Concerning Zarina 
Oct 29, 2008
For those friends who are fans of Lord of the Rings the literature, will know what I am referring to. But don't be confuse with Sherry's of LadyShuttleMaker blog Helm's Deep Treebeard (got it all wrong) HDT - those are to die for which is completely opposite from this post.
What brings me to this dark topic you may ask. Does it happen to you when your plate is overflowing to the brim, your mind starts to wander to things that you would normally ignore.
It was Monday night when my mind starts thinking those thoughts. Thinking back it started last week when a close friend, A mentioned an incident in the office's toilet. And since walls have ears, we had no opportunity to elaborate (me rushing for aerobic classes and a visit to a neighbour for the Eid Fitri celebration) I felt crushed - she knows me well enough to know that I am not a gossip monger. I had a few lines lined up but only late that evening had I the opportunity to call her. Anyway - not going into details, I did not say those lines but we did clear up a few things. And bring forth other sad thoughts. And I nearly (lots of 'and' in this post) mentioned about an earlier incident that really crippled me, which I did not raise yet because I do not want to hurt the relationship. I think she knows there is more to this but all I said, the past is the past.
Back to the present where I ended up in Helm's Deep, I am suffering from car pool phobia. Let me elaborate. I am an advocate for saving cost and resources whenever I can. I am for car pooling but when the cost is too high, it is more than I can ask for even though I only car pool twice a week (because of my yoga/aerobic/kickboxing sessions).
One of the member is also a close friend to the friend from last week. I am not too comfortable with her for various reasons. I know that she tell tales - known before A mentioned it. It was confirmed when during the phone conversation last week, A raised the topic of a conversation we had in the car that had happened only two days prior. So you can imagine what else she will be telling A. It takes enormous effort to guard what I talk about. I don't talk about politics or the entertainment world. They don't discuss about sports, movies, or music.
As of this week and most likely next week, I am taking a break from car pooling. Any leaves I take will fall on the days when I'm suppose to car pool. I need to find reasons to not car pool. So if you have any idea how I can climb out of Helm's Deep, please help.
Updated - while reading Kak Teh's blog, I came across this great scrapbooking site. So here is some of the pictures of Eid Fitri with family.
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Oct 21, 2008
Last of my supplies trickled in
This year is my sabbatical leave from crafting.
Translation: lots of stashing being done for year 2009 and onwards.
Thank you to all who have directed my way to these online shops - too many to name since it covers tatting, sewing/quilting, bobbin lace, knitting. Well, actually I cannot remember where I found out about the shops.
My favourite shops (which I need to move to the sidebar later):
All of these shops are at the top of my favourite not only because of the range of supplies they sell for the specific craft but their personal touch for each purchase is fantastic. They will entertain most of my changes and last minute request. I would recommend those who wants to stock up their supplies to go shop there.
Last week, I had to traversed to KLIA post office (costing: toll RM10.00 bothways and RM2.00 parking ticket) to clear my stuff but no custom fees were incurred to get half of these in my hands. I will leave the fabrics in the plastic bag because I need to finish off the master's project soonest possible. This is just a small portion of my order:
In the Pink Chalk Studio shipment, there was more than my order: a handwritten card and goodies. I love you Kathy.
Next, is the parcel from Lace Maker. Originally the order was for the Anchor Mercer thread which they are selling out their supplies. The final order, minus the threads are here:
In addition, somebody hid in the package to travel to Malaysia. He is so cute.
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Oct 20, 2008
This is my second exchange ever that I have participated. My doily was sent to Aileen in Singapore. It was done early since I know I will have to lay down my shuttles for this year.
Here is all the items I got from Vilma, all the way from Chile, in the seemingly small envelope. She stated that it was long overdue but she just underwent an operation. I hope it will be cured fast so you can start tatting again. You can see a tatted lady blank card, my first-ever bobbin tatting shuttle (thanks Vilma - saves me from buying one), a tatted cross bookmark, a horse-shoe shaped key-chain, two different colors teardropped beads, and finally the doily.
