An Exchange & A Gift

Last week, I received my Friendship Bag from Margaret (no blog). It arrived neatly wrapped in layers of paper and plastic. I'm not kidding when I said layers :P After opening the envelope, this pretty package presented itself.

After impatiently tearing through that and more, I managed to hold the bag in my hot, little hands.

These are the stash it contained, once more nicely wrapped.

I swear, either Margaret must be torturing me or testing my patience, which I failed miserably. LOL! Finally, finally, here's the exchange in its entirety.

There were pins, buttons, needles, threads, bobbin and lace, quilting fabric and tools. I was in stash heaven. Not to mention this beautiful bag. I really love the red floral fabric and linen combination. And you wonder why I couldn't wait to open the package ^.^

Margaret told me this is the third bag she had made before she deemed it acceptable for the exchange. Can you imagine the effort that went into it? I'm so touched.

She has attached a note on the bag indicating which fabrics were used in case I would like to buy some. How thoughtful.

Thank you so much, Margaret. I'll always treasure this bag.

On another note, I've been remiss in showing off the package I received from Kaye some time ago. I had won the giveaway she offered on her blog back in December. It contained a lovely MarBek kit, a beautiful hummingbirds and flowers card and a keychain from Hawaii. How cool is that?

Thank you again, Kaye. I look forward to stitching this design.

By the way, regarding the 6 Fat Man SAL I mentioned that was supposed to start in March, Kati and I have decided to postpone it to April. This will give everyone more time to gather their materials.

The official start date of the SAL is 9 April 2012. We'll be stitching it only on Mondays. For more information and to sign up, Kati has created a special page on her blog here.

I've already receive my fabric from Picture This Plus. I'll be stitching it on Tarnish Belfast. Here's my very messy floss toss:

Do join us. Hazel, Cathey, Shanda, DJ and Tammy, you ladies still interested? Any more of you want to join? You're certainly welcome. The more the merrier.
Happy Stitching!

Meet Stella

"Who is Stella?" you ask. Well, dear readers, this is Stella... My new project.

I started The Stargazer by Mirabilia on Valentine's Day and have been stitching on her since, all through IHSW. She's stitched on Silkweaver's Starquest Reflections Belfast and is to date the design with the most bling that I've ever attempted. I must admit all those beads are making me a little nervous but I'll only worry about that when the time comes.

By the way, what is your usual stitching process for Mirabilias, Lavender & Lace, Passione Ricamo, etc. designs? Do you start at the top, bottom, left or right? Do you finish the head, the dress or perhaps even the background first? Do you stitch the skin as soon as you could or leave it for last? Do you stitch the skin as charted or do you prefer it over one? These questions popped into my head while working on Stargazer and I'd love to hear your answers.

As you can see, I started at the middle and headed straight for Stella's head/face immediately. I've stitched her skin over one. I just love the delicate effect of over one skin. With the exception of Garden Verses, I usually complete the face first as I like to see who I'm stitching and watch her grow. Besides, I dread stitching the fiddly skin and since the hair usually contains confetti stitches, I'd rather get those out of the way as soon as possible. The only reason I've not stitched the skin on Garden Verses is because it consists of a big area and I've yet to decide how I'm gonna go about it. That amount of one over one scares me. LOL!

Technically, The Stargazer is not on my WiPocalypse list but in my opinion, that's the beauty of WiPocalypse. I'm allowed to start anything I want because after all, the world might end soon and I ain't about to miss my chance to do so :P

Anyway, I've been seeing stitchers posting photos of their ort jars on their blogs which reminds me that it's once again time for TUSAL. Here's my ort jar:

It now contains plenty of clippings from Home of A Needleworker (Too)! and of course The Stargazer.

One last thing, I've removed Blogger's new, impossible-to-read word verification from my comment section.  I've been getting spam since removing it but I'd rather my visitors not have to go through that just to leave me a comment. Believe me, I know how frustrating and annoying it can be. Don't you just hate it when people try to fix something that isn't broken? Sigh!

Happy Stitching!

First 2012 Finish

Yikes! I'm more than ten days late for my WiPocalypse update. Where has the time flown to? At least I have a finish to show.

