Simplicity Paper Patterns

Back in grandma's time, women didn't buy dresses from stores. Instead, they bought paper patterns from the many different paper pattern manufacturers like Simplicity and sewed their own clothes. Today, you can still buy paper patterns. However, most people buy it to make costumes for Halloween or school plays.

Spotlight was having this sale on Simplicity patterns and I bought a whole bunch, actually just 15 sets. Each set can make 2 to 4 items and retails between $20 to $30. What would have originally cost me $375, only cost me $27. To be honest, the deal was soo good I wanted to buy up everything. 

I chose designs from Cynthia Rowley, Jessica McClintock, Leanne Marshall, Amazing Fit (plus size) and a tulle skirt pattern for adults. I'll be using all old fabric left behind by my grandma and previous sewing projects, except for the tulle that is really gonna cost me. I need 60 yards of tulle @ $10 a metre will make my skirt worth a fortune.

Miu Miu A/W 2014/15

Miu Miu makes clothes for the younger Prada crowd. It's always fashion forward with grandiose style, utilizing thick-set fabrics. This season it does a combo of old world jacquard fabrics with transparent raincoat material.

The look is still young, fresh and bright. As always.

My favorite pieces from this collection (below).

Coca Cola's "Creating Delicious Moments at Home" Contest

I won a Le Creuset 26cm skillet from Cold Storage/Coca Cola contest. I still remember what I bought, Vanilla Coke that tastes like the A&W coke floats I had as a kid.

Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion

This body lotion smells like a vanilla scented baby, it's all creamy and milky with sweetness of honey. The texture is more liquid than the usual moisturizers but is quickly absorbed by the skin so you don't have to worry about messy application.

It's 99% natural, containing Grape Seed oils and vitamin E. It's almost hypoallergenic, no problems for sensitive skin like mine. 

  

Pizza Hut (revised menu)

Trying out the revised Pizza Hut menu, featuring more main dishes like chicken and fish. The new soup is good - Spicy Garlic Clams Broth. Also introducing Stretched Pizzas (thin crust) making it more Italian and crispy. 

Goddess of Mercy Cross Stitch

Just before the new year began, I finally finished this cross-stitch of Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. Meant for the alter or hearth of the home. 

I first saw this design while holidaying in China and thought it was really pretty. It uses metallic floss for the border that is fairly unusual. I have never worked with metallic floss before and it is quite finicky. Thankfully the kit came with enough to complete this without a hitch. 

This is slightly smaller than my previous piece, measuring 58cm x 92cm. I used an Ikea frame that fit perfectly so I saved on professional framing costs.

Can you believe this was 2 years in the making! I took some time out from this project to work at my Bro's place and complete some knitting, so actual time spent on this was about 9 months or so.

There are 36 colours including metallic floss and 7 long-stitch colours. I couldn't be bothered to colour mix as instructed and just used metallic floss for those parts as well.

On hindsight, that border is quite unnecessary, it took me an hour to adjust the canvas for framing.

Still, the final product makes everything worth it!

It's 2015!

Another year has passed as quickly as the previous, 2014 had it's fair share of disappointments and loss. My disappointment in human nature and loss of material goods in my house. When this happens, I always feel helpless and keep the sadness within. It becomes an oxymoron when people who refuse to compromise, compromise themselves in exchange for stuff. Especially stuff they can afford to buy for themselves. In my new year's prayer to God, I hope things get better for everyone but there is little one can do to restore lost faith. In the new year, I have decided not to make any plans. Let's see how things turn out, I want to be surprised but have the feeling I will be challenged.