Sew What

This time next week

2008-09-26T16:33:00.004+08:00

Do you know where you are going to be this time next week?? I have a fair idea, in Customs at Brisbane International Airport, with Donnie, Happy, Auntie Daph and Auntie Nance (CT's honorary aunties) and probably one very overtired teary CT. Yeap I am off to Australia for about a month. I am going to visit my quack about my skin... I do not want a repeat of May-June last year. But Holy Crap, my head is spinning over what I have to achieve (crafty wise/playgroup wise/cleaning wise/packing wise) by 10pm next Thursday....

More Bragging and A Plug

2008-09-23T13:43:00.005+08:00

It's only fair that I start this post with a plug for this fantastic lady, Ah-Fat (as she is known in blogland). I met this lovely lady through Active Toddlers Singapore (If you live in Singapore and lurk here, I cannot stress how fab this group is. Go check it out. :D), we've even been fabric foraging together,and she has good taste in fabric. I bought the piece of fabric after some gentle persuasion.

Ah-Fat has even loaned me this book, (it's under Jen's cool mutt book for CT). You should go to her blog and check out the doll she has made her little girl, who is such a sweetie. Ah-Fat is having a giveaway for Children's Day/Hari Raya (don't forget to leave a comment before next Wednesday) and is having an Etsy sale. Very cute or what??

Now for a brag. I am so bloody proud of this messenger bag. See the gusset?? Went in like a charm, so swearing or unpicking at all. This also has a zipper pocket, for your treasures. Initially, I was just going to have a little bag without a flap but I felt it would look classier as a messenger bag, especially since it had a zippered pocket. Must say that next time when I make one of these bags, I am going to have a rethink about the way the flap goes on. Like the denim bias? Stabbed myself a few times stitching it down. The G&T has me in a happy zone, so couldn't be arsed swearing. I decided the handle needed some of that trim too (a Textile Centre find, if you are in Singers and want to know how I procured some too). Not so happy about the button hole. Screwed that up a few times (took 2 hours to do, but the day I was making this I was having a 'happy day', so I decided to have a G&T instead of a swear. And it was the same G&T that kept me happy and giggly as I stabbed myself while sewing on the binding.) I hope it is loved at it's new home. Not saying where it is going or what it went with. That's for the new owner to find out when it rocks on into their letterbox, stoop or private mailbox.... But then again CT would think that you have no taste.

Doggie Bags

2008-09-21T21:47:00.004+08:00

When I saw that stretch knit fur remnant at Spotlight way back in June, I knew what I was going to do with it. It was begging to become a doggie bag for CT (aka Mrs Baggly II). Guilty as charged for fararkling (disagree with this definition because an individual not just a group can farnarkle). If it wasn't for one of CT's little friend's birthdays, it probably would be on the must do list.

Basically what I did was look for a picture I could use as a template and made it up as I went along. I knew I wanted a zip closure, a zippered pocket and handles. I pinned the outer fabrics (fur and denim) and the lining fabrics to the template and cut out slowly and carefully. As CT gets older, I figured that she would enjoy a zippered pocket to hide treasures (such as half finished biscuits for 'ron) and the handles came from a long abandoned G&T induced disaster. After the zippered pockets were done, I sewed a zip from ear to ear, carefully pinned the handles in sewed the lining (deliberately used a wider seam allowance) and outer like any other zippered pouch. To give the handles more durability I sewed them a few times. Turned it right side out, top stitched the outer layer (that's why I used a wider seam allowance for the lining, so it would fit), stuffed the lining in a voila.

Poorly Miss CT sat and watched proceedings (though she did ask to stroke the puppies a few times). She road tested the bag before I had a chance to top stitch it (did that after bed time). It has become the going out bag. When we say 'odekake' (going out), there is a mad scramble for her bag and an evil sodding toddler hat. Mission accomplished I would say.

Evil Sodding Toddler Hat

2008-09-20T17:45:00.003+08:00

Bansai!! Camera found, albeit in a strange place, but I can start skiting!!
The above hat looks innocent enough but, don't be deceived, it's not a very forgiving pattern (Though CT would tell you that they were fab...). It's from ???? My pattern tracing was not 100% perfect but I was very careful. I know that I was not so careful with the cutting out. Most commercial patterns have leeway in cutting and sewing together. Not these patterns.... So with a few extra mms of fabric, a raging fever and lead foot sewing (seams are mainly straight but might vary a smidge), it took 5 attempts to get the crown and brim to fit. I unpicked and resewed 4 times.

This one twice... even after I retraced the pattern pieces and re cut everything. (Sodding thing....)

You may wonder why I persisted. CT needs new hats especially since we we lost this wonderful one back in June. Plus there is secret squirelling involved. The 3rd completed hat a) has not been photographed (mainly because a camera went MIA, thanks CT) and b) I am pretty sure that a pickie of said hat would spoil a surprise (I know that the recipient's mummy lurks, but which mummy?? he he he....) Nothing like some secret squirrelling to motivate one, eh?? When it comes to kiddy clothes, I like to use tried and true patterns. So when first was a disaster, I stubbornness made me make another one (no sodding pattern was going to get the better of me). A case of third time lucky. There are another 4 in various stages of production (feel slightly like a mini factory...) but until they arrive at their homes, they are squirrels people. Those 4 would give me away, they would. Oh well back to creating. Cheers. :D

Touch Wood

2008-09-19T20:04:00.004+08:00

Last Wednesday, I phoned a friend, on a whim, as I do, and spoke about the impending 'joy' of going to Jurong Bird Park with a slight head ache that was caused by enjoying a little too much of the bounty one received recently. Um idjot me should have touched wood and shouldn't have courted Lady Karma. The bird park was awesome, we had fun, screeching birds were not noticed at all because of all the fun.

Methinks Lady Karma, decided that I needed to learn a lesson because CT and I came down with a fever which came with a charming sleep depriving cough. Mildly annoying for oneself but it is heart breaking while it is your little one bravely coughing up her lung and not whinging (though mummy has fussed). Seeing that CT had a nasty bug this time last year,am I right in assuming that this is going to an annual event?? Despite that there has been a lot of creating, both the swap kind, CT & co kind and even something for the home, CT has been content to sit and observe proceedings (the rice box and loo have missed her). I'd love to skite. Um seeing that this fever has decided to go party on in a new host and I feel human again, do you think I can find the camera?? Shame I can't call it up, like the phones...

You're so crafty

2008-09-09T21:51:00.003+08:00

This is something that is said to me quite often by mums in the circles I travel in here. But, huh?? Not really, inspired by what I read and see on the Internet definitely, especially what I see in terms of kiddy craft. A half hour trip on the MRT can be interesting. Although, I enjoy playing cat and mouse with CT, there is a time and place and the train isn't one (though the kid in me thinks it should be). I went to the Crafty Crow last week because I am looking for travel distractions. I really liked Chasing Cheerios toddler bags. So I am slowly putting a few together.

Today I decided to make a sandpaper activity. This is not an original idea, though I can't for the life of me remember where I read about this activity. Basically you need a piece of sandpaper and pieces of wool/string of various lengths. Then let them explore the medium and apply the wool as the spirit moves them.

As I am going to be shoving this in and out of a backpack/handbag often, I wanted to make it sturdy. I mean how long is a piece of sandpaper just is going to last?? Not long. So I got a cheap Ikea frame, cut out a piece of sandpaper the same size as the backing cardboard and popped it in. Then gave it a test run.

Fine sandpaper, fail!! Not enough friction for the wool to adhere, and to think I choose the sandpaper for the colour (well I let CT because it's for her and I want her to feel she has some ownership, even if she is nearly 18 months). OOOPS! Not to worry, I found some steel wool pads under the sink and they work better but will be dropping into a hardware store soon. Hopefully this will keep CT entertained on the train tomorrow, on the way to Jurong Bird Park. :D Exciting but about 1 1/2 hours by public transport...

Sheesh, writing a post after a 2 generous G&Ts (which I EARNED today) is a challenge...

CT would like to give her 5 Sing cents worth and let you know that, mummy should be more understanding about her favourite pastime at the moment as per above.

Making Monday: Glitter Shapes

2008-09-08T13:31:00.003+08:00

I mentioned in a previous post that I have organised toddler craft sessions at my place through Active Toddler Singapore. The name for the sessions is not original, it's borrowed from Elsie Marley. I needed a needed a catchy name for the sessions... At the moment, my philosophy behind these sessions, is exposure, exploration and socialisation. It is the process and not the product that is important and if playing with the glue stick, train spotting, playing with toys, hanging with the other little people, is more important so be it.

Enough of the blurb: this week, we made glitter shapes. Maybe, a few of you might like to join us, virtually. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Last night I did the preparation. You'll need some construction paper, shapes to trace around, scissors and a husband who doesn't mind cutting out while he is watching King Kong. (Thanks S). Why the Christmas shapes? It is going to take me 3 1/2 months to get organised. Also my favourite Christmas decorations that Donnie has are the ones made by Rob and I while we were in Kindy.

Supplies you will need. Those lovingly cut out shapes (once again thanks S), glue sticks, glitter glue (optional), glitter, vinyl tablecloth (optional but I find the static on the vinyl stops a lot of that glitter getting on the floor) and a shoe box (not pictured). I highly recommend using a shoe box for this activity as it contains the glitter, you can control how much goes on the preglued shape and there isn't as much excess glitter.

Next is CT's favourite part, she gets to play with the glue stick. I plonked a shape in front of her, as she tends to go in a zone with glue sticks.

The aim is to get glue on the shape, today this was our preferred method of transfer. What ever floats your boat, CT.

Once the shape has some glue on it (the younger they are the sooner they seem to lose interest in the sticking bit), show them the shoe box, the glitter, choose a colour together (ha), fight over who is going to pour the glitter in (optional but likely with this dubious duo)

and then pop the shape in,

let them have a good shake (lid on is better but I wanted the photo, you don't really want glitter all over the place),

and shake the excess glitter off (if you are allowed) and you should end up with something like this:

Here are a few more that took a few hours to make (with great company).

Next time I do this activity, I am going to make sure the outside of the box is contacted, glitter can escape from cracks and crevices. Not that I had much of a mess, but man this glitter is worse than sand...

Dear Papa

2008-09-07T20:39:00.003+08:00

Happy Father's Day!!!!

We hope you enjoyed lunch today (okay not a photo from today), the roast last night and we will finish your photo frame.

We loves you heaps.

Your girls.

Catching up

2008-09-07T19:17:00.003+08:00

I think if they were handing an award out for the most inconsistent blogger, I would be in with a good chance of winning it. Honestly, I have started a few posts, thought of many posts, but not quite got to it. You probably wonder what I do with my time. Okay I will let you in on the secret, this is my online playgroup. You probably won't be able to see much. But we (and that is the royal we) are very active members. Um, if we are not signed up for one of those playdates (we even host some), it is pretty rare. CT is just so active and constantly distroying the house. I deliberately try to wear her out.

Donnie and Happy (can't miss the family resemblance can you??) was here a whole two weeks ago and is now somewhere about here:

When she came it was like Christmas:

And we did a lot in that day and a half.

I have done a lot of this (and that is all I am confessing to):

and have had friends with me (I arranged a mummy playdate even),

and there have been trips to various places to buy our (in the royal sense again) craft supplies. Call me insane but I have started a little toddler craft group at home. I find that ANZA group has too many distractions and CT observes more than create. But that's okay. Besides I aim to built some gross motor skills (not this kind though) as well as play with materials. If I follow the a little often blog of thumb like Jen, hopefully there will be quick and easy ideas like this:

more often here.

Donnie had a birthday and I asked Jen to make this for her. I also made this

but she left it with us. Kids Swap check:

Baby tag quilts check (the fronts are on flickr):

Still working on my Fairytale swap and Robot Swap (public note to self, email your partners), Summer Sack Swap sacks, various clothing items for CT's friends who are the cusp of the terrible twos, a few hats for CT, an ATC to remake (gone MIA) as well baking and playdough (commercial brands and non salt homemade playdough = lots of eating). I have been plough through my teaching word documents and making them into pdfs or finishing them as well (why not over do it in style??)

These items have passed through the mailbox from Jen for CT:

see the book underneath the doggies? Ah-Fat loaned me that and we met through the online playgroup.

You may wonder how I am doing it all. One word summary: INSOMNIA.

The kind of diet my letterbox prefers.

2008-08-20T19:32:00.007+08:00

As promised a return to crafty post this time. My letterbox and I prefer the swap kind of mail rather than the letter envelope or mail I need to redirect. (In an aside ramble, there are 4 different people who longer reside here that still has mail regularly sent to them...)

First to arrive in the mailbox was this lovely parcel from Apryl of Meridian Ariel fame (who happens to be an expat as well :D) as part of the Russian Doll Swap organised by I'm a Ginger Monkey. CT the bickie monster claimed this lovely key link as the parcel was being opened.

I have put it up high so she does not destroy it and have been working on a bag design for her to put it on. She still doesn't have a 'mummy made' bag and I think it is high time she had her own for her important stuff (ie transport distractions).

S claimed the takeaway coffee cup holder. Not to keep his coffee warm mind you, it's to keep him from burning his fingers. I guess that it is only fitting that he gets a little something after all this swapping. :D

Now for the crowning glory, one of Meridian Ariel's original book page illustration. Isn't she beautiful?? I love this shade of yellow and the flowers remind me of daisies. Lucky or what??

Then the next package to cross the threshold was this stunning covered button swap made by Donna which was organised by Little Red Caboose. Her theme was summer picnic. Luckiness or what?? I really need to think of a project/s for those scrummy buttons, though I keep seeing cute little outfits for CT and each one of those buttons being featured.

Look at the other goodies, Donna included in the swap.

This drawstring pouch is used to transport our cutlery. The little girl struggles with big people spoons and forks as well as my own chopsticks. I prefer pointy Japanese numbers to round Chinese versions. I also LOATHE plastic knives and forks....

The apron is really handy while I sew. All my tools go safely in the pocket. Loving the print and have been looking on Etsy to see if I can snaffle a metre/yard of my own....

Isn't this fabric and trim summery or what?? Still thinking of how I am going to use the trim and fabric. Once again I am erring towards the little girl as she is so much fun to make stuff for.

Then the lovely Jen of Painted Fish Studio sent me a belated birthday gift. Was I spoilt or what???

