A New Year. A New Life.

Hi there! Happy 2011! It has been a while since I update my blog... Yes, I'm guilty of poor time management. I cannot remember where all my time went to for year 2010. I only know my time was all for my kids. So I was left with very little time for myself. But I was still contented.

This year, I decided to start afresh. To have a new life. To start exercising. To craft and sew. To meet up with my friends. To go out more often for a breather. I think it's time to reconnect with myself again.

On a happy note, my kids are growing well and happy! They make me feel so blessed. Meatball started a new school while Chilli started walking.

As I always promise about blogging more often, I fail to keep my promise. This year, it will be easier for me to find time. Sometimes I wonder why people can blog everyday when it seems so difficult for me to do so. But again, I'll try.

I'll show some pics of the handmades I made over the holidays last year.

& this year, I'll be sharing tutorials. It's a joy to share and learn from each other, isn't it? Next post tomorrow will be a tutorial on zippered pouch (as promised to a friend).

Here's something I made yesterday. A lantern from red packets. Chinese New Year is coming.

Hope everyone is doing very well.


xoxo

p/s: my shop is opened now.

A New Year. A New Life.

Hi there! Happy 2011! It has been a while since I update my blog... Yes, I'm guilty of poor time management. I cannot remember where all my time went to for year 2010. I only know my time was all for my kids. So I was left with very little time for myself. But I was still contented.

This year, I decided to start afresh. To have a new life. To start exercising. To craft and sew. To meet up with my friends. To go out more often for a breather. I think it's time to reconnect with myself again.

On a happy note, my kids are growing well and happy! They make me feel so blessed. Meatball started a new school while Chilli started walking.

As I always promise about blogging more often, I fail to keep my promise. This year, it will be easier for me to find time. Sometimes I wonder why people can blog everyday when it seems so difficult for me to do so. But again, I'll try.

I'll show some pics of the handmades I made over the holidays last year.

& this year, I'll be sharing tutorials. It's a joy to share and learn from each other, isn't it? Next post tomorrow will be a tutorial on zippered pouch (as promised to a friend).

Here's something I made yesterday. A lantern from red packets. Chinese New Year is coming.

Hope everyone is doing very well.


xoxo

p/s: my shop is opened now.

Life is definitely happier

Three days ago, I was still a lil' grumpy & resentful & unhappy about life. About the life I chose and the life I was leading.

But since yesterday, I'm feeling like a whole new person.

It's about realising that I have lost my old self. It was an awakening moment for me and I felt so sad for myself for changing for worse over the past 4 years.

I hope it's not too late to be a better person now.

Over the long weekend, I finally understood how simple things we do as a family can bring so much happiness. We went to a goat farm followed by a vegetable farm. We were feeling easy & relaxed despite the scorching sun. It was a happy day.

We went to Elmo Show too. It was good. I think Little Chilli enjoyed it more than zy though.

After show photo & my most favourite family photo for the moment (even though the kids are still looking somewhere more interesting?).

Watching Ellen Degeneres show on TV now. I used to dislike her alot all because I was biased. Actually, the show is rather nice.

Life is definitely happier

Three days ago, I was still a lil' grumpy & resentful & unhappy about life. About the life I chose and the life I was leading.

But since yesterday, I'm feeling like a whole new person.

It's about realising that I have lost my old self. It was an awakening moment for me and I felt so sad for myself for changing for worse over the past 4 years.

I hope it's not too late to be a better person now.

Over the long weekend, I finally understood how simple things we do as a family can bring so much happiness. We went to a goat farm followed by a vegetable farm. We were feeling easy & relaxed despite the scorching sun. It was a happy day.

We went to Elmo Show too. It was good. I think Little Chilli enjoyed it more than zy though.

After show photo & my most favourite family photo for the moment (even though the kids are still looking somewhere more interesting?).

Watching Ellen Degeneres show on TV now. I used to dislike her alot all because I was biased. Actually, the show is rather nice.

It's September...?

