Lil Handmades by Mamabliss

Curvy Wurvy Clutch - Giveaway Announcement

2009-05-12T21:47:00.002+08:00

I was really pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response in the participation of this giveaway. This is by far, my MOST successful giveaway...
I've received over 100 responses - WOW!!! Thank you everyone who took the time to participate and especially to those who even link back to the giveaway post!!! *smile*
It took about 3.5 pieces of recycled A4 size paper to have all the names of the participants written :) and my little basket was brimming to the top *wink*
Just as I was about to make the draw, my ever helpful little helper came by my desk and requested to assist me with the draw... after picking the name, he was so restless when I tried to take a picture of the name he's drawn...
And so... here's the lucky winner, Kim, who has won the Curvy Wurvy Clutch...

I want to thank each and everyone of you who have participated in this draw once again... do look out for more future giveaway on this blog... *smile*

Curvy Wurvy Clutch Giveaway

2009-04-25T15:06:00.003+08:00

*This giveaway is now closed*

Curvy Wurvy clutch... simple yet hip... I've spent loads of hours on the internet, not really searching but just surfing... and many wonderful works of art have inspired me to draft this clutch's pattern myself...

I must say, I am still an amateur in pattern drafting... and well, there's definitely more room for improvement... wouldn't say it was difficult to draft this Curvy Wurvy Clutch pattern... but I took up to 3 hours to complete the sewing of this clutch bag due to the many detestable unpicking to be made... the prototype was nevertheless completed although I felt that the workmanship could have been better.
I like how the pleats on the bag gave it dimension and enhance the look of a very simple clutch bag... Am not quite a cat lover myself but this fabric was too appealing that I can't help buying it *smile*
The bag was lined with red polka dotted fabric and complete with an inner pocket to store knick knacks such as keys, pens or even cosmetics. I like how the red polka dotted fabric combine so well with the cutesy cat prints...

If you'd like to own this Curvy Wurvy Clutch, all you need to do is to leave a comment in this post. To double your chance of winning, all that's required is a link back to this post.

Please remember to leave me your email or contact details so that you could be notified. (Comments with no contact details will not be included in the draw)

The bag will be sent via mail to you. Regardless of where you are from you may take part in this blog giveaway... *smile*...

This giveaway will end on 8th May 2009, 2359hrs (Singapore Time). Announcement will be made a few days after the closing date.

Have fun!~

Taggy Ribbon Blankets

2009-03-28T17:27:00.004+08:00

Recently received a custom made order to sew two Taggy Ribbon Blankets. Before this order came, I've seen such blankets before but never really know what was its purpose...

As I was preparing to fulfill this order, I read that these blankets are actually educational. It was then that I recalled when Tim was teething, there was a period of time he was very fond of chewing on fabric or ribbon tags... tags of toys, clothes etc...
These 12"x12" blankets are perfect for little hands just learning to grasp, they are great for tactile development. Babies love the different textures and colours of these blankets thereby creating stimulants to their touch senses.

I used different colours and textures and various widths of satin and grosgrain ribbons to make the taggy blankets more interesting.
It was such a good idea to have such blankets that I've decided to sew a few more to giveaway as gifts to a few friends who have just delivered a baby and/or expecting a baby...
I really thank my customer who have given me this order as well as a valuable lesson... :) If I had known of such educational blankets when Tim and Little Missy were little I would have made them a dozen to play with teehehe...

Swap Frenzy

2009-03-27T18:06:00.002+08:00

I have found a new craze besides sewing... I am into swapping events... :) read in some blogs all the fabulous wonderful stuff the great crafters have been swapping... I can't help but want to participate in it too :)

Found several really interesting swap groups in Flickr... and one of the very first swap I participated is "Buttons, Buttons, Who's Got the Buttons Swap?".

It was in the theme of St Patrick's Day, where we swap green buttons and any sewing items that is green as well...
Here's a package I received from my swap partner Rochelle. Who has very kindly added A LOT more additional stuff in the package. Flown all the way from Ireland to here.
Here's just part of the package I've sent to my swap partner, Wendy of The Netherlands. I am so glad that she liked the embroidered buttons and the fabric flower pin I've sent her.
Here's another swap event I've participated in. Where I've sent my swap partner, Olive The Beach, 3 Fat Quarters, something handmade and a snack.
Participated in another swap, called the Maker Swap, organized by a craft blogger. This is the package I've sent off just a few days ago.
And finally here's the "Swap Around the World", I've joined. Sent off a package of cutesy handmade stickers plus fibres to my swap partner who is in Italy.

