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!

Stitching Again

Slowly but surely, I'm stitching again! I recently went through some of my oldest WiP and came up with this:

Granted, this is technically not a WiP since it's released separately and I've finished four parts so far but it's been a three year span since I started this series. Hence I decided to pick it up again.

Design: Iced Tea

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: Zweigart's Vintage Country Mocha (Marbled) 32 count Belfast linen

Fibers: Crescent Colours Belle Soie

Five down. One more to go. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the last one before the year is out.

All but one of my giveaway scissors fob have arrived at their destinations. (What's going on with Canadian Post? Sigh!) Among those that are now residing with their new owners are the three surprise fobs so now I can finally show you what I made.

Princess Ivy for Hazel

Liberty's Dream for Deborah

Scarlet Jinx for Carin

I've been trying my hand at new things recently. Beading, as you know, being one of them. I bought my first tatting shuttle along with some thread couple of weekends ago. I managed to get the basics down... Double stitch, Picot and Close Ring. Still trying to figure out the rest. Will see how that goes. If not, hopefully Faizon, our Malaysian Needles & Crafts group tatting guru and Zarina, will be able to shed some light this coming Saturday during our December Stitching Bee.

On top of that, I went on an all out splurge this past Saturday and bought a sewing machine. My birthday is coming up and this is the present I gave myself – among other things :P.

It’s a Bernina E82e, exactly like the one shown except that it’s silver instead of purple. I was told that’s because it’s imported from Europe (hence the E). It only differs from the one available in USA in appearance (and voltage, I think). Since I prefer silver over purple, I’m happy with that.

I’m not a novice to using a sewing machine. After all, I’ve been taking part time tailoring lessons for quite a while now but this is the first time I have an electronic sewing machine with all these fun features to play with.

I look forward to exploring different finishing techniques and perhaps venture into patchwork/quilting and maybe even bag making. It’s a whole new world of possibilities that has just been opened to me!

Thanx for stopping by. Happy Stitching!
P.S. To Karen who asked about my scissors, they’re Gingher’s silver Lion’s Tail Embroidery Scissors. I wish I own a Dovo though. They’re so pretty but too expensive for me.

Beading & Stitching Along

First off, wow! A huge THANK YOU to everyone for the wonderful comments you’ve left on my Giveaway post. You’re awesome! I’ve had over 50 comments which is an all time high for me. If you’ve yet to participate on my “StarZanite Giveaway”, do drop by. I’ll be drawing the winners on 1 November so there’s still plenty of time to join in the fun.

Well, your interest has spurred me to make more fobs. This is what I came up with so far:

This time, I’ve decided to take the close up pictures on a white background as I think this shows off the colours much nicely. (Should have done that the first time round.)

Ice Storm

Mango Confetti

Mike and I have been having trouble agreeing on whether the colour on the beads are yellow or green. Which do you think it is?

Amber Voyage

Chili Pebbles

Yes, the “misspelling” of Chili Pebbles is intentional. It’s a word play on Chili Peppers because I think the brown beads look like pebbles.

Frosted Sapphire

Cathy asked if I have any prices in mind. I’m thinking US$15–US$18 per fob plus shipping. Opinions? Do you think that’s asking too much? I plan on setting up a Paypal WebShop on a separate page right here on my blog. Have yet to get around to that but if you see something you like, feel free to email me.

On the stitching front, progress on Garden Verses has been slow. (Gee, I wonder why?) Here’s a photo to give you an idea.

I don’t think I’ll be able to complete my goal in time for the competition unless I buck up and stop messing with my beads.

Thanx for staying with my ramblings this far. I truly appreciate it.

StarZanite Giveaway

Lately, I've been lagging on my stitching. Thus, there is not enough progress on Garden Verses to warrant a photo. Instead, I’ve a newfound obsession hobby – beading. To be exact, I’ve been making beaded scissors fobs.

The stitching community has been more than generous to me and it's my turn to give a little back. Hence, of the five scissors fobs I made, I’ll be giving them all away. Yes, that’s right! There will be five winners :)

To be honest, I’m thinking of making more and perhaps selling some in the future if there’s enough interest. So I guess this giveaway is kinda a blatant “testing of the waters” if I may. I even have the name of my shop already in mind – StarZanite. I think it suits the glitter and sparkle of beads, don’t you think?

With that said, this will be the StarZanite Giveaway!

To be eligible for this giveaway, please...

1. Leave a comment on this post only that you would like to be included and also state your favourite fob/s. (I rather the winners receive one to their liking if possible.)
2. Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link to mine for a second entry. You can use the picture above.
3. Become a Follower or let me know that you’re an existing reader of my blog for yet another chance to win!

Please also remember to leave a way for me to get in touch with you if you win. This giveaway will close in two weeks. Names will be drawn on 1 November 2010.

Here are more detailed photos for a clearer view. As you can see, I also gave each of them names ^.^

Tropical Jade

Grape Ink

Winter Cherries

Ocean Waterlilies

Desert Rose

This is my first attempt making beaded scissors fobs. As such, they are by no means perfect. I chose to use cell phone straps instead of lobster clasps because they are more flexible. (Think flash drive fobs, cell phone fobs, rear view mirror fobs, camera/camera case fobs, ornaments, etc... the possibilities are endless!) Moreover, it would not wear away your fine scissors finishing due to friction.

I really hope you like them. Opinions and comments welcomed.