Breast Cancer Awareness

October is International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns and programmes have been launched by Governement and NGOs throughout the country.

In Malaysia, Breast Cancer is the top cancer in women, thus women's no.1 killer. The campaigns & programmes are to raise the awareness on breast cancer screening and early detection since the consequences of breast cancer can be significantly improved if the disease could be detected at an early stage when effective treatment can be conducted.

Our Prime Minister's wife, Datin Paduka Seri Endon, puts tremendous efforts in the campaigns of fighting the disease. She shares her own experience with other women and spends time for voluntary work in support of breast cancer patients despite her hectic schedule.

In conjuction with the campaign, I stitched a Pink Ribbon applique' . I got the free pattern from Angie's Bits n Pieces - quilting website ( it is actually a ribbon template for Leukemia Awareness campaign in September). I embellished the pink ribbon applique' with the golden yellow heart applique' and satin roses.

** There will be temporarily no postings from me coz I'll be in Kuala Lumpur early October visiting my families and hoping that will get the opportunities for some stash shoppings *wink* . Happy Stitching & Happy Blogging to everyone.

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

Have you ever just quit a project while in the midst of it? (We’re not referring to UFOs here, rather projects that you know that you’ll never work on again.) Why? What did you do with it - throw it out, give it away, put it away?

Yes, I had experienced twice . 1st piece is a free-style embroidery table cloth I started in my teenage years. The reason I stop was I've always deter satin stitches embroidery and the pattern requires satin stitches. Initially, I thought that I could overcome the problem but... hmmm. I still keep the piece in my stash cabinet though *wink*. As a reminder, perhaps. 2nd piece is my 1st XS kit. At time of purchase, I wasn't really into XS and I was sort of 'influenced' by my sis-in-law. There is no DMC flosses in the kit, instead the pattern calls for a different type of flosses (not 6 strands flosses or perle cotton). And being a non-experienced stitcher, I can tell you that it is my worst stitching ever *LOL* . Halfway thru' , I gave up but still keep the piece in my stash cabinet. Another reminder, perhaps *wink*

Gifts for cousins

I would like to share the pictures of gifts for my cousins.

I stitched a simple 'Happy Anniversary' pattern by Maria Diaz for my cousin who just celebrated their 1st anniversary this month. I'm going to hand it personally to her since I'm going back to Kuala Lumpur in early October.

As usual, I made some colour changes to the pattern - I used overdyed flosses for the leaves and pot. This is my 1st time stitching for such occassion i.e. anniversary, wedding, engagement etc


There is another gift for her sister. I missed her birthday last time - I'm actually closer to her sister.

'My cup of tea' - an applique'd piece of a teacup. The pattern is taken from Patchwork & Stitching magazine. It is actually a teacup & teapot pattern for a cushion cover. Since my hubby and I had decided to travel light this time, I only managed to make the teacup aplique' for her so that it won't take up much space in our luggage.

This framed piece is perfect for her hobby corner i.e. singing. She shall put the framed piece beside her karaoke set or maybe she shall hang it at her cubicle in the office *wink*

Birthday Gift for Lillie

Lillie is the other September birthday gal who participated in Birthday Exchange 2005. On her birthday - 27th Sept, she opened the all gifts that she had received. That includes a gift from me.

Yes, I also stitched a greetings card- cum - needlebook for her. This one is a bit different from what I stitched for Niza.


For Lillie's needlebook, I stitched on a piece of white aida band. I chose the calla lily pattern with a minor colour change. It is actually comes with an alphabet 'L' , since the aida band is only about 2" wide, I omit stitching the 'L'. To a person who rarely stitch on aida band (this is my 2nd time), initially I found it is a bit tricky to stitch on b'coz of the soft texture plus the smaller fabric count. Now, I wish to buy some aida bands for my stash collection *LOL*

I really enjoy stitching the needlebooks. Thanks to San's needlebook tutorial. It really inspired me to stitch for my friends.

The Busy Bee & Assisi

Here are some pictures of my other finishes. I've been stitching almost everyday for the last 2 weeks. But my stitching pace is getting slower these days. Managed to finish a few pieces only.

'The Busy Bee' is a pattern from Elizabeth's Designs (ED). ED is among my top 3 favourite designers for specialty stitches patterns. The other two are Victoria Sampler and The Drawn Thread.

Stitched on 28ct cashel linen with some colour changes. I've yet to attach the beehive & bees charms. Will do it before I send the piece for framing.

Planning to resume stitching more specialty stitches patterns next year. Been purchasing quite a number of patterns from these 3 designers, yet to get enough linens for stitching.

Last week, when a friend of mine asking about Assisi Work made me realised that I've never stitch an Assisi project eventhough I've always like this type of stitching.

Assisi is actually a variation on regular cross stitch : the background is stitched whereas the main shape is outlined with Holbein stitch/backstitch. Originated in Assisi, Italy.

I remembered of seeing Assisi projects in several blogs earlier. The freebie patterns are from CraftCo website. I decided to stitch Mt Cook Lily for my 1st Assisi project.