The world of swaps is sooooooo FUN!!! *wink*... have just signed up to participate in the new month of swap events -
1) A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate Swap
2)Fat Quarters Fabric Swap with a Twist

Think that'll be all I'll be joining for the month of April. Have a few custom made orders that just came in and now have to be busy prepping for my new business venture... don't think I have very much time left to do swaps... hmmm... we'll see how it goes then... ;)

A Giveaway to Pay-it-Forward

2009-03-24T12:34:00.002+08:00

I found this great idea on my new friend, Rochelle's blog and wanted to pay it forward for this handmade giveaway activity that's going on in the blogosphere.

This is a free giveaway and everyone is encouraged to play - worldwide! It's open to everyone who reads my blog.

The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It will be done this year. (that's right, before December 31, 2009!)
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. Just because I cross stitch, doesn't necessarily mean that's what it will be (but it might!). I dabble in quite a few mediums. Who knows?
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. But I would never send something that I didn't like myself!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and make the same offer to the first 5 people who respond on your blog entry, thereby continuing the fun! (Though you can keep it local if you want, I don't fear international postage!)

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right? So, let's play!

I have copied this straight from Rochelle's blog and I think it is a great idea! With my small number of blog readers at least I have until the end of the year to get 5 readers!

Wonderfully FREE

2009-03-22T17:49:00.008+08:00

Here's to share some of the most fabulous people who generously offered their tutorials to all who love to sew... I'm one who benefitted loads from all these tutorials... so here's some of my hunted treasures -

Boxy Bag - by Kelly

A Fat Quarter Tote - by Cicada

Apple Picking Tote - by Purl Bee

Margaret Sling Bag - by Elizabeth Hartman

Buttercup Bag by Rae

Will share this much for now... more to come in the future... :) have fun sewing!~

XOXO

My Turn To Win A Giveaway

2009-03-20T14:56:00.004+08:00

YAAY!!! It's my turn this time :) I joined a giveaway recently at Christina's blog. Least to my expectation I've won it!!! *smile*
Don't you think this bag is GORGEOUS???

Now I know how it feels to be winning something this pretty!!! teehehe...

Thanks so much Hyein for picking me out of the entire lot of participants!!! *hugz*

New Bag For Me!!!

2009-03-17T22:32:00.004+08:00

Don't really have a lot of time during the week to sew to my heart's content... I've loads of patterns cut out, all waiting to be sewn... still trying hard to find that "perfect" time to sew...

During the day I had to keep the kids occupied and happy... thus no time to sew, when they are napping, I was afraid that the whirring noise from the machine would disturb them...at night, hubby gets distracted when I sew in the study room... hmmm... that really left me with very little, almost minute time to sew... but still I persist!

T'was my off day this afternoon... wouldn't let this time up! Wanted to sew myself another Eco-Bag that could match my wardrobe of black outfits...
It's really not difficult to guess what's my favourite colour *smile*... still intense colours have an impact on me... I just love the vibrant colours that make everything so bright and happy!

I used a contrasting colour for the lining... that goes pretty well with the blue on the floral printed fabric on the exterior. This time, I added a pocket internally to store my fare card, keys and miscellaneous stuff...

Somewhat very satisfied and happy with my newly sewn Eco-Bag... I'll be happier if I had more time to sew... :/

Have more sewing projects coming up... shall fill you guys in soon... *wink*

XOXO

Chic Giveaway Winner

2009-03-09T16:52:00.003+08:00

Have you guessed correctly? *smile*

The Mini Chic Clutch I planned to giveaway is this beautiful peony print red clutch... almost 50% of you made the correct guess...
I did the draw the conventional way instead of using Random.org. I like this old fashioned but fun way of doing the draw... writing the names onto pieces of paper and draw amongst the lot *grin*
I was pleasantly surprised that I drew a name that I was so familiar with... an old dear friend of mine... Lilian, who incidentally was also my very first customer who requested for a tote bag to be custom-made for her *wink*
It was purely a struck of luck that Lilian was picked so no partiality given at all!!! *smile*

Congratulations Lilian!!!

Somethings I've Made & Want to Make...

2009-03-06T23:25:00.004+08:00

I haven't blog much in here other than the recent giveaway contests... I supposed it's about time I share more about my love for crafts and sewing here since it's supposed to be a little space where I record all my lil'handmades as well as my source of inspiration.

