Retail Therapy

“I love shopping. There is a little bit of magic found in buying something new. It is instant gratification, a quick fix.” ― Rebecca Bloom, Girl Anatomy

Oh yeah..shopping can really recharge you. I call it Retail Therapy. Only nowadays my shopping revolved around fabric and craft books. And what's more? shopping can be more exciting if you do it online. Though waiting for your parcel to arrive is as painful as queuing in the pediatrician chamber ^_^. 

Last month I sort of need a bit of recharge. I went to my favorite online shop for books Flipkart  and browse few crafts books and sign out with 3 patchwork books. I bought 2 Suzuko Koseki book because it's in English and has a basic lesson for Japanese style of patchwork. You know those one with tiny bit of fabrics and lots of hand sewing ^_*. It's nice book if you like something cute:)

The other one is Patchwork Comforters, Throws and Quilts. It's full of eye candy of Modern Quilts. Great Inspirations...

And from Flipkart, I hopped to Etsy and what started as window shopping, I ended up with this pretty Riley Blake fabrics. I wasn't so sure but I simply love the fabric. Aqua and red is such a fabulous combination. So after two days exchanging convos with the seller, I decided to go for it. I've never bought designer fabric before..so it's kind of super exciting to actually got one ..LOL.

So, I now I'm thinking what I will do with this yummy fabrics..^_*

Until then...happy quilting

Memorable Holiday Mini Quilt

This my entry for the India MQG February Challenge. The rules are using your scrap and the quilt is about the most memorable holidays. For me, every  holdays have their own memorable moments, but what I always love is coming home to my town where I was born and grew up - MALANG. Even though now Malang has grown into a mini metropolitant city, but it still hold it own charm.

What I love most about Malang is it always blooming with flowers all around the cities. Hence, the flower fabrics I used in the border. Malang is a hilly town, surrounded by beautiful mountains all around. Whereever you turn your head, all you'll see is greenaries.

"Palm Tree Block"

Can U spot the palm tree there? It's one of Malang's trademark tree.

This is the view in front of the mayor office (Balai Kota). It's called Bunderan Tugu.

 (Image Source)

This Bunderan Tugu has several road branch which lead to different part of the city. It's surrounded by favorite High Schools (MY Highschool too!!) , hotels on one side, and the train station in the other.

(image source)

The garden is beautifully maintained which is a real treat for tired eyes:)

Here is another  famous landmark in Malang, Ijen Boulevard. With it's palm trees and big colonial houses, it's a great place if you want to just strolling or taking a walk. In the middle there are mini gardens with flowers and shrubs.

(image source)

The Apples Block

 Malang's most famous fruit. There are lots of apple orchards in Malang and Batu (a hill town 30 min from Malang). Malang's Apple is called rumbutter, it's juicy and crunchy and has this sweet tangy taste which I love the most.

Below is how the apple vendors sell their apples. This is a common sight when you're travelling from Malang to Batu or to Surabaya.

(image source)

and of course I always love to visit the sea. Indonesia is an archipelago, it has the most beautiful beaches in the world, whether the explored one or the un-explored ones. I spent my childhood exploring beaches with my father who was working in a coffee plantation. Most of the time, the garden were near the sea. Almost every holidays we spent discovering new beaches, white sands, black sands, you name it, we have it :).

Last year we went to explore another beaches. You can read the post HERE. So, this block is for those wonderful holidays at the sea.

All the appliques here are handstitched by yours truly. I'm not a big fan of hand quilting, though I enjoy doing embroidery now and then.:). I must learn to master the machine decorative stitching now that I got a new Bernette E92c ;)

Until then...happy quilting