NNC Craft Retreat 2015 – Day One of the Retreat (Part 2 of 4)

I woke up as early as I would normally get up to go to work. 

I wanted to get a head start in getting to Wiseed Meeting Center, at Merchant Square, where the venue of the Retreat is, as I needed to get things ready before the participants start coming in to register.

Sally and Margaret had promised to come early too to help out.

Sally arrived my house at slightly before 7.00am just as hubby was about to leave for work.

After a quick breakfast of homemade waffles (Yes! I actually made waffles the night before because I figured I wouldn’t have time to go out and have breakfast but needed to start my day right with a good breakfast!), we made our way to Merchant Square and arrived at the Meeting Center just as Radha and Margaret arrived.

We quickly got things organised, setting up the registration table, the ironing corner, cutting corner, and tools and materials corner, before setting up our own sewing machines, ready to start the Retreat!

We even had a table set up for tools and other materials which the participants might need in case they ran out or forgot to bring. 

You can see some thread organisers I brought along to sell in case anyone was interested as I had some queries on them.

I also showcased the projects which we will be doing to give the participants an idea of the project in real life, as before this, they only saw photos I put up online.

I also made up some extra kits in case we might get some participants interested to buy extra kits to make on their own.

Soon all the other participant started coming in. Besides Sally, Margaret and Radha, we had Paul, Radha’s sister-in-law, Suseela, and my cousin-in-laws, Zuraidah and Zawiyah.

We were supposed to have 9 participants, but my cousin Ima and Sally’s friend, Alize, could not make it at the last minute due to some clash of schedule.

Class started punctually at 9.00am with an introduction of what is expected out of the class, what to expect and how I intended to run the class.

We went straight into the first project with the Etui Sewing Box.

This is a project that was mostly gluing and minimal sewing. In fact, only one item needed sewing. The rest was just gluing pieces together.

Seen here are Radha and Suseela.

Here are Margaret and Sally hard at work gluing the Etui pieces together.

I never thought about bringing a radio for some light background music, so the class fell silent as everyone focused on gluing the many pieces together.

Below are sisters Zuraidah and Zawiyah.

Our very own NNC member, Paul, hard at work.

We stopped for tea at about 11.00am before continuing again right up until lunch time at 1.00pm.

Everyone went according to their speed and level of skill. No rush. 

When someone is slow, we wait awhile while he or she catches up. 

When someone gets too eager to complete by going faster than the rest, I show him or her the next step first with those able to follow the same speed. If not, I just show the steps or instructions again.

I told everyone to get themselves comfortable. Most of us even went barefooted as the classroom was carpeted.    

I am impressed with the facilities provided at the Wiseed Meeting Center. They gave us extensions wires at every table for our sewing machines when I told them we needed individual power supplies for our sewing machines.

Tea and lunch was served right on time at 11.00 and 1.00pm respectively as requested.

When it was time for me, Idah and Oyah to do our prayers, because we catered the tea and lunch from them, we had the use of part of the smaller meeting room for our lunch and a space to pray. I was most impressed when they even provided us with a sejadah!  

I’ll definitely consider them again for future retreats or meetings, should I ever have a need for a big meeting place.

Except for the pincushion which we could not complete because I had forgotten to bring the poly fiberfill, everyone managed to complete the Etui before we broke for lunch.

Before we broke for lunch, I told everyone that as soon as they are done with lunch to start ironing their fabrics for the next class to avoid a long queue after lunch and waste precious time.

The 2^nd project for the Retreat was a Lotus Bag. It was mostly straight sewing.

Seen here is Zawiyah having a go sewing on my Janome.

Almost there, Zuraidah!

Sally is an expert in origami so this Lotus Bag was almost child’s play for her. She aced through the bag without waiting for the others! LOL! That’s my star student!

The 'Headmistress' Margaret all focused on getting her Lotus bag done!

Zawiyah with her almost completed Lotus bag!

