I want a surprise

That was what DD told me when I asked her what she wanted for lunch. She needs to stay back in school today so I'll be bringing lunch to her. Thing is, she forgot to bring her lunchbag back yesterday...hmm. It's supposedly under her table in class. I like that one lots, the green crocheted one that has a round base and integrated handles. I'll take a pic someday if it's still around.

And so, the surprise. I cooked something that I've done before, baked pasta, but the surprise is this.

While I have lots of other bags that I can use as a lunch bag I decided to make a throwaway one so that DD won't have to bring back anything after eating. I made it from the Fairprice Chinese New Year catalogue and a staple. I didn't use any tape or glue 'cos I wanted something quick and simple. LOL!

 This is the baked pasta. Do you want the recipe? I cut out part of a page for the cover.

While we're looking at food, thought I'd share this with you too. The tapioco flour cubes are so pretty in the green bean soup.

Have a blessed day and a yummilicious lunch :-)

10-6

DS excitedly related the goal scoring during dinner on Friday. It was a half-field 9-a-side and he was the midfielder/defender. Odd that there were 4 goal posts but I guess anything goes during a training session. While the field in the previous school was super-duper huge, much bigger than the present, this current field is standard size and covered with synthetic grass. Which makes me wonder why DS comes home with muddy soccer shoes sometimes, LOL!

After delaying for more than a year, DS finally has a shoe bag for his soccer boots. This is an unlined drawstring bag made from vinyl coated fabric which is like umbrella material only shinier. I added a snap buckle so that DS can hook it to his backpack if he's not carrying it.

Hope he likes it :-)

Have a blessed day!

ps: I forgot to mention that DS' team won :-)

New goal

I've given myself a new goal / challenge, to sew as many items as I can without buying anything new, unless there are specific requests. It was supposed to be a smaller challenge which was to see how many items I can make out of 1 yard of fabric, but it's OK, I have lots of fabric. I have lots of really pretty fabric like these too! It'll be lots of fun and I'll list them in Tiffany's Shoppe when I'm done.

I'll be sewing this weekend, what will you be doing?

Have a blessed day!
ps: I realised after I took this picture that there are 7 colours. Not quite the rainbow colours but still as pretty. I like candy brights!

Green velcro

Sometimes I think too much before sewing. I'm walking along the road and suddenly someone's bag catches my eye or I recall something I saw on the web and I start trying to figure out how I would construct it. I would think of the fabrics I have, how to cut/sew it, what sort of hardware, how would I differentiate it etc. I think a lot about closures too. There are magnets, velcro, snaps, drawstrings etc.

We boarded the lift last Friday with my friend's neighbour who was carrying a clutch. I liked his clutch immediately for it's simplicity. It had a black body and black/white striped flap. How difficult would that be, I thought, and embarked on this version.

This is DD's new clutch for school. I realised only today that I forgot (or she didn't request for) a D-ring at the side to hang cutesy stuff. I can't remember what fabrics these are but I've used them for what DS calls the T-shirt with no arms wardrobe organiser. Anyway, while I cut the fabric in preparation, DD suggested I use the green velcro salvaged from previous year's NDP bag. I quilted the front and back and added a pocket.

Another green item. DD requested for the keying on a chain for this pouch. It's the usual pouch that I've made so far just with the chain sewn to the lining. To use the keys, just unzip the pouch and tip the keys out.

Have a blessed afternoon!

Hmm, is this it?

Once in a while I get rather precise requirements for a customized item. Choosing the exterior fabric's fine with me, even the lining too. The design is fine with me too, provided I can make it. It's the dimensions that I have a concern with. Thing is, I sew on a wing and prayer. If you've been reading my blog, you'd have realized that I only have two templates for the stuff I sew. Two cardboard templates that I use to trace out the fabric before cutting. All others are by mathematical calculations and estimations. I do thank God that I have very understanding customers!

So, what I'm trying to disclaim is this. While I'll try hard to achieve what you desire, I'd err on the side of caution and make it a bit larger. There are dependencies on the materials, sometimes, that some fabrics have more 'give' than others or extra padding/interfacing is needed etc. 

This was a drawstring tote for a customer's instamax camera. This camera's all the rage now with it's Polaroid-like features. I hope it fits 'cos I tried to follow the dimensions requested for. I don't know 'cos I don't have an instamax camera and anyway, I've already mailed this out. Dear customer, maybe you can send me a pic and I can put it in the gallery? *grin*
Oh, I wonder if you've realised that it's reversible...LOL!

Have a blessed evening!

My treat

Made this for myself last night. On a whim again :-) I wanted something small with a wrist strap, for keeping the cash at the KKH bazaar. I'm not a waistpouch person though I might consider a cross-body sling bag the next round. This one has a pocket for Daffy and cards and a zippered compartment for the cash. A flap keeps everything from falling out. I didn't use batting, only light interfacing but it's quite sturdy and can stand on its own. I riveted the strap again. I'm thinking of riveting straps from now. I like that it's a simple design, functional and easy to apply.

Thank you all who dropped by the Little Statement stall at the KKH bazaar today. We had a wonderful time :-)

Have a blessed day!

