Remembering

A month ago, I was given a free copy of the digital scrapbooking sofware, My Memories Suite. Since then I have made a lot digital scrapbook pages, though I haven't shared them here. It has become one of my favorite pastimes, when I have a little time for myself but too tired to craft. And every now and then, I check out the Free Kits section of the My Memories website.

I usually create my pages from scratch, but formatting the page to look just right for me can take some time. But a few days ago, I checked the Free Kits section and saw 2 quick pages that I love. They look so vintage and I figured the pictures I scanned from my grandmother's album will go well with them.

This quick page is called 'Passionate'. Pretty isn't it? You can check out the link to download it for free. The image will work with My Memories Suite or other imaging software like Photoshop. The photo I used is of my great grandmother. The photo was taken in 1904, during her 18th birthday. This is the oldest photo my grandmother has of her mother.

This second quick page is called Autumn Rose. 

 

And that's my grandmother and grandfather. My grandfather died 4 years ago. And until now, I still find it surreal when I think that he's gone. It's like I still expect to see him there at their home when we visit our grandmother. I still miss him.

These pages gave me the idea to create a digital scrapbook of my grandmother's old photos, print them out into a photo book and give it to her for Christmas. I tried restoring one of her old photos using Photoshop a few years ago. It's one of her photos from before she got married and it's in sepia tone. I added color to it, changed the background, printed it, framed it, and gave it to her for her birthday. She loved it. I'm sure she will love the scrapbook as well. Now... I just need to find the time to create the pages (using quick pages will definitely save me a lot of time compared to  creating my own pages from scratch) and get it printed before Christmas.

5 years...

... and ??? lbs ago...

Friday Photos - Where Dreams Come True

How many Fridays have I missed Friday Photos?

I'm tired. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally, no. Something to be thankful for :)

Since I need a little something to lift my mood, I decided to share this today.

This was taken during the fireworks show at Disneyland in California a long time ago. I remembered this recently because Andrea likes looking at pictures and she discovered the pictures from our trip to the US (before she was born) in one of our photo albums. She loves the ones from Disneyland the most, as expected. And she has been telling me she wants to go to 'Mickey Mouse' a lot. I'm thinking maybe I can take her to the Disneyland in Hongkong next year... but she also starts pre-school next school year and I am discovering how much private pre-schools here cost. Hmmm... I wonder if she will appreciate watching the Disney on Ice show in December instead?

Turning 2 and an early Halloween

Hello? Still there? I'm still here. Alive. Kicking. Most of the time wanting to kick and scream but I was told responsible adults are not supposed to do that.

Breathe. I need to breathe. And I need a break. I miss crafting. I miss sewing. And I miss my crochet hook, which I have only recently learned how to use. You know how work sometimes gets in the way of life?

During my absence from blogging, in a land far away... a little princess turned 2. We weren't planning to give her a party. We just prepared a little surprise for her. 

We set up her tents with balloons, banners and gifts. The tents were actually part of our gift. We bought it about a month ago and had it gift wrapped and everything... and when we got home, daddy handed it to her... a month before her birthday. The other gifts we bought for her ended up the same way. Including the gift from one of her grandmas (the doll from my Matching Dresses post). In fact, the night before her birthday, daddy wanted to give her all the gifts I managed to keep hidden... which was the bike that Andrea had been asking for every time she sees it at the mall, and a small toy. Oh and the gift from her other grandma.

When she woke up, we showed her the tents. She wasn't in a very festive mood though, not happy at being woken up. But her mood improved when she saw her bike :)

We ended up giving her a small party anyway. We had one party for her and my niece to celebrate both their birthdays (which was only a week apart) and also to welcome their Aunt Ela (my cousin) during her first visit to the Philippines.

Aunt Ela is only 7 years old. The other kid in the photo is Uncle Jerik... he's also 7 years old and also my cousin. And no one turned 32... but my niece turned 3 and my princess turned 2. We had a Minnie Mouse cake, a giant pizza, other stuff, party hats, balloons and loot bags. Everything was planned, ordered and bought a day before the actual party. Including the cake. I was so happy to find a bakery willing to make me a cake with only 24 hours notice. Everything store-bought... and there goes my credibility as a crafter. The only thing I made for the entire party was the flower on Andrea's hair :-/ I don't have a lot of free time outside work lately so... Anyway, we had 4 kids a whole lot of adults, but it was fun.

