Handmade Gauze Blankie

 

Kayla and Kayden Ng are the youngest member in Ng's family, Gab's cousins. Today is their fullmoon, just done sewing these pair of gauze blankie.

When I started sewing it yesterday, I was totally have no idea what happened to the seams, they tripped and skipped... it wasn't a pleasant start. Gauze is not what I thought so, unlike cotton, so then googled about 'How to sew gauze' for some fast tips.... It seemed everyone has the same problem, some said:"Gauze grows!" I don't quite understand what it means by 'grows'.

So I tried laying a piece of paper strip under gauze fabric, ahh haaa! It works very well, so went I cut many strips ready for these two blankies.

I never stopped figuring out why seams tripped and skipped... ya... I kept thinking about it.

Somethings I observed:
1) Gauze usually is double layer, I used size 14 needle, it could go through the first layer, I saw fabric kept pushing (stuck) into needle hole if I didn't pull it tight. needle might not go through the 2nd layer well, I think it is better if it is size 9.  I guessed that was the reason why seams tripped

2) I supposed it may also occur even using size 9 needle, googled fast tips, some suggested to press it (iron), and others which I think very troublesome. Try using long strip of paper lay under the fabric, and it went smoothly and neatly.

I hope these tips help you in sewing gauze fabric.

I am an artist

I have never in a business line selling stuff before, all I know to do is music and teaching. Pricing the products are most of the time I measure by the cost and add up a little of my effort and time that has consumed. 

People who are little musical trained or non, may not understand and perceive music in totally different way than a musician. Agree? 

No doubt as an artist, every effort counts, in order to perform a piece, I know exactly what it takes to master a piece, to work on those little details on all elements -- notes, tempo, rhythms, sonority, articulation and dynamics, after mastering these you have to relate each other to expression and emotion... erm.... ok. 

Let's see what it takes to sew a product. 

Travel back and forth - purchasing raw materials - idea - designing - measuring for main fabric, lining and sometimes the quilt batting - make templates - cutting - matching fabric patterns, threads and other accessories - sewing. 

Looks just like that, nothing much, ya... true, nothing, I can get this from shops and stalls. Because we don't see the time here, the idea, the uniqueness, the effort, the skill, sincerity, enthusiasm, passion.... May be you would like to convince yourself by reading this 101 reasons to buy handmade products.

Doing this indeed sometimes is undercharged, to buy a quarter meter of a piece of fabric is very costly, a small ring costs RM3 each, you would be surprised. 

I have friends suggested to use cheaper materials, sewing with wider seam, I am an artist, I don't gain an advantage or profit by trickery 偷工取巧.

What it takes to bake a cake and cookies.

Travel back and forth - purchasing raw ingredients - measuring different ingredients - baking tools - mixing and blending - boiling and heating on certain ingredients - baking.

Looks just like that, nothing much, ya.... true, nothing. I can get this from bakery shops. Because we don't see the choice of the quality of the ingredients, it's true, when you put RM1.60 per kg flour and RM2.40 per kg flour on the table, you can't tell the difference. 

Why are home-baked cakes are better than commercial cakes

Some told me that ** bakery's cakes are very soft, better than your cakes, indeed, yes, I first thought so, then later I found out, they put in some ovellete to increase the softness, also serves as a preservative to extend shelf life. 

I was suggested to mix the ingredients with half cheaper products, you see.... I am an artist, I don't gain an advantage or profit by trickery 偷工取巧.

I like this quote:

Cake baking is a hobby for many but it requires an artist's talent to create the right flavour texture and taste. >.6

Life. Liberty. Getting crap done. WD-40

DID YOU KNOW?
What IS The Main Ingredient of WD-40?
Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40?
No Cheating.....

WD-40 ~ Who knew!

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup.
I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).
I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.
He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do....
probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.
Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off.
It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I was impressed!

WD-40 who knew?
"Water Displacement #40".
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.
WD-40 was created in 1953, by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.
Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'Water Displacement' Compound.
They were finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40.
The 'Convair Company' bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.
It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.
If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass.
It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop.
It's now shinier than it's ever been.
You'll be amazed.


WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic / terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring.
It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stovetops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

P.S.
As for that Basic, Main Ingredient.......
Well.... it's FISH OIL....
Who would have guessed ? ? ?

God's favourable Chinese New Year to all!

A very different Chinese New Year that fills with God's favour and love. Wishing all my family and friends have a God's favourable blessing Chinese New Year

God has blessed me with a free face-lift to my car window's tint firm by Shirley, God has blessed me with additional bonus from Debbie, God has blessed me with long long list of German cookies order, I am so blessed by His favourable blessing.

God prepares everything I needed, He supplies even before I ask from Him. Washing machine stopped working last two days, as I was arranging mechanic to fix it, instead of complaining 'Why now?' I realised God has prepare the amount for the cost of repairs. I remember last year there were many times I heard of washing machine produced loud sound and I laid hand to pray for it, saying... 'Not now...'. haha, I know it sounds silly, well I did it all the time. And now it is the perfect time, where I have enough for the fixing. He is Jehovah, God is my supply. 

God has blessed me with two good helpers, one is Melaleuca another is Gabriel darling. I never let Gab done anything washing but just laundry and vacuum-ing, as I know detergents chemicals cause harm to him. 

Ever I started using Melaleuca products, I let him wash dishes, mop the floor, cleaning fans.... I think he will hate Melaleuca if he ever found out the truth... hehehe. 

Anyway, I am so BLESSED, at last I want to tell the world that God's favour is upon me~ May you be blessed too. 