Experimenting

I've been experimenting different ways of sewing the same thing recently and came up with these two. They're fun to make and I think I might just make a whole series of green pouches of this design. I like the rivet on the wrist strap too, looks much neater than a line sewn across, and to think that I kept these rivets for more than a year without using them. Good quality, since they're still shiny and didn't rust. :-)

Want to hazard a guess how many predominantly green fabric I have? LOL!

Have a blessed day!

Double duty

Sometimes when I make these quilted book covers, they seem like mousepads to me. I have a plain black mousepad that came with the PC. These would look much better than that, no? Plus, with the different colours and shapes, wouldn't sensitivity of the mouse improve? I can't remember how optical mice work.

Have a blessed day!

Cushioned comfort

DD asked me if Kingston is a good brand. I have no idea. I've kind of lost touch with staying in the know for  technology. My knowledge of Kingston is that it has RAM as well and that it's been around for a while. As long as it works as it should, no?

Anyway, made this portable HDD pouch on a whim. I basically took the HDD and some scrap fabric and winged it from there. Estimation was done by placing the HDD on the fabric and cutting a rough margin. Ditto that for the flap (which I didn't know if it would reach the pocket) and ditto that for the pocket which was made from the remainder of the scrap fabric. I had lots of microfibre too but in ivory. I like how the colours come together, by the way :-) I riveted the wrist strap for a more 'finished' look.

Have a blessed day!

Cup runneth over

Look what happened just now! The rain started after 4 with a slight drizzle that quickly progressed to a thunder storm. We were out when it started and only put the basin to collect the water after 5. Less than 2 hours later, see this!

There are other markings on the basin. Highest level before today was on 18 September 2011. I don't know today's level, only know that it overflowed.

Have a blessed rainy day...and catch the rainbow before it fades away :-)

WIP box

This was our Christmas present last year. Well, the box and its contents from The Body Shop. We took out everything and now this is the box that houses works in progress. I like it that it's huge, with a plastic window on the cover and now everything will smell really nice 'cos of the lotions and butters that were in the box. LOL!

Have a blessed day!

Try something new : Birthday card candy box

I don't get many greeting cards today. Well, not the physical card type. In this day and age, either the cards are electronic or scrapbook type. I much prefer the scrapbook type :-)
Anyway, when you do get a birthday card, or a condominium project launch card, credit card marketing event card etc, try making this today.

Equipment used: cutting mat, metal ruler, penknife, awl, double-side tape and the card, of course :-)

1. Cut the card in two down the fold.
2. Score a margin round the rectangle using the awl (or any sharp object like a fork). I used 3cm (3 squares on the cutting mat).
3. Cut 4 slits at the corners at both ends of the card and crease all scored lines.
4. Stick the flaps together using double-side tape (or glue. Tape is faster and less of a mess).
5. Do the same with the cover but have a smaller margin. I used slightly less than 3 squares this time.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the cover.
7. Fill with candy and voila!

Have a blessed day!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

This is a simple pouch with a squared off corner base. I've made such in the past but decided to try a new method of sewing to see if the finish can be improved, and I'm happy to say, this looks better than the past ones. I like it that it's less cumbersome to sew, even for the top-stitching which you can't quite see but it's there on the lining. Estimation of size is easier though I made this on the fly with no intention of putting anything inside.  One side is also less bulky. DD has claimed this after putting resin snaps on. Fabrics were chosen for the Chinese New Year mood :-)

May you be blessed with new insights and opportunities to try something new. May you also be blessed with an abundance of quality family time, happening fellowship and amazing discoveries. Good health and lots of laughter always.

Have a blessed day!

ps: I seek your patience 'cos I'll be taking a break for a few days. Your orders will be coming along very soon. I'll also be at KKH next Thursday. See you there!

New life

I've lots of scraps lying around at home, be it yarn or fabric or beads and such. I think I've more than a oven-sized box full of fabric scraps that I decided that 'one day' I'll sift through. One day :-)

Until then, I found these fabric scraps and yarn. I can't remember what I used the variegated one for but the pale blue one was a gift from a church friend. The beads, err, can't remember. 

Made a coaster from 4 square linen scraps. The patterned one was leftover from the curved handles of the reversible tote. I had a hard time poking the crochet needle through until I starting using the awl. Was still difficult to pull through though. I remember I made a handkerchief when I was in Primary 4. Yup, way back :-) 

Another scrunchie. Super big one that I'm not using. It's with Hilly, DD's hippo. Round it's big mouth. LOL! It's so large partially 'cos I wanted to finish using a small amount of gift yarn. Found these beads and they go really well together. I wasn't sure if the yarn would thread through but it was OK. Just used a needle and thread and voila! Should have threaded more though 'cos I ended up with half a scrunchie with beads and half without. LOL!

One day I'll go sift through the other scraps and give them new lives. One day ...

Have a blessed day.

