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.

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.

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 :)

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*

Card for a Birthday Gal

stitched card for Sue

This is one of the stitched cards I made for August birthday gals. I took the pattern from WOCS magazine (The World of Cross Stitching) freebie - 101 birthday charts booklet. I made a minor adjustment to the pattern and done some colour changes to suit the card blank. I put some wadding/batting under the stitched piece to get a slighlty padded/plump look but it didn't show in a photo. I got the card blank from my stitching friend, Nik. I always like round/oval/heart-shape aperture card blanks but I don't have the right gadget to make one. Nik who has lots of card-making stuff sells her own range of card blanks at reasonable price.

I have another pics of stitched cards for August birthday gals but they have not reach the recipients yet. Will upload more pics once the cards are safely in the hands of the birthday gals.

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.

In the Mailbox, Today

Happy dance! Happy dance!

Guess what is in my mailbox today? I received my 1st birthday gift this year (my birthdate is June 12th). Thank you Angie!

BDE2005 from Angie Tan

I joined the BDE 2005 (Birthday Exchange 2005). This is actually a stash exchange type. The organiser had listed down the 'compulsory' gifts to be sent out by participants to birthday gals. But the participants are kind-hearted stitchers, apart from sending the compulsory gifts they also include stitched/hand-made items plus other stash as complimentary gifts.

According to the BDE 2005 schedule, Angie had to send me a piece of fabric and birthday card. Yes, I did received the fabby (aida 14ct) PLUS a lovely stitched birthday card, iron-on-embroidery patch, rayon flosses, variegated floss and a beautiful tatted piece.

This year's birthday is going to be one of the most remembered, definitely *wink*. Thank you Angie ! Thank you my stitching friends!

stitched Birthday card and tatted piece

MYS Bellpull Exchange 2005

I participated in MYS (Malaysian_Stitchers Yahoo Group) Bellpull Exchange and the mail out date was April 4th. Despite of that, on the very day I was still 'struggling' with the finishing part for my bellpull hehehe. I was sidetracked from finishing the bellpull on time by stitching some small projects. Too many projects so little time to stitch LOL !

On April 7th, I received a bellpull exchange from Niesa in Sibu. I almost screaming when I opened the envelope. Right away I recognised that the pattern is from US The Cross Stitcher magazine issue February 2005. It was like a dream came true to me when Niesa stitched the pattern for me bcoz I like this sampler pattern. I have taken a picture of the bellpull together with the magazine. The picture does not give it a justice. It's a bit blurry image though, will replace with a better ones. I like the way Niesa finished off the bellpull.


MYS Bellpull Exchange 2005 from Niesa

On April 9th, I sent out my bellpull to Niza in Penang. I finished it on April 7th actually but only had time to go to the Post Office on Friday.


MYS Bellpull Exchange to Niza

The pattern is actually a combination of alphabet and sampler patterns by Jan Eaton. I really enjoyed stitching this bellpull despite the pressure to finish it on time. Not many colour changes. In fact, I only used 3 DMC stranded flosses (solid, variegated & metallic) and 1 Anchor multicolour floss. I got this finishing idea when i browsed some stitchers webshots albums months ago.

I stitched 'WELCOME' but what I would like to say to Niza the most is "Big Thank You" bcoz she inspired me a lot to venture further into cross stitching.