Aside from this party, we also attended another party.We had our Family Day/Halloween Party at my office last Friday. Our company sponsored a trip to Ark Avilon, a petting zoo, for the kids and after that, they went back to our office for Trick or Treat. 

I brought my daughter and my niece. My daughter went as a cow girl, and my niece as a pirate princess. Both costumes are store-bought too. Including that felt trick-or-treat bag with the skull my niece is carrying which I could have easily made if I had the time. 

Andrea's costume has a little touch of hand-made though. I told her she has to carry Stella to make her get-up more authentic. What's a cow girl without a gallant steed right? Stella is the felt horse I made a while back, which was supposed to be for the Toy Society, but ended up as a Halloween costume prop. And daddy made her belt with the gun holster. The costume did not come with guns but daddy wanted guns because he said cow boys in western movies have guns. So we bought her plastic guns (which was only used once for her costume prop and something I already put away because I don't want her playing with guns) and daddy made her the belt and gun holster using felt. 

And this is what we have been up to the past few weeks. I will be buried in work until December so I won't have a lot of time to craft. But Christmas is coming and I wanna decorate! So we'll see ;) Maybe I'll have some Christmas crafts ready in a few weeks. I need to clean my house first though :-/

Creating Success Around the World

Welcome to 

Creating Success Around the World

The worldwide blog hop tour that introduces you to creative people from all corners of the world.

Click here to learn more.

I have a few questions for you... 

1. Are you from Asia?
2. Do you like making things and then blogging about it?
3. Do you like meeting other talented people from Asia?
4. Do you want to be the next Asian host for Creating Success Around the World?

If you answered 'Yes' to all my questions, then you might be the lady I am looking for! We are looking for talented bloggers from Asia who would like to host the Asian leg of the Creating Success around the World blog hop for a month. Starting next month, we will be having different hosts for Asia for every month. This means fresh ideas every month (different host = new ideas) and more opportunities to reach out and get to know other Asian bloggers (and not just those I know about). What do you say? Interested? If you are, please contact me. I'm trying to line up hosts for the next few months.

Hmm... what's that? You are not from Asia but would like to host as well? That can be arranged for some areas too :) Please visit Jill over at Creating My Way to Success and send her a message to inquire.

Not it's time to meet other creative bloggers around the world. Visit my co-hosts below to meet their very talented guests.

Australasia - Jill @ Creating My Way to Success

Europe - Yaga @ The Shiny Bubble 

The Americas - Suzy @ Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Asia - Me! :)

And now, it's your turn to introduce yourself to the world! Join our blog hop by linking your blog to our link party below! After linking, make sure you visit a few other links because that's what this hop is all about :)

Creating Success Around the World with Bimbi of Apuu Handmade

Welcome to 

Creating Success Around the World

The worldwide blog hop tour that introduces you to creative people from all corners of the world.

Click here to learn more.

-oo0oo-

Our guest today is Bimbi of Apuu Handmade. Bimbi will be sharing her creativity with us from Indonesia.

[Janelle] Welcome to Creating Success Around the World Bimbi! So glad to have you here today! Tell us about yourself and your country.

[Bimbi]  Hi! My name is Bimbi, I’m a mother of two lovely kids (Aza and Daffy), a wife of one, breathing-living-crafting in Tangerang, Indonesia. I grew up with NO interest about sewing-crochet-stitching-anything crafty, until I was pregnant with Daffy back in 2008, I craved for a SEWING machine (GULP), so I bought it and can't stop sewing-making-crafting since :)

You have a lovely family. And your sewing projects did catch my eye when I was visiting your blog. Your blog has an interesting name. Apuu... what does it mean?

The name 'Apuu' came up from how Daffy called cats around our house, I think it was cute and I fell in love with sewing and all crafty things when I was having him in my belly, that’s how Apuu Handmade came up.

That is so cute! :) Tell us about Indonesia Bimbi.

