a balinese musical instrument

I'm not 100% sure if this instrument is originally from Bali....but I think it's called a coconut karimbu.  The Misfits got this from their grandparents today...they just got back from Bali and bought it at Ubud Market.  It has a very soothing sound :) and it looks pretty...It's made from half a coconut shell.

Balinese coconut karimbu

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

elephant drawstring

A friend ordered these for a baby shower in February :)...The theme is elephant, with cute elephant invite cards :).  Happy baby shower!

elephants everywhere

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

clay baskets

I went to the misfits' art lesson last Saturday and found these clay baskets they made :).  I think my kids got talent! *says the doting mommy :D*

Big M - happily holding her creation :D

Flower basket by Big M and Butterfly basket by Lil M

xoxo, www.liaspace.com

cross stitch

is definitely NOT for me :)...I don't think I'd have the patience to stitch each and every single one of those crazy small boxes!  I'd definitely go blind and lost my temper somewhere in the beginning of my project :D.  However, it is my best friend's new found hobby in Hang Zhou....So, last night I told her I want a bunch of pillows for my new house :)...she easily agreed...all I have to do now is cut fabrics for the pillows and copy the designs I want *greedy me is definitely working!*

Cath's creation...and those boxes are so very small!

 xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

yummy red velvet

Last night I was invited to a dinner at my good friend's house and she provided these adorable red velvet cupcakes in a jar :)...yummy!

yummy red velvet in a jar

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

they made these

and I am SO VERY HAPPY and PROUD when they came home and bring these to show, but they had to return these for their end of term exhibition.  I've been sending them to art class every week and each week they do different activities...clay, paint, etc.  So far they love the classes and they seem to enjoy it :).

Little Misfit's clay creation

Big Misfit's clay creation

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

happy breastfeeding

A few weeks ago, Vania requested a breastfeeding cover for herself using her own fabric...so here it is!  Finally done! :)  Happy breastfeeding!

After much protests, my sister modeled it for me :D

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

a pretty red dress

I bought this beautiful red fabric last week when I had to accompany my sister on her fabric hunt trip...she's very hooked into sewing lately :).  At least she could start using up my mountainous fabric stashes, but isn't this fabric just lovely?  It has a liberty-ish feel to it...the material is flowy too.

Big M posing for me in her new red dress

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

very domesticated

I was being a very good wife and started trying a bunch of recipes from my new vietnamese cook book.  This time I tried its pate recipe for Vietnamese sandwich....I also tried the pork satay to go with the sandwich.  It really was a BIG success :)....I simply have to brag that my pate tasted really good...superb :D and super easy, though the result of eating it showed in our yearly medical check up last Monday :p.

My vietnamese sandwich version

My other favorite food has got to be gyoza!  I've been wanting to make it...after much conversation with Big M's friend's Mom....I finally tried making these yummy gyoza!  I also youtubed the how to and ended up picking the recipe from my favorite cook Cooking with dog hahahhahaa...I love all of her cooking shows!  Very simple, easy and VERY DELICIOUS!!! The kids love them too.

The gyoza turned out well too!

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

seaside home is coming out soon!

As  I have mentioned previously, Seaside Home by C&T Publishing will be out this March!  I'm pretty sure I'll be giving a book or two away to my lovely readers or maybe an ebook ;)....You'll just have to  wait and check back once in awhile.  My seahorse pattern will be featured amongst other beautiful seaside themed hand crafts.  I'd like to thank my readers who had tried the seahorse pattern over the years and I hope these little seahorses bring smiles to the recipients :).  Do let me know if your seahorse below needs to be linked to your blog :).

From left to right, Top to bottom:
Anja Wilder, Fiona, Treann
Daniela Bird, Martina Lotter (musical seahorse!), Lucy
Beth, Martina Lotter, Filipa Fernandes

From Top to bottom, Left to right:
Valentina, Yuli, Amelie, Werner

xoxo, www.liaspace.com

for your eyes only...

:D....my good friend just came back to Bandung for his holiday and I asked him to buy me some marimekko fabrics and some todryfor tea towels for me :D.  I'm happy!!! I think they are to dry for :D.

Top: Marimekko Pieni Unikko 2.  Bottom: Marimekko OYJ Suomi

To dry for tea towels...they're on sale now

To dry for tea towel

xoxo, www.liaspace.com

and the winner goes to...

number 17.  I got this number from asking my better half to choose a number between 1 to 48 while he was playing his game.  Through his ignorance, he chose number 17!  Congrats, Li! I'll be emailing you soon :).

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

lemongrass satay

I bought this wonderful vietnamese cook book last week at Kinokuniya Plaza Senayan...I've tried the pork ragout and today I tested the satay...really quite nice but a bit dry...I think my fire was a tad bit too small hence I baked them quite a while.  Note to self: definitely turn up the burner next time :).  If you love vietnamese cooking, definitely give this book a try...the recipes are quite simple and the ingredients are easily available in Indonesia :).  I've marinated my pork satay and cooked the liver pate for a vietnamese sandwich tomorrow!  Can't wait to try! 

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

fabrics to giveaway

I know it's been awhile since my last giveaway...so I thought it's time for another one :)....You will win:
FAT QUARTER of each of the following fabrics.  All you need to do:
1. Leave a comment telling me: What's your new year's resolution?
2. Leave your email address!
3. Comment before Monday 16th of January 2012 at 8:00 am Western Indonesian Time
4. I will announce the winner on Monday and this is open to everyone, everywhere :)!  Good Luck!

cottons to giveaway

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

purple party favor

Another sample I sewed for a wedding coming up soon :).  I love the linen fabric used for this sample...nice purple color.

purple linen fabric boxy pouch

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

more on sewing

Today, Jess made this cute bag from a fabric she bought in Japan last year.  I must say it's pretty nice :)....a simple bag, nicely proportioned and just the right size :)

Jess' bag #2

Then from the bag, she made a scrunchie while Rub made a flower pouch, but the fabric she used was too thick...hence the hat on M's head :p.  I'm just happy they're hooked on sewing :).

Top: the crafters, the scrunchie in use
Bottom: the scrunchie, the misfit in flower pouch :)

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

sample bag

I think I like this bag's pattern, I love its shape...it's simple and cute...this is a sample bag for a special someone's wedding favour ;).  You'll just have to wait for the real thing...

Little M modeled the bag for Mommy :D

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

jess made a bag

My youngest sister and her friend are home for the holiday and she told me they wanted to learn how to sew...so I let them play with the sewing machine...I must say they're both quite talented for a first timer.  Here's my sister's first usable bag :D...a reversible shopping bag...not bad, Je!

Jess and her reversible shopping bag

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

goodbye 2011! happy 2012

Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk :)...the reindeers chowed the grasses too!  It was a successful Christmas for the Misfits :)...they got presents from Santa Clause for being good Misfits throughout the year...let's see if they can keep their goodness in 2012...you better watch out, better not cry...better not pout too, my little ones :) 

Top: 2 cups of milk for Santa and cookies and grasses...but all gone
Bottom: Christmas day 2011

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com