Latest Works

I completed quite a number of kurungs recently but didnt have the chance to update. So here I uploaded some latest ones I did for Lyn, her mum and sister.

This is hers. Hot pink I call the color of the kurung. She didnt want anything complicated and the color toned. So I did this for her.


This is her mum's. I have a feeling that as we get older we dont go for cute-sies and pretty little things. Instead we prefer bolder and more defined look in things. I dont know - I could be wrong. But anyway I did these flowers for mum's turquoise kurung.




And these I made for Lyn's young sister. She said make it simple.

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Pink Fusion

I have actually done quite a few beading projects between today and the one in the previous post (which is not so recent) but didnt have the photos uploaded just yet..

Nevertheless this is amongst the latest I have made. This is the baju raya. I love the material that is almost void of any patterns which makes it very easy to work with ie I dont have to think about a beading pattern that should match the material.

I love the multi-colored beads on the baju.

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Siti's

And I did these for Siti.

The beads on this white kurung was inspired by a baju I saw at the tailor's shop - it was a plain blue kurung with pink and blue beads. It had looked amazing and I had to recreate it. On Siti's white kurung it had looked almost bridal.

And Siti's dark purple baju was very easy to work with..

I had kept both simple (I hope..) I thought Siti might wear these items to work and so I dont want the beading look overly heavy. I hope I had gotten that right.

Siti, seriously hope you like them..

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Menjalara, Inhibited

And this is one of my sister's kurungs. She said no flowers please. But I am too enthralled by the flowers that Noraini has that I have just got to do them for her. But I toned it down a bit so that it doesnt look too flowery.

Nevertheless after she saw the baju she said cantiknya. I told her I should have made the full flower design for her after all. She said next baju then..

I had no problem with this baju, the beads and the pattern just flew across the sleeves. She had pretty tulang belut on the neckline so I decided to stick to traditions on the collar.

I'm glad she likes it. I should do something like this on my baju too.

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Fuschia Pink Kurung

I completed this some weeks ago. I simply love this pattern by Cikgu Noraini (of course, who else?) and had a joy finishing the project.

After completing this on my baju, I told my daughter I have to make one like this for her kurung too.

And when my sister sent me her own kurung, I said I will put the same flowers on her baju. But she said she'd rather not have the flowers. How unfortunate - I really enjoy sewing this actually. So I had to think hard how not to put the flowers on her kurung.. I completed both her baju but dont have the photos yet. Will put them up once I do.

ps : By the way, fuschia is actually a flower that bears the color of the brightest pink, Wikipedia actually calls it electric magenta. This pix says it all. Its hex code is #FF00FF or #F984EF for a lighter shade (in case you want to use it somewhere in your codes.. )

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Aquamarine Merak

This is my first project in beading after the class with Noraini last month. I actually couldnt wait to get started on this.

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I got the pattern from class (of course) and cikgu calls this design merak; she had done it in a burst of orange-y shades (which I love so much). For my project I chose the aquamarine-blue-geen shades. I discover that you cant go fast on the stitches. Your aim is not to finish it quickly; the aim is to finish it with finesse.

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Once your pesrpective is correct; the project will turn out alright. If your aim is to be done quickly, believe me the results will not be as you would like it to be.

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I am actually very pleased with the final results of this. Cant wait to get on with other projects. Thank you Noraini for all the tips given at class.

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A Beading Class

And so finally I did manage to get to Noraini's class. There were eight of us; the area was cramped and warm but I simply love the lesson.

At the end of the day we had crinks in the neck, achy shoulders, cramped bums (?) but totally satisfied with what she had taught. She had 21 patterns on the syllabus (she has a syllabus - I admire that) and went through the details of each and every one of them.

She requested to see all the patterns we had done on our own piece of cloth. And seem like she shares all that she knows with you. Which is simply great. I recommend her to anyone who's interested in beading classes.

But watch out, you have to go to class with passion. The lessons could be long, tiring and uncomfortable if you mind / heart is not in it. Aini said a participant had had a headache and was sick in her previous class.. so, take a heed.

I had learnt a lot; and am ready to go a-beading again. In fact, after clearing everything last night I took out my long outstanding beading work and had continued again..

What's life without beading?

That piece of work in the photo above is the day's effort (not much when looking at that) but it is all in your mind (and your notes), dah-ling!

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Good Intentions With No End Results

Wouldnt your boss be so mad with a statement like my title..?

Anyway.

Not that I dont want to update this space; I do - I have every intention of doing it. I wanted to put up lots of photos here.

Unfortunately the photos I took turn up blurrrr.. I am waiting for the occassion when the photos do turn up alright. .. whenever that may be ..

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Books, Books and More Books

I wandered into Borders at The Gardens recently. And was pleased and amazed to see so many books on beads and beading on its shelves. Kinnokuniya doesnt have that many. And MPH has less (or none - at least the one closest to home doesnt).

It was late and I didnt have time to browse through the books. But or course I plan to visit Borders again.

A few of the books on the shelf

I should get this..

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