the Anniversary Gift Exchange, the door gifts, that darn bird which was an extra requirement by our so lovable Headmistress Margaret, and posting prizes for those active members who reach a certain number of postings targeted at the board.

I only had about 4 weeks to prepare them all! I think I was running a marathon of sorts, after just completing a race to complete my final paper! LOL!

I initially wanted to hand make something for the door gifts, but with so little time before the Meet but with still lots of things to make and do, I had to be realistic. So, I decided, for this year, to get something store bought.

I wasn’t happy with my decision, but time was running out, and I still haven’t the faintest idea how to make a bird. Not just any bird, but a bird that is not an owl, not a chick and not embroidered. Headmistress Margaret was very strict on that. Torturous too! LOL! *wink*

Headmistress Margaret even had banned me from taking a short cut and letting my embroidery machine, Em (ooh! I miss her!) do all the work.

Anyway, I posted at the group to her in 13 paragraphs explaining how, that if I was going to make the bird using Em, I would still have a major part of it done by hand. She finally allowed me to use Em to make my bird, but, as it turned out, I never used Em at all. I made everything by hand.

It was a tinny tiny bird. So tiny that I even forgot to snap a photo of it! *sad* Maybe Vivian who got my bird in the Anniversary Gift Exchange, can snap a close-up photo of it? All I have is this unglamorous photo of the bird, not that my bird is glamorous to start with, but sometimes, a good photography can do wonders! LOL!

Anyway, back to our loveable Headmistress Margaret, I think she just wanted to get our creative juice running high so that we can test our creativity to the limit. But I think she also loves getting us all excited and stressed out trying to figure out how to make a bird.

So, it became a joke, of course, in a very friendly kind of way, at the board, when everyone started referring to it as that dammed bird. I refer to it as that darn bird, but Headmistress Margaret kept referring to it as that cute bird! LOL! But, all in all, it was all done in good spirit. *smile*

OK, enough about the bird, it’s time to go on with my story telling. *smile*

For the door gifts, I decided to pack up a packet of pins, tailors chalk and a packet of needles.

As for the posting prize, I set about making some handmade items using patterns I bought online from Embroidery Gardens. I had fun making each and every one of the items. It was exciting to see the owls and cats come to life, so to speak, while I was making them although Em did most of the job! LOL!

I had so much fun making them that I thought I would make some extras and try to sell them at the Meet at our Home Base Business Corner. In fact, I think I am going to make more to sell at my online shop, Uniquely Aznique!

What do you think? Would there be a market for them?

As for the Anniversary Gift Exchange, since I had very little time left to decide on what to do, I had to decide fast, and while I was surfing the internet looking for ideas for the bird and the Posting Prize, this particular pincushion design also from Embroidery Garden jumped right out at me.

I really had fun making this pincushion, but I will post photos of the pincushion in Part 2 of the series coming right up after this posting. *grin*

Be right back!

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!

A Date in Penang

I was in Penang again on the 10th of January for work. As my meeting was over 2 days, I had some free time after the first meeting in the morning as the 2nd meeting was scheduled for the next day. This gave me an opportunity to meet up with Ina.

I have been planning to catch up with Ina several times already during my last few visits to Penang, but have had to cancel at the last minute as I was either short of time, or Ina had some other emergencies and family matters to attend to.

This time, with the whole evening free, I made arrangements to meet up with Ina. She picked me up from my hotel at 3.00pm and we headed on straight to this quilt shop called Q Gallery which had recently relocated from its previous location in Queens Bay Mall.

It’s a quaint little shop with plenty of things to make you go goo goo gaga. I wished I had taken photos of the inside of the shop to show you all. I wonder, though, if they will allow me to snap photos. What do you think, Ina? Will they allow me? If they do, I might want to snap photos the next time I am there.

Anyway, while there I bought a Japanese book on bags and, I could not resist getting one layer cake and one jelly roll. I just love this Late Bloomers collection from Moda.

What do I plan to do with them? Not sure yet. I have too many other things in my mind to think about for now, but I hope to use them for one of my quilt projects I hope to make this year. Yup! That’s my plan for this year, but whether that will actually happen is another thing. LOL!

