.100+1

My latest post was... two months ago! Hehe. My excuses: Lebaran holiday *maid and nanny were having their holidays, meaning me and the family were the ones who covered their jobs hiks*, another flowers order from dreamesh, 100 flowers order from my high school friends and a bad mood ;D

Anyway, I was glad I could finish the 100 flowers order before my friend got back to Germany. I love how they look inside this pretty recycled box.

Notice something on far left of the box? My new creation, batik blossom aka fleur collection. It's harder to make than a chiffon, but I like the result.

I tried to attach it on my cardigan and look how it turned out!
*i should make more of this blossom

.short trip to Bandung

Finally we managed to go to Bandung before my sister went back to Singapore. The small group included me, Josh, his nanny, my sister and parents. I really enjoyed the holiday, specially because my sister and parents were so busy taking care of Josh, so I basically got nothing to do but to enjoy the holiday ;)

In front of one of so many factory outlets in Bandung

Still very sleepy but can't wait to explore Bandung

Enjoying his fresh juice. Yummy...

Having fun with Ii Cia

Strawberry picking! He really loves it.

*can't wait for another holiday

.butter cheese cookies

I found a simple cookies recipe from Ayahbunda magazine, and when my sister stayed at my house, we decided to make some for my little Josh. It turned out really delicious and easy to make. We even made it for the second time, that time we added cocoa powder to half of the dough and created butter choc cheese cookies.

Ingredients:
- 150gr plain flour
- 25gr corn starch
- 50gr caster sugar
- 130gr unsalted butter
- 75gr cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 egg yolk for coating

How to:
1. Mix plain flour, corn starch and caster sugar in a bowl. Cut unsalted butter into pieces and put inside the bowl. Add shredded cheddar cheese, then mix well by hand.
2. Roll out dough about 1/2cm thick, then press your star mold into the dough and cut them out. Proceed to use up the remaining dough. Coat with egg yolk and sprinkle with sugar.
3. Bake for 10-12mins at 130 degrees Celcius or until cookies are light brown on edges.

*yummy!

.have you bought these?

Mother & Baby August 2010

My little Josh wearing Javanese costume (first row, second from right) - one of the photos from this post. He didn't win the prize but I'm still the proud mama!

CrossStitcher Issue 228 - August 2010

I submitted my Last Supper cross stitch and it was published in the Reviewed by You article. Look at the gifts that they sent - very generous.

*more stitching coming up!

.the first attempt

Weeks ago, mom handed me her old sewing machine. Still in a very good condition, but too bad she hardly remember how to use it. So I started to google a sewing teacher but no luck until now (any reference, anyone?).

At the same time, my camera case was broken and I got some tutorials on how to make one - using machine, of course. But I couldn't wait until I found a sewing teacher so I decided to hand sew the case. It turned out quite nice for a first attempt ;) The hardest part was sewing the velcro.

*must admit this is kinda addictive

.let's go to school

Can't you believe that kids nowadays start going to school from newborn? But I decided to enroll my baby to Gymboree when he was 14m because I thought if he was too small then he couldn't even participate in any activities.

After 2-3 times going there, finally he enjoys the class and goes home with smiles. He specially loves the bubble and parachute sessions. But most of all, I am happy that here, he has the chance to learn something new - though only once a week- and can meet his friends with the same age.

*josh, trying to catch the bubbles

.little big flowers

What I made last week.

12 cm floral fabric flowers for Gaby

A little something for Gaby

Pinkie bandana for baby Abel

Three Miss-keteers for Alya

The Barberry Twins

*that's it. for now. enjoy your monday!

.they just made my day

I found these old magazines at Gramedia Kelapa Gading for only Rp20.000 and Rp 25.000 each! What's best: they weren't that old. They're December 2009 and January 2010 issues.

Ooh I couldn't help but bought all the cross stitch magazines available - eventhough I didn't know when I would have time to turn all the beautiful patterns into stitches. Too bad I couldn't find other craft magazines, but will surely come back to check some more.