The felted bowl has pride of place above the tv. It also holds all my hand embroidery needles and little projects from sticky fingers. :D I love it now all it needs is a runner to match it. I'll get around to that in my spare time. :D

See the pretty fabric?? Jen printed it. Isn't she talented?? This needs to be made into a wall hanging, methinks. Be sure that I will be bouncing ideas off Donnie on Sunday. Um Smooth, to prevent it from going missing, I might just use it as a blankie. :P

Look at the postcards! S even had a difficult time reading the information printed on them as they were preWWII. Lucky and I've been to some of the places. Oh and a Polaroid of her two dish lickers. What an awesome pair. I have this Polaroid in a place where CT can see and bark at them (because that's what you do when you see a dog regardless if it is the real deal or a picture, peeps) but not take and destroy. Oh and a cyberswipe that worked, the buttons that is!! Just call me swiper! (Yes I have been watching and reading too much of Dora the Explorer....)

I would like to say that my mini goldfish mobile is hanging up. Vertigo me is too chicken to put to hang it up where I am holding it in the photo. :D

The soap has been bliss.

The trim has been the most awesome toy. Ribbon rolls go in ribbon rolls go out... Amazing how such a simple thing becomes so cherished.

A poor photo of Darliy's Stitched by Hand Flickr Group's Nautical ATC Swap. Sometimes it is hard to find time to rephotograph stuff that was lost on the dinosaur computer when it decided to go to cyber heaven. Can you see the fresh water pearls? And you should see the stitching of the seahorse with your own eyes. AMAZING!!! Seeing how I name things, this is Tatsu, as a seahorse is called tatsu no otoshi ko (dragon's fallen child). Not original but I like it.

There is another awesome package from Jen, a custom order and some extra goodies, but I am not sure if Donnie is going to breeze in and out of my blog before she goes on holidays. I might see her on Sunday but on Monday next, she is off to Europe until the 1st of October. I would gladly be her porter but I doubt the NinjaStar would cope with 6 weeks of travel. I was sorely tempted. As she gets older, I have no doubt we will have our own European adventure.

Excitement central

2008-08-17T19:21:00.003+08:00

Okay so I missed the first of August to do the whole hurray put the arms in the air and shake your whole body like Animal and last Saturday. But better late than never, huh?? Why are we excited that I want to run around like a loon and shake all my wobbly bits?? Donnie (aka my mum) is going to be here in Singapore next Sunday (along with Happy (aka dad) and Rob (younger brother extraordinaire)). This time next week, I will be tipsy (because in this day and age a sniff of alcohol fumes is enough for me to get light headed. That's more thanks to the sewing that the parenting gig though). Why tipsy? Because I am finally going to have my first Singapore Sling. Next Sunday the three generations of females in my line of the family will be hanging out doing nothing important (quick, madly tidy up and shove everything in the cupboards, arg, CT why are you pulling everything out again????). Well I have clothes buying plans. Need more than the sum total of 4 outfits that are not too hot and I like wearing, now don't I?? S, Happy and Rob can sod off and do the touristy thing because I need quality time with my best friend.

So where have I been. Commissions people. Um sorry swap partners, will get back on track. I have been stuffing around with Igi who refuses to become a risu on the swap front. (Evil laughing if you want to know what a risu is a) ask a Japanese speaking friend or b) look up an online dictionary). For those of you who speak Japanese, have a think, do can you see my juvenile humour.

There was also a personal set back that had my dark side hanging out so cynical dark old me kept one's nimble fingers still. (News Flash: Oh there is a streaking baby with a potty in her hands that has just come to visit... Must have slipped past S while his back was turned for half a second. Sheesh she is quick these days on those two pins.) S's dinosaur notebook died (during the Olympic opening ceremony) as I was writing a blog post) and it took a few days to get pyuu (my second ever computer's name, long story) up and running. Seeing that I haven't really used pyuu since CT was born, I had to remember a few interesting features on the keyboard and how to undo said features. Ah the joys of a Japanese operating system.

Also my days have been really full, tripping around various child paradises around Singapore. If you have looked at the photos throughout the post, this is a bit of a chronological story of some and I stress some of the outings CT and I have been on with or without S. Unfortunately I lost some photos when the dinosaur died as well. Other times we were having tooooooo much fun together for me to even pause about stopping and whipping out the camera. :D

Well tootles all. Promise the regular creating posts will return. I need to show off the truly amazing parcels that have been through my post box (though you have probably seen them on Flickr). Also of the items I have sent off.

So I leave you with 2 questions people:
a) Am I bad Australian mummy when I allow this to happen?? (And there will be no more until Sunday as Donnie and co are bringing tonns our way. :D)

b) S thinks we need to do something about the Billy Ray Cyrus circa 1992 mullet. Your thoughts??

Playdate Goodness

2008-07-28T21:54:00.003+08:00

We're off to a fairly big play date tomorrow. 20 mummies and their respective tin lids (I am guessing at least 30). I would like to take one of Overmilkwood's awesome cake stands (but am searching for shot glass alternatives (where did S hide the sake glasses????)) for my favourite play date biscuits. Though they will be travelling in one of these.

Weekender Biscuits

125g (4oz) butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 jumbo/2 small egg/s (otherwise the biscuits are a dry argument)
2/3 cup sultanas (yellow raisins)
1 cup of self-raising flour
2 cups lightly crushed cornflakes

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add Egg/s, beat well. Fold in sifted flour, sultanas and crushed cornflakes. Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto lightly greased oven trays/biscuit sheets/Glad Bake. Allow room for spreading (these suckers really spread). Make in moderate oven 20 minutes. If your oven is hot 15 minutes is all you need. Makes about 30 (I usually get more).

From The Australian Women's Weekly The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits (classic version ie late 70s early 80s brown cover version rather than the modern pinkish cover).

Don't they look scrummy. CT is a pelican when it comes to these beauties.

My Friday Volunteer Gig

2008-07-25T21:23:00.005+08:00

Surprised to see another post so soon?? I had so much fun today that I would like to share my fun Friday gig with you all. Some time ago I mentioned that I was taking over as the Art and Craft coordinator's spot at our playgroup, well today was my first day. I am very lucky that my predecessor, has planned themes for the year already (which is what I struggle with) and all I have to do most weeks (not every week mind you, because some have already been partially prepared) is to organise an appropriate activity for 18 months to 5 years.

This week's theme was dinosaurs and I chose finger puppets. You can find the templates I used here but Enchanted Learning has more dinosaur activities here. I copied the finger puppets, then pasted them into a word document, increased the size and printed them off. I recommend paper heavier than 80 gsm but less than 200 gsm (difficult to cut the holes out otherwise). Then I went through the ANZA craft supplies. This week I decided to use cut out paper pieces, sequins, commercial pom poms, glitter glue and stickers. Mainly because they were already in containers. There were also markers, crayons and pencils on the craft table. It was interesting seeing what the kids chose to do with the supplies. I assumed because the t-rex looked aggressive that the girls would gravitate to the dipplodocus puppets. WRONG. Most kids chose to do a little colouring (markers seemed to be the most popular. CT was the only one who showed interest in the crayons.), a little gluing and sticker action (interesting to also watch them carefully select the stickers and then stick them. Some haphazard, others with great deliberation.) The feedback from other parents was good and let's see how next week, gingerbread men goes.

As I hovered over the table (anxious because it was my first time), CT spent a lot of time at the table experimenting. I accidently round paper filed her first effort a crayon/marker creation (she seems to be going through a purple faze). As she was observing the other kids around the table, she became fascinated with the glitter glue and glue stick. The whole squeeze the glitter glue tube went over her head but she understood that she could spread the glitter with the nib. I have to admit that I was surprised she didn't use her hands. In the space of an hour she also worked out how to take the lid off the glue stick, use the glue end like she does a pencil to put glue on the paper (also surprised she didn't experiment further there either) and stick a piece of paper (not much lasted because, why not pull it off and place another piece on). She was also fascinated with the texture. I haven't used glue with her before. Sighed relief that she didn't try to imitate some of her pals glue eating either (or did she try it and decide that she didn't like the taste??). Her second dinosaur is the below, the glitter version and not the pink and brown one. The top one belongs to her friend Oliver.

Here are some other activities that I found but didn't use (most because of the age range of the kids); dinosaur shoes, 3D dinosaurs, coffee fossils, memory game, and my favourite origami (though it looks a little difficult.).

I would also like to thank S for helping me cut out 30 t-rexs last night (as seen above, you are a star sweetie). I did the diplodocus templates. Another big thanks for letting me store it on the floor of the linen cupboard. (Now all I have to do is make sure we DO NOT open the door when CT is awake.... I have had to put supplies away several times in the last week...)

A Name and I Would Like You all to Sing Along With Me

2008-07-24T13:54:00.002+08:00

We will get to the name in awhile people. I need you to all sing with me. Our chosen piece of music is Handel's Messiah Chorus (a linkie link to the music if you really want to get in the spirit of things). Que intro and all together people (in the full glory of this piece...) "Far Croatia, Far Croatia, Far Croatia, Faar Crooatia...."

Why?? Well because I was being a show off last week, karma decided to come and slap me around for being a smart arse (and had annoying humid weather/torrential rain, so I can't PVA my bits for MPC (see my mind is on the same page as you mawha ha ha)). Everything I have touched since the 14th has been a disaster. Some have been salvaged, but I have started my THIRD attempt at my Russian Doll Swap. The first attempts will make appearances in other places at a later stage. But they can stay crumpled in a far corner under the sewing machine dining table in the studio until one doesn't feel like hacking into it with the scissors (no photos of that cluck up for you then as well). Just couldn't use the thread paintings for what I wanted them for, I sort of kind of painted the corners of the fabric into the back of the fabric... Got frustrated with how much eye strain the first attempt gave me (red fine line pen on denim will do it to you every time), so I decided to give freezer paper a go.

Knew if I iron the design down it wasn't going to move and I would see said design. Like how intricate it is?

Like the paper??

'Cause it ain't coming out. The horns are well and truly out for these poor poppets... I have plans for them. You will find out in due time (evil teacher laugh). So sorry Meridian Ariel, I feel so flakey...

Like the zippered pouch and

coasters? 2 failed place mats... Not rehashing that either. Not going to share the mangled hats and the burnt Ikea animal print baby quilt.... Phew that is off my chest, thanks for the moan bond and vent.

Now for a drum roll...... The newbie machine has a name. It took awhile to pin Donnie down to decide on a name. S flat refused because he felt I would argue with him over a name. Besides he felt seeing Donnie gave me said beauty, Donnie should help me. So the machine's name is Fred. Thank you Lil'd for the name. All the males in the maternal line have the name Fred (actually Fredrick) as a Christian or second name. We agreed if Fred was being a good machine, Fred is channelling its inner female so Fred is short for Fredrine. On the other hand, if Fred is playing up thus channelling its inner male, Fred is short for Featherdick (one poor unfortunate relative scored that nickname when his best friend aged 3 couldn't pronounce Frederick properly...) So there you have it a Jacobsen tradition won hands down. Lil'd if you could please contact me via Flickr and I will get your contact details.

Well I am going to return to my manic reality. I do not want to jinx what I have been up to, so it will remain a super dooper secret squirrel, which I hope I can share soon. If the SDSS falls through, expect to see all the creatively rejigged items that are not swaps, in my Etsy store (and that will be all at once for the sheer hell of it!!). Oh I am so all over the place, too many play dates and not enough sleep will do that to you... Thank you all so very much for your messages regarding the death of my special student. They all helped and writing a looooong letter to the family has helped me. Smooth thanks for helping me remember one of my favourite memories of the older sister (but I will not be tempted by your swap suggestions...). :D Wish me luck people.

Last week's rabbit hole

2008-07-14T19:55:00.005+08:00

Last week, was another very busy week (don't think it will be changing anytime soon either) with CT, various playgroups, a hyperactive bowel, a stint in bed, molars playing havoc with sleep and sewing. Note to self, I need to drink more water otherwise there will be more bouts of a hyperactive bowel. My sincere commiseration those with irritable bowel syndrome.

So this last week was a haze of little girl sewing and making buttons. On the button front I have made and lost 3 sets of buttons, one only wonders how. I had to go supplies, again, and that is what I am doing tonight in front of the zombie box. Donnie's dress, the t-shirt dress tutorial, a lack of trousers and the fact that CT is about to grow out of most of her handmades, spurred last week's sewing activity. That and I moved onto the dining room table and S was extremely impressed about it... His positive comments spurred me into action people. Have a look below (need to work harder on the photography. None of shots on hangers off the door looked any good....). What do you think? Most of the garments were made from こはるの　ふく(which I take to mean Small Spring/Young Spring Clothing) ISBN 9784579109708. All the little outfits are easy to construct.

There are 5 pairs of pants because we go to lots of indoor play centres (like every other day) and I really felt these are more appropriate than bloomers. A customised tee, a puppy for the puppy obsessed little girl. I couldn't find appropriate button eyes at the time but the shirt now has eyes. A halter neck top in blue polka dots and frogs (frogs, fish, dogs and circles are motifs I love) which you will notice have matching pants. Cherry broderie anglaise skirt, really easy to make. Cherry broderie anglaise wrap top which is from the same McCalls pattern that the elephant top was made out of. Cherry broderie anglaise tunic dress which was worn to playgroup today. This dress will be a staple of a little girl's wardrobe for years to come. Easy to make, easy to wear and lovely in cool cottons. Finally frog polka dot tunic. The puppy tee and stripey pants were worn to playgroup on Friday, lots of positive comments and few people asking where I bought the outfit. Loved saying, 'I made it last night'. I bought more of the stripes today. The cherry tunic dress was worn to another playgroup this morning and lots more compliments. I have plans for this dress. I know a local store that sells simple clean line linen/cotton neutral handmade items. What do you think? Worth going and trying to sell myself???

Oh I have decided to trawl for more comments and extended the name the machine giveaway to Friday. Honestly, it will take me until then to finish the said goodie until then and want to draw the competition with prize.... Cherio all. I am off to make more buttons. 4th time lucky???

Horrible News

2008-07-13T10:05:00.003+08:00

I was all set for a post yesterday afternoon and skite about what I have been up to. Until I got a call from a former teaching collegue. It was lovely to hear from this dear man, but his news was not so flash.

