I think I have a giraffe's neck

Hong Kong is so near, yet so far. I say this because my orders of antique brass double cap rivets have yet to arrive though I placed the order early this month. Korea's farther yet it takes less than a week. Even US shipments from the Borderlinx warehouse takes less than a week. I've been checking and checking the mailbox but *sigh* no rivets.

These are tissue zipper pouches. Japanese and Korean linen exterior machine quilted for added interest. The tea-coloured ones look like linen too, but are made from cotton. I used YKK 12cm metal zips for these and I think I'll use in future vs the 5" zips 'cos these are a better fit. Not only that, these zips have interchangeable zipper pulls so I can attach zipper pulls that look like charms. Can you tell the 4 different types that I have?

The thing is, these are all lacking the rivets on the straps. I can sew but the rivet makes it a more polished look, no? Let's see how long the rivets will take to come. I hope they come this week before I get a sore neck from looking out for them for so long.

Have a blessed day!

Announcing…

DS and DD are setting up their own blogshop.

I think it’s a good learning opportunity for them since they’re doing most of the work, ie. setting up the shop, pricing, policies, shipping, packing, descriptions, marketing, photos (though I helped this round) etc. My part is just to supply the products to sell and give advice, if they ask.

As an encouragement, they’re splitting the revenue. They’ll have to tithe and pay for shipping and other incidentals but they’re welcome to use what’s available at home.

Would you encourage and show them your support, too, by signing up for the newsletter, helping to share this or buying something… LOL?

Thanks in advance!

Have a blessed day :-)

Rainy day at the pool

Today’s DD’s 2nd last swimming lesson this year. Though each lesson is only an hour, I’m there early and leave later ‘cos DD goes to play with her cousin and friends.

While I wait, sometimes I read. Today I packed some zipper pouches that needed hand-sewing to close up the seams. Brought along some pretty cardstock and paper too, to make into notebooks for the coming Christmas sale :-).

Have a blessed evening!

ps: when I first started making these 5” zipper pouches, I thought it would be useful for money and cards. However, since there’s 4oz interfacing, it’s also good as a pouch for digital cameras :-). Just need to add a mini pocket for that extra battery or SD card….LOL!

It’s a cover-up!

Made these 2 covers for a bookbinding class for a mother-daughter duo tomorrow.

The blue cover is a OOAK (one of a kind) ‘cos there’s absolutely no way I can make another just like this, or even similar to this. Am running out of blue selvedges :-(.

I hope she likes it though :-).

The black and white one has a floral exterior and polka dot lining. Both fabrics from Korea. I can’t remember if this is 6oz or 7oz batting though.

Class was originally for coptic stitch bound books but changed to criss-cross longstitch. IMHO, The criss-cross longstitch is an easier stitch to pick up. Easiest is the saddle stitch. I have a tutorial in an earlier entry…go find :-).

Have a blessed day!

Fundraising on facebook for Red Cross–SEA Floods

Made some more tissue cases to keep the unsold ones company. Selling these on facebook till 4 Nov to raise more funds.
Some patterns have multiple pieces, some with same lining, some with different.
Each is going at S$4 with 100% proceeds to Red Cross – SEA Flodos. You’ll have to pay for shipping if you’re not picking them up from me.
If you would like a tissue case but not in any of these fabrics, please place an order before 4Nov for 100% funds to go to Red Cross. This is subject to confirmation.
Have a blessed day and thanks in advance for your support!

Update: Still available - 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13.

Super sub

I know some of you realised that I’ve been sewing stuff using fabrics that are not available on the Fabrics page. I’ve grown weary of updating that page ‘cos my stash just keeps growing and growing and it’s rather tiresome to update what’s available and how much there is. SO, if you like some themes, eg. polka dots, dogs, bunnies, contemporary prints, black/white etc, do let me know and I’ll go hunt.

The thing is, I took in an order recently without checking how much fabric I had left and took the liberty to substitute with what I thought looks prettier. [MT, I’ll be contacting you soon!]

