{Late Post} Another swap

Last March-April, there was (mini) round robin swap in my facebook quilting group Desi Quilting.

My partner,Prabha, sent me this pretty star block in blue, green and yellow. 

I'm not sure how I will extend the block. Since this is the first time I do this kind of swap, it made me quite nervous :P

Especially after seeing what others have done in the group.

At that time, then I remember one of Rita's (of RPQ) quilt. She made medallion with black and white. so why not trying using the black and white border, I thought. Afterall black and white is neutral colors, right? 

but instead of pure white, I decided to use the polkadots and love how it turned out. 

now on to the next one.

The deadline for submitting was nearing and I still could not decide what to to. A lot of "audition" going on 

Option #1

Option #2

Option #3

Option #4

fabric source : ETSY

This the time when understanding color theory in quilting  is very IMPORTANT. When you hit a wall, just open that color wheel and go from there.

I bought kindle version of Becky Goldsmith Book from Amazon

and love it. 

I just consult the color wheel, and decided what's best from my stash. 

here's the complete picture

I like the  overall look about it 

though I admit that I was using different weight of cotton there. It is one of the problem here in India, most cottons have different weight. 

it's very tricky, but hey..there's no rule in quilting rite?

That's all

Until then,

Happy Quilting

{SWAP} having fun with mug rug

Second Fun is I joined this mug rug swap in Desi Quilters.

We have to make 2 mug rugs for our secret partner

Ah, it's been a while since I do swapping

I have this postage stamp blocks, so I decided to make from those blocks.

I wanted to make something modern 

and here's the result:

This was inspired by Suzuko Koseki book. I love how simplicity can be really pretty. The red riding hood was a last min addition. While I was straightening the block, I saw this Red riding hood strip peeking from my scrap bin and voila, it gives a cute addition, doesn't it?

I have a little left of the pink roses fabric and I thought it would be nice as a backing and binding.

Quilt it using straight lines 1/2" apart. 

Second mug rug, I was thinking of doing the same, then I saw the star strips from the wallet I'm making, so why not make a star roof?  

My son said "Hello Kitty in the house" (see that hello kitty in the second row?)

The grey fabrics are left over binding strips from my wallets.

so there they are

Who ever receive it, I hope it will bring some cheers in their house ^_^

One more thing

The pink bunny and cat wallet is done and delivered 

but it's still available for custom order in the SHOP

Now, I'm back on doing few custom orders due this week. 

...All I wanna do is have some fun...

...I got the feeling I'm not the only one...

Happy Quilting

Vigbyor Tote for a swap

Last August we at Desi Quilter had this Tote'lly Bag Swap. It was kind of mystery swap. We knew whom to send but we didn't know who will be our sender. Plus, each participant posted their mood board as a guidance.

The tough part is to get that 'aha' moments. I have to make tote for Nikhat and she posted this mood board:

The moment I saw her board, rainbow came to my mind. I browsed a lot of rainbow bags and quilt looking for inspiration but nothing click. I wanted something not too gaudy where she can tote it around. Looked into my fabric stash n settled for my Bali batiks. Using the method of "tour around the world" block I made this tote.

Size: 18" x 16"

Well, once I started sitting in my sewing machine, ideas started flowing. I used what's left to make a little detachable zip pouch {for small change or maybe lipstick ^^}

I quilted it using decorative stitch which I love to do so much :D

 

hmm look at the vibrant colors of the batik again. I simply love these bundles!

Now, DH cousin and aunt wanted the same thing ..hmm guess everyone loves a huge tote. 

Until then...

 Happy Sewing

Handmade Friends

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do

What's more satisfying than receiving handmade stuff made by your friends around the world? I'm the happiest person when I receive  a handmade gift, whether its a birthday present or a swap. And recently I received two of them.

Agnes from Smurfing Time has given these beautiful handmade stuffs on my birthday. Well, she really didn't tell me what she's been up to, regarding we chat or talk over the phone almost everyday. It came as a happy surprise to me..:). The tote bag came with a lil coin pouch which is too cute!!. I love the way she did the patchwork and hand quilting the bag. 

She used handwoven cotton for the black an white one. I remember we bought the fabric together in a madness of beautiful handwoven cotton fabric shop, Nalli, in Mumbai's Oberoi Mall..well, I certainly happy cos I didn't buy  this particular fabric (which I should have, actually -_-)

 and she made me this pretty wall hanging, which now beautifully gracing my wall :)

And the second one, I received this pretty Zipper Tote Bag  made by Enno from Hayano Handmade as our Friendly Swap . I simply love it. It such a pretty colour and the tote has pleats on it!!. The fabric is cute and it's soft. I love the polkadots lining too..it makes the tote more cheerful. and the zipper will surely make my stuff safely tucked inside :)

don't you just love the ms. foxy fabric??

The dotty inside

New favorite tote

Now I have 2 favourite totes to carry around and no more paying plastic carry bag when I visited the mall.

Thanks a lot girls...

Until then

Bag Swap

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one" ~  C.S Lewis

That's how it was started on twitter few months back.  Andriani Retno of Hayano Handmade tweeted me and then we sort of talking about our common hobby, sewing. Then one day, I tweeted, we must do swapping sometimes. She agreed. And finally, after long overdue, I made this reversible granny bag for her.

