Oh No!

Oh no! Today is one of those days you just want to stay in bed and dream around. All those plans you’ve made just vanishes.

Today was a rainy day. A day where I just stayed in. Wandering from the living room to the kitchen and back.

Though I didn’t do much, I had time to think about things. Like how do I improve this blog, how to make my planner work for me, what about my future. I guess rainy days bring out the thinker within.

I hope your Thursday has been more fruitful than mine.

And when we move on, don’t linger in the past

Shalom

2015 Craft Resolution

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Although nothing magical happens with the change of the year, we can always make an effort to improve ourselves and look forward to better days!

2014 was a roller coaster ride for me. But it has also been a teacher, teaching me to know myself better and to stand strong during stormy days.

So, this year I’m gonna commit myself to building this blog by posting each Thursday. Aiming for the habit and quality.

What about you? What resolutions are you making for 2015?

Remember, it’s the habit and progress rather than just the goal!

Have a great year and live each day with gratitude.

See you next Thursday!

Thread Inheritance & Organization

Hello lovelies!! Second post in a day! Hehe 😀

First, let me introduce to you this box. This box contains all my mum’s embroidery thread that she has collected since her college days. But BEWARE!

Mum’s embroidery thread stash from her college days

It’s messy! Yes, all the plastic bags are labelled with the skeins it contains. But each time you want a single colour, you have to go through EVERYTHING! Unless you’re lucky enough to grab the correct one at the first try.

The messy collection!

One sleepless night, I went to mum’s embroidery thread stash deciding to sort it out. Earlier on, I’ve just finished sorting my own stash from one of my cross stitch kit.

Armed with the bobbins I’ve printed and cut, a permanent marker, punch holder and plastic holders, I started going through it.

Printed and cut bobbins

Link for the printable template for the cute bobbins: Wild Olive

So, one question I’ve been researching on was, “What System to Use??”

After a few nights of research, I came up with a Combo Saphira’s style.

Combo Saphira’s Style

All thread still new in their skein (Yes, my mum had a lot of new ones. That means I can save LOADS of money as I continue doing cross stitch) will be kept in plastic bags. Each plastic bag will contain 3 colours and will be kept with plastic fasteners. The system? They’ll all be grouped by their last digit.

Coded by their last digit

Yes, I reused mum’s old plastic bags. More environmental friendly. My OCD for this is to use the same material plastic bags. Gotta let go of the fact that the permanent markers are not the same colour or thickness or that it’s messy with all the scribbling. But well, a system that works is a good system.

Then, I found a free app, Cross Stitch Thread Companion, that can be stored on my phone. So as I go through each plastic bag and organize them accordingly, I also note down on my phone of the amount of skeins of each colour.

What about those loose thread? Well, I just take them out of the plastic bag and wind them unto bobbins. At one stage, I ran out of bobbins and have not restocked, so I just tear a piece of paper, write the number down and wind it around the paper.

How do I store the bobbins? I used an old moon cake box to store it.

My first stash of embroidery thread

Bobbins stored according to number

I made my own dividers to store the bobbins. After much thinking and researching, I’m storing them by numbers. Why? Because I’ll always want the exact thread colour for the projects and this makes it easier to find. If I can’t any of the colours here, I’ll scroll through my phone app, If it’s not listed, to the shops I’ll go.

One more thing:

Bobbins sorter with skeins sorter

I have a skein sorter from an old cigar box. The skeins just fit slightly longer than the divider. But here stores the skeins for the upcoming project I’ll be doing.

Mum’s stash of embroidery threads have become this:

All neatly sorted and place from 0-9

End of Combo Saphira’s Style

So how do I search for the skein of thread I want? Just get the stack with the last digit. Flip through it until it’s found. Then remove the plastic fastener and get it out of the plastic bag. Put the skeins into the skein sorter and place back all the plastic bag with the plastic fastener.

I admit, it’s not really fun to flip through all the plastic bags, but till this stash expands till it’s messy once again, I’m sticking to this system.

So what do you think about my thread organizing system? What about your system? If you’ve not start sorting it out, just spend 20 minutes a day on it. It’s very therapeutic, until the thread knots on itself. Share also if you’ve any good or bad experience in creating your own organizing system.

Shalom 平安

ps: I’ve wanted to share with you this since I’ve completed the organizing project but have not gotten down to it until well, last night.

pps: I’m really grateful to have my lovelies so supportive.

ppps: this really has become a sanctuary for me where I can go crazy over craft stuff without being given a weird stare. Hey! Stop staring at me!!

pppps: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Present!!

Hello lovelies.

I’m guilty of procrastination 😥 I know I’ve promised a post last week but has stalled to this week.

However, I’m going to post not just one, but TWO post! Not a replacement but to just share a happy news, well, happy news for me.

First post is this!!

