Christmas Greetings

Just 3 days to Christmas! I've finally mananged to finish this customised order from a good friend - 2 notebooks and 5 photoframes. So thankful for her generosity and the opportunity to do some serious crafting amidst spending time with family and friends.

Have a blessed Christmas my dear friends. Catch you in 2013!

Sheon

Another Granny Square!

Hi there,

My buddy Sheon & I are with our families on vacation, but we haven't forgotten to write!

I made another granny square bag -- do you like the colours on this one?



Don't you just love the OVERsized wooden buttons?

This time, the strap is in ONE continuoue piece with the sides and base of the bag.

The strap is made adjustable with these buttons on ONE side of the bag -- so it's quirky and NOT 'symmetrical'.

Double-lined as usual, with slip pocket, magnetic clasp and hand-embroidered logo.

Here's how the lining is attached -- BY HAND; WITH LOVE!

 Have a good weekend and hope you are having a great time with your loved ones.

Serena

Granny Square Bags and Linings

Hi there,

Remember I made a granny square bag some time earlier this year? (Read about it here.)

I'm glad many of you liked it. Granny squares are beautiful and have so much potential in terms of their use...except that they tend to be 'holey'... So if you used it to make a bag, lining is of utmost importance to keep those precious things from falling out.
Added challenge : with fabric/leather bags, a single layer of lining is sufficient and you can hide all those unsightly seams between the lining and the fabric/leather. However, for a granny square, the unsightly seams will peep out of the gaps in the design!

The solution is to make DOUBLE-Layered lining, which of course, is more time-consuming. However, the result is GREAT-- NO unsightly seams can be seen anywhere, and...the lining colour shows through the gaps...giving an even more interesting dimension to the bag!

I made another bag recently and managed to remember to take pictures of the lining process. (crafters will understand what I mean when by 'getting so carried away that you realised you forgot to take pictures!)

First, let's look at the finished product:



Do you notice the cream-coloured lining peeping through the gaps of the granny square? Here's a brief run-through of how it was done:

Make TWO sets of the linings in the 'usual way' and 'sit' one in the other (rights sides facing in). [There are many wonderful ladies out there who have written excellent tutorials on how to make the 'box-shape' lining -- just do a search!]

Sew along the top edge to join them, leaving a gap for turning out.
Turn both linings through the gap. You will get something like this:

After which you stuff one back into the other (wrong sides facing):

Attach any magnetic fastening if needed and the double-layered is now ready to be attached to the bag.

More shots of the bag:

The adjustable bag that is attached by buttons which fit snugly into any of the 'holes' in the crochet strap!

This is my favourite granny square design!
Do you recognise it? YES , it's the same one used for the 1st bag in this post.

Double-layered lining which gives structure; completed with magnetic Clasp and Signature hand-embroidered logo

That's all for today. Grab this bag from the etsy shop!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Serena 

Christmas Gifting II

Trying to finish up some Christmas orders today, in between spending time with boys in the park, doing some shopping at the mall..., whew another whirlwind of a day!
Here's more customised journals, a set of 'his' and 'hers', for a mummy who wants to record special moments for her son and daughter - nametags will be stuck on later :)
As you can tell, I ran out of crafting time in the day, so had to take the last photo at my desk right after I completed the journal at 10pm... not the best lighting I'm sorry!

Heading off for a family vacation soon, hoping to check out some local markets (and stock up on crafty supplies maybe?) when I'm there...

Enjoy December... catch you soon!

Sheon

Christmas Gifting

Hello everyone! Put up the Christmas tree yet? I haven't dug our trusty tree (umm...it's 14 years old gasp!) out from the depths of the storeroom yet.
I'm thinking, what a luxury it would be to get a real tree this year, just like my friends who are living in the States... but in sunny (now also rainy) Singapore, not sure this is a good idea. Maybe I'll settle for some new trimmings - should I go with a blue and silver theme this year??

As for what goes under the tree, well, that's the fun part of course.
Customised this journal for a friend - she's going to give it to a mother who wants to record her prayers and blessings for her young daughter so that the girl can read it when she's older. What a lovely idea (and a priceless gift for the child don't you think?) - want to start one for each of my boys too!

