Inspiration for Mary Wigham

November is almost coming to an end and looks like this will be my last posting in November. Obligations and commitment weight me down heavily the past couple of weeks, hence my silence. I just couldn't find enough time in one sitting to complete a blog post. Stitching is the only one thing that kept my sanity intact and I have been working hard at finishing this.

It's been a long journey, almost five years in progress and I have personalize the alphabets to that of mine. I had my fair share of frogging, some doubtful moments with colours, made some alterations and even aligned some motifs along the way.  For now, my journey with Mary has come to an end.

I must show you what inspired my colours on Mary. Inspiration came from this beautiful Peranakan Porcelains or Ceramic pottery. These wares are native to the Chinese-Peranakan in South East Asia. Treasured and collector's item today.

 

Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants. It applies especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who have adopted Nusantara customs — partially or in full — to be somewhat assimilated into the local communities

 

HALLOWEEN TREE ORNAMENT EXCHANGE

I received the cutest Trick Bag from Marie P for the first Perpetual Halloween Ornament Exchange at HOE last Saturday.  Marie had chosen a design by Prairie Schooler and finished it creatively with colourful threads in plaits. Thank you Marie for this adorable first exchange.

My exchange piece had left my shores on the 21st, it'll be another week or so before I'll have news of it's arrival. Until then I cannot reveal as yet.

 

 Hope I had not caused you any agony with my blabbering with regards to this journey of mine with Mary.   I am glad to be apart of this worldwide SAL and  an opportunity to stitched this treasured sampler.

Thanks for coming by and stay warm where snow has fallen  or rained

It's October already?

How much have I done with my UFOs now that it's October? I mentioned earlier in the year that I would be concentrating on my UFOs but along the way I got distracted to other things plus other commitments to be fulfilled  and time flies so very quickly. Blink! Blink!  November is fast approaching too ! And I signed up for yet another exchange last month, will be posting my package out before the end of this week. Photos will have to wait .

Mary was once again laid to rest; so close yet so far is the best summary for my progress on Mary Wigham, with less than two pages remaining since I took it on my little getaway to Redang Island in May. I should seriously get this done with.

Making a re-appearance in this 4th quarter is Dandy Dreams design by Silver Creek Samplers. It's coming out of hibernation, I last posted this on 27 February 2012. Fabric 32ct Spun Silver. My stitching layout is kinda funny because I got bored stitching the greens. LOL

Another SAL freebie by Jardin Prive that I just couldn't resist, hopefully I get to stay focus.  Part 2 is out, this is from last week, fully DMCs on 32 ct Lambswool linen. I am also and still contemplating to substitute ODs for the wordings, so a bit of stalling on Part 2 which I shouldn't, selfie reminder !!!

 

The photos didn't captured the fabric colors accurately from it's original fabric colour, I'll need to give it some more thoughts on the lighting's for the photos in my next posting.

Thank you to all who came by with your BD wishes and comments on the pressie I received.

 

Hope your week is good and the weekend will be better !

 

 

Overcoming the Impossible

My first attempt at patchwork! One would think that it's wiser to start with something easy like squares or rectangles, but my choice had to be the Patchwork Cat Block because I thought this would be easy, it did look easy but turn out that it need more patient than I initially thought. I reduce the size to half its original of 12" square. Don't ask this novice how, I am just as 'amazed' with myself that I did, LOL!

Anyhow, I did attempt the squares for the back pillow two days later, instead of just finishing it in one piece fabric which will look so unappealing. It took me twice as much patient than the first to put the joints together. Oh! there are flaws here and there but for a first timer, am proud to say, I did it !

Red & Chequered fabrics by Moda while the beige, sorry unknown from my stash. If I were to get a second chance at working this, not that I am,  I would have reversed the fabrics with the chequered fabric as the border. I didn't give much thought on this before, my concern then was matching the kitty.

It was past midnight when I embarked on my second sewing project after I completed my Cat Block. I decided I wanted to try my hand at sewing another stuffed animal, not just any animals.  It had to be a cat. I did my homework some days earlier via Google image search for some ideas and came up with this.

7" approximately   from head to butt (minus tail).

 A little oversized for a pincushion I suppose.