As pupils we are often touched by that special teacher, well the reverse is true of students. One of my most memorable and special students, was killed in a freak car accident on Tuesday last. She was 18 years old. What made me feel even worse is that her family and I were once close. Actually, I think I would have quit teaching because I found the environment I lived in difficult and I wasn't coping. They offered me friendship and company and many an afternoon was spent either around their dining room table or lounge room. Saddened that it took me so long to hear about it. One can only wonder how her older sister who was in the car is coping (she was seriously injured), as well as her parents and younger brother. They were such a close family.

A morose post but I need to get this off my chest. What a tragedy that such a beautiful person with what seemed like a bright future has been cut short so abruptly. May her soul rest in peace.

The post in which Donnie ROCKS!!

2008-07-07T21:46:00.003+08:00

Hi,

Thanks for all the stash loving. :D

Today is a post all about why Donnie Rocks and her mad chum Sharyn. Through the pair of them I have a BRAND NEW machine. THANK YOU Donnie. Feeling very special here. So it means that I can have a few projects on the go on both machines! I have sewn on the new baby in Brisvegas (as some Brisbane residents fondly call Brisbane, Australia) during transit (move to Singapore was from Perth, Australia via Donnie). I loved it and hankered over it. I knew said machine was coming my way for awhile. Donnie blew me away when she told me she was giving me the newbie. Thanks. And a big thank you Sharyn for bringing to over. Lucky me! A visit from a friendly face and a new machine. Sharyn thanks for the jaunt to Arab St (yes I added to the stash), a lovely lunch and coming around for dinner (head hung in shame over the state of the floor).

Donnie also sent other goodies, through cousins as well. Check out the little girl's new threads!

Smart or what???

I am usually good at naming machines, but I am stumped for the newbie. Can you help me?? There will be a give away for the best name. Keeping it an SS people until winner is announced. :D So delurk, help me name the newbie (because that moniker is kind of sad....).

Edit: Name my machine competition ends next Tuesday. The giveaway will be sewn on yet to be name machine and will have button holes (OMG I have fallen in love with the buttonhole feature on this machine!! What a doddle!!) and will have one of my 'thread paintings' (but that will be sewn on Ma, seeing we are at one with the free hand machine embroidery)

Confessions of a fabric hoarder

2008-07-02T23:38:00.005+08:00

This post is specially dedicated to Jackie, as I have been pillaging her chocolates and other backing and stash on flickr. Feel free to help yourselves as well (online that is).

Kathy recently came out of the closet and revealed her shoe collection. I love shoes, but have 'feet issues' so gorgeous shoes are out. If there is anything I need to come out of the closet about would have to be the stash. Fabric and certain notions are the one thing I hoard almost compulsively. So confession time. This week is fabric that has mysteriously made its way into my stash in the short 4 months I have been here (yes four). Oh the photo shoot took close to 2 hours because...

of the photographic assistant. I left explanations of the piles on Flickr. I am just going to post the eye candy and let you know that I have plans for ALL that fabric. You can also see the stashes at Flickr too.
Quilting cottons

Cotton lawns and broderie anglaise

Knits

Linens

Mystery Bag

And you know what S is cool with the fabric. Thanks for letting me have this vice. Oh I also updated Etsy tonight. Will edit the photos tomorrow (had to update).

niko niko creations ga tanjoo shimashita yo!!

2008-06-29T15:44:00.003+08:00

excitement, excitement, excitement from my point of view peeps!!

after a few very "$!#&%&(& technical hitches which require telephone calls to australia (loooooong story and i'm not going to bore you nickerless over it either), i finally got the shop up today. we are listed here and the name of my little piece of etsy is niko niko creations. five items listed (a little often is what i am aiming for) and will probably update with 3-5 items each time (because nature comes in odd numbers usually).

you are probably wondering why i called myself niko niko creations (gotta love the hyperlink). niko niko means to smile or to beam (in my thinking it is a wide smile but can mean a grin too). one hopes that one's handmades do that. one of ct's japanese nicknames is niko niko (because that's what she does a lot) and seeing that she is the quality control officer.....

have lots of other stuff to post about peeps. need to find more hours in the day!! let's just say during the day when someone is awake it is action, action, batton down the hatches (sheesh she has become so bold with the whole sticky beak routine) and sew, sew, sew when said home destroyer (forget the wrecking, mayhem and distruction are now the order of business) is asleep.

now all i need to do is to work out how to put an etsy and flickr badge up on my page.... all pictures are current etsy stock. :D

Insane

2008-06-25T13:03:00.005+08:00

That is how I would describe life at the moment but the funny thing is I like it like that.

S' insanity streak is his current work hours. Big projects close to completion = 8am to 12am work days. Plus how thoughtful he was today (but I will write a little more about that ron peeps).

CT's insanity streak, which has made her much happier and I think frustrates S is she is walking. Insane because she has been on the brink of walking for months. Insane because she went from almost zip to confidently toddling around in the space of an hour and a half last Friday afternoon. Insane because you should see the pleasure that this achievement gives her. There will be lots more of the above picture shot (standing that is).

Mine?? The number of hours I am sleeping, the swaps to be completed, the store opening today (need to retake some photos, photography getting better but...), store sewing I still want to do (taking the little often approach, thanks for the suggestion Jen), I have taken on a playgroup coordinator's role (doing the craft/songs/art organising. Go to this group for the craft and would hate to see it fold. But what was I thinking??), joined a third playgroup (one is contemplating ditching the second one joined too expat-ish for long time stayer me), have developed a sinus infection and I got a year older today (I was going to let that one slip through to the keeper but I got a birthday greeting in the last post). What I am I doing today so far I have answered several phone calls from Australia, been spoilt by my special peeps, been to playgroup (CT is checking out the wall paper behind the peepers, ie napping) and this afternoon we are going to Singapore's biggest water theme park at about 3pm.

The ron about S and being thoughtful. Oh ron stands for 'lateR ON'. One does not know if that is Elkspeak (family dialect) or common but I use it a lot. Okay this morning S blew me away because I asked for a bike service and a little person seat for the Ninjastar to go to East Coast Park (ECP). This park is insanely close but the half hour walk to get there makes us both hot and bothered. Riding on the bike won't take as long (ha to riding on the roads, foot path all the way peeps) and one will not venture all the way to the park until the weekend. We have been riding around the residents and visitors car park until I get the balance right. So there was no need for anything other than a card and cake. This morning there was an extremely thoughtful card from both S and the Ninjastar. It was so cute that he put a pen in each hand and encouraged her to 'write a message'. The third Pirates of the Caribbean DVD I have been lusting over since it was released (but have done nothing about the acquisition of) and instead of cake (because I have moaned about the extra girth I have), flowers. People I love flowers and couldn't have asked for better cake. Will post the flowers later tonight, that is if Johnny and his swash buckling doesn't win out first.

Going to go get more stuff done!! Hope you have enjoyed all the irrelevant pics for this post, but you will see what they are all about soonish (hate posting without some eyecandy).

On Being Spoilt

2008-06-21T18:28:00.004+08:00

This post has been awhile coming but I definitely have to post about swaps that I have received as well as a gift from painted fish studio. One was hoping to include the Functional Felt Swap but it still hasn't arrived at my end.

Starting chronologically, I ordered this fab album from jen back in May (sheepish shrug) for special little girl pictures. In this little girl's short life she has had three photo shoots and I wanted to put my favourite studio portraits in there. The shoots? After her birth (suckers), 100 day photos (Japanese tradition) and for Christmas Cards (looooooooooong story that one).

I was floored when I read comments on another blog (which I rarely do people if I am not making a comment) and read she had added extra in the package to make up for the Mother's Day that wasn't. Look at the fab bracelet that was in it. I love it but it is difficult for me to wear because the other half of the dubious duo is in love with it too... Nothing worse than having someone trying to pry a bracelet off your arm. This strictly a time in lieu item. But I love it.

Seeing that jen is a very thoughtful person (as well as such a creative person), she included a felted bead bracelet for ct. CT loves this too. You know when something is special, because it moves from room to room. She was demanding us to put it on her wrist earlier today. There are two short term goals she seems to have putting her shoes on (this is hilarious to watch) and putting her bracelet on. Oh Jackie, I am happy to report there are no buttocks here so we will not need to start another support group like this one.

Next in the post was this fab mobile from My Purple Crayon. My very own version of her original swap mobile. Yeah!! When the mess is too much to bear, one looks up and over the shoulder and serenity. I admired this mobile very much when I first saw it and when she announced that she wouldn't mind swapping a few more....

Melinda is another thoughtful person and included cutlery, which has been washed several times already. The cutlery is another item that moves from room to room (and if you are not watching the imp, in vegemite sandwiches, yoghurt, sultanas, glasses of water...). Now I have to make a softie set to go with the cutlery so we can have tea parties here. A big thank you from both grinning loons.

I am not finished yet. There is more good mail goodness. :D Next to arrive at Casa Di Caldera was this fab little ATC. Donnie needed a project to keep her from going around the twist after her recent operation (on a side note recovery is going really well), so she decided to make ct a fairy quilt (and matching accessories). Jackie, kindly pointed me in the direction of the fairytale ATC and one thought a wee picture on the wall was in order. This came from Melissa of the.shampoo.people fame. Check out the better photo here. Actually you should check out most of the photography it is serious wow! I have placed a nail in the wall for the frame (I am still to buy) for this beauty. I couldn't hope for a more beautiful ATC. What I really loves about this piece is the 3D detail. I am really into 3D stitching. Miss M how did you know???

Last but not least, my 'shroom (okay toadstool) arrived from another very talented lady Kirsten from Kleas fame. I love the colours. Look at the 'shrooms stalk! Knitted!! Sighs of appreciation look at how even the tension and stitches are. So over the knittery jealousy, will admire beautiful pieces that come my way and appreciate the skill and talent ('cause it ain't one I have....). Look at the top. Ms Kleas, how did you know that I was fancying a pointy rather than a flattish 'shroom?? Then there is the little gnome or is he an elf that belongs to the 'shroom. Home or one that he tends because it holds the source of his mischievous magic?? Oh this is another item for the to be transformed bedroom. I know it will fit in well. I would love to say that I have my ATC and toadstool completed Kirsten. They are nearly, and will be in the post on Monday. :D Ditto about reposting on Monday Melinda, won't have time tomorrow, we are picking up the birthday present for moi tomorrow. What? Little person seat for my bike (and a much needed service). Expect more pickies of East Coast Park people (and probably freakily dressed dogs).

Hark is that the doorbell?? Take away, DVD and bottle of wine have our names on it. Thanks Three Sneaky Bugs for the mini date idea. :D

While I remember, can anyone help me?

2008-06-18T21:37:00.004+08:00

While I was a primary (elementary) school student, I had a very brave music teacher. Why? He had this song that we would sing and I am amazed he got away with it. Thing is I can't remember all the lyrics. Has anyone else in Australia heard of this seminal tune about a jumbo, a Gemini, a bottle of whiskey and a granny?? If you do and know all the lyrics (what I can remember are below), could you please contact me.

This is what I can remember of the lyrics (and you will understand why I am amazed we actually sang it at school)

One chilly morning without any warning I found myself in the local jail,
Dad came and got me I thought he would clock me he had to pay five hundred bail.
(Can't remember what comes next)

Chorus
Grandma's partial to a drop of whiskey,
She says it gives her heart a stir,
Bought her a bottle to celebrate your birthday,
And borrowed Dad's car to call on her,

Ending
Because my Gran is ninety and a jumbo sat on my Gemini

Donnie, Happy, do you remember this tune?? I loved to belt it out ala Jimmy Barnes (I was a yeller not a singer) at choir. Only members of the choir got to sing this fab song. But I didn't join the choir just to sing this song, I also joined because the music teacher was cool about toliet breaks. The grade 6 teacher was not. If you want to know why I still cannot forgive the grade 6 teacher to this day for his toliet break policy, email me.

I'm setting records

2008-06-18T20:58:00.003+08:00

...for how long it takes me to post. Sheesh. As always the break was unintended and I have a myriad of excuses a non sleeping CT and an insomnia plagued me being the big 2. Making stuff for swaps and an Etsy store are in the top 5 excuses as well.

So the three big things coming up in the next week for me. Friday is the one year anniversary of me getting a lovely scar on my left knee. It matches the other one the right that I got 4 years prior to that when I had an ACL reconstruction. Love to brag about the scars but don't want to scare you with the ghost white knees. Next Wednesday is the grand unveiling of Niko Niko Creations (we have a name, finally). I am nervous about opening the Etsy store. Will people like what I make enough to buy and I am hoping in the long run that I will give me a little financial independence (hate not contributing to the household income peeps). Oh, if you are wondering what Niko Niko means; it's the Japanese onomatopoeic word for grinning. It is one of CT's nicknames (she is a big grinner). The third is a 33rd birthday somewhere in the next week. It could be tomorrow, Monday next.... But I am not going to tell you all. I have very low expectations on the birthday front, I have my reasons but there is no need to be dark side of sunny today.

S this is a public apology of sorts. If you visit my flickr account often (I am a regular poster there because there are 2 CT fans who complain in volumes if I am slack), you will notice that I make humour of S and the way he is cautious with money. Sweetie, you have it on public record that I am sorry that my lame attempts at humour have upset you and will not refer to this endearing (yet frustrating at the same time) trait. I am not trying to make you look like the an idjit. You can sue me if I don't keep up my end of the bargain.

