Christmas 2013

I Love  December.  It  just equals with cold weather and Christmas.
Which is come along those lovely hot cocoa... Biscuits...Christmas' tree..Christmas' songs, Christmas' present.. friends.. family... ooh what a wonderful time of the year.

As Celine Dion sings...So  this is Christmas... what have we done ? Another year over and a new one just begun.....
At the end of the year I looked back to what life has given to me...
the list is too long.... I can't write this here... Uncounted blessings...
Thank you Lord....

Every year I make a Christmas ornaments.. so it will be a memorable pieces in next few years... when the children's grow up... they'll remember about all the ornaments we hung on the Christmas tree... Oooh Joy...

I made ornaments from felts, a snowflake paper quilling and a Quilted ball like this :

I'm satisfied... but unfortunatelly I didn't make them enough to share it with friends... I should start earlier making those ornaments next year...:)

This year my Christmas tree is Silver and Blue with all those handicraft ornaments that I made with love  which is warmed my heart...

Merry Christmas 2013 and Happy New Year 2014
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday...
Stay warm....and enjoy your time together with your loved one.


Best wishes, 'Na

 

Indonesian weaving fabrics - Kain Tenun

I think Shopping is a middle name of many women... including me. LOL...
This activities always excites me... especially if it is about fabrics. Oh... who can resist them ? 
My mom and I had fun spending time together  at Thamrin City - Jakarta.
They have mainly fabrics originally from all the parts of Indonesia, especially  Batik and Tenun ( Weaving fabric ) . They sell the fabrics and the dress too...  You'll just say ooooohhh and aaaaaahhh.... looking at those fabrics.

This time I talk about weaving fabrics. They produce  handmade with traditional tools. I am still curious how this weaving fabrics was made...  To make a cloth out of thread.. with those beautiful patterns? 
Awesome.... someday I want to see how they make it.

There are so many places in Indonesia that produces weaving fabrics. One of them is Jepara in Central Java.
I went to this store which have Tenun from this area.
I just stop by at one shop. I don't have time to look around...too bad.

I asked if I can a pictures of her collections.. and she said yes..    so...I will say no more... you see the pictures below then you should be able to tell how my heart felt.

This is what I bought..several meters of this fabrics. :) I will make my family wear this for a special occasion.


They also  showed us how to use those fabrics if we want to make a dress... just for inspirations....

oooowh so pretty...

Wow....

The choices of this fabrics seems  overwhelm...
I need more time to really enjoy picking the right colors and patterns... they are all beautiful. Really !

Be good to yourselves. Treat yourselves...
You deserve it... so am I :) LOL


Happy shopping,
'Na

Swirly crochet pincushion

I was curious how to make a swirly crochet. I  google it.. and tried to make it... and finally I did it. Yeay me... !
I made 2 of them, but as it happens so many times.. after I know how to make it... then I just left them alone untouched for months..  
( I know this is a bad habit.. but sometimes I can't help myself... ) although I know that I should finished what I've started... but you know... my brains gives me other direction rather to just focus to one project.. oooh No ! )

First I don't know what should I do after making this swirly square crochet.. I thought it is great for pot holder... but hmmm... a quick small project    ( smaller than a pot holder ) is a pincushion...

So there it is.. I get back to this abandon swirly square and make a pincushion. I'm so relieved to be able to finished what I start it. There are still many project were half done... I'll get back to them... one by one... 

Only one pincushion done. But at least it is done. That's accomplishment for me. ( I tap myself on the back.. ) LOL

Feeling great,
Na
 

Pretty mugs

Nowadays I pay attention to a lot of details of my life. I treasure every moments I have... and enjoy every bits of my time including when I sipped my coffee in the morning.. with my favorite mug of course.
Speaking of mugs... Did anyone has a favorite one ? or you just don't really care about mugs anyway ? as long as you can drink from it right ? LOL
but for me ( now ) drinking from lovely mugs is different.
Mine is a pretty flowery mugs with Red and White roses...
But I still missing something ...  what I need now is a Mug Rug....
If I don't have at least one Mug Rug, then I can't say I pay attention to the details right ? ... LOL...
I will make one... 

Under the mug is my log cabin quilt... but it is for a table cloth... not a mug rug...
I need one... I want one ( or more ) to complete my ritual coffee morning...
Do you have a mug rug ? share with me.... I want to see.. :)

I am still learning for not ignoring the small details of my life.
'Na

Baby Toys

I found the different me...  I am content and live my life with more passion and  know the purpose of my life is to be a blessing for others cause I am blessed abundantly. Thanks be to God...oh Joy.

