Our New Bundle of Joy

Introducing our new bundle of joy, Alya ,
born on 25th November 2005 9:24 am
birthweight 2.95 kg

Cheeky little gal, her gender remained unknown until the moment she was born despite of several 'snoopings attempts' by her parent and the doctor. The arrival of Alya has completed her golf addix dad and stitching mom's 'Charlie's Angels team'; And made her grandma smiling as her grandma already has 'The 3 Musketeers' (Alya's uncle' has 3 sons) and now 3 darling angels (Hanie, Shasha & Alya).

Alya - yesterday, at home after discharged from the hospital

I finally finished my bellpull yesterday !

After several months from the 1st day I started my bellpull project, I finally managed to finish it yesterday.

Days of the Week is designed by Lynda Orme & Wendy Peatross of Forever In My Heart Designs. The chart is featured in The Cross Stitcher magazine April2005 issue (US mag). I had started this bellpull project some time in 3rd week of July. I took about 3 week plus to finish stitching all '7 days' ( I was on a stitching rotation - stitching some small items) and then literally tossed away the stitched piece in my craft cabinet *LOL* . Click here to view the 1st picture of the bellpull project I took.

After been procastinating with the finishing touch, one month later (in September), i took out the piece and wanted to resume with the finishing touch. But somehow, i found that the piece is quite plain and decided to stitch a simple black border. Stitching a simple border in one colour could be a boring task. Yes, I did found it very boring and was always sidetracked by stitching smalls. Believe me, it took more than a skein of DMC 310 to stitch the border (initially I couldn't believe this *LOL*) . And at one time, I was run out of this black floss *grrrrr...!*

Last week, the 'struggling' was finally over. I put the stitch piece aside (again hehehehe). On Friday, I resumed with the finishing and yesterday was a great day for me! Finally my bellpull is ready to hang! The border looks perfect for the bellpull. I'm really happy with my decision to stitch the simple plain black border although it took me some time to stitch and nearly put me into a stitching slump.

Click here to view another closer view of the bellpull.

A picture of another stitching

As promised, there is another picture to share. A small giftie for another birthday girl. Harsha is one of the Birthday Exchange participants, her birthday was on the 5th November (a day after our anniversary). On that day, she opened the gifts she have received including the package from me.

I stitched her a simple potpourri sachet with her initial, sent it along with a bag of potpurri and stitching goodies.

I'm thinking of stitching more sachets after I downloaded this picture from the camera. This is the 2nd sachet I ever stitched (1st was the Halloween sachet). Personally I think , potpourri/scented sachet is a sweet giftie.

Talking about stitching, I am still 'battling' with the finishing touch of a bellpull which have been delayed for months and stitching the Popcorn Bear freebie. I don't actually feel like stitching eventhough lots of stitching/sewing ideas on my mind. Luckily, I've decided not to join any exchanges (since midyear till end of the year) except for 2 more BDEs to be sent out (no stitched item is required tho'). If I do feel like missing stitchings & stuff, I simply browsing stitchers blogs to view their recent finishes and etc. BTW, Bloglines is recommended for the convenience of reading other blogs :)

Our Anniversary

Today is our 4th anniversary. Instead of going out, my hubby and I spent the time at home with our kids and cooked his favourite meal.

For this year's memento, I stitched a mini banner. The pattern is simple yet attractive, which caught my eyes when I was browsing some French stitchers blogs (who blogs in French) last time. Eventhough there is only a French word or two that I barely know, I guess the language of needlecraft is universal (plus with the help of Google translator of course *wink*). Then I came across with BlueTurtle's freebie pattern '9 de coeur' (the 9 hearts). You can click here for the link. There some other nice freebie patterns as well.

'9 de coeur' - I stitched on 28ct linen using Dip&Twist overdyed flosses by Needle Odyssey and embellished with some red seed beads. I personalised it with our (my hubby and I) initials and wedding date.

Card for Zarina

Here is the picture of stitched card I made for Zarina. She received it together with the BDE stash on her birthday - 1st November.

BDE, Birthday Exchange, is a stash exchange I signed up early this year. Eventhough, it merely requires stash to be given as birthday gift but most of us are willingly make an extra gift - handmade item. I think the reason is b'coz of the pleasure of giving out to people and make them happy *wink*

The basket of apples is actually a part of Lizzie Kate Autumn chart. I stitched this apple pattern b'coz Zarina likes 'apple-related' stitching thingies. This pattern is stitched on 14ct white aida with colour changes using overdyed flosses - Dip&Twist by NeedleOdyssey, Weeks Dye Work & Needle Neccesities.

An Update

Just a quick update on my stitching progress. After the halloweeny poutporri sachet, I managed to stitch 3 more items. Two of them are on the way to the recipients. The last one is a mini banner I stitched for our 4th anniversary on 4th November. Will upload the photos later.

And today, my two friends are celebrating their birthdays.

Ez - my long time best friend. She is married to an Indian gentleman. I believe today, she is celebrating with her in-laws the Happy Diwali (Festival of Lights) and her birthday simultaneously.

Zarina - my stitching friend in Penang, a talented stitcher who shares the same interest in Victoria Sampler and Elizabeth's Designs charts/patterns with me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ez &Zarina !