I’ve finally won a fabric giveaway!! I’m so so so so happy because I’ve finally won a giveaway!! Plus, it’s so near Christmas!! It’s like an early Christmas present!! WAAAAA!!!

Remember the post earlier, Giveaway by Craft Passion???? Yup! I’ve won the prize!! Out of the 20 winners, I’m one of them! Praise the Lord!

So, it’s possible to win a giveaway. DON’T GIVE UP! If the giveaway lets you post once a day, do it! Just spend less than 5 minutes to post it. That being said, don’t spend FOREVER on the post. Spend some time looking through the blog. Then get back doing your work.

Okay, this post is kinda short. But that’s because I’m going to spend more time for the next post. One hint, something to do with mum’s craft stash from her younger crafting days.

Hang in there alright? I’ll schedule it so that you’ll see it when you open my sanctuary in approximately 12 hours time 🙂

Till then….

Shalom 平安

The Crochet Fever!!

Oh no!!! I’ve contracted the crochet fever!! (Sorry about being inactive this week 😦 I’ve not been doing much craft stuff but I promise a longer post later in the day!)

Recently, I’ve entered the giveaway by Craft Passion. If you’ve not entered, go there after you’ve read finish this post! There’s a few more days left AND the winner can be ANYWHERE!!

Anyway, back to the topic. So as I was looking at the website, a cute little owl was sleeping. (Actually it’s a blog post) This owl has appeared a few times but I’ve ignored it because well, crochet is “not my thing” (the exact words that came out of my mouth).

Isn’t he adorable??

If you’ve been into the Pinterest “jungle”, you’ve realised that there are LOADS of crochet items with patterns and the latest Amigurumi.

So this time, I thought, it’s no harm just having a look, right? WRONG!! I clicked into the tutorial and then after reading the introduction of the owner of this owl, Mei, on Craft Passion, I was SO inspired to do this cute little owl.

Being a “tech” person, I immediately went to Youtube to find “How to Amigurumi”. Clicked the first video. Watched it. Realized I NEED to know how to crochet. Click into the tutorial for beginners. Watched it. AND made up my mind to learn crochet! This all happened in less than an hour!!

Next morning, I woke up. Went to mum’s craft stash, found the yarn and crochet needle, watched the video again and started doing!! Then I just sat there for a few hours, learning how to do the basic stitch and the bit-more complicated ones.

Basic stitch done!

Here’s the end product!!

Combo of few stitches and TADA!

I know… It looks weird, tension not consistent, etc etc But hey, for a beginner, I rate myself a 7 out of 10!

Well, I know what’s on my Christmas wish list now (or just one of them anyway). Unfortunately, mum only had this yarn left. But it’s alright. I’m gonna do a Smiley Face Amigurumi this week with this last ball of yarn. Click the link for the tutorial how to do the smiley 🙂 Yes, I’ve removed all the stitches to wind back into a ball of yarn.

That’s it. I’ve caught the fever of crochet! Yup, another craft to add into my interest list! Yeah!!

So, have you tried crocheting before? What’s your favourite Amigurumi that you’ve seen so far? Oh and do check out this Youtube tutorial (How to Crochet) and explore her channel.

Shalom 平安

Giveaway by Craft Passion

Hello lovelies!

Time for a giveaway! (I still can’t afford) BUT you can go to Craft Passion for her giveaway.

What’s the special occasion?? Craft Passion Facebook Fan Page has reached 100,000 likes!!!! Yeah!!! Congratulations to Joanne for reaching the mile stone!

I’m looking forward for her Facebook page to reach the next one!

What are you waiting for? Head on to Craft Passion to get the chance to win some awesome prizes.

Plus, the giveaway is opened to WORLD WIDE! That’s right! Go ahead and click on Craft Passion!

Till the next time we meet 🙂

Shalom 平安

Meoooowwwww….

Hello lovelies!

This is what I’ve done the week before for a close friend! There is an easy tutorial that I came about much earlier but didn’t give it much thought because I didn’t know who to give. That’s until a mutual friend reminded me about my friend’s love for cats… So I gave it a try. The tutorial link is below!

Ready to be presented!

I’m sooooo cute!!

Oh NO! My whiskers!!

Read on to get Abby’s tutorial (While She Naps).

The difference between the Abby’s and mine? I used fleece instead of fur. Black beads instead of safety eyes. (Time to get some!! Hehe >< Hoarder mode has begun!)

AAAAAAAAND I added whiskers for kitty. Think it’s because of the material, it look like a dog 😦

It looked something like this before adding the whiskers!

This cute kitty has gone to her lovely owner who turned 20 in November and I’m off to do the next project!

So, what do you think about this kitty? Head on to While She Naps and start making one or many for your friends and family!

I’ll see you soon!

Shalom 平安

My Biggest Purchase: Tao Bao

After I started having an interest in needle felting, being a hoarder, I started finding the materials.