Ina bought some cottons for her quilt projects in pinks, greens and red. Really lovely! Just can’t wait to see the final product!

After the trip to Q Gallery, we sat in the car for a while as Ina showed me piece after piece of her projects in progress.

I was really impressed, especially this piece which I have forgotten what it is called.

I was also impressed with her Dresden plate piece but I forgot to take photos of the piece and so could not share with you all the lovely piece. Maybe Zarina herself can blog about it, if she hasn’t already.

Before sending me back to my hotel, we stopped by for tea at her work place of sandwiches and spaghetti. Really delicious!

I had a great time with Ina. Thanks, Ina! Hugs!

I just love all the pieces in progress you showed me and can’t wait to see the final product. I also learned a few tips on making Dresden plate and the curved piece. Thanks too for the links to a few new websites unfamiliar to me before this. They are great!

Thanks again. I hope we can do this again on my next trip to Penang! *wink*

The Little Black Bag

Do you remember the sample prayer mat bag I made for my hubby’s cousin, Idah, in 2009?

Well, I have been using the bag for myself to carry my documents and other things to work. Recently I find myself in need of a black bag as the black bag I have been using all this while is starting to give way. So, I thought to myself, why don’t I make a black bag that matches this prayer mat bag. That way I would have a matching bag set.

I started on this project on the weekend of the 23rd of August 2011. Yup! That long time ago, and only now am I blogging about it! LOL!! *grin*

I didn’t realized how quick it was to do this bag as I completed the bag the very next day! I made the bag at a relaxing pace as I wasn’t in a hurry to get it done, but, despite stopping many times to do the usual household chores, cook and all those other usual wifely duties, I got the bag done in no time at all! I was surprised at how easy it was to do this bag.

The original design calls for the bag to be padded and quilted, but I decided to replace it with the usual bag interfacing instead. I guess that makes a difference in my timing. Still, I think the bag still looks great. Wouldn’t you agree? *wink*

If I do this bag again, what I will change is the top flap. I think it’s a little small and does not cover the whole top opening, making it very easy for small things to pop out of the bag, not to mention that someone could actually put their hands into the bag. So, if I carry this bag to a public place, I would have to strap it across my body and have it in front of me.

Other than that, I love this bag because of the fact that it matches the prayer mat bag which is now my document bag which I have been bringing to work with me.

Maybe I should start thinking of making bags as a set – a handbag that comes matching with a document bag. What do you think?

A box of pinks!

Everyone knows that my favourite colour is PINK. Funny ,though, that my wardrobe has very few pieces of pink clothes. LOL! There are more reds and browns. I guess there aren’t that many pink clothes in the market that appeals to me. Maybe when I start sewing my own clothes (which is when?), my wardrobe might be full of pinks! LOL!

Anyway, for the recent Mug Rug Exchange organized at NNC, besides Sally, my other Mug Rug Exchange partner is Diane from the US.

I had received my Mug Rug from Sally many months ago, which I had already blogged about it in September, and sometime ago, I received my Mug Rug from Diane.

I have been meaning to blog about it, but life has been very hectic for me the last 4 - 5 months. I hardly have time for anything much else except work, work, and more work, and taking care of the family and home.

Anyway, Diane's mug rug to me came in this huge box.......

....and upon taking the packaging apart *grin*, I was greeted with this very lovely box of pink that got me all excited! LOL!

What awaits me inside the box was even more exciting. You will agree with me when you see the contents of the lovely box. I felt like I had just celebrated my birthday all over again! LOL! My Mug Rug did not come alone, but was accompanied by a load of many very lovely things, mostly in PINK!

Here are the contents…..

The mug rug came complete with a sweet pink mug and a tiny tea pot which is oh, so very cute!

There were also 4 sachets of tea, which is a requirement under this exchange, that is, to include tea bags together with the mug rugs.

As I was also involved in the Antique Tile Block Swap organized by Diane, she included in the box the block swap. I will blog on it in a separate posting.

In the mean time, more exciting things included in the box is a pink hibiscus flower hair clip and a pink Fox Run mold, which I believe, is for pudding or jelly. Diane, can this be put in the oven?