Sometimes, I cannot believe how time really flies. It's September. Almost Christmas. Three quarter of 2010 has gone. And my little chilli is already 7.5 month-old. What have I achieved? Other than my weight (which is not moving any further down), everything seems to change for the better.

I have been working on wristlet clutches. It was a sudden idea one morning when I woke up. And I'm glad they turned out nicer than I thought. Now I can use the many beautiful fabric I have bought over the two years.

There are so many things to do in September. So hopefully, September will not pass so fast. I need the time.

Oh, I wish for a little makeover for the house too. Maybe a fresh coat of paint on a side of the wall? IKEA shopping is a must soon. So September is the month of busy-ness.

Everyday is very much a routine now. It feels good somehow. But I need excitement sometimes. So I sit at my sewing table and day dream.

I'm dreaming of going to Japan next year.

Yes, dreaming.

It's September...?

Sometimes, I cannot believe how time really flies. It's September. Almost Christmas. Three quarter of 2010 has gone. And my little chilli is already 7.5 month-old. What have I achieved? Other than my weight (which is not moving any further down), everything seems to change for the better.

I have been working on wristlet clutches. It was a sudden idea one morning when I woke up. And I'm glad they turned out nicer than I thought. Now I can use the many beautiful fabric I have bought over the two years.

There are so many things to do in September. So hopefully, September will not pass so fast. I need the time.

Oh, I wish for a little makeover for the house too. Maybe a fresh coat of paint on a side of the wall? IKEA shopping is a must soon. So September is the month of busy-ness.

Everyday is very much a routine now. It feels good somehow. But I need excitement sometimes. So I sit at my sewing table and day dream.

I'm dreaming of going to Japan next year.

Yes, dreaming.

Yay! Quilt for Little Chilli is completed FINALLY

I finally completed handsewing this quilt for little chilli.

Altogether, I spent maybe 3 months to sew? Because handsewing takes up alot energy & effort so I felt a little lazy along the way. But I'm glad I managed to push myself to finish sewing this quilt. Now it looks like a lap quilt instead.^____^ (sorry, the picture is not well taken in the early morning. Day lighting was not good. I will take a better picture again soon).

I used flannel as the backing for comfy feel. For the next quilt for zy, I've decided to machine sew. Hand quilting is tedious with a tiny needle.

Initially, I did not like the fabric as binding but I did not have a choice at that moment. Now the more I look at it, the more I love how the binding complements the quilt design.

I hope little chilli will love it as much as I do!

Yay! Quilt for Little Chilli is completed FINALLY

I finally completed handsewing this quilt for little chilli.

Altogether, I spent maybe 3 months to sew? Because handsewing takes up alot energy & effort so I felt a little lazy along the way. But I'm glad I managed to push myself to finish sewing this quilt. Now it looks like a lap quilt instead.^____^ (sorry, the picture is not well taken in the early morning. Day lighting was not good. I will take a better picture again soon).

I used flannel as the backing for comfy feel. For the next quilt for zy, I've decided to machine sew. Hand quilting is tedious with a tiny needle.

Initially, I did not like the fabric as binding but I did not have a choice at that moment. Now the more I look at it, the more I love how the binding complements the quilt design.

I hope little chilli will love it as much as I do!

**NEW** zA bags

Here are the new bags I sewed last week. Everyday, I stole a few minutes to sew (looking after the kids takes up most of my waking and even sleeping time).

Lovely Rose Mint

Splashy Rose Persimmon

I really had no idea how to name the bags (maybe, my brain is too occupied to think) so I called them zA bags. Yes, zA means zakkaArt. Hahaha. Sounds kinda weird to me now. But if they sell well, it will be a signature name. ^____^

Everyday now, I have to "homeschool" zy since he is only in half day childcare now. It's really tough sometimes to manage two kids who are fighting for my attention.

This week, we are into "pets" topic. And we did a rabbit mask.