Design: Home of A Needleworker (Too)!

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32 count Lakeside Linens Navy Bean Belfast linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers silk

I'm really happy with how my HDF conversion makes an already pretty design so much more vibrant.

This dear little cottage is in my favourite colour - blue.

If you're interested, this is my HDF conversion:

• CC Bamboo - HDF BeCreamed
• CC Brandied Pears - HDF Examplar Fire Thorn
• CC Cocoa Bean - HDF Examplar Old Maid of the Soil
• CC Hickory Sticks - HDF Examplar Hearthstone
• CC Old Blue Jeans - HDF Magpie Warbles
• CC Razzleberry - HDF Examplar Crushed Berry
• CC Weeping Willow - HDF BeFrogged

I gotta say this is one of my favourite design to stitch. I'm almost sorry to see it done... Amost!

It's IHSW this weekend. Will you be hermitting with us? I've already started a new project and am anxious to get to it. Stay tune for details ^.^

Happy Stitching!

Friendship Bag Exchange

Early December last year, I joined in the Friendship Bag Exchange on NNC. For this exchange, participants were required to make a fabric bag no larger than 8" x 8" and fill it with bits and bobs for a crafter. I handed the bag to my exchange partner, Margaret, today during our Stitching Bee so I can finally show it to you.

Anyway, here's the bag I made. I named it the Woven Bag. I'm sure you can understand the reason for that ^.^

This bag is very special to me for I designed it. I did not follow any pattern at all. Instead of embroidery, I decided once again to try something new - Lattice Smocking for the front and back.

For the handles, I made a six strand braid from the same fabric I used for the sides. In actuality, the whole bag except for the lining is made from the same fabric. One side of this fabric is grey and the other side black.

I lined it with Frilly Hearts from the Still by Loralie Harris for Quilting Treasures collection.

For the contents, these are what I included: buttons, bobbin cards with lace and labels, a mini sewing kit, a tape measure, Little House Needleworks' Snow White along with a bobbin of HDF Examplar White Chocolate to stitch it and an apple notepad.

I'm so happy Margaret loves it. Now I can breath easy again and concentrate on my stitching.

On the way home, Bee Ee, one of our members who is kind enough to give me a lift to and from the Bee (Thank you, Bee Ee) gifted me with a sweet little pouch.

I absolutely love the lavender colour and lace she used. The word she stitched on it is "Prosperity" in Chinese. Thank you, again.

Happy Stitching, everyone!

Unofficial IHSW Update

Chinese New Year falls on 23 January this year. I had returned to my hometown the previous Friday with my family to celebrate Chinese New Year with my relatives. Hence, I had thought I wouldn't be able to join in this month's IHSW so I didn't sign up for it.
Surprisingly however, I found myself stitching quite a bit this past weekend so here's my unofficial IHSW result:

This is such an enjoyable design to stitch. Makes me wonder why I hadn't started it ages ago. All that's left now is the construction of the house.
I had mixed up the TUSAL dates last post. WiPocalypse is on the FULL moon and TUSAL is on the NEW moon. Whoops! Thanks to Mouse and Dani for pointing that out to me.
Here's my TUSAL update again with more orts from Home of A Needleworker (Too)!

To all my friends who are celebrating Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Chai and to everyone else, Happy Stitching!

New Year, New Starts

Happy New Year, dear readers. Yes, I'm late with my WiPocalypse update. Still, better late than never, right? I've had two new starts. I figured January should be a guilt-free month.

First, as planned, is Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddlar.

I'm stitching this with HDF on Lakeside Linens Navy Bean. I absolutely love how the silk glides through the fabric.

Next, I started Home of A Needleworker (Too)! by Little House Needleworks as well.

It's stitched on the same fabric as Magic Garden Sampler. I've also converted the colors to HDF. It's not an exact color conversion as I'm only eyeballing the floss and choosing what I deemed fit but I'm loving the results so far.

Last but not least, I've joined the TUSAL and this is my first update:

Have a great weekend, everyone and happy stitching!