Paul is all smiles as he puts in the last part of the Lotus bag.

Suseela helping out Radha to get her Lotus bag completed.

Everyone managed to finish their Lotus Bags by 5.15pm, before we call it a day.

NNC Craft Retreat 2015 - Day 2 (Part 3 of 4 parts) - coming up!

NNC Craft Retreat 2015 – the preparations (Part 1 of 4)

The much awaited event finally arrived!

After months of preparation, many sleepless night and countless anxieties attacks, the NNC Craft Retreat planned since July 2015 finally arrived!

I have wanted to do a Craft Retreat for the last 3 years. I have been talking about it, dreaming about it, had many discussions with the NNC group members, had a few disappointments and frustrations along the way when initially the response wasn’t good, but, finally, it became a reality, and I can safely say, it was a success!

First I must thank Diane, who, even though she is halfway around the world, was the person who guided me and gave me strength to go ahead with it, despite many disappointments and frustrations as I tried to organise for the very first time, an event I had been dreaming of to do for the longest time.

I must also thank my hubby, who has been very patient with me, for putting up with me turning the house upside down with all the things needed for the Retreat, as the event drew closer and closer. LOL!

Of course, I must also thank my Co-Moderators, Paul and Margaret, for helping me with some decision-making with regards to organising the Retreat, and for their support.

I knew at the start of my planning, that I wanted to do a Retreat where the projects we were going to be doing would appeal to a variety of craft interest and all levels of sewing skills, from beginners with at least some basic sewing skill to advance.

I chose the Etui Sewing Box as a first project, because I think everyone who is into sewing would appreciate having a sewing box with all its accessories.

So, with the Etui Sewing box kit, I threw in a bonus pack of accessories to go with it. That way, every participant can go home and start using their Etui Sewing Box right away!

The second project I chose was a Lotus bag, which I think would be an easy project to do for any beginner as it involves only straight sewing. It was like an origami bag as you fold it and it opens out into a cute little bag that any little girl, or even adults, would love to have!

As for the 3^rd project, I gave two options to choose from – a Reversible Bag or the Dresden Plate Quilt Block.

I thought the Reversible Bag would appeal to those wanting to learn how to make a simple bag, while the Dresden Plate Block would appeal to those who wanted to learn to make a new block they have yet to give a try.

photo courtesy of Zarina Shamsudin

Once the projects were decided upon, I had to start planning and buying all the materials needed to make up the kits.

I travel a lot for work. Even though I started planning the Retreat in July, under normal circumstances, I would have 3 months to get everything organised. But with my constant travel, I was afraid that I might end up with very little time to get things ready.

I was right! The last month prior to the Retreat, I was outstation for work almost every other day, going from Penang to Terengganu to Melaka and the last week before the Retreat, I made a trip to Langkawi to visit my son who was sitting for his PT3 exams.

I almost had to travel outstation again just a day before the Retreat!

Luckily I had a dependable assistant who could take over from me so that I can take leave for the Retreat! LOL! Phew!    

So as soon as I confirmed the venue for the Retreat and the minimum number of participants needed to make it worthwhile to go ahead with the Retreat, I started planning on the things I needed to buy to make up the kits. I also had to think about the tools and other materials that the participants new to the crafts would need to have but would not know where to get them from.

I sourced my materials from Kevin from Quilt Friends and Corine from Penang, besides diving into my large collection of stash to make up the kits. 

I had to buy some from Spotlight IPC too to make up the balance of materials needed for the projects.

I wanted the participants to be happy with the projects that they were doing. I didn’t want to make up a kit that might end up being thrown away because the participants didn’t like the colour of their projects.

I remembered an NNC member telling me that she once hated a kit she got from a class she attended because the colour she got was not her choice of colour. She ended up dumping the kit away.

I didn’t want that. I wanted, as much as possible, for all the participants to go home happy and proud of their work and to treasure it as a piece of work that they had learned at the first ever NNC Retreat in 2015.

