Weaving Cushions

Based on Martha Stewart's Blue Note weaved cushion. I used four 100gm balls of yarn in cream, grey, light brown and dark brown. Stuffed with microfibre fill and sewn shut.

 The weaving tool is straightforward and easy to use. However, it takes patience and loving care to get all the yarn flat and even.

I made 3 cushions, 1 based on the Martha Stewart instructions, 1 with the crochet borders outside and 1 more with a knitted border that turned out as a square cushion. 

It looks a little lumpy but will even out with use. Takes time for the fill to move around and fill out the cushion cover.

Chanel S/S 2013 Fashion

Solar Power Panels dominated the stage and Chanel's Spring/Summer fashion this year. With JLo stealing the show in a gorgeous white dress and adorable twins in the front row.

Here's the solar panel dress and there are a few more in tweed and knit.

A series of mix media dresses in raffia and plastic that looks like the model was wrapped in it.

Classic black and white that Chanel does so well. The one above is a semi-transparent coverlet and some major pearls embroidery below.

A round shape top that characterized most of the pieces at this year's showing. It's covered up yet loose fitting for maximum comfort.

Pre-packed Single Servings

I love pre-packed single servings, not just for the novelty, but because it is soo convenient for working adults and school going kids.

There is the canned and processed items like cereal, drinks, cheese & crackers. Items that do not need refrigeration and can keep for several months.

There are the frozen items that can keep for a month or so in the fridge. Items like chip & dip, sliced frozen fruit and soup.

 Then there are freshly prepared items like salads and fruit & vegetable dipping sticks. All packed in disposable containers. No prep, just eat and throw.

BCBG Max Azria S/S 2013

BCBG Max Azria makes nice clothes that are priced on the higher end of mid-market. I check in here every season for pieces to top up my wardrobe with. This Spring Summer 2013 it seems to be channeling Alexander Wang with fashion forward pieces in a brilliant mix of textures.

Its Resort 2013 collection offers something a little more upbeat and less urban. Those shoes look very Versace Atelier-ish and are probably easier to put on.

Dianxin Lunch

Fried pork dumplings with spring onions and sesame seeds, Nice!

Still not able to try Tim Ho Wan because of the long queues. This Cha Siew Bao will be hard to beat.

Spotlight Yarn Haul 2

Now I know why they sell big packs of 10 or 12 yarn skeins together. Halfway through knitting and I run out of yarn, had to make another trip out to Spotlight to buy more. Cashier told me I was lucky that I could still find some of the colours I needed, its usually sold out so clearing the shelf is always a good idea.

This time around I got Cleckheaton California 100% wool in pink ombre. I am going to make something for myself with this.

A couple of days later I made what is hopefully the last trip to Spotlight this season to use up my last coupon for $40 off $100 spend. Since I got most of what I needed already, I decided to have some fun and purchased the mesh series - Aurelia, Annie, Rosie, Nina, Nelly Bobble and Catalina. All mesh yarns come with patterns so you know what to do with it.

Knitting Machines

Knitting needles and looms are not the only way to get started on knitting. Most craft and toy stores carry knitting machines for kids and adults to play with. Starting with handheld knitters that make basic braids. Use it to turn yarn into bands and bows or into thicker material to knit with. 

A manual crank knitting machine that makes scarves and caps. Available under various brands in several different sizes. It is an adaptation of the industrial machines used to make socks. Unleash your creativity and see what you come up with.

A sweater machine that allows you to make customized sweaters in a day! Anyone that has tried knitting sweaters before know it takes days if not months to knit a custom sweater. This home version is based on industrial machines used to make fashion sweaters and will allow you the same professional results within less time.

Spring Vines Scarf

I am soo excited to try this pattern from GoodKnitKisses called Spring Vine Scarf. It is best made with fancy yarn like Bernat Baby Boucle or Bee Yarn Finale Curtain Call (as done by its creator). So I can actually make an infinity scarf on an 88 peg loom, without stitching it together!

PATTERN:

Crochet Cast-on

Ewrap 1 row

Purl 1 row

E wrap 1 peg and wrap yarn around peg 3 times, do the same for 1 row

Remove yarn around peg and Purl, do the same for 1 row

E wrap 1 row

Purl 1 row

*repeat this set 3 more times to get the design*

E wrap 1 row

Purl 1 row

E wrap 1 row

Cast-off with inverted looping

* amended instructions:

Ewrap 1 row

Knit 1 peg and wrap yarn around peg 1 time, do the same for 1 row

Remove yarn around peg and crochet cast-off

The casting on is crochet so at least I get to use the crochet hook, I was wondering when it would come in handy. This is a really pretty scarf that took me only 1 day maybe less to complete. I notice the 2 edges are not exactly the same, if you are using novelty yarn then it really won't show anyway. So happy knitting.

100gm or 300 yards of yarn gave me 2 scarfs, one done in single strand and the other in double strand. The single strand yarn is really more of a necklace and the double yarn for dressing in-between seasons.

Louis Vuitton S/S 2013 Fashion

I love neon yellow and Louis Vuitton features lots of it in its Spring/Summer Men and Women fashions. Starting with this gorgeous Keepall bag in neon yellow damier.

And the damier print is all over LV's Women clothes this season.

 My picks from its fashion line, mostly tailored conservative pieces. But, very wearable.

Not forgetting Men's wear. I like the casual tone, its very dock worker-ish. Those backpacks will give everyone a run for their money this season.

Mariah Carey & Miguel

Coca-cola commercial

Coast London

Giving a shoutout for one of my favourite clothing stores COAST. As I grow older, it becomes less about affordability or fashion-forwardness and more about quality and style. For that, Coast fits perfectly in with separates to dress up your casual wear, day dresses fit for a royal wedding and gowns for a princess. Loving those floral print dresses that just came out.

There are several exciting collaborations this season to look out for. Coast has teamed up with milliner William Chambers to present 6 ascott-ready fascinators priced between $200 and $320, making it attainable for everyone. However, these are not available yet at their Paragon store. 

Coast has also collaborated with V&A for its Ballgowns Collection. Prices range from $1,100 for fully beaded day dresses and short tulle frocks to $1,800 for Great Gatsby 1930s screen siren gowns.

Coast is also donating 30% of proceeds from these 3 (Bee, Chancey & Ianthe) dresses to Breast Cancer Research. Show your support by purchasing these in store. Coast store located at Paragon SC.

Movie Bites

Caught Iron Man 3 over the weekend and there are no chinese actors or duo li nai plug.

So glad movie bites have progressed past tacos and popcorn. Gold bites available not just for Gold Class but for every GV movie-goer.

Golden Dragon Store

I think Golden Dragon Store must be the oldest crafts store in Singapore. Located at the very far corner of People's Park Complex and surrounded by dessert stalls. The variety offered is astounding and of good quality. There are some unusual crafts like raffia basket weaving, ribbon embroidery and chinesey crafts like lantern making, cross-stitch and chinese knotting. 

I was there for the yarns as this store stocks all the different types of yarns, wholesale option available. Acrylic, polyester, nylon, bamboo, wool, cotton, silk blends, alpaca, angora, linen, merino wool, mohair and even 100% cashmere yarns that cost S$29 for 25gm. Skeins ranging from 25gm to 1kg. In just about every size, colour and design. I will probably come back for the metallic bamboo yarn that is really soft and pretty. At S$12.90 for 50gm, a sweater will cost me S$154.80.