I recently discovered the fun of making fabric buttons and have since experimented on making them. Here are a few of the sample fabric buttons I've made.The shell of the buttons could be easily obtained from Daiso at only S$2 for a set of 5-6 shells with a setter included. If you'd like to purchase in larger quantities, you may purchase them from wholesalers in the Textile Centre along Jalan Sultan Road.

There's no limit to what you could do with these fabric buttons. It could be easily made into pins, or if you attach a rubber band to make it into a piece of hair-tie, or add a magnet behind you could make a whiteboard/message board magnet. You could even use it to embellish your scrapbook layout. Not bad huh?

Here are a few items I'd really love to try some time... or maybe quite soon...depending on how much time I have on hand given the countless other projects I wish to sew! *smile*

Fabric Journal Cover, been contemplating about sewing something similar, as I like to journal and I want to add personality to a what-seemed plain journal. Bought a few journal booklets quite a long while ago, but never gotten around it...pure procrastination again. This time, I'm really going to sew them up! I need you to hold my word for it as it's going to be my next giveaway item, will most likely be giving away two of these.

Grosgrain - Kathleen, one of my great source of inspiration. I simply enjoy her Grosgrain blog...where she host weekly giveaways. They are really to covet for :)

One of her recent giveaway was this beautiful cardigan that she adapted from Anthropologie. She called it the Anthropolification...and she shared how she made it...neat huh? I am soooo going to make one of these too, just need to get a similar cardigan first... *wink*That's quite a few projects I've on mind to complete... while the WIPs are -
~ Sewing an apron for each of my 2 kiddos.
~ Finishing up all the Chic Clutch bags that I've planned to sew.
~ Two Dainty Daisy bags
~ Two toddler's hats
~ One pleated tote bag

Oh my goodness... when will I finish sewing all these stuff??? Well, we'll see... will share more soon! By the way, the Mini Chic Clutch giveaway is ending soon, do sign up asap if you haven't done so!

XOXO

Chic Giveaway...

2009-02-22T23:07:00.004+08:00

** This Giveaway is Now Closed **
Am crazy about clutch bags at the moment... and decided to giveaway one for my next giveaway contest...

I love how convenient it is to grab a clutch and run for a dinner date or even a party... especially if I could have one of every different colour and fabric design... that might set the talking point of the evening *smile*...

It's amazing how fun it is to sew one of these Mini Chic Clutch... I wish I had more time then I could sew them all up at once... *grin*
I am giving away one of these Mini Chic Clutch (size 21cm(w)x12cm(h))...and if you can guess correctly which is the one I'm planning to giveaway, you'll stand a chance to win it... easy peasy?

The other one will be on sale at S$28 (inclusive of registered postage) for details of purchase please refer here.
I like intense colours and red is one of my favourites... this peony print caught my eyes while I was shopping for fabric one day... and I simply can't resist having a clutch made in this fabric...
Lined with a baby pink polka dotted fabric gave the Mini Chic Clutch a wonderful contrast...and it's made complete with a fabric button...
Doesn't this look vintage? Dragged this fabric out of my mom's stash... the print on the fabric is sure to draw attention.
Lined with a matching orange with a square facet as the finishing touch.
****************************************************
To win this giveaway, all you need to do is to guess which Mini Chic Clutch I'm intending to giveaway by leaving a comment... but to double your chance of winning, all that's required is a link back to this post.

Please remember to leave me your email or contact details so that you could be notified. (Comments with no contact details will not be included in the draw)

The bag will be sent via mail to you. Regardless of where you are from you may take part in this blog giveaway... *smile*...

This blog giveaway will end on 7th March 2009 (2359hrs S'pore Time). Results will be announced a few days later.
****************************************************

I've just started a blogshop selling lil'handmades I've sewn... so if you fancy anything from the blogshop or anything you've seen in my blog entries on sewing, you may place your orders... I do take in customized orders of stuff that I've sewn before, just email me at lilhandmades[at]gmail[dot]com. I welcome all queries and requests.

And the Winner is...

2009-02-02T21:27:00.003+08:00

CIYOU!!! Congratulations to Ciyou who has won this giveaway!!!

Thank you all for your participation and for making this giveaway such a fun one... *smile*

Stay tuned everyone, for more giveaways coming up!

