tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128609872010-02-08T22:20:43.370+08:00Random thoughts and news from ShanghaiArlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-52927722394393705572010-02-08T22:16:00.003+08:002010-02-08T22:20:43.378+08:00

Chinese New Year is coming up. One of the rare times I managed to get to the 'Old Town' to buy some annual CNY door decorations to usher in good luck for the coming year. This time I cut back on buying only 2 decorations; 1 traditional 2-pc scroll for our front door and another 2-pc Year of the Tiger ones for the kids' room door.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-35109042965275379772010-02-02T20:09:00.004+08:002010-02-02T20:48:35.492+08:00

It has indeed been some time since I managed to blog just about anything. For some reason when December started, we got swamped with work which is great of course, as it made up for the very slow beginning of 2009.So I've been trying to find little pockets of time in between work and weekend with the kids to do something. Our Christmas presents for the family unfortunately still has to go out!

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-27689294498408852812009-11-29T10:48:00.006+08:002009-12-04T11:28:37.105+08:00

At the moment... scrambling to finish our first handmade advent calendar inspired by Inchmark, making presents for our neighbor who's going back to France for good, making Christmas presents for relatives, cooking, baking, and hectic days at the office.Growing up in the Philippines, we had a lot of traditions but we never had an Advent calendar. I only found out about Advent calendars when my

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-9461642781636858812009-11-27T17:03:00.008+08:002009-11-27T17:32:53.467+08:00

To those who downloaded the new batch of scrapbook freebies, THANK YOU. I've made more freebies for download for you. As a small request, if you can share whatever you've used the freebies for to the Group Picture Pool.More Christmas theme to add to your December album. Just click on the images to go to the download page(s).So excited with this set of tags below. Just so Christmas-y. These icons

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-5582907860923187802009-11-10T21:48:00.003+08:002009-11-10T21:51:17.870+08:00

Check out the shop now for more details.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-21548787810714597952009-11-05T20:26:00.000+08:002009-11-06T20:12:15.278+08:00

I know it's been a while since I last had some freebies. Been planning on posting new ones but with life's many interruptions coming my way, I decided, a big Christmas freebie would be even better.So here goes 3 sets to get you started on a '25 Days of December' album or journal...Here's 5 Photoshop layered templates which I've started with a paper and a tag for you. Just add your photos and

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-69213940369861233902009-11-05T18:51:00.004+08:002009-11-05T19:46:15.247+08:00

These days... just want to sit down in front of the TV and watch TV series on DVDs and knit...These days... work has been picking up and so have been working until late every night. Sometimes not getting home until 2am...These days... still have lots of unfinished sewing to do but just too tired to go near my sewing machine...These days... we've been exploring Shanghai on foot on weekends with

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-70061743196066611002009-10-14T11:16:00.003+08:002009-10-14T11:51:00.901+08:00

A couple weeks ago, I outdid myself and finished a little book within a couple days! This was inspired by Molly Irwin's version (sorry Molly if mine is a bit of a replica to yours but I just liked your style and it was the easiest way to go about it) and link from Stacy Julian's blog. I thought it would be a perfect gift to myself as I turn the big 4-0. There's actually more stuff I had forgotten

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-36443908428815843572009-10-02T23:42:00.003+08:002009-10-03T00:19:26.211+08:00

Here's your chance to wish 2 balls of the Vitamin Yarn in Pink and Apple Green.Leave a comment to be entered into the draw (using Random.org's generator). Good luck.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-20326046878794053772009-09-30T15:27:00.003+08:002009-09-30T15:53:55.940+08:00

So so excited with my new birthday goodies. Simon brought home loads of books and magazines from Hong Kong for my birthday and these will definitely keep me occupied for the next few days; we have 11 days off from work starting tomorrow.And then I got some eye candy goodies in the mail from a local online shop. I've planned on doing more embroidery so these would be perfect to start off with.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-17290260914916262452009-09-26T14:46:00.004+08:002009-09-30T15:21:00.614+08:00

It's been crazy here the past few weeks. In between preparing for the kids' birthday and work, managed to finish a couple sewing projects.Made another Oliver + S Popover Sundress for a little girl named Anna, who was also celebrating her 6th birthday around same time as my kids'. And this one I'm rather proud because I was somehow relaxed. And on this one, I used a new technique I was learned,

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-80826507155510739692009-09-18T19:40:00.004+08:002009-09-18T19:46:21.045+08:00

Giveaway # 2 is a pack of 'sticky' stuff. 2 rolls of cute decotapes and a bunch (9 of them) of cute flocked stickers.Leave a message/comment before Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 9:00 PM EDT to be entered into the draw. As like before, I will use the random generator.Good luck.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-91636799399384568812009-09-17T18:25:00.002+08:002009-09-17T18:39:46.371+08:00

