I really must have found my other love in crafting because instead of buying clothes and handbags, my feet always lead me to shops that sell yarns and fabrics. It's like they have a mind of their own. I don't really care much that my wardrobe doesn't have anything particularly new or "in" fashion lately, because I am happier to see my yarn stash overflowing and fabrics piling up for when I finish my current projects, they're already there ready for use. And right now, I have more than 20 projects in mind.

These are my current work in progress thingies. I'm not going to say what they'll be because these babies will be shipped off soon to their lovely owners, whom I know will put them to good use and take care of them. I crochet every night while drinking green tea and watching a movie. I simply can't sit on the couch without a needle and yarn in my hands. It's become part of my routine. It's very relaxing, really.

Then, I experimented on making a pillowcase without using any patterns. Just a design I dared to play with, which worked, somehow. But after having made that, I wanted to make another one with the buttons in the middle of the back part of the pillow. I haven't got to the part of sewing the buttonholes yet because I'm caught up with finishing other things so that will have to do for now.

Well I've been pretty active on the DYI front. I've built us a shelf for the kitchen to store some appliances in!

Next project is the mock-mantlepiece we're building in the livingroom!

I've been playing with the sewing machine last weekend. But instead of making throw pillowcases, which was the intial plan, I made these. And I can't be more pleased with the results!



I am a novice in sewing, but my passion is big enough to get me going. Both my grandmothers sew. They made me pjs and dresses when I was younger, and I can't wait to show them that one of their grandchildren took after them. I can already imagine their faces when they get a package full of craft thingies on Christmas. I need that time to accumulate and create, because now, life is just busy for me. I'm still trying to get used to juggle home and work stuff. It's not easy.

But, nothing could stop me to make things. Inspite of the limited time, the inspiration gets renewed everyday. It must be a calling.

I haven't really had the time and energy to craft these days so I'm breathing in anything that is creatively inspiring. One of the things I enjoy is browsing through home and craft magazines where I get to pick juicy ideas and revel in eye candy treats, like Marie Claire Idees, for example. Too bad it was in french, but the pictures speak for themselves. I'm swooning!

The other magazines I like are: Ariadne at Home (Dutch), Zakka (Japanese) and Country Living UK

Finally my first entry! Sorry guys for the delay, life has been hectic.
In all honesty I haven't had time to do much knitting, so I'm going to knit a bit more and then post a photo at the end of the week. One thing I wanted to share (literally!) is that today I got my shipment of vintage knitting needles from eBay! i love love love them, but there are just too many! So when we do a swap I'll send some out. Gracey I know you will love them, I've set aside a few for you! I love the fact they have the original tags, cardboard, packaging they come in. There's actually a lot of these on eBay so they're not hard to find.

Here's to pretty knitting needles!



And a closeup...



As you can see there are so many that I had to stand on a chair to take a photo. They don't look that great against the granite benchtop, but what the heck they are so beautiful they outshine granite, hehe.

These are my newly bought fabrics from today's event in Ahoy. So many choices, so many people, but so little time. Yet, I didn't go home empty-handed. I have already thought of pretty things to make of them. Hopefully, I will have enough time to dedicate myself to sewing.

My colleague asked me two days ago to make her a phone pouch, and she wants it padded, without stitches from the inside. I experimented with one printed and textured fabric for the outside, which I lined in the inside with a striped fabric and padded in between with a soft thin cotton padding. I'm quite happy with the outcome as I did it for like 3 straight hours that same night, mostly doodling over which sides to sew on and figuring out where the ribbons would go to close it! It became somehow a new sensation at work and I've got orders for the next week to keep me busy! Yes, i'm starting to sell! I'm not going to earn so much for this I know, but doing it alone gives me so much satisfaction even if it leaves me feeling so tired and sleepy everday at work. Ahem.

Hey guys, I'm feeling kinda' alone and strange up here. I hope you'd post your projects too. ;-) Inspire me!!!

I am still saving some money for my own sewing machine, so in the mean time, I try to sew my projects by hand.

This pouch was made from a blouse I bought for 10 pesos at the second hand shop, and lined with a chinese cotton fabric in plain orange - cheap, yet soft enough to touch. The rosette button i smuggled from some old clothes at the second hand shop too! Ew. Really bad, eh? I had blanket stitched the orange lining at the inside rim of the pouch for a better hold.

I took it to work today, to see how my colleagues would have reacted with it. I got "oohhs" and a few smirks for they find it very strange of me to take up sewing. Ah well. I thought I heard one said "lovingly stitched".

I'm off to making tissue holders in the weekend! I look forward to it, really, pricked fingers and all.

I learned to knit two months ago and finished my first thin pink scarf after a few weeks of practice. It was done simply; using a ball of acrylic yarn and the Stockinette Stitches. Right now, I'm working on a thicker scarf using two yarns of different colors.

I have yet plenty to learn about knitting and a step-by-step approach is the best way to get from simple to the more complex techniques. Constant practice and diligence are keys to achieve a nice result. But the most important thing I've learned is to undo my mistakes. And that's really a great relief!

It's not all that good yet, but it's a start! :D



Any suggestions on other things I could write down???