I'm so grateful for all that I have in my life... a lovely family.. a bunch of friends to share my time with... my mind, my talent, my health,.. oh the list will be long of course....

Once I label myself as a Quilter... I came out as a different person. Don't you  feel the same ? It was  like I will pay attention to a small details... like I am inspired with nature as I did my morning walk around neighborhood, like I am really attracted to colors more than before... like I'm saving money for the next fabric hunting... and always eager to do something new. I don't limit myself for only making a Quilt. I make dolls, bags, handmade accessories and toys... Yes baby toys !

Making things for your family is one thing a quilter does..
and I make this baby toys for learning colors for my baby.. ( ooh I never  imagine that I'll make this for my own baby.. )


Colorful and Fun..

Be a Quilter and beyond..... :)

'Na

Quilted Bag

I have made Quilts,  toys, doll... and now  I made this useful  Quilted bag with a darling doll head as a brooch.

This bag carry my yarn or books and changing cloth or even a baby bottle :) .

Actually this fabric is a table cloth... I might spilled coffee or anything that makes a yellow spot... so.. I can't use it as a table cloth anymore..But I love this fabric and it is a heavier than cotton. so just perfect for sturdy bag.
I cut it.. and make this a simple square bag..
still useful, that's what I like.

Too plain to just leave it without this art doll face... 

 
I choose to be Happy today.. :)
'Na

Bali Bedcover

Bali has their own unique Batik pattern.. I'm talking about Bali Bed cover.. the one that are done with Batik process and they put the color like they are painting on the cloth. After they are done doing the top then they machine quilt it usually following the lines.
My mom has  a beautiful one.. covering her bed...

This Bed cover only use one color. This one is my mom's color choices... but sure not mine. It's oke with me if this done in only one color.. I've one that are painted in only  blue color ... but actually my color choices is more colorful..

I just found out that we can order this Bedcover custom made and they can make it with our design. Wow... I just have to try...
Hmmm.. I'm better drawing now... :)

Now, keep yourself warm in this cold month.. better with a Quilt for sure...because under a quilt you'll feel warmth and love...
'Na

What's on my desk now ?

I've been busy cleaning up my studio for a few days...
Yes... it takes days.... 

I dig some of unfinished project... I don't want to pile all those project unattended any longer.. I want things all done well so every body can enjoy them... instead of  hidden in my junk closet.
ooh well,  it is easier said than done.

I found this little doll they are faceless... ( for a long time ) ooh I am so sorry... so I just need to work on their face.. and I do it right away. No more.. tomorrow.
Yeay me... wow, usually I get excited when doing a new project, but now I felt like my hands are needed.
 I can't finished this in one day... ooh my ... it seems like an easy things to do... but can't do it easily.
ooh well, at least they are on my desk now... 

This is how they are.. when I found them...

and need a facelift lady... ?
LOL

so glad to see them smiles.... 
I heart them so much...
Now... you see how they are so pretty with black and blue eyes.. and those little red lips... need more embellishment to make them more attractive...

These ladies will be function as a Pin Cushion.. they are soft and perfect to put all those pin in place. Fun and Functional. I like it.

Still more works to do...1 more junk drawer to dig in..

Felt great to be able to have energy to  finished what I've started. :)
'Na

Membersihkan studio jahitku itu perlu waktu berhari-hari... dan banyak ditemukan   kerjaan yang belum terselesaikan setelah sekian lama bersembunyi di laci. 

Nah itu dia foto2 ibu2 ala Matryoshka doll yang berfungsi sebagai pin cushion...

Yang penting mereka sudah ada di meja kerja sekarang.... jadi patut dan harus diselesaikan... :)

Senangnya punya energi untuk menyelesaikan kerjaan yang sekian lama sudah tertunda...
Yuuuk mariiiii aku beresin kerjaan dulu yaa...

'Na

Amigurumi

This Japanese craft of softie crocheted toys caught my eyes. I see them in the first time while browsing a book about crochet ... then when I eager to learn ... i just google for the pattern... See.. if there is a will... there is a way.... :)

They are so cute.. and as you increase your skill.. you can make anything you can imagine..
Wow !

I was  so curious how this things were made... so..I tried one, and another one and another one... this is addicted.

Always try with a small project...

The feeling of accomplishment is incredible, and take you to keep wanting doing it....