         
For the record, WIP started on 24 February 2013 at approximately 8pm, finished at 1:30am on 25 February 2013. This was my February secret project meant for Jess W, all the reason for these kitty project and was part of my Birthday package for Jess .

I thought of a handmade card instead of store bought this year, set back was I had mental block mid way. It's been such a long time since I last made one, and it was way too late to go to the store. I finally settled for this simple layout

I crocheted this last year but never got around to snap a photo until now.

A sneak peek on the progress of my second unfinished project selected as the WIP for the second quarter.  Meet Mary Wingham SAL. This has gone into hibernation since January 2011. It went along on my recent break to Redang Island, an island in the South China Sea where  I managed some stitches on our front porch villa overlooking the South China Sea.

This is Page 7

Here are some collage of photos from my island trip. 

An uninvited guest that would make an appearance at every meal time, sneaking in and snatching a piece of bread or a slice of fruit.

I have also been working on my second secret project which is all done and awaiting mailing on Monday.
Bake of the week is a Steamed Fruit Cake. Adapted from here My Kitchen Snippets, definitely a keeper.

Thank you for visiting.  Have a good weekend everyone. 

It's election day this Sunday for the RAKYAT (people/citizens)  and  YES! I AM VOTING !!

There's tomorrow still

Haven't been stitching since I finished my RR and got it mailed off , all because I didn't sign-up for any exchange to start the year with and that gives me a stress-free no stitching feel. So when January came, there's this Company Dinner in the first weekend of the month to attend. Then things for the coming festivity took over life. According to the Chinese Calender, its exactly two weeks from today. I am pretty sure that the two weeks will come very quickly while there's tons yet to be done. For one, I have not spring clean the house. I have done bit of shopping for some new things for the kids thou, including some new clothing for my those that need giving, and the house is not decorated yet , the gift-giving things has not been purchase either and MIL has given me a list of things to buy which is still not done yet. I've told myself I will do it tomorrow, that was what I told myself yesterday and the day before, as a matter of fact, I said that since last weekend!! yet there is still tomorrow....

On Saturday, I had my grocery shopping trolley filled to the brim that has got nothing to do with the festivity, may be a bit for the cookies and cake things that I intend to bake a few.

Last Sunday, I was summon for a tete-a-tete at LeVain Boulangerie to meet some wonderful ladies and a gentleman, it was a great pleasure to have finally met Paul.LeVain Boulangerie is a patisserie ( picture above from google search)Full house at 10:30am with the breakfast crowd and I thought we were early !
buns and puffs, most trays were empty by the time we started kitchen staff hard at work and people were queuing here...waiting for the hot from the oven!
yummylicious cakesSweet tempting colorful macaroons, which is overly too sweet to my taste
Diane's choice of Apricot Sunrise and Bartlett Strawberry Tart, not in the pic a slice of Chicken pizza
Seriously, I can't make up my mind everything looked fantastically yummy, but finally settled for these, Turkey Ham Epi and Chocolate chip Bread. Our first cuppa was Latte and Americano. I am suppose to watch my diet, I have about 6 more stubborn kilos to shed which kept piling back every one two kilos I lost and am very sure this will do me no good, but for now I am not countingDiane's choice for dessert, Ananas ,soft and fine texture, importantly Diane says its so yummy
Can you believed we sat through lunch or rather 3pm I think ? My last cuppa, Green Tea. while Diane had Rose Hip, I did not leave empty handed. I tarpau (take-away) the Chicken Curry Donut and the Beef Curry Donut which was exceptionally delicious and the Caramel Nut Danish that Margaret was raving about, mini croissant, Turkey Ham & Egg tart and the Chocolate log bread that everyone was queuing to buy. It's the most expensive bread/pastries I have ever spent on in a single day ! LOL

Above all, I enjoyed tremendously, we laugh and talk at almost everything from crafting good and crafting turn bad and in between there were show and tell. BJ brought her quilts and doll quilts, I got two of her numerous pieces here

June brought Diane's fabulous RR, Margaret came with her awesome books and charts she bought from her trip to London, and her fabulous finished LHN Neighbourhood, Paul with his knitting, all of which I forgot to snap pictures and Jackie , thanks so much for the ride both ways.