Goodbye 2011

This will be my last post before the new year. As mentioned in my last post, I manage to have one last finish for 2011.

Design: She Tends

Designer: Shepherd's Bush

Fabric: R&R Reproductions Alabaster 30 count linen

Fibers: Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye Works & Sampler Threads

Embellishments: Shepherd's Bush Silver Shepherd Charm

Here are all four blocks together.

2012 will be a year of SALs for me.

Most of you already know about the TUSAL organized by Daffy Cat. Well, I've joined in the fun.

Next up will be the WiPocalypse organized by Measi. There's even a WiPocalypse forum for it. Which means I need to buck up and list down my projects for 2012. So far, this is what I have in mind:

• Abi Guden - Tree of Stitches (New)
• Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks - Spring Song (New)
• Lanarte - Lazy Afternoon (WiP)
• Lilliput Lane - Lilliput Village (WiP)
• Little House Needleworks - Home of A Needleworker (Too!) (New)
• Little House Needleworks - Singing the Blues (New)
• Mirabilia - Garden Verses (WiP)
• Passione Ricamo - Romantic Stitcher (WiP)
• Papillon Creations - Love With A Capital L (WiP)
• Shepherd's Bush - Sail Away (New)
• Stickideen von der Wiehenburg - Rose Quaker (New)
• Valerie Pfeiffer - Chorus Line (WiP)

That's my WiPocalypse list. However, I make no guarantee that it won't change. After all, you know what they said about the best laid plans and all.

I'll also be starting Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare Peddler in January. This will be a private SAL with my friend June (no blog).

End of February is the due date for the Friendship Bag Exchange on NNC so I'll be busy with that.

Tentative start date for Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Man SAL will be in March. Anymore of you out there who's interested to join Katica, Tammy and me? I believe there are a few more takers over at Kat's blog as well but hey, the more the merrier :)

NNC's Anniversary Meet has been scheduled in April so I'll need to prepare for the Anniversary Gift Exchange and the challenge. This year, the challenge was a Gingham Heart. For 2012, the organizers have come up with the Bird Challenge! What that is, you'll have to wait and see.

That's my plans so far for 2012. Have I bitten off more than I could chew? I certainly hope not.

Happy Stitching!

A Christmas Finish

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I was actually pretty sick two days before Christmas but on Christmas day, I was feeling well enough to stitch. I'm happy to announce that I have a Christmas finish which unfortunately has nothing to do with Christmas.

Design: Little House Neighborhood

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 28 count Picture This Plus Legacy Cashel linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers silk

Embellishments: JABC Buttons

This was a SAL with the Little House Neighborhood SAL which started in 2008. Boy, have I been behind.

As per my usual habit, I've made quite a number of changes to this design. Can you spot the differences?

Let's take a closer look.

As you can see, I've substituted a few motifs for JABC buttons. Don't you just love the kitty cat?

I opted for a dog and a watering can in place of the squirrel and rooster.

The white star on the house has been replaced with a button too.

My favourite part which coincidentally is right smack in the middle of the entire design.

The wool on the sheeps is stitched with silk chenille. Love how real it makes it look.

Last but not least, I think these hearts are perfect companions for the words.

Stitching the border nearly killed me. I'm no fan of repetitive, boring borders. I was beyond relief when the last stitches were finally put in.

I'm hoping to have one more finish before the year is up. Wish me luck!

Happy Stitching!

A Gift of Snowmen

I'm usually not one for stitching Christmas ornaments since I don't own a tree. However, I couldn't resist when I saw this design.

Design: He's A Flake

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32 count Natural Italian Linen

Fibers: DMC

Instead of making him into an ornament, I decided on something else... A mailart.

It arrived yesterday so now I'm able show it to you.

For the back, I stitched part of Snow in Love by Little House Needleworks. You'd probably recognize the little snowman at the top from my recent Drawn Thread Spot of Winter finish.

I used Colorful Christmas by Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs fabric to line the inside.

Now, what's an envelope good for without its contents, right? Here's the card I made to go with it.

