Sleep and 2 new projects

July 12, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

For those of you who read my FB status, you would realised that recently I have been sleeping really late and waking up considerably late in the morning. I am usually an early riser, 7am at the latest; but I have been waking up around 10am these past week. The reason for this is because I’ve been hooked onto watching sitcoms on YouTube and playing online games. It’s a wonder with modern technology and social media, everything is so accessible from the comfort of my home. Not only that, I get updates via twitter on news and upgrades for the movie or games which I subscribe to. All I need is internet connection and a laptop… ^^

Meanwhile, I got 2 projects in hand, using these 2 combinations of fabric. What do you think?

The pastel peach colour is so soft and sweet.

I find the umbrellas very kawaii, and purple is just royal !

I will share the outcome of the projects soon. Have a nice day!

Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy Workshop

July 10, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

I had the opportunity to attend this Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy for Emotional Healing workshop. It was a half day workshop, especially for us pastoral counsellors. The speaker was Ms Fiona Chang.

I had lots of fun in this workshop. We had the opportunity to explore different working approaches which using multiple-modal of expressive arts to gain personal growth and transformation. The art modalities in this workshop includes visual art, music, soiund, dramatic play, body movement, writing, drawing and creating. The final part of the workshop, we witness a theraupetic session using art expression. It was really really an eye opener, and so interesting.

I wish I can learn more and apply them in my counselling work.

This type of theraphy was founded by Dr Natalie Rogers (daughter of the famous Carl Rogers). To learn more, maybe this book will help.

My flower basket creation.

My sister’s beach party creation.

So are we creative enough to express? Haha, being creative (or not) is not a prerequisite to use this type of theraphy. It’s about letting the arts (persieve as creative or not) to help express feelings and promote self-healing.

japanese cotton and english cotton

July 9, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

Just couldn’t resist them!

Look what I bought yesterday?

I needed more plain coloured cotton for my bags… but the rest was just because they are too good to resist.

Somehow grey and pink appealed to me yesterday. I was a pink & grey gal ^^

These are English cotton, from Lancaster the Uncle told me.

My favourite of the lot.

This one is Japanese cotton.

All 3 pattern fabrics are HERE, included in the Fabric Choices Set for your custom made bags!

Please visit my etsy shops – I will be updating more ready made items soon:
http://whimsyloft.etsy.com
http://ourladyofgrace.etsy.com

Destash SALE (sewing & beading notions) here:
http://whimsyloftshop.blogspot.com

Happy Monday May the blues be gone….

experiment front zipper pouch and new galaxy note pouch

July 3, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

A little night sewing doing a little experiment.
Front zip pouch.

Front- zip side:

My first time sewing this, with full lining (no raw seams insides). Usually when sewing this type of pouches, I leave the inside with raw seams showing; either that or use bias tape or zig zag stitches.
Thought of trying something different, and since I was not in my lazy mode… I made this with no raw seams!

Back – pretty fabric side:

Anyway, my new iPhone pouch.
Sorry no photo of the “un”raw seams.
The strap is made from faux leather.

Here is another Samsung Galaxy Note pouch, custom order from a friend.

I sure love sewing with canvas and linen. Nice and sturdy.
Happy Tuesday my friends!

paper love

July 2, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

Did a teeny weeny spring cleaning today.
Found these beautiful paper.
I hoarde these things ^^

Japanese craft papers known as Yuzen Paper. Good for scrapbookings, origami… etc etc.

FILO handbag

June 26, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

Why FILO ?

Filo as in filo pastry!

Because, making this bag reminds me of this type of pastry. Layer by layer, and the end results is the puffs!

There are 4 layers in the making of this lovely mix of elegance and cute handbag.
Layer 1, the outside fabric. Layer 2, the batting. Layer 3 the fucible inteliner for extra sturdiness. Layer 4, the lining fabric.

This bag keeps its shape. Always rounded . It’s kinda chubby. And chubby is sexy!

This bag is put together using cotton fabric… in my favourite combination of colours! Machine quilted and handsewn pocket. Oh yes 1 pocket inside, just nice to fit an iphone. It closes with a magnetic snap. I use {new} belts (the ones we use to hold up our pants) to make the straps and closure. The belt is made of pvc.

It’s light, puffy, stores many things. Good for daily use.

Bag measures horizontally 10″ x height approx 6.5″. Width approx. 5.5″. Straps end-to-end approx. 17″. Strap length will vary depending on the length of the belt (but of course long enough to sling on our shoulder).

