Artsy-fartsy. A little bit gutsy... ...and everything in between

23.6.13

Stash results from Hong Kong trip

These are the things I ended up getting from the little Hong Kong shop and Page One bookstore.

My stash finds from the little shop

Magazines bought from the Page One bookstore in one of the malls.

Stash I bought for Sandee, my lovey's sister. :) She wanted christmassy and foodie patterns.

10.3.13

Mirabilia dream coming true

A year ago, I made a wish... it was a dream of mine to complete the Mirabilia patterns.... I thought I could do it at least in the next 5 years. Trade, buy, hunt... there were, after all, more than 100 patterns.

Who'd have thought that in a years time, I'd be able to complete it?!

It's not yet complete... I'm still missing 11... but imagine!! I'm beside myself with delight. Only 11 more to go and I'd have them all. I'll only have to wait for the monthly releases after that.

I was even able to get the rare Seaside Kingdom. Oh yeah! So happy about that one.

Just wanted to thank all those who helped me in my quest of completing the set. :)

** I've yet to finish my first Mira-- my Fairy Idyll is still idle.. but once the 'hunt' is over--- I get more time stitching rather than internet surfing, looking at ebay or cross stitch sales.

6.3.13

Stash hunting .... in Hong Kong

With the help of Faye Whittaker and Wheng White... I got directions and found the beautiful cross stitch shop that I went absolutely nuts over.

It's called FRAMES UNIQUE. Owned and run by Elana Chua.

I know I'm not the only one who has been searching hong kong for stash... so.... I thought I'd document my hunt for you.
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Here are the directions:

Take the MTR to Prince Edward station (even if the address says Mongkok, go to Prince Edward--- lessens your walking) (trust me-- if you're in HK, you'll be walking. A LOT. Shortcuts are your best friend).

Take B2 exit and when you come out... walk to the corner in front (around 7 steps) then turn left. You'll see this green squat square building. Cross the street to the back of it.

This is the Nullah Road Refuse Post... otherwise known as the green squat building.

This photo was taken on the left side of the green building. See MANNINGS? (blue sign shop on the left) Turn right at that corner. That's the FISH MARKET STREET.

Stay on the right side of the street. Keep walking and look for the sign that has a giant sun on it. Right before you reach it.... keep looking at the signs on top of the sidewalk (but don't get so concentrated looking up that you don't watch your belongings-- heck, you're in hong kong. Watch your valuables). If you reach the sun sign.. you've already passed the cross stitch shop.

This is the sign you're looking for. WHen you see this, look right. You'll see a fish pet store. Ignore it. Instead, look for the silver barred door.

This is the silver barred door to Wing Ying Bldg. It's usually closed. You'd think it was dark and closed. Just press the button on the left (2) or knock (there's usually a chinese guy manning the table inside-- he'll open the door for you).
Then walk up to the 2nd floor (don't be shocked if you see a fish store again on the "2nd" floor.... their 2nd floor, is actually our '3rd' floor. So keep walking up the dinky staircase until you see the number 2 and an arrow. THAT would be the right floor.

This is the right floor. See the number 2 on the wall? Enter the door and turn left.

Ta-Da!! You found it!!

*** If you're allergic to cats or have asthma- -stay away (for your health). Elana has 6 friendly and lovely cats who have free reign over the place. Personally, I loved the fact that the cats were there. Made everything feel so nice and homey. But I understand that there are some folks whose health might be at risk with all the cat hair and dander in the air. ***

Elana and I.

One of Elana's cats really wanted to come home with me-- jumped in my bag and stayed there while I browsed her store.

This fellow would keep jumping up on the shelf and stay with me as I browsed through the various kits and patterns . I'd keep reaching out to pet him--- so cute and friendly.

This cat has different colored eyes..... it's the cat on her door!!! Isn't that sooo cool?

Go and visit Elana in her store. She's super duper nice and helpful.

Hope my directions are clear enough. Let me know if you need clarifications.

24.2.13

WIP on the Roses

I don't know what day it is... I think 2 weeks has passed and this is my only progress so far....
I now have 3 weeks to go before I need to have this framed for my mums birthday.

E@K Meet of Hearts

Yesterday, we had our post-valentines E@K Meet. As always, we had food and lots of fun. And yes, we had our EXCHANGE OF HEARTS. The assignment from last month was, to stitch something with a heart then finish it off as a product. It was a success! Some girls weren't able to finish but promised to complete them by next month so we placed their names in the drawing. Next months goal is to make hooplah's!

Here are some pics of yesterdays activities.

By special request, Stitchpert Honey gave lessons to newbies in the group.

Some of our heart exchanges.... frames, pincushions, door hangers, keychains, a bag and a bookmark.

There was a small turn out...maybe because of the rainy weather recently.

And yes... an E@K Meet is never complete without laughter.

Quelly, Kathie and Genn

Lucky Mamila got the pincushion I made.

After the E@K Meet, my Panda and Genn rushed to Meralco theater to watch THE MAGIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS with abs-cbn's Philharmonic Orchestra. While walking up to the Meralco building, we passed a dead frog on the road. After 3 steps, Genn and I simultaneously stopped and turned back. It was the perfect photo op. Haha!

Only stitchers can understand the FUNNY in FROGS.

OSH stands for ONLINE STITCHING HOUR. Our little group has this weekly now. Where we post our current place in our projects, stitch madly, then post our projects every hour after that. Yes, we flood our group wall but it's fun. Makes us want to really make a dent into the patterns we're stitching up.
** Photo taken by Genn Delizo**

I'm so totally blessed having people who love the same things I do. Thank God for my local stitching club-- they keep me sane and happy as well as a loving and supportive Panda who's always there for me.

My darling lovey Panda who's always there for me-- even if he doesn't know how to do a single stitch.

18.2.13

TIP on PET HAIR...

If you're like me and you stitch with a furbaby nearby... btw, that's my baby Dollar who sleeps next to me in bed. Where was I? Oh yes... stitching with a furbaby. Those of you who do this, know it's almost 99% sure you'll end up with strands of pet hair on your project or worse yet, inserted into your stitching.

From experience, I've come up with two solutions. And no... it does not mean banishing my baby to another room.

Why don't you try this.

Keep a scotch tape dispenser or a lint remover roll next to you at all times. Then all you have to do is regularly go across the top of your project area (especially the part where you're stitching) with the sticky papers--- and voila! It picks up your pet hairs.

IF you've already stitched hair into your projects... you can try pulling out strands of hair using tweezers. So yeah-- you'll need a magnifying glass and tweezers.

Maybe it may be too late (and you don't have the patience to go through your giant projects anymore). All you gotta do is think this way.... you're preserving your pets DNA for the future. hahaha.

At least this way, in future projects, you can prepare the lint remover or scotch tape when you stitch a new project.

Hope it helps! :)

17.2.13

Jackpot!! Seaside Kingdom

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This is actually my second Seaside Kingdom. I now have two... One for myself, and one which I'll probably sell or auction off in the future. As always, whatever I generate from auction or selling stash just goes to getting more stash.

Right now, I'm eyeing the Disney Dreams Collection.... I can't figure out which one I like best-- Peter Pan or the Little Mermaid.... I did see someone trying to make a Sleeping Beauty one but I don't like the faces. I do love Sleeping Beauty though. It's my favorite Disney cartoon of all time.

I never would've thought I'd be able to get one... let alone two Seasides... I guess what my friends call me is true-- I'm a natural hunter. Haha. I always joke about calling me Katniss, stash hunter.