*hubby's request to Gramedia: men and phone magazines, please ;)

.it's time to say goodbye

Last week, I said goodbye to my father-in-law. Though we didn't speak that much when he's around, I couldn't stop myself from crying on his funeral. I will always remember him as the man who didn't speak much but smiled a lot. I'm sure your smile has opened the gate of heaven, and now that you're healed, I can imagine you running and hopping through the white clouds :)

Anyway, I received these batik scraps from Amesh about a week before we got the bad news and apparently, making these flowers gave a calming effect.


So I'd like to dedicate these beautiful flowers for him.

*goodbye, papi...

.cheers...

... for my first design project since I quit my full time job as an Art Director. Simone, an ex-adviser from my old office offered me to redesign Whitsend Estate wine bottle label. And here is the result.


I really enjoyed working with her because she gave clear instructions on how she wanted the design would be. She also sent me a wine magazine that contains lots of wine bottle label for examples.

Thanks to vecteezy for sharing the wine bottle vector. It is only used for drafting purpose only.

*hope there are more projects to come ;p

.colorful world

Just finished another order from Amesh of dreamesh. Really love her batik collections, it's so colorful and bright, even the black one doesn't look gloomy at all. Also, another cross stitches of rainbow and owl.


I also inserted a small gift for her next birthday, hope she likes it.

*time to relax now...

.spring ATC

This is my first ATC (Artist Trading Card) ever and I really enjoyed doing this. First, because the size is not big and second because you will also get a card from a friend. It's like receiving a surprise gift :)

This ATC was held for indocrossstitcher mailing list and there were 6 of us who participated. The theme was Spring and all ATCs had to be sent on 30 April.

My ATC for Shirley

Chacha's ATC for me

*i'd love to do this again

.a special delivery

Thank you, Amore Baby Portraits!
*the boy is mine :)

.the owl's nest

Honestly, I don't think owl is a cute animal, but some crafty hands successfully turn this night animal into cute and adorable creatures.

Owl jewelery made from tape measure. Yes, tape measure! Can you believe it? Yasmin Ellis is responsible for this creative idea.

Owl felt with its private toilet from kwoozy. Look at the details of the toilet. Amazing.

Owl shelves by Maple Shade Kids, found via inhabitots. Go to their etsy and I'm sure you'd want to spend dollars buying the whole eco-friendly products.

Amigurumi Owls in Love created by Cute Designs. Adopt them now!

Owl print bag from Christine of Sew Christine, found via My Hiding Place in Cyberspace. I really like the cute owl print and the wood handle but too bad am too late for the giveaway.

Last but not least, owl cross stitch by me for dreamesh. In the package, I added a kanzashi flower made from the batik scraps that I got from Amesh. I made the envelope using fancy paper and I sealed the package using handmade fabric-tape.

*crafters DO love owls

.full of fun

Two of my closest friends live outside Indonesia, and it is very rare for the four of us to hang out together. But last week, they both managed to come to Jakarta and spent three consecutive days having fun.

Day one. Lunch at Tayang Suki, MOI and ride train with the kids around the mall.


Day two. Playdate at my house. I must admit it was a bit frustrating to gather three kids with different eating and napping schedule, but we really enjoyed it.


Day three. Mom's day out at Loewy, Oakwood Building Mega Kuningan. Kids were left at home with their grandparents. Then, three cocktails, three appetizers, four main courses, two desserts and three hours later we went home happily, cherishing our friendships.

*i wonder when we can do this again

.flowerytale

I can't believe that you can make a lot of flower shapes from fabric, and they're so easy.








*feeling so flowery lately

.old treasure

My crafty projects has started years ago. In high school, me and Celly, my dearest neighbor, were selling frames that were made from recycled papers. Our friends loved it and there were no stocks left. Then we also created blank cards that could be used for any occasions. My little sister also loves craft. She took 'Membatik' as her extra-curricular activity when she was in high school. The next year she learnt Pergamano. Not to forget that my mom used to make dolls from scratch. I wonder how she did that. I think creative blood runs in my family.

Apparently my mom still keeps all the scraps and craft supplies that were long forgotten. Last week she brought that big box to my house and handed me down her sewing machine. I felt like a child opening her Christmas presents when I took out each item one by one from the box.

the box
fabrics

recycled papers

buttons

my favorite buttons

sponge sticks - bought in Japan and until now we still don't know how to use this

potpourri, seeds and grains

ribbons

embellishments

*mom is the best