Do you like the views of the studio?? This is my world at the moment. Very lucky that CT is willing to happily destroy the room as I sew. Not for long stretch but I can on and off now.

rice colouring tutorial (edited version)

2008-06-02T11:24:00.005+08:00

afternoon all,

seeing i have had a request for rice colouring ayama-style, s and i have been busy in the kitchen. it took a few attempts and the results are so so. i don't feel like writing long winded explanations so i went with small videos. i hope you enjoy it.

intro

yes i talk with my hands. my students often aped me by doing huge arm flapping guestures.

step one

this cupboard is emptied two or three times a day, so this is as about as tidy as it gets.

step two

i am not particular about the rice i use. i use what ever type we are eating. that said, we tend to eat basamti rice. it does not have a lot of starch in it so it does not absorb as much moisture. i have found that short grain and japanese grains tend to absorb the colouring a lot more so you need to dry the rice out slowly in the oven. when i do this i put the oven on the lowest heat (mine is 50 degress CELCIUS) for an hour or two. i just check to see if the rice is clumping together. i haven't coloured jasmine rice like i did for the tutorial before nor had i used that brand of colouring (colouring brands make a difference as to how much mositure is absorbed).

step three

a glimpse into my small pantry. in australia i always used the queen brand 'rainbow food colours 4 drop control vials' product. i don't have any left so i used a singaporean brand. this is a road test. i used the last of the queen brand on my first filming attempt.

step four

like is said above i use a drop control vial product in australia. next time i use the sinaporean food colouring, i am using an eyedropper so i do not have way tooo much colouring. you might be thinking how much do i need to use. you need to think of the effect. do you want the rice to be completely saturated? (this can lead to problems as it is difficult to get the rice grains to dry out completely. so there can be mold issues and if you choose to use it the rice on collages with little people you end up dyeing their hands (seen it happen at a K-12 school i taught at) and if you are really cursed, their clothes. some brands are impossible to get out of your clothes.) i quite like the mottle effect for rice like in the photos above. so i only use 2 drops. that is all it takes. my nerves got the better of me this morning.

the above and below pictures are coloured basamati rice. i also wouldn't eat this the colour just isn't me and i am allergic to colour 122 found in the red and yellow. if i was colouring rice to eat it is saffron or tummeric all the way. another tutorial perhaps??

step five

and that folks is what i usually do when i colour rice. shake it until the rice stops taking up the colour.

errata

i added too much food colouring so the rice was wet. if this happens, put your oven on it's lowest setting and slowly dry it out. i tend to do this for an hour or so depending on how long i neglect it. i do not recommend your oven heat to be over 150 degrees celcius, though as you have to watch it and you can burn said rice. oh weevil kenevil was also found in my very orange rice, so i decided that i might be the lesser of two weevils to dry the rice out. we don't want to get it all mouldy now seeing that the price of rice is skyrocketing at the moment.

okay so now you have coloured the rice what are you going to do with it??
lookie loos are fabulous. mine is below. i filled it with buttons because they are the latest craze around here but they are a major chocking hazzard as well.

a good tutorial is here. after seeing this on the crafty crow, i became a ten ten fan, even though i had made a few before this. a lot of my early efforts went to my mother's group.

they also make great shakers (photo below and it is on the left. if you want a bigger size to look at it. just click the photo). i used a left over urine pot last year and this music maker is still a hit. i have another small plastic container now so i will make another one with different colours.

for the child who is not into licking the glue (like ct is at the moment. we only use the edible stuff). coloured rice and pasta is often used in Kindy/Preschool crafts. i also involved a whole class in a stroke order chart for one of the japanese alphabets using colours (though it wasn't just rice. i also used pipe cleaners, playdough and celephane paper for different small groups). one colour for first stroke etc to stress how you write the letter. i mean we write our english letters in a certain order. but this is getting off track.

i never took a photo of it but i made ct a texture box for her to feel the texture of different items. i glued rice on that. but it didn't last long because she kept sucking the blister pack piece.

at the moment i am slowly colouring rice to make this cool activity up for ct.

for other great ideas of how you could use your colour rice, go flick through the crafty crow. in the mean time, they i have put the rice in a larger container that ct, can't open for the moment and i have given her a wooden spoon to hit the container with. it makes a pretty interesting drum. there are lots of things you could adapt your rice for. i also think i might use coloured rice for my octopus's garden. shame that i can't get psychodelic food colouring though isn't it??

please forgive typos and spelling errors as blogger's spell check has decided to take a break. it is a bit difficult to edit with all this html coding....

the food group one-a-day photoshare june

2008-06-01T23:01:00.005+08:00

three posts in one day. actually, i started typing a few of these a few days ago...

a practical solution for one of my mole hills. i am bored of cooking and my lunches at the moment (too much of a good thing, curries and vegemite sandwiches). my motivator? chickpea studio's the food group. this is my motivator. can't be posting the same old dishes now can i?? pulled out some cookbooks today (have lots of noodle dishes ear marked as well as one pot japanese wonders) to get the bowl rolling.

today i am sharing ct's favourite dish, japanese curry. can't remember what it should have in it but i add lots of vegetables not included in a typical recipe. donnie, taught me a few tricks about hiding veggies. actually ct is a good veggie eater if they are cooked. raw, or no garlic, forget it. the spoons?? someone wants to feed herself (2 spoonfuls yesterday, which i missed while i was taking photos at the table. weekends = family meals together.). and well we need one too. there are usually three at any given meal.

an added bonus might be my photography and editing skills might improve. oh, can anyone tell me how do i post badges on the blog?? is anyone interested in a rice colouring tutorial with short video clips?

playing games

2008-06-01T22:44:00.002+08:00

i have become a fan of chickpea studio since the elsie marley mobile swap. so when i saw this game on her blog, i decided to have a go while i was procrastinating over cleaning the kitchen last night.

this is the final result.

the concept:

a. type your answer to each of the questions below into flickr search.
b. using only the first page, pick an image.
c. copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

the questions:

1. what is your first name? (how could i resist a dish licker who lounges in couches like me?)
2. what is your favorite food? (no biggie there if you know of me)
3. what high school did you go to? (saint monica's college cairns. the stance in the statue was like the school symbol)
4. what is your favorite color? (green like this or australian sub tropical)
5. who is your celebrity crush? (these girls think like me)
6. favorite drink? (g&t every time. happy don't forget to bring me a bottle when you visit.)
7. dream vacation? (kyoto. i was real pregnant and organised a school trip there even. never been. so just dreaming on...)
8. favorite dessert? (macha cake at the moment. it changes all the time.)
9. what you want to be when you grow up? (young at heart like this woman and her lead foot mobile. hmmm i am missing driving....)
10. what do you love most in life? (my family who are all over the place, and this picture gives a sense of it. some people i consider family are not necessarily blood relations.)
11. one Word to describe you. (eclectic, though eccentric and dreamer did come to mind.)
12. your flickr name (ayama-chan, thanks for the photo jen :D)

ohisashiburi

2008-05-30T19:34:00.006+08:00

ohisashiburi mina-san,

as the japanese say long time no see folks. can you hear the vacuuming, dusting and me blowing away the cobwebs and tumble weeds???

flu recovery was ssslllooowww, especially for ct. seriously last week i did not want to moan about the cough (that still persists but is almost gone) or the fact that my little sweetie was not eating but on monday my cautionary tale (melinda i loved your guess) decided fruit toast, sultanas, bananas, juice, vegemite sangers (sandwiches) and japanese curry (ayama-chan style, that is full of many vegetables) are back on the menu. now we are being fussy. in other little girl news 4 molars (yes 4 of the bloody things) have decided to cut through at once. so sleeping has been hit and miss some days (for all calderas). any no drug pain relief remedies that you can recommend people?? any tips will be much appreciated.

my mole hills have also been making me a tad negative and cynical. lapping the complex pool has done wonders and i have some workable solutions for me. the biggest is that these are mole hills but if i keep up the present blahness, it could be disastrous (and that is a very japanese explanation. where i have discussed an issue by talking around it...).enough navel gazing, ct does enough of this for all of us. for reasons unknown to me she finds her and my navel the most fascinating things...

what has been happening in the absence? functional felt swap (big gokigen yoo prostration to jen and anna for organising such a fun swap), more fabric dyeing, diy fishbowls, atc fantasy/fairytale swap (i'm thinking japanese fairytales. some good ones can be found here with groovy music), 'shrooming (playing with this tutorial), etsy pattern testing (he he he some of you have been guinea pigs, thanks), mailing (and cheering donnie up, thanks for talking donnie), losing hours in blogs and looking at eye candy. so on the not too distant horizon these are the following swaps i am working on atc fantasy/fairytale swap and toadstool swap (can you believe that i have the same swap partner for both swaps?? who?? the lovely kirsten of kleas fame. exciting and a little bit frightening...), finishing melinda's mobile (weather is playing havoc still), then focusing on etsy (i am thinking functional whimsy type stuff) for awhile (unless jackie twists my arm again... dear, the tea towels are so tempting. but katy has been a naughty monkey, she roped me in. russian dolls anyone? jen, this is a doesn't have to be a fibre swap.). though i do feel that i have an octopus' garden in me after seeing this amazing octupus here. do i make one for my looming birthday?? yes, that is on the not too distant horizon. and no i am not worried that i am turning 33 this year ('i'm not afraid of getting old, getting old, getting old, i'm not affraid of getting old la la la la la'). um bet anyone other than jen, anna, donnie or jane, can't guess when it is though.

on a closing note, people think beatles, think 'octupus 's garden' and sing with me. it's been a song close to my heart since thursday (and s had to do some research with ct to work out what i was going on about)...

flu flu go away....

2008-05-20T21:19:00.007+08:00

come again another year....

well the flu hasn't been with me since the 8th. friday and saturday i was preoccupied with news of donnie, she had some surgery and i was worried. it all went well and she is now on the road to recovery. make sure you take it easy, donnie. all i have to say about mother's day is, i can't wait until ct is old enough to do something for me. (so i was too $%&'() angry to post my this is...) well she did in a way, took a decided step towards walking. attempts at solo steps are still happening but not successful though. the monday was busy, busy, busy with lots of walking practice. mummy's hands were in much demand and on monday night i intended to blog post but norton's crashed the computer then i got s's flu tuesday night. it all started with shocking headaches (the eye popping kind but not bad enough to be classed as a migraine), muscle aches and sensitivity to light. a few bad nights sleep meant that instead of me just getting the aches and pains and being done with it, i went under. had the shock of my life, an asthma attack after a good 18 years...

being the reckless fool i can be at times, there was sewing and making until thursday.

thursday was when i crashed and burned big time (thank goodness this weekend was a long weekend...). the upside was i had enough energy to fix the bomb site
(before)

.... sorry no after shots, forgot to take them... have i mentioned that i am blond?? it's because i am blond, that things just slip my mind....

there was also happy mail (not just all 3/4 letter/bills/catelogs for ex-tennants). ezri b's beautiful lunchbox swap arrived (has it been a week???).

estatic grins were had by both myself and s, because ct preferred ezri b's lunchbox over the hello kitty backpack.

it even spent a few naps in bed.

i'm a ginger monkey, decided that ct needed a leo pillow (which i think is fab). it is also a huge hit. said pillow also gets toted off to bed (she's not fussy about which bed).

lots of growling happens when ct is in a talkative mood.

i also did some figuring out (ie the maths behind some projects), dyed my hands, feet and the washing machine a shocking red and did a little cutting out. this week i plan to finish my functional felt swap.

everything is cut out all i need to do is clear the dinning room table, move the cut out objects, and zoom zoom zoom on ma. i also need to organise a mushroom (or two), an atc, my purple crayon's mobile (oh the weather was oh so perfect for this project... oh well) and get some more sewing done for my etsy grand opening (all i have done is plan, select fabrics and cut out...) as well as all the regular what ever goes on around here....

phew.... i'm off to bed now. posting takes longer than it should.... oh if i owe you mail. i am working on it (along with everything else). i just didn't realise what a tight ship i was running until my week got all messed up. but we are on the mend. thank goodness, ct's throat has been sore and getting ice cream (she can be full to the point of bursting and find room for ice cream) into her. i have tempted her with soup, her favourite soft meals, jelly, juice... s has been going out of his tiny mind with worry (she's going to starve to death... nope she just lost her pot belly). so all is better.

a post for donnie

2008-05-20T14:45:00.004+08:00

dear donnie,

as you requested my dear, the little girl's name in kanji. let me know if they are unsuitable for the quilt and i will make more for you. the other 6 are here.

hugs and warm fuzzies
ayama-chan
ps will see how the flu is treating team caldera (the english for my japanese surname) to see if i get a post in tonight.

this is me... circa 1992

2008-05-09T22:57:00.004+08:00

this is supposed to be pre-1985 but peeps, my photos reside in brisbane australia and i am in singapore. seeing that donnie is in hospital and happy is doing lots of visiting, i am not going to impose upon him at the moment. i think i have a photo of me cira 1981 on donnie's machine but i can't remember where i have hoarded said photo (or did i leave it in brisbane?). so this is a photo of me in 1992, on the phone and with joe cocker, the rudest, most arrogent dog i have ever lived with (but goodness i still miss him nearly 10 years after he went off on life's last great adventure....).

fyi non-australian english speakers, a good definition of a dag can be found here and it sums me up well, methinks.

This is my favourite pair of shoes that i could sleep in if i could

2008-05-09T21:27:00.009+08:00

this is only 5 days late. i had intended to write this post last night after i discovered that i would not be going out to dinner (first time since ct was born peeps... that's nearly 14 months...). so i abandoned that idea, after i spied the 1995 BBC production of pride and prejudice DVDs. a christmas pressie still unwatched. i loved the series when it was broadcast in 1996, watched early last year on friday afternoons while heavily pregnant and seeing i was disappointed (well more like in a strop), what better way to spend an evening but staring at colin firth (series eye candy peeps) for nearly 6 hours. hanging head in shame, yes, i played the whole series last night but i had to see that scene where firth (aka mr darcy) is dripping wet after that dip (go to the link. have a look, ah what daydreams i had of that brill tv moment)... well it was so close to the end of the series, so why not finish it?? i was productive as well, lots of projects cut out, tread paintings prepared and i even did some handwork (yes i do do handwork as well...)

i have gone off on a tangent... okay this is the pair of shoes i would sleep in if i could (thank you hip hop and banana bread for the topic.). for a girl with flat feet and collapsing arches, pretty shoes are a no no. i need practical. these are practical but do not look like something my late gran wore (hurrah!) thanks donnie for the early birthday gift. these babies are the perfect foot ware for foot falconing (foot falcon = to walk, foot falconing is me playing wit the original term) with ct in sling and shopping. i have managed 5 hours of walking and had sore feet (shoulders are another issue though).

how ever, i really do like these fugs that i own (yes i am a dag). the thongs (thong = flip flops. not skimpy underwear) i bought while on honeymoon in naiper new zealand (if you like art deco, this is the town for you) 4 years ago. ct has a major fetish for these babies, if i want to wear them down to the pool, i have to go searching... the hello kitty number are platform masseurs. a group of students bought them for me. i liked to wear geta to school, so these kind hearted little souls thought that their garden gnomish (that's what the darlings called the vertically challenged of the faculty) teacher could use height and style. these instruments of pain, are for admiring and not wearing. ouch ouch ouch to walk in.

