My @Ventures

Festival Rajutan Indonesia III

2011-07-19T12:36:00.004+07:00

Hi there! Thank you for all of you who are still reading my blog even though it is not updated as often as I used to.

Well this time I've got big news for you. The Third Annual Festival Rajutan Indonesia!! It is the place where people from all over Indonesia come to meet fellow knitters and crocheters to share and know each other.

This year, it is held at Museum Bank Mandiri, Jakarta. From 16 - 17 July 2011. Yup, only 2 days. But we met a lot of people!!! There were talkshows, competitions, bazaar, exhibitions, trainings... so exciting!

Here's me at my stand, selling all sorts of craft materials and equipments.

Here's my helper and customers.

Here's me during the talkshow.

And here's the exhibitions!!! A lot of people made a lot of different things and we have the city of Jakarta in crochet and knitting!

For more pictures, feel free to browse my album at Facebook.

Baby Glove Crochet Pattern

2010-11-07T21:46:00.002+07:00

Hey people... It's been a long time since I updated this blog. Been very busy with my new shop and all...
Anyway, I just had a new niece last week and I wanted to make her a baby glove, so I looked for a pattern. The one I got turns out to be too big for my yarn and hook so I modified it.
Well, I'm sure it's a very common pattern that you can get anywhere but I'm just gonna write it here anyway, even if only for my own notes.

Start with magic circle
Row 1: ch 3, dc 15 times (total 16), join with sl st
Row 2: ch 3, 2dc in every stitch, join
Row 3: ch 3, *2dc, dc* rep around, join
Row 4 : ch 3, dc around, join (if yours is not big enough, do another increase with *2dc, dc, dc*)
Row 5 - 10 : ch 3, dc around, join
Row 11 : ch 3, *dc decrease, dc* around, join
Row 12 - 13 : ch 1, sc around, join
Row 14 : *sc, sk 2, ch 3* around, join
Row 15 : sl st to first sp, ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2dc, *2dc, ch2, 2dc* in each sp around, join

Finish! Add a ribbon to the space so that you can tie it up, or else it'll fall off too easily.

Photos to follow! Don't have any yet... See ya next time!

Adopt an OrangUtan

2010-06-10T08:14:00.003+07:00

So.... After all this time I'm absent from the blogging world, today I'm back especially for this noble cause... As you all know, OrangUtan is from my country Indonesia, and they're on the brink of extiction.
Well now you can help too, by adopting this cute OrangUtan amigurumi. 10% of sales will be donated to BOSF (The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation)
Please visit my friend zpiderdzigh's blog for all the information.
Thank you!!!

Autumn Shawl

2009-12-30T15:53:00.005+07:00

I know I know... It's a weird time to be posting such a theme of color at this time of year.
But I'm sure you'll all agree that it really looks warm, and it makes me happy just looking at it.

It's very simple to make, just chains and sc and just keep increasing at the sides till the size wanted. As for this one, I stopped when I ran out of yarn. Yup, this eye candy only took one ball of yarn. Sweet!

Not sure about what occasions I can wear it at though, I don't go places much.

Neverending Scarf

2009-12-30T15:00:00.002+07:00

I know... It's been forever since I last post here in the blog. It's just that with Facebook around, it is easier to share photos over there.

Anyway, for those of you who are so nice to still see my blog after all, here's the scarf that I've been knitting for over a year (or maybe almost two). Simple rib with k1, p1; using two yarn held together, one red and one green. I was thinking of apples when I chose those two colors. Can't really see it well in this photo though...

Length: 1,7 meters.

Obsession

2009-09-07T23:35:00.000+07:00

So I have this obsession of crocheting/knitting using other materials other than yarn. I've tried plarn (not quite successful), and plant fiber (not quite successful too). And this time, I used a colourful rope to create this bag... (success... finally).

At first I tried to crochet it using a big hook, but turns out, even though it feels limp to the touch, the rope is really very hard to crochet and it hurts the fingers very much. (Or maybe I forgot to try my biggest hook.)

Anyway, in the end I frogged the crocheted bag when I finally received my huge knitting needles. I used 12mm needles for this bag. Sooooo easy and fun, it was a breeze!

Lesson: When it's too hard to crochet, knit it.

All in all, it was a satisfying finish. Hooray!!!

Back to Old Obsession

2009-09-04T01:39:00.000+07:00

A hyperbolic flower brooch, or can also be used as a pendant...

Hyperbolic Necklace!
So easy yet so beautiful... And elegant? :D

Another Pencil Case and Necklace

2009-09-04T01:34:00.003+07:00

This is the latest pencil case I made...
Simple wave pattern...
Finally got to use these two colors that I've been wanting to make something with but no idea what. Turns out they look great together, especially contrasted with the black.

And this is just the same pattern as the previous necklace, just different colors...

Nice?

Diamond Case

2009-09-02T19:45:00.000+07:00

Don't you just love hdc's?
I love how they look like diamonds... Though in this photo you can't really see them...

It still feels kind of incomplete though... Needs a strap or something... But still can't decide whether to make it a sling or a short strap from one side...

Cute Bracelets

2009-09-01T12:28:00.001+07:00

Sweet and done in a jiffy...

Crocheted Bead Necklace

2009-08-28T19:37:00.006+07:00

I can't believe I forgot to post this here...
This is one of my hand made that I'm most proud of.

I got the pattern from here.

Nylon Belt

2009-08-24T23:14:00.004+07:00

Ta dah!!! My crocheted nylon belt!!!
Love it love it love it!!!

Finished it in one night, very easy to do.

Pattern:
Ch 13 + ch3 as first dc
R1: dc in 5th ch from hook, dc across
R2: ch3, turn, dc in next 2 st, ch 2, skip 2 st, dc in next 3 st, ch 2, skip 2 st, dc in next 3 st.
R3: ch 3, turn, dc in next 5 st, dc in next 3 st, dc in next 5st.
R4: Repeat row 2
R5: ch 3, turn, dc across
R6: Rep R5

Repeat Row 2 - 6, end with row 5.

Enjoy!

Pineapple!!!

2009-08-16T19:40:00.003+07:00

Mini Pineapple!!!
Kawaii desu!!!
Only about 5 cm!!!
Thinking of making it into a button. Any suggestions as to what colour the background should be? I intend to stick/sew it into a piece of felt.

This is the first pineapple pattern I've made... Finally...
Actually, I don't know what I did wrong, it turns out different than the pattern, so I had to modify it a bit. But at last!!! I did it!!! Whoo hoo!!! *Shaking my hands in the air*

Sleep Mask

2009-08-11T22:34:00.000+07:00

Nope, it is NOT a Bra. LOL!!!
It is my Sleep Mask, and though it's a bit hole-y, it is able to do it's job quite well. :D

I followed the pattern wrong actually, ended up with a septagon instead of an octagon. I didn't realize it until I finished the first one, so I had to do the second one the same. :P

All in all... Not bad... And it certainly beats buying one...

Mini Doily (with Pattern)

2009-08-09T15:01:00.011+07:00

My first try at making a mini Doily...
Got the inspiration from one the patterns from here. (Thank you Yasmine!)
(Can you guess which one? ;p )

Note:
Qc: Quadruple Crochet (or double treble crochet)
Yarn over 3 times, finish as usual.