Indonesia is a big tropical country, it has many islands, consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. It has a very rich natural resources and cultures (art, craft, food, traditions, etc), at the moment Indonesia has the biggest Moslem population in the world, but we are not a country based on religion, we are a Republic. Our national motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. I hope for more development in Indonesia especially for small cities to reduce the poverty.

What kind of crafts do you like working on?
I like working on different projects, because I can learn more and add more experience in my journey in the world of craft, let see…The first project I made after I bought my sewing machine is a quilt for Aza.

After that I made the hanging bed organizer, I really enjoy stitching and watch the whole picture comes together.

Next are bags, from totes to pouches. Clothes are also on my list. And other things are coming along.

Not long after that I fell in love with crochet, I took crochet classes and become attached with yarns (when I can’t sleep - I crochet, it really do wonders to calm my brain).

Recently I enjoy painting/drawing on fabrics, I found it very relaxing and it made me happy.

I don’t know what will come up next, following my love to craft has lead me here, I can’t complain :)

That is a LOT! You definitely have a lot of talent. What inspires your creations?
I get my inspirations most of the time from books, blogs, magazines, TV, dreams, and my family (specially my kids).

Your kids are adorable and they always look happy modelling some of your creations :) Do you sell the things you make?
In the beginning I sew, stitch, and crochet for me and my family (kids and hubby). I made some for gift to friends and relatives. Along the way request coming thru email from here and there because they saw my craft thru my personal blog and my Facebook, so I start selling my creations early this year via  Apuu HandmadeShop on Facebook and  on my  blog Apuu Handmade.

And how is your business going? Is it profitable?
Yes, I made profit out of it so I can buy more books and fabrics to improve my skills and knowledge.

With all the different types of projects you make, what lessons have you learned that you can share with us?
I have learned that I have to use my heart & my head in my creation, giving it some Tender, Love and Care to achieve satisfying result in the end and of course A big smile on my face.

How do you define success? At this point, can you already say that you are successful?

Success for me is being honestly happy inside out. Yes I’m having it this very moment and working my very best to maintain it every single day. I am very grateful that I am able to stay at home caring and watching my kids grow, and still can find time to earn some income doing what I love from home, every single day.

So what's next for you and Apuu Handmade?
My plans in the near future are to keep creating, learning, and improve my knowledge in craft. In the long run I want to have a real shop for Apuu Handmade and my own studio – maybe when the kids are bigger and more independent, so I can have more time for my craft.

I'm sure we have a lot more to look forward to from you Bimbi! Thanks so much for joining us here today!

-oo0oo-

If you want to see more of Bimbi's work, you can visit her at Apuu Handmade. 

Be sure to check out the other interviews from my co-hosts:

Australasia - Jill @ Creating My Way to Success

Europe - Yaga @ The Shiny Bubble 

The Americas - Suzy @ Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Asia - Me! :)

And now, it's your turn! Join our blog hop by linking your blog to our link party below! After linking, make sure you visit a few other links because that's what this hop is all about :)

Do you want your to be interviewed and featured here? If I see your link below, you just might be! I am always looking for talented bloggers from Asia for my next interview feature. I'm sure my other co-hosts are too. Leave your link and hope to meet you soon!

Creating Success Around the World with Agy of Green Issues Singapore

Welcome to 

Creating Success Around the World

The worldwide blog hop tour that introduces you to creative people from all corners of the world.

Click here to learn more.

Today's blog hop is a little special. Instead of your usual hosts, we asked some of our previous guests to co-host the blog hop with us! After reading about our guest today, scroll down to check out the previous guests from Asia showcasing their talent and creativity.

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Our guest today is Agy from Green Issues Singapore. 

[Janelle] Agy was one of the many talented ladies we me through our blog hop. Welcome to Creating Success Around the World Agy! Can you tell us something about yourself and Green Issues Singapore?

[Agy] I started Green Issues with a friend in 2008. We are both working mums and my friend found that there weren't many environmental blogs in Singapore especially when it impacts our little ones. I usually blog about green happenings in Singapore, sometimes in the world, my take on the green things, and lately, I've been blogging about recycling and reconstructing clothes/crafts. 

I'm Chinese, but I've lived in in three countries, having been born and raised in the UK, raised and worked in Hong Kong, and now living in Singapore. 