I stitched on 28ct cashel linen using Vicki Clayton silk floss. Made a change to the the border. I stitched a simple scroll border instead of butterfly blackwork border b'coz the fabby I used is too small to stitch a wider border.

Tiny dozen

I would like to share with you, a picture of the last 2 weeks' finish.

'Tiny dozen' which had finished earlier but I was terribly slow with the finishing off. Actually, I would like to finish it off differently, I was just too lazy to get my sewing machine repaired. Simplest solution is to frame the stitched piece.

This piece is actually a collection of teapot miniature patterns from various sources - magazines & DMC mini booklet. I selected my favourite dozen to stitch and added some laces to make it looks like the teapots are displayed in a cabinet. The stitchcount is not more than 20X20 and stitched on 14ct brown aida (to non-stitchers : the size of each teapot is approx. 1.5" X1.5" max). I made some colour changes and did extra backstitches.

I've always love teapots and teacups in a needlework version but I don't actually collect teapots.

A Bit of This and That

Yesterday, somehow my blog page didn't appear on the screen. Apparently, when I logged into Blogger, I saw that there was some major changes in my template which I didn't do it. I'm not sure what was wrong actually, I did emailed to Blogger support Team twice. They responded to my 1st email, and recomended some solutions. anyway, the solutions didn't seem to work. While waiting for their 2nd email, I remembered that I did save a back-up of my blog couple of weeks ago. I'm so lucky! Managed to edit my corrupted template and the blog is up again. Phewww !!!

Last week, the same thing happened to our friend's blog. We called up his wife (my friend) to check on his blog. We forgot to ask him what he did, but his blog is up again 2 days later. Lesson learnt,"always keep a back-up file for your blog", you may not know when it will be needed. Eventhough, I was not regularly back up my blog, luckily I seldom make changes changes to my template. My blog is up with a minor not-so-update info in the side bar links.

Here is the update on my hubby's golf tournament. He didn't make it to the final cut. Hard luck. After all, this was his 1st time qualified to participate in Miri Golf Club Amateur Open (to qualify, the handicap must be 12 and below). Last year, he was on the invitation - invitees played with the final-round qualifiers on the Final day of tournament. Anyway, won a golfbag for the lucky draw is not bad at all *wink*

While he was out...

Last week, when my hubby was away for business trips, I had some extra time for myself. Decided to stitch another golf pattern for him. This time is the the biggest so far. I've stitched bookmarks, card & golfbag tags for him before.

I was going to finish it as a mini wall-hanging when my hubby saw it and made a special request - he would like to have it finished as something else. I've yet to find the right materials to meet his request.

This pattern is designed by Brenda Davis and been featured in Simply Cross Stitch magazine 1998. I made some colour changes to the pattern and personalised it with my hubby's blog name and the url address.

Today, my hubby will be playing in 17th Miri Golf Club Amateur Open 2005 - one of the tournaments that he has been waiting for this year. The participants are club participants as well as golfers from other clubs in Malaysia and neighbouring countries (Vijay Singh was the club pro way back in the 80's before making a step to join the world tournaments circuit.) Best of luck to my dear hubby!

'Macam Burong Terbang' (in english : 'Fly Like a Bird')

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

What is the most challenging specialty stitch you have ever stitched?

I think I have not try out all the specialty stitches yet, but so far the trickiest is the rhodes butterfly. I always miscalculate and won't get a nice butterfly at my 1st attempts. However, I still love to do the rhodes stitches - heart & butterfly rhodes. These stitches are beautiful to my eyes.

I shall add here, as for free-style embroidery, I'm avoiding satin stitch coz I've never embroider a neat row of satin stitches : )

Birthday Gift For Niza

As promised, I'm going to share the pictures of my birthday gifts to September birthday gals (who participated in MYS BDE 2005). Niza had opened the package which has arrived on her birthday - 10th September. And the other gal is still waiting for the perfect time & day to open her package *wink*

Was inspired after reading the needlebook tutorial in San's blog (thank you San), I stitched a needlebook for Niza with some modifications/additions - a simple birthday card later functions as a needlebook (A is for Aniza)


It is as simple as it looks. All you need is to stitch a needlebook according to your preference (you may refer to San's needlebook tutorial - very clearly explained plus pics)


And a 4-fold card blank with the right size aperture - the size is approx. the size of stitched area on the needlebook. (and follow the simple instructions in the picture below)


Lastly, simply put the needlebook in the card blank, slip the ribbons through the slits and fold it as a greetings card. Now you have a simple greetings card-cum-needlebook for your stitching friend. Well, it is merely a different way of presenting the needlebook to your friend. I'm sure, there is lots of other ideas in your mind, please share with us :)

Back to Blogging & Stitching Blogger's Questions

Hi ! I'm back to blogging. The internet connection was not very good for the past weeks hence I didnt' really have the mood for blogging. Anyway, I managed to do some stitchings though the stitching pace was slower than usual. I've missed 2 SBQs and would to answer them today.