Pattern:
Ch 4/5, join to make circle
R1: Ch 1, 9 sc in circle, join w/ sl st
R2: Ch 3, dc in same st, (2 dc in each st around), join w/ sl st {18 dc}
R3: (Ch 5, Qc in next st, ch 5, sl st in next st) repeat around
R4: Ch 5+4, (sc in top of Qc from row below, ch 4, Qc in sl st from row below, ch 4) repeat around, join with sl st to 5th ch of beginning chain.
R5: (Ch 5, sc into ch-4 sp, ch 5, sc into the same ch-4 sp, ch 5, sc into top of Qc from row below /alternate with sc on top of Qc) repeat around

DONE!

Please ask if the pattern is confusing, and do inform me if there's a mistake in the pattern.

I added a coconut shell button....

And made it into a brooch...

Fantastic... :D

Sweet Headband

2009-08-03T19:22:00.002+07:00

I fell in love with the pattern of this headband right away and I just have to make one. So here it is! Made in just one night.

Just instead of plain red, I used the yarn with red-dark red colour combination.
Totally love it!

Here's the pattern.

Cute Little Green Hat

2009-07-23T16:02:00.004+07:00

Finally, I managed to take a satisfactory photo of this cute little hat. I don't know what it'll become yet though. It may just sit on my table being pretty, or I might make it into a keychain, or maybe glue it into a hair clip and sell it.
I made this one night (or morning?) some time ago, when I just can't sleep.
It was also part of a testing for this new type of yarn I just got. Well, turns out it's quite a stiff yarn, and being a too tight crocheter, I kind of hurt my own fingers. (When will I learn and start crocheting more loosely?)
But all in all, it is pretty cute, and I love just looking at it. Hope you enjoyed looking at it too!

A Parade of Finished Pencil Cases

2009-07-15T23:44:00.004+07:00

I don't remember already, the order of which I made them. Not important. Yesh?

I like how the pattern looks like butterflies.

I'm not sure if this is a good colour combination?

Shell stitch:

Chocolate Strawberry Cake:

Erm, something red purple and yellow? I really like how this colour combination turns out.

A knitted pencil case! The first one I made:

Basketweave, love it!

The smallest one:

All in all, not too bad I think. They're all now with the person who ordered.
Thanks for looking!

Henna - a form of Body Art

2009-06-18T21:44:00.000+07:00

So I went to this mall the other day to meet a friend. Along the way, (inside the mall) I passed by this booth that does Henna tattoo. And I thought, I should do this at least once in this lifetime of mine. So there goes, my first Henna tattoo. Interesting huh?

I'm Back!!??!?

2009-06-07T14:42:00.005+07:00

Hey there people!
Seems that I've neglected my blog yet again. And this time for quite a long time too...

Anyway, just to start (hopefully of more regular blogging), here's an amulet bag, where I got the pattern from here. Apparently I did it wrong, can you notice it? ;p

So I fell in love with the beads first, bought some, then decided to crochet something small with it. Next I chose the yarn, then looked for beaded crochet patterns. I must say I'm pretty pleased with the result! What do you think?

This next one I actually did a few months ago. A variation to the usual pencil cover I usually make. Someone suggested to me to make the cap 'un-lose-able' by attaching it. So there goes! Better or worse? ;)

Strawberry and Orange Candy with a hint of Blue Mint

2009-04-04T12:26:00.003+07:00

I've been wanting to make something with this colour combination for the longest time. So happy that I finally did it!
This pencil case is a record breaker too. I finished it in 3 days, including one day to sew on the zipper. lol! You won't wanna know how long I usually take to finish a project. :p

I Love You Bracelet

2009-03-31T22:24:00.002+07:00

If you remember the bracelet on the right, I made it last month.
And then a few days ago I decided to make the bigger version of it, because I thought that some people would want it that way.
I asked my bf to model the bracelet for me. Because of course, it's too big for me and looks funny when I wear it. :)

Fancy Yarn = ???

2009-03-28T17:33:00.002+07:00

This is the yarn that my aunt gave me a while ago. And up till now, I still don't know what to make with it. Any suggestions?

New Batch of Pencil Cases

2009-03-23T02:18:00.002+07:00

These pencil cases I made by folding a square in half, then I sew the sides together, then I sew on the zipper. Voila! Instant pencil case.

Brown Camera Case

2009-03-22T22:23:00.003+07:00

This is a request from someone. She asked for something that looks like my green cellphone case but wider, for her camera. Hopefully it fits well. ;p

Coral Brooch

2009-03-21T02:32:00.003+07:00

I can't believe I missed posting this into my blog!
I was looking for the post with this picture and I just can't find it, so I must have forgotten. It was made in January btw.

Anyway, this is the third hyperbolic brooch I've made. This time it's in blue and yellow. I simply love experimenting with different colour combinations.

What's your favourite colour combination?

Name Card Holder

2009-03-18T15:22:00.003+07:00

Here it is, another one of my pride and joy. I finally finished this name card holder for myself. I'm so glad I finally got it right. If you remember, a while ago I tried to make one, but it turns out to be too wide and too big. This one, just right. Perfect!! The colour is perfect too, mostly green.
And I also finally got to use one of the button from my stash. Nice!

Scarf for Grandma

2009-03-01T04:43:00.002+07:00

I made this scarf for my grandma. She told me that the wind makes her cold, so she can't really get out of the house. So I decided to make her a scarf.

I decided to make it in dark blue and red partly because of practicality, as dark colours don't dirty as easily as light ones; and partly because bright colours don't really suit her anymore.
Hopefully she'll like it!

Purple and Yellow

2009-02-28T22:02:00.003+07:00

So here is another keychain made using rows of sc and cross-stitched.
The difference is, I crocheted the even rows backwards after I turned the work instead of reattaching the yarn to the beginning of every new row like I used to do. Thank you to the wonderful method of fillet crochet.
This is the second time I did this method, the first one was the bracelet at the previous post. At the beginning it was hard to do, but after this second one, I think I've got the hang of it.

I like making keychains like this, mostly because I feel that people really needs a practical keychain that you can tuck in your pocket without it bulging your pocket too much and digging into your thighs when you sit down.

Hmm, I don't know why I like to combine purple and yellow together. I think it's because I had a purple shirt with a yellow collar once. Since then, I always think that purple belongs with yellow.
Do you think it's a weird colour combination?
Another one of my favourite colour combination is blue and orange. I do like clashing colours, and my colour sense is rather whacko, but I hope you like the things I've made!

Logitech Tiger

2009-02-27T04:17:00.005+07:00

This is how my new mouse looks like. I totally love it!!! I love the colour and the design. I'm a Tigger fan too you know.

FYI, this is the 4th mouse I've bought so far. All the others are dead and not functioning. I suppose because they were too cheap. So this time, I bought a mouse that costs about 7-8 times the usual amount that I spend to buy a mouse.
I certainly hope it will live up to my expectations and accompany me for a long long time. I won't ever buy anything second rate anymore. And that goes for my shoes too.
If I got this job, the first thing I do would be to buy a new pair of work shoes. The one I wore to the interview today, it hurts my feet so bad that they're now sore and blue black. I'm going to buy those shoes that costs about 4-5 times as much as this pair. Mark my words.

Imported Ami-Quelle

2009-02-27T01:00:00.003+07:00

Hi everyone!
I've finally decided that I won't be able to update ami.Quelle (my second blog) like I used to anymore. I suppose the fire for it has burnt out. I'm sorry.

Many people also seem to misunderstand my purpose in starting that blog too, where they mistook the works I posted as mine.