If you're looking for some specially handmade items this Christmas for the special people in your life, don't hesitate to drop us a line anytime!

Sheon

Cascading Shells

Hi there,

I've finally finished that project which I'd brought all the way to Denmark on our June vacation and back...
The great thing about things like crochet and knitting is that you can bring it along with you...which is what I've kept this project for --- it's my 'keep my busy while I wait for children to finish classes' project.

Well, it's finally done and it's something for myself -- it's a 'Cascading Shells Top' (design from a Crochet magazine)...

I think the photos could be improved, so if any of you have any pointers or tips, I'd love to hear from you!

Till the next time, have a great weekend!

 

Serena



Thankfulness

The weather is changing lately, work is winding down at the office, the children have finished their final exams and school is almost up. 

The year is all too quickly drawing to a close again. It's been a long, often exhausting and mind-numbing 10 months for me - my first year back at full time work after my youngest was born 3 years ago. 

It took all my energy just to keep moving through different responsibilities everyday. At times I went through the motions mechanically (or lethargically? ) or was possibly curt or thoughtless to those who worked with me. Yet, it was their help, support or counsel that smoothed things over in difficult or stressful moments.

Made these quick thank you cards (or tags?) for my colleagues - they'll be sitting atop packs of delicious choc chip cookies that Serena has so kindly agreed to bake - early Christmas gifts before we all go off for a much needed break :)
Are there some people in your life that you couldn't have done without this year? Perhaps your co-workers, friends, neighbours.... people who form part of your everyday, going about their routines quietly but bringing ease or comfort without you even realising it...

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” 

                                                                                             - Thornton Wilder -
Sheon

T-straps

Hi there!

C's a darling little girl who's fast growing up and is a bundle of energy. Her mum 's request for crochet shoes which will 'stay on' led to these....and C's mum is pleased to report that they do 'stay on'!

I made another 2 pairs for the Etsy shop. Grab them while you can!


T-strap booties in lilac cotton!

button hole clasp with leaf accent to compliment the flower button

contrast sole in 'Fair Isle' patterned yarn

T-strap shoes in aqua cotton yarn

painted flower wooden button in 'antique stain'

Have a great weekend!

 

Serena

Motivational Tags

I spent the past week making these - motivational tags for a group of young people who are facing an important challenge in a month's time - their university entrance examinations. 

I was inspired by Sasha's lovely badges - don't you think they're cool? Do check out her quirky blog and etsy shop! She has many lovely designs and they worked perfectly as 'toppings' for my tags! What's more, they can be removed and repinned onto pencil cases, or  even used as collar pins :)  

My stash of cardstock, washi tapes and ribbons came in handy too!

Sheon

'Frosty' on Shoes

Hi there!

Remember these little guys?

They were 'cute as a button' when I came across them ... my buddy has put them on a card and today I'll show you where I put them. -- you guessed right! Baby Shoes! In the season's signature red, white & green colours, aren't these perfect for that 'frosty' Christmas?

3 snowmen in a row, one is truly a button while the other 2 wished they were : )

Hope you like them!

Serena

A Tiger Tot

Hi there,

What comes to mind when you hear someone say 'tiger'?  The ferocious-looking animal?  Stripes?  The infamous sportsman?  Your boss? (Just kidding..)

In many asian societies, the tiger is a revered symbol. For example, in Japan the tiger is the emblem of the great aristocratic warriors famously known as the samurai. It represents the virtue of courage. For the Chinese, the tiger is the third animal in the Chinese Zodiac and is regarded as a 'slayer of evil'. Those born under this sign are believed to be strong, noble, aggressive, independent and courageous. However, these traits are deemed to be masculine and 'tiger boys' are welcomed but not 'tiger girls'.

Are tigers also revered in your culture? Do they have similar symbolisms? Do share with us!

Now to crafting.....I came across the cutest tiger buttons and so naturally, they belong on shoes meant for the spunky boy who's ready conquer the world. 

 

Hope you like them!


Serena

Happy Teachers' Day

Schools in Singapore celebrated Teachers' Day yesterday, on the last day of school before the one-week term break. It was a good opportunity for our children to show their appreciation to their teachers for all the care they'd shown throughout the year.

