I recently joined Ravelry, a knit and crochet online community. A postcrosser, who received my postcard, recommended it to me after she read that I like to crochet. I signed up a few days after but just got into it today. I just wrote my profile, checked out groups, and was browsing through a whole bunch of creative things people made. If you're into knitting or crocheting, this is a place for you.

My ID is Tarkheena. Feel free to add me there! I'd like to see what projects you guys are into.



This week, I did a little organizing using my pink suitcases and tin boxes where I store my ribbons, fabric scraps, yarns and other small things. They're great storage plus they look great on my desk, too. I think I may have started another collection.



Strawberry magnets to spruce up your fridge and memo boards. They'll be available in my shop soon!

I'm physically tired but I'm way far from sleepy. I had the impulse to clean late this afternoon and it all began with the assembling of the small chest of drawers from Ikea that's been lying underneath my old computer desk for months. After putting it together in fixed determination, I started emptying another desk and more drawers. The next thing I know, I was hauling things out of the smallest bedroom, which is like the utility/study/attic/closet rolled into one, to the hallway. It's the room in our apartment that's always cramped with stuff and it bothered me to see the sheer chaos in such a small space. I've been turning a blind eye to it for weeks and today it became a total eye-sore that I could no longer ignore it. It still bothers me that I allowed it to happen in the first place. We have been thinking of a better use for that room and after much thought, we finally agreed to transform it into my craft room (again) instead of an additional bedroom since I seriously need space for my stuff that a couple of boxes no longer suffice to accommodate. We still have an extra room upstairs anyway when someone comes to sleep over so I can have a whole room for myself. It will need re-painting and some furnitures but I'll worry about that later. I just have to de-clutter it for now and plan the makeover. It feels great to see it shiny and organized again. I'm so excited to work on it. The thought alone is energizing me that I want to strip the walls of wallpaper and slab them with a fresh coat of paint. RIGHT NOW.

The work-in-progress sewing projects and other stuff I've been working on have to be put off for now. My energy is directing me elsewhere, and for me to get the creativity out in full force, I must regroup. And that means re-arranging the furnitures and minimizing to have more space and create some quiet. It's what I mostly do when I want to accomplish something bigger or feel at peace and more happy with the goings-on in my life.

Right now, there are a lot of exciting and good things happening that I can't even begin to imagine the hows and whens of it all. All I can do is savor it and let it happen. Accept it. Do it. Go for it. And be thankful. Those are what I'm telling myself to do. I can't go into specifics but, in due time, I will share them. I'm currently teaching myself restraint when it comes to things that are more than just a new haircut.

P.S. Thank you all for the haircut love! I'm still undecided if I like it or not.

The weather's been dull these past few days that's why I stuck to my sunshine-y fabrics to work with. I've never liked yellow like this before but now I'm hooked. So here are more of the things that are currently unfinished but will definitely be this weekend.

Another pouch adorned with wooden flower buttons. I'm not so sure if the buttons work but they look quite good as it is. This is inspired by the cover of this book that I'm thinking of buying. Still have to attach thin garter straps which I don't have yet so it's more likely finished tomorrow.



A small book bag lined with the same material as the front pocket. I lined the pocket with a soft linen/canvas I bought from Ikea a year ago. I only have to sew the top to join the fabrics together + the strap and it's finished. I'm still playing with the idea of the lining sticking out like that of the pouch to add a little flair to the bag and show off that beautiful fabric of flowers or keep it mild and subtle by hiding it inside. It's the first pocket I've ever made so it's a little askew on the top. Was supposed to make an inside pocket but decided on putting it out because the bag is smaller than I initially planned.



I also made a pillow pincushion using the same fabrics and a pencil case is in the making. They're not picture worthy yet so will show them next week.

I've been busy sewing lately that I neglected some house work. I was too engrossed with the stuff I was working on and playing Wii that I kept forgetting to do the laundry. The house is topsy-turvy! It's like a typhoon passed through our living room overnight. I couldn't be bothered to clean up because the mess actually added to my sewing inspiration. Sounds crooked but it really did, and now it's getting to me. I just did some tidying up and dusting this morning and will do the rest after this entry. I need a break, you know.

Anyway, I have to get back to my domestic duties and finish where I started.

I wish you all a sunshine-y weekend with your family and friends!

We stayed home.

Yes folks, we didn't go out. We didn't join the crowd of people scouring the streets hunting for second-hand treasures because we have the weather to blame. It's been wet and gray the whole day, just as foretold by the weather people. However, the sun paid a short surprise visit after five. We were seriously not in the mood to go out any more, not even to go to the cinema. I am tired. Sleepy and tired, in fact. Why?

Here's why:

1. We cleaned the whole apartment.

2. We threw away more crap. (I'm pretty sure there are more to throw away.)

3. We hauled our old bed and leftover wooden panels we had left standing on the upstairs' landing four floors down. What a workout that was!

4. Planned the bedroom makeovers. Painting starts tomorrow!

5. I ran the laundry and folded clothes. Looking at the basket full of un-ironed clothes is tiring enough. I'm dreading the ironing part! (I have a love and hate relationship with ironing.)

I tried to get some crafting done but the only thing I could manage was crochet as it allowed me to laze on the couch with lots of pillows on my back while my fingers did the job. Odette got me into starting the pincushion project but I couldn't find my felt fabrics so, until then, I'll stick to crocheting more squares and some little presents that I will show once the packages are sent + received. Don't want to spoil the surprise. :)



Whilst cleaning our bedroom, I saw these piles of books on the floor on my side of the bed. These were my April reads. Some of them are new and some I was in the mood to re-read. I need new books! Any suggestions?

Spring has sprung!

*The plant is a Campanula. Don't know which variety though.

Tip: Basic Mending: Sewing on Flat Buttons

I'm wishing, wishing really hard for spring to come. I have had enough of winter jackets and leather boots. I long for light clothes and ballet flats. Please, spring, consider my plea and I promise I will go out more.


The other evening, Mike and his father went to Ikea to buy display cases for his collection of action figures. He has accumulated quite a few of them over the years which have been lying too long in boxes. We decided it was time they come out and be a part of our living room. Initially, I wanted it in the study with our book collection and my craft stuff but he insisted on putting it out as he likes seeing them while he works or plays behind his pc. Having it in the dining area isn't all that bad actually. I'm used to it by now. We've moved our furnitures around again to give more room for the real living area. Space. I need space. As much as we loved the last arrangement, it was just a tad too small. So we're back to this. Only this time, I changed some of the accessories on the shelves.

The week flew by pretty quickly, don't you think? Earlier I told Mike that it's his last vacation day this month and it feels like Saturday. I love having him around the whole day though. If only he works from home instead of leaving every morning in the weekdays, that would be great. Maybe someday.