The break was not intended

2008-05-08T15:42:00.005+08:00

Salubrious Salutations,

I will write some more this evening, all going well. Flickr and a very upset tummy got in the way. A few days were spent TRYING (trying being the operative word) to upload photos over the weekend, so the momentum I had to blog post fizzled. Monday, Tuesday and yesterday had me feeling sad a sorry for myself. I had an upset tummy. On the upside, ct has been a doll. Full of cuddles, wet fish, Eskimo kisses (nose rubbing) and her forehead presses. I have been laying low, so there has been lots of dancing, reading books and sofa climbing. I would love to share with you her dancing. Enjoy, I would not have choosen the song, but it is what was on the radio and it was LOVED....

Ps Nursery rhymes are not appreciated by this little groover (tantrums are thrown when these numbers are played), she loves The Beastie Boys (though it is difficult to find songs that aren't full of swearing or that have appropriate content), dance music (Chemical Brothers (to S's delight) Daft Punk), anything with a good beat actually (White Stripes (a yippee from me), Blur, Blondie to name a few...).

Annoucement Mega-Post

2008-05-02T19:46:00.005+08:00

evening all,

this post has been a few days in the making, partly because i have had interruptions, partly because i wanted to tell donnie one of the announcements before i told the rest of blogland and thirdly i have been creating (some successful, some success with lots of unpicking and others boy the humidity here screwed it up).

okay announcement number one

i finally got round to drawing the ct giveaway late on tuesday. mil only came to my palace once so it was difficult to organise a draw. besides when i asked her to do the honours she suggested that ct herself make the draw. i spent most of tuesday trying to get the monkey child to do it. i failed. i even tried her 'letterbox' (hem old shoe box with a slit cut out the top). one guesses that ct anticipated what i wanted but was toying with me. so i moved to plan b, s. i grabbed the first thing i could think of (my mouldy hat) and the hand went in and

three sneaky bugs is the winner. s suggested that i should also send something to my purple crayon and i'm a ginger monkey as there were only 3 people who guessed. oh anna i need your address.

announcement number two

i like the ct suggestions: cute tush (three sneaky bugs); cutie toes (i'm a ginger monkey) and cautionary tale (my purple crayon)... but peeps you were way off. if you read this blog post, i did mention that ct is a REALLY unpc nickname. happy (my dear father), gave coined this nickname before ct was born and before we knew she was a boy or girl. s and i had massive fights over name. we both agreed that ct needed a name that would sound the same or similar in english and japanese. we also agreed no middle names (not a tradition in either of our families'), it was the name we were at loggerheads at. i liked the name ben but for those of you who speak japanese um you probably have heard of the benjo (not the polietest of terms for the loo), but have you heard of benki (toilet seat) or daiben (number 2)?? well that's what the name conjured up for s. i have taught many an awesome ben so i NEEDED this name for my little boy (um i was soooo wrong). for girls i liked hannah (spelt hana) because it is similar to my name. not a goer with mr cliche. one day after a huge spat over names and s stormed out in anger, happy rang. i cried down the phone line to happy about it. he said leave it to him and he might have a helpful suggestion. he did later (the same day or the next one cannot remember), ct. ct = chicken teriyaki. happy's reasoning chicken teriyaki sounds the similar in english and japanese (he is correct there), exists in australia and japan and is something that i love. because chicken teriyaki was a mouthful, um it got contracted to ct. so my delightful daughter's nickname is my favourite japanese dish. one day i will tell her this story and let her decide what ct stands for. ct has nothing to do with the little girl's initials. they're ny. so peeps i can say i love ny....

announcement number three
i'm behind of memes. i sat out of the this is... my ideal dinner party guest list. seeing that we had to decide only 6 people and we are missing friends and family in australia, we couldn't decide on 6. but the one for the 28th of april, i can do.

these are my favourite books. the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by c.s. lewis was a childhood favourite. i read the book so often by the time i was 13, i could quote whole sections... actually i loved the whole series. first read when i was 8 turning 9 and i am struggling my way through the series in japanese for the first time (fits and starts people). the other, origami omnibus by kunihiko kasahara has been the backbone of many an origami session in my pre mummy days. i like the mathematical approach the book takes.

announcement four
a week on and my studio is still a bomb site. umm it looked better on wednesday when i took the pictures.

the side view: clothes sewing blouse in progress; shorts cut out and fabric waiting to be cut out. i never did get anything finished for the outlaw visit. (give me time to write about that. i need to think about what and how to write about as she has access to some fine english speakers. it was 95% positive. sooooo much better than the last, just a few gripes....)

view two of the sheers for a mobile i am making. i am on a mobile bent. i see ideas everywhere. the weather is happering progress on this one. i need a relatively unhumid day (snort) for the pva/water mix to set nicely (and getting the mix right has been trial and error).

final view is ct's messenger bag. look closely and you will see why i have classed it as a failure. picky may be but it is me. oh the pieces are being loved to bits so may be i need to get it finished real soon.

announcement five

i have finally sewn a garment with a collar and sleeves. only taken more than 30 years. why have i avoided them like the hand foot and mouth disease (too common here)?? not so hard. it did take me 5 hours of finding the instructions and the picture of the collar not making sense to me (stitching and unripping as well) for me to think about the picture spatially and do it my way (and it so worked). the pattern is newlook 6407. not difficult just the brain not understanding the instructions. the pattern writers and my brain are not on the same wave length. note to self, coat hanger photos are not so fab.

announcement six
murphy arrived at his new home and was loved. so i made a mountain out of a mole hill over the size. oh, smoothpebble, the lunch box is indeed an obento box. i saw it at daiso and they have very masculine ones that i am sure the young men and your partner in crime would like.

announcement seven
probably the biggest for me. i am opening an etsy store on the 25th of june this year. why? it is 6 calendar months before christmas and i do not think i could get my act together before then.

i have a custom order for a baby activity quilt. oh, i made a play quilt for one of the mums that i get on with at playgroup (baby due today and she was at playgroup. i guess if nothing is happening and you have an extremely active 1 1/2 year old, would you stay at home??) and someone saw it and decided that their friend needed one two. so i need to get cracking... if you want to know what else i have been up to. go to flickr. i still need to post about the outlaws, table and chair loving and the fact i have been secret squirrelled!!

Busy Bee Me

2008-04-26T20:37:00.004+08:00

hi people,

this is just a quick note to say that i have not fallen off the face of the planet. i am just busy. the outlaws are in town (as seen above) and i have been sewing omiyage (basically gifts) for them and some clothes for me (still in progress...). i have been lurking and sending the odd email out but not replying. please give me until midday wednesday because i am otherwise engaged until then.

oh i will quickly announce the blog giveaway tomorrow if not then wednesday too. i had 3 guesses (one a week late due to family reasons, another on the blog and an email from the third). i asked okaasan (mil's official title) if she would draw the giveaway (and she was stoked) but we forgot to do it today. to see what i have been up to, look here and here.

A Very Murphy Lunch Box Swap

2008-04-22T19:39:00.003+08:00

Have you ever had a jinxed swap where Uncle Murphy helped you every step of the way?? I had one of those for Oh Fransson's Lunch Box Swap.

I wanted to do something a little different so I thought may be a messenger bag would be good. Um I would like to know where the cut out bag got hidden. Sometimes inviting CT into the studio creates a few issues.

So then I decided to make one of those lunch bags that are commonly found in Japan. I worked in metric instead of imperial, so I feel that the lunch bag is a little on the small side. This has me a little worried. So that was Murphy number 2, size.

Then my overlocker (serger for American readers) decided to break the underlooper thread (why use it? um the fabric was the shred heaps kind...), we broke the underlooper threader (yes, that would be a joint effort between S and I), threaded ki (that's what I've named the sodding thing) incorrectly, got a loooooooooooooot of thread stuck on the stitch forming tongue, had to hack thread off. No swearing in English, picked a few fights with Ki in Japanese (um not really offensive when translated in English but pretty offensive to Japanese sensibilities). So Murphy number 3 Ki the demon overlocker from the ninth pit of hell (I stand by that and may we battle again, soon.).

I decided the lining needed a zipper and lots of little pockets (um because I am always looking for them for all the junk I carry for CT). I broke 4 needles because I wasn't thinking late one night about the metal zipper stops. Actually I smashed the needles so badly you could hear the timing belt clattering around inside. Nothing seems awry but no doubt Happy could find plenty. I was really worried about the zipper bust ups so stopped sewing each time 2 days it took... Should I also admit that I hugged Ma (the machine) and apologised (refuse to with Ki).So the zipper was Murphy number 4.

It gets better bear with me as I moan bond with you (I don't whinge because whingers are cringers and I don't do cringe)... Murphy number 5, I sewed and unpicked the side seams several times because, I had to change seam allowances for the zipper debacle and kept getting it wrong.

Murphy number 6, I forgot that the lining needed to have the right side facing (late nights because I HAD to get this project out of my life, procrastination and a little monkey not sleeping well at night are my defence here). The photo taking probably didn't help either (at that stage I was thinking of a tutorial (ha).

Murphy number 7, I embroidered the draw string bit (for want of a technical word) and I put it in upside down (It matters to me if the Japanese is upside down peeps). Oh it says lunch on the pic above and the back says box.

Murphy number 8 I sewed the handles on the inside instead of the outside the second time I put the draw string section in.

Murphy number 9, I sewed my finger only on the side but what was I thinking??? (Nothing, otherwise it would not have happened. Um good it wasn't in the middle of a fingernail. I've done that before....)

Murphy number 10 I asked S for his evaluation (he said it looked professional despite all the unpicking and swearing I did at it) in front of CT. Peeps, if I didn't have the outlaws descending on me on Thursday evening, I would have gone with plan C (the prototype worked today, but I should have been making myself some much needed clothing....). It broke my heart when the little sweetie CT chucked the biggest wobbly that I have seen yet, when I packed it up this morning.

If you have made it this far, thanks for reading the moan bond. I also sent a zippered coin purse for an coffee, cold drink etc and a long draw string bag (for putting your projects for working on outside the home) and other goodies but I will not post that picture below until it has reached its new home. Everything crossed that my swaper likes the bag and other bits. I am really nervous over this swap. Oh it is a blind swap so I can blog about the Murphing now (to get it off my chest).

In other creating news, I have finished 4 aprons (2 for MIL and 2 for SIL), I have 2 shirts cut out (and awaiting overlocking with Ki. Bring it on demon...), 3 pairs of shorts to cut out, 2 bullfrogs on the go (one for CT and another for one of her playgroup pals who is about to become a big brother) and I want to make something for the little person who is going to make their presence felt really soon. This all needs to happen before Friday. So if you wonder where I have been the Murphy lunch bag took a whole week to make and I still have a back log. So you will probably see pics of the disaster area tomorrow but after that I am taking another hiatus. So see you later alligators...

This is... my discovery

2008-04-22T19:22:00.002+08:00

I know that this post is 2 days late and I skipped last week's this is. Last week was too tough for me seeing that I have only just moved to a foreign country so how could I choose only 6 of my friends and family to dinner. So I sat it out. This week, I thought that I would share these Japanese Home Ec textbooks for grades 5 and 6 as my discovery.

An unexpected find in the book boxes still waiting for their book case. But then I saw this

on Sunday. I just needed to wait for the right moment to capture this discovery. I have been trying to work out how the monkey child was getting on the bed. It seems that she was completely willing for a photo shoot because she got on the bed, off the bed again and again and again.

I guess it is better than her climbing the kitchen cupboards or try to reach the window ledge (dangerous when you live on the fifth floor and the windows have no sort of protection.... I guess it is the lesser of a few evils...

More Secret Squirrelling

2008-04-15T19:36:00.005+08:00

Evening all,

I have another secret squirrel report tonight and keeping this one a secret nearly killed me. This time I sent Smoothpebble a mobile and some yo-yos. Because it was not a swap and I was repaying some crafting karma, Kwoozy created my crafting karma. which I have wanted to pay back. You might ask why. Well, Smoothpebble, often writes lovely comments about CT on my Flickr photos and she made the most awesome mobile. Besides, a few of her posts have struck a chord with me (probably because we were on the same wavelength at the same time). She is still in mobile limbo like me. Unfortunately we are not the only two.

I had so much fun making the thread painted fish that I made three sets. One with an outline and crazy stitching inside, another with just an outline and the third set for CT (I will finish that project pronto so you can see what they are for). I had 4 little fishies looking for a 'home' in two senses of the word, a project and a place to reside. I liked the fishy mobile that I made for Painted Fish Studio and wanted to play with some of the leftover beads, I had bought to make shaker toys for CT last year. When I read in the mobile swap discussions that Smoothpebble still hadn't received hers. I will admit that hers was one I was hoping that would come my way (as well as several others) but I knew that the colours were not right.... I had to get her address. This is where I got sneaky and Painted Fish Studio. That's right the very lovely Jen helped me in this venture, as well as My Purple Crayon, though she didn't know it at the time. :D

Do you remember a few weeks ago how I posted a few photos with the title secret squirrel on Flickr? Well that is the morning we posted them.

Yeap, I dragged the family out, went to lunch (which both my favourite peeps love to do) and spent an hour in the postal queue (I was the only one who posted anything by the way). And while I waited to hear that the parcel arrived, I nearly went round the twist. It was extremely difficult not to give the secret squirrel away.

Mischief managed. I have another 4 in progress...

This is... a give away.

2008-04-11T21:17:00.002+08:00

Umm you might be wondering why. It is not a 50th blog post entry or anything like that. While CT was going through all the interesting trinkets in the weekly 'This is..' meme, she stumbled upon these earrings.

I won't bore you with the reasons why I no longer wear earrings, anyhow, I don't think My Purple Crayon (if she lurks here) needs to choke on any more coffee (read here for the reason why she did it in the first place). Seeing that it will be years before CT will be wearing anything like this and I agree with Donnie's philosophy of not hoarding what you don't need (S has just snickered at this as he cruises past the computer, he thinks my supplies are more like Smaug's hoard...), so I think they need a loving home. What do you need to do to be in the running for these pretties??