I was hardly the effusively appreciative student – the kind who would shower my teachers with flowers, chocolates or even better, a big stuffed toy on Teachers’ Day to express my gratitude for all they had done. Being a highly self-conscious child and teen, doing that would mean drawing far too much attention to myself. What’s worse, it would likely require extended conversation with the teacher-recipient of my gift! And how tongue-tied I would be then! No… I preferred to remain unobtrusively in the corner, sharing in a collective class present and simply signing my name on the card the class rep provided.

Today's post is an opportunity for me to pay tribute to my teachers, especially those who brightened up my path during my formative years, even though they may never know the difference they made to the quiet girl in the corner.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs Pereira was a wonderfully collected woman, slightly plump and always immaculately coiffed…

She remained unfazed when a classmate peed on the floor in the first few days of Primary One (First Grade). Speaking in impeccable English, she would usher us firmly into our lines or through the routines of teeth-brushing, colouring or the completion of simple worksheets (did we even do any? My memory fails me here!). Her steadiness and motherly nature made me look forward to schooldays and the assuredness of order that came with it.

Miss Tok had a commanding presence that made every student desire nothing less than her approval…

With her lips tightly drawn into a thin line, her back ramrod straight, she demanded nothing but perfection from us during our PSLE (Sixth Grade - Primary School Leaving Examination) year. Failure to answer a question correctly would most certainly mean a change of seat – relegation to the back rows of the classroom, a place I associated with hopelessness and stagnation. Wanting to avoid that fate rallied me to work harder than I’d ever done. For all the discipline she enforced, Miss Tok had a heart of gold – she never scolded, only insisted. During music lessons, she accompanied us on the piano. Firmly and patiently she coaxed beautiful songs from the class by working her magic over the keys, without ever singing a single note!

Mrs Choo instilled in me a love for clarity, method and meticulousness…

The way she solved each Math problem on the blackboard, writing down the steps ever so neatly and systematically almost made me sigh with relief and gratitude. Mrs Choo spoke in slightly Chinese-accented English, using modulated tones barely louder than conversational, never agitated but always certain and purposeful. Listening to her explanations gave me the confidence I never found before (and unfortunately, would never find again, after I left her class) to excel at a subject that sorely revealed my academic limitations.

Mrs Oei, my English Literature Form Mistress, showed me the richness of life through her beautiful use of the English Language…

A larger than life personality who did not hesitate to fling sub-standard work out of the second floor windows of our airy classroom with a dramatic toss accompanied by a loud dismissive shout, Mrs Oei both terrified and inspired me. Every line of text and every analysis made of character or plot was done in her signature manner, with passion and exuberance reverberating through the room. I filled up the blank spaces in my Literature textbooks with her comments or descriptions ad verbatim, reveling in how her every turn of phrase captured so vividly and precisely the intensity of seemingly ordinary human experiences. Though I never once uttered a comment or asked a question in class, my beloved Literature teacher’s rhetoric threw open doors to experiences I had never known and depicted a range of emotions I could only marvel at. Little did I guess then that those awe-struck lessons were preparing me for the vocation I would eventually pursue.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you teachers for all you've done! 

And to all my teacher-friends, here's my favourite quote:

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

Sydney J. Harris

Sheon

Working around a Button

Hi there,

Have you ever gone shopping and simply fallen in love with an accessory such as a bag, earring, necklace etc...Of course you bought it didn't you? Alas, when you reached home, you discovered that you didn't have anything in the wardrobe to match it... So began a quest to find the perfect outfit, shoes etc just to match that ONE accessory....

Isn't it interesting how we often end up arranging the 'rest' just to fit that ONE small special thing?

Last month, the cutest small little button caught my eye...and I HAD to buy it....but when I reached home, I realised that it did not quite fit onto any of my current shoe designs...it was a tad too small...
And so began the quest of creating a new design to fit the button...Amazingly, I managed to come up with two new designs!
Here they are, 3 pairs of shoes featuring those CUTE small SOCCER BALL buttons..

Light brown with cream accents double-strap button shoes
Double-sole with signature sole design

Dark brown with yellow accents double-strap button shoes

Blue with baby blue accents cross-strap button shoes

 Hope you like them!

Serena