I've been in Singapore for more than 10 years now! Hubs and I came over here literally with 2 suitcases.  We now have one little boy who won't be little anymore (he starts primary school next year. I think I'm more anxious than him about that!!), a lovely home and lots of good friends. We'll definitely be around for a long time.

It sounds like you have a good life in Singapore already. Tell us more about Singapore.

Singapore lies on the equator so we don't have the seasons that are associated with Europe or North America. It's hot, hot, and hot!  But we do get dry and wet seasons, so don't visit us when it's the wet season (Oct - Mar) because it can literally pour down non-stop.  We are a small island just south of Malaysia and you can drive from east to west in less than an hour.  I would say that Singapore is a melting pot of cultures. We have Chinese, Malay, Indian, Filipino and Indonesians all living together. Our official languages are English, Chinese (Mandarin), Malay and Tamil.

Let's talk about your projects. What kind of projects do you like working on?

I love making crafts out of recycleables and old clothes. I also like doing such crafts with my son because I would like him to be part of the process! 

 

I believe in only buying clothes when you have exhausted all means with your old wardrobe. I think I'm quite lucky to live in a hot climate because that means I don't have to buy two sets of clothing!  The project I'm the proudest of is the Chinese New Year craft from coat hangers and an old t-shirt, and the latest one I made was a wristlet from old jeans. 

I'm currently working on a halloween costume for my son :-) 

I feel guilty... I've been busy with work lately I actually went out and bought a costume for my daughter instead of making one :-/ But anyway, I do love that wristlet project of yours! What inspires your creations?  

Inspiration comes from making observations in everyday things in life. Inspiration can even come from the smallest of things too. Sometimes, I find that we are too busy and rushing everywhere that we forget to stop and just observe!

Do you sell your creations?

No, I don't sell my creations. They're all of personal use, and sometimes I give them away to friends.

What mistakes have you made in your crafting and what lessons have you learned from them?

1)  To always clean your sewing machine. My machine has jammed at critical moments in my creations! So, always clean after a major project, or even better, every week.  Also, cover your sewing machine and don't store it in a humid area. 2) To plan carefully!! I got carried away with a reconstruction before and it turned out all wrong - it didn't fit!!

Ummm.. that last one sounds so much like me. Tell us, how do you define success? At this point, can you say that you have achieved it already?

I actually don't know - is this good or bad?  I suppose it would be to be happy with what you have and not to be greedy expecting and wanting more.

So what's next for you and Green Issues Singapore Agy? Any future plans? 

To improve my sewing, photoshop and blog layout skills!!!

Sounds good! I should put those on my list too. Thanks so much for joining us here today Agy!

-oo0oo-

If you want to see more of Agy's work, you can visit her at Green Issue Singapore. 

Be sure to check out the other interviews from my co-hosts:

Australasia - Jill @ Creating My Way to Success

Europe - Yaga @ The Shiny Bubble 

The Americas - Suzy @ Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Asia - Me! :)

And I have three lovely ladies from India who are co-hosting our blog hop with us today! Please take a moment to visit them and check out what they have.






And now, it's your turn! Join our blog hop by linking your blog to our link party below! After linking, make sure you visit a few other links because that's what this hop is all about :)

Do you want your to be interviewed and featured here? If I see your link below, you just might be! I am always looking for talented bloggers from Asia for my next interview feature. I'm sure my other co-hosts are too. Leave your link and hope to meet you soon!

Divisoria - Ylaya Street

Last weekend, I made an unplanned trip to Ylaya Street in Divisoria, Manila. 

(Yes, Karen... I got to go!!!)

I say unplanned, because my mom only asked me to go with her Friday afternoon. I didn't want to go because it had been raining lately and that place is sure to be muddy. And to make it worse, it was raining all Friday night until early Saturday morning. I was trying to get out of that trip but my mom wants to go looking for a shop that makes costumes, not because she needs it for Halloween, but because they need it for their group's presentation for Christmas at work. Yes... Christmas. Halloween isn't very big here so we start Christmas preparations as early as September.

