January Update (part I)

Hello everyone. I've not updating my blog for quite some time. I'm pretty busy with my new baby and my other two little princesses. Nevertheless, I managed to resume stitching my WIPs and have some HDs as well. It just that, I didn't have the opportunity to spend much time in front my lappie and update my blog. Only able to read emails and chat a little in YM.

I've started stitching 2 projects in December and put them on hold. Early this year, I resumed stitching and did a finishing touch to one of them.


Garden Gate by Elizabeth Designs , I stitched on 16ct aidaband with colour changes and minor adjustment to the design as the original was stitched/meant for stitching on linen/evenweave. I replaced the blue flowers with pastel blue flower beads. Finished it into a mini welcome sign - I put some butterfly beads to the thread resmbles the fluttering butterflies in a garden.



Another 2005 WIP peice I finished in January is Love Letter, a freebie by The Chocolate Cat
Stitched on 28ct linen using DMC rayon red for glossy effect. This pattern is actually easy to stitch but using rayon floss could make it tricky.

I will continue with Part II. There are some pics of 2006 HDs that I would like to share.

Love Grows

Love Grows by Brittercup Designs, found the pattern in Just Cross Stitch magazine. At first, I failed to notice it as I had several WIPs at that time. How could I overlook this cheery design? I'm glad that I flipped through the magazine again. Pheww !!! 'Love Grows' is simply the kind of patterns that I love to stitch. Stitched on 32ct linen using overdyed flosses with colour changes. Another thing is I used a lap stand while stitching the pattern. A friend sent me the stand for trial & purchase session. I like it and decided to buy.

Farewell 2005, Welcome 2006

Time flies...

2005 was a pretty busy year for me, thus I didn't really realize that time goes by so fast. We bade farewell to 2005 and welcoming 2006 *wink*

2005
Stitching and sewing wise, I accomplished quite a lot things last year. I tried specialty stitches, Assisi, hardanger, chicken scratch and casalguidi for the first time. I stitched lots of pieces and made quite a number and variety of finishing touches e.g. bellpulls, bookmarks, ornaments, needlebooks, sweet bag, sachets and etc. And tried stitching on linens and evenweaves - I love it ! My stash collection has became bigger and bigger *LOL*

Other crafts - the revival of my cardmaking skill and learnt a lot of current styles of cardmaking and scrapbooking. My SIL taught me how to crochet ! But I'm quite clumsy with the needle & yarn, and yet to complete my first doily...hmmmm

2006
Stitching wise, I'm looking forward to stitching more specialty stitches patterns. My focus pieces will be Elizabeth's Designs Welcome Stitching Club and cottage series. I've signed up for MYS Surprise Exchange 2006 (a whole-year exchange with 6 items to be stitched & sewn) which means I have to stitch an item bimonthly. I also plan to stitch patterns in my stash collection i.e. not to purchase more charts this year (I'm trying......hehehehe)

Sewing wise, Alya's quillow will be my focus piece. And would love to try paper-pieced quilting and other techniques of applique' quilting. I only tried fusible-web hand applique' technique so far which I think is the easiest one.

Other crafts - Well, I'm sure there will always be temptations for other crafts. We'll see...

Happy Stitching and Sewing ! Happy New Year!

* quillow ~ 2-in-1 quilt, it is a quilt sewn to be fold into an attached pouch and it will become a pillow. Suitable for travelling and sleepovers.

Wedding Gift for Hardy & Zaza

A week before I gave birth to my baby Alya, managed to finish stitching a wedding gift for a friend of mine, Hardy. Sent the stitched piece to the framer and collected several days later.

Hardy & Zaza's akad nikah was on 26th November 2005 and the reception is scheduled in Dec (in Johor Bharu). Their akad nikah was held earlier than the original plan/date as Hardy had to leave for Maastricht on 27th Nov and he wanted to bring Zaza along...for honeymoon of course. They are back in Kuala Lumpur (KL) now and will be leaving for Maastricht for a 'new beginning' in late Dec.

** Akad Nikah ~ verbal contract between the bride’s father and the groom and presided by a Kadhi (I snagged this terminology from Adam's blog)

The reason, I didn't upload the pic of framed/stitched piece on my blog earlier was b'coz it didn't reach the recipients yet until my hubby personally handed it over to Hardy when he was in KL on Monday.

I got this sampler pattern from BHG website (sorry I forgot the link). Stitched on 28ct Lugana (colour Colonial Blue) using Six Strands Sweet, Dip&Twist and DMC flosses. I hardly stitch on coloured fabrics except for some earth-coloured/pastel fabrics. And I really like how this 'stitching on blue fabby' turned out. I may stitch more on coloured fabrics next time *wink*

And I have to admit that I've been bitten by a 'heart/love patterns' bug these few months hehehe. I have 3 WIPs of the theme and signed up for 2 of next year's Valentine Exchanges. You will be seeing several more pics of the heart/love theme stitched pieces on my blog in the next few months *wink*

To Hardy & Zaza , wishing you all the best for your new beginning in Maastricht.

## Update : Click HERE to go the BHG link. Thanks to Lee for sharing the link :-)

Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week

Have you done any charity stitching, been in one, or would like to organize one?

Yes, I have done once - 'Stitching For Love' project. I stitched a quilt square for a little girl.

Thank You

To our families, friends, fellow bloggers, visitors and well wishers

My hubby and I would like to thank you for your best wishes on the arrival of our new baby girl. Alya is 18-days old today and I'm feeling healthier.

Thank you all.