I could not stop laughing when I saw what he drew for the rabbit's face. For a 2.5 year old, I think he is amazing. ^________^

**NEW** zA bags

Here are the new bags I sewed last week. Everyday, I stole a few minutes to sew (looking after the kids takes up most of my waking and even sleeping time).

Lovely Rose Mint

Splashy Rose Persimmon

I really had no idea how to name the bags (maybe, my brain is too occupied to think) so I called them zA bags. Yes, zA means zakkaArt. Hahaha. Sounds kinda weird to me now. But if they sell well, it will be a signature name. ^____^

Everyday now, I have to "homeschool" zy since he is only in half day childcare now. It's really tough sometimes to manage two kids who are fighting for my attention.

This week, we are into "pets" topic. And we did a rabbit mask.

I could not stop laughing when I saw what he drew for the rabbit's face. For a 2.5 year old, I think he is amazing. ^________^

New banner!

I cannot believe I made my very own shop & blog banner! Yay!! **dancing with joy** Since I'm not tech-savy, I consider this a very good accomplishment. I used Picnik to do the banners. It's free and not so difficult to use, I reckon.

It's my favourite green and floral fabric. I really feel very happy now!

Do you think it's nice?^___^

New banner!

I cannot believe I made my very own shop & blog banner! Yay!! **dancing with joy** Since I'm not tech-savy, I consider this a very good accomplishment. I used Picnik to do the banners. It's free and not so difficult to use, I reckon.

It's my favourite green and floral fabric. I really feel very happy now!

Do you think it's nice?^___^

I'm very happy!

It has been a crazy week for me! Since it's the last week of school term, the students were occupied with a series of learning journeys.

Beautiful NEWater centre. The place is really very nice. I'm tempted to bring zy and babyY there someday soon.

Beach cleaning. It was sad to see that the beach was full of rubbish. The students picked cigaratte butts, plastic bags, broken pottery... many more and even soiled diapers!

Anyway, if you do follow me at my twitter, I was very pissed at work! It made me sooooo frustrated. But, the good news is, I've resigned! Yeah! This means I can concentrate fully on my sewing passion! And, of course, to be with my children every single day.^________^

It's a dream come true. I'm really very happy now!

I'm very happy!

It has been a crazy week for me! Since it's the last week of school term, the students were occupied with a series of learning journeys.

Beautiful NEWater centre. The place is really very nice. I'm tempted to bring zy and babyY there someday soon.

Beach cleaning. It was sad to see that the beach was full of rubbish. The students picked cigaratte butts, plastic bags, broken pottery... many more and even soiled diapers!

Anyway, if you do follow me at my twitter, I was very pissed at work! It made me sooooo frustrated. But, the good news is, I've resigned! Yeah! This means I can concentrate fully on my sewing passion! And, of course, to be with my children every single day.^________^

It's a dream come true. I'm really very happy now!

Birthday Surprises

I love birthday surprises. Who doesn't, right?

jw surprised me with my favourite cake all the way from Japan. This cake is one of our most favourite and a must-eat whenever we go to Japan. It is made of many layers of crepes with an unforgettable lingering vanilla cream between the layers.I'm not sure of the name. Maybe can someone tell me?

This is a nice surprise. Plus a pretty gift as well.^_^

My 2nd birthday surprise is from my cheeky boy. He gave me the biggest shock by "flying" down a flight of stairs at the garden while riding on his toy car! I still have nightmares whenever I close my eyes! Now, his chin is terribly scratched with a slight chip in his front tooth.

This is not a nice surprise...

My 3rd surprise is babyY can flip (from tummy-down position) now! It came as a delightful surprise to me since she is only 3 and half month-old. I'm so happy!

p/s: thank you all my family and friends for all your well wishes and heartful gifts!

Birthday Surprises

I love birthday surprises. Who doesn't, right?

jw surprised me with my favourite cake all the way from Japan. This cake is one of our most favourite and a must-eat whenever we go to Japan. It is made of many layers of crepes with an unforgettable lingering vanilla cream between the layers.I'm not sure of the name. Maybe can someone tell me?

