I made my own DIY quilter's ruler. All these time whenever I want to do some patchwork projects I measure the fabric manually, mark it, draw the line and cut it. It takes such a long time which sometimes discourage me. I've been searching for one here in my town and asking my friends who lived in the bigger city but couldn't find it. So I tried many methods like using a card board but the problem is you can't see through it and sometimes it's end up all wonky :P.
So, I made my own from a thick transparent plastic cover from my old diary.
I carefully measure it 5" x 5" and cut it. Then I mark the grid 1/2" apart and voila my quilting ruler is ready.
Though I' m still using the pencil & scissor but at least it makes my work faster LOL. I know I could buy the rotary cutter from the net, but again I'm not sure whether it's allowed or not by the India Post. And searching though Ebay India is also NIL...:S.
And here's what I made :
I used South Indian handwoven cotton. I love the south Indian cotton cos it has bright & deep colors. I collected quite few pieces and been wanting to do something with it. It's a simple one with no batting (which is another problem for me cos I don't find any retailer...considering Indian quilt is so popular). I used a thicker handwoven fabric for the backing. It has stripes with mix color thread which suit the top.
And now I'm working on a pinwheel design. I think it's going to be another runner maybe I'll use flannel for the batting. What say, ladies?
Just a quick post, since my laptop battery is running out...yeah, again our electricity supply's gone dead for the last 36 hours...eeerrrgghhhhh..Thank God for the mobile modem..:P
It looks so easy and finally I got a chance to try it cos my sofa badly needs cushion covers and I don't want to buy the usual one from the shop. So here what I came up with
It’s a bit late to post but I haven’t got time to write this earlier. Last Friday, both my sons told me that they got a surprise for me and said “but Miss said to give it to you on Sunday”. As a good encouraging Mom, I gasped and said “really..wow..I’m curious now”. They laughed away and insisted only to show me on Sunday and told me not to peek they school bag (Well, actually I saw it while I was checking their school diaries). The next day, they couldn’t keep the ‘little secret’ much longer, they came to me and showed me the handmade cards they made in school for mother’s day occasion and told me “This is the secret but I will only give it to you tomorrow, ok”. I stifled a laugh and said “Wow, beautiful cards darling…thank you” J
And here’s what they gave me (on Sunday) with a kiss and “Happy Mother’s Day” chorus:
I went through my elder son’s school work sheet and there’s this sentences explaining about MOTHER and FATHER. It went something like this:
Father works hard and earns for the family.
Father buys stuff for the whole family
Mother looks after the house and takes care of the children
Mother cooks good and tasty food for the family.
And there’s one line said “Sometimes mother works to earn for the family too”.
I think who ever wrote those forgot that we live in the 21st century now where women are equally capable (if not more) than men. In the sense that a working MOM works twice harder, since she has to do the looking after of the house, husband, kids, in-laws, etc. Well, maybe from the (India) traditional point of view, that is true, since lots of people I meet still thinking along those line. But isn’t it time now to ‘introduce’ a different approach of teaching these young minds the concept of FATHER and MOTHER?