All you need to know is a basic crochet and off you go... learning how to read the pattern is not difficult. You just have to try it yourself !

Sesuatu yang baru memang menyenangkan ! salah satunya bagi saya adalah membuat Amigurumi . Amigurumi adalah salah satu kerajinan jepang yang menggunakan tehnik merajut.
Sekali mencoba, pasti tidak mau lepas dari benang dan hakken....
Yuk.. kita coba


This is a Cup cake amigurumi dan little hat amigurumi. I made this as a pincushion. It is lovely, isn't it ?

First turtle...


Second turtle...
I made several of these .... and now they live in a new house.... oh I need to make one to stay in my house then... :)



Little snail....

Happy Creating Amigurumi ....

'Na

New York Beauty ( another UFO )

New York Beauty... is just awesome

This is a meticilous project to make... it looks very gorgeous... I always want to make this kind of quilt for a long time...
but life is sure flowing... now I just can't wait any longer 'til my life slowing down... 

IF NOT NOW.. WHEN... ?

Yes... so I dare my self and committed to make it.. but  this project become an UFO  ( Un Finished Object ) for a long time...
But my heart still whisper to finished it...
Because if I really did it, then this Quilt become a great accomplishment for me... 
Hope to get there soon...  

Let's dream it... Wish it... and Do it... ( the last part is not that easy though ) LOL

I pick lots of bright colors.. against the dark solid fabric to make them speak more..
I don't really measure how many yard I have for one fabrics.. it doesn't need that much for 1 block.
so mixing and matching is what I do here...

Look at those sharp edges... wooo hoooo... Love it.
I need to make lots of those blocks... 
before piecing those blocks together and make a stunning Quilt... I can't wait...

If This Quilt is finished... then I'll be proud of myself..
( Certainly will pat myself on the back ) LOL. and I already have a spot to hang it on the wall... hopefully become a conversation piece to every one that come to my house... :)
 
New York Beauty ... itu Quilt yang gue banget.... ha ha ha.. rasanya kalau bisa menyelesaikannya... Waaah bisa2 ngga malu lagi untuk menjerit dan menceritakan pada dunia...  Yes... finally I did it. gituuuuu...
Tapi.... ( selalu ada tapi yah ) bikin Quilt itu ngga semudah kalau tinggal melihatnya aja.... prosesnya itu lo..
Proses yang panjang  suka bikin Quilt jadi proyek yang suka di tinggal2, belum lagi kalau mood hilang... belum lagi kalau anak nangis.... belum masak.. belum kerjaan rumah lain.. belum ini .. belum itu.... banyak alasan deh...

Tapi kan ngga boleh terus terusan cari alasan ya... kita harus juga dorong diri kita untuk cari waktu... kan katanya sedikit sedikit jadi bukit... 

Sebenarnya ngga sabar pengen kasih liat kalau Quilt ini udah jadi... tapi... kesabaran memang harus diuji... ha ha..

Ok dehhh sampai post berikutnya yaa.. semoga jadi nih Quilt. Kalau memang beneran jadi.. bakal jadi Quilt kebanggaan deh... 
Pastinya  bakal di posting disini ... :)

Keep Calm and sew on...
'Na

Lady Bag doll

I love to make things that are cute and of course functional..So, this is what I make ... a lady bag doll .. it is a doll that has a  big dress that can keep a grocery plastic bag.

Her face is just like Raggedy Ann... with that cute triangle red nose.
I'll make another new face character to make it more fun... hmmm I need to start doodling now...

Put  all those plastic bag in this cute doll  and be neat now...

Like every one now like to say :
Keep calm and sew on.. :)
'Na

Food for your soul

What is the right food for your soul... every person might have a different kind...
For me... anything related to nature is my kind of food for my soul.
It can be a scenery.. landscape... garden... flowers... trees.. foliage .... Nature gives me such an energy to live my life.. they gives me inspirations through their color

When I was breathing the fresh air in the morning while doing the morning walk is really satisfy my soul. That's when I have a moment to really go deep in a gratitude feelings.

That is why I want to surround my house with nature as much as possible. I want to have a sanctuary where I can sit and breathe and enjoying the nature in my own house. Having a back terrace with a comfy chair and lots of plants is on my wish list... and uh, with a little pond... would be lovely... :)

I still need working on  my garden to be my sanctuary….

Still looking for inspirations though…

All those greenery is a feast to my eyes… 

I like gardening. Seeing plants grow makes me happy. 