Last August, I briefly mentioned Ylaya Street on one of my posts:

"If you want to hunt for good fabric... you have to endure traffic and brave the crowds at one of the streets in Quiapo, Manila... Ylaya Street. I haven't been there yet... I passed by it once... I didn't realize it was a street because it was so crowded and full of people. Maybe one of these days, I will try to go there. "

And last weekend, to Ylaya Street we went.

We had to park our car at Tutuban mall, because there will be no place to park a car near Ylaya Street. From Tutuban mall, we walked to Ylaya Street.

It was raining, but the streets were still full of vendors selling everything from household wares, clothes, shoes and plastic Christmas Trees and other Christmas decor.

See the mud??? It was everywhere!

Christmas decor was really, REALLY cheap though. I saw these glitter-covered plastic plants at a store beside the road. They were only P5 (approx  $0.12) each! Great deal considering these are being sold at the mall between P30 - P50 each (I know because my mom bought a bunch of those at the mall 2 years ago).

When we got to Ylaya Street, it got even more crowded.

Faces of strangers blurred because I don't have their permission to post their photos.

Bolts of fabric and women's undergarments being sold at a stall ON the road. I will not say 'beside the road' because the stalls are literally in the middle of the road. Welcome to Divisoria!

I wanted to get some of this ruffle fabric.

I wanted it in yellow. I forgot the exact price but it was only around $4 per yard which I thought was not bad. But we were in the middle of the road... it was drizzling, and it was so crowded we couldn't even open our umbrella... so my mom didn't want to stop for anything until we reached our destination.

We found the costume store my mom was looking for.

Costumes, head dresses, masks.

Maybe if I am brave enough, I will come back here next year for Andrea's Halloween costume. In spite of the fact that we have to enter dark and narrow passages (and I do mean those literally too) to get here, they have a lot of nice things. And you can have costumes custom-made.

Other faces blurred except for that lady looking at masks. I got permission from her to post this. That's my mom. What she didn't give me permission to post were photos of her trying some of the head dresses on. Darn!

The price I had to pay for this trip.

Good thing I was wearing Crocs. They can be washed with soap and water. My mom's shoes (pale pink Pab Der boat shoes that I love!!) were ruined. Good thing they were an old paid already.

But I was able to score these cute sneakers for Andrea for only P150 (around $4).

My mom wants to go back next weekend to place their orders from the costume shop :-/ I hope it won't be so muddy anymore. 

Friday Photos on a Monday - Saranggani Highlands

I missed  Friday Photos last Friday and in a few hours, in another post after this one, I will tell you why. 

Today's photo is dedicated to Kelley of Kelley Highway:

I have read your email Kelley, and I haven't had a chance to reply yet. But I will in a while. And since you mentioned General Santos City in your email, I decided to post this today for you :)

This is a photo of the main building/restaurant at Saranggani Highlands. It was taken in the early evening before we left for home. The sky has already darkened and the lights were one. 

Saranggani Highlands is located somewhere around or in General Santos City in Mindanao (Southern Philippines). It's sort of an events venue and restaurant on top of a hill. This place has a garden and has a great view of mountains and fields. The food served is just so-so... nothing spectacular and a little pricey according to the locals (our friends there considered it pricey since they are charging something like P80 or $2 for a plate of fries but for me, based on prices in Manila, it seems reasonable). But seriously, you don't go there for the food... you go there for the view, and ambiance which to me was worth it.

Crocheted Flower

After my... um... success (yes!! I call it success) with my crocheted cowl from the Crochet Along at Maybe Matilda, I decided to try making a crocheted flower. I had no idea how, I had no pattern, but I just tried the different stitches until I had what looked like flowers :)

The larger one looks like a doily and this is the FIRST time I made a doily that stayed flat!! Yey! I tried crochet a long time ago, back in high school. And as I keep saying, I never really learned. They taught us crochet in our Home Economics subject back then and I have no idea how I managed to get through the crochet part. I guess my mom finished my project for me helped me with my final project which was just a doily. My doilies always ended up NOT flat. 

Anyway, back to my crocheted flower. I layered them and used a brad (got them from the scrapbooking supplies section at a book store) to attach the 2 flowers together. 

 

One of these days, I will try to repeat my process and document my stitches. And then I can share my pattern. 