Just because

Made these 2 on a whim. No particular reason other than wanting to try machine-quilting diagonals instead of along the printed lines of each printed patch. I think diagonals look better, add more interest than plain 'ditch' sewing. What do you think? I also wanted to add labels and I found my old metal zips. These zips have detachable zipper pulls. I like the bronze / antique look of the zipper pulls. I added a heart to this one 'cos Valentine's day's coming. Maybe I'll attach a 3-dimensional bear for the next pouch?

Listed in Tiffany's Shoppe.

Have a blessed evening!

ps: look out for coming leap year sale at Tobias' Shoppe and Tiffany's Shoppe.

I forgot about these...

These 6 A5 saddle-stitched notebooks are part of a collection that we started last year but I forgot about them. There are some more and I'll get around to listing them on Tiffany's Shoppe.

Each book is covered using textured cardstock and has patterned endpaper. Number of pages inside is at least 76, all white and unlined and from sustainable forests. Best thing about it, cover and pages are all acid-free :-)

Have a blessed evening!

Something different, for a change

I took a break from making bags and purses and made these instead. Lots of fun too :-)

This is an organiser, for lack of a better word to describe it. Hung on a normal wire hanger with lots of pockets in many sizes. For keeping those smaller items within reach when drawers are too deep. I made all the pockets flat but I think if I make another one I'll have pockets with a gusset.

Scrunchies. Made the first one from 2 pieces of fabric that were too cool to put in the recycling bag. Made the second one 'cos my fingers were itching with nothing to do while watching TV. No particular pattern there, just 1dc and 1ch throughout to cover the elastic so there'll be ruffles.

Have a blessed day!

A present, for me?

Look what I found on my sewing machine yesterday afternoon.

A gift from DD. I don't know when she left it there, must have been before she left to go swimming with her cousin. You can see how sunny it was yesterday afternoon when I took the pics. Great day for swimming :-)

This treasure chest used to house chocolate coins. DD previously used it to keep her trinkets and stuff. Yup, DD collects stuff, just like me. She shared this selection with me. I don't fancy some sweets these days, well, maybe gummies. I still like gummies, and chocolates, and mashmallows and oh well, OK, I like sweets.

Hope you have a sweet day ahead, good evening!

Doggy dreams

Meet Hoppy who's modeling Toby's new pet bed made just in time for the coming Chinese New Year. Reversible with the same oxford cotton print on both sides just with a blue / grey background. Interfaced with 9oz batting to cushion the tiled floor and side walls are stuffed with resilient fibre filling.
Sweet dreams and have a blessed day!

Strips of joy

I don't usually buy jelly rolls, those 2.5" or 6cm wide strips of coordinating fabric, but I chanced upon this one and the colours are so pretty. I wouldn't have thought that yellow, pinks, green and browns would come together like this but they did. I made a tote which I passed to my mum and a pouch. Am keeping this pouch for now till I make another so this one will go to mum 'cos it matches her bag.

I'm planning a quilt. I'm winging it as I go anyway. Was contemplating doing a log cabin 'cos the fabric's already in strips but thought I'd try something different and I'm so liking the result though DD will probably claim it :-)

Have a blessed day!

ps: I got this at a bargain at Spotlight. Grab it now while stocks last. There are 50 strips in 6 designs. Each set of 6 can make at least 4 squares so you'll end up with at least 32 for the jelly roll. A baby quilt probably need 4 squares by 5 and the rest can be used for the backing. I'm thinking 6 x 7 squares for adult size so hmmm, are there anymore at Spotlight?

Combinations

Listed these 2 multi-purpose pouch and tissue case combos in Tiffany's Shoppe.

I tried a new way of interfacing for the zippered pouch and I'm liking the results. Not puffy like batting yet not floppy like with only a single layer of lining. 

Meant this as a pencil case 'cos I'm in the pencil-case-making mood but you can put anything you like in there. Angpows? *grin*

Have a blessed windy day!

Spring is coming

DD pounced on this fabric when it arrived yesterday. It's green. There were other green fabrics but I agree with her, this one's special. Along with the labels that also arrived yesterday, I decided to make her yet another pencil case. [Someday I'll do series on DD's pencil case collection].

Made her a matching tissue case too while I was having fun. It's zakka-like, no? I like the simplicity of the labels against the gingham. Spring plants.

Have a blessed day!

Eco plastic

Do you like Ferrero Rocher? I've liked it for a long time. I like it even more today 'cos I picked up the plastic display tray and voila! Do you like it? I put some of Tobias' Shoppe and Tiffany's Shoppe stuff on it so you can't see it. It's clear plastic anyway. Super useful for displaying smaller items :-)

The Fairprice uncle was a bit surprised when I asked if I could have it. After all, I suspect they would throw the display tray away after that level was cleared and it happened to be clear when I passed by.

Point is, do your bit for our world. Reuse, reduce, recycle. Even plastic.

Have a blessed day!

Announcing...

DD now has her own shop at Tiffany's Shoppe.
T'was meant to be for handmade notebooks only till we realized that her shop is the 1000th shop in www.ownashop.com and thus was blessed with lots of freebies like larger shop space for a year!
So, readymade stuff from Bunny Bags will now ride upon this. It's a user-friendly marketplace. Try it out today?
Have a blessed school night!