I like a saying about Gardening :
Those who love gardening harvest happiness..

That is very true... I watch them grow.. I am excited if I found some buds on my plants.

I spend this weekend at my mom's house... and we we went hunting for plants. Exciting !

I like being in the Nursery... just go around and see all the beautiful colors  of flowers and  foliage...  There is a joy in my heart seeing all those plants...

I took a picture while doing the hunting...

Still learning to know so much plants .. I love the Bromelias and Bougenville.  They come in lots of colors of green to pink and red...

Gardening... makes my soul happy..
so... let's just do it.

Happy Gardening,...
'Na

Quilting blogger

I can't believe that finally I'm out here in the world of Quilting... it has been a long time I want to connect with other quilters around the world..
I've been doing quilt for so long ... and did it alone..
so many reason why I didn't join the community.

Now after several Quilts I've made...  I 'm confident to say Hi to the world... :)

The approval from Quilt blogger gives me a path to walk right into the Quilting world.Thank U Michele  Foster from Quilting Blogger for  letting me in.

Now.. when u stop by and see my blog... please leave a message ok ? so I know you have been reading what I wrote... and I would love to know you all and where you're from :)

The Quilting bloggers from around the world can be found here on

 http://quiltinggallery.com/quilting-bloggers

Browsing.. and you'll be instantly inspired.

Happy blogging and browsing
'Na

Teddy Bear

Every Teddy Bear has personality... and this one really says it out loud... I am full of Joy... ! :)

Made of colorful cotton fabrics.. this teddy sure gets a lot of attention... wouldn't you agree ?

The bow looks too big... ha ha.. I will make it smaller then..

Can you imagine a kid hugging this bear... oooh lovely...
I just love to see  children have  their favorite toys.. and drag them everywhere 'till they are worn... and ripped... LOL

Happy to make this one... hopefully I can make more soon...

Happy to have this colorful Teddy.
'Na

Inspiration from magazine

Quilt magazine is a good source for inspirations… flipping the pages and look at all beautiful colors and design sure can stirred your brain…

Your hands will be itchy to start a new project right away after you put down the quilt magazine. 

I made  this charming wall hanging quilt. I saw it on the Australian Quilt magazine... too bad I didn't save the magazine. :(

If your budget allow you to subscribe to a Quilt magazine... that would be lovely... because then you'll always up dated with what is going on with the quilting world. what they are doing right now... what kind of new technique is found... and so much more... but.. sure it is true that  the internet is good source too...

The colors is just a simple blue and yellow... but they are really goes well together...                                                                                                                                                          

Now.. start looking for  a quilt  project you really like.. .

Happy flipping pages and hope you'll find  your Quilt inspiration...
'Na

 

A Guitar Quilt

I bought a lovely Guitar fabric for not more than a half yard.  I should buy more, especially if I really like it. But I make the best out of it. I cut the fabric following the guitar shape and make it as an applique for my wall hanging quilt.
I did applique it with machine.. and hand quilt it.
The guitar shape is colorful, so I just pick the bright colors to match them and piecing it with a blue fabrics to make them POP. 

Tha da.....
So this is it... My Guitar Quilt

 
After you did finished a Quilt project ( or even before it is finished, usually your mind already busy thinking about the next quilt project )... it happened to me... most of the time...

Like before this quilt is finished.. I want to make a Piano Quilt with a watercolor technique... I saw it in a Quilt book... oooooh I am drooling... This will require lots of floral fabrics stash... so.. I make an excuse that I still do the fabric hunting .... 

Watercolor Quilt sure looks difficult .... but a Quilter is never quit.... isn't that right ?

Keep Calm... and Quilting on..
'Na

Mixed media painting

What do you do to satisfy your creative spirit ?   

Even I do creative works almost everyday.. still I need to do something  that I can free myself without worry if some one else like it or not. 
I love to do this.... mixing things. 
Mixed Media painting is really an art form that can makes me so content. I love the process and so happy if I see the result.. that is expressing my feelings. I can do whatever I want to do... cutting, gluing, painting.... what a fun things to do....

I make this mixed media painting in a small canvas          ( remember to always start a little project before move on to another big project ) 

Here it is.....

What is so good about this is that you can do and re do it just the way you like it... no one will protest... this is truly your heart speaking.... oh Love it. The freedom is like unleash something from your heart and mind... You become your truly self...and that felt so good.

