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 :)