Spotlight at IPC is opened!

Yup! I now have a Spotlight closer to home! 

Well, ok, closer to my MIL's home actually! But that is close enough compared to the one at Ampang Point!

It would be nice if they open one in Subang Jaya though! LOL!

So, last Thursday, I took leave to spend time with my son who is home for the school holidays, and included in the outing a trip to Spotlight IPC!

Boy! I was like a kid at a playground as soon as I entered the front entrance! LOL!

I spent about an hour there.

Don't you just love all these vibrant colours?

I went there with a list of things to buy. I needed to get some things for the upcoming NNC 8th Anniversary celebration. 

However, I noticed that even though Spotlight IPC is a lot bigger in terms of floor area, but there are certain items I know Spotlight Ampang Point carries, but I could not find it at Spotlight IPC.

I think I went around 3 times but could not locate the items I was looking for.

I did not bother asking for assistance because I think it would be too difficult to try to describe it to the shop assistant if they have never been to the Spotlight at Ampang Point.

For one, I was looking for a needlecase that comes in the shape of a Russian Doll. I bought one at the Ampang Point outlet. I gave it to a friend. I thought I’d get another one to add it to the NNC Anniversary Gift Exchange (AGE). 

But since I could not find it at the IPC outlet, I had to decide what other things I can add to the AGE. 

Members of NNC attending the Anniversary Meet next week will have to wait to find out what exactly did I finally decided to buy to add to the AGE. *wink*

Here’s a photo of the basket of things I bought at Spotlight IPC. 

 

A few of the items you see went into the AGE, all packed up, wrapped and labelled (see previous posting on the teaser).

By the way, to those who have yet to drop by Spotlight IPC, they were having an Opening Sale when I was there last week.

I was so tempted to buy the washi tape selling at 50% off the original price.

If not for the fact that I don’t really know what to use the washi tape for, I think I would have bought a whole load! LOL!

But I simply could not resist buying the rick racks and colourful ribbons all nicely packed up, also selling at 50% of the original price. 

I bought 3 gadgets.

One is an envelope maker and the other a gift bag maker.

I have tried out the envelope maker and love it! It makes such cute envelopes!

I have yet to try out the gift bag maker though.

I also bought a die to make tags in several sizes. 

I thought this would help me get moving and motivated to start making the tag for the Tag Challenge for the NNC Anniversary Celebration. But, I just found out just now that the tag can’t be paper base!

Ok. Now I will have to rethink how to make my tag. Time to go to Pinterest again for ideas!

I also bought a few pieces of cottons to match the HST blocks I am currently making before I had to stop to focus on the Anniversary Celebration.

I also could not resist a pack of fat quarters in red and white. *grin*

Don’t ask me yet what I intend to do with them. I just bought them for the just in case moment! LOL! *wink*

I am very happy with my just acquired stash and gadget. I can’t really play with them yet though, until the 2 major events – my niece’s wedding reception this weekend, and the NNC 8th Anniversary celebration have passed.

Only then can I heave a sigh or relieve and have some fun playing with my new toys! *wink*

Finally got my ribbons organised!

I have loads of ribbons!

I think many of my crafting friends know that. Heheh.....

Each time I need a certain colour ribbon, I'd be looking high and low for them. They are upstairs in my craft room, or downstairs in the dining room cum craft area.

When I can't find the colour I need, I would go out a buy a new roll only to come back and find that I already have one in that colour! LOL! *grin*

So, a few months back, I chance upon this Tilda ribbon rack at Kelvin's when I went over  to get some supplies for a quilt I am doing.

I just can't resist buying it and immediately came back to organize my stash of ribbons! 

Don't they all look neat all organized?

But this is only 1/3rd of my ribbon collection!

I need to go and get maybe another one or maybe 2 more in order to have all my ribbons neatly organized! *grin*

For now, I will just have to be satisfied with this one rack. 

A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 7) – A great time with brother and SIL

After seeing off the rest of the group go off to where ever was planned earlier, my brother and SIL stayed on awhile to snap a few more photos.

Then it was to a craft shop that I have been dreaming of that someday I get to step foot into the shop!

