Cupcakes, anyone?

Now, who can resist a Spotlight sale? 20% percent off... I've expected the shop to be a scene of madness again, especially when it was the Hari Raya Haji holiday last Monday. While I was there for the buttons (for projects that I can only reveal after Christmas), I caved in and bought some poplin fabrics and felt too. The solids bundled on the right were picked up from Golden Dragon earlier in the day :p

Yummy...

Punch & stamp

Now, I have to perfectly honest with you. I can't draw. I can't even draw a stick figure well. And Benji's a psychic when he is able to figure out what the heck I have doodled for him when we do our 'ca-yon' sessions together.

So, in my quest to create things that people MIGHT find pleasing, I depend a lot on prints & templates, etc... This year, I finally caved in and stepped into a scrapbooking shop (cringe) to pick up some stamps. I'm simply intrigued by these clear stamps that Amy - the angry chicken - was talking about. And lo & behold, stamps from HEATHER BAILEY in the shop! I felt like I struck jackpot - I could not even find HB's freshcut fabrics locally, and yet I can buy her stamps?! WONDERFUL!

The girlies at the Made with Love shop were so helpful too. They helped me pick up a stamp pad (which can be used on fabrics... I'm skeptical still), stamp cleaner (I guess clear stamps need more maintenance than the rubber ones), and the 'acrylic' holder. Notice I didn't buy an acrylic block? Well, they were out of a lot of sizes, and what they have on hand are a bit pricey for my liking. But one of the staff said I can use these acrylic album sheets and they work just as well too. And best part of it: there are 2 pieces in there! And this is less than half the price of the blocks. BEST!

I'm intending to make gift tags out of these stock-cards. Here's one of the 'test' tag and see how super handy it is for adding in name/message? I'm hoping to make quilting labels with these stamps too. Hope they will stand up to washing! heh heh...

Christmas Skirting the issue

The Christmas Skirt is officially off the tree this year.

Here's a quick look at the 'finished product'. Nope. It's not been washed yet - I'm terrified of the colours running (I didn't pre-wash the fabrics for this project)... but let me figure out a way to get this in the wash without too much drama later on.

Applique close-up. Featuring the 12 gifts for the 12 days of Christmas.

The tree would have been PERFECT with this skirt under it. But, its not meant to be, for this year, at least. :p

So, we have 'relocated' the skirt to adorn the old-style coffeeshop table and placed the candlestickholder/wreath over the centre to cover the hole. Perfecto!

It's starting to feel a lot more like Christmas now! :>

My Christmas 'mini-Skirt'

The Skirt is DONE DONE DONE. The Tree is up (left the lights to get sorted out). So, I got the Skirt out and fitted it on.

AND THEN... I realised it was too SMALL for our tall tree! :( What a HUGE disappointment!

I should have at least measured the size of the tree stand when I started on this project, but I didn't. I'm so disappointed with this, and I even contemplated running out to buy a baby tree so I can dress it up with the skirt. But what am I going to do with 2 trees in the house? :(

So, I'm going to think up a way to use this skirt then... More pictures later.

I've been busy sewing up coasters for our Christmas dinner this year. And the cat is enjoying all the activity because she has a nice warm board to cosy up to after I'm done with it. :p

Let me go have a think about the Skirt now... headache, heartache! :(

Benji's ca-yon wallet

Benji started to make a grab for our pens and pencils many months ago. So, we've invested in washable crayons for him to go crazy with. But he is limited to colouring only when we are at home, and at his little table, because we are so paranoid about losing the crayons in our bags and creating a mess, etc.

I chanced upon Jennifer's blog and she had created a crayon wallet tutorial - on sale at her Etsy store. It's great! Now, I can carry a scribble pad along with Benji's crayons, and it comes with a pocket to keep his masterpieces too :p

I used up some Ikea 'mini-bolts' left over from my quilted table toppers - more about that in a bit - they are not expensive and allow me to work on 'test-projects' :>

I've had these little chicky buttons for the longest time. I don't have a large button collection, and with projects like these, its a good excuse to go shopping now! ;>

I tried fitting in Benji's LARGE crayons but they were a little too tall for this wallet. The size is just right for the regular sized ones. But I've already 'discoloured' the wallet and side of the pad. But no worries, I expect this wallet to be filled with crayon bits and streaks sooner or later anyway ;>

The pad was supposed to fit the pocket on the right side. But I did not check if I had the pad that was the size of the pocket dictated in the pattern. But fortunately, the center pocket could fit the note pad (I had tons of these left from a fund raising event) well.

Overall, I'm very happy with how this turned out. I've bought Jennifer's other pattern for her quilted list-taker. Looking forward to see how that will turn out! :>

12 Days of X'mas - Tree Skirt

I've been complaining A LOT these days that the malls are putting up X'mas decor earlier each year.

On the other hand, I've been keeping my eyes open for X'mas gifts, planning schedules around the holidays and also keeping a list of things that I will need to do, clean, craft in time for X'mas. The X'mas tree skirt pattern caught my eye when I was at the local quilt shop. I attended a couple of sessions at Quilts and Sew Forth and this is what I have done up so far! :>

The creases you see are due to the folding and packing. I chose 7 different X'masy fabrics and a lovely beige/gold background fabric. I chose to cut out the 12 days of X'mas gifts from a panel for the applique, instead of tracing, and hand appliqueing other designs from scratch to the tree skirt. I simply used some Heat & Bond and machine sewed them with a blanket stitch. Quick & Easy! :>

The skirt is now basted and I will machine quilt this baby after I have joined the blocks for Benji's Zoo quilt. I'm looking forward to this skirt gracing our X'mas tree this year :>

Sashiko Coasters

Finally got round to completing the set of 5 coasters after choosing the backing fabric. Although the Sashiko coaster kit just require you to sew up the sides without any batting or backing, I chose to add on a lightweight iron on interface and a backing fabric.

I chose a dark Japanese print Kaufman fabric (almost black) with Kanji prints on it. I feel that it brings out the Japanese-ness of the Sashiko stitching.

I'm looking forward to completing the rest of the Sashiko kits!