Something small in the making - part 3

As at today 12.45pm. Will start quilting later.


Setakat tengahari ni pukul 12.45, akan mula quilting kejap lagi

Something small in the making - part 2

As at today 11.00am


Setakat pagi ni pukul 11

Something small in the making

I started to stitch the applique' flower and embroider the stem & leaves today. The background is a simple patchwork I made on Friday night for a Free- motion Quilting learning session on Saturday. But I've decided to practise on scraps a little bit more.

This small project in the making, is a quilt for the tray. Original pattern is from Patchwork Club magazine No. 61 last year. I modified it a little bit here and there.

Since it involves needle turn technique* for those tiny appliques and I don't really have a lot of time to spend on stitching/sewing every day, this project will gonna last more than a week I suppose.



Hari ni, mula jahit applique (sulam tampal) dan buat sulaman untuk daun & batang. Kain dasar tu sebenarnya dah dibuat pada Jumaat malam lagi , sebenarnya untuk kelas Free-motion Quilting pada hari Sabtu. Tapi aku tukar fikiran sebab aku rasa masih perlu berlatih guna kain perca.

Projek ni adalah projek alas dulang. Paten asal dari majalah Patchwork Club keluaran 61 tahun lepas. Aku ubah sikit sini sana.

Untuk projek ni, aku guna teknik needle turn* untuk applique yang kecil molek tu, aku pun bukan ada masa sangat 'menghadap' projek ni hari-hari, aku rasa memang akan ambil masa lebih dari seminggu nak siapkan.



* needle turn - handstitching technique for applique involves invisible stitches and gives emboss effect
teknik ni guna jahitan susup supaya tak kelihatan and bila siap ada kesan timbul yang cantik pada applique

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.

Cardmaking Revival

To some people, they've been involve in cardmaking for a long time, to others, cardmaking is a whole new thing. To me, cardmaking is a revival. I was into cardmaking during my school years. Sadly, I began to 'leave' my favourite pastime when I had too many things to do in campus.

LHC's cardmaking revival (i)

I entered the new beginning, last year. Started with XS cards. And then I tried some simple embroidery cards. The most recent is, 'playing with papers, scissors & glue' just like the good old times.

LHC's cardmaking revival (ii)

I really enjoy cardmaking especially nowadays we have lots of gadgets & supplies to choose & use as long as the time & budget permit :)

Finally, a pincushion for me...

I have made pincushions & needleroll for exchanges and friend, but I never make a decent pincushion for myself hehehehe...

Last week, my stitching friend, Margaret, sent me the instructions on how to make a pumpkin pincushion. She has lots of pincushions in her collection. I came to know about it when I was her partner in Craft Exchange last year - I made a patchwork pincushion for her. Recently, she showed us (in MYS) a picture of her latest pincushion. It looks so lovely & yummy. I was so tempted to make one for myself.

pumpkin pincushion

Decided to make my favourite ladybug button as the central, I embroidered little flowers on the dark green colour cotton fabric. I can say, it's quite easier to make than it looks. The trickiest part is when to section the small round cushion into 8 segments. I took an extra time to embroider and do beaded edge whipping. It is actually up to our preference - to embroider or not.

Finally, a pincushion for me. Wait until DH knows about it, I'm sure he will be very happy *LOL* (no more needles lying around on the dressing table hehehe)

Chicken Scratch Heart

This morning after browsing the internet, I felt the urge to do a chicken scratch embroidery.

Actually when I first saw chicken scratch on the web last year, it had reminded me of my tweenie years. I learned how to embroider when I was in a boarding school and my 1st project was done on a gingham fabric. I was tempted to try chicken scratch after seeing the website but unfortunately at that time I was pretty busy with cross sttich exchanges. And today, I re-visited the website and immediately took out my sewing kit & checkered cloth and started the chicken scratch heart project.

Chicken Scratch Heart

It didn't take much time to embroider small pattern likes this. Simple yet attractive.

closer view

Green Love

I love greenery ~ from succulents to fruits. You name it. My parents are green-fingers. When I was small, we used to live in a big city. Nevertheless, we frequented the small orchards that they've inherited from my grandparents. There were some tropical fruits trees and herbs e.g. durian, mangoesteen, coconut, lemon-grass and etc etc etc. I still have the vivid memory of seeing the freshly-plucked cardamons. Eventhough, now the orchards have not as many trees as before, once awhile my parents will still go there.

It has been more than 18 years now, my parents are residing in countryside and they grew many green plants in their small garden ever since. I used to think that I am a green-finger just like my parents. Unfortunately, only succulents and cacti can 'get along' with me hehehehe ! Thank goodness, these plants are tough and survive the hot & humid weather here. Well, I guess I have my own way to appreciate greenery. Needlework of course ! What else LOL!

'Formal Garden' - Inspirations magazine

My husband loves greenery as well. He and his friends have their own ways to appreciate green. You will know what I mean when you read his blog *wink*

I'm really envy with my parents and green-fingers out there who can spend their time gardening and growing lovely plants, while stitching something garden-related is good enough for me : )