My First Blog Giveaway in Year 2009

2009-01-16T15:14:00.006+08:00

**This Giveaway is now closed**
Chinese New Year symbolizes the coming of Spring... and spring time is the time with lots of buzz... a time when new life is budding in the botanical world...
Flowers came to mind when I think of spring time... thus this new giveaway involves flowers... :)
This Dainty Daisy tote bag is perfect for a weekend outing or even any casual outing... goes well with jeans as part of the attire... *smile*...with a removable fabric flower pin, this tote looks ready to be flaunted... *wink*

To win this giveaway, all you need to do is leave me a comment... but to double your chance of winning, all that's required is a link back to this post.

Please remember to leave me your email or contact details so that you could be notified. (Comments with no contact details will not be included in the draw)

The bag will be sent via mail to you. Regardless of where you are from you may take part in this blog giveaway... *smile*...

This blog giveaway will end on 29th January 2009 (2359hrs S'pore Time). Results will be announced on 31st January 2009.
****************************************************

I've just started a blogshop selling lil'handmades I've sewn... so if you fancy anything from the blogshop or anything you've seen in my blog entries on sewing, you may place your orders... I do take in customized orders of stuff that I've sewn before, just email me at lilhandmades[at]gmail[dot]com. I welcome all queries and requests.

New Year Giveaway - Announcement

2009-01-10T10:09:00.002+08:00

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Mommy Angel, the winner of the New Year Giveaway!

Stay tuned everyone, my next giveaway is coming up soon... *smile*

New Year Giveaway - Eco Bag

2008-12-25T12:42:00.007+08:00

** This Giveaway Is Now Closed ***
There has been much talks about being environmentally friendly, one way to help is to use environmentally friendly goods... and use less of plastic materials.

Here's an Eco Bag I'm giving away this time... it's been carefully handmade with cotton and could be re-use again and again...
Some ways of using this bag - it could be used as a library bag to store all the books you've borrowed... or it could be used as a shopping bag... so instead of asking for a plastic bag, this could be used when you are out on a shopping spree... *smile*
I've sewn one for myself too, and I'd use it for grocery shopping... especially on Wednesdays when the supermarkets charge for the plastic bags they give out... oh and also when I shop at Ikea for smaller items *wink* where plastic bags do not come free anymore...
I like bags with pretty lining so it's no exception that I will include linings in the bags that I sew... *smile*...

Once again, all you need to do is to leave me a comment and I'd do a quick draw. Please remember to leave me your email or contact details so that you could be notified. (Comments with no contact details will not be included in the draw)

The bag will be sent via mail to you. Regardless of where you are from you may take part in this blog giveaway... *smile*...

This blog giveaway will end on 7th January 2009 (2359hrs S'pore Time). Results will be announced on 9th January 2009.
****************************************************

I've just started a blogshop selling lil'handmades I've sewn... so if you fancy anything from the blogshop or anything you've seen in my blog entries on sewing, you may place your orders... I do take in customized orders of stuff that I've sewn before, just email me at lilhandmades[at]gmail[dot]com. I welcome all queries and requests.

Christmas Giveaway - Announcement

2008-12-08T10:36:00.004+08:00

THANK YOU everyone for your enthusiastic participation in my inaugural blog giveaway... it's really to my great surprise that this giveaway has attracted more than 80 responses... it just encourages me to want to work on more future giveaways...

I had loads of fun in this giveaway exercise and I hope all of you felt the same way too *BIG grin*
Here's my son Tim, doing the draw out of the 80+ names... I believe he had his fair share of fun in this giveaway too... *wink*
This draw was done 3 times as many of you didn't leave your contact details. Here are the 4 lucky winners - Shirley Chew, Rebecca, 2Ma and PC.

Till my next giveaway... have a fabulous blessed Christmas everyone!!!~

Christmas Giveaway...

2008-11-24T16:39:00.004+08:00

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**

It's the season of giving...and I'd like to ride on this special occasion to giveaway these handmade wristlets... as a token to all my blog visitors... :)

It's my first blog giveaway and I hope you'd find these wristlets pretty enough to want to own one *wink*

All you need to do is to leave me a comment and I'd do a quick draw. Four lucky visitors will get to win one of these wristlets each. Please remember to leave me your email or contact details so that you could be notified.

The wristlet will be sent via mail to you. Regardless of where you are from you may take part in this blog giveaway... *smile*...

This blog giveaway will end on 7th December 2008 (2359hrs S'pore Time). Results will be announced on 8th December 2008.

This wouldn't be my first and last blog giveaway...so watch out for future blog giveaways...