So I set about making a Registration Form that included preference for colours. I had some requests for preference of motifs, but it was something I could not fulfill because I would end up buying too much fabric, and that was not economically feasible.

I had so much fun going through my stash and buying more (Yup! BUYING MORE! LOL!) stash to fulfil each colour preference, but I had a lot of headaches too, *LOL!* trying to match and coordinate the fabrics for each person’s kit. But when each kit was completed and seeing how almost everyone was satisfied when they received their kits on the first day of the Retreat, made every headache and time spent matching and coordinating each and every kit to match each and every participant was very well worth it!

I felt a sense of satisfaction that at least I had achieved one of the targets set for the Retreat – for the participants to be happy with their kits.

I apologize if there are any participants who were not happy with the kits they got. I’ll try to do better next time. Next time??!! LOL! *grin*

Next thing to prepare for were the notes for the Retreat. That was another headache and time consuming as I set about making the notes, writing, and making sure that I did not infringe on any copyright law, and eventually printing out and binding the notes into booklets easy to refer to.

There were tutorials that could be made copies of to be distributed, but mostly, they were for personal use only.

So I had to make my own notes from scratch, or, for some, I could only list down the list of materials and told the participants to take notes as I teach so that they can recall what they had learned and can do the projects again should they want to do another one in the future.

As much as it was time consuming, I actually enjoyed making up the notes, especially when they eventually turned into little Note Booklets which the participants can easily refer to as they were in an easily handled A5 size.

Next came the templates for each project.

The most time consuming was the Etui Sewing Box template.

Cutting cardboard was no easy tasks. I was beginning to have shoulder aches from too much cutting.

An option was to make the participants cut the cardboard templates themselves, but then, it would be too time consuming, and some might even end up with crooked templates that might not square up when completed. Then it would be time down the drain and money wasted.

So I ended up recruiting a friend to help me out to cut the templates.

He was God sent. If it wasn’t for his dedication to cut all the templates, all 20 of them, with each kit having 8 pieces, I don’t think I would have been able to do it on my own.

With the template preparation taken over by a friend, it freed my time to focus on other things, especially to cut up all the blades for the Dresden Plate Quilt Block which requires 20 blades for each kit plus a circle for the center and the piece to lay the Dresden plates on.

It was very time consuming cutting every piece of the blade without a die, but I persevered. *grin* 

It also took a lot of my time to painstakingly trace every Reversible Bag template onto the interfacing, cutting them and ironing them onto the fabric. But I decided to do that so that the participants can get right into starting the project immediately, instead of spending time tracing, cutting, ironing and cutting again.

I wanted the participants to go back with a completed project over the 2 days, or, at least an almost completed project that they can go home and complete all on their own because I had enough time to show them all the steps needed to complete the projects.

If the participants had to spend time tracing, cutting, ironing and cutting again, I think we would end up with completing only 2 projects or less by the end of the 2^nd day.

I wanted to make sure that everyone goes home happy and satisfied. That was a target set for the Retreat right from day 1.

I know I cannot please everyone, but at least I want to try to minimize on the complaints as much as I can.

Having  to hear someone said that my choice of projects were boring and uninteresting was hurtful already, but I guess it comes with the job! *grin*

Oh! I also wanted everyone to have a great time, not just learning but making new friends too. I even made a name card for everyone to put on their table! *grin*

Cousin-in-law Zuraidah calls me meticulous! LOL!

I’ll take that as a compliment! Thanks! *wink*

I spent almost every evening after work that I was not outstation and on weekends (minus the weekends that we had weddings to attend or compulsory visits to my in-laws and my mum) preparing all the project kits which included the tracing, cutting, ironing, more cutting, and writing, editing, printing and binding the Note Booklets.

I ended up investing in a binding machine so that I can do the binding myself in the wee hours of the night on some nights as the Retreat date drew closer.

