Distraction

I've yet to start sewing again after the KKH bazaar. Been making books instead. A5 sized ones. After 4 of those, I decided to take a break and make smaller ones from the remnants of the patterned paper.

These are a lot of fun to make. Simple and fast. Well, faster than coptic stitching. I saddle-stitched these using only 3 holes on the spine. Took me almost an hour to cut each sheet (1 cover, 9 pages), poke the holes using a jig, stitch, trim edges and the best part, stick the sticker :-)
Have a blessed, rainy day!

Nightscape

7.40pm last night. Normally pitch dark by then.

I need a needle awl!

This series of notebooks have 4 signatures with 6 sheets of 80gsm plain paper (100% wheat from natural source) and 1 printed pattern sheet. Covers are 240gsm metallic cards. I need to make 16 of these and have only done 3. What started as fun is wearing me down 'cos I don't have a needle awl :-(
Let me explain.
1 signature of these notebooks have 7 holes along the spine. 4 signatures and 2 covers means a total of (4 + 2) x 7 or 42 holes I have to poke thru either 7 70/80gsm papers or 240gsm cards. Multiply that by 16 books and there will be 42 x 16 or 672 holes. Thank God I started earlier 'cos my thumb is hurting from pushing the needle through. A cradle to hold the signatures would help too :-)

Have a blessed day!

Spurts of activity

Made another batch of pencil cases. Triangular ones this time and yes, I found the template...LOL! I also started on Teacher's Day pressies...and made the booklets below from the remnants of recent projects.
Which one do you like most?

Have a blessed rainy day!

Check this out!

People-Pleasing

Extracted from parentingbydesign.com

Exodus 32:4: He [Aaron] took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool (NIV).

In the face of intense pressure, Aaron gave in to the demands of the people.

As a parent, I'm sure you know about pressure.  Our kids can be relentless in asking us to do things outside our value system, including the movies they want to see, the kids they want to hang out with, and the people they want to date. They can be every bit as demanding and intimidating as the angry crowd facing Aaron!

When that happens, think of Aaron's failure and stand firm.  Let your desire to be obedient to God give you strength, and lovingly explain why you're not willing to compromise your beliefs.

Be a God-pleaser rather than a people-pleaser.

Cucumber sandwiches and tea?

There's this craze for Cath Kidston products that imitations are sprouting up everywhere. I saw a Gath Kidton which made me cringe. Why I brought this up 'cos I bought this fabric that reminds me so much of this designer's fabric. Can you guess which one is it?

Eight flat pencil cases made from variety of Japanese and Korean imported cotton and linen. Some of the prints are uber-cute :-) Insides are fully-lined with matching polka dots or gingham checks. Lightly interfaced too and I added a cotton tab at the side, just because I can... LOL!

Which one do you like?

Have a blessed day!

Coptic, codex or stabbing?

New terms which make my heart beat a little faster these days.... these are types of book bindings that I want to try.

Something old, something new. I came across these 2 while spring-cleaning... the really old A4 sheets which have turned brown and the new wrapping paper from Watson's leftover from Christmas last year (well, almost new). Three signatures with total of 14 sheets for this A6 size notebook. Sewn with coptic stich so that the pages will open flat.
Have a blessed day!

Afternote:
Made another one this morning... hands itching to make another :-)

Upcycled cover from DS and DD's favourite biscuit that's baked and not fried. Five signatures of 5 sheets each (1 green and 4 white). Coptic-stitched so that the book can be opened flat. Slightly smaller than A5 size to fit the cover.
And another.... not addicted to it but close :-)

I'd better stop now :-)

Baby Pom colours

Do you know this Fimble? It's a pink and green striped Fimble. DD had a toy way back and I thought the colour combination was a bit odd but then I started seeing Baby Pom colours in... bread! Have you seen those rectangular ones with the brown skin top but pink and green below with cream in the middle? We call these Baby Pom bread.

< having some problems updating the pic here, brb, anyway, you can see it on Facebook >
Anyway, this month's giveaway is 1 green or 1 pink 5" zipper pouch made from linen (source I bought from claimed this is premium linen, you decide) and trimmed with lace, ribbon and embroidery. It's fully lined with matching quilting cotton and lightly interfaced.
Just leave a comment here or 'Like' the pic on my Facebook page. Draw is on Friday 24June at noon!

Decisions, decisions, decisions

I've been spring-cleaning lots while on my self-declared break from sewing. I did sneak a bit of sewing, of course, but not as much as usual. I've also been bitten by the bookbinding bug and I'm imagining matching journals and pencil cases even when I've not started on my first book. I'm dreaming of coptic and codex stictching and hardbound books. Of scrapbooking and stamping and punching. I've even thought of doing a handmade item a day for a year. Maybe I'll just settle with one a week at the rate I'm currently at.
That's the thing about spring-cleaning. I discover stuff and I think, this would look great as a ____, or maybe reworked as a ____ and I get carried away. With so much to do, where shall I start?

