Weekending

After the typhoon left, the weather often cools off by 2-3 degrees. The breeze results nice day to be out and about. S and I decided to stay home for the morning then off on the scooter ride in the later afternoon. School starts this week and we are not really doing much only getting the mind ready and getting ready for  new school perspective on our mind.

Now, I looked back our summer was a big preparation for the new school system and at least give S some idea about the new language and at least a little concept idea about how the character strokes go. At least she can " picture" words in her mind and by that she could approach the learning a new and fun way.   I gave S pats on the shoulder each day after our learning session. When mama became a teacher is a bit not the same; perhaps confuses her a bit. I have to stay my role as I play and it is not as easy as it sounds.  We both felt frustrated to start with, but we have come together after "talks" that we made daily. Remember we talk three things we like per the day and three things we don't like per the day. One of part that S didn't like was mama is my teacher. 

Planning "a training path" for Lucky to go on the training plan was fun. Stacked all books on the floor and asked Lucky to go on. Lucky followed the plan, but was a bit nervous to stay on the chair.  It is always cute to see them play together. Lucky always " needs" to be part of what S does. He waited quietly and waited his term to play.

I was able to finish S' music tote last week. Did you guess the fabric print? No surprise, right?  Each time, when we go on a trip. I like to give S a little travel funding. She would use the little funding to purchase anything that she likes on the trip. Either spend the funding on one item or spend the money on several items. This time when we were in Japan. She decided to purchase a 1/2 meter fabric, Pokemon. I followed S' requests/ design to finish the tote. I used the linen for the main exterior for the tote. Used the printed fabric for the bottom and the handle. S requested a tag on the side, so she could hang some stuffed animal on. She is pleased with the outcome and I am glad that she has a tote to carry her books now.

Summer heat is getting mild since last few days. I started look for Fall to come, another month or two. It will be here before I know it. Just though I haven't been home for 7 plus years for the Fall season. It will be new and refresh time for S and I.

xxc

City Tote

There's something new for S, that's night life. It wouldn't be up till midnight type of night life, but life out and about after 7p.m.  When we lived in states, it is a bit unusual we leave home after all the activities that were planned for the week. It is likely before 6p.m. We preferred to be in and about! All the hours before bedtime are we called busy time. S likes to read her book and that's the time I catch up with all the emailing and getting ready our supper.

The month of August seems a bit cooler during the night time. S and I started have some fun scooter rides in the city that we live during the later day. Likely after supper time. We {hop} on the scooter and go. Normally we don't plan on places to go, but stop by when we like. Monday night we were out and about with a {get ready for school mission}. We both needed our glasses frame to get repair and both needed to go to the book store and both itchy some fresh watermelon juice and S needed a haircut. off we went....  She love the scooter rides and like to asked me; have we been here? We have had been here before... Can we take a detour to the shop that we went a long time ago?  Yes, sometimes, we take {Super Lucky} with us~

Moved back to Taiwan, I brought two of larger patchwork totes with me, but they are too big for scooter compartment when we take ride. It is safe to put the totes or purses under that scooter compartment while riding. I knew I need to make a smaller tote to carry when we go out. When I went to the store last time, I bough two small pieces of linen and cotton blended fabric.  I really love how the little circus theme goes with the aqua print together.    The aqua check print is double side printed, so I reverse the print for the longer and larger than handle. For the closure, I used simple leather closure piece and used hand-sewing thread attached on the tote.  For the lining, I used nice floral print that made in Taiwan. The quality is nice and soft.

As you can see, I carry many pouches in the bag. There are small sketchbooks and pens in one pouch and my weekly planner, keys, phone, coin pouch and sometimes S' sketchbook and pens.  The city tote is perfect for the scooter compartment. S has been asking for her music tote, I shall return to the sewing table and start making. She has her fabric pick out and I gave her some eye blinks and some tickles... oh dear.. you need to take a guess from here..

The light is dim today as the we have another typhoon coming. We have had12 typhoons this summer and another one is on its way.  Rain is perfect for this time of the season and perfect to be home and sewing. Perfect to sit and write to you~


xxc

Weekending

We found he is quiet cute on his early Halloween custom! He is { Super Lucky}!! One his left pouch is his treat and on his right pouch is his toy. He only has two shoes, since S running out of time. The mask is a little too big after the big haircut, so might need to shorten the back piece to make it stable.

Enjoy your weekend. S and I have been enjoy the cool weather and reading some books together~ I need to come up with a awesome ending for our night time story.  Made up stories are my favorite, since reading at night has gotten difficult for me to read.  I have bad vision since I was a little kid and seems getting worse as I get older. Sharp lights and bright lights hurt both eyes. Dim light at night for the room is perfect for me and read the story from my mind make it a bit open and fun... 

xxc

Random: Forward

Can you tell, my two antsy fellows have been busy? We took Lucky in for a big haircut and found out the hot/ humid weather cause some skin issue. He is taking medicine now, so the problem seems going away slowly. We wrapped the med. in the toast and covered some sweet jam for him.