I read this interesting story in Mother and Baby magazine by Baisali Chatterjee, about how she pined for a daughter and instead she got only boys. She wrote something interesting, quoted from the article:
“We keep bemoaning the fact that while the previous generation, especially our Moms, did a great job in bringing us girls up, they forgot to erase the “God complex” from the little boys’ minds. So, while they raised us, their daughters, to believe that we were no less than men and could scale the highest mount and swim the deepest seas..they forgot to impart that bit of wisdom to their sons. Suddenly a whole generation of men was left unable to cope with these strong-willed, free spirited, independence-happy, beautiful brilliant women, who were breaking down the walls, scaling corporate ladders and achieving many firsts. These men were left feeling defenseless that their arcane methods of “taming the shrew” would no long no longer hold them in a good stead. So, while our moms were teaching us to be the best that we could possibly be, they neglected to share this new bit of philosophy with our brothers”
“Of course I will teach my boys karate and kick boxing. But I’ll also teach them the art of whipping up a perfect Irish Cream Souffle. I’ll endures hours of Bruce Lee’s and spaghetti westerns, but by Georgina, I’m gonna teach them how to sit through a chick flick. When they tell a girl they’re going to call, they better mean it. If a female of the species beats their pants off in the game of chess or even of one-on-one basket ball, they should know that it’s a TALENT to be ADMIRED and NOT an effort to be patronizingly, dismissively praised. They have to learn that news of their sweeties’ success should be met, not with condescending pats on the back BUT with heartfelt roars of approval, a bottle of well-deserved bubbly and a toast for her future triumphs”
I couldn’t agree more. I have 2 boys myself and it seems I have lots of work to do if the school work sheet is anything to go by. ^_^
And this is what I made on Mother's Day....I know it's not much LOL but everyone enjoyed the pan crust
yeah...what I've been up to? Well..nothing so exciting actually. I told you I slammed my thumb in the car's door when I went to the capital. And somehow it was so badly slammed, after a week of throbbing pain, it turned absolutely black and after a month (now) the new one started to come out and pushing the damaged one out The bad news is the other side of the nail is still sticking there stubbornly so I just cut off the one which already dangling. Now my thumb looks sooooo U*G*L*Y...but then I'm free from bandages and can work normally or so to say.
And as usual internet connection is always the constant problem. During these pre monsoon months we experienced lots of rain and storm, which of course - as expected - in turn the phone cable got tangled or I dunno somewhere and my connection just went DEAD. I have to depend on my DH's mercy...yup, he got one of those mobile modem. So practically I got 2-3 hours a day to spend on the net. Which is NOT enough...LOL..what with that Facebook ing and (virtual) farming..:)).
Anyway, it's blessing in disguise in a way..cos I can get few sewing done. Few dresses for lil ones, few custom order tunics/dresses, and will now start some patchwork projects with those fabric remnants from the dresses. Some of them will be available in my SHOP
I love fabric covered button/brooches. It makes a pretty embellishment to anything I make, such as bags, pouches, dresses, etc. Too bad I could not find a button kit here in my town. Usually I bought them when I go back to my hometown, which is in Indonesia.
I remembered I used to 'make over' my metal brooches with what ever cover fancy me back when I was in high school. So, the other day I bought these Hannah Montana brooches and start working on it. Here's what I do:
1. All you need is: Ready made brooches, needle & thread, fabric and a mini screw driver (the flat one - what's it called?)
2. Carefully pick out the back of the brooches with the screw driver. It may dent a bit but you can easily put it back again. Take out the original paper cover.
3. Cut the fabric according to the diameter of the brooch and add a few millimeters for seam.
4. Hand stitch the edge of the fabric just like when you're making a Yo Yo, and put the top metal brooch inside the fabric. Pull the thread until the fabric is nicely covered. Secure the thread.
5. Put the back part of the brooch and gently push it in.
6. Voila! Your fabric covered brooch is ready.
This is so much fun. Cos when you're bored with one, you can always change it and your option is endless.
I just came back from the capital and while we were there we made a quick visit to see the wonder of the world. TAJ MAHAL. It's really breathtakingly pretty and to see all those delicately carved marble mausoleum is really something. If you ever visit Taj Mahal make sure you get a good guide who knows the history properly. Like the one we had.
We visited The Agra Fort too. Here something that really amaze me was how those emperors and empress lived in those time..one thing for sure..they know how to live in style :D. There was in particular room where the wall was made with a hollow in the middle. those hollow was filled with cold water during the summer months (which is very horribly hot in Agra) and filled with hot water in winter to make the rooms comfortable.
There was this room where emperor Shah Jahan spent his last years, where it has (I believed) a scented mini fountain to make the room cooler in the summer months.
Well, I won't bore you with my stories..:D. If you'd like to see few photos of Taj Mahal, I have it in my Flickr.
Today the kiddos have gone to school, holidays are over and I got a little me time in the morning till they come back. It's sort of weird when suddenly the house become quiet early in the morning and I was like 'what do I do now'..:D I guess I miss my little one now.
