Long time coming

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! It's awful and I'm fortunate my family has been quite forgiving about the lateness. I guess they get to have Christmas all over again... the gifts will finally and definitely will be out this week and I'm so looking forward to that!

I thought I'd share a few things I managed to get done over the last few months in pictures rather than words; or at least I'll try not to blah too much...

Our Advent Calendar: This is the finished version of what I blogged about some time ago here. A new tradition for us which we will be taking out of storage every Christmas. My first project that involved a lot of hand sewing and embroidery. The kids loved taking turns getting the ornaments out of the pockets.


One of the projects I thought I wouldn't be able to do this year - a December Daily - inspired by Ali Edwards. This gave me a huge sense of accomplishment as I managed to persevere in spite of all the late hours I had at the office. Plus everyone contributed, even daddy! I am looking forward to doing this again in 2010. Pictures can be found on my Flickr.


My first foray into making softies and dollies. This was from Wee Wonderfuls. It was quite an experience and can't wait to make more. Made these 2 plus 2 sleeping bags, 2 jumpers or overalls and 2 backpacks as gift to Margot, our French neighbour's daughter. They were all leaving Shanghai for good and I thought these were perfect to remind her of Samuel and Audrey. They've been playmates ever since we moved to the current address so it was quite sad to see them go...


The scarves for Stephanie and Bernard. I wasn't sure if I could do this as I've never sewn with silk before but wanted to use bits of silk I had lying around so decided to just do it. So happy with the results. Did not use batting as I didn't want it to be heavy since the cashmere wool on the other side was already enough weight.



Kidlets by JCasa. Made 6 for my colleagues each with their initials and different fabric.




There's actually more but I thought I should wait until my family has received their gifts or it'll spoil the surprise.

I'm working on a stuff for Chinese New Year... And stuff for kids to do over the 1-week holiday.

And also finished making a Tooth Fairy Pillow for Audrey. Check it out here.

Too many things to finish

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 husband introduced it to the kids when they were 2. So the past couple years we've bought those which comes with a chocolate in each date. And now, I decided, it was time we had something that we will last for years to come and not so commercial hence all the late nights.

The kids keep asking when will it be Christmas and when can we start using the calendar... Audrey has already picked out which ornament goes into which date and pocket. Being a girly girl she likes pink stuff at the moment...


One thing I'm excited and can't wait to start sewing with is this recent purchase of vintage fabric. These are very traditional and are typically from the Dongbei Province in China. The level of detail are just amazing and is not anymore evident in the fabric you get at the market nowadays. Apparently these dates back to when you need to have a coupon to buy fabrics, probably around the time of the Cultural Revolution. I just love the goldfish motif. There's 2 fabric weights - lightweight corduroy and medium weight cotton.


Chinese characters mean 'double happiness'... goldfish or fish in general symbolize abundance.



The peonies in full bloom means: fortune comes with blooming flower. Peonies are always an auspicious element in a lot of Chinese paintings.

WIP: Prepping for Kids' Party

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 felt. Just need to sew up the capes tonight.

With the few minutes I had this morning before walking the kids to school, managed to squeeze in some time to make some star toppers for the mini cupcakes and jelly boats.

Used the kids' star-shaped punch which turned out to be just the right size. Folded some scraps of scrapbook paper in 2 and punched the shape near the fold or at least 1 of the pointed bit was on the fold. This way I don't have to stick 2 together and spending time trying to align them. Also just used some random colours whatever scraps I had left.

These are some of the stars that has been punched out. Not perfect because of the fold but I don't think it's a major issue.

Add a bit of glue in the middle and used the toothpick to spread the glue a bit before putting it in place.

And then closed the other half down and pressed to adhere the star and the toothpick together.

New Books

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 clear instructions on how to take measurements and creating your own patterns. I can't wait to read it in detail and sew some of the simple clothes in the book.

Bags and Key Holder

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 so I've made a new design which I'll post the instructions with pattern to share later. Here's a sneak peek at the pieces I've cut up below. It's actually almost finished.


The other night, I decided to stay up until 2am and do this Buttercup Bag by Made by Rae. Was quite surprised at how easy it was. This is yet another gift for someone close... can't say who yet until I've mailed this out.


After taking this picture, I just realized that I should have lined up the top part with the bottom part's pattern/design... ugh!

And the great news is Rae has just released her pattern for the Lickety Split Bag which I've been waiting to do for another upcoming birthday. Unfortunately, I've to work late tonight...