Gift for Rachel on her First Holy Communion ceremony

20 Nov 2011 was my niece, Rachel received her first communion. First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic's life. It means that person has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Most Catholic children receive their First Communion when they're seven or eight years of age because this is considered the age of reason.

To remember this special day, I have prepared a gift for Rachel - a little bag with cross design and bible wordings. Simple and yet unique because it is hand make by me :)

Earlier I was thinking what should I give as gift. Perhaps, a Rosary or prayer book, but not sure if it is too personal, or whether she already have those from her parents. After having much thought, I decided to make so something that she could use it everyday in school. Hence, I sewed a little bag for her with the cross design and bible wordings.

I started the project late and thank God that I could finish stitching in just 1 day and barely in time sew it into bag on the very same day, an hour before lunch gathering. Really 'Hot' from the 'sewing machine'.

On the next day, when I was driving back home, I saw this beautiful sky in front of me. So mystery. The reflection of heavy cloud beneath under the sun as it going down projected a path in the sky. God creations, amazing!

Need help: location details for STAR in TTDI

Sue: Hi there, according to the xstitch shop list, there is one called STAR in TTDI. Can you please give more details? I couldn't find the shop


Anyone can provide the location details or contact number? Dee, any idea?

Goose... flowers, fruits from my garden

This design was taken from 'Mini Scriptures' from Praying Hands. Bought this since 2002. This is the first project from this book after keeping it for 10 years.

As usual, I will have to do some changes to the design to fit into my little frame. Here is what I have removed; the yellow sun (somehow it looks weired that the yellow sun seems appeared from nowhere). 2 flowers that hold by the goose. Backstitch from bunch of flowers that hold up in the little girl apron.

Cut out the red border, and finished with my little frame. Another project of goose design. 

Cross stitch is my therapy tool when I feel stressed and depressed. Every stitch i made, it lighten up my emotion stress. Besides cross stitching, I love gardening. It always nice to see flowers blooming and able to harvest fruits from my own garden. They are all 100% organic. 

Rare wild orchid in my garden. The first time when I saw this plant (it was just leave without flower) in the nursery, it did not impressed me at all. However, the gardener told me that this is not a common plant, it was brought all the way deep in the rain forest from East Malaysia and it bloom only once in a year. After having it for 2 1/2 years... finally it blooms. See the beautiful pink and purple little flowers sit between the pink patels, how gorgeous...2nd picture was taken a week later from the 1st picture.

My first passion fruit. I wonder how it is going to taste like, would it be sour or sweet...

More goose coming up

Can't wait to post this as soon as I have it framed.

Taken from Cross Stitcher Issue October 2005, pg. 56.

The original design was cater for Christmas, however I slightly changed part of the design so it fit for all seasons.

Interestingly, as I stitch, somehow I just keeping stitching more and more goose/geese...

Rooster - my sceret friend

This design was taken from Cross Stitch Collection Issue 81 Aug 2002, pg 35-36.

Design a house shape border to fit into the design.

 Framed it in my 5 X 5 inch of little frame.

Adorable rooster. Chinese Horoscope believe, person who born in year of Rooster has a flamboyant personality, feisty and obstinate. Outwardly confident, the Rooster is also a trustworthy, hardworking individual.  

And for me, born in year of Dragon, in Chinese Horoscope, Rooster is Dragon's best friend. By having figure of Roosters, it would enhance Dragon's luck. Believe it or not? :)

I am looking for more Roosters cross stitch design. Any recommendation?

I got it, finally...

"Failure will never overtake if determination to succeed is strong enough" Og Mandino quotes.

After searching in every bookshops, magazine store in the town, out of KL from north to south, called Kinokuniya in Singapore, checking in every website... until to the magazine distributor... followed up week after week and finally... tang tang... I GOT IT, with the original price, not 1 cent extra I paid.

My kids are happy for me too...