What do you think CT stands for? Kwoozy and Painted Fish Studio as you are both secret squirrel keepers, so sadly you have to sit out this one. It will be interesting so see if any of Donnie's pals lurk here as well. In the case of Donnie's pals, I would like to know what you thought CT meant before Happy proudly explained his moniker for our muse. You have until 12pm my time next Friday to submit your thoughts and S will choose the winner. There will be other goodies with the earrings but that is secret squirrel business, so you just have to let your imagination run riot as to what I may or may not include.

Nite all.
Ps A secret squirrel rant. I would like to say that a postal service in an unnamed country is slowly driving me round the twist. Do you have snails delivering your mail?? Well today is day 12. Where is it!!

On my desk

2008-04-09T22:36:00.002+08:00

I am on time with this one.

Ummmmmm it was a mess.

So I tidied it.

Some inspiration here

and there.

While I cleaned....

and another view. At least she investigated the contents of the box. It is special and it is hers. Not mine to play with anymore. These are all the scraps from fabrics of her first wardrobe made by me. I wonder what will become of all these treasures???

This is... my favourite trinket box

2008-04-09T22:25:00.002+08:00

Like I have said before, better late than never.

This is a very special trinket box because it belonged to Donnie, who gave it to me in the late 1970s (yes I admit to being of that vintage). My plans for this box is to fix the lining as I decorated it and then give it to CT in a few years time.

I have always loved the inside and outside of the box. The Japanese lacquer work, my favourite view of Japan, Mt Fuji, the mother of pearl, the read against the black and the size.

I can't remember if it still had the musical part still going. I suspect that there was a dancer?? I do remember the mirrors. Donnie did I break them? But I do remember taking them out when I was a pre-teen. The inside was a magical stage (with built in practice area, what girl doesn't dream of ballet??), the front area was sometimes the music pit. The sides was where the audience sat (like in the stalls at the movies). Anything became a doll; buttons, small dolls, pegs, anything I could lend my imagination to.

The trinkets? Most are not worth much but the memories are priceless. Besides, what is not treasure to us....

We're Happy Little Vegemites

2008-04-09T20:53:00.008+08:00

Ave out there,

I have hit my happiness nirvana, happy little vegemite status. My week keeps looking up and up and up. (S is loving it too...) What have I done??? Oh for those of you who do not know what vegemite is. It is an Australian food spread for those who like strong smells and it can be a little salty for some (but actually doesn't have much salt in it per 100 grams). S hates it with a passion but the girls in the family do. Wan-chan (is a boy as decreed by the man in the house) isn't so keen either because vegemite fingers = a wipe down. He is allergic to cleanliness. For more information please go to the vegemite official website. Oh make sure you listen to the song too by clicking on the tv.

So I guess I had better tell you how my week got even better.

Well take yesterday for example. A random package from okaasan lobs up. Sly old fox didn't even hint at it... Look at a sample of all the goodies. One had been feeling a tad guilty that I had not been making CT new clothes because her first wardrobe is on the tight (but not unwearable) side. Okaasan had the sixth sense.

She also decided that I needed a choice of BIG bags to lug stuff around in and look stylish as well as a sweet necklace which CT kind of broke before I noticed it but it is repairable. Repair first photo later. Ties for S, boring in my eyes, but he desperately needed more appropriate ones for Singapore. My bright ties just don't cut the mustard here. Japanese snacks, kurogoma (sweet black sesame seeds,heaven) and the osembe (rice crackers).

I have heard of these, they're Tales of Genji Kyoto osembe, but had not tasted. Heaven. CT thinks so too. While I was loading up the photos to Flickr someone woke early. My theory is that she smelt the osembe. I had just opened the packet peeps, I only got one.... But I think a much better snack alternative for a little person.

Yesterday also saw the little girl take her first step (and fall). So we can stand and take one step independently. I guess life is going to change again (isn't change a constant in life anyway??) but I am so proud. She was also practising the stepping thing today all morning (may be another reason for a very short nap) but more than one step is elusive (and frustrating for her). But another jig moment.

Today?? A trip to Arab St. If I am making aprons for okaasan while she visits, it would be rude not to include oneesan. I have nothing that is to her taste so I needed to make a little trip. I didn't side track with purchases but explored more. Have I mentioned that there lots of scrummy places to eat at?? Well consider it done today. I took more photos too. When I feel I have a good mix for a decent blog post, Arab St according to Ayama-chan will be written (along with dozens of other projects that are begging to be done).

Also I got the hugest compliment today. Donnie told me that I had talent and she was impressed and proud of my sewing. It might sound strange, but I grew up in awe of Donnie's sewing. She's designed and sewn bridal gowns, was an in demand dressmaker, owned a patchwork store and designed quilts.... Did I mention that Donnie is extremely talented?? So I take it as a compliment. Thank you Donnie. And I did my little victory dance when you told me too.

Ummm I better catch on my, 'This is....' post from Sunday. Forgive me a lot of living has been happening here at casa da yamas.

Time for Some Secret Squirrel Sharing

2008-04-07T22:03:00.003+08:00

Warning, this is a photo heavy post because I am going to be a show off.

This is the first in a series of secret squirrel reports. He was revived for me by my obstetrician last year who joked about his secret squirrel routes around the hospital. Jen is not the only one who may or may not be expecting mail from me and I would hate to spoil surprises. Oh and I hope I am sounding a little cryptic. I'm hoping to have another secret squirrel report sometime this week, next week and the week after. It does make it hard to post photos of what I am doing.

Okay back to the secret squirrel report. Through Meg's mobile swap, I have met some pretty awesome people, Jen being one of them and we agreed to do a swap. I hadn't seen Jen's blog before until I found her through her flickr badge. That was a late night with a few wines reading most of her blog. She is more art than craft and got me very curious. When My Purple Crayon asked if anyone was up for more swapping and Jen replied yes, butterflies raced in my stomach when I contacted her. Now 2 months down the track, I have a friend. :D

Most of the items I made are fishy because they were the rush of ideas I had when I sent the initial email. If I had of read more closely before I mentally ticked off what I was going to do, I would have included her two lovely dish lickers as well. (There is always Christmas guys.) I also wasn't keen on a mobile because S isn't really into them. It's his girls that do.

Jen mentioned that her job in her profile job so I assumed that she spent a lot of time in an office on a computer, so I immediately thought of a wrist pad. S loved the one I made him. My thoughts strayed to a fish I had seen in ISBN4-539-03489-5 and the fabric mum had given me for Christmas 2006. I modified the pattern, used different fabric, but the basic shape (I feel) still belongs to the author of this publication. I called him sushi because I thought he looked mean. Wouldn't you be if you had such an unfortunate name??

I also thought of the mono-oki, in their original context from omiyage, they are actually purses. I played a lot with the goldfish pattern (the size, the curves, the closures but once again I feel that they are still essentially the author's design if you look at the book). I really enjoyed it and when I can find where CT squirreled away chernobyl's brother, I'll take a photo. The fabric of both mono-oki are recycled.

Chernobyl's fabric is very special to me. My first host mother gave me a lunch box, lunch box bag and a furoshiki to wrap my lunch box in. When I went through my I-hate-my-host-school-let's-wag-school phase (which my final host family whole heartily encouraged), this furoshiki and I went to lots of places, Kamakura, Ueno (mainly for the pond and getting lost looking at the vintage kimonos), Meiji Shrine, any shrine that I saw in aimless walks. So in a way it was a partner in my crimes.

I had been wanting to do something special with this fabric for awhile, besides who needs 2 kingyo mono-oki??

Fudge, was made from a girlfriend's grandmother's kimono scrap I was given. The name?? I made the zip closure up as I sewed along. Well I did sit with the pattern and measure a 'perfect' fit for the top but chirimen is a very forgiving fabric, it stretches as you sew. So I had to pull a bit here, cut a bit here, stick my tongue out there and ease the piece in. S calls this technique, fudging. So the name stuck.

The mobile was more what I had in mind for the mobile swap. Well the copper coil bit. I wanted it to twist like on a swivel and create a never-ending coil visual effect while in full flight. I have something for curves and circles, which was lucky for me because Jen, likes them too.

The organza thread painted fish (which I like much better than my original idea) came about from my crimes to antique kimono remnant post. These were the fish, that I wanted to hang on the fishing line. But the fabric was too old and frail to sew, even by hand. I am still kicking myself for ruining such a beautiful piece of fabric. The beads were Arab St finds as well as the bell. The Japanese hang furin in windows and on porches in the summer to catch the breeze. One host family even hung ordinary bells, they told me it was to attract the wind gods. I fell in love with bells in Japan. They are very lucky.

I needed to share some of my origami papers. I have tons and I am looking forward to the day that CT and I can make origami together. At the moment, the paper itself are treasures for her. But she will watch me make her simple animals and toys. They get loved to death, which is what they are meant for. I sent my favourites. Finally I included a few postcards from Yoshitomo Nara. I really like his non-pc pictures of children and his dogs. Sorry Jen, I can't part with the dogs.

Hmmm more secret squirrel stuff to do now. I am having a lunch box bag break until tomorrow (because I am going to lick these suckers. I want to make one for my best friend Jane too. Her birthday was 2 days after CT's and....). Actually it isn't going too well. I am stuffing up all the corners that I am sewing. So one thinks that they need to go and rethink patterns to something where the corners are a simple and I will be happy with the result. The messenger bag I made has now become CT's library bag (photos to come). She loves it but I don't think wan-chan does. What self respecting dog would want to travel head first in a bag??

Still Walking on Sunshine

2008-04-07T21:00:00.002+08:00

Salubrious Salutations all. A big thank you to all of you who take the time to comment or send me mail, I cannot tell you how much it means to me and a lot of your encouragement gives me the warm fuzzies.

You might wonder why I am still walking on sunshine. My fabulous weekend was kicked off with Jen's lovely swap on Friday. I still haven't put anything in my book, but I have collected relevant stuff to put in it. If Jen and I ever meet, I'll share....

On Saturday I got word that Jen had received the swap that I sent and that she loved it. So a phew, a little nervous tension gone and now I can have a show and skite. A whole set devoted to what I got up to there.(I'll talk more about that in the next post. 2 day post today peeps). Saturday also saw a jaunt to Singapore's Japanese ex-pat major hang out. So I was able to finally get a copy of the spring edition of Cotton Friend (more on that later), find some of CT's favourite Japanese curry roux and eat authentic (honest) Japanese cuisine. CT also had the staff in the restaurant in stitches at the end of the meal when she decided that she needed to wipe the high chair tray clean. I was a little disappointed that she did not eat the cha-han (Japanese fried rice) we ordered for her because why have cha-han when there is a vegemite sandwich in the bag??

Sunday's good news is that okaasan (that's the title for MIL) is coming to visit from the 24th to the 30th of April. Our last meeting was not positive as I was dealing with PND, mastitis and severe sleep deprivation. Needless to say that I was not my usual self which had my outlaws wonder if the person they met last time was 'the real me'. Nope they just had an irrational panicky me. It has taken a looooong time for okaasan to be friendly or trust me (One feels that it is back because when she calls, she rarely wants to talk to S), so I really want to do a lot of bridge mending with her. I am also very happy for her sake that she had the courage to come to Singapore without otoosan. They are a pre-WWII mindset couple so for her to come to Singapore without him is a HUGE thing. Part of me is dancing because he is not coming (because I think he is a chauvinist), however, the parent in me is sad that he can't enjoy CT before she cottons on to what 'naughty' is. Apparently the dental clinic is that busy that he can't take the time off as well as his back and type 2 diabetes preventing a visit health wise. I am really proud of okaasan for just doing it. My sister-in-law is also coming (otherwise I do not think okaasan would have had the courage to come alone, her English is zero). I haven't seen oneesan (big sister, well she is married to S's older brother) for nearly 4 1/2 years. It's a shame that when we go on overseas holidays we do not occasionally head to Japan but S and his family do not see eye to eye. I also got time in lieu as well on Sunday afternoon. What did I do?? Go to a specialist fabric store to check out their felt range. One should have checked if they were actually open on a Sunday but it was in such a lovely area I went for a walk in the park and talked to random dogs.

Oh and today, CT and I got accepted into another playgroup. We start on the first Wednesday in May. I happen to know a few of the other mothers and toddlers in the group as well. Today we hung out at the library. It's awesome with lots of board books for CT and her age group and set out really well for them. For a change (I tend to head to the library on a stormy day like today), there weren't many 'helpers' rather mums with their littlies. So why shouldn't I be walking on sunshine??? Or is it more the Simon and Garfunkel 'Feeling Groovy' kind of thing?? Nah mix of both. :D

See you in the next post.

I'm Walking on a Small World

2008-04-05T16:57:00.011+08:00

Peeps, I like to think of myself as the queen of spoonerisms. I love them and deliberately use them, blame Happy. So today I am mixing songs: I'm Walking on Sunshine and It's a Small World.

The small world part: I went to visit a dermatologist on Wednesday (Aside: another 3 suspect moles need to go. Hmmm may be there will be no skin left when I am 40...) and while he was getting my patient details (ie where I had lived to rate the melanoma risk) he mentioned that he lived in Brisbane. So I asked where, the same suburb as Donnie and Happy (and a lot of my late to early 20s), he asked which street (because we think it is the best 'burb), you could see the shock register in the guy's face. Who would have guessed that this doctor (out of the all the dermatologists in Singapore) lived a few streets away from where I was as a younger person.... So I spent the rest of Wednesday singing It's a Small World in English and Japanese. Oh I felt you needed to see the finished houses from The Lark (sort of seems appropriate given the doctor story). 'Spose that makes me a show off too....

The sunshine part: Look at what Jen sent me as part of our swap.

People, stalking the postie is not necessarily a bad thing. He was busting to give this hand this to me as I passed the letterboxes yesterday. I am one very lucky girl. I love books and paper and more so chiyogami. How lucky to have a book especially made and designed for me. (Yes I am a tragic, I've started to sing and groove again...) Oh and because a certain mobile is still absent, a 'temporary' was sent.

Jen, temporary my left foot, CT likes it,

especially the new home. Even S likes it and he isn't a mobile person.

Hurry up postie, I have secret squirel photos I am busting to share. It is almost killing me to keep the surpises....