As I was going crazy baking cupcakes in the last few months (will blog on my cupcakes in a later post), and have been telling all my friends over at NNC and showing off photos of my cupcakes over at FB, Diane included inside the box a pattern for making Cupcake oven mitts! How cool is that and it is so cute!

I definitely must make at least one cupcake oven mitts as soon as my Project Management Certification program is completed. I can’t wait!

The best gift from the box came in the form of a Dogwood Trail charm pack, and 9 pieces of fat quarters, all in pink!

I had actually bought a Dogwood Trail Jelly Roll a few weeks prior to receiving the box of pink from Diane. I bought it when the board was crazy discussing about jelly rolls to be used for the impending Postage Stamp Quilt-A-Long scheduled for this year.

Diane actually recommended to me to get the Dogwood Trail Jelly Roll, and the minute I laid my eyes on the jelly roll, I just fell in love with it! It’s pink, remember! LOL! And now, I have a charm pack too to compliment the jelly roll! Now isn’t that awesome! LOL!

Now is to actually find the time to use all the things that Diane sent me. I am looking forward to completing my certification program so that I can get on with doing the other things that I love to do - crafting!

Thanks, Diane, for all the lovely things! I am still jumping for joy and just can't wait to use some of the things you sent me! Hugs!

A quick note!

Yeah! This is going to be a real quick note. I have been so busy, I can't find time to blog.

I just can't wait for when my certification program finishes in Mac 2012, insyaAllah, God willing.

I am all so stressed out, it is giving me muscle cramps, gastric attacks and diarrhea! LOL! Honest!

I have been on MC for 3 days over a peroid of one week! Now that's bad!

I have never had such a bad gastric attack like what I exeprienced the last one week. My whole body was so weak, I could hardly get up. The diarrhea added salt to the wound, making my whole body ache all over.

I am much better today, thank God.

It's Saturday morning here in Malysia, but late Friday evening over on the over side of the world.

It's going to be a hectic day for me as Aiman has got football practice very early this morning, after that, we have a wedding to attend, followed by Aiman's tuition before sending Aiman over for a birthday party.

By the time we get home, it will be almost the end of Saturday. Nothing much any other things I can do, especially to work on my paper or do any crafting (like as it I have any time for them anyway! LOL!).

So, today I will consider it as a day for socializing and running errands. Tomorrow, it will be back to working on my paper.

Oh! I just can't wait to get back to crafting.

What are your plans this weekend?

Anyway, have a GREAT weeekend, everyone!

Told you it's going to be a short posting! LOL!

He takes home the medal; she ends up making more bags! *grin*

Yup! That’s what happened last year when my hubby took part in the Penang International Bridge Run, and it’s been repeated again this year, not that I am complaining, actually. LOL! *grin*

I am very happy to blog report that I successfully managed to learn to make 3 bags during my 2 day bag making class from the 19th to the 20th of November. The bags this time around, except for one, aren’t that complicated as last year’s bags as I think I was a little bit unadventurous this time around. No, make that I was being more realistic this time around as I know I would not have that much time to spend finishing the bags if I don’t complete them during the class once I am back in Kuala Lumpur as I will be having my nose grinded into my Assignments right up until March next year, God willing.

I had made the purchase for the templates and gotten all the preliminary instructions from Corine during one of my earlier working trips to Penang about more than 2 months ago when I had some extra time after my meetings, before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.

By purchasing the templates and getting the instructions earlier, I would be able to make some early preparations before the class like have the templates all cut out, the interfacing all ironed onto the fabrics, and have them all cut out ready to be put together during the actual bag making class. This way, I get to complete making the bag faster, and completing the bags faster equates more bags that can be made in the same amount of time! LOL!

However, as it turned out, I didn’t get to have all the preparations ready before the class as I fell sick just days before the trip to Penang (talk about last minute preparations! LOL!) , and besides, I was busy working on my Assignments, which I think made me fall sick from all the stress of working on the paper. This bag making class would be just perfect as a stress buster.

But all was not lost though as I still managed to prepare at least one bag before the class, and I had planned to finish the preparations for the other 2 bags in the hotel room the day before the class. Talk about squeezing in time at the last minute! LOL!

