ooops....

Can't believe it's been almost a year since I last posted.  I don't think I've taken any pretty pictures lately...and to tell you the truth...I'm barely in front of the computer lately.  So, what's been happening thus far?? Well, Workshop in A Box happened and that's been running for awhile, though we're in the middle of a break now...since it's almost holiday and errr....I'm gonna have baby number 3 in August.

I've been busy with running a cafe on the first floor of my office as well, called One Fifteenth (1/15) :).  I would love to have crafters come by, bringing their WIPs, maybe you guys can have coffee/tea while sewing/knitting/what nots :).  To be honest, I haven't been sewing a lot lately...We're waiting for our house to be done where hopefully my crafting studio will bring me new inspirations :p

Oh, and we have a new coffee roastery too called Morph Coffee ... if you're craving good specialty grade coffee freshly roasted each week :).  Hopefully I'll be posting something soon...I need to figure out if I could actually blog using Iphone???


xoxo,

www.liaspace.com

1/15 coffee

There's a legitimate reason why I've been busy :D...really...not just excuses...I'm opening up a specialty coffee place on the first floor of my office.  It's been hectic! It was supposed to be opened the end of last month, but it was still too messy...so it is due to open next week on the 13th of June at 3.30pm....do come by if you're in the area...it's an invitation from me...it's nearby gandaria city at Jl. Gandaria I no 63.  There's a quiz going on as well...do participate if you've found the time.  I'm just crossing my fingers and hope for the best for next week!  I know I still have a lot to do till the BIG day!  Wish me luck!

interior works - in progress

logo

work in progress

Doddy, the barista and David the wannabe :p

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

a beautiful wedding in paradise

It has always been my dream to be married in Bali...alas, it was only a dream :) but my beautiful sister in law got to realize her Balinese wedding and it was a very wonderful event.  I'd say she's the most un-bridezilla bride I've known...the most relaxed bride who took it easy when things don't always go as planned...such as the rain that made a grand entrance on her wedding decor!...your brother and I wish you a wonderful and happy marriage.  I love weddings with tear-jerker moments and it's always hard to let go of your little sister...who's been the baby in your eyes, but I know they're happy and that's all that matters :)...I have one more sister to go :) and I don't think I'm ready to let go of my youngest one just yet :).

Sewmanics made her wedding favors...they're yellow striped and blue flowers pouches but I didn't take any pictures of them due to the rain.  This was the other favor some of the out of towners received.  I have to admit we sewed the red pouches wrong! the inside was supposed to be for the outside...so it was actually inside out :'( it's supposed to be plain navy blue canvas...but it was too close to the wedding date and there's nothing we can do...sorry, Pat!

White and Blue tote bag by sewmanics

The children loved Bali as usual...they had so much fun playing with their cousins but too bad the little misfits came home with HFMD :(.  More days off from school!

The Misfits and their cousins

Some of the wedding pictures done by the talented Mono and yes, I stole these
from their facebook site :)

 xoxo, 

www.liaspace.com

a day with my new toy

My classic kitchenaid is dead and currently being fixed and I don't know when I'll get it back...and I've been wanting to get a kitchenaid professional, but I don't really have space for it...but I just gotta have it :D...I don't think I can wait till we move to our new house...no can't do.  So, yesterday I've decided to make small fried doughnut....I've let it rised over night and popped it in the refrigerator this morning...and it FAILED miserably hahahahhahaha...somebody please give me a pointer!!!

Left to Right, Top to Bottom: The "Toy", the doughnut
Big M helping me cut the doughnut into shapes :D

I love this KitchenAid, it does not give me any electric shots (which I got from my US classic KitchenAid, since I had to change the voltage).  So, I decided to make my own butter!  My sister encouraged me to do so...she said she's been making her own butter and it tastes good!  I googled and youtubed and finally decided to do it.  I used greenfields' whipping cream and voila! my very own butter! From butter, I couldn't get enough of the mixer and decided to make chocolate coffee loaf using MY OWN BUTTER!  A good cuppa chai and a slice of chocco loaf to end my day....yum :)

Left-Right, Top-Bottom: Whipped cream being churned, butter and buttermilk, Butter!
Chocolate coffee loaf being baked
Done!