This was on my desk Wednesday

2008-04-03T21:05:00.003+08:00

Baa I am a sheep. I have decided to join the "On my desk Wednesday" meme. A day late but I ran the batteries out of the camera... again!

Seeing this a first, a view of the desk (hem hem Ikea table) from the 'studio' door. (Won't be taking one of these over exposed babies again in a hurry.) From the top kingyo wind chime, loathed venetian blinds, S's camera, Japanese lunch box carrier (pattern potential for Oh Frannson's Lunch Box Swap), wrapping paper (still there from some one's birthday), thread, Ma and Ma's cover, Obbakii (the over locker), water bottle, baking paper, blue container with all my cutters/scissors in it (note to self Suzy Reorganising can go go gadget them from there), bin under table and one of Granddad's very special stools. WIP below.

A shot of what is under Ma, because this is where all the action takes place here. This week I have been doodling on the machine. Donnie is extremely good at this and has two amazing pictures that she made. Donnie would you be willing to share them with others so I can have a show and skite at what a talented sewer you are?? You can also see a roll of baking paper (for tracing patterns), carbon paper, the original picture I based the doodle on and ric rac (was tinkin'...)

Seeing that I spend a lot of time here in a week too. Let's see how this space evolves... The packing boxes will be beautiful, they are part of the tunnels that we make, library books, DIY postbox, our water bottles, baby, Anpan-man, and stacking toy.

This is... the contents of my handbag

2008-03-30T09:43:00.004+08:00

I have decided to join the 'This is....' meme that Three Buttons started earlier this year. I have enjoyed looking each Sunday to see what has been posted and decided I needed to be part of the fun.

CT is going to demonstrate some of the contents of my handbag which doubles as a nappy bag. This also not posed. I forgot that I had put my bag on the floor the other day and when I turned my head for half a second....

A must in such sunny climes.

Her hat. One hopes I can prevent melanoma for her in the future.

Diary, you can see the bib, and a plastic bag. The contents?? Patience peeps...

Can you see the contents of the plastic bag? Spare pants and other associated paraphanalia. There is also a travelling bug spoon, her sultanas, a container with homemade biscuits (ANZACs of course), the water bottle, the spare bottle in case we go to a cafe and share a milk drink. What you can't see is her raincoat, the umbrella (the rain can come in mighty quick), toys to distract, her cutlery set, keys, the mobile... basically too much stuff. No wonder why my shoulder aches..... Time to go tidy it out I guess....

Room with a view

2008-03-28T22:52:00.002+08:00

This has become a favourite past time here. One wonders if she is trying to spy the postie (that would be me), looking into other people's apartments, train spotting, just playing with the curtains. It is also interesting finding the items that are spirited away here...

Talking about the postie he wasn't feeling waylaid by me on Tuesday (I think he quivers in his boots when he sees me...) because he actually had a parcel. This was received from the lovely Carina from Sweden. I didn't want to bore you with a picture of a whole wall, but I can assure you that it makes the wall look fab.

Can you see the legs and wings on the chicken?? Pose able. S and I being of simple minds have been taking great delight in posing it. It always amazes me what people create from the same set of swap instructions. Oh thank goodness that Singapore customs aren't as strict as Australian customs. Can you see the chicken feathers?? A nice touch. Thank you very much Carina.

Non-Public holiday Fridays are CT's favourite. It is the ANZA playgroup morning. I am not as happy with this venue. The alternate Friday venue is more fun for adventure loving CT (an activity centre for the newly mobile but not confident walker/climber). Yet, the slide has become a hit. I got a good workout this morning. guiding down a slide, a swing through the air and line up again for 2 hours. Note to self do not pass the adventure playground in the complex when you are in a hurry....

Finally, does anyone have any ideas on how to baby proof an oven?? Baking Anzac biscuits at 8pm does not appeal otherwise. I know Suzy would appreciate any advice as well.

Navel Gazing

2008-03-27T22:38:00.004+08:00

The silence has been deliberate. Since the last post I have been doing a lot of sewing/crafting but I will not be spoiling surprises, because I know Painted Fish Studio is a reader and I suspect the other is a lurker. So when I know that they the items I made have been received, I will post photos here and on flickr. Until then you can all be that proverbial cat.

So madly sewing has been one reason for the silence but the main reason has been to do with navel gazing. Smoothpebble, posted a thought provoking post here about secret dreams. The thing is my dream to be a conference translator was an ambition before I met S. I really need to live in Japan for a few years working for a Japanese firm in the area I want to specialise in for that to happen. S and Japan are like the square peg and round hole scenario. Plus lawyer's working hours are ridiculous and finally I do not like how children of mixed Japanese heritage are referred to as haafu (half). It implies something is missing. That and S banging on about wanting to work in London, not that it is a bad thing but it is his dream, not mine; meant that some resentment set in. Nagging followed and I started to feel a little low about my behaviour. Easter also saw some homesickness. And the ear thing didn't help either, virtually no hearing meant that I spent most of the week closeted at home (never a good thing). Nobody needs to listen to a pity party so I didn't share the worst of it here. But thanks Jen and Donnie for helping out.

Last night really pulled me out of the hole I had put myself into. Good friends from our Brisbane days came to dinner. My first dinner party since just before CT was born and it felt like old times again. It was though we had said our goodbyes the day before. But I had not seen the hubby since December '06 and the wife since Jan '06. It was so good for the soul. I felt like a new woman. So the translating door closed but what fantastic doors opened. So I will have my fantasy dreams when there is the grrr factor...

I will leave you gratuitous photos of CT and Bend the Rules Sewing. S can really surprise me sometimes. He saw her bias tutorial and decided I needed her book, which I have been seriously hankering after since I discovered crafting blog land late August/early September last. It must be good because after it was thieved off the dining room table (man I really need to watch what I leave within go-go gadget reach... at the same time the goal posts can change dramatically in a day.... now that is a post in itself...) she slid it in her hand as she cruised the house from one end to the other. Seeing that she doesn't tear up normal books anymore (she wants to turn the pages in her big girl books), I let her go for it. She also has a secret squirrel sixth sense about me taking pictures (check out flickr) because I couldn't catch her actually pouring over the pages. I have nurtured a book-a-holic which warms my heart. The leaf doesn't fall far from the tree.

Nite all

Guest Blogger

2008-03-21T10:52:00.003+08:00

Hi everyone, my name is Wan-chan and I am stepping in for Mummy today. She is busy atoning for a few crimes that have been committed in this corner of paradise.

Crime 1
Day: Wednesday
Where: Shower
Time: 0700 hours
Victim: Me
Incident Report:
The parents have got it into their tiny minds that it is time for CT to become accustomed to the shower. It was also decided that it was Papa's job and Mummy would make a start on breakfast. Seeing that CT and I are joined at the hip (we're partners in crime even), I was quite happy to sit outside the shower cubicle and watch. But Papa had other ideas... He thought I was a little on the nose, so I needed a quick dip as well... Why?? What have I done wrong?? Aren't I the loyal hound that keeps CT safe, sound and amused?? Don't you know I am allergic to water?? To add insult to injury I was hung out to dry (literally) without even being patted dry in a towel. This where Mummy found me looking forlorn and love lost when she went to hang out the washing.

The spin in the washing machine was kinda fun (though a little bit frightening). Then I was allowed to bask in the sunlight in our room or the studio (CT and I like to share in all things). But I couldn't join in the fun during the storm, so I sent the humans to Coventry. There are always infinitely more interesting things outside..... Mummy was very inconsiderate not to let me join in. So what if I was wet??

No I am not posing for your photo. Go away.

Crime 2
Day: Thursday
Where: The Studio
Time: Nap time
Victim: Antique Japanese silk crepe
Incident Report:
Mummy should have known better. Even though the sewing bible was consulted, what was she thinking?? If you are worried about hand sewing frail antique fabric, why sew them on Ma?? Mummy proudly showed us the fabric and explained it was very special and she had been saving it for the right project. We were not really allowed to touch because it was delicate... Look at the disaster that happened while we were napping.

Mummy had a gut feeling that this probably would happen. She felt guilty for committing a crime against fabric. We have since seen what she did instead, but that's a secret.

Well I am off there is more home wrecking to be a party to and Shiro to beat up (I have to maintain the dominant dog position you know...).

ta ta.

Dear Painted Fish

2008-03-18T22:21:00.000+08:00

Even though I have been slactacular tonight I did manage to get somethings done for our swap today. Of course I am not going to spoil the surprise but I did have some help choosing fabrics.

For everyone else, I think I have the zip market covered. What do you think??

Someone please shoot me! No make it the talentless talent questers in the park next to the train line (about 500m from the current residence). What possessed the local temple to inflict this upon the unwitting?? I have NEVER heard so much dreadful singing in Hokkien or English. And seeing that I am deaf in one ear at the moment they must be loud. And I thought there was going to be a Chinese Opera performing tonight and excited about it....

Randomness

2008-03-18T21:55:00.000+08:00

Excuse me if I ramble myself through the 7 random things about yourself tag from Kwoozy, I am self medicating a rather irritating ear infection (funny how it doesn't bother me as much while CT is keeping me company...) I was going to work on Painted Fish Studio's swap but self medicating = lots of unpicking.

Okay

1. Happy's (aka dad) eccentric ways have rubbed off on me to an extent. I will do it my way... But I have to explain myself at the same time (a trait that runs in Happy's family).

2. I had to have a dressmaker's pin surgically removed from my asofagus when I was 8 1/2 years old. Lesson learnt you should not try and imitate the sewers in your family and try and cough at the same time. Lesson not learnt use a pin cushion. I still put pins in my mouth.

3. I met S (aka Stingy depending on the post) on the internet. It was a case of mistaken identity. A mutual friend passed my email address on to S (because I introduced him to his wife while he was in Aus on uni exchange). We were both dissatisfied with the situations we found ourselves at the time and got 'friendly' through moan bonding.

4. I had to have an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction because I tried to Bend it Like Beckham (and it was not too long after the movie) with a cocker spaniel and a many terriers crossed fluff ball.

5. Mcspannar is Happy's nickname for me. It comes from 'Don't throw a spanner (wrench for US readers) in the works' (because I unintentionally do it a lot...). The 'Mc' is an honorary title from a 'Mc' day at Mickey Ds. Oops I have just told the world my first name...

6. CT is Happy's nickname for my little girl, it is really unPC and I love it. Kwoozy, Painted Fish Studio, Donnie, Happy, S and Donnie's 'gals' from her patchwork business know what it means. Okay in an attempt to flush out who lurks here, other than my cronies and Donnie's, I would love to see what you think it means.

7. I have often wondered why sewer as in someone who sews and sewer as in the effluent variety is spelt the same. (In an aside, S still has a problem pronouncing the two and often in introductions tell people that I am the effluent pipe system...)

Seeing that Kwoozy didn't nominate people for the tag, I will be a sheep and do the same. If you want to play along. Please do, just let me know. Between me and you, narrowing things down to 7 was difficult because I am a random kind of person. May be it is because I am blonde. What do you think Donnie??

Introducing

2008-03-17T22:16:00.000+08:00

Drum rolls please people. These creatures are part of the reason for a blog no show for about a week.....

Jack 'the lad' Kookaburra

Likes: gum trees, laughing (especially at the silly things tin lids do), eating snakes and lizards, using backyard pools as bird baths, playing mind games with terriers
Dislikes: telegraph wires
Made for: Fairbanks Fancygoods as part of the Mother Goose Swap. The inspiration came from the kookaburras that frequented the massive gum trees in the neighbours back yards. I sang Kookaburra Sits in The Old Gum Tree countless times to CT while we were there. So I thought I needed to make her a kookaburra (which I will) but it seemed like a good idea to make one for the swap seeing that I liked this Australian nursery rhyme so much.
Made from: Kookaburra: wool felt; branch: clear hose pipe (long story why I had it but it involves CT, a baby bath and a C-section...), piping cord (difficult to thread into the pipe and hard to cut to make a big enough hole, stabbe myself with the sissors once or twice), covered in a wheat print (looks like the texture of a gum tree branch);

leaves: free hand embroidered appliques on green homespun (these were fun, fun, fun to make!!! I will be playing more with this technique ;D).

Miss Moneypenny (left) and Penny Henny (right)

Miss Moneypenny
Hates: her materialistic name so has become a bohemian hippy chick
Likes: frayed hems, homespun and other natural fibres, dahl
Made for: Irene
As part of: The Easter Bunny's Chicks
Made from: recycled linen shirt (I will never get into that beauty again)for body, homespun dress, button eyes.

Penny Henny

Likes: big hair (notice the comb), ultra mini skirts to show off her long legs
Hates: no wolf whistles as she passes construction sites
Made for: Carina Gradin
As Part of:The Easter Bunny's Chicks
Made from: comb and dress patchwork print, body green homespun
Inspiration: Camille Sait-Saens The Carnival of the Animals Movement II- Poules et Coqs (Hens and Roosters). This was a favourite CD that Happy bought for Rob and I when we were growing up (the eccentric one rarely listens to anything but classical...). Seeing that he agreed (with much grumbling) to loan it to his very special CT, we have been listening to it A LOT. It has rubbed off (as well as the Beastie Boys and anything you can dance to I might add...). If you can get your hands on the libretto, the rooster wolf whistles at chicks passing by. I didn't want to do Japanese-ish style for this swap so as I was listening to this CD I remembered Donnie had given me this book years ago. I modified the chicken pattern slightly because I wanted longer leaner legs (the linen chicken's legs were a nightmare to turn out...).

Speckle (left) and Mr Muscels (right)

Speckle
Background story: A mishap with a dog a few years back left Speckle with a wonkey ear and no tail. So he is a very stoic bunny and rarely shows emotion.

Mr Muscels
Background story: He is the want to be boyfriend of Penny Henny but his try hard antics and his love of his pec deck are a turn off... But she lets him hang around so he can buy her drinks and other things. This guy's story is inspired from here (please ignore the uploaders other you tube clips). I love this commercial.

I drew up my own pattern based on the pattern from this book. Once again I did not want it to look Japanese cute. Both bunnies are made from patchwork quality homespuns.

For more photos have a look at my flickr stream. Phew. That was time consuming.... Nite all. It's late in Singapore.