I wanted to use this flower as a clip and pin, and before, I just added both a clip and a pin at the back. Thing is, when my daughter uses it as a clip, she ends up playing with it and I don't want her pricking herself accidentally with a pin. For this project, I added Velcro at the back of the flower. Then I took 2 small felt pieces: on one, I hot glued a clip... and on the other, I hotglued a pin. And then I glued Velcro to the back of both felt circles.

Back of the flower, 2 pieces of felt: one with the clip and one with the pin.

Now me and my daughter can use it as a clip (safe for a toddler, no risk of pricking) and I can use it as a pin too :) And I can make more flowers and re-use my clip and pin!

I am linking up to the following parties:

Craft-O-Maniac Monday at Craft-O-Maniac | Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T | Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple | Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do | A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success | Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative | Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle | A Marvelous Mess at Marvelously Messy | Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes | Pink Hippo Party at Pinkapotamus | Sundae Scoop at I heart Naptime | Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming | Not Baaad Sundays at Lamb Around | Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff | Take-A-Look Tuesdayt at Sugar Bee Crafts | Handmade Tuesday at Ladybug Blessings | Tuesday To-Do Party at The Blackberry Vine | Homemade Projects at Tip Junkie | Link Party at Running with Glitter | Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog | Tuesday Confessional Link Party at Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy | Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims | Show Me What Ya Got at Not JUST a Housewife |

Creating Success Around the World with Terrie of Terrie Smiling

Welcome to 

Creating Success Around the World

The worldwide blog hop tour that introduces you to creative people from all corners of the world.

Click here to learn more.

-oo0oo-

Today let's welcome Terrie from Terrie Smiling! Terrie is joining us today from Hongkong.

Janelle: Welcome to Creating Success Around the World Terrie! You're my first guest from Hongkong and I'm sure our readers are all excited to meet you. Tell us something about you, and about Hongkong. 

Terrie: My name is Terrie.  I’m a working mum with hubby and 2 children. I live in SAR Hong Kong, a fascinating city of east meets west has own autonomy –  a Special Administration Region of China  – a former British Colony back to 1997. Hong Kong is a tiny spot with a population of more than 7 millions.  Urban is with high rises  but we do have stunning landscapes in a short distance suburbs. I live with family  in an urban apartment. Just behind our building is a lush hill.  I love going up in the morning for a walk before work.  I have a small studio in the south of the island. It’s only 40-min bus ride from urban. There’re beaches and greenery everywhere.  Some people said Hong Kong has the brilliant views as Scotland. Yes, we do have mountains, sea, trails and beautiful views around.

Hongkong sounds lovely! From all the commercials and marketing material I've seen, they make Hongkong sound like just a shopping destination. It's nice to hear a resident talk about the views and the landscape. Let's talk about your blog. What kind of projects do you like working on?

I love handmade crafts particularly of  natural materials and fabrics. I love nature. I think everything can be the “ingredients” of crafts. Sand, stones, leaves, branches, seashell, a fallen feather… Imagine the simply look of  a stone tied with a weed  at the  corner of somewhere you may find lovely.  I first done my craft in my teenage, I cut a bamboo stalk and sanded it and lightly burnt it over a fire to make it  a bit dark look, then it’s a flower holder. When I’m older my hobbies changed. I love ceramics. Some ten years ago I started learning throwing and hand build. Have done quite a lot stuff.  My works are free from my hand just do whatever I like. So the shape or thickness may not be so fine but I love to do in my own way.

 

In the recent 2 years I indulged myself in wool felt. Wool has natural tendency to shrink and entangle through fabrics like silk, gauze, lace, shibori. It forms wide variety of amazing surface textures. I find felt a creative medium not only able to make warm clothing, even for practical handbags, fashion accessories, 3-D home decoration... so versatile!

I also  like making tote bags and eco-print and dyeing.  I want to do this to do that. My plate is full. I like to  make stuff with may own made stuff, such like a  fabric  bag with  a ceramic button an my painted acrylic bird, a nuno felt book  of ceramic knob or a nuno felt scarf of my own dyed pattern.

Your plate does sound full! I love that bag with the owl. I think it's great that you share so many of your projects with us through your blog. Yours is the first blog I have seen about ceramics and nuno and eco dyeing. What inspires all your creations?

A few years ago I saw a very pretty pouch made of wool in a Cambridge market.