S is back on making "things". She has sewn Lucky his Halloween custom and he looks so very adorable! Maybe a later photo to show you his "Super Lucky" custom. The room has been messy again, which is what we love; have fun and get messy!! The two antsy fellows have accompanied each other most of the time. Measuring Lucky from head to tail and wondering why he is waist is so large and legs are so short.  Talking to him and watch him tip his head aside and seem understood what we are talking.

Reading time is their favorite time so far. Only Lucky is busy looking for things inside the book/food and S is reading him some good stories. I love taking these photos for them, since these photos are going to be S' great treasure memories after we return back to states. We will miss him... 

I have been able to sew almost everyday during the morning time. The weather has been nice and cool a little. We have gotten some nice showers during the days and early afternoons. It makes us pleasure to work with calmer mind. Our study time has gotten quicker, since S' improving and getting understand the idea of new language.  This week, we have officially enrolled S into local district school, oh boy it has taken the whole summer time to find the right person and have the person contact us back. S will start school on August 28th; less than 2 weeks. This mama is nervous, but though it will be good time to leave S in an open space to find her strong self again.  {Thank you for all the good thoughts you've sent to us... }.

Last month, I have been thinking and wondering if I need some business cards for my little shop or just myself. I started making sketches of the logos and design cards.  Between ordering business cards or create custom stamps I went with custom stamps. It would allow me to stamp on any paper or fabric material.  The logo for {quarter inch mark} is a postmark look design. Since we travel from place to place, we like to write cards/ letters to friends and families. Each postmark represents a short journey of our life. I thought it is a perfect idea of {quarter inch mark} which might leave your heart a place for two chatty person that you read from time to time.

oh dear... I am just happy to feel positive again! 

xxc

mini quilt: bridal bouquet

{Thank you for all the kind comments.} It is always  flatter to read your comment.  Sometimes, my sister thinks that I always make {old} fashion things. She thinks some of my works are like grandmother's, but for sure she loves getting any { grandma look} work from me.  She does love having a sis who sews and could help her fix things up.

Finally, it is started to rain here { hope for lots of rain}. We have a typhoon approaching us, but not directly to the island {Taiwan}. We look forward some heavy rain this week.

This week, S and I will visit the school here and get all schedule ready. Getting uniform { Yes, children wear uniform to school here}. She is a bit excited about the uniform. We are both thinking just give it a go.  Even S might tear for the first few days, but it is part of learning and experiencing of new life. Let go the fear and move on... shall we plan this approach?  She is gaining a bit of confident lately as her language process is going well and less frustrations.  

Between spending time with S and finding little personal sewing time. I have finished this mini quilt: bridal bouquet a few days back. It is done by the English Paper Piecing {EPP} method. I decided to make a small version of it since making small projects are much comfortable in the time that I have now. The mini quilt is hand-quilted on 100%  warm and natural batting { I brought about a full size in the suitcase with}.  The quilt always gets soften after the hand-quilting. The hands wore the batting fiber out and make the quilt soft and fluffy.  The colors are really vibrate and have nice contrast between the low volume prints. Hand-bound with DS print. This mini quilt is placed in the {shop}.

xxC

Her mini case

It touches me so much that you came here and left us great and supportive comments. S and I read them together and she thinks she can do it. We have tried to be on our own as much as we can, so we can work on the projects/ studies in the slow mode. Our space is working so much better. A room with more space to play and rest. Best of all, during the mornings, she is back in reading mode and I am back in some sewing act.

Between our struggles and adjusting new life here. I tried to find time to sew.  From a few hours a day to a few hours a week. Some days just simple sketches on paper.  As long as I touch needle and thread I am delight and feel great! My sister finally decided to purchase an ipad. It took her a very long time to decided which version to purchase. That's how we sisters are different. She takes her time to do shopping, but I like to cross off my list as soon as possible. 

When she purchased her mini ipad, S kept telling me,  Aunt Fifi needs an ipad cover and zippered pouch. Can you make them for her, mama? I show my sister mine and S', but she didn't like both of ours. So I made a quick sketch for her and show her the new idea. She likes it much better, but the only downside is that I missed count the width of the ipad by 0.25". That's why you see the little ipad is above the case. My sister didn't mind it, but I told her I'll try to make one for her again. 

Since the new sewing machine I purchased is for basic sewing. I didn't dare to work so hard on the machine. Then I decided to go with hand-quilting for the mini case. Yes, so much better to hand-quilt everything. I took the finished front and back pieces while waiting  S at the swimming lesson. I sat there and slowly work on them. It was so so so so nice! The lesson is 80 minutes long and the waiting area comes nice cool air. I really have to take advantage on that time.