I enjoyed making this bag and would love to make you one.

So I’m taking orders!

For a limited time only, discounted price is between RM50 to RM65 (USD25 to USD33); depending on the fabric you choose.
The usual, cotton and cotton blend is more affordable than Japanese cotton, linen or cotton duck.
Select your fabric HERE; – combi of 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 fabric pattern to make up the squares for the bag. Entirely your choice!
Lining (the insides) I will match with plain cotton blend or if you want, please select (price will match your selections). Price of course not inclusive of postage .

Please also support my DESTASH SALE HERE. All things new at very cheap prices, and new items updated {almost} daily.

P/s: I’m just dying to tell you… that ballerina fabric at the bottom of the bag… it’s my new pillow case!

Galaxy note pouches

June 26, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

Custom order from a friend

Aren’t the little green beans cute?

Green beans are cotton canvas, soft and sturdy.
Chick & lace are Japanese cotton. Kawaii and comfy.

Double layer batting on each side of the pouch for extra protection.

sales! destash sales !!!

June 22, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

Dear Friends,

I have planned this for a while, but only managed to take action today.

I am having a destash sale here at my blog shop : WhimsyLoft Shop

Everything is new, everything is chosen with love and care and kept really well, and everthing will be sold at cost or lower price (or around the price that I remember paying then for). I need to make space, and stop hoarding. You will be surprise I have cupboards full of these pretty sewing notions, findings, beads, etc etc etc !!!!!!

Click HERE to go shopping!

Prices quoted both in MYR and USD for both my local and international friends. The usual t&cs. Payment via local bank in or paypal (international). I always send registered mails and postage will be quoted separately. I will definitely provide the most affordable way of shipment. COD for returning customers and friends (local of course).

I have about 30 to 50 more items to list, and will do so in the next few days, progressively. I will accept advance bookings, so that you can combine shipping and save even more… and I could maybe throw in a few extras… However please only make bookings if you are seriously intending to buy.

Please help me spread the news to your friends. Click HERE to go shopping!

Thank you for reading.

Hugs,
Grace

Click HERE to go shopping! @ http://whimsyloftshop.blogspot.com

emeralds and siams

June 21, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

I simply love customers which allow me the flexibility to mix and match crystals.

7 Sorrow Rosary, using emerald AB with clear crystals slot in between. The Our Father bead is crysolite.

I enjoyed making this.

This one is a red red rosary. Siam red. Lovely colour. Matched with a ruby red Our Father bead, which I wrap with silver wire. Isn’t it lovely?

The tiny beads are rose in colour. Really light, almost crystal clear.

Refurbishing my ikea lamps

June 20, 2012
Posted by Whimsy Loft

I’m an Ikea Hacker wannabe

I bought a pair if these lamps from Ikea about 5 years ago I think, when I first planned to move into our new home.

They were cream in colour, and really nice. Fits the ambiance I planned for my hall. Well, it still does, except that now the creamy porcelain base has gray marks from all the dusts, and some chipped surface from scrubbing the dust off the base. The lamp shade has yellow ageing spots. Ugh!!!

Here’s a before photo:

See all the yellow age spots on the lamp shade?

What I did:
1) Bought a can of spray paint in baby blue. I wanted teal, but the shop only had this one blue colour 0_o… and I kinda liked this blue, so I bought it.

2) Unscrew the bulbs, separate the shade from the base… basically unscrew whatever that can be removed or separated.

3) I use masking tape and lots of recycled paper to cover the wire and the metal & plastic parts (those that is there to hold the bulbs and the shades. The idea is to cover parts where you don’t want paint on.
Because the base of the lamp has holes in them, I taped paper inside the base so that the paint won’t go in (it is hollow there and you can get to it from the bottom). There’s a place for a bulb there too!

4) Then, this is the fun part. Spray two coats of paint on the base. I left it overnight to make sure it is truly dry (i’m just like that).

5) Then, for the shade… fun and sticky. This is where I took out my Fabric Mod Podge and some leftover Ikea fabric. I simply measure around the shade, cut out 2 pieces of fabric (because they are leftovers, I don’t have just one piece that fits around). Brush mod podge on the shade and glue the fabric on. I made sure that the fabric on the outside is slightly wider (about 1.5cm both sides) than the shade, so that I can turn it over and glue them to the insides of the shades

That’s really about it.

Tada!!!!