Now, it has become my daughter book. She is asking for it every nights. Love it.
Thanks Linda for the support.

Panda - symbol of peace

This design was taken from D&C Oriental Odyssey.

In order to fit the design into the ready frame, I have to change the design slightly from rectangle to square. To make the Panda stand out, I decided to remove all the background, leaving only 2 bamboos that holds by Panda and added the word 'Peace' (pronounce as Aun in Mandarin). See the difference in the picture below.

The reason I chose Panda and the word 'Peace' because Pandas gives me a feeling of cute and cuddling in appearance yet they are very strong. Chinese describes Panda as an invincible animal, as strong as a tiger. Panda thought to be a gentle animal, as it was never observed to hurt man or beast. To this day, Panda continue to be a symbol of peace. Guess what, Aun was also my father last name... stitched the word Aun in the memories of him.

A pair of geese

Coming up project, feathered friends.

I have not tried any design like ducks, ducklings, roosters, chicks, hen, goose, or any farm animals. So far, all I stitch is bears, dogs, flowers, baby and children designs. But after I met Micky, saw some of her projects... especially the 'Apple Orchard'... it amazing.

From there onwards, I am so obsessed with goose, and rooster. Here you go... my first feathered friends; a pair of geese.

This design was taken from Sue Cook's Bumper Cross Stitch Collection.
I extracted part of 'April' chart, readjusted the fence position, and colours to fit into my frame size,


.. there is another part of the story for the photo frame...

When to Cash Converter last week and got some nice wooden frames... Surprisingly I found 15cm X 15cm wooden frame with glass frame not 1 but 4 for only RM5. Without hesitation, I bought all of them. Happily I have 12 wonderful wooded frame going home that day for only RM15. Amazing...

The best of Margaret Sherry

... It is out of stock everywhere ...!!

I want this book so badly... can anyone tell me where I can get this book? I am willing to pay extra if needed.

Do you have one for me?

Another Birth Sampler with DIY frame

Finished this design for quite some time ago. However, did not managed to frame it, until last week went to Ikea, and found this lovely frame. Coincidentally, the design fit into the frame perfectly.

After framed, I looked at the wooden frame for quite a while... hmm... its purely white. I was contemplating whether to keep it white, and should I put some colour on it.... And somehow, I unconsciously started painting on the frame using cotton buds.

First I started with red flowers, then a blue sky. Next sun ray and birds in the blue sky.

A bird house, kites, red button mushroom and rocks...

Tang tang, my final masterpiece

Should I just keep the frame the original white?

Anchor vs DMC - where and how much

Eelaine Boo: hi, does anyone know where can i get Anchor threads in KL area?

May: Eelaine, nowadays it is quite hard to find a shop that selling Anchor threads. You might want to try Craft World in SS2. If worst come to worst, you probably want to drive up to Penang to visit Rewon Cottage. But before you go, give them a call and check if they do have Anchor threads in the shop : 04-3975055.

In my personal opinion, i do not suggest mixing of DMC and Anchor in one design.. it just looks funny. Anyone would like to comment/share your experience?

Birth Sampler for Sharon's little baby, Jerron

Can't think of any better gift than my very own handmade cross stitch as the gift for Sharon at Jerron full moon party.

Seven little finger pointed at the baby and told me that she loves baby and she wants baby :)

Simple and meaningful.

Meet Micky at Amcorp Mall, Flee Market

If you are looking for Cross Stitch kits or charts, you can now look for Micky at Amcorp Mall - Flee Market (every Sat and Sun). She has full range of charts, cross stitch kits, handmade curtain, etc, selling at the very reasonable price. Probably you can ask for discount if you buy more :)

You may contact Micky at her mobile: 012- 4142454

Jade Rabbit, I am not sure whether the cross stitch shop in Endah Parade, Sri Petaling still in there, but someone told me that the House of Cross Stitch no longer operate in Endah Parade.

Can anyone confirm?