This is a nice surprise. Plus a pretty gift as well.^_^

My 2nd birthday surprise is from my cheeky boy. He gave me the biggest shock by "flying" down a flight of stairs at the garden while riding on his toy car! I still have nightmares whenever I close my eyes! Now, his chin is terribly scratched with a slight chip in his front tooth.

This is not a nice surprise...

My 3rd surprise is babyY can flip (from tummy-down position) now! It came as a delightful surprise to me since she is only 3 and half month-old. I'm so happy!

p/s: thank you all my family and friends for all your well wishes and heartful gifts!

Slow pace...

This is what I have been doing these days. Quilting babyY's quilt at a very slow pace. I'm still halfway through zy's quilt top. Everything is moving so slowly. Even my shop has take a back seat, coz' I simply cannot bear to leave babyY alone playing by herself while I do my work.

Look at my sweetie's face! She is such a happy baby. It's me playing with her. Well, I play with her the whole day every single day! ^_^

p/s: Giveaway up next post!

Slow pace...

This is what I have been doing these days. Quilting babyY's quilt at a very slow pace. I'm still halfway through zy's quilt top. Everything is moving so slowly. Even my shop has take a back seat, coz' I simply cannot bear to leave babyY alone playing by herself while I do my work.

Look at my sweetie's face! She is such a happy baby. It's me playing with her. Well, I play with her the whole day every single day! ^_^

p/s: Giveaway up next post!

What I have been doing

I have been busy! Yes, busy being a mother to my two angels!

Time just flies. Thinking that I have to start working again next month makes me a little sad. Four months of maternity leave is just not enough.

Anyway, I have not been sewing much (again!). I tried but everyday is a challenge for me to find some private time to sew. Everyday is pretty much a routine: Waking, feeding, bathing, napping, fetching, strolling, playing, reading, sleeping. Where can I find time for myself?

As for BabyY, she has been easy to please so far (although I can sense that she is starting to show her character...). She loves to play, smile, coo, babble, listen to music. I talk to her alot. And the funny thing is, she loves to talk to me too. So it's always a conversation between us.

BabyY at 2-month-old

There are so many things on my to-do list! Perhaps, I will have a giveaway soon. And of course, I have not forgotten about the scrunchy tutorial (which I promised before giving birth to BabyY?). There is a stack of cut fabric waiting for me to sew... pouches, totes and clutches. I was intending to sew a few totes for Spring collection but I guess I need more time.

BabyY's quilt top is ready too. It took me quite some time to get it done. Now I need to buy batting. When should I go for sewing supplies shopping?

Oh well, I still have to make zy's quilt too before I forget.

Stay tune for the giveaway!

What I have been doing

I have been busy! Yes, busy being a mother to my two angels!

Time just flies. Thinking that I have to start working again next month makes me a little sad. Four months of maternity leave is just not enough.

Anyway, I have not been sewing much (again!). I tried but everyday is a challenge for me to find some private time to sew. Everyday is pretty much a routine: Waking, feeding, bathing, napping, fetching, strolling, playing, reading, sleeping. Where can I find time for myself?

As for BabyY, she has been easy to please so far (although I can sense that she is starting to show her character...). She loves to play, smile, coo, babble, listen to music. I talk to her alot. And the funny thing is, she loves to talk to me too. So it's always a conversation between us.

BabyY at 2-month-old

There are so many things on my to-do list! Perhaps, I will have a giveaway soon. And of course, I have not forgotten about the scrunchy tutorial (which I promised before giving birth to BabyY?). There is a stack of cut fabric waiting for me to sew... pouches, totes and clutches. I was intending to sew a few totes for Spring collection but I guess I need more time.

BabyY's quilt top is ready too. It took me quite some time to get it done. Now I need to buy batting. When should I go for sewing supplies shopping?

Oh well, I still have to make zy's quilt too before I forget.

Stay tune for the giveaway!