I can’t remember the last time I substituted, yet I don’t think this is the first time. Oh well, I hope she likes it anyway :-).

Have a blessed day!

Taking stock

In a month’s time, I’ll be celebrating this blog’s 1st birthday. Any suggestions on how I can share this joy with you? Yup, November’s birthday giveaway should be something special. I hope…LOL!

I had a look at the orders list and these are the top 3 most requested items from the 20+ different ones that I’ve made previously.

1. Reversible tote – 16%
2. Triangle pencil case – 14%
3. Wristlet – 14%

I expected the tote to be near the top since it was requested many times. The triangle pencil case too. I didn’t expect the wristlet to be there though…LOL!

This list doesn’t correspond to what I’ve sewn though. There are many items that I sew on a whim that are not an order. No complaints there since I like to sew :-).

Anyway, these are the latest reversible totes made from medium weight Japanese and Korean fabrics.

Have a blessed day!

In a flurry

I'm still here.
Listening to the Chipmunks and Chipettes on youtube while I type this out. Lots of distractions so I've not been consistent recently in blog updates. These are some behind the scenes pics.

Bought this brown suede-like fabric from Arab Street because I like the texture. Used this as the prototype for DS' mouse pouch. Wonder if he'll prefer this instead. Fits my digital camera as well. DS wanted one for his mouse so that the tail won't be tangled up when he dumps it in his bag. Maybe I should make a larger one with 3 compartments, for the mouse, charger and earphones. Lots of wires running all over the place.

 Made these about a fortnight ago but didn't post pics. These are the WIPs. There are some more that have been completed and given away. Yup, it's fun to give away stuff...sometimes :-)
Can't decide whether to sell these at the KKH Bazaar in Oct. I should be working on clearing orders.

Found my Cascade yarn (50% superfine alpaca, 50% wool). The colour looks so washed out 'cos it's actually a rich grape colour. This will be another garter-stitched throw that will hopefully be completed by the time it gets colder towards the end of the year. I only have 10 skeins of this so it won't be as big as the orange one.
Have a blessed weekend!

Phew...finally!

DD's half-done tote has been on my sewing table for months. She started out enthusiastically, planning and picking the fabrics, cutting them to size and sewing them together. She made the interior as well, with a fully lined pocket with 2 pen slips and a larger (huge!) one for things unknown.

DD has a green Daiso pouch that she puts her books and stuff in but I decided that I might as well take what she started and make it into something she would use. After all, it's been lying there for months.
This is an A4 size zipper pouch with pockets inside. I used 7oz interfacing so that there's lots of padding since she's gonna hug it. Used the last heart zip from Daiso. (Aside: wonder why Daiso doesn't sell these anymore :-( )
Have a blessed day!

Get a word in edgewise

I've been having lots of fun with selvedges these past weeks. First with handbound notebooks, now with mini coin purses. It's a sentimental experience sewing with selvedges as I identify each fabric and recall the stuff I've made before. Each fabric has selvedge on 2 sides and I think I've a couple of hundred of strips that I tried to sort by colour. Some have Japanese or Korean words. Most are in English. The prettiest has colour windows that are shaped like macaroons :-).

Selvedges are really precious commodities, and to think that I once discarded them ignorantly. They're like the root of the parsley, the comb in the honey, the choicest part of any fabric. Before I gush on further, have a look at this:

Found these tiny zips at one of my favourite haberdashery shops. If you look at the bottom left pic, from left to right, Korean, Australian, Japanese, US, Korean fabrics. The one from US happens to be DS' favourite. Blue Lifesavers from Connecting Threads.
Each strip is sewn onto calico before sewing on the zip. It's fully lined with more Korean import fabric but not interfaced since it's quite sturdy with 3 layers of fabric. Added a D-ring so that I can attach it to my key chain :-)
Have a blessed day!