So as of today, I've imported all the posts from the ami.Quelle blog into this blog. So if one day you are browsing through my posts and found an odd post or some odd comments, it might be one from it.

I also want to thank you everyone who have visited the ami.Quelle blog in the past. I really appreciate all the lovin you've given me.

Regards,
Melisa

Nocturnal

2009-02-25T04:58:00.004+07:00

I'm a nocturnal.
No question about it.
My brain is usually more awake at night, when the air is cool, and everything is dark and silent.

And lately, my days are nights and my nights are days.
But I can't go on living like this for always.
It's not healthy.

Goodness knows I've tried.
I've had periods of normal waking hours, but then I would fall into this bad habit again.
Sigh...

Maybe it's also because, when I'm exhausted from being awake all night, I sleep better. Dreamless, restful sleep, as opposed to the tiring sleep I usually have during regular nights. I absolutely hate it when I can remember my dream.

My First Beaded Crochet Pouch!

2009-02-22T02:45:00.004+07:00

Check this out!!!

My first completed beaded crochet item ever!!

I made it using a pattern I modified from some Japanese book that used to belong to my mom.

Sporadically, I made it in about 2 weeks. I usually work on it at night while watching TV. :D

Well, it was fun. The only thing I didn't like was moving the beads inwards when I ran out of yarn. But all in all, it was quite satisfying to finally finish it. XD

Back With More Stuff

2009-02-22T01:52:00.000+07:00

Hi there people! I'm sorry for the very very slow update recently.
As I've said before, I'm kind of avoiding the comp, especially the internet.
Obviously because I feel that every minute I spend surfing, it is unproductive time.
And these days my comp are kind of sickly, so I imagine that the more I use it, the closer it gets to doomsday. I need to buy an external HDD for my laptop, because the internal one is almost full and I definitely can't decide what to delete. I did burn the data into DVD, but it's unpractical. Mostly because my DVD-ROM is really slow and it would take forever to see what I want to see.

Alright, enough talk. Now it's time for pictures!!

This one you've seen in the previous post. I decided to change the black string into a long crocheted chain using the same blue yarn. It turns out to be very much better as it is stronger and closes the top more tightly.

This next one was made using a variation of the same pattern as above. At first I intended to make a name card case but I realized too late that it's too wide. And of course I didn't want to redo the whole thing again so I went ahead and finished it. There are many uses for a pouch like this anyway.

I made this a while ago. It is simply a smaller version of the curlies you've seen floating around in my blog. I think it is more suitable for earrings than the big ones I usually use for keychains.
I also totally love how the colors matched between the pair unpurposefully. Usually these multicolored yarns turns out different every time.

Lastly, the usual kind of curlies, but made with cotton yarn. I just wanted to try and see how it turns out. I suppose it's fine.

Btw, I used a white towel for the background of these photos. Just wanted to try something new. I think it's interesting. Don't you agree?

Recent Accomplishments

2009-02-13T03:02:00.000+07:00

I made another one of those paper clip holder. This time, it is a simple round shape.

This is a cell phone case made from cotton yarn. I gotta say I'm quite please with it, I kind of improvised the pattern from something I saw before.

Most of the time, our customers are our best source of ideas, but sometimes, they're just a pain in the ***. Anyway, someone asked for a black bracelet with the words "I heart U" on it, so this is what I came up with.

I added 2 strips of elastic to compensate for the unstretchiness of the cotton yarn. Unfortunately, they're not as invisible as I imagined.

Anyway, I hope whoever received it will be happy. I'm so excited to know that something I've made will be a Valentine's gift.

Review: Foam Clay

2009-02-13T02:07:00.000+07:00

Curious?

I covered my crochet hooks using those foam clay I found at the local bookshop.

The result?

It's great! As far as the softness and the padding it provides for my fingers.
It also won't hurt the hook any bit. No trace of it will be left when you rip it off.
You can also easily replace the clay when it's worn.

Only one major weakness: Water.

It will turn gooey and sticky and yucky when it came in contact with water.
So it is unsuitable for those whose hands sweat a lot. Unsuitable for the wet climate.

They do get dry if you leave it in the open though, but it's not quite good enough.

Right now, I've still not gotten any idea how to get around the problem. Back to finding some other alternatives I suppose...

To Do List

2009-02-13T01:48:00.000+07:00

It's been a while since I updated my To Do list.
Now it's grown so long that I'm really at lost of which to do first.

Anyway, I've

Finished sewing the 5 name hangings
Finished the scarf my aunt asked from me (photos to follow)
Made another wrist pillow for my bf (photos to follow)
Canceled the cross stitch project (the glue is a bad idea)
Made a few more stuff to sell

And I still have to:

Finish another batch of commission
Finish bear name hangings
Make turtle keychains
Get big button to match scarflet
Crochet more gajih flowers
Get a dark blue zipper for cell phone pouch
Start cutting fabrics
Make printer covers
Make even more stuff to sell

(Some of these items, I got a feeling they won't get crossed out for a long long time, if ever.)

Pencil Case Squares

2009-02-08T02:45:00.000+07:00

Look what they did with the squares I sent to the charity program I joined.

I think the idea is really nice, turning a square into a pencil case. I'd definitely try to make some myself.

Some Doily

2009-02-08T02:36:00.000+07:00

I made this doily using a pattern from a book I have. This is only half of the original pattern though. I decided to stop here because I liked how this looks like.

I used quite a thick yarn though, so it doesn't really look like a doily. I'm not sure what this is good for, but for now, it looks nice, so I suppose it's okay. Who knows, someone might thought of something and found a liking for it when she saw it.

Series of Experiments

2009-02-08T02:28:00.000+07:00

As you can see from the dates on the photos, I made these experiments last month.

For this first one, I was trying some joined motifs, thinking maybe I can make them into headbands. The result turns out to be too big and awkward, with this yarn.

For this one, I was trying some pattern that I got from the only knitting book I have. I was thinking of making it into a wristband.
Anyhow, since it was my first time knitting something like this, I found out that the length is not enough, and if I finish the pattern, the height will cover half of the arm. So I stopped and rewind the yarn.

About this last one, I was thinking of making a paw print pattern myself, since I've been searching the internet and I just can't find any that's similar to what I had in mind.

Well, what looks good on a drawing might not be the same case for the real thing so I tried two patterns. I was not sure which one will look better. Honestly though, I don't think I've gotten it yet. I haven't got the mood to try another pattern though. It'll have to wait.

First Scarf

2009-02-06T22:55:00.004+07:00

This scarf was requested by my aunt, and she picked the colour herself.
And thus I started on making my first scarf. Of course, the repetitive pattern makes it quite boring to make all the time, so I crocheted it in between making other things. But the nice thing about monotonous patterns is, the project is easy to bring anywhere, because you don't have to think and interpret patterns on the go.

Made in approximately 10 hours, on and off since Christmas 2008.
240 rows.

Length: 140 cm
Width: 9 cm
Weight: app. 95 g

Well, I can't wait to meet her again so that I can give it to her. I'll let her do the modeling for me and post the photo here later.

Are You Ready to Go?

2009-02-06T10:15:00.004+07:00

If it's your time to go today, are you ready?

When you realized you're dead, will you have any regrets?
Have you lived your life to the fullest?
Have you told them that you loved them?
Have you given everything you had to everything you do?
Have you made everyone that matters happy?