A wedding gift for Jerral and Sharon

This is my first cross stitch with beads. I chose pearl beads and the printed love background to match with the wedding sampler design.

Name and date was from the wedding invitation card as the final touch up.

Finish with white frame and warm wishes.
Care and share for one another, and you will have a love that stays sincere.

Need help - Red Chart #520

Need help.

Cassy is looking for a red chart #520, this is quite an old design - scenery view; a pond beside a park. Few wearing blue & maroon long gown ladies stroll in the park. Back at the scenery is a castle.

Grateful if anyone know where to look/buy chart as described above, leave your message in the comment column.

Many thanks.

How much is DMC thread - Part 2

Many thanks for the feedback. For easy reference, I have reconciled all comments in one page. RM1.40-RM1.50 per skein is the current price selling in Malaysia.

Vinniey:
RM1.40 to RM1.45 in Subang and Petaling Jaya

Dina:
It's RM1.50 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Wendy:
In Netherlands, a skein cost 1.35 from the store. However I buy DMC on the Internet for 36 cents a skein.
1.35 ANG = 2.38 MYR

Lady of Leisure:
I used to buy it for RM0.40 each DMC skeins ages ago.

Christine:
I bought it at RM0.50 when I just started cross-stitching about 15 years ago. I remember the label was in gold colour with black colour coding. I still have those in my collection anyway. It costs RM1.40 per skein in Ipoh now.

Yati:
Here in Seri Iskandar, Peark, I can still find some shops sell DMC thread around RM1.30-1.40. Some shops in Sitiawan sell at RM1.50

Karen:
In Melbourne DMC thread selling for AUD0.89, about RM2.70

Fiza:
RM1.50 in Bangi. Back in 2005, it was RM1.10 when I was in Kuching

Phuong Vy
Here in Vietnam one DMC skein is 5000 to 5500 VND now (a little over 1/4 USD). It used to be only 3700 VND per skein just a year ago :(

5500 VND = 0.883556 MYR

Villa
its rm1.00 to rm1.20 in kulim,kedah

Where can I find cheaper the RM1.50 per skein?

How much is DMC thread - Part 1

25 years back when I started cross stitching in 1980's, DMC thread was only sold at 65cents each. And today, unbelievable the price has raised to RM1.20 each. I am sure, it is tough for some to spend that amount of money just for a thread. Easily you will need more than RM20 worth of threads just for a mini project.

I remember there was quite a wide range of thread selling in Malaysia in the past. As you can see, I have collection of Anchor, Cosmo, Minlon (local brand) and of course DMC thread. But now, I hardly see any shop selling Anchor and Cosmo threads. I guess the demand for Anchor and Cosmo are lesser if compared to DMC. Mostly the charts and patterns are now designed with DMC threads.

In the picture, you can see the price tag of DMC thread showing RM1.10, and that was last year old stock. I wonder how much is DMC thread selling outside Klang Valley.

Metallic threads cost around RM3.90-RM7.90 and could be higher as I bought these many years back.

Cross Stitch books - Bible Versus & Scriptures

Received enquiry from my blog reader:

"Hi, could you recommend any xstitch books that have nice bible verses or bible scripture patterns? Thanks"

My reply:
I believe there are lots of cross stitch books out there that have nice bible verses or bible scripture patterns, sharing some of my collections, and web links for your reference.

• 50 Garden Minis Inspired by Scripture - Leisure Arts (you still can get this book from Amazon.com: click here and Scripture Bookmarks
• Mini Scriptures (36 designs) - Praying Hands (Scriptures for Special Day)
• Heavenly Cross Stitch - Marie Barber
• Inspirational Cross Stitch - Bucilla Design Group

• Best Loved Hymns - Leisure Arts

• The Road Ahead - Imaginating (I bought this for only RM1.00)

Web links
Christian Cross Stitch
Christian Cross Stich Patterns & Kits from 123 Stitch
The Holy Needle
Nordic Needle:Religious