It was about an hour’s drive from New York, with a picturesque view all along the way.

When we arrived at Joann’s, I felt like another dream just came true again!

Thanks and syukur alhamdullilah to Allah for making this dream come true!

I had one hour to spend at Joann’s as we other places we wanted to go to.

Boy! I was really spoilt for choice!

Luckily, or, was that unluckily, I am not a millionaire. If I were, I’d buy the whole store! LOL!

I dabble in so many hobbies, and trying to decide what to buy and to buy something that is worth it, coming all the way to the US, which I can’t find in Malaysia or are too expensive, was difficult, because a lot of the things were either not so easily available in Malaysia or, they cost an arm and a leg.

I couldn’t decide between which hobbies that I wanted to spend on – scrapbooking? Cross stitching? Patchwork and quilting? Rubber stamping? Baking? Crocheting? Sewing? It was like trying to make a major decision! LOL!

I went around and around Joann several times before finally making my choices.

Thanks, NikAi, for taking the photos! I was so excited I was in Joann's that I forgot to snap photos of my own!

Just look at all those fabrics! Trying to decide which one was hard! I want them all! LOL!

I finally decided on some patchwork and quilting stuff, a few things for my scrapbook and rubber stamping hobby and bought a couple of patterns for my sewing hobby.

The stash? You will have to wait for a separate posting dedicated just on the stash that I bought, but I am sure my craft friends are going to be envious when they see the stash that I actually managed to haul from this trip! LOL! *wink*

Next stop? The Woodbury Common Premium Outlet!

I am not actually a person who goes crazy buying branded items, especially when they cost a bomb. I’d rather spend it on craft stash. But, occasionally, when I find something branded that I like and it suits my budget (which isn’t exactly sky high *grin*), I would buy it, but that does not happen often.

I prefer to buy something that would either make me look good or makes me feel good about myself, and gives me confidence to go about my day, and it may or may not be a branded item.

So, I wasn’t initially excited about going to the Woodbury, but since everyone said that if you are in New York, you must visit the Premium Outlet. If not, your New York trip would not be complete. So, I was excited about the fact that I finally get to visit the much talked about Outlet!

It was an hour’s drive from Joann.

I never imagined how big the Outlet was going to be, and now that I have arrived at the Outlet, now I know why it is a must visit place when in New York!

I was in awe of how big it was and how many branded shops could be located all in one location! It was awesome, and yes, I was awestruck! I could not believe I was there! LOL!

When my brother and SIL asked me which shop I wanted to visit, I was at a lost.

There were so many shops to choose from but most of them were selling items I know I could only dream of ever being able to afford them.

Furthermore, I think I have better things I would rather spend my money on. Also, I don’t think I could ever bring myself to buy a handbag where the price is the cost of half of my salary. I‘d be crazy to spend that much money!

But in awe I was, and I wanted to visit them all as I don’t think I will have an opportunity to visit Woodbury again in the near future.

But Coach is a must visit store as this is one brand that many of my friends and relatives have been talking about and I was told it is one of the more affordable brands. I told myself that I must at least come home with one Coach Handbag! LOL! *wink*

I brother said that I should visit the Prada store as in Malaysia, I might never dare to step into one! LOL! He is right about that!

So here I am with a Prada handbag that I could never afford! LOL! Not yet, at least! *wink*

Just posing in front of another store I could never imagine buying from their items – Gucci. At least not yet! *grin*

So, let’s walk away for now.....

We chance upon members of my group who also took the opportunity to come to Woodbury.

We got to the Coach store, and oh my, I was spoilt for choice, and most of the items were, err.....kind of affordable! LOL!

I fell in love with this beige bag the minute I set eyes on it, but the price made me put it down again. But, wait, it was on sale! The final price? I am not telling! LOL! *wink*

The red salmon bag is lovely too!

Checking out a bag at Vera Bradley.

No, I did not buy anything at Vera Bradley as I think most of the items sold looks like something I can make myself. Maybe I can someday promote Uniquely Aznique too? *wink*

We just gave Burberry a pass as it was way too expensive for me to buy anything from there.

We took a short break at one of the many food courts available at the Outlet to enjoy Eli’s home cooked Nasi Lemak.