Honestly, I don't think I am ready.

I wonder how many people will come to my funeral.
But most importantly,
I wonder what will people remember of me.

e- Entrepreneur Award

2009-01-30T15:56:00.001+07:00

I got this award from the author of the blog Windmill on the Hill.
Thanks you dear sir, for yet another award from you. I will certainly try to raise the bar and up the ante, so that I can at least live up to the expectations and not disappoint anyone (especially myself).

Purpose and Rules of The e-Entrepreneur Blog Award

The purpose of The e-Entrepreneur Blog Award is not determined by the success rate of the blogger’s e-Commerce. Rather, this Award is bestowed on bloggers who have taken the initiative to start and to manage an enterprise of their own through their Blog.

It also considers the originality of their product by design, beauty and functionality.

Besides granting recognition for the blogger’s entrepreneurial effort, it is also meant to encourage the blogger towards achieving higher and better standards with his creations.

Branches the Neckwarmer

2009-01-27T10:30:00.000+07:00

This scarflet / neckwarmer is the first project that I finished in the year of 2009. And it is my first ever completed knitting project too!!! Yey yeah!!!!!!!

I've not posted any pictures because it is not complete yet. And even up till now, it is still not.
You see, it lacked the buttons / the means to hold the ends together. I've neither found a suitable button for it, nor an alternative. Any suggestions?

(This photo was also taken at my grandma's)

Here's a close up picture for you to get a better idea of how it looks like.
The colours really do look like branches right? It was made using 3 types of yarn held together.

Once it's complete, I will list it in Etsy.

Beehive the Scarf

2009-01-27T10:01:00.002+07:00

This is the first scarf I've made. Ever!

It does look like a beehive, no?

It is crocheted with a big hook, the first time I actually got a chance to use it.

Semi close up:

Made with 3 different types of yarn held together.

Detail close up:

Will list it on Etsy the moment I decided how much I'm going to sell it for. (The hardest part.)

Rising Model?

2009-01-27T09:05:00.005+07:00

My dear cousin, Meilina, has agreed to model my headbands yesterday. We were all at my grandmother's house for the Chinese New Year.

Ain't she pretty? :D

I'm not suitable to model headbands, since my hair is short and my forehead is big. lol!

Shell Headband

2009-01-23T09:09:00.003+07:00

I made this last week. When I decided on the colours, I knew right away that I want to make this pattern.

Close up. (Did I mention how I love the macro flower? :D )

I always put a piece of elastic at the back of the headbands I make. Since the headband itself is not stretchable. And it makes it easier to set the length of the headband.

I totally love how it turns out. What do you think?

What do you think of my Logo?

2009-01-20T07:05:00.004+07:00

Here it is, the logo that will accompany me through ups and downs, along my bumpy and difficult journey ahead.

I made it myself. Took a whole night to edit that picture on the left.

What do you think of it? Too weird?

And I suppose today is as good as any day to announce that I've been creating another blog to act as my OFFICIAL ONLINE SHOP.

Welcome, to Celosia Handcrafts.

Funbike 2009

2009-01-19T22:56:00.000+07:00

I've been sleeping for two days...

Since I got home from joining the Indosiar Sepedaria (funbike) event this Sunday.

I woke up at 3.40 am, washed my face and changed my clothes. Then waited for my bf to come over.

At about 4 am we went to his friend's house to join them.

After that, we cycled all the way to Senayan. The road was blocked for cars from Monas onwards. We had 3 lanes for ourselves. We split up with his friends before we reached Monas though.

When we reached Senayan, we had a bit of drink then cycled back to Monas.

On the way, we stopped at the Bunderan HI to eat a bit of breakfast.

Once we got to Monas, we started on the way home, even though the route is supposed to go back to Senayan.

By then I was very tired and my backside hurts like hell. So we started to walk alongside our bikes, cycling occasionally.

Near my boyfriend's house we started to walk all the way.

His house is nearer than mine, so we stopped there. It was about 8 am. So we've been cycling for 4 hours.

His mother fried some nuggets for us to eat, then after that early lunch, I went home.
My bf tucked my bike in his car and drove me home. Of course, I have no more energy nor will to cycle anymore.

The moment I got home, I took a bath and slept. It was an quite an uneasy sleep, cos my thighs, the part just above the knees, they hurt like hell. Nevertheless, I slept until night comes. When I woke up, my legs kind of hurt when I walk.

Thank goodness, today they don't hurt anymore.

All in all, that was an interesting experience. I got to see thousands of cyclists on the road, and there was even a club of people with old bicycles and costumes. There were also bicycles that were pimped to look like motorcycles. And when else can I go to Senayan with a bicycle?

The only thing I regretted was not bringing a camera. I was so dumb not to think of bringing a camera for such once in a lifetime experience.

It was fun, but I don't think I'll ever go again.
And forgive me for such a boring recount, I'm such a bad storyteller.
Thanks for reading though!!!

Name Hanging Commission 5

2009-01-17T05:03:00.002+07:00

ALL FIVE down!!! and sent!

Whew... I'm so glad it's over. I can't wait to get my hands on other things.

On another note, I believe I've not mentioned how I love the macro flower logo on my "new" camera. Finally!!! I got the flower!!! Not too bad for a handed down camera.

Now, experience the full force of my tiny stitchings...
(Forgive me, but I really am proud of them. So pardon the many pictures.)

More Hyperbolic Pencil Covers

2009-01-16T22:22:00.001+07:00

These are the latest pencil covers I've made. Let's hope they sold out fast. Only then would I make some more.

Any suggestions for colour combinations?

Hyperbolic Curlies

2009-01-16T08:27:00.004+07:00

These are what I've been making recently, after I got tired of sewing alphabets.
And in case you're wondering where I've been, I've been on an internet diet. I realize that once I connected, I can't tear my eyes away from the screen, so I better not turn the comp on at all, so that I can be more productive.

Are they cute or what???

I like them so much, they're so versatile, can be used for so many things.
For example, earrings, knitting stitch markers, cell phone charms, or simply ordinary key chains.
Any more ideas?

As for now, I have 9 colours.

As you can see, I can even add a bell to it.

This is the current knitting project that I have on my needles. Only a few rows done. I accidentally left my pattern book in my boyfriend's bag.
Really, having these cute things on my knitting needles will make me feel happy just looking at them. They're so lightweight too, can barely feel them.

Do you like them?

It's silly love, but they can always lift my heart.

Name Hanging Commission 4

2009-01-15T22:09:00.000+07:00

Four down, one more to go.

Name Hanging Commission 3

2009-01-12T21:25:00.000+07:00

Three down, two more to go.

Name Hanging Commission 2

2009-01-11T22:25:00.001+07:00

Two down, three more to go.

Name Hanging Commission 1

2009-01-11T22:24:00.001+07:00

One down, four more to go.

To Do List

2009-01-11T02:24:00.005+07:00

A bit of update from the previous one.

Finish sewing name hangings
Finish scarf
Finish sewing cross stitch
Finish bear name hangings
Make turtle keychain
Make another wrist pillow
Get big button to match scarflet
Crochet more gajih flowers
Start cutting fabrics
Knit something
Make more items to sell (obviously, duh!!)

Hmm, I think I know why fabrics scare me. Thing is, when you cut a fabric, that's it, it can't be undone. But when you knit or crochet, and in the end you decided you don't like it, you can easily unravel the whole thing and reuse the yarn for something else.

