Ottobre Patterns Anyone?!!!

Hello hello, the new Spring Ottobre 1/2011 has just hit the stores here in Netherlands, so esctatic was I you could not imagine, well, if you are a pattern magazine addict like me then I guess you can, lol! Among the rows of magazines at my local newsagent, there it was, just sitting pretty waiting for me. Here are some pictures from the spring issue, feast your eyes :)

I so love the blue paneled dress and check out those brown bell bottom pants, cool ! The peacock applique is also included in this issue.

This issue has 39 patterns in total and sizes ranging from 56cm (baby) to 170cm ( i just realized that I can use the patterns for moi :) ) They're really modern, fresh european styles, from pants to leggings to blouses and skirts, jackets and even a cool flanel sweatshirt. The detailed slim fit jeans are sexy huh, I bet Shasha is going to want that !

Here's an example of the patterns. They are all color coded and pattern pieces are marked and construction instructions are in the magazines as below.

You can view the full issue here. Just click on the last issue (1/2011) and start browsing .

Good news to my Malaysian sewing enthusiasts who have been trying to get this mag, I can get them for you in English of course! They will be posted out mid march by poslaju from KL, so please browse through the Ottobre site and let me know which issue you would like, back issues included. The Female Ottobre is also awesome!

1 issue will be for Rm55, subsequent ones will be at RM52 (inc poslaju). Email me at princess.diaries71@gmail.com for banking details. Please specify the issue number that you would like and how many copies. Please hurry as I need time to order from the publisher, thanks.

Cherios from me, I so long for my sewing machine and fabrics right now ! Do drop me an email or a comment for further info, and maybe soon we can have an Ottobre sew along in Malaysia :) 

ps I miss Nasi Lemak daun pisang and Kerang Char Kuey Tiaw!!

A White Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am here!!! Been here awhile but only now willed myself to move from my heated living room to the cold study and start downloading pictures :-) Nederlands? All I can say at the moment is that its freezing, its wet, its peaceful, well, Rotterdam to be exact. We arrived to a white wonderland, which was pretty exciting especially for the kids. The moment we arrived at our new front door, they were out like a flash and started scouping snow and laughing, and I was right in there with them! 

Here are some white , white photos

On my street

My pretty backyard, NARNIA anyone?

Around the Neighbourhood

The snow has long since melted but we got our fill. So now its just drab and dreary with grey skies and pitter patter rain that never lets up. I am told this is typical Dutch weather , groan.....

My shipment is expected in another 2 weeks, nope do not get me started and yes another 1month of sleeping on the floor over here ! So what have I been up to? Oh the usual mommy stuff, cooking, cleaning the laundry and oh yes, making sure there's always milk and cookies on hand for 3 forever hungry kids :-)

My legs feel numb, Cheerios!

Pochee Crazy !

Hello everyone. Its been a very wet and cloudy December in KL. Yesterday went balik kampung in Bukit Merah to visit in-laws for the last time. It was a gorgeous sun shiny day with clear blue skys , but by the time we made the return trip home at 6.30pm it was raining torrents and the heavens were split by thunder and lightning. We finally made it home at 10.45 and headed straight for the Mamak stall :-)

I made these dresses a few weeks ago. It started as a birthday dress for my dear niece Fitrah, but after seeing how cute it was I ended up making one for Shasha and Fina, so here they are !

Made in Yellow Buds by Hunky Dory. 1 Yard was a bit short for her so added a lower frill.

Here she is at I-City with her mom and baby brother on her birthday.

Fina's in Chocolate Lollipop and Shasha's in Remix by Ann Kelly. I sort of fell in love with the added ruffles. The original used a bias tie around the neck or buttoned all the way down, a bit too tedious for me, so I improvised by making a placket on the back skirt and made button bands only on the back yoke.

Here they are, best of friends at 8 years old. I sometimes wish my girls will stay like this just a little bit longer! Pretty soon they'll not want dresses any longer :-(  Well, the circle of life must go on.

I first saw this pattern made by the talented Zura here and knew I just had to get the book. I believe I browsed thru it on 4 separate occasions and each time convincing myself that NO I do not need another pattern book! On the 5th visit, I finally decided that YES I was going to buy it and suddenly this young couple picked it up and seemed so interested! OMG, I was nearly in tears, my heart was racing. They put it down, I picked it up and ran to the counter for my life, they looked flabbergasted haha, yup this is a true story.

Sizes in here are for 90cm to 130cm and they are gorgeous. A MUST !

One more week till I leave Malaysia, not much looking forward to it especially going from 32C to a -6C, brrrr , I hope the kids can take it. Have been shopping for winter clothing since it is a bit cheaper here compared to Europe.

My IMac is leaving with Mr J on his flight tomorrow night, so that means this will be my last post from Bukit Antarabangsa, Malaysia. I'll see you next from cold, wet and cloudy Rotterdam.

Adios and keep on crafting.

ps. I couldn't help it, I bought books on crochet and knitting, have high hopes of making pretty sweaters once there! Lord, I'm gonna have excess baggage moannnn.

My Sewing Nook has GONE :(

Salam all, I'm a bit stumped at the moment! Basically most of my possessions have left the building and most probably somewhere enroute to the Gulf. Please Somalian Pirates, leave my container alone!! 

I've parked my MAC right next to my mattress on the floor ( yup the bed has gone too), and my daily ritual is now tying up loose ends and  organising things that are left behind. Those to be given away, those for charity and those to go to the dumpster. My body has been aching these past few weeks, seriously getting too old to be this active, sleeping on the floor not helping either :( 

What I miss most is of course my sewing machine , waaaaaaaahhhhhh and my pattern books. Can't believe how wrapped up in my sewing i've been these past few month. I wanted to post some pictures of my sewing nook as it once was sob sob. Even though its just a corner but its a place I can truly call my own.

My sewing table with my fabric covered corkboard 

My Egyptian closet stacked with my most favorite cottons and pattern books

The landing where these little two read or play their gadgets while I sew, or to simply roll around

Mr J's study nook just across from mine where the kids hijack the Mac any chance they get!

The tables and closet remains but anything personal has all been cleared. I am a little sad at leaving the life and place that I have called home these last 3 years. I can't believed that I've lived in 6 homes in my 11 years of marriage, but this by far is my most beloved.

I've been painting the walls and making repairs, only one more room to be painted, ouch, hard work ! I don't know when I'll be able to return to this lovely home but I do hope that it will happen someday, InsyALLAH. But then, what is LIFE if not for its surprises eh? Three more weeks till I FLY to join my beloved Mr J  :)