Anyway, I can get my self organized now. I will do most of my sewing work in the morning and hopefully once it falls into routine I can get few more things done.
I just submit my entry for this fab giveaway at MODISH VINTAGE. She gives away beautiful VINTAGE TIN and a BUNDLE of VINTAGE FABRICS...why way..go and submit yours too..it's closed on the 2nd of April.
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 ^_^
When in Rome, do as the Romans do...that's how the saying goes. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to some people. My sister recently went to Melbourne for some work. The 1st few days she was so excited about it. After 2 weeks, she told me she missed Jakarta already. I asked her why? She said all is nice here, but somehow I feel I don't belong here. She feels comfortable in her own territory. Among 4 of us (my sisters n my self), I guess I'm the only one who dare to venture out further. Maybe I got it from my father. He always dared us, whether it was as simple as riding a bicycle or to let me go and work faraway from home and eventually married and settled in India.
My MIL, used to tell people that I'm courageous. Well, maybe I am. Grew up in a nuclear family and working in big cities, I finally chose to settle and live with joint family in this nook (if I can say so) of India which even some Indians don't even realize that it is part of India..pun intended :d. I
If you asked me how do I manage? I don't know..but I guess God has sent me here on a mission which I'm yet to discover. Well, life after all is a never ending adventures and discoveries.
Last winter I bought this lovely red and black checked cotswool fabric and I made this red jumper from vintage pattern McCalls 2070
and here’s what I made…I just could not capture the right color though. It’s supposed to be darkish bright red and black. I made little adjustment in the shoulder length and I put slit on the sides.
I guess I can make a summer dress with this pattern…hmm….
Both my self & DH never stop the boys from scribbling on the wall. Well, in the beginning we tried to, but ultimately it’s become unstoppable, if I may say..:)
Their grandmother even bought them a blackboard but they seem happier to scribble on the wall. We don’t have a clean wall in the house now..:D.
One day, the younger one dragged me and showed me “mama, look this is A, R, E” . I asked who wrote it, he said “I did”. Well, here I thought he didn’t know his ABC :D. Well, the wall has become a practice board now.
The big one is into drawing and painting. He can spend the whole afternoon drawing and coloring and painting. I always run out of coloring book. Some of them I preserve. He likes to tell stories while drawing to his little brother.
Sometimes, before retiring at nihgt my head is full of plan for the next day. I will finish this project, will try this recipe, will clean the cupboard, etc. But very often the morning brings surprises. One of the boys suddenly has fever and cough or the other one fussy about breakfast and literally we have to drag him out of the house so he won't miss the school bus. The younger one will run around and refuse to take his bath cos he hates his current school. The electricity come and go, and sometimes it's not there for the most part of the day which mean, no recipe trial, no sewing, and no internet.
So, nowadays, I stopped making plans. I will take everyday as it comes. Even sundays, which usually my crafting time since DH will look after the kids.
Last night I managed to finish the elephant. I took the design from one of ondori book. I guess orange polkadot fabric will make a cute combination. I seem to work with lots of orange these past few days...:D
I've seen Ros of Bloom and blossom's Tutorial about journal cover the other day, so I decided to make one today. I have this journal from one of my DH's client..as usual, it has a rather unattractive cover. I've been meaning to make one for along time until I found such a great & clear tutorial. Then why wonky? The journal original cover was made of card board. I should have anticipated that cardboard is thicker and stiffer. So just to fit it into the cover, I had to cut the side of the original cover a bit..LOL
I used Cotton Khadi (it has a linen finish look...I love it) for the plain one and pure cotton for the orange one.
a bit wonky :-S
and at the back I put my own handmade fabric label. I have the Tutorial HERE.
***EDITED***
I went through Bloom's Tutorial again and I guess I should not stitch the edge. So again I made for my bigger journal which has spiral binding and here's the result:
Fabric: Red Casement
Decoration: Assamese Traditional Saree Ribbon
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