I did owl embroidery and put a detachable flower brooch there ;). It's already on it's way to Indonesia and I do hope she likes it :)

Until then....happy sewing

So many things have happened

Yes, for the last 2 weeks or so, lots of things happening. Nothing dramatic though. It’s just the weather is getting so weird and we still not getting any rain. It’s very dry and now summer seems to come a tad early.
First the kids had cough and cold and fever. And the I got it too..and how I hated it:D.  After a dose of antibiotic finally the cough gone. And then the kids are having end-term holidays for 3 weeks, which mean, less crafting time but it’s nice time to bond with them. I know I’m going to miss them once the school starts next month.

Second one, my younger son had his circumcision done. And as much as I tried to make him sit still was never successful. He’s such an active and restless boy. Finally after 4 days and lots of time of changing the dressing, the doctor gave up and let him without the bandage. And he was quite happy. Day 5th I let him play outside for awhile and he pleaded to let him ride his bicycle..:D. I told him gently that if he waits for few  more days he will be able to ride his bike with no problem, otherwise again I will have to take him to the hospital in case something happened.
Third one, my internet connection was bad for the last 4-5 day :(


BUT, there are lots of FUN things happened too….
#1: I WON the giveaway hosted by Eva in her BLOG. And she’s such a generous soul. With her beautiful pendant she sent me a whole bag of cute stuff..earrings, pendant, turtle beads, etc. Just take  a look at these:

#2: I joined SWAPBOT last month and been enjoying the experience of receiving snail mail. I used to love sending letters and I had few pen pals. It was nice…the post man was the only one I was waiting after school, in case he brought letters for me. But with this internet era, I guess sending just a letter seems unthinkable..why sending letters when there’s email..:)

I was participated in the COIN PURSE SWAP and sending my handmade coin purse to 2 girls in Australian and the Netherlands. And then there was Big fat Envelope #1 where I made one applique tote bag. The #2 Big Fat Envelope swap is going on now if you’d like to join. I joined Fabric Square Swap too..I’m still waiting for my 2  swap fabric to arrive though.

I have received:

I have sent these with little knick knacks too (not in the photo):

I recently sent Spring Embroidery Swap. I made this cute embroidery and I really hope my partner will like it…:)

oh one more thing I finished the Elephant Pouch, here it is:

I guess that’s all ….tomorrow I’ll be off to the capital for my passport renewal and a little vacation with the family…until then…HAPPY CRAFTING ^_^

SPRING SWAP ~ from Texas

Today I got this white parcel with USPS logo on it. My first reaction was "but I didn't buy anything online recently". and when I open the parcel..."OMG..my swap.." I really didn't expect to receive it this early..:) I mean, since I sent out 2 days late..:D.

It was from Shean...and what a treasure it was..:

1. The cutest embroidery...*mental note: must get frame soon*. An angel (just like you are, Shean). I marvel at her patience to do it, all the small details are embroidered with care, with the wordings et al... I LOVE it..

2. The pretty FABRIC. Oh how I love that red one with pictures of the people around the world..and one from India too...;). This just too cute! and the yellow one..simply beautiful. Now my mind already buzzing with ideas..:D

3. For my sons...It's so sweet of her to send color pencil and rubber stars and mats for my sons. My elder one who starts learning spelling says "mama look, star - S _T_ A_R"..yes I said, one sweet aunty has sent these to you...:D

Once again, thank you so much Shean...I hope my parcel will reach you in good time..

Have a nice crafty days, everyone

*** I'm really glad I took part in the spring swap by the 6 o'clock stitch, this is really fun and can be very addictive too..;) ***

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Well, nothing special actually happened in my home. I got a kiss from my sons and a scream of "Happy Mother's Day Mama"..:D But that was really sweet. Then he told me that he made a card in school but Miss kept it..:D (let's see if today he brings home the card)

Anyway, Finally I have finished and sent the SPRING SWAP (yay!)...but it was 2 days late..:D
So, since I've sent them out I guess I can show off (*_^) abit here..LOL.

I made this Ribbon Embroidery for Shean. I learnt ribbon embroidery from a book and off course You Tube. Thanks to all those creative people around the world who's generously sharing their knowledge.
I hope you like it Shean..:)

(please Ignore the stick..it's borrowed from my other wall hanging :P)

And I made this one for Lolo. I have this idea for a long time in my mind : To make flower garden using Indian mirror work embroidery. I made the rough drawing in my sketch book and started doing it. I'm not sure in the beginning how it will turn out, but it seems okay to me. I just sent it as it is, so that (I thought) she can do something about it, such as bags or cushion covers..:D ~ just a thought.

the detail mirrow embroidery

Now I'm back to my smocking projects..:D. I was really envious of people who's lucky enough to own a pleater, but after I read Marie Grace's BLOG, I guess hand pleating is still better...ehm..mainly because now I can't afford to get one...it's more that 200$..(eeewwwww!!). Anyway, here the most recent frock I've finished:

Thanks for looking & have a nice day

Wall Hanging for personal swap

Seems I'm in embroidery mode this time..:D and I really enjoyed making this one. I made this for personal swap with my friend . I took the design from the same book as my previous post. The book is full of this pretty designs that when I saw it I feel like doing all of them..:D


And the sad thing is my digicam is stopped functioning 2 days ago and I took it to the service centre and hopefullly they'll be able to mend it...I took this embroidery using my handycam which somehow the color is not as bright as I'd like it to be...Anyway..I hope she will like it, though blue is not ger fave color..I know, I should've asked her in the first place..and I think I'm gonna making it up with something...(its secret projects ~ once done I'll post it here ;))


So..tadaaaa .....:

I put it on a mock frame using yellow manila paper

(dont have the blue one)

The design from the book:)

The details...the gold thread really brighten up the whole thing:)

Thanks for looking and HAVE A NICE DAY