I'm back...!

Hello everyone !

It had been more than week since we were back in Miri on 10th Oct evening. I didn't feel like blogging until 2 days ago but I was quite tight up with other chores.

I had a great time in Kuala Lumpur eventhough we didn't enough time to go to all places I wished. Apart from visiting families, the 1st place that I wanted to go was the LNS - Yee's Craft World, which is quite famous among Malaysian Stitchers Yahoo Group's members. My stitching firends, Azie & Inazz brought me there. Yessss ! I had a great time there, browsing and shopping for stash. Talked to the owner, wife and his SIL. They were very helpful and their staff were also nice to us and even have knowledge in whatever item we asked for. I had experience where the owner/employee of a LNS don't have clue what they are selling. Duhhhh...! I finally found the suitable print cottons for a baby quillow project. Also bought some country look cottons - chickens & sunflowers. And some aida bands and notions. In short, I spent more than usual *LOL*

After Yee's place, we had our lunch and went to other LNS. Bought some more buttons and crochet thingies. Crocheting - my SIL and I had kind of knowledge swap when I was in Kuala Lumpur. I taught her how to do simple patchwork and she taught me how to crochet. We even swapped books. This is great coz I've always trying to make her interested in patchwork since she has more multi-featured sewing machine than mine. Mine is a very basic portable sewing machine.

Talking of patchwork, last week I received a package from Isabelle. Last time she offered some charts including one applique' instruction to stitching bloggers. I claimed for the applique' instruction booklet. Isabelle as always a kind-hearted lady, sent me drawstring purse, embroidered lace bookmark and sachet along with the applique' booklet. I love them all! You can see the pics in her blog (I haven't manage to snap some photos yet).

Stitching wise - I didn't bring anything to stitch during our holiday in Kuala Lumpur. I started stitching Popcorn bear mini kit (magazine freebie) after were back in Miri but I'm in a really slow stitching pace. Furthermore, I can no longer sit still for a long period since my tummy is bigger and I need to do regular exercise for blood circulation after sit/lie down. Anyway, I don't set a list to stitch for this month except for some finishing touches.

p/s I made some changes to my blog yesterday - colur scheme & graphics. I feel that this is more refreshing. You may refresh the page if you couldn't see the changes made. Zohrah, I saw your comment coming in while typing this post *LOL* . It is good to know that you've made one for yourself (drawstring purse). I'm thinking of making one myself *wink*

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns and programmes have been launched by Governement and NGOs throughout the country.

In Malaysia, Breast Cancer is the top cancer in women, thus women's no.1 killer. The campaigns & programmes are to raise the awareness on breast cancer screening and early detection since the consequences of breast cancer can be significantly improved if the disease could be detected at an early stage when effective treatment can be conducted.

Our Prime Minister's wife, Datin Paduka Seri Endon, puts tremendous efforts in the campaigns of fighting the disease. She shares her own experience with other women and spends time for voluntary work in support of breast cancer patients despite her hectic schedule.

In conjuction with the campaign, I stitched a Pink Ribbon applique' . I got the free pattern from Angie's Bits n Pieces - quilting website ( it is actually a ribbon template for Leukemia Awareness campaign in September). I embellished the pink ribbon applique' with the golden yellow heart applique' and satin roses.

** There will be temporarily no postings from me coz I'll be in Kuala Lumpur early October visiting my families and hoping that will get the opportunities for some stash shoppings *wink* . Happy Stitching & Happy Blogging to everyone.

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

Have you ever just quit a project while in the midst of it? (We’re not referring to UFOs here, rather projects that you know that you’ll never work on again.) Why? What did you do with it - throw it out, give it away, put it away?

Yes, I had experienced twice . 1st piece is a free-style embroidery table cloth I started in my teenage years. The reason I stop was I've always deter satin stitches embroidery and the pattern requires satin stitches. Initially, I thought that I could overcome the problem but... hmmm. I still keep the piece in my stash cabinet though *wink*. As a reminder, perhaps. 2nd piece is my 1st XS kit. At time of purchase, I wasn't really into XS and I was sort of 'influenced' by my sis-in-law. There is no DMC flosses in the kit, instead the pattern calls for a different type of flosses (not 6 strands flosses or perle cotton). And being a non-experienced stitcher, I can tell you that it is my worst stitching ever *LOL* . Halfway thru' , I gave up but still keep the piece in my stash cabinet. Another reminder, perhaps *wink*

Gifts for cousins

I would like to share the pictures of gifts for my cousins.

I stitched a simple 'Happy Anniversary' pattern by Maria Diaz for my cousin who just celebrated their 1st anniversary this month. I'm going to hand it personally to her since I'm going back to Kuala Lumpur in early October.

As usual, I made some colour changes to the pattern - I used overdyed flosses for the leaves and pot. This is my 1st time stitching for such occassion i.e. anniversary, wedding, engagement etc


There is another gift for her sister. I missed her birthday last time - I'm actually closer to her sister.

'My cup of tea' - an applique'd piece of a teacup. The pattern is taken from Patchwork & Stitching magazine. It is actually a teacup & teapot pattern for a cushion cover. Since my hubby and I had decided to travel light this time, I only managed to make the teacup aplique' for her so that it won't take up much space in our luggage.

This framed piece is perfect for her hobby corner i.e. singing. She shall put the framed piece beside her karaoke set or maybe she shall hang it at her cubicle in the office *wink*

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.

The Busy Bee & Assisi

Here are some pictures of my other finishes. I've been stitching almost everyday for the last 2 weeks. But my stitching pace is getting slower these days. Managed to finish a few pieces only.

'The Busy Bee' is a pattern from Elizabeth's Designs (ED). ED is among my top 3 favourite designers for specialty stitches patterns. The other two are Victoria Sampler and The Drawn Thread.

Stitched on 28ct cashel linen with some colour changes. I've yet to attach the beehive & bees charms. Will do it before I send the piece for framing.

Planning to resume stitching more specialty stitches patterns next year. Been purchasing quite a number of patterns from these 3 designers, yet to get enough linens for stitching.

Last week, when a friend of mine asking about Assisi Work made me realised that I've never stitch an Assisi project eventhough I've always like this type of stitching.

Assisi is actually a variation on regular cross stitch : the background is stitched whereas the main shape is outlined with Holbein stitch/backstitch. Originated in Assisi, Italy.

I remembered of seeing Assisi projects in several blogs earlier. The freebie patterns are from CraftCo website. I decided to stitch Mt Cook Lily for my 1st Assisi project.

I stitched on 28ct cashel linen using Vicki Clayton silk floss. Made a change to the the border. I stitched a simple scroll border instead of butterfly blackwork border b'coz the fabby I used is too small to stitch a wider border.