NNC Pincushion Exchange 2010

This is truly a late post on one of my exchanges with the NNC group. Sorry Radha for the delay in showing off your beautifully made pincushion. I received it during the moving house phase and was having a hard time locating my camera wire. Thanks Radha for the lovely blue stash and the cross-stitched pincushion! And Nigel sends his kisses for the well-needed back to school stationery stash too!!!

Making a Cabbage Cane

Making a Cabbage Cane, originally uploaded by Shay Aaron.

Good enough to eat!

Making A Starfruit Cane

Making A Starfruit Cane, originally uploaded by Shay Aaron.

Shay does incredible polymer clay creations. Now to look for all my old stash of clay!

81onederful Years : A Birthday Celebration

We celebrated my mother-in-law's 81st birthday recently and the venue was at our new home. Out of the 600 hundred photos my brother took for us, I've only shortlisted these to be posted here. It was a beautiful evening of friendship, laughter and food! Also my reason for the long absence in posting on my crafting journal, you'll see we've been busy with some crafting in preparation for this big day. What a month, we had to rush for the new house to be ready and we had to clear up our old place too. All in all a wonderful, tiring & happy experience for all 3 of us.

It all started with an elaborate tiered cupcake ensemble! Here's me with some last minute touch-up. It all began with a sketch, and I must say it was as close to the earlier sketch just like I  intended it to look like.

My nephew helping out with the arrangements of the cupcakes. He was delivery man that day. Picked up the cupcakes I bought online from cuppacakes. Easy Peasy!The styrofoam 81 I managed to cut the very last minute the night before. I used modge podge and lots of antique gold glitter. now I have space to store my styrofoam cutter!!! It's huge!!! I've cut 8footer letterings before, so this was really cute and tiny for a change.

I'm sorry, the new template has been driving me nuts!!!! Images and text seem to have a life of their own!

My family helping out with everything else. I'm nothing without my family's unconditional love! I can't stress that enough. THANKS GUYS for being there for us.

The box the cupcakes came in are really well designed. I ordered around 60 cupcakes and Ijin helped me buy the lotus seed buns for the cake tier as well. Thanks Ijin for the lotus seed buns. They were super yummy!

 Nigel was recovering from flu. As you can see here, he's been hiding in his favourite spot in the house..underneath the coffee table with his astro remote at hand. He's been hoarding the tv eversince!

 Bought a lot of fresh flowers from the wholesaler in Chinatown. My now 2nd most favourite place to shop! I love the smell of this huge shop cum warehouse. Everything is so fresh and the cold rooms are a must visit. Imported flowers from all over. I bought a lot of mums, ping pongs, ginger flowers and roses. Thanks Victoria for showing me around this wonderful spot for flowers.

 The canopy outside of the house. We had to have one just in case of rain. It has been pretty unpredictable nowadays. You can't see my little garden here. And my frangipani tree and a line of blackberry lilies along the wall. They're blooming wonderfully now.The roasted lamb. YUMMY1

 More flowers everywhere.Victoria did all my flower arrangements. I'm hopeless when it comes to real flower arrangements. Maybe I'm afraid of hurting the flowers. LOL!Dad helping out the arrangement of lotus seed buns. He's my handyman!My 2nd Sister-in-law's family.Top view of the cake.Nigel taking a break feeding the koi at our little indoor pond.Dad arranging our goodies for kids table outside. Stan calls this the 'Loose-your-teeth corner'. You'll see why.I printed little doggy bags with and pack your own party pack message! You'd be a kid too if you see this table. I had snacks, sweets, toys, stickers & stationery all ready for you to pick and choose as you like! (Actually, I thought it was a brilliant idea. Nothing goes to waste, since you only take what you want.) And to see both kids and adults full of glee picking out their favourite goodies!!!My mother in law arriving at our home.

 A nice family portrait.Victoria having a gummy! You can't resist a bowl of fruit gummies!!!

Stan was busy showing off his new pond. You can see me and my mom hiding out at our studio. The aircond was at full blast inside and we were chilling out for awhile. 

Meet 'Forever Peaches'. I made 16 of these softies for the kids.Aren't they totally cute!!!!

 Cheeky shot at the camera!

 The winemaster and the winetaster were bestfriends that day.My living room was filled with family & friends.My mom single handedly wrapped these doorgifts the day before. It was customary to give a bowl and a pair of chopsticks to commemorate the birthday occasion. It's about sharing the longevity and good blessings! Victoria, mom and me having a break in the kitchen. We have a little peninsular at the end of my kitchen. This is where we've been dining, just the 3 of us.Ijin made it to the birthday party right after her glamourous dinner at work. Is that velvet! Wow!!!

 We all gathered to watch a special video prepared by all the grandchildren. It was a special dedication, some even shed some tears!My niece lighting up the cake. We had 8 large + 1 small candles on the tier.My mother in law making a birthday wish. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! May all your wishes come true and many more!!!!Beau's & Bowls? LOL!God gave a gift to the world when you were born—
a person who loves, who cares,
who sees a person’s need and fills it,
who encourages and lifts people up,
who spends energy on others
rather than herself,
someone who touches each life she enters,
and makes a difference in the world,
because ripples of kindness flow outward
as each person you have touched, touches others.

HAPPY 81st BIRTHDAY MOM!