Wrist Pillow

2009-01-11T01:21:00.000+07:00

This is the gift for my boyfriend that I mentioned a few days ago on my 'To Do List'.
In fact, I finished it the day after I wrote that list, but again, these photos have been sitting idle for a few days before I do anything about it.

It is a Wrist Pillow, as the title of this post have told you. I decided that my boyfriend needs one, as wrist pain from bending the wrist from using the mouse for long periods of time is inevitable.

The colours are green, white and red, the colours of the Italian flag. He's crazy about Italia, since it's where Valentino Rossi came from. He's a total MotoGP maniac.

But then after I tried using it, I decided that this yarn is not suitable for such item. Because after a while it will leave marks of pattern on the wrists and the pillow is too stiff to be comfortable.
So yeah, I gonna have to make him another one.

I just want to share a bit on how I closed the pillow. I simply stuck my hook into both the front and the back stitches and made an sc.
Of course, I'm sure there are better ways to do this, but this is the only one I can think of for the moment. Anyone has better suggestions about how to do the closing?

Another Pencil Case

2009-01-11T01:11:00.002+07:00

I made another pencil case. This time, my cousin requested it from me.

I don't know why, but I always procrastinate at sewing on the zipper stage. Maybe it's because since I learnt how to crochet, I start to dread hand sewing. Even though it is actually very easy and doesn't take that much time to finish.

Anyway, just happens that I have 3 shades of red, so she asked for a few rows of each plus a bit of black. It's colour is similar to the bag I made a while ago, as this time I also crocheted the red yarn together with a thin brown yarn.

Well, I did say at the beginning of this year that I'm going to share more about how I do things, so here it is.

How I Sew on the Zipper

1. Draw a line 4mm from the edge of the zipper. (Due to me being a perfectionist. Expect lines on things I sew.)

2. Turn the pencil case inside out. I usually sew on the zipper at the place just below the V's of the top row. Somewhere along the dotted line. I hope the picture is clear enough.

3. Position the zipper at the edge of one side of the pencil case and start sewing.

4. Position the other side of the zipper and sew it on.

As it happens, I have a long excess of zipper. Which is very sad, as I don't know what to do with it after I cut it off. Thing is, where I bought them only have 2 lengths and the other one is too short. You know what, next time I make a pencil case, I'll make the length according to the shorter zipper. That way I won't waste anything.

5. Turn the pencil case right side out. Then sew on some safety stopper to keep your zipper from going over the edge.

6. Tuck in the zipper and cut at a safe length.

7. Ta dah!!!

Here's a bigger picture of the pencil case, too bad the photo really don't do the real colours justice at all.

Cross Stitch Experiment

2009-01-11T00:54:00.000+07:00

I know, I'm way behind on updating my blog. And not because I've nothing to update. In fact, I've been doing too many things recently that I have a whole bunch of photos lining up to be edited and uploaded. And I don't know why, most of time I feel reluctant to edit the photos and I procrastinate.

A good example are these next photos. They've been sitting in my drafts for a few days now. And actually I made this thing many many months ago. But it's only recently that I've decided I'm not going to continue it.

The original idea was to use the cross stitch fabric as a guide to create the pattern at the front of the felt. But it turns out that when you stick the needle into the felt, it won't go in straight.

As you can see, the result is not neat, and the perfectionist in me was already screaming from disapproval. (Well, maybe the picture will look okay when it's finished, but for now, I suppose I won't know.)

This is how it looks like from the back.

Of course, some people would disagree with me about the irregularity of the x-stitches, but for now, this shall be one of my ideas that will be kept in a box and not be attempted anymore for a long long while.

Reluctant Commissions

2009-01-08T16:48:00.003+07:00

Have you ever been commissioned for something that you're currently not in the mood to make? I know I have. In fact, it's happening to me right now.

The thing is, I would be quite crazy to refuse them, since commissions don't come everyday. But sometimes you've been doing one thing too many times that the fun is gone. And every moment I'm making them, I would be thinking of every other things I'd rather do.

How about you? Would you rather do something you don't like than to lose some income?

Face Lift

2009-01-08T16:37:00.003+07:00

For those of you who frequent my blog, what do you think of my new layout and colours?

Is it better? Fresher? Clearer due to the white background?
Or have I just become another one of the common crowd because of it?

All this while I stick to my green blog so that it's unique.

Give me some feedback kay... Whether or not I should change back to the old face.

Thanks!

Crocheting Gajih

2009-01-06T13:16:00.004+07:00

Gajih is the name of the plant from which this 'yarn' is made from. I've no idea what's the name in English though.

It's quite interesting to crochet with actually, with some limitations that I've found out.
1. It is brittle. You can only do it once, maximum 2 or 3 times, before it become unusable or even break.
2. The thickness varies a lot, making it quite unsuitable for some patterns.
3. There's really a few patterns that will yield good results.

From all the tryouts at the photo above, the only satisfying result is the flower at the bottom middle. So expect more of such flowers, which I'll make once I got the time. The chain flower doesn't look good, the granny is out of shape, and so does the circles.

It has some good points though:
1. It's unique.
2. Used as embellishment, it'll make anything look interesting.

I even tried using this plastic flower looms, hoping that it'll be suitable, thinking that maybe I can finally got it right, but of course not. How can I do this right if I can't even get the results I'm supposed to get with actual yarn?
I don't know why, but I found that I don't know how to use them.

It's Raining!

2009-01-06T11:32:00.002+07:00

Yesterday my A/C was repaired. At last.. I can sleep well. Yay!!
And it's been raining on and off since this morning, so the air is nice and cool.

Even better, I manage to cross out a few things from my To Do List.

I finished sewing on the zipper for the pencil case my cousin commissioned from me.
I finished stuffing and closing the wrist pillow for my bf.
I've checked my yarn stash and got back to my wrist protector buyer.
I've cut the cross stitch fabric.
I've received payment for my next commission of name hangings and will start cutting up patterns today.

And a few to add to my list:

Get the courage to cut up my fabric collections.
Make printer dust cover from the fabric.

To Do List

2009-01-05T07:04:00.003+07:00

Okay, as a way to prevent myself from procrastinating, I've decided to post about the list of things I'm supposed to make/finish. Making it public supposedly will put more pressure on me to finish them faster.
Anyway, Finish faster = more items finished = more income. And I so really need them. My cashflow has been negative ever since I was out of that office job.

So here's my current one. Watch me as I cross them out one by one. Photos might not follow rather closely though. Sometimes I don't immediately photo them cos I prefer do it in a batch.

Finish bear name hangings (currently really sick of sewing another bear)
Finish sewing the zipper to the pencil case
Finish scarf (how come that ball never seem to grow smaller?)
Finish gift for bf
Make turtle keychain
Start making name hangings commissions once I got paid
Confirm colours for wrist protector commission (check what colours I have)
Cut the cross stitch fabric to make this particular pattern I've been thinking about for a long time
Edit and upload photos of part time job friends and my cousin's wedding
Take good photo of that first finished item of 2009, edit n upload it
Delay reading Brisingr because I know once I picked it up I won't be able to put it down until it's finished.