It was delicious! Really love it! Nasi Lemak all the way from New Jersey! See that satisfied look on my face? I look rounded too! LOL!

Thanks, NikAi and Eli!

After the short break, it was another round of going around to see more stores!

We stopped by Nine West and I almost did not buy this pair of boots when another lady would not let go of the other side of the shoe when she saw me trying it out.

I decided to just let it go. I did not feel like arguing with her over a pair of boots.

However when we came back later, she did not even buy the boots, so I decided to buy it as it was 60% off, if I remember it.

I am glad that we went back to get the boots because it was these pair of boots that kept my feet from freezing up the next few days as the boots I brought with me from Malaysia were not thick enough to sustain the freezing weather of New York and London.

Next stop, Kate Spade, as my brother wanted to get something for my mum.

I like this colourful handbag my SIL chose for my mum.

I feel like a little kid posing with my mum's Kate Spade! LOL!

If I wasn’t too worried about my luggage being in excess, I think I would have gone overboard and over my spending limit buying all the handbags I like! LOL!

In actual fact, I did actually buy an extra luggage, but that was planned well in advance as I had pre-ordered some craft items to be sent to my brother’s house well ahead of my journey and I needed another luggage to bring them back home with me as I started the trip with only a single standard size luggage. My brother had advised that I get the second luggage in the US as it would be cheaper and I would get a better quality luggage at the Outlet.

I could not, however, resist buying at least one Michael Korrs Handbag though! LOL! *wink*

It was another bag that I fell in love with the minute I saw it at the store front! LOL!

After that purchase, I told my brother that we are not making any more stops as I might not be able to resist buying another handbag! LOL!

I have no regrets about buying the things I bought that day, although I am not about to reveal how many pieces of handbags I bought that day *wink*, but, no, I did not go mad and bought 10 handbags! LOL!

Maybe if my luggage could fit,.....maybe..... LOL! *wink*

By the way, I also bought my son 2 pairs of High Top Converse shoes in red and black, and bought my hubby a Bostonian shoes at the Clarks Store. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong size. Hubby said that he will be keeping them for when Aiman can fit into them.

We arrived at the hotel and took a short rest before we headed out to dinner at the same halal shop I had dinner with my friends just the night before.

We were hungry and too tired to venture any further for dinner.

After dinner, we decided to go sightseeing......

Day 5 to be continued...again! – 6th February 2013 – the night is still young!

Went shopping but came back with nothing to show......

Huh? Went shopping but nothing to prove it? How’s that?

Well, read on.......

Epal had some sort of a road show to sell fabrics, gadgets and what nots related to sewing on the 7th of November, 2010. I thought they were having a sale. At least I thought that was what they told me when they called me to inform me about the event a week earlier. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a sale, but just a road show (they call it that) to sell things which before this are not available in their shop. I went there after 2.00pm when the weekly maid had left and after lunch was done with.

I think I will let the photos tell the story as a picture paints a thousand words.

Just look at all the fabrics on sale!

I went crazy looking at all these fabrics! I think I bought almost 1/3rd of what was sold! LOL! *blush! Opps! Shhhhhhhh! Better not let hubby here me say that! LOL! *grin*

Seen here is Ain writing down my very long list of orders! *grin*

There were samples of bags to give you ideas on how to use the fabrics on sale. Alas, they don't have classes on how to make the bags. *sigh* If they did, I think I'll probbaly sign up without even giving it a second thought! LOL!

There were also many quilts on show giving you more ideas and tempting you to buy more stash! LOL!

I especially like this quilt of tea cups and saucers!

I went crazy shopping for all the fabrics (like as if I don’t already have enough fabrics at home! LOL! ), almost bursting my budget but came home feeling like something is missing as I could not come home to play with my new stash of fabrics, as we can only order what we want, and it will only be made available in 2 weeks time. *sigh* Doesn’t that make you feel odd?

Anyway, here are SOME of the fabrics I bought.

I have many ideas on the types and design of bags that I want to do with all these newly acquired stash. The only problem now is that I need to find the time to do them. Now THAT is a BIG problem as work in the office does not look like it is going to slow down! *sign* Maybe around Christmas time when all the bosses go on holiday? I can only wish....