No... not throwing away

Spring cleaning, another two days to Chinese New Year, it is the culture to have a spring cleaning before CNY, every year.. no exceptional. This has been doing since young.

Something that is not going to throw away, that would be my music books. This cabinet is placed in store room, not all the books here, some are still in piano room. Collection from my very grade 1 till now, once awhile will still get some good books from music shop, will buy majority jazz books and new composers now.
Upper level are resources got it after grade 8, preparing for Performing Cert and LTCL. Not all of them here, some are kept in another cabinet.
2nd and 3rd are all piano books from Baroque to Romantic period composers, 4th are for guitar and violin books + contemporary composers, last tier is for theory and aural books.

These are my precious property.

回家

回家 C:

Intro

C G | Am F |

Verse

C | G | Am | F | C | C |

Pre-Chorus

Am | Em | F | C G |

Am | Em | F | Dm | G | G |

Chorus

C | G | Am | Em |

F | C | Dm G | C |

CNY German Cookies Promo

CNY is near, start taking order for once a year time German Cookies CNY packaging.


Homebaked German Cookies


-egg free-

-SCS butter-



At special price and special packaging

150g --- RM10

200g --- RM12

280g --- RM14



for bulk purchase:

10 X 280g for only RM120

10 X 200g for only RM110

10 X 150g for only RM90

Jane's Bakery handmade product tags

As long as is 10 and above, mix order will go according the the bulk price e.g. 2 150g X RM8; 4 of 200g X RM11; 4 of 280g X RM12. 



German Cookies facebook promo pic.

I mind loh~

It has been such long time that I couldn't find anything to blog about except sewing...

Say thanks to this incident... helplessly.

Big big incident just happened that I found out my close friend has just blocked me in facebook when I try to find her profile to write her a letter of apology. What did she do that? How do I feel? I really can't control what she does and why she did that, but I know clearly how I feel. I am so self-centred, am I not?

What did I do to make her so angry about me? Yeah, I admit that I was being very harsh to her and neglected her emotion and feeling. My bad.... it is really my weakness, pride. Because she is not the first 'victim', I know... at least a few more out there. What a failure, I admit, I failed this exam Lord.

What has she done to make me so angry about her? I don't want to mention it. Everyone is in a different shoe.

Just reconciled a relationship with another sister last month, I did my confession with her, and thankfully she was kind and patience to listen to my bunch of nonsensical confrontations.

My bad that I was being so blunt and harsh in words to confront her, I knew I was wrong, I made my apology immediately after the incident and told her why I was so angry about her. She kept quiet and continue sewing, asking questions and helps on things she was not sure. I made another time of apology when she left my house.

I still care about her after a few days, I wanted to send her a letter yesterday, this was when I found that she blocked me from communicating with her. I tried to sms her via phone, asked another friend to help in a group message. She didn't reply. The last move asked her husband to help but I think she told him off.

How do I feel? I do know how I feel. I do mind about the act she did to BLOCK me, I do mind.

I shall then keep this relationship in prayer, I need her acknowledgement before any further action.

I am (still am) such a harsh person. being so direct in words, Lord I failed this test about 'self-control', 'pride', 'patience', 'giving', 'generous'.... I am so reluctant to ask God to give me these.... as I know if I ask of it, I will have to face more of these in order to be trained to overcome these. I must why pray that God will make a way for both of us.

I found GREEN people

Gin, is the owner of TCD artisan bakery cafe, visited the shop many times, love the food that they serve, especially the Aussie Pizza and Aglio Olio.
The interior is country style, one side of the wall painted in green, that is my favourite style and favourite colour, it gives a cozy feeling and enhances surrounding ambience. Just love this place and its food nevertheless quite pricy.

The best is Gin welcomed handmade product, I tried to approach her last year in November with those coin pouches, the response was good. This time I have left Quilted Patchwork bag, keychain pouch, and 3 sling bags in her shop.

I was rather worrisome that she would refuse the bags because they are quite costly, but that prove me wrong, she loves it instead. She loves the Quilted Patchwork bag, she is a GREEN people like me, she is the COUNTRY people like who??? Me...

I left the shop with a prayer, nothing but: "God's favour is upon me, and people have favour upon my sewing, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

Gab was happy to see everything went smooth and excited of the sales I made for coin pouches. Thankful for him, someone to share my happyiness with.

Somehow.... warm.

Boon has a coin pouch, is a Christmas present I made for him, he uses it for house keys and remote control. I love seeing someone using the thing I made for them, it is somehow.... warm to me.

He came to me yesterday night, asking if I could modify the coin pouch, make it a little smaller, and put a metal ring beside so that he could hook a bunch of key, preferably that I could put a flexi hook so he could take in and out without hassle.

I look at it, asking him for the prefered size, I told him I can make another one and he could use this big coin pouch for other purposes.

I was happy that he asked me for something he wants specifically, I love sewing stuff for the people I love, knowing that they are using stuff that is made from my own hands. Somehow..... warm, that is the feeling I have.

So quickly rush home, did the measurement, dug out fabrics, took a look of all that I have, most of them are faminine printing. And I bought a piece of faux leather that I only used a small piece for boyz wallet, hmm... perhaps it is a good idea to make this small pouch from faux leather.

So you see it... it was cute. Can't wait to post it up, quickly took a snap from HTC phone though I know it can't give a good shot but.... I can't wait!

Immediately I got some orders, requested for a card pouch, slightly wider.

And I love proclaiming this ever since I read Joel's book, "God's favour is upon me~ " and a BIG Amen for that.