The recycling of a kimono

Zaiid needs a painting apron for school but we left his apron in Cebu where I made a little burda design. So we recycled his little kimono (worn when he was still 5months old) and turn it into an apron. Great handwork by Auntie Nana, thank you!

The original litol kimono:

The new adorable apron:

The little artist:

handsewn iPod case

I'm soooo happy! I am more than satisfied with the result. This is my first dare to make something out from my awesome fabrics. Please I just had to start already!

With no pattern or sample in hand, I only had to take advantage of my imagination. Using a BeeSquare fabric and from my cut-off shorts left over, a recycled velcro from my mom's bag (thanks momi and sorry!). I promise to do more, and make them perfect handsewn. 

I'm especially loving the airplane prints, it suits well for my little iPod addict.

BEEhold! they're here!

Whoot! My Bee Square fabrics are here and  I'm so so so smiling with delight! They smell good and they're shouting for a baby bootie or a pillow case or even a little girl's dress. I can stare at them whole day... 

Thanks for my freebie Diane, you didn't have to. But... uh... I'm glad you did. I am so thrilled to have the airplanes for free :)

When I'm down I shop.

Not really my motto in life. It's just an appropriate phrase for me today :P

I found my first - and already my favourite! - fabric online shop called Bee Square Fabrics. I had a great time shopping, drooling, and finally deciding what I'd love to have. I can look at them forever.

Thanks to Diane Hoffman for working it out for me. Hooray for freebies! Visit their blog for news and giveaways.

I can't go to school. (Not yet.)

After being so high and excited about everything - from finding a school that teaches dressmaking for free, getting the requirements ready, inviting my best friend to join me - I have to postpone the big plan. I still have to give a halt to my dreamy sewing projects. Simply put: I can't focus on my sewing act yet. Time won't let me. At least not in a proper school.

No worries, I'm a fast learner. I'm sure I can catch up 3 years from now. In the meantime, Plan B might just work. That is, I won't go to school which requires half a day of my time everyday but instead, will take my saturday mornings and invite my Manang to come and teach me while the babies are with their grandparents in Opon. Sounds like a plan.

Being a mother is first and foremost being a mother. Not being a creative or a crafter, or being a freelancer, or even being a wife. Being a mother is being a mother - everything else comes in second even if you are itching to becoming... more of being yourself.

But having said that, I realize being who I am to my boys is the greatest accomplishment of being ME has achieved. What can I say, my babies come first.

I want to go to school!

I can't spill all the details yet but the big news is I might get my sewing act up! Hoping the school will give me the chance to join them even if I'm a week late. I'm all geared up and firing with guts and eagerness.

smiled sweetly inspiration

I found his blog and fell inlove. I can't read Japanese but I can spot craftsmanship and artistry. My new inspiration, Mico Ogura. I love the sweetness and it's honesty. And the colours are fresh and vintage all in one.

Now I wish I could read a bit of Japanese.

baby project # 1: my very first baby bootie

My very first attempt to sew a baby bootie by hand. Imperfect, humble, raw, sewn with love. It's funny and akward but I'm proud of it's courage. It's only a left bootie because I decided I need to make one that's at least worthy of my little baby before I do a pair. *Thank you Akii for trying it on :)

Stitched In Time

Finally, my 2.7yo son has drifted off to dreamland after a milk battle - that is, me not falling for his milk demand after getting 12oz of it! We had a good fight, he cried and I remained firm, then he cried and insisted again, and still I remained firm, and then he throws up and sleeps. Argh!

Even if that bedtime situation is putting me to a fist, I am floating - or flying - high with tiny love sparks beneath me. No, Mr. Valentine's Day is not responsible for this feeling. It's a call from my husband asking me if I want this book:

Yes I do! I do! I do want that book!!! Stitched In Time by Alicia Paulson. My heart danced with my little faeries and they all cheered me a big whohoooo! I can't wait to start new crafty projects! This pretty book is coming home together with my husband on the 22nd :) I just love unplanned surprises!

light 'em up!

Haha can you believe it? You read it right: Glow-In-The-Dark Thread! These wonderful bright threads are just in time for Christmas. But I will have to skip buying for now, but will definitely get them when I'm ready to stitch something new.

You guys can find these glowy threadies at Sublime Stitching. Happy glowing!

Christmas gifts for my boys' Grannies

I didn't have a hard time thinking of that perfect christmas gift for my parents and in-laws. It's a little keychain of a book that keeps the memories of my boys. They're called Mini Leather Photobooks and they are genuinely handmade with love by my very talented friendTschai.

It was an easy job for me: pick out photos

of my boys, a lazy edit in Photoshop, and they're off in my sent items! After 2 days, they were ready for pickup. When I had them in my hands, I thought Christmas was yet too far to be keeping these treasure... So! I gave Momi and Dadi their gifts last night. No doubt, they were amazed by it's creativity and how beautiful their grandsons are. *wink!

Of course I have to get one for my own - but I don't own a key - so I made it into a cellphone chain and replaced the silver key with my key and lock from my scrapbooking collectibles. Weee! This is actually and endless creation - you can give this as giveaways for whatever occasion, or your own personal poem, or... you tell me!

Submit your photos and order here.

For more information please click here.

Hooray for mini things!

A SewMachine that is made of yum colors...

...and a book that teaches me how to sew - properly.

All I want for Christmas.

do the burdastyle!

I found a great community site where sewing people meet, share their works and techniques - may they be professionals or just a novice who doesn't even own a sewing machine like me. It's called BurdaStyle, an open source website dedicated to sewing. Weeee! So much good stuff going on.

The site offers patterns which are proudly shared by BurdaStylers. With easy-to-follow steps that are copyright-free and easy to download, I got myself smiling with excitement! They also have great How To tips also posted and freely shared by members. Go check it out and become a member. It's good to be part of a sewing family.

Can you see my work up on the BurdaStyle homepage? Not much, but all is full of love! Let's sew away!

stitched for love

I made this for my 2 yo when he first joined a playgroup. It was his apron and I wanted to personalize it. When I showed it to Zaiid, he gave out a "wooow!" I'm glad my little boy appreciates my little labor of creative love...

And then I made this for Akii on his Christening Day. I bought a plain swaddling blanket and customized it with his name on it. It just fits him perfectly...

I have always dreamt of owning a small sewing machine so I can sew baby dresses or bags (not for my boys!) or create whatever I fancy. Someday I will find time for that little passion for anything sewn and stitched.

making things happen

Lately, my husband has been pushing me to follow the goals I want in my life. He thinks I am creatively active inside my head but I need to let these ideas out and breathe life. He thinks now is the best time to make things happen. He believes in me like the way he believes that soon we will have our very own home. Excited as he was, he showed me more options in making them happen.

Thanks for the support hon, I lovelovelove you.