At first, it started with buying from a local online needle felt store, Nekomeow. She was my first choice since she’s in Malaysia too. (Plus, she has needle felting kits with instructions!!)

Then, there was Daiso with their needle felting kits and wool packs. I went crazy in there.. I bought the whole series of the needle felting kits and most of their wool packs. But their wool packs’ colours were limited.

At last!! I found Tao Bao!! It’s basically an online shopping mall. You can get whatever you want here plus different stores offer different prices. So I went hunting for the store that sells wool packs with a huge range of colour range at a relatively cheap price.

I did find it, plus other stuff I didn’t really needed. So searching for items is the easy part, the downside? Shipping and handling fees are quite expensive because firstly, all the items will be sent to a factory, repackaged to each buyer then shipped to the airport then to your local post office and finally your place. Plus, you need to find agents who will usually charge you with agent fees. On top of that, as with overseas shipment, your package is not calculated by weight but by the size of the box it is contained in. So it means, wool is light but takes up relatively large space.. OH NOOOO….

Anyway, in my at-the-moment passion, I decided to give it a shot. Bought a wool pack that has 36 colours at 10gm each, a needle felting kit (that didn’t come with instructions), candy socks doll and elastic thread.

Then, came the longest wait…. The wait for my precious cargo to arrive…….

And it CAME!!! Safe and sound… I was so excited! Now, to start with all the back-logged projects.

Of course, my shopping spree didn’t just stop there. I continued on finding local craft or fabric stores to add to my hoard. But I’ve become more careful and rational in buying my materials.

What about you? Have you shopped at Tao Bao before? Any good agents to recommend? And what do you usually purchase?

Oh, before i forget, do check out Nekomeow and her store! Support Malaysian artist!!

Shalom 平安

Mummy, My First Inspiration

When I was younger, I hated art class.. My drawings are very stiff and lack creativity. I love colouring in the lines but it was still very stiff. While my classmate had really beautiful landscape drawings, mine had the sun in the right corner, triangular peaks for mountains on the upper part of the paper.

But nevertheless, mummy to the rescue!! Whenever I give up on my drawing, mummy would teach me how to make it look better.

I’ll always remember how good mummy is at freehand drawing. And she’ll always reprimand me. “You can’t stick your hand to the paper to do freehand,” that’s what she always tell me.

Whenever I had to complete my Seni (art), those are the days I dread. But mummy will always be beside me to guiding me and helping me. Without her help, I wouldn’t have been able to pass my art subject.

Since young, mummy has always exposed me to a variety of craft work, such as cross stitch, knitting and a big bit of sewing. My all time favorite is doing cross stitch.

Mummy is good with crafting using any materials she can get. She has built an A-Tent out of pipes for me and my brother. She has build storage boxes out of cardboard boxes. She has made small furniture for the house.

Mummy made a patchwork blanket and a heart-shaped pillow for me when I was young. Those 2 items have always followed me, especially the pillow.

Mummy made loads of bags for me since i was young. A few sling bags, a few lunch bags, a few cloth folders.

Chances are, if you name any craft work, mummy would have done it once or twice.

So, my mummy is my first and always will be my inspiration in my craft work. Whenever I have doubt in doing any kind of craft, mummy would have the answers for me. She’ll advise me and sometimes reprimand me for venturing into dangerous craft territory.

But always, she’ll be there supporting.

The few times where the crafts was the craze were the folding of gizallion paper stars and making friendship bracelet. Mummy helped cut out the stripes from old magazines and papers so that we could fold the paper stars. Then, there was the craze of friendship bracelet in primary school. Mummy paid for the strings needed and even helped me complete a few.

Mummy has always inspired me to use our own hands to create beautiful things. It doesn’t matter how long it’ll take, thread by thread, cut by cut, we’ll complete the project.

One of the biggest inspiration mummy gives is how she’ll sew bags for her friends (and daughter) using cloths that are precious to her. She doesn’t hold back on using good materials to bless so many people. Hand-sewn bags, tissue packs, pin cushions, mummy will always choose to give to those who desire. All it takes is an awesome relationship and the wanting of a personalized gift (that’s how i see it).

So, who’s your inspiration? In whatever you do, be it craft, blogging, cooking and writing, is there someone who have inspired you to take the very first step forward? If there is, remember to always show your gratitude to them.

Go Away, Soot Sprites!

Remember Totoro?

Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro

 Well, my friend remembered the soot sprites!! And she requested for needle felted ones.

She’s a very dear friend to me. So one day, i just took some black and white wool with my equipments and starting jabbing away.

Where are we going??

Made these 3 little darlings. My favourite one is the one with right-sized eyes.

So this 3 soot sprites went to find a new home with my friend who has just started her undergraduate course then.

So, what do you think about the sprites? They are easy to make and require small amounts of wool only. Go ahead and give it a go!