I know, all this while I've been quite secretive, only showing finished off items without saying much about how they're done. I still won't be writing about my list of ideas though, they'll still stay in my head until they've been carried out. But from now on, I'll try to share with you more of my work processes. I realize that a blog showing only pictures of finished stuff are boring, and I do notice that the blogs that share will have more traffic and readers.
So yeah, I should be taking more pictures from now on.
(NO, that's not a new year resolution. Cos it won't last if it is. ;p )

Furnace

2009-01-04T17:28:00.003+07:00

I've been sleeping in hell for the past few nights.
My A/C is broken and the temperature has been way up there in the scale.
Even now, sitting here with the fan full blast, I'm dripping sweat.

Uwaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!
I can't stand this heat anymore!!! My skin is already itching with rashes, especially around my neck. And there's really a limit to the number of times I can take a bath in one day.

I really hope it will rain soon. Cos the longer this heat goes on, the more probability that the rain will pour in buckets when it comes and I really really don't want any flood to happen.
And of course the rain will definitely pull down the temperature a bit and bring me some sort of relief.

Brisingr. Finally.

2009-01-03T23:46:00.004+07:00

Hooray!!!! At last!!!!
I'm the proud owner of the third book from Christopher Paolini.
The book shop I'm stalking happen to be having 10% storewide discount when I went there today. So I saved Rp 29.500,-
Not too bad. I'm tired of waiting for the book to be discounted 20% like when I bought the second book. It might not even ever happen, it being a bestseller.

Beads Decorated Crochet Bracelet

2009-01-03T23:13:00.005+07:00

I know, that's a really boring descriptive title. But that's the only thing I can think of. I'm not really good at making up names, if you haven't noticed up till now.

Anyway, here's my first showcase for the year 2009.

I got the idea from my wrist protector of course. I thought that it looks like an over sized bracelet. So I made another shorter one.
And I imagined rows of beads would make it prettier, instead of a boring plain bracelet. I've been wanting to incorporate beads into my crochet works for a while now. Just not the bead crochet kind. So I simply sewed them on. For this one I used orange and pink beads.
I must say, it looks quite exactly like what I envisioned it to be.

What do you think?

The Curse of the Pens

2009-01-03T22:07:00.005+07:00

Pens and Pencils are really mysterious things.

I never really ever run out of them. Even though it seems like a long long time ago since I last bought any. (Could possibly because I kept getting free promotional pens with various brands affixed to them. Or I've been buying without being aware of it. XD )
Anyway, the weird thing is, even though I have 5 mugs full of pens, sometimes it's hard to find any that works. (Hmm, must be because I really seldom throw any away, unless I'm really really sure it's dead.)
The same goes for pencils too. Some are jammed, some has no lead inside, some are broken, etc. I have so many of them but I just can't find any that works when you need them.
On the contrary, I have many many many coloured pens that never seem to die. Have I really not used them enough? I've been writing mostly with coloured pens nowadays, seldom with ordinary black or blue pens.

But the most dangerous thing is, I always feel the urge to buy new pens and pencils every time I passed by the stationary section of the book shops. Especially coloured pens. Especially those glitter gel kinds. And those cute mech pencils. And those cool looking pens...
(That's why I avoid going near it nowadays.)

P.S. I regret not buying that syringe-looking mech pencil I saw quite a long time ago.

What I Got for Christmas

2009-01-03T02:23:00.003+07:00

Top left corner: A set of 3 brown towels
From the gifts exchange at our big family Christmas party.

Top right corner: The Secret Life of Bees & Tales of Beedle the Bard
From my aunt.

Bottom right corner: Beading book & a box of beads
From another aunt.

Bottom left corner: DIY calendar
From my cousin whom I gave the coin pouch to.

Handcrafting as a Full Time Job

2009-01-03T02:19:00.004+07:00

All this while I've been making stuff as I do other things, like my school paper, an office job, part time job, teaching, etc. I've never really concentrated in only making things. As a result, I've not really made anything much, with a very very long list of 'want-to-do's and a bunch of ideas that I've not acted upon.
And now that I've quite decided I'm going to do it full time, (if I don't get this office job I'm stalking or if I don't get any students this semester), I realized that it IS a job that really needs a lot of time.
Really, I wonder how do those other crafters can do it. I mean, in between making commissions, making presents for friends and family, doing personal experiments, how do they still manage to stock up their shops? Not to mention craft fairs, etc.
Damn, this must mean that I've not been working hard enough.
Come on come on, I can do it!!!!
Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Room Cleaning (Finally)

2009-01-02T22:44:00.003+07:00

I finally cleaned up my room today. Took me about 5 hours to tidy up the table and the floor. I've been basically throwing my stuff down to the floor for the past 2 (almost 3) weeks. And that's also quite how long I didn't sweep & mop the floor. I am really that lazy. I usually wait until I really can't stand it anymore before I'll start to clean up.
It's really weird actually, since I have some contrasting habits. I can't stand feeling a bit of dirt or grease on my hands so I would wash my hands many-many times in one day. I would wash my hands before I touch my laptop. I'd wash my hands every single time I touch some glue, even though it means I have to go back and forth to the bathroom.
I also won't lie on my bed with clothes that I've worn outside the house, or clothes I've sweated in. I will also usually lie on my bed only after I've taken a bath.
But yet, the funny thing is, I don't understand why do some people loves to clean every single day. I suppose it's true, it'll only take a few minutes to do it everyday compared to taking 5 hours in one day. But I really generally avoid cleaning unless I really really really have to. And it will get dirty and messy again anyway. So why not do it all at once, as rarely as possible?

Happy New Year 2009!!!

2009-01-01T10:30:00.002+07:00

Hi Everyone!

May this New Year bring you and me even greater things than the previous years.

Don't worry be happy!

Coin Pouch

2008-12-31T13:49:00.001+07:00

This picture has been sitting in my post drafts for more than a week now.
I was too lazy to think of what to write.

Anyway, it's a coin pouch. Only about 5 or 6 cm wide.
I made it on a whim a few weeks ago, when I was lining up all the colours of yarn that I have.
I saw that I have 6 shades of blue, and I thought that it would be interesting to see how the colours turns out if I used them all at once.
So I made a slip knot using all 6 strands of yarn and started crocheting.
Of course, I wanted to make something small, something that won't take up a lot of time because it was mostly a test drive. So it turns out to be a coin pouch.
At first I wanted to put a button as a decoration, but I didn't find anything that matched. Then I dig out the flowers I made, and found that small flower you see at the photo.
All in all, I'm quite satisfied with the result.

In the end, I gave this to a distant cousin of mine, in return for the Christmas present that she gave me.

I'm Partially Back

2008-12-30T11:28:00.003+07:00

Hi, finally my part time work is done. Yesterday was the last day and I'm so really glad it's over. I was already a bit past my saturated point with boredom of doing the same thing. My body is also tired with fatigue and I'm very sleepy and sluggish. Basically, I'm in the 'LAZY MODE' right now.

I'm partially back because I'm not yet in the mood for writing anything worthy, not in the mood for editing and uploading any photos, not in the mood to do anything other than lay around in my bed, or doing some other passive thing like watching tv.

I already finished reading the 2 books I got for Christmas and now I've ran out of things to read. One was okay but the other one really sucks. But I just read it for the sake of finishing it.
Damn, I really need to get that Brisingr.

Anyway, please be patient while I get my spirit back. I just want to do nothing at the moment.

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-25T01:34:00.005+07:00

I just want to take a little bit of my time to say

To all of you who celebrates Jesus' birthday.

May this day reminds you of His wonderful deeds and be thankful of His existence in this world.

For He was an enlightened man, more advanced than ordinary humans.
And thanks to Him, we can all be enlightened too.