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

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

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

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

a toast to tinder tinker

My sister (Stephanie), her husband (David Getty) and their best friend (Matthew Jacobs), won another price from Holcim Foundation!  We're very proud of you.  It's the same project they used for Shim Sukkah.  They've won second place and it was awarded in DC a couple of weeks ago.  David also won a local design contest in Duluth, MN....I haven't got any pictures of his winning design, though.  Good job, peeps!

pictures were taken from Holcim's website

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

shy indian princess

My little one has always been quite sensitive...she does not easily blend in with her environment...and it was my fault for not asking her friends' indian costume design!  I thought they're all going to wear an Indian sari...but I was wrong! The others were wearing a simple Indian tunic!  She refused to wear the top and the skirt we've made for the sari.  It would've been much easier for me to sew the tunic...but alas, it was too late and hence, my little one was sulking on stage...refusing to move :p...I'm sorry, baby...next year I'll make it up to you :).  They were singing to the song Chamak chalo...I have no clue what it means :D

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

happy birthday, ma belle

Wishing you many happiness in life and may you grow up to be whatever your dream may be and know that you will always...always be our precious little princess :).

The Special Agent OSO party is finally over.  Last night, my cousin delivered the beautiful cake!!! I was pleasantly surprised with the result...thanks to her and her friends at Cookienary.  When Isabelle woke up this morning, I asked her if she likes the cake....and she said..."Why is it so cute, Mommy??".  Her sister wished her a happy birthday and when we came to her class this morning, she was all shy :).

Little misfit was so very shy...she didn't even want to blow her candles, but she was willing to cut her cake :)

The goody bags were of course done by us :D...assorted PJs with some snacks for each child.  I played around with my knk last night and made the children's names.  It was a lot of fun playing with knk :), it cuts like a pro...very clean and fast too...I love it :).

Assorted PJs and snacks for the children

The bento box was ordered from my meal box and I guess I was lucky Lukman was still able to receive my order :D.  I opted for the non fried foods for the children and they seriously looked good :).

Lil Misfit giving away her cupcakes and goody bags.

I love birthdays...though I will always complain during the preparations but seeing the smiles on my little princesses' faces make all the hard work worth while :).  Last night they helped me putting in the snacks into the plastic bag and they had such a blast doing so.  I still remember the excitement I used to feel during my childhood...the night before my birthday was always exciting and happy, and all thanks to my Mom :) and I am now oblige to give the same happy experience to my children...

Lil Misfit's first birthday present :D

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

special agent oso for misfit and my lovely knk

Tomorrow is little misfit's 3rd birthday and since her birthday never falls on holiday (LUCKY ME!), we'll celebrate it at school :)...she's been requesting a lollipop birthday, but she finally gave up on the idea and sounded happy enough to have it at school (pheeeww..).  I've been asking her many times, what sort of theme she would like for her birthday and on all of those occasions, OSO is her only answer....I've tried persuading her towards a more "princess" theme but nope...she's headstrong :).  So, OSO it is....I was looking for an OSO image on the web and there's one free invitation template from Disney Junior but the link was broken :(...so I stole the color scheme and idea and use it for Belle's invitation and gift tags.  

Gift tags and invites

My husband and I played with my latest cool toy...a KNK Maxx 24" machine...I must admit that it was HELL trying to set it up!!!!  I'm very bad at reading manuals! and after a few phone calls to their technical support, the machine was finally up and running.  Yesterday, I pestered my hubby to sit with me and read the rest of the thick manual...So far, I'm able to print and cut using registration mark....though it is still not as precise as Silhouette SD, but it is able to cut through thicker materials...such as the 220 gsm card stock for Misfit's birthday...so, overall I'm happy...I am yet to play more with it...it truly is a powerful machine...just not as user friendly as some of the plug and play machines.  I need to figure out its other functions.... 