Three here and more along the way

Usually I cut, sew, photograph then pack. I was happily making these and packed them before I realized I didn't take a pic. At least I remembered and took a pic with the plastic covers. There are some that I didn't take a pic at all and mailed out...LOL!  

Three more tissue zipper pouches. This time made from quilting and oxford cotton from Japan and Korea. Fully lined and intefaced.

I think I'll won't take pics in the harsh sunlight or when the items have been packed. Doesn't seem as nice, don't you think?

Have a blessed day!

Waves

I didn't notice it at first but there seems to be a trend that I get similar orders at almost the same time from people who are unrelated. It's not that I post the pics and they like it and ask for something like that. I either get an email or message and hmmm, another one? Not that I'm complaining :-) It's good!
Thank you for your support!

First 8 tissue zipper pouches. Actually there are nine but I didn't take a pic, maybe later. Made from an assortment of Japan and Korean import cotton fabrics. All fully lined and interfaced.
Have a blessed day!

Should I?

Was contemplating taking pre-orders for certain ocassions like Teacher's Day and Christmas. That way I can pace myself out and not rush for orders as the dates draw near. I'm wondering whether this one is for Teacher's Day. I didn't ask. She must know that I take sooooo long to fulfil orders that she requested them earlier. Well, even if it's not and it's for jiemei, I understand that too :-)

These reversible totes must be made from medium or heavier weight fabrics to be able to hold it's structure and not flop here and there. Some can stand on their own if you prop it in a certain way. However, it gets really tough flipping right side out when the fabrics are thicker :-( Tiring.

Made these from Japanese and Korean imported cotton, linen and cotton/linen blends.

Which one do you like?

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!

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!

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!

Bitten by the sewing bug

DD's largest sole project to date. We collaborated on smaller items before but this is the first time she's going solo. Since she likes greens, she picked these out from a cut fabric pile that I had (meant for sewing 5" zipper pouches). After a few false starts and re-sewing, this is the result ;-)
Made from oxfords, quilting cottons and linen from all over the world - JP, KR, US, AU.
More when she completes it.
Have a blessed day!

More pencil cases

It's odd sometimes when the requests come in, they come in batches. I'd get requests for similar items from different people about the same time. It's interesting to see how they pair the fabrics too. Sometimes what I think doesn't work turns out better than I imagined. So I learnt to hold back my comments on the prints of the fabric and only suggest when it comes to the weight of the fabric.

Two flat rectangular pencil cases. Both fully lined, personalised and not interfaced. Smaller one is made from linen and corduroy on the outside and lined with calico. Larger has US import super combed blue lifesavers cotton lined with Korean import blue canvas on the inside. Daiso star zip and D-ring extras.

This is my first plain linen creation and I like working with linen. There are so many types of linen out there (I bought 3 recently) and they have different textures, coarseness and colour. They match so well too. Must be why so many zakka items use them. Looking forward to more lace and embroidered items :-)

Have a blessed day!



Long time no see

I've not made a pencil case for a while...almost 4 months. It was the most requested item last year but with the school year already in its second term, I guess requests for pencil cases would be lesser. Unless the request is from DD, LOL!

I jumped the queue to make this for Janessa. It's a replacement pencil case. You probably saw from Facebook what happened to her previous one.
Exterior is light blue flowers on a blue / white check background Japanese cotton paired with plain Korean cotton. The star zip's from Daiso (pity I don't have flower pullers). Do you like the 2 resin floral buttons?
Have a blessed day!
Afternote:

On a new page

Made these 2 fully-lined A5 notebook covers out of Korean oxford (left, with tiny flowers) and Japanese cotton linen. The left one opens in a landscape mode while the other is portrait.
The winner of this giveaway will receive either cover of his/her choice. With 1 plain page notebook and free local shipping :-)
Draw will be on 25 Mar (Friday) at noon via Random.org. Indicate anyway you like.... Like the facebook pic, send me message, leave a comment.