In the mean time, I shall be sleeping with my stash........ LOL! *wink*

Going on a diet!

No! No! Not the food diet! Well, I think I should go on the food diet too, but, not today, not now. *grin*

Today I am going to start on a Stash Shopping Diet! *grin* Believe me, I am! *grin* Yeah! Right! My stitching friends are going to shake their heads in disbelieve, knowing how much willpower I will need to get myself disciplined to really not stash, knowing very well how much I love to stash when it comes to my hobbies! LOL!

This evening, instead of going for my class at Epal to finish off my Telekung (Praying atttire) project, I decided to stay home and get my stash organised, as my son was not yet fit to attend his Robotics class. He still has not fully recovered from his chicken pox. He still has a few more scabs on his face and hands, and we did not want to take the risk of infecting any of the other kids at his Robotics class.

So, while my son and hubby took an afternoon nap, I decided to go through my fabric stash, and try to sort them out according to colours, or, at least, try to get them sorted out.

I spent almost 3 hours going through my stash before I finally got everything all neatly folded and nicely stacked up, although I did not finish organising them into their respective colours. I was beginning to get tired, and hungry! LOL! I must have used up all the energy from lunch to sort out all my stash! LOL! Goes to show you how much fabric stash I have! LOL!

To tell you honestly, though embarssingly, I think I have enough stash to last me more than a lifetime! If I were to convert them into bags, I think I can make maybe close to 50 bags, or maybe more! *blush*

It’s time I really start seriously thinking about turning my hobby into a money making business! Only then I will be able to use up as much of my stash as possible, and then, maybe after that, start buying more stash! Oopps! NO! LOL! *wink*

Here’s part of the stash.

The top photo shows fabrics bought at Nagoya and Kamdar. The bottom photo shows fabrics bought either at Sakura or Quilt Gallery.

The photos were taken when I first starting sorting out my stash, After going through 4 drawers of stash, I got too tired to take any more photographs! LOL! *blush* I was also getting too embarrassed and guilty to show off how much stash I actually have! LOL! *grin*

Definitely I am going on a Stash Shopping Diet, in that I will try to refrain myself from buying anymore fabrics! ...at least for this year! LOL! But, notions like zips, buttons, threads, etc, I will still need to buy in order for me to make my bags and other projects.

So, will I succeed? *wink* Wish me luck!

My lucky draw prize and a gift from Margaret!

Margaret hand delivered my lucky draw prize during the recent Stitching Bee on behalf of Mel when Mel herself could not join us as her mum had bought tickets for her for a holiday to Bangkok. Lucky Mel! Lucky me too for winning the lucky draw!

The bag that Mel made was really cute, though I thought that it was bigger when I first saw Mel post a photo of it at her Shoppe. *blush*

It might be small, but it was packed to the brim with plenty of lovely goodies! Just look at all the things that Mel had packed into the bag!

It was overflowing with all things crafts; it left me breathless in excitement! LOL!

I love everything in the bag, and definitely I can find plenty of use for all the stash that Mel gave. Thanks, Mel! Hugs!

Margaret did not only passed on the lucky draw prize that I won when we met at the bee, but Margaret also gave me a pack of birthday presents filled with so many lovely things, with most things being in my favourite colour, PINK!

Just look at all the lovely things I got!

I just simply love the strawberry emery. It is so awesome! So intricate! So sweet! So lovely! Just look at it close-up, and you can see the perfection in the making of the emery. Just lovely!

Thanks, Margaret! I really love everything you gave! Hugs!

BTW, Margaret also brought for me 2 pieces of cottons and a book that I had ordered at Mel’s Shoppe. Aren’t the pink stripes and polka dots so sweet and yummy? Even if I do make something out of these fabrics, I definitekly won’t be giving it away! LOL! *wink*

I also love the book on bags that I bought. I simply just can’t seem to get enough of bags! LOL!

Thanks, Margaret, for helping to bring all the things for me from Mel, and thanks again for the lovely birthday present. I am all excited again like my birthday was only just yesterday! LOL!