Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

When starting a new project, do you start in the middle? If you do, once you’ve worked down to the bottom, do you turn your chart and fabric around so that you are stitching the top section downwards again or do you just stitch upwards from the middle?

I usually start from the bottom/corner of the fabric with whatever colour is required and will usually work sideways. Whenever I need to stitch the design in pattern blocks (block by block) especially for bigger designs, I will start stitching from the middle block at the bottom of the fabric then continue my way around block by block.

Another Meme

Been tagged again. And the questions are :
Q* What are the things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out and play?

My answer will be :
*time with beloved ones at home
*needlework
*reading
*blogging

Q* What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level?

Answer:
*listening to music
*internet browsing
*meeting or talking to family/friends over the phone/YM

I have to tag 5 guys , this time will be their turns >>> Madder, Harsha, Myra, Hilda and Najwa

Which Malaysian Blogger Are You?

I saw this interesting question from my friend's blog (Adam), then I clicked the link and answered the quiz. Here is the result : )

Congratulations , you are...

minishorts of minishorts.net

You are outgoing, direct, smart, pretty, and a definite go-getter. You are frank, a little too frank perhaps that sometimes you get on people's nerves and make them very upset. If people attack you, you hit back with triple the force without blinking because you are the kind of person who knows exactly what you are talking about or else you wouldn't talk about it. Your quick-thinking is what makes you special. You are an elitist.

Which Malaysian Blogger Are You?

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

Are there any types of designs that you won't stitch?

Well, normally when it comes to designs, I prefer those are simple yet eye-catching. I will avoid stitching big designs e.g. All Our Yesterdays, Mirabilia.

I'm not into realistic animals and human-being designs as well - cartoonish babies and animals e.g. bear, cat & insects are excluded : ).Roses - the less-preferred flower to stitch for myself simply because the design usually requires many colour changes.

Anyway I don't mind stitching realistic animals, human-being and roses for friends, exchanges and RRs. And don't mind receiving roses design stitched items from others, they are beautiful *wink*

bitten by a bug...ouuuchhh !

Dont't worry friends. I'm not literally bitten by a bug *wink* . Here is my story of being bitten by an 'applique' quilting bug '

Somehow about a week ago after visiting a LNS (local needle shop), I started on new needlework projects - hand applique quilting. I had tried machine applique quilting during the earlier days of my involvement in needlework. That was a very novice piece of work. But i am really amused with hand applique, never thought that hand-applique is lot more interesting than patchwork and machine-applique. Within a week I managed to stitch 2 pieces of applique stitching. I need to visit the LNS one more time before I do the quilting part.


Wash day blues

This pattern is from Naive & Country Quilts magazine which I bought a long time ago. It is a basic & simple pattern suitable for novice quilters.


tea time

This pattern is from Patchwork & Quilting magazine but I modified the pattern to my liking and planning to replace the sugar canister ( below teapot) with cupcakes.It took more time to stitch since it was trickier to stitch the overlapping appliques and the pattern size is bigger.

Needleroll Exchange 2005

Needleroll Exchange for Zarina

I stitched on 14ct pink aida using overdyeds and DMC flosses. Embellished with beads and fancy buttons, finished off the ends with laces. The design is a freebie from Lizzie Kate - Friendship Grows. I changed the colours and made some adjustment in order to get the right size for a needleroll.


Needleroll Exchange from Norli

Norli stitched on 14ct white aida, embellished with some beads and finished off the ends with some organza trimmings. Not bad for a first-timer! Thank you Norli for the needleroll and lacy tablecloth.

My Stitching Mood is Back...!

For the last 2 weeks I barely pick my needle and stitch. Our little princess was sick and need extra attention & pampering. Now she is in the pink of health. I continued stitching Needle Roll Exchange and have finished it.

I can feel that my stitching mood is back. Morning sickness has finally subsides, at times I do feel dizzy though. I have decided not to join any exchanges and RRs till end of this year. My stitching pledge for the rest of 6 months is to finish all my UFOs and start some new needlework projects for my home/family.

I have UFOs in cross stitch, freestyle embroidery, bullions embroidery, casalguidi and SRE. Would love to do some applique' quiltings and crocheting. Long list huh...*wink*

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Adam. I've seen these before in other blogs. Now it's my turn to answer those questions.

1) Total number of books I own:
I hardly know the exact amount of books in my collection bcoz reading has been one of my favourite pastime hobbies since I started my schooling. Part of my collection is still at my parents' place and gave away some of them to relatives and friends to encourage reading as hobby.

2) The last book I bought:
I bought a book on crocheting recently. Few years ago, There was a change in type of books I prefer to buy. I bought more books on needlework, parenting and health & lifestyle.

3) The last book I read:
Pilates for Pregnancy by Anna Selby. Bought this book after the birth of our 1st daughter. I personally feel, this is a fabulous exercise technique for preggers.

4) 5 books that mean alot to me:
i. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louis Fischer
ii. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
iii. The Harem Within by Fatima Mernissi
iv. Childbirth by Miriam Stoppard
v. The Essential Guide to Having a Baby by Evennett

*Each book (I mentioned above) touches different aspects of human, life and culture. Enhances my knowledge and widens my horizon of thinking towards life and people.

5) Tag 5 people and have them fill this out on their blogs:
Now is their turns : ) ~ hubby , AdieJin, Myra, Neeziee and Coks

Happy Day

Yesterday was my birthday : )

I didn't throw a party anyway. Just celebrated with my beloved family. My dearest hubby gave me the fragrance spray limited edition of my favourite perfume. I love it ! Thank you Hubby !!! A long time best friend rang me up and we had a lengthy conversation -exchanging stories and wishing each other the best future. Thanks for the call, my dearest best friend (you know who you are *wink*)

There was no birthday cake this year simply b'coz I am quite picky about food during pregnancy. Didn't go anywhere tho' few months ago, I was excited about going to Brunei on my birthday (or any weekends in June). I just don't feel like going places during the 1st trimester. Must be bcoz of the morning sickness still occur at times. Who knows, after the morning sickness subsides, I will be 'dragging' my family for a holiday LOL !

Speaking of birthday, I've been receiving lovely gifts from the BDE (Birthday Exchange) I participated. Thank you my stitching friends. This year is definitely one of the most memorables : )

Planning to snap some pics of those lovely gifts and will be uploading to my online album soon.