Here is the doily up close.
Last weekend was all about family. From Friday, the three DNw and DNcs stayed the night while their parents were engaged with a work dinner. So I became a mummy for the two days. The young 7-month DNc woke up at 3:30 am and stayed awake for an hour. Quietly but since she has started to wiggle around, extra care need to be taken so she won't fall off the bed. Then, the Saturday afternoon went to visit our aunty. It is not so far but it ended with a one hour plus drive each way.
Yesterday I made a spiral pasta with the black olive sauce inspired by Chef at Home. We were expecting all my brothers and their families to drop by. In between we received a pleasant surprise visit by one of our long time family friend. The whole house was filled with children's laughter and screams. A very satisfying weekend it is. These are eldest of the bunch with their uncle's fiancee.
On a final note, here is a picture of a must have dish for the Eid Fitri - ketupat. It is rice cooked in the woven coconut leaves. Had this picture for a while but have not posted it.
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Oct 17, 2008
Don't you just love give-aways. I have been thinking about it but then I have not been crafting at all for this past year due to my master's project.
When I received this note saying that Snazzy&Such has turned one and giving away some gift, I said to myself "How old am I?"
Well, the answer is more than one year - my inception is in June 2007.
It's ok, there will be a bigger celebration when my master's project is complete. So tune in to get a chance to win the give-away(s?).
An update - here is another who is also giving a very sweet giveaway. Hop on over there to take a look.
|Oct 10, 2008
Shopping at Sakura Sewing Shop
Recently, a new member joined the Shuttles and Needle Yahoo group. Well, to make a story short I have found several other kindreds who do sewing or who loves fabric like I do in Klang Valley so we can all meet up and share/exchange ideas/supplies. After less than a week of postings, I got to know of a shop that sells American cotton - which incidentally is really next to my office (well the location since I still have to pay toll - there are many toll collection on our highways). Made a visit there during lunch hour yesterday since I was driving for my car pool.
There I got more than I intended. I actually wanted to get children's design fabric for their sort-of memory quilt. These are half a meter - just nice for those memory quilts planned.
These Halloween fabrics which I could not resist.
Here are the fat quarter selection I have got.
And the fabric transfer for the 'memory'.
Here is an addition to my slowly growing tatting shuttle collection. I was very fortunate that Jon managed to come over to collect her Iris' tatting book which I had ordered previously. She was the one who told me this brand was good.
Next, here is some stitch holders for bobbin lace. I did put it down but then Kelvin (the evil Kelvin) told me he bought it during a clearance. So what can a girl do.
Also in the purchase, some sewing accessories which I have been saving up for. I still have to return later to purchase the medium size cutting mat which he has run out of stock.
It was quite difficult to leave. Not only for the items he has in stock. Somehow the topic of sewing machine came up. Kelvin is one of the distributor of the BERNINA sewing machine. I overheard one customer asking for a beginner machine for her daughter. Well anyway, I am now eyeing for a wallet busting Bernina Aurora 440QE (click on the link for the picture). Which brought me to the first few moments when I entered the store. After introduction and all, Kelvin asked me if I was interested in attending a sewing class this Monday. Mind you, this was the first time I visited him and before was just a phone call to get direction to his shop. I ended up leaving with an intention to join his classes and to test out the Aurora 440QE which can also do free quilting. I am now planning to machine sew all patchworks including the quilting. I'm saving my hands for tatting.
|Oct 6, 2008
To all my muslim friends.
The additional lemon bars still not made. Photos of the past few days, still in the camera. Still recuperating from the influx of visitors since Wednesday. Now, back in the office but still in low gear since some have not yet come back.
I have finally put up my photo in the side bar. This photo has been used in various websites, especially Facebook so its about time the readers get to see the face of the blogger.
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