Running out of time and somehow I feel like there's still so much to do... My kids' birthday is next week and I've planned on making some of Bakerella's cake pops for the day itself and another batch for the party. And in between, I've been busy making the no-sew tutus for the girls and superhero capes for the boys.At least now I've finished cutting the cape fabrics and making the initials in

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-31230554873475867742009-09-07T09:35:00.003+08:002009-09-07T09:40:10.689+08:00

This first giveaway goes to "ikkinlala"! Congratulations! And hope you enjoy the yarn.Watch out for the next one coming up on the 18th of September. Thanks again for all who participated.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-53637955407033347382009-09-04T10:49:00.004+08:002009-09-04T23:53:10.751+08:00

The first aCloset giveaway will be 4 big skeins of South Pole Yarn in the colours you see above. Only 1 winner.Luxuriously soft worsted weight yarn. Made of 100% new wool from New Zealand and Mongolian Plateau cashmere. This is the same yarn and quality that is exported to the US and Europe. So nice to knit with its silky cashmere-like luxurious texture. And it's a good weight for knitting

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-39438304581555946932009-09-01T13:30:00.003+08:002009-09-01T15:16:09.007+08:00

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-47658370411048285922009-08-17T19:54:00.004+08:002009-08-18T10:55:45.389+08:00

So so so excited with the new books I just got in the mail.Handmade Home signed by Amanda Blake Soule... excited to try out some of the ideas in the book.Stitched in Time signed by Alicia Paulson... (kids wanted to read it before I could). After I managed to flip through it, itching to try out the ideas in the book.Design-It-Yourself by Cal Patch... I am instantly in love with this book with

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-90274879260031499192009-08-17T19:00:00.003+08:002009-08-17T19:22:24.033+08:00

Last night I finally finished the Popover dress for Audrey using the pattern from Oliver+S, free from Sew Hip magazine. It was a bit nerve-wracking for me as I worried about not doing a good job of it esp. since Audrey wanted Heather Ross' Far Far Away Unicorn fabric and it wasn't cheap. But I was glad that it turned out great (if I may say so) and importantly, she wanted to wear the dress today.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-2896464023236915422009-08-05T15:49:00.004+08:002009-08-05T16:09:06.856+08:00

After I'd dropped kids off at classmate's home for the morning, walked about 7-8 blocks to the office. Xintiandi is on my route so I took some quick snapshots of Shanghai after the rain.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-25683545632807694562009-07-29T18:09:00.001+08:002009-08-05T13:18:54.405+08:00

Today, we had a huge downpour which left a lot of flooded streets. A couple hours ago, we were rewarded by this bit of sun that filtered in through the gray skies. And then a big rainbow appeared which we rarely notice in Shanghai.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-34683209131890872402009-07-28T12:49:00.004+08:002009-07-28T13:10:35.802+08:00

Quick sewing over the weekend. Practically finished sewing each bag within a few hours and quite happy with the results. Definitely will be sewing more bags.This bag was from Pippijoe pattern which was one of the few patterns I've bought recently from here.This was very easy to do and only took me a few hours from cutting to finish. This bag is a gift for our Senior Designer. Added a little

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-87640061703379843422009-07-27T12:21:00.001+08:002009-07-28T22:24:44.507+08:00

Finally finished sewing up a bundle of gift for my good friends Mick and Suzy who are expecting a third baby this September.Here are the links to the patterns and gift tags:Tags: aClosetBib pattern: Chickpea Sewing StudioBurp cloth: hereCloth shoes: Stardust Shoes which reminded me of the first shoes my twins wore.If only I'd had time to sew when I was still pregnant (I was working until the day

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-1106282390902668662009-07-20T13:51:00.003+08:002009-07-20T14:07:17.039+08:00

The summer heat has truly descended in Shanghai. The sweltering summer heat is felt everywhere and kids don't want to venture out. Yesterday afternoon we took them downstairs (in our apartment compound) to play with street chalks and ride their bicycle. Kids already complained of the heat and we were back up in our air conditioned apartment to cool off after less than 30 minutes of being out.

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-11301957156419345712009-07-16T19:14:00.004+08:002009-07-16T19:25:36.749+08:00

The linen cottons...The cottons...Okay, after weeks of deliberation, decided to take the plunge and bought a few Heather Ross's Mendocino and Far Far Away fabrics and have some ideas floating in my head to what stuff I can make with them... so exciting.I'm equally excited with a couple of finds on the local Taobao.com shops. I found some great new linen cotton blends in solids; dark plum and

Arlyna's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519580538565990683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12860987.post-17661459802924465322009-07-16T12:45:00.005+08:002009-07-16T19:08:23.268+08:00

Been making gifts these days instead of buying, okay, I sometimes still need to buy the materials, so not really 100% all from my stash...Anyway, I thought I'd make a bag for Naomi, my colleague from a canvass fabric I bought 4 years ago. Then I saw an instruction (in Chinese) for making the bird cage key holder. My first venture into felt and embroidery. I thought the key holder turned out well

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