Short Info

2008-12-22T19:48:00.002+07:00

Hi people, just wanna inform you that there'll be very little activity here in my blog for the next two weeks.

This job I got is very physically taxing.

I barely got the strength to check my blog n email every night.
Even less to make any crafty thing.

And right now I'm going to sleep soon.
I'm having a slight headache already.

C ya!

Wrist Protector

2008-12-19T23:07:00.003+07:00

As you can see, I like to lean my wrist on to the edge of the laptop.
So I made this wrist protector to shield the bottom of my palm from the sharpness.

At first I wanted to make fingerless gloves for my hands, using the thickest yarn I have.
But halfway when I have to attach new yarn, I decided to leave it as it is because I feel it can already serve the purpose intended.

So now the bottom of my right palm doesn't feel hot and flamed anymore. Yesh!!!

P.S. I just noticed the writing on the yarn, it is Made in Japan.
Whoa, I have Japanese yarn!
They're 100% acrylic.

New Job

2008-12-19T20:07:00.003+07:00

Tomorrow I'll be starting a new job. It's a part time job actually. Only for 14 days.

I'll be working as a Surveyor at the mall near my home.

Don't be fooled by the cool sounding name. It no more than simply asking people to answer some questionnaires.

I have to get at least 10 completely filled questionnaire everyday. Seems manageable right?
Maybe not, because each questionnaire has 9 pages. :O

But anyway, I've decided to take on this job because I thought that I can't be scared forever.
How can I go forward in life if I keep staying in stasis / non-action?

CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGE!!!!!!!!!!

Historical Moment

2008-12-19T02:06:00.002+07:00

It is a historical moment for me today.
Just a few minutes ago I finally found the strengh and courage to click the 'FINISH' button on Etsy and listed my first item.
Maybe you find this silly, but it is a really great deal for me.

Forward with valor!!!

My Tutorials

2008-12-17T23:13:00.003+07:00

Crochet Tutorials
Complete Amigurumi Tutorials
Felt/Flanel Tutorials

Sewing Tutorials

My Free Stuff

2008-12-17T09:03:00.000+07:00

Crochet Patterns

Cross-Stitch Patterns

Downloadable Freebies

New Yarn = More Variety

2008-12-16T21:40:00.004+07:00

I just recently bought some new yarns, and this one is a local cotton yarn that is commonly used by Indonesian crocheters/knitters. As for me, this is the first time I ever got hold of this type of yarn.

Personally, I really really love the colours. But turns out it's not really easy on the hands. Just holding the work is hurting my fingers. Maybe it is not quite suitable for patterns that need a tight tension.

Anyway, the moment I laid my eyes on this yarn, I immediately remembered this headband pattern I saw a while back. I think it's really meant to be. I absolutely absolutely love it!

Swimming

2008-12-16T20:19:00.001+07:00

I finally got to go swimming again today. After nearly 5 years out of the water. So glad to have finally found a nice and clean pool here. It's not far from home too. And most importantly, I have my dear bf to accompany me every time. He's the swimmer.

Obviously, I'm very out of shape. I hardly have the strength to keep myself from drowning at the deep side of the pool. lol!!!

But anyway, I'm looking forward to getting some stamina back into this lazy body of mine.

I have to, after buying a brand new swimsuit (diving suit actually) and swimming goggles. Must not let it go to waste right...

Didn't bring my camera this time though, maybe next time.

Anyhow, the main thing is, I had fun today!!!

Recycled Envelopes

2008-12-15T23:52:00.002+07:00

I'm the type of person who doesn't like to throw anything away. So I've been keeping all the brochures I got, thinking I'll find a use for them someday.

Of course, yesterday I got this idea to make them into envelopes, cos all these time I've been sending my packages using regular brown envelopes that I bought at the stationery shop, and I thought, why buy when I can make them myself?

They're so simple to make too.. Simply tape the sides together and it's done.

Next, I reused the blank side of the paper that I printed wrongly to write the address on.

Voila! Killed 2 birds with one stone. I got a cheap envelope, I don't have to buy any, and I reduced, reused and recycled all at once.
It's even stronger than regular paper if the brochure is the glossy kind of paper.
And the best part is, I got to reduce my guilt towards the earth too...

Cookie Monsters

2008-12-15T21:25:00.003+07:00

I sent off these Cookie Monsters to their new home today. Yippee!

To be secure, I attached the rubber band 3 times.
1. I glued it with glue gun.
2. I sewed it with thread.
3. I glued a ribbon on top of it.

Hopefully it'll last a long time!

Second Rose

2008-12-14T22:31:00.002+07:00

This is the second time my bf suddenly surprised me by giving me a rose.
Last night he called me saying he's already in front of my house.
He's so romantic!!!

Colourful Pencil Case

2008-12-12T09:18:00.004+07:00

My friend Ika from VanillaVain.blogspot.com asked for a colourful pencil case with red as the dominant colour.

So here is what I came up with.
Hopefully she'll like it!

Which side do you like better?

This is how the inside looks like. Fellow crocheters, I'm sure you know what kind of hell I went through, tucking in all the yarn ends. Took me a whole night to do it. In the end it doesn't look so bad isn't it?

Thing is, I don't know how to do the lining. Yet.
Don't think it'll be anytime soon though...

More Headbands

2008-12-12T09:09:00.003+07:00

I got another order for headbands...

Seems that it's one of the most popular things that people like to buy for their girls.

The pink flowers headband is the same as the previous one...

I made the stars headband different, taking the opportunity to try some other patterns.
What do you think? Is it better or worse than the previous one?

First Knitting with Pattern

2008-12-12T08:45:00.002+07:00

Well, this is the first time I actually followed a knitting pattern. I was even surprised to find out that I can do it. Not bad huh?

But now that I've made this, I don't know what to do with it.
Should I just:
1. Cut the yarn n keep it as memorial?
2. Continue and make it into something?
3. Or, Undo everything to save yarn?

Suggestions?

Graduation Skirt

2008-12-12T07:45:00.007+07:00

Okay, this will be the start of my blog-updating spree. I've been lazy the past few days, so finally here they are, all at once.

This is the skirt I wore to my graduation ceremony.

Originally, I intended to wear comfy t-shirt n long black pants under my toga, but an aunt of mine was so worked up over my 'strangeness' that she insists that I wear a skirt. You see, most people here have the idea that we're supposed to wear kebaya (javanese traditional clothes) for the ceremony. But really, under that long oversized thing, you can't see what's underneath it.

I did ask the people at campus too, whether it is compulsory to wear kebaya or not, but no one can give me a definitive answer.

So in the end, I let her gave me a skirt and I chose this one.

Of course, I still wore that comfy t-shirt and some short pants under the skirt.

And turns out that many girls wore long black pants too... So kebaya was NOT compulsory.
Yeah, I was right not to bother with the kebaya. And I didn't wear any make up too.
Cos the place was quite hot, and when I see the other girls with the make up and kebaya, they all look horrible and uncomfortable already, halfway down the ceremony.

I believe in NO make-ups. Most of the photographs I have, my friends with make up look more horrible than me who wore no make up. It makes the face more oily and shiny. And I believe that make up is bad for the skin.

Anyway... I can't decide whether to keep or return this skirt to my aunt. You see, I don't know whether I'll ever have any occasion to wear this skirt again. And the skirt is full of falling glitter...
But I kind of like it... Hmm.....

