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.

Our New Bundle of Joy

Introducing our new bundle of joy, Alya ,
born on 25th November 2005 9:24 am
birthweight 2.95 kg

Cheeky little gal, her gender remained unknown until the moment she was born despite of several 'snoopings attempts' by her parent and the doctor. The arrival of Alya has completed her golf addix dad and stitching mom's 'Charlie's Angels team'; And made her grandma smiling as her grandma already has 'The 3 Musketeers' (Alya's uncle' has 3 sons) and now 3 darling angels (Hanie, Shasha & Alya).

Alya - yesterday, at home after discharged from the hospital

I finally finished my bellpull yesterday !

After several months from the 1st day I started my bellpull project, I finally managed to finish it yesterday.

Days of the Week is designed by Lynda Orme & Wendy Peatross of Forever In My Heart Designs. The chart is featured in The Cross Stitcher magazine April2005 issue (US mag). I had started this bellpull project some time in 3rd week of July. I took about 3 week plus to finish stitching all '7 days' ( I was on a stitching rotation - stitching some small items) and then literally tossed away the stitched piece in my craft cabinet *LOL* . Click here to view the 1st picture of the bellpull project I took.

After been procastinating with the finishing touch, one month later (in September), i took out the piece and wanted to resume with the finishing touch. But somehow, i found that the piece is quite plain and decided to stitch a simple black border. Stitching a simple border in one colour could be a boring task. Yes, I did found it very boring and was always sidetracked by stitching smalls. Believe me, it took more than a skein of DMC 310 to stitch the border (initially I couldn't believe this *LOL*) . And at one time, I was run out of this black floss *grrrrr...!*

Last week, the 'struggling' was finally over. I put the stitch piece aside (again hehehehe). On Friday, I resumed with the finishing and yesterday was a great day for me! Finally my bellpull is ready to hang! The border looks perfect for the bellpull. I'm really happy with my decision to stitch the simple plain black border although it took me some time to stitch and nearly put me into a stitching slump.

Click here to view another closer view of the bellpull.

A picture of another stitching

As promised, there is another picture to share. A small giftie for another birthday girl. Harsha is one of the Birthday Exchange participants, her birthday was on the 5th November (a day after our anniversary). On that day, she opened the gifts she have received including the package from me.

I stitched her a simple potpourri sachet with her initial, sent it along with a bag of potpurri and stitching goodies.

I'm thinking of stitching more sachets after I downloaded this picture from the camera. This is the 2nd sachet I ever stitched (1st was the Halloween sachet). Personally I think , potpourri/scented sachet is a sweet giftie.

Talking about stitching, I am still 'battling' with the finishing touch of a bellpull which have been delayed for months and stitching the Popcorn Bear freebie. I don't actually feel like stitching eventhough lots of stitching/sewing ideas on my mind. Luckily, I've decided not to join any exchanges (since midyear till end of the year) except for 2 more BDEs to be sent out (no stitched item is required tho'). If I do feel like missing stitchings & stuff, I simply browsing stitchers blogs to view their recent finishes and etc. BTW, Bloglines is recommended for the convenience of reading other blogs :)