Anyway, on the first day of class, I did not manage to finish even a single bag. Even my hubby found that odd. I blame it on my lack of efficiency as it had been quite some time since I last did any sewing or crafting due to heavy work load at the office. It took me some time to get back into rhythm of things.

Also, I had another new and exciting thing introduced to me by Corine on the 1st day of class. Corine let me use her latest addition to her family of sewing machines – a brand new Brother Innovis QC 1000!

It is one awesome machine, and I think I might have just fallen in love with it! LOL!

The Innovis QC 1000, to me, is a cross between the BERNINA and the JANOME, but at slightly more than half the cost of the BERNINA. That, to me, is affordable as it is almost the price of my JANOME. Eerr…..no, I am not buying it, BUT, if ever I want to get another sewing machine, it just might be the BROTHER. *grin*

One of the things I like about this machine is its large touch-screen LCD.

Also, I like that all the basic feet are all kept within the machine, even the bobbins too.

No more having to lug around the box of feet and bobbins to class, as, I have, at numerous occasions, ended up not able to do any sewing in class when I accidentally left behind my box of feet and accessories. No chance of that happening with this machine, except if you buy more extra foot. But then, they will be foot you won’t usually use all the time for the basic sewing.

Another thing I like about this machine is that I can make adjustments of the needle to every 0.5mm, and the needle threader is just awesome!

I thought that the needle threader on my Janome was awesome already, but this machine’s needle threader is even more awesome as the thread clicks very easily into the needle.

OK, enough about the machine. Yup! I am in love with this machine alright! LOL!

Back to my bags, I left Corine’s hut on the first day of class feeling a little bit incomplete when I had nothing to show of what I did the whole day, though I had fun playing with the Innovis.

I left with loads of homework though. I had to get some hand stitching done in order for me to move on to the next step. I did not want to spend time hand stitching in class as I could do that in the hotel room. I would rather spend my time in class doing all the machine sewing and the cutting where I would need Corine’s guidance to proceed.

I slept at midnight that first night, doing my homework – hand stitching and ironing the interfacing; and slept just as my hubby got up to get ready for his run.

Early the next morning, I took the cab with my son to Corine’s house, leaving my hubby to rest in the hotel room after his run to recuperate.

This time, I was the only student for the day (the day before, there were a hive of activities with about 4-5 students taking classes at the same time), thus allowing me to be able to work faster as Corine also helped me with some of the hand stitching that needed to be done.

When the class ended at 6.30pm, I was about ¾ done on the One Nighter or overnight travelling bag, ½ done on the Xora bag and with only the hand stitching and the bag handle to sew on the Omra bag.

Here’s a photo of the inside of the Xora bag which I am in the midst of hand stitching.

I just love these clips I bought from Corine. It takes away all the pricking from the pins which is almost certain I will get when I use pins to baste for hand stitching.

I completed the One Nighter bag in the hotel room the next day after breakfast.

 

What do you think?

When I first saw the sample bag at Corine’s, I thought it looked more like a diaper bag. But when I completed my own version, it no longer looks like a diaper bag. But definitely, it won’t be my One Nighter bag either, what with all my toiletries, make-up bag, telekung, and at least one change of clothes to pack, this bag certainly won’t be able to fit in all those! LOL!

Instead, I think this bag would make a very nice document bag. What do you think?

I will put up photos of the completed Omra Bag and the Xora bag when it is fully completed, which, for now, I wouldn’t know when that will be. Hopefully next year after March, or,maybe, just maybe, earlier! *wink*

All hung up!

One day after coming back from one of my meetings at Sultan Abdul Samad building, I came across a shop that looked like it was selling things that shop owners would usually buy to put up or organize their things in the shop. You know, those bars with hangers to hang clothes, bags etc?

I have been looking for some sort of organizer or hangers to hang up my handmade bags so that it will be easier for me to see what I have made, and so, easier for me to refer to it should I forget how to make it. It will also be easy for friends and future customers to see what bags I have in a more organised way.

So, yesterday, Friday, 9th December 2011, during my long lunch hour break, I decided to hop on the LRT from my office to the Masjid Jamek Station and check out the shop.

A whole new world opened up in front of me as soon as I stepped into the shop! Talk about being a frog under a coconut shell (Katak bawah Tempurung). LOL!