Keychain for My Dear

2008-12-07T09:37:00.003+07:00

See what I've made for my boyfriend. Now he's using it for his motorcycle key!
It's quite perfect I think. It's soft, so it can fit in his pocket easily, and if it's dirty, it's washable too!
And the best part is, he'll bring it wherever he goes. ;D

Double KO

2008-12-03T14:25:00.002+07:00

That's right... Just after I recovered from flu... I KO-ed myself again with gastric pain. So dumb.

Anyway, thank goodness I got it under control right before the pain gets really unbearable.

Back in a Bit

2008-12-02T23:00:00.003+07:00

Hi people, here I am at last, updating my blog, after a few days down with the flu.

I suppose I was too tired, going to the rehearsal on Wednesday, the long winded ceremony on Thursday, went to watch Journey to the Center of the Earth on Friday, went to the mall on Saturday to meet some members of the crochet/knitting mailing list I'm in, went out again with my bf on Sunday.

So it's a no wonder that I fell sick. Thankfully, I've recovered today. It's amazing the healing powers of sleeping for 2 days huh?

Anyway, I'll be updating my blog with some new things I've made soon. So stay tuned!

Graduation Ceremony

2008-11-27T22:18:00.001+07:00

Finally... This is me wearing the oversized toga at the graduation ceremony. The handsome guy is my father.

This is my cousin, Meilina. (Am I short or what?)

And this is my friend, Femi.

Anyway, I think that graduating is not really a fun thing after all. It's like the proverb "Out of the frying pan into the fire." Welcome to the wild jungle of fierce primal competition...

My Polygon Grannies Patterns

2008-11-27T00:53:00.002+07:00

Alright, after experimenting with various polygonal grannies, I came up with a few patterns of my own!

Notes for Granny Patterns:
1. Always substitute first dc of row with ch3.
2. Always slst to next loop after joining the previous row.
(This is my personal preference, just so that the right side looks uniform. You may turn if you wish.)

Circle Granny in Hexagon
Magic circle or ch 5, join.
R1. (3dc, ch2) 6x in circle, join.
R2. [(3dc, ch3) in next loop] 6x, join.

Hexagon
R3. [(3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next loop, ch2] 6x, join.

Just as a comparison, this is the same pattern as above, only done in one colour.

---------------------------------------------

Circle Granny in Square
Magic circle or ch 6, join.
R1. (2dc, ch1) 8x in circle, join.
R2. [(3dc, ch2) in next loop] 8x, join.
R3. Repeat R2.

Square variation 1
R4. [(3dc ch3 3dc) in corners, ch 2, 3dc in next loop, ch 2] 4x, join.

Square variation 2
R4. [(3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corners, hdc, hdc, hdc, 3sc in next loop, hdc, hdc, hdc] 4x, join.

--------------------------------------------------

Octagon Granny
Magic circle or ch7, join.
R1. (2dc, ch1) 8x, join
R2. [(2dc, 1 ch, 2dc) in next ch1-sp] 8x, join.
R3. [(2dc, 1 ch, 2dc) in ch1-sp, 2dc in 0-ch sp] 8x, join.

Ta dah! That's it!
Please respect copyright and just don't claim my patterns as yours.
Thank you!

Polygon Grannies

2008-11-27T00:32:00.007+07:00

Finally, after more than a week (or two) preparing for this post, it's done. At first I wanted to make it all into one post, but considering the number of photos, I decided to split the post into two. One is for the common granny patterns, and the ones I got from the internet, and the next post will be about the granny patterns that I made myself.

Anyway, I know granny patterns are so easy and straightforward to make, hence they're quite common on the internet to the point that it's hard to know who's the original copyright holder. (If anyone disagrees with me, please inform me.)

But I simply wanted to share with you every basic polygonal granny at one place, so here I am writing them all down for you, simplified in my style. With a few un-ordinary ones with links to the pattern origin.

Notes for Granny Patterns:
1. Always substitute first dc of row with ch3.
2. Always slst to next loop after joining the previous row. (Except for Half-Square)
(This is my personal preference, just so that the right side looks uniform. You may turn if you wish.)

Triangle Granny
Magic circle or ch 4, join.
R1. (4dc, ch2) 3x in circle, join.
R2. [(4dc, ch3, 4dc) in next loop, ch 1] 3x, join.
R3. [(4dc, ch3, 4dc, ch1) in ch3-sp, (4dc, ch1) in ch1-sp] 3x, join.

Half-Square Granny
Magic circle or ch3, join.
R1. ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc in circle.
R2. ch3, turn, 2dc in same space, ch1, (3dc, 2ch, 3dc, ch1) in ch2-sp, 3dc in 3rd-ch of previous round.
R3. ch3, turn, 2dc in same space, ch 1, (3dc, ch1) in ch1-sp, (3dc, 2ch, 3dc, ch1) in ch2-sp, (3dc, ch1) in ch1-sp, 3dc in 3rd-ch of previous round.

Square Granny
Magic circle or ch 6, join.
R1. (3dc, ch3) 4x in circle, join.
R2. [(3dc, ch3, 3dc) in next loop, ch1] 4x, join.
R3. [(3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1) in ch3-sp, (3dc, ch1) in ch1-sp] 4x, join.

Pentagon Granny
Magic circle or ch 4, join
R1. (3dc, ch2) 5x in circle, join.
R2. slst to next loop, [(3dc, ch2, 3dc) in loop, ch1] 5x, join.
R3. [(3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) in ch2-sp, (3dc, ch1) in ch1-sp] 5x, join.

Star Granny
I got the pattern for this from here.

Hexagon Granny
I got the pattern for this from here.

Octagon Granny
I got the pattern for this from here.

Happy hooking!

New Header

2008-11-26T20:48:00.003+07:00

Check out my new header!

Ain't it nice?

The story goes that some days ago someone dropped by my blog n left me a message. Of course, I checked back to his blog. Turns out he's been making very nice creations with photoshop so I asked if he can make a new header for me. I even asked how much would he charge me.

The next day he answered that he'll charge me nothing and lo and behold! Suddenly the header is done and he sent it to me via email.

I must say I really like the header. Personally, I'll never be able to come up with something like that on my own.

Thank you Wiki from PhotoshopForFun!!
I'm sure your creations will just keep on getting better.

First Flat Tire

2008-11-22T23:22:00.002+07:00

There's a first for everything. Right?

And today, it's the first time that I experienced a flat tire.

No worries though, there were 6 of us.
Yup, since it's my boyfriend's bday, we all went to dinner together, with his parents, his sister and his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

The tire went flat on the way home. It's a good thing that we only went to a nearby mall instead of going far out somewhere.

The bad news is, the spare tire is also flat. lol!
But it was not as bad, so they changed the tire, enough to last a few metres.

To make a long story short, in the end I walked home with my bf (that's how near it was).

Thankfully, it was not just the two of us (me n my bf) when it happened.
Regardless, even if it were only the two of us, I'm sure we can change a tire. lol!
In fact, the whole time I was watching the guys changing the tire, I was refraining myself to get down and help them . :D

Happy Birthday to My Dear Boyfriend!

2008-11-22T00:22:00.000+07:00

Yup, it's his birthday today. Cute or what? Having consecutive birthday dates...

I wish I can give him a surprise or something, but it's really impossible for me to get out at night. lol

Okay, so I just wanna say,

Happy Birthday my dear!

May we last together for the rest of our lives.