KNK Maxx 24"

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

at home, in duluth

We arrived very late in Duluth, MN...our hotel was really nice...it overlooks the lake and it was a 2 bed-rooms apartment.  The next day we went to Steph's house...they've done a bit of painting and David has been busy making benches (for the wedding ceremony)...he's been making a few furniture for the house as well...like the table...the little stool and a few re-upholstery works.  Their rented house was very photogenic...I suppose the white paint makes it look pretty :).  Duluth is a pretty little town, with beautiful lake...too bad we didn't have enough time to explore it.  Maybe next time?? :)  Oooo I went to Duluth Pack and bought this beautiful canvas bag with leather handle...made in Duluth with a lifetime warranty :).  Love it.

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

wedding favors

Hellow :) am baaack and been back for quite some time, actually...I've just been very busy with life.  US was nice but I still love my home sweet home and it's nice to finally be back home after a long trip.  My sister's wedding was lovely...very personal, simple and intimate :).  I'm finally showing you her wedding favors :).

xoxo, www.liaspace.com

bali = haven and haven = bali

I sneaked a little holiday in the beginning of this month, since my youngest sister has been nagging us to go to the Island of the Gods :).  It was a short but fun trip...with two of my aunties, and her grandsons.  Misfits were overjoyed...Big M loooves her Koko Nicholas...she followed him everywhere....even rebellious at times...they fought, they played, they had fun....I was happy :).  The hubby stayed home...it was basically an all girls trip (with the exception of my nephews hehehe).

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

big m's birthday prep

Last week was Princess M's birthday.  We decided to just invite her classmates and cousins and since she's been nagging me to have a birthday at lollipop, so it was only natural to celebrate it there.  I'll post some pictures soon :)...been extra busy with life...

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

underwater indonesia

The book has actually been out for quite awhile, they're now for sale at Kinokuniya.  It was launched during The Deep show a few months ago.  This is my Mom's and her friends' first underwater photography book.  Some of her underwater photos are featured in this book and I am so proud of her.  One of the biggest bank in Indonesia, BCA, will feature all of her underwater photos for their 2012 calendar!!!!  I could hardly wait!  I've seen the preview and I must say...it's well done...I think she's a pro, now :).  Congrats, Mom! You're the best!

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

they were princesses

for a day, at least...and they had so much fun!!!!  I'm so glad I did the make up package for them...after all, they're not going to be little princesses forever and I hope this will give them very fond childhood memories :).  

Princess Belle cried in the beginning, but enjoyed the whole session in the end.  Princess Aurora has always been happy from the beginning.  They were stars for a day...all eyes were on them...there were quite a few people asking to get pictures with them! There was even one incident when I've positioned them nicely at Tinker Bell's flowers and was ready to take some shots...when suddenly a bunch of Malaysian strangers took their positions and posed away....once they were gone...the princesses refused to be photographed :(....all my little hard work went to waste :D...

Princesses in the making :D

My two little Princesses

Top: people asking to take pictures with them. Bottom: The Malaysian group I was telling
you about hahahahahahha :) so funny

xoxo,
www.liaspace.com

magically hot, humid and tiring....

But it was definitely my two little princesses' happiest days (literally) :).  We just got back last week from Hong Kong for a family holiday with my parents.  The first few nights we spent at Causewaybay and had a lot of good foods....I told my husband if I live in Hong Kong for too long, I'm sure I'll die soon due to over eating :D.  The last two nights we spent at Disney Hotel, it was a total chaos every morning until around noon, we couldn't get into our room until after 3pm.  It was magically expensive for sure :)...everything adds up, here...plus the shopping!  But it sure was a magical experience for the children....they had children kimonos, slippers and even their amenities are packed with the seven dwarves...their carpets had silhouette of mickey, minnie, goofy, donald, daisy and pluto.

Fun day 1 at Disney.  Little misfit cried when she was riding the cup :)

Breakfast with characters and fun day 2 at Disneyland

I will need to go back to sewing real soon...I just have to finish up a bunch of things I left behind at work (headache) and plus, Big M's birthday is coming soon, too! arghghghghghgh

xoxo, 

www.liaspace.com