And me? June's RR and Mary Wingham June's RR came on 6th with her amazing chart program

Mary that is not quite there yet but I am getting there.

Thanks to BJ who also gave me lesson on how to applique and the hexagon pieces. Very much appreciated. We also discussed on the best way to finishing a curve especially for a heart shape.

Thanks ladies and gentleman for the great company and hope we can do this again.

To all who came visiting and leaving your comments thank you all for coming by and leaving your lovely comments.. Happy stitching and crafting!

A week with Mary

Not totally a week of devotion, but some progress. Here's the latest update.

I managed to sew more purse organizer last weekend. Gave one to mom.A little celebration on Wednesday, the dumpling festival that marks the 5th moon (month) and 5th day of the Chinese calender.I haven't been feeling well for some days, came down with a sore throat, mild fever and cough that didn't go away quickly. Yet it is always relieved to know that I have not contracted something contagious and that everyone has it, according to the Doc, but nevertheless, I was eager to get well soonest as I have a bit of travelling to do next week.

Thank you for visiting and leaving me your comments in my last post. It is very true Jeannette that finishing up something is always a challenge that is only known to the crafter alone. But every good result in the end will bring a smile, always. And the greatest fun is when I enjoyed a ray of sunshine when the mailman brings me little packages that had travelled from far away land. Now that's the real nice surprises.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and thank you for stopping by.

Cadeaux brodes d'amitie and the progress

Cadeaux brodes Cadeaux d'amitie, a freebie by Liselotte . Its my April's stitching secret. Initially the design didn't quite appeal to me, I just don't know why but it wasn't for me, I was thinking of someone that this would be her liking or so I hope, but after the first couple of stitches on 32ct Belfast Antique white with DMC 3777 I just couldn't stop stitching and it took me approximately 4 nites, first week of April to complete this small.Its a birthday gift for Jess. Here's my small package I put in for her. Happy Birthday, Jess, hope you had a great day. Am glad too that it arrived on time.

Traveling Stitcher is nearing completion now. Can you spot the mistake I mentioned in my previous post? Check the trees. Yep! its the case of the wrong green. I still haven't actually made up my mind yet but for now I will not frog. I must thank everyone for your comments regarding this, appreciate it a lot.Lastly, April's progress of Mary. I've moved on to Part 6 thou there's still one motif yet to be done in Part 5. I have decided that I shall allocate sometime for Mary every month, like maybe a week a month for some amount of progress.
Thanks for visiting everyone, may you have a great week.

Stitchy news

Its Mary's turn to come out of the closet. Approximately, I spent some 4 hours over 2 nights and almost to 4 hours on 3 mornings and some five weeks to get here, yet Part 5 still unfinished. There's one more motif on Part 5 to be stitch before I can move on to Part 6.Another progress on the Travelling Stitcher, I was hoping to complete the house, it was close to 2 weeks since my last progress posting, apparently not. Dunno how or what took my time away. Seriously, I can't figure it out. Seems like I've got my hands full and the time just tick-tock away.


That's all I have to share as at of last weekend. My pinpillow should be arriving anyday now.
Till I see you next, appreciate your visits and time to leave me your sweet comments.
Have a good week ahead and take care!

An upate on Mary

There's been no updates on Mary for awhile. Here's a peek of my progress for now, Part 4 is about done. Sorry for the not so perfect picture, caused by some shadowy reflection. My hands just couldn't stay still while focusing and I did took at least 3 more which all went blurry except this one. Hopefully I will do better with the next.

Back to Mary, well, its getting difficult now to decide which color should go on next. I wished I have given it much thought and planning before. Todate, I have recorded 14 colors which I have no intention of introducing any new additions.

Well, we'll see how it goes.....later.

This is all I have to share with you this week, I might have a bit more of stitchy stuff to share next week, a new project, if I eventually made some good progress of it. Its just not much to see now. Progress of it is currently very slow as I can hardly find time to stitch. Seriously, I haven't got adjusted with some changes that came with Diane's new school term and am still trying to fit in and catch up with things on the home front and work that leave me exhausted by night fall.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving me your lovely comments.

Hope everyone has a great day and a good weekend !