< space reserved for the first matching hand-bound journal and pencil case ... LOL! >
A pic of the cleanup would seem more apt, no? I have accumulated 1 overflowing shoebox of selvedges! I'm wondering what I shall do with them. So many possibilities for one of a kind designs :-)
Have a blessed, decided day :-)
ps: I return to my spring-cleaning....

Sharing: templates

I thought I'd share with you pics of the templates I use. I can't find the triangle pencil case one :-(

I didn't take individual pics of the bear. Copied this from a library book but there are also many on the web. This bear template is meant for jointed ones...buttons at the limbs to join to the body. I also added the kisslock one that I use. This is specific to the size of the kisslock and for flat pouches. Add a petal shape template if you want a base. Largest one is for the reversible tote.
That said, I don't use templates that often. I prefer the spur of the moment inspiration or playing jigsaw puzzle to maximize a remaining piece of fabric.
Have fun with these!

New fabrics are in!

I have been lazy updating the fabric selection. There're just so many :-(
Anyway, since I compiled these, I will share them with you. First lot is suitable for reversible totes 'cos they're of medium to heavy weight (the Kono Sanae canvas, T). Someone has called dibs for these already!

And some light weight fabrics. One day, I'll get round to taking pics of all the fabrics....just not today :-)
Somehow, the fabric A reminds me of Cath Kidston oilcloth print. I like her prints and her bags. Sadly, there are already so many imititations out there :-(

Have a blessed day!

Taking a longer break than expected

Back from a brief but enjoyable holiday and wanted to sew, only to discover that my sewing machine which has 3 speeds only wants to move at either the slowest or middle speed. It simply refused to accelerate. Wonder if it had anything to do with my commenting to kids that I saw a GSS promotion of another Brother sewing machine on offer.

mine

GSS promotion

I'm wondering whether to bring it in for servicing or just leave it. It's less than a year old :-( Otherwise, this is the nicest machine I've ever owned.
ps: if you're interested in the GSS promotion, send me a mail and I'll let you know where to get it. Offer only valid in June 2011.

Afternote:
I carted this all the way to the shop and explained the problem. The lady there, very helpful one I might add, remarked that she had never encountered such symptoms before and proceeded to power it up. Lo and behold, it worked fine. Thank God :-)
Somehow, between the 3 of us, we manage to cart home on public transport, the sewing machine, a 5+kg salmon, 1 chicken, library books and many smaller items. ROFL.

Big prints

I normally shy away from big floral prints but this Kono Sanae canvas was so pretty that I made a large tote out of it. Added a large patch pocket almost as big as one side and secured it with a chocolate metal snap. This large patch covers a smaller patch pocket so that it's more accessible without having to lower the strap to get at things. Another panel of pockets inside as usual. Fully lined with calico but not interfaced since it's canvas.

Have a blessed day!

Sneak: Frills

Went shopping yesterday and got a haul! Ribbons and laces :-)
Had a hard time deciding which ribbons to buy 'cos they were so pretty!

Going camping

My time, we didn't have many camps when in primary school. I think there was only one and it was in school. I can't remember much, only that we slept on the floor in the hall.... or was that in secondary school? Memory's really fuzzy that far back.
Anyway, DS and DD have so many camps, in church, schools or parks. Each time, they'll have a packing list for the stuff to bring. While I've made pouches and drawstring bags to put their stuff neatly, it didn't dawn on me till DD's recent camp that they could do with a larger backpack to put all these stuff in vs lugging a sleeping bag and 2 other bags around.

Made this from heavyweight splash-proof material bought from the market at $3/yd. Where do you get such a good deal these days? Made a smaller backpack years ago for DS who didn't like it at first then used it so much that I made another larger one. This is the largest bag I've ever made. Used up almost all of the balace of this fabric. Lined it with calico for contrast and for lighter weight. This bag is heavy when empty :-(
Reinforced all stress points for the heavier load and added small details like lined smalled pockets in the zip compartment in front.
I forgot to add D-rings :-( Oh well...
Have a blessed day!

Mini messengers

Made 2 smaller messenger bags out of Korean import oxford cotton. This material is becoming my fabric of choice 'cos I like it's medium weight and smooth texture. There aren't as many prints for these as compared to quilting weight cotton though, and the Japanese version of oxford cotton costs double that of Korean. Whatever. It's the finished item that's important :-)

I made these without a pattern (only the triangular pencil case has a template) and they ended up about the same size though I made them separately and without comparison. That's what's fun about sewing :-) So, both have adjustable straps with metal slides, fully lined inside and pockets, interfaced, velcro to secure body, magnet to secure flap.
Have a blessed day!