If the ideas in your mind are swirling around... If your heart wants to sing it songs.. and your hands just felt itchy to start making something creative... so this is just right... Mixed Media painting. Why don't you try it ?

Happy to be free...
' Na

Selvage Quilt

Did you know about Selvage Quilt ?  
The quilt made from selvage fabric... it is the end part of your fabrics that inform you about the designer and the color choices..
 They are have their own charm...:)  so, from now on... when you cut your fabric, you save it, sew them together and you can make a new project out of it.... 

This is a blog about it :
 
http://selvageblog.blogspot.com/

Remember to always start a small  project... or else .. sometimes you end up with lots of UFO ( Un Finished Object )..

It looks messy at first... seems that it won't goes well together, but after you audience and sew it together you'll see the goodness of fabric scraps.... :)

Here is the result. It is a tissue holder and a hand towel top. I put them on the bathroom . They are colorful and useful right ? :)

no waste at making quilts, right ? :)

Think about a small project you can do with this material.. I know you will come up with lots of ideas...
 
Wait no more... go to your fabric stash.. and  make this selvage quilt... I would be glad if you want to share with me.  Send me your selvage quilt via my email : 
Kriya-apik@hotmail.com 

Feeling great for not wasting anything at all...
'Na

Twisted Log Cabin

I am a self taught quilter at first. I learn how to quilt  by reading a book..  I just followed all the directions then the result  makes me happy and of course makes me wants to do more.... I try to make a small project and love it.. :) so with lots of books are available.. and the magazine that always inspire me.. I made quilts up till now... ( of course if time allowed... and I'm not distracted for making other craft project ) LOL

One day when I passed the quilt store,  I saw an add that they offered a quilt class named Twisted Log Cabin...
At first I thought I might teach myself how to do it and bought a book about that particular Log Cabin which is stunned me.

But taking classes might gives me more tricks and tips..so, I took this class. We need to bring our own sewing machine but I was so eager to take the class .

The class is fun... and  because this class was held on a quilt store, we bought the fabrics there..
The teacher taught us how to pick the color.. we need a gradations color from bright to dark...

The process was done with paper piecing..
I didn't take pictures when this is in the making... too bad... cause back then I'll never thought that taking pictures from the beginning of the project will worth to show to others how this quilt was made...

So... don't forget to record everything in pictures... from making a fabric selections... to the choice of hand quilting or machine quilting it..... Some one out there might wants to know it.... :)

This is my first Twisted Log Cabin..

Still simple... but if you make it bigger.. then it will speaks more..

A book about this quilt contains so many projects.. they are just so beautiful....

Happy Turning and Twisting...

'Na

Blue quilt for wedding gift

I made this quilt as a wedding gift for my sister... . It was in the year of 2000.  But  she received her gift a year later... LOL

I was a beginner quilters back then... so I picked the pattern that I can handle.. :) I was so excited to make this quilt. I hope that she would love it. 

It is a nice patch and a star sashing...with a wide border ( an easy way to make your quilt larger... :) )

Now, after  12 years, she still put this quilt on her bed. 

It matters a lot when some one appreciate your works... and I can feel that my sister appreciate me with still using this on daily basis...
 ( of course unless she dry clean it ). :)   . 

It comes to my mind now, that I already make several bed size quilt for others... but I haven't done one for myself... Ooh Oow... I need to think about it now.. the pattern... the color.. the quilting design.... now my mind is busy again.....

Keep on quilting...
'Na                                                                             

Little cute clown

These little cute clowns were with me since I found them at the art market. I have 2 more just in case some one will adopt them.... :).   

 

I haven't named him yet... hmmm any suggestion ?
See how he spent time having fun...

Looking out from the car window...enjoying all the shops at Ubud-Bali.

                                 
So many things to see.... so little time... ooooooh.....

Thirsty anyone ?  Young coconut was today's choice.... cute, eh ?

The waiter in this cafe had his big grin when he saw me took a picture of this cutie pie....                
       

That's a wood carving door on the back ground, isn't it beautiful?

                                                                              


             
 A carved stone statue...  I saw a worker at Hotel put the flowers on them.. every morning.... how amazing they pay attention to every details  . This gives me a lesson that I shouldn't ignore every details in my work... cause details matters... :) 
and look at him standing on the sand....
                                

Finally, at the end of the day.. after a long day walking... and shopping.... He had time to just sit and relax....

I'll certainly take him along wherever I travel.. I will tell you about where we're going and what we're doing....

Feeling  full of Joy.... :)
'Na