Digital Scrapbook - Tag Album

2008-03-11T16:09:00.003+08:00

Discovered this idea at ScrapBook Inspirations, this is a great way to work on a mini album. It's convenient to carry it in your handbag and to be able to show family and friends pictures (that are prettied up) of your treasured moments and loved ones easily.

This mini tag album of approximately (4"(h)x3"(w)), was done using all the digital scrapbook elements, printed from ink-jet printer and laminated to keep the artwork in good order.

Altered Art - Gift in a Tin

2008-03-11T15:57:00.004+08:00

With the pattern paper downloaded from Crafts By Carloyn I've created another gift to ANOTHER blogging mommy friend...

This is done by taking a used milk powder tin, and altered it into a gift 'box'. Great way of recycling those milk powder tins... :)

Altered Art is so much fun!!! Do try it someday...

Free Scrapbook Pattern Paper

2008-03-08T17:02:00.003+08:00

It's SPRING time, what better way to celebrate the beautiful season than to create some keepsakes through scrapbook-ing.

I've recently come across this wonderful website that offers free pattern paper downloads. And I've discovered a whole host of very brightly coloured and beautiful free pattern paper.

You can find it here... wonderful for all those who wish to have a whole lot of variety and at the ease of being home... you'd need a good colour printer though... have fun!!!

Find the Funky free scrapbook pattern paper Here.

Tutorial - Mini Album

2008-03-06T14:14:00.003+08:00

Paper Bag Scrapbook Mini Album -
I've always been intimidated by a 12x12 scrapbook page layout. I mean, it's a lot of hardwork & time to be put into just one single page. So when I discovered that there are many ways to create a scrapbook in mini album... I was elated!

Amongst the many types of mini album, I've found one really cool idea. Here's where I found the tutorial to make one... hope it's useful to you...

Mini-Album - Paper Bags

2008-03-05T15:22:00.003+08:00

Discovered this wonderful way of whipping up a scrapbook mini album in the quickest yet fun way... made this new mini album as a gift for yet another blogging mommy friend... :) hope it inspires you to make one too...

Mini-Album - Accordion Style

2008-02-29T21:53:00.002+08:00

This accordion mini-book was made using envelopes. It's one of the easiest way of whipping up a mini-book... just paste the envelopes together and voila...

But of course, the page design and selection of photos plus matching of colours and patterned paper took me 1 entire day...

While it's a mini-book, the laborious effort placed in it is painstaking... but I'm definitely very satisfied with the end product... :)

My First Scrapbook Class

2008-02-29T21:49:00.004+08:00

I've conducted a scrapbook class for a group of four kids recently... and it was fun... especially when I saw how enthusiastic the kids were about doing crafts...

This lesson, the kids learned how to make a Mothers' day card...well it's also a all occasions card so-to-speak as the technique used could be used on making any cards for any occasion.

I'm invited to conduct a 2-session class for these 4 children... and I'm looking forward to my second class with them next week ;)

Inaugural Scrapbook Class

2008-02-26T22:19:00.003+08:00

I've been invited to conduct a 2-session scrapbook class this week and I'm getting all excited about it... sounds like good fun to be imparting my passion to others... I'll have a class of 4 children... and I've already prepared the materials for the first class... :)

Floral Galore

2008-02-26T22:16:00.001+08:00

Mothers' Day Card that I've just designed and made yesterday...

Edible Gifts

2008-02-15T22:13:00.000+08:00

Made some pineapple tarts for the festive season and decided to repack them into glass bottles with patterned paper to make it look prettier... ;)

Handmade Cards for Gifts

2008-02-14T22:10:00.001+08:00

Lilhandmades Logo

2008-02-13T22:07:00.001+08:00

This logo was designed by using several different types of font and font dings... it's really fun...and I am rather satisfied with the final outcome... this shall be my sign-off in each of my lil' handmades

Recycle-Reuse-Refresh

2008-02-11T22:05:00.000+08:00

Reuse an old christmas card as a gift tag... by sprucing it up with simple glitter glue.

Welcome to Lil Handmades by Mamabliss

2008-02-10T14:49:00.000+08:00

I love anything that's handmade... and I love to give away handmade gifts to family and friends as well... it's always a joy to be able to share my passion with people who are special to me... *grin*

In this small little space, I hope to share my lil handmade stuff as well as craft tutorials with you.

I do hope you'll find my sharing useful... *smile* feel free to come again anytime...

xoxo,
Mamabliss