Q1: Which way do you stitch (/// and then \\\ or \\\ and then ///)? Can
you (or if you haven't done it before, do you think you could) change
the way that you stitch temporarily if it is asked of you?

A: I stitch /// and then \\\ and I don't have a problem if I were asked to change the way I stitch temporarily to \\\ and then /// (had done it once). Honestly, I felt a bit different during the first few stitches, after that everything went as usual (just like the way I usually stitch).

Q2: Do you stitch for events like weddings, engagements, or other things
that might not last? If you have been unlucky and the two people broke
up, what happened to your stitched gift?

A: I never stitch for such events before. If such an unlucky things happened i.e. broke up/divorce (that's life), I do hope one of them will still value the stitched piece and I won't mind if they ripped off some of the lettering. By the way, I'm currently stitching for my cousin who celebrated their 1st anniversary this month and will hand it over to her when I'm in Kuala Lumpur next month. This is my 1st time stitching for such events :)

Ladybug & Flowers Scissors Sheath

Sometimes I feel uneasy keeping a pair of scissors with sharp tip in my stitching bag - I may get pricked by the tip. It made me thinking to make either a scissors case or sheath for my stork scissors.

There is a website where I always visit for some inspirations. Rissa (the web owner) is a very talented needleworker and now has a blog - writing about her current projects. At the moment, she writes about Katrina Hurricane (she lives in Jackson, Mississippi).

I decided to make a scissors sheath using the materials that I used for my pincushion.

scissors sheath (insert pic: pincushion)

It is quite easy to do.The size of the sheath is depends on the size of your scissors. You may add any embellishments according to your choice. I took 2 afternoons to do it. Rissa's article on Custom Fitted Scissors Sheath is published in an online magazine. You may click this link to view it.

Golf Addix's new tag

Last night I took about 2 hours stitching and finishing it into DH's new golfbag tag. If I were yet to answer this week SBQ, I must've said that this is the smallest project I've ever stitched.

front

The flag and golfbag are freebie patterns from different designers. Stitched on 14ct aida, I did the colour conversion and made effort to do the extra backstitch. Yet, it is still a very simple and quick to stitch pattern and I personalised it with '@rm' in the front and 'Golf Addix' at the back of the tag.

back

I stitched his 1st golfbag tag in April this year. It is a bigger pattern and had to stitch it on 18ct aida in order to make small enough to fit the tag (note to non-stitchers ~ higher count of aida fabric makes the stitching smaller).

Stitching Small - Beehive

Feeling itch to stitch more small item after finished stitching gifts for Sept Birthday Gals, I decided to stitch a beehive - a small pattern from Garden Charmers charts collection designed by Diane Arthur of Imaginating.

Beehive

If you may noticed, I've used this small charts collection for my Fickled Minded Round Robin this year. But the small beehive was stitched by my friend, Nik. When I stitched the beehive, I put bee buttons as embellishment to replace the bee charms. I also did some colour changes.

Fickled Minded RR

Sneak Preview - gifts for Sept Birthday Gals

I have finished stitching gifts for Sept Birthday Gals and was going to mail them out yesterday. Then suddenly I remembered this Saturday (today) is the 1st Saturday of Sept. Post Offices nationwide, are closed to public on every 1st Saturday of the month. Mailing out on Monday morning wouldn't be much different as compare to Friday afterrnoon since I'm sending them across the South China Sea (to Penang & to Selangor).

The idea of having extra days with the gifts made me photos frenzy for a while *LOL*. Captured some photos from different angles and did some touch ups, I decided to put a sneak preview pic on my blog.

sneak preview

You may guess what it is (but sorry no pressie for the correct answer hehehe). Will upload the complete pics after the birthday gals have received the gifts safe and sound *wink*

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

What do you use to hold your fabric while you stitch? A hoop, a Q-Snap, a scroll frame, something else, or do you stitch in hand? Have you always used just the one thing or have you tried one or more of the others? Which do you like best? Why?


I use a hoop to hold the fabric when stitching(I have a set of three hoops). I would love to try Q-Snap or scroll frame but at the moment I haven't see any in Miri LNSs. Will look for it when I'm in Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I do stitch in hand especially for small projects. But I prefer using the hoop coz it makes my stitching faster and neater.

Stitching Update as at Sept 1st

I've not been blogging for more than a week. Spent my time watching National Geographic re-runs which I've missed in the earlier weeks of August. I'm on a rotation stitching my WIPs and UFOs. Went to LNS a couple of times buying some cotton fabrics & other items for the finishing touches. I'm also stitching for September birthday gals - one of the items is ready for mailout. My stitching speed has become slower these days as sometimes I do feel uncomfortable sitting for a long time with this bulging tummy *wink*

Yesterday was our National Day, we didn't go anywhere except for dining out. DH spent his afternoon playing golf and me & the kids were watching TV (I was stitching as well). Happy Merdeka Day !