I've always thought of popup cards like the surprise inside Fabergé eggs. Of course, it's nothing even as remotely grand as those surprises but hopefully you understand my comparison.
Anyway, here's my surprise for this snowman card.

I found this design here if you're interested in making one too.

This gift of snowmen is for Mikey, my longtime friend, my best friend, my boyfriend.

Dearest Mikey,
Thank you for all the times you've been there for me when I needed you and especially when I thought I didn't need you.
Thank you for refusing to leave when I pushed you away and figured you'd be better off without me.
Thank you for loving me still after all the crap I've put you through and even when I'm not the most lovable person in the world.
I love you, too.

My Birthday Exchange

Last Thursday was my birthday. I received the most wonderful present from Jo, my NNC Birthday Exchange partner this year.

Look at what her package contained:

She made me a Sewing Machine Mat and a Thread Catcher. She also gave me a 12" x 18" Olfa Rotary Mat (which I was gonna buy from her), a couple of buttons, sewing threads, DMC floss, plastic bobbins, an extra cut of the same cat fabric she used for the sewing machine mat and thread catcher so that in future, I could make myself a matching sewing machine cover if I wanted to (heck yeah, I want to. LOL!) and a length of plastic strip (no idea what it's called) that she inserted into the thread catcher to retain its opening shape (so I could make myself another thread catcher if I wanted to).

Am I spoilt or am I spoilt? I've been meaning to make myself a sewing machine mat and thread catcher for some time now. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Now, I don't have to anymore. Thanks to Jo :)

Take a look at the thread catcher. Gosh, isn't the fabric she used adorable?

I immediately put them both to good use. I had all my sewing accessories organized in the many pockets too though you could barely see them.

Doesn't my Bernette look gorgeous with her new companions? Now, I can sew in style!
Thank you so much again, Jo.

Come Join Us!

My computer at home decided to stop cooperating. Thus, I guess there won't be much photos to show until I get it fixed. Anyone have any idea what causes a computer to keep freezing shortly after booting up and the screen to flicker ocassionally? I just had it formatted not too long ago when it was giving me the same problems so I know for a fact that it's not a software problem. Sigh!

On to the point of this post. A while ago, I saw Katica's Shopping List. Among the items she had listed were Lizzie*Kate's 6 Fat Man. I've been drooling over this design ever since I saw it. I ended up leaving Kati a comment asking if she would be interested to have an SAL if and when she decides to start it.

Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it, we'd set the tentative start date for 6 Fat Man in March 2012. We haven't worked out any other details other than that but I think it would most likely be a free and easy, work-at-your-own-pace, no demands SAL. What do you think, Kati?

Anyway, my question to all my dear readers is this:

Would you like to join us for Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Man SAL?

I mean seriously look at it. It's so cute! How could you resist?

I have already ordered my charts. I haven't decided on the fabric yet but I'll be stitching it with (what else?!) Vikki's silk. I'm asking Vikki to help me with the conversion :)

Please do let me know if you're interested. I believe there are already quite a few takers over at Kati's SAL post.

Happy Stitching!

Early ISHW Report

It's ISHW again! How can that be? Time sure has flown.

I've been working on my Little House Neighbourhood as I mentioned in my last post. Been almost a year since I worked on this. Can you tell I'm trying really hard to reduce my WiP list before the year is up? 

Well, I managed to complete the third row.

Now that the forth and final house has been built, it's now time for the borders and words at the bottom.

You might have noticed there are some missing elements still. Not to worry, I've not forgotten about them. I have plans for those which will be revealed soon.

I also have another happy dance. My iStitch Mystery SAL is done!

Design: Sew A Mystery

Designer: iStitch Designs

Fabric: Hand Dyed Fibers 32 count Jackalope linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers (Examplar Black Iris) silk

Yup, this SAL now has a name... A very fitting one in my opinion. For those of you who missed out and would like to stitch it, Carol now has it on sale here.

Recently, I won another giveaway. This is what I received.

A scissors fob that Melinda made. Ain't that black cat the cutest charm you've ever seen? Don't let the photo fool you. Oh how its eyes sparkle in real life. I love it! Thanx, Melinda.

Happy Stitching!