The front and back pieces are used many prints that I loved!  My sister didn't get to pick them out because I knew it would take very long time for her to decide what prints go in the mini case. The only part I let her pick is the wooden button, since I only had 10 of them, but it took her one afternoon to decide. oh very dear..

We plan go fabric shopping when the weather cools off. She is getting some fabric packs for me. I have few things in mind that I like to pick out.  It feels good that I can share a little sewing accomplishments with you ..   Have you been sewing? 

Thank you, Kathy for sending me the scraps.. I used the moda print for the lining. It fits perfectly for the mini case.  I also used a few other prints of it..

Link up: { Crazymomquilts: Finish it up Friday post}

xxc

Random: sewing mind

When we decided to take the oversea move adventure. We knew it will be not be easy and we knew if we work together we'll be able to overcome anything, together. Oh boy, have we under estimated? Things that pop into our new life lately weren't even being thought and listed while we talk about moving oversea back then.  We work exhausted together for last few weeks and finally seeing some lights and smiles. I didn't want to come up here and repeat the same problems that we are facing and working now. I hope to keep {1/4" mark} a place that you come and enjoy a bit of our this and that.

When we make any moves. I like to settle down as soon as possible, so life can still be the same and we can still keep the simpleness of lifestyle, but what I didn't thought through was S' reaction as she is an older child now. She has ideas about herself and ways of learning. We have been in some of the battling of learning the proper language and adopting the new life at the same time. 

This mama decided she needs to take a step back and just spend good quality of time to help S to adopt to learn and to review. We started from the very basic then take a step forward to a bit of challenge each day. Just like what we used to help each other. I applause my little fella "Keep up, you are doing good job". She needs a little more encouragement and I knew mama needs to give more of that to her.  The private tutor for learning the language wasn't best way to learn, so we stop the Wednesday tutoring night. Mama take over the teaching part and start to add different card games to learn and invited Lucky to join the game.  We have been spending some of our days to fix schedules and redefine what works and what really are yucky to work on.

Some of the mornings, we spent in the local store where we could have a bit of cool air to work on some study or just read a good book.  In the later afternoons, we try to go out  (even it closed to 100 degree each day) to local libraries, book stores, even just get on the scooter and have a ride somewhere. We tasted different local food and stop by the fresh made juice stand for some iced watermelon juice.

We pick up some hand drawings for the art activities. A little different from the past is we used refilled calligraphy pen. It gives some nice brush looks and making different marks. S loves the brush paint that she made.

Some of days, when it is hot and humid.  These days make S antsy and doesn't want to do much. We sit back and relax; do nothing, but enjoy the Lucky time. I must admitted that I love this pup and thank him for being here and being S' bff. It is always just fun to watch them play and Lucky comes to me for some pats.

S is much better and started seeing life is different and only we make changes on our own to adopt the new environment. We talk a lot, cry a little, fought a little, hug a lot, and make plans... I do love to have a semi grown up child. It seems easier to share and she seems understand a little clear.  

When we first moved back. I have set my  mind not to change anything in the room and just keep the way it is. It really didn't work and we both not like to spend time in the room together. The room is full with things and doesn't give us enough room to move around.

I had to recycle the mattress that has been in the room for many, many, many, many, many, many  years. It is heavy and took almost half of the space of the hardwood floor. The sheet that on top of the mattress was worn. The window shade was broken and covered with dust. Then we decided to recycle the cover. Suddenly, the room is brighter and bigger. Last few days, S and I were in different stores look for a small mattress for me and a new cover for the window.  Finally, I found a really simple bamboo mattress that can be folded into thirds if no in use and found a perfect simple curtain for the room. The room is big and clean. It reminds us a bit like our ND home, but limited fabric and books here.

I pick up sewing really slow and finally made a mini ipad cover for my sister. She is pleased and so am I. Mom has requested a handbag and that gives me some work to do.  The idea/ sewing mind is in action makes me delight and seeing S slowly adopting the new culture makes this move meaningful. Each day, I spend a few hours in front of the machine that is a treat for me now. I sure there will have more challenges and adventures come to us till our return, but so far we are breathing and making each day a progress day as we can. School is starting in 3 weeks, but S needs a lot of encouragement to attend school. I am still working on that...

I put the sewing mind a step back and need apologize no being able to finish the tutorial right away. It is half way through, but haven't being make into final stage. Hope when S is more confident and settle in new school system I can finish the bag.  Meanwhile, I am working slowly each day. A bit of daily photo can be seen on IG. 

Thank to friends who sent S cards to keep her think that she is not being forgotten. She loves getting your letters and cards in the mail.  These days make her feel special and puts up a big smile!  This mama is exhausted in a good way and glad each day she found new energy to go a little further. 

xxc