Day of posts

2008-03-17T21:27:00.000+08:00

I am making up for the lack of posts last week with lots today. To get the ball rolling, Painted Fish Studio tagged me (gosh my first tag and S thought I was nuts because I did a little victory dance about it). Secret 4s. Some were difficult to limit to 4 (places I have been to and places I have lived, so I mainly chose the most off beat).
4 jobs I¹ve had: general dog's body at Sew N Sew Quilters' Paradise for donkeys years (thanks Donnie it was fun), English conversation teacher (I have done this twice), Japanese teacher (K-12 which I love)

4 favorite movies: Lost is Translation (fave bits are the translation bits), Pirates of the Carribean (Arhhhh, Onesies and Cap'in Jack Sparrow), Stranger than Fiction (love the premise, will need see Being John Malkovich) and a toss up between Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (I love this English comedic duo, love the uptight policeman in Hot Fuzz and the array of sporting equipment used to kill zombies in Shaun of the Dead)

4 places I¹ve been: Cleves, Germany (Anne of Cleves one of randy Henry VIII's wives old stamping ground); Sapporo, Japan (S's hometown and where fortress out-laws is); Napier, New Zealand (loved the art deco buildings); The Big Pineapple, Sunshine Coast Australia (world's kitshest and shabbiest theme park).

4 places I¹ve lived: Lambassa, Fiji; Higashimurayamashi, Tokyo, Japan; Richmond, Queensland Australia; Singapore (presently and for a whole 17 days)

4 favorite tv shows: Dr Who (all, tragic but true); Mr Bean (man that program has saved my bacon so many times in English conversation classes); South Park (Starvin Marvin saved my final teaching prac.... Long story but I became a fan of those crass ijiots); Pride and Predjudice (Mr Darcy coming out of that pond, man that was a common daydream fantasy during my 2nd year at uni).

4 favorite radio programs: None here. In Australia Margaret Throsby's interviews on ABC Classic FM (listen to the pod casts most days here); The Hamish and Andy Show (love the A-Team rip off at the beginning); Radio National Breakfast (amazing what you hear) and The Media Report (interesting who is in charge of our 'news' and how they shape the information that we get).

4 favorite foods: Curry, Chillies, Chippies (the potato chip/crisp kind), Gin and Tonic (hey it's not a food but my reward at the end of most days)

4 places I'd rather be: Chatting with Donnie; anywhere but with my out-laws WHEN they are preaching at me how to be a good housewife (notice that I did qualify when I did not like their company); anywhere near water (got a view of the complex pool from the study, I can live with that); with my family

Okay now I need to nominate who I am going to tag. Definately Kwoozy, Hurrah! (Have you seen the awesome gift she gave her niece for her first birthday?? If not check it out!), Breaksville (who I haven't heard from for awhile...), Floating World

Donnie, I just couldn't help it, I had to explain myself. Wish I could tag you though.

Better late than never...

2008-03-17T21:11:00.000+08:00

Friday was a huge day at my place because a very special little CT turned the big one! She was born on Wednesday the 14th of March 2007 at 1:48 am. Won't bore you with the gorry details. Just that she was an emergency c-section and that I can tell you a lot about the back pain. It is amazing how much she has grown in one year from this,

to this

in the space of 12 months. Belated happy birthday CT sweetie the sweetle deetle darling home wrecker.

A Year Ago

2008-03-11T20:34:00.001+08:00

Can you remember what you were up to today one year ago?? I can. I was a woman on a mission. The obstitrian's receptionist had called me on the Friday (March 9) to tell me that I would be induced on the following Thursday (March 15). I had sort of expected this. My Saturday was going to be busy (yoga class, baby shower and dinner...) so I was determined to get all the final preparations for 'Aidan' (was positive that CT was a boy and had been calling the poor little vegiemite Aidan for months when I was alone) done on Sunday and Monday and have Tuesday as a complete rest day. So I madly went about the jobs that could be achieved on a Sunday afternoon in Perth. My friend Jane's birthday present was a priority and I waddled as fast as that heavily pregnant body would let me. I wasn't going to be late for her birthday last year. (Though this year is another story my dear...) I know I did other jobs (but that is where my memory is hazy) but didn't get everything done. At about 10pm today last year, I had to get my bag packed properly (and not just have the stuff thrown in it) and clean through my handbag. By midnight my abdomin and back were uncomfortable apparently this was the beginning of labour. All I knew was that bag had to be organised immediately!! This was the start of Miss CT sweetie making her grand entrance....

Arab St

2008-03-10T22:30:00.000+08:00

Hi a short and sweet post tonight. So many things to do and so little time. I finally have a sewing table so I am in business. 2 1/2 weeks of not much on the crafting front has nearly driven me around the twist.

Had a busy, busy weekend as a family. Though S encouraged my sewing by taking me to Arab St on Saturday afternoon. I have fallen in love with this place!! Not as many trim or button places as I was hoping for but the linen, the cottons, the silks, the tulle and the bells. Bliss. I will be going more often. CT had a ball looking at stuff. While I was looking at the linens I was wondering if this was where scrapabee gets hers here and thought of i heart linen and Chara. S was the every inch the proud Papa carrying her around while I oggled and started planning various projects. S also encouraged a visit to trip to Spotlight to go and find appropriate patterns for me to make myself some linen clothes. Sometimes he really surprises me. There is some eyecandy below of my weekend 'haul'... Once again flickr will give you a better idea of what I have been up to.

Excitment!

2008-03-06T22:52:00.000+08:00

I am such a lucky girl I now have my very own sewing room set up. Well I exaggerate a touch, I still need a table to sew on. I have already decided that we need a new dining room table (much to my husband's chagrin) because the one we have has lovely scratch and florist paper stains. I know it's a round dining room table but it is one of those expandable numbers so it with be a different shape.

I am also excited about the view!! Check out the photos here, here and here. One day I will work out how to blog my photos without the links. I am hopeless...

Oh I had help fixing up the room. CT thought it was a grand adventure so I did not feel guilty about not 'playing'. She pulled out as much as I put away and had fun touching all the stuff, standing up and playing with the fabrics.

Banana Muffins

2008-03-06T22:49:00.001+08:00

Banana Muffins
Originally uploaded by Ayama-chan

Yesterday, I spent the majority of the day doing lots of rearranging in various rooms in the apartment. I needed to create something but have promised myself that my sewing is not going to escape from the room S has kindly let me have for my sewing space. So I made banana muffins instead. I had three very very ripe bananas, too ripe even for CT's questionable banana quaffing taste. I can't remember where I got the recipe from but I like it a lot because you do not need scales and it is so easy. It is actually a cake recipe.

BANANA CAKE
1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 eggs, tsp bicarbonate of soda dissolved in 1 tbsp milk, small bananas mashed together with a few drops of vanilla, 2 cups self raising flour.

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating each in well. Then add bananas, milk and soda, lastly fold in flour. Bake in greased tine in a moderate oven 45-50 minutes. Ice with lemon icing (optional).

Vola yesterday's batch as you can see from the picky.

When making them for CT I add more bananas and less sugar. You need to balance it out with a bit more vanilla. And if you are not a 'sweet' person this is not a very sweet cake.

I'm back

2008-03-03T21:04:00.000+08:00

... But then again I wasn't gone, gone. I just had technical difficulties posting at my temporary digs... Everytime I tried to log into blogger, I crashed my parent's browser. So I went on blogging hiatus until I moved to Singapore. Believe it or not I am literally sweating away on this post in this island nation.

What have I been up to?? Go here to see what crafting/sewing I have been up to (among other things...) I also helped a teeny tiny bit on an awesome quilt Donnie is making CT (Will stick with Happy's very un-PC nickname for my little girl). A lot of running after the now incredibly mobile home wrecker was where I spent most of her waking hours and I will be honest I lot of time in front of the zombie box in the evenings or hanging out on flickr. Lazy I know.

I have over committed myself with swaps because quite frankly I will need things to do to occupy myself while S the incredible box unpacker (he may be stingy but I will hand it to my hubby for unpacking all but four of our boxes. Lots of redecorating/organising will have to be done. But he has done the hard yards. Thanks S), is at work. He is a lawyer and it sounds like his new job is going to be quite busy. Seeing that I don't know anyone at the moment and so I have interests other than reorganising/little girl rearing, I want to do some creating.

Swaps coming up on the horizon are:
a)Group swaps
Easter Bunny Chicks Swap, Mother Goose Swap
b)Personal swaps
My Purple Crayon, Kwoozy and Painted Fish Studio

That should be enough to keep my out of mischief. Now all I need is a table to sew on as well as a tidy-ish room. This is my space at the moment. Aren't I just lucky to have my own creating room???

Settling In

2007-12-20T12:31:00.000+08:00

The very cheeky monkey pixie (CMP) seems to be settling into Donnie and Poppies' place, FINALLY. It might not sound like a big deal, HOWEVER, someone has developed stranger anxiety. Sheesh Poppie was public enemy number ONE!! Oh well.

On the crafting front. I have been mucking around with Donnie's felting machine. Clever me did not go and look at what the thing is called. But it is cool. I am having fun felting all sorts of things into plain onesies, and singlets at the moment... Hmm I was going to naive applique retro designs on them. Oh well. I have also been working on a quilt Donnie is making for CMP. It's a fairy quilt with tons of button hole applique. I plan to get onto this project in the not too distant future.

Sign one does not have the url for this amazing little site. It's on my bookmarks. CMP sticky fingers needs to have a wall hanging at her hight that she can't get up too mischief with. It also cannot stay on the floor because one of the resident dish lickers is blind so can't sit on the couch anymore. A quiet quilt would make an excellent patch of comfort on wooden floors as far as he is concerned.

Here are some photos of Evie's awesome swap. Evie it definately was worth the wait and in the last 2 hours at home when I was feeling distressed about never seeing my beloved car again (we had lots of adventures in together over 8 years), it was a welcome distraction. Enjoy the photos. I think I have enough time to upload them before CMP wakes up.

CMP distracting goodness.

Naptime over. Have to fly.

Swaps

2007-12-09T20:50:00.000+08:00

Hmm I read a rant somewhere in blogdom over the past week or so ( well at least before I morphed into 'The-Move-Banshee'). So one thinks that they have been remiss in swap netiquette. May be it is time for me to blog about my swap adventures. Before this year, I was never much of a photographer, so I do not automatically think, 'I should photograph this'. Or I get in a mad panic that I have to post the swap NOW and when I get home I have a penny dropping in an empty moneybox moment. So I do not have complete swap pictures.

Swap number 1 Fall Swap
If you go to my flickr stream you can see most of the photos as well. (In my warped little universe I like to drop hints about surprises without giving it away. I just get excited about giving I guess. But noticed that no one else was dropping hints...)Evie from the sunny climes in San Francisco was my swap partner and being a fellow Japanophile, I decided to go with my favourite Japanese autumn festival, Tsukimi. So that was the approach I took to the handmade things. I ate the most fab Japanese mushroom dish the first time I was in Japan for this festival. The other bits and pieces? All bits of Japanese goodness but you will need to see Evie's blog to check it out. Like I said I do not always remember to take photos.

Swap number 2: Domestic Bliss Miscellany Swap

I sent my swap to Jessica from California. I tried to marry my interests with her interests and include some Japanese and Australian goodness as you can see below.

How do you think I did?

Received items from the lovely Fairlight. I was surprised that the box had this sticker on it:

Why?
I felt that maybe I need to review my packaging strategies after seeing this. I grew up with tree huggers (their words), so what goes on the outside has never been a priority. I was not disappointed when I opened the package up.

Thank you Fairlight. I was so touched especially seeing you were SO pregnant. (Been there done that this year)

Swap 3:Stocking swap
The lovely rhyming twee Leigh. After looking at her blog and flickr, I decided Kinky Boots was a stocking theme. I was DESPERATE to make sure that I made the Christmas deadline (even though we had both agreed to post late) which was made more challenging because of the MOVE. No photos to show you. Not until Leigh has confirmed that she has received her swap. That will be another post.

On the move front, bansai, I have sorted the stuff. Now all I have to do is survive a housing inspection on Tuesday morning (sigh, more cleaning tomorrow) and a solo flight with a 9 month old pixie monkey on Wednesday night.

Sigh. Just viewed the blog. Hmm the flickr photos did not load. Troubleshooting anyone??

Introductions

2007-12-07T19:09:00.000+08:00

Hello world are you ready for me??

I intend this blog to be mainly about my crafty/sewing endeavours and not really about my family or family life. But I guess that sometimes the two will collide.

Ahh about the blog title. May be it gives a hint about my sense of humour. But the name is deliberate. It comes from a very interesting girl in my mothers' group. I like to make clothes and 'stuff' for my little girl (her user name is Niko Niko or Nii-chan). Well one day at mothers' group one of the mum's commented on how nice the outfit I had made was. The interesting one's response was, "So What!" I don't think she meant to say it so everyone could hear, there was a pregnant pause, then my sense of humour set in, I thanked her for a fantastic craft blog name. Her response? "Mcspannar (my user name), wouldn't it be lovely if we could all live in the same universe as your mind?" It was a brilliant idea and I was trying to diffuse a situation.

But it is a good name. It could cynical or positive. Just a matter of perspective. However, be warned I have a very British even Monty Python-esque sense of humour.

We'll have to see how much blogging and sharing I will be able to do in the next few months... See being the procrastinator that I am, I have started a blog instead of doing the following: clearing out the kitchen, linen cupboard and odd-sods-bods cupboard ready for a move to Singapore; make Christmas presents; pack suitcase for Nii-chan and I (going to Brisbane for Christmas and until a place to live in Singapore is found); and write Christmas. Why not start a blog to share with whoever my adventures in sewing? One has wanted to do this for awhile now (and there has been behind the scenes encouraging), but Stingy (darling hubby's user name, you'll find out why in due time...) is out tonight tripping the light fantastic at a work related function and here I am at home.... Procrastinate now! Anyhow I am having real sewing withdrawal symptoms. As depicted below.

Even though I will miss my apartment, and my current sewing space as depicted above (cramped but I have had fun in it), haunts and favourite fabric stores, Singapore here I come. With a short sojourn in Brisvegas thrown in with Donnie and Happy (parents user names).

Nite all, really do need to do some more stuff sorting...

Ps Chara, is my 'studio' a bigger disaster site than yours before it had a 'fall' clean??