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!

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.

2011 NNC Birthday Exchange

If you've been reading my recent posts, you'd have seen me mentioned about an upcoming birthday exchange that I've been diligently working on. Well, today's the day. Happy Birthday, Jo!

This past Saturday, I was able to meet up with Jo during NNC's Stitching Bee, held at Sally's lovely house. (Thank you, Sally, for having us.) However, I was too lazy to take any photos while there so I only have my exchange pictures to share.

For this exchange, I was required to include one handmade craft item along with two related handmade or store-bought items and of course a birthday card.

Here's what my package consists of:

• A Tilda's Summer Ideas book
  I figured Jo might find it refreshing and enjoyable as she is into sewing/bag-making. At least that's what I was hoping for.
• A Blue Rose Pouch
• A Birthday Card
  The design for the birthday card was from Form-A-Lines. I love its simplicity and added the layers for a 3D effect.

My main handcrafted item is this blue rose pouch. I wanted Jo to have something she could use often if not on a daily basis. Since I knew she sews, (in fact, we had first met at the school where we both take tailoring lessons) I made this pouch with multiple pockets especially for her tools.

The general idea was taken from Butterick B5006 pattern but once again, I challenged myself to try something different. As you can see, I've modified the center to incorporate a simple patchwork pattern and cross stitch roses. I've also binded the edges with pink bias tape.

I then endeavour to fill up every single one of those eight pockets for the "related items requirement". I gotta say I sure had fun coming up with ideas.

I included charms, pearl and wooden buttons, a ceramic thimble with Jo's birth month on it, a couple of vintage bobbins, a pair of golden peacock scissors (which I was "paid" 10 cents for in order to ensure our friendship ties were not cut ^.^), a scissors case, a biscornu pincushion and a scissors fob filled with emery for sharpening needles.

Love this picture of the accessories sitting cozily in their individual pockets.

Wanna know a secret? The stitching set was designed by me. I stitched it in blue because that's Jo's favourite color. I named it "Blue Rose Stitching Set".

It all started with one biscornu side.

Then the other.

And the rest...

Design: Blue Rose Stitching Set

Designer: Veronica's Vault

Fabric: Cream Italian 32 count linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers (Velvet Midnight) Silk

Why roses, you ask? Well, not only are roses beautiful, they are my absolute favourite flowers. Besides, I wanted the design to match the pouch. As you can see, the scissors case and fob can be personalized with an initial, in this case, J for Jo.

So I have a question. Would you be interested in stitching this Blue Rose Set as well?

Thank you for dropping by. Happy Stitching!

2011 Anniversary Gift Exchange

Caution: Picture heavy post (again).

So did I manage to keep you in suspense? ^.^ Truth be told, when the anniversary gift exchange was first announced, I was highly in doubt as to whether I'll be joining in. I have absolutely no clue what to make for it. Added to that was the gingham heart challenge. After a long deliberation, I decided to take the plunge.

The determining factor on what to make for my gift was that I wanted it to be something everyone could use, since our group consists of a wide range of crafters. I also wanted not only to stick with the familiar but also to expand my boundaries. With that in mind, I started off with cross stitching...

Design: Robyn

Designer: Tantes Zolder

Fabric: Natural Italian 32 count linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers (Ox Blood) Silk

Design: SALexandre (Part)

Designer: Tempus Fugit

Fabric: Natural Italian 32 count linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers (Ox Blood) Silk

After more pondering, this is the result - a journal cover. The fabric I used is Candy Kisses Floral Lipstick by Sandy Gervais for Moda.

Here's the front,

the back,

and the inside.

Sewing, I had no problem with but quilting, that's a first. I think it turned out well enough, if I do say so myself.

Next was the gingham heart challenge. The requirements of it was that it has to be heart shaped and no smaller than three inches in width n height, embellished in any way the crafter chooses.

This was when I was stumped with two choices. I had a piece of 28 count cream/natural graziano gingham linen and a piece of white/pink cotton gingham. Which should I pick? I was gonna try my hand at hardanger had I chosen the linen but I figured this is a good time as any to completely step out of my comfort zone. Free hand embroidery.

I had stumbled upon a free Heart Wreath embroidery design from French Knots during my many "heart" Google searches. So it was decided...

I kinda went a little overboard trying out new-to-me specialty stitches. Among those were ribbon stitch, weave stitch,

cretan stitch, feather stitch, stem stitch, spider web rose,

french knots, lazy daisy and beading.

Once again, I think I hurt my brain trying to come up with something that fit the requirements yet does not only act as a decoration. Then I came across this post at Le Marquoir d'Elise. A link was given to the free pattern here but I couldn't figure out how to download it. I don't read French, you see :(

However, I had gotten the gist of the idea from the photos alone. So I threw caution to the wind and this happened:

This is what the back looks like.

I absolutely adore the cute "Hand Made" label which I bought from Fabric Fanatics.

Folded up...

Into this. Hey, it's still technically a heart!

I drew Usha's name in the exchange. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to take a picture of me handing her the gift in my excitement :( Oh well.

My heart won the gingham heart competition. Big thank you to all who voted for it. The yummy prize went home with me.

I literary went home with three bags that day. I left the house with two. Man, was I one happy girl.

Thank you once again to Nik and Margaret for organizing the meet, Rose for opening your house to us and everyone who attended.

Birthday Giveaway!

It’s my birthday today and if that's not a good enough reason to have a giveaway, I don't know what is.

Even though it's been a rocky first half of the year for me with the end of a six year relationship and a job that I hated, I've been blessed for the second half of the year. I got family and friends who loves me (you know who you are) and whom I very much love back, a job that I love and on top of that, a sewing machine :P Hehehe... Oh,and I'm also at nearly 100 Followers too! Definitely cause for a giveaway celebration.

Okay, okay, I know you're all dying to hear what I got up my sleeves this time. Yes? No? Aww come on, show a bit more enthusiasm.

Anyway, remember my last finish? Renato Parolin's Camille, Paul Et Myrtille?

With the help of Maccabags' tutorial, here they are, hot off my sewing machine, transformed into drawstring pouches! I lined them with the Christmasy fabric in the background.

In case you're wondering, yes, I'm giving all three away to three lucky winners.

So what do you need to do to be eligible? Just comment on this post. That's it, no catches. However, I do require you to leave an email address if it's not listed in your profile in order for me to contact you if you win.

I'll really appreciate if you decide to tell other stitches about my giveaway though. The more the merrier :) And if you become a Follower to help me reach 100, you'll be making this birthday girl very happy ^.^

Birthday Giveaway deadline is 20 December 2010.

One last thing, if you're curious to see what else is included in the giveaway, do check back regularly prior to that. I'll be revealing the contents in the pouches periodically until then.

Thanx for visiting. Happy stitching!