It was an exciting feeling as I packed up each and every kit. Each kit completed put a smile on my face as I imagine the person getting it.

I couldn’t help teasing the participants by posting sneak peeks and teasers, just to get the participants excited too! LOL!

Option 2 - Dresden Plate Quilt Block set plus Lotus Bag and Etui

Option 1 - Reversible Bag set plus Lotus Bag and Etui

With the kits all done up, I focused on getting a kit ready for myself to use as teaching material.

I only managed to do that, thank God for the Awal Muharam public holiday just 2 days before the Retreat.

When everything was all ready and packed up into boxes for ease in carrying, I ended up having 5 boxes containing the project kits and other tools and materials needed but not included in the kits, 2 irons, 2 ironing boards, 2 cutting mats, and my sewing machine. My little red Kembara was packed to the brim with all the things for the Retreat! LOL!

I went to bed late the night before the Retreat, packing up any last minute things needed for the Retreat, but I could hardly sleep as I was feeling anxious and nervous in case things wouldn’t go according to plan.

I was practically tossing and turning all night long! I was getting worried that I would start getting gastritis problems, but luckily, everything went smoothly.

The Day of the Retreat....... look out for next posting!

Look, everyone! This lovely heart shaped thread organiser arrived in the mail a few days ago! Cute, don't you think? ;) 

One of it will be put up as a Lucky Draw prize during the NNC Craft Retreat happening on the 16 - 17/10/15. 

So those who have yet to sign up for the Retreat, there's still time! Jom, come join us!

NNC Craft Retreat - sneak peek

Got one more Reversible Bag kit to do and the Dresden plate kits to do. Can't wait for the Retreat! Are you excited? Jom, come join us this 16 - 17/10/15 for some sewing and crafting excitement! Open to all crafters in Malaysia!

! 

PLEASE HELP ME find my LOVE Quilt!

This quilt I named the LOVE Quilt went missing when my hubby sent it to the laundry Dream Co Dry Cleaning & Laundry at USJ 4 on 16th August 2015.

When my hubby went to pick it up, they could not find it. They said that they could have mistakenly given it to someone else. They asked for a few days to look for it. It's been more than 3 days and they have yet to find it. 

I am upset, mad, and angry. How could they have mistakenly given someone's item to someone else?

That is so careless and irresponsible!

This quilt is precious to me. I put my heart, soul, passion, time and effort into this quilt, not to mention, all my love into making this quilt. I spent countless hours working on it. It is the first ever queen size quilt I made. 

I can't tell you enough how precious that quilt is to me and how very sad I am at the possibility of never finding it. 

It holds precious memories.

Please help me find my quilt.

NNC Craft Retreat 2015 - Come join us!

My Craft Group, Needles N Crafts, or fondly known as NNC, was formed among friends through our love and passion of crafting.

We have celebrated 8 years of being together, and this year 2015, we celebrate our 9th Anniversary! 

To celebrate another milestone of our existence, we are organizing a 2-day Craft Retreat of fun, sewing, crafting and making new friends in October. 

Partnering with Uniquely Aznique, my blogshop specializing in handmade bags, we are opening our doors and inviting you, all Malaysian Crafters out there, to join us in this celebration to make this Anniversary a special and memorable occasion. 

We hope by extending our invitation for other crafters to join us, it will bring more crafters together to share their love of creating and crafting, while forming friendships that will last a lifetime

Let’s sew together! Let’s do some crafty things together! Let’s hang out, eat and have fun! 

I will be teaching the projects that we will be doing, assisted by a few friends. The projects will be fun projects that will encompass a little bit of sewing, crafting and of course lots of lovely fabric! Don’t you just love fabrics? LOL!

At the end of the Retreat, there will be a Show & Tell of completed projects, maybe a prize or two *wink* and a group photo to remind us all of the great time we had!

Jom! Join us! Come craft away with us!

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.

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!