They have so many things which I have been wondering where to get if and when I open up a shop, and now I have the answers! Well, most of it, at least! LOL!

I don’t know how to describe the things they have and I was too shy to ask if I could snap a photo of the shop. But, knowing Malaysians, especially those that are ignorant of the power of IT and the blogging world, I am sure the shop owner would say No. So, to save myself the embarrassment, I said nothing, and just talked to myself silently and controlled my excitement from within. *grin*

Anyway, I came home with the handbag hanger like I had planned on buying. Imagine me carrying this on the LRT? LOL! It came dismantled but still it was long and quite troublesome, but, I carried it back anyway. *grin*

It is supposed to be used to hang my handmade bags, but, since I don’t have time to sort out my sewing area at the moment, I decided to temporarily use it to hang my handbags I bring to work. My bags looks more organised now rather than having them all stacked up in a box at the corner of the room.

I can see the bags I want to use immediately instead of having to rummage through my wicker basket looking for the right bag.

I think I will get another one instead of bringing this down to my sewing area for my handmade bags and leave this present one in the bedroom. It looks good at the corner of the room. I told my hubby we can even use it to hang the clothes we want to wear for work the next day – have everything all hung up ready to wear the next day! Neat, huh? LOL! *wink*

Going Bananas!

It's finally done! I finally completed the Banana Bag for Mel!

I started on this bag in April 2011, but I could not complete the bag because I could not get a strap that comes with a leather tab like the one in the original design on the bag I learnt from Corine in Penang in November last year.

Mel ordered this bag during the NNC Anniversary Meet in March 2011. I told her that I would get it done in two months time. I did, but minus the strap.

I had bought my strap with the leather tab from Corine, but when I wanted to order the strap from Corine for Mel's bag, Corine no longer had stock of it and wasn't planning to order anymore so soon. So I tried contacting this lady in Penang who does leather things if she would be willing to custom make me the leather tab. I could buy the strap myself and put them together on my own.

Unfortunately, she was no longer willing to take custom orders because she was tied up lots of orders for custom made leather bags, her core business.

Corine offered to show me how to make my own tab but using PU instead. I was supposed to drop by her house during one of my many trips to Penang for work. Unfortunately, I was always short for time as I rush from meetings to meetings when in Penang. By the time work is done, it's time for me to catch a flight back to KL.

I was beginning to get a little bit embarrassed that I am taking longer than 2 months before I could deliver Mel's order. That's not good when you are in the business line. I had to find a way to buy the leather tab somewhere or try making my own from PU like what Corine suggested.

I was going online almost every spare evening I have in search of the tab, but all in vain. I could either be searching at the wrong place or I am not keying in the right key words. I only know that it is called a tab. For all I know, it could be going by another name.

I eventually ordered 2 pieces of PU on eBay in two different tones of browns in an attempt to make my own tab. It didn't work. It just did not look right for the bag.

I spent several nights trying out different ways to attach the PU tab to the bag, but nothing seems to look like how I imagined it to be. I went to bed on many nights feeling frustrated.

I was about to give up when suddenly an idea popped out of my head one day.

I imagined the idea that I had in mind, when done, would look sweet and cute. Now it is a matter of whether Mel would like it, it being lacy and all. Not many people like laces, so I can only hope that Mel wouldn't be one of them.

The result of my idea? Here it is, lace and all....

 

What do you think?

Why the need for the lace, you might say? Why couldn't I just have the handle sewn directly onto the bag? Well, I did try but I didn't like the look where the strap meets the bag. It did not look right, neither did it look nice. It looked like an after thought and not much thought and time was given to the detailing of the bag. It's just not me to make something that looks like an after thought.

 

If you don't mind my saying so myself, I like the way I have managed to resolve this tab issue which has been "haunting" and bothering me for the last 4 months since completing the bag body.

Here's a peek inside the bag to show off the Uniquely Aznique label. *wink*

 

I can now finally hand over the bag to Mel and hope that she likes what she sees. I hope that this bag will be Mel's constant companion each time she goes out with friends and family.

Thanks, Mel, for the opportunity to do business with you. I hope there will be more to come in the future. *wink*