The seamless and softness attracted me the most. I was wondering how it’s made. When I back to Hong Kong I searched from library and bookstore for reference. But not much I found. I searched internet and knew it’s “wool felt” then I  got fountain of info. Two years ago  I decided to follow an artist in England for the technique of wool felt to make pictures, handbags,  hats and vessels.  I’m really into this sort of art. The more I encountered the more I find the versatility of wool. Amazing is that an elegant seamless gown can be made with the skill of nuno felt – agitation of wool and silk.  You can make it without a needle and well fit. This drove me to pursuit the skills and joined a workshop in Holland this spring taught by a renowned Lithuanian.  This paves the way for exploration.

My Tiger also inspired some of my works. He was very energetic and  ran up and down.   I made some ceramics with his acts.  I used his hair to make a hat pin and a box just like wool felt stuff.  All his funny and naughty acts in the first year were captured in my book published 3 years ago.  He was sadly passed away of heart stroke just in Aug.  He's gorgeous and we miss him so much.

Terrie's Tiger, and projects inspired by Tiger.

 Your work is beautiful Terrie! Do you sell them?

All my creation are generally for interest. I’ve made hundreds just for fun and giveaways on friends’ occasions.

Gifts Terrie made for her friends.

 Since I’ve made too many, I approached Oxfam - a charity organsation helps against poverty. I offered to sale my handmade items and all proceeds go to the poor. I sold  quite a lot of my pottery and wool stuff in a art market for 2 days. With the generous support of my friends I raised some money and helped the less fortunate. It’s my great  pleasure I can help people  with what my handmade creation while I  enjoyed myself in the process of making.

Terrie with her friends at the Oxfam charity sale.

 What a generous thing to do! I'm sure a lot of people enjoyed your sale. Can you tell us about mistakes you've made in your crafting and lessons you've learned from them?

Errors cannot be avoided in the process of creation.  I’ve made quite some and learned from trials and errors. If possible I’d redo every piece of my unsuccessful stuff to other usage or alter it to other piece. Just like recently I tried to make eco-print on a fabric but found prints on nylon are not strong I then painted it with acrylic. A nice scarf was made without waste. I’m going to break an ugly ceramic plate to pieces and do with them to make a mosaic floor.

Projects made from Terrie's 'mistakes'.

That's a great way to turnaround an unsuccessful project. And speaking of success, what does success mean to you? Can you say you have achieved it already?

Yes, I’m success in a certain extent (quite a bloat!?). I’ve made the very elegant nuno felt gowns. We should appreciate ourselves when compliments flowing in but we should not just stop and satisfy. Way towards success is long and without ending. We should pursuit and explore. Hong Kong is in Asia and the tropical weather is hot and damp but we do have a short winter.  What I want to achieve is bringing in Hong Kong the remarkably eclectic and the versatility of wool felt skills. I want more people to know such wonderful medium not only for winter but adorable for all seasons clothing and art.

With all you have already achieved, what's next for you Terrie?

Blogging is a very good platform for interaction. Via this we exchange skills, ideas and share fun. My blog needs  fine tuned. I’m indeed an IT blind. I want to make my blog more user friendly and trying to get it nice and attractive. I’ll continue to run workshops of  wool felt and  particularly the skills of nuno felt. This have been making  people here lots of  "ahhhhhs and ohhhhhs” !!

You definitely deserve those oooohhhs and aaaahhhs Terrie. Thanks so much for taking some time off your busy schedule to join us here today!

-oo0oo-

If you want to see more of Terrie's work, you can visit her at Terrie Smiling. 

Be sure to check out the other interviews from my co-hosts:

Australasia - Jill @ Creating My Way to Success

Europe - Yaga @ The Shiny Bubble 

The Americas - Suzy @ Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

South America - Dolly of Marya Mariah
Asia - Me! :)

And now, it's your turn! Join our blog hop by linking your blog to our link party below! After linking, make sure you visit a few other links because that's what this hop is all about :)

Do you want your to be interviewed and featured here? If I see your link below, you just might be! I am always looking for talented bloggers from Asia for my next interview feature. I'm sure my other co-hosts are too. Leave your link and hope to meet you soon!