Quote for the Day

Sunrise and Sunset in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Just wanted to share some of the photos I took from our trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia last November 2011. If you haven't been there, put it in your bucket list!

 Sunrise at Angkor Wat

 Sunset at Phnom Bakeng Temple

 

Sunset at Ton Le Sap Lake

My New Toy

Earlier this year when I got my fee for my project with Australian Homespun Magazine, I decided to invest it in something significant so that I've got a remembrance of that project. 

While I was flicking through the magazine, I noticed the limited edition Singer Sewing machine which really caught my eye. To make the long story short, I went to search for stockists of the sewing machine and went to get one.


I haven't used it yet but I am going to set a day some time to play around with it. Here it is ... my gorgeous new toy!

The First Kikay Bag

Back in Feb 2007, I tried to make my first bag. Without a pattern, I went ahead and cut a cotton canvas fabric I bought from Ebay UK. It was a very straightforward bag where I just cut 2 rectangles. Without knowledge of any techniques, I went ahead and sewed all 3 sides. Then I made an exact replica for the lining and then sewed the lining and main fabric together. After that, my sister showed me how to turn the lining right side out. 

Here's the very first kikay bag!

 

A Little About Me

I have been neglecting my blog for quite some time so I promised myself to write posts more often. And what better time than to do it on the first day of May. Today I've decided to write a little something about myself for the sake of those who've just joined my facebook page or followed my blog. 

50s Inspired Hobo Bags, 2011

My name is Monique and I'm the one-woman-show behind Kikay Designs. I started making bags (by accident!) 5 years ago. I have no formal training in design and have never had A lesson in sewing bags. So, I'm basically self taught. Most of my designs are random and inspiration comes from just about anywhere. I love colours and you may have noticed that I've got so much variety of styles and designs. It's because I get bored making the same bag over and over again. 

 Kikay in acrylic, 2004 

I love to paint using both oil and acrylic but I have not done this in a very long time. I hope to go back to painting one day. 

 Mexican Pot in Oil, 2003

When I get the time I play around with my camera just because I'm a "wannabe photographer" :) 

Vivid Sydney, 2010

Magic Hour, 2009

When I'm not sewing, taking photos or painting,  I tend to my succulents. I just love these plants. So crisp and colourful!

Last year, I was so surprised when the editor of Australian Homespun asked me to create an exclusive bag project for the magazine.So if you want to try out making your own bag, check out the my project in the February 2012 issue of the magazine.

Bowlicious Bag Project, 2012

Well, I guess that's all for now. Hope I didn't bore you!

21st Birthday Party

Last month, I had fun decorating my daughter's 21st birthday party. It was so much different from sewing for a change. The original plan was to do it in the garden but unfortunately it rained on us. So, on the last minute, we decorated the house. Here are some photos of the decorations --- tissue pompoms (which I made myself) and paper lanterns!

Table centerpieces made of tissue paper pompoms made into a bouquet held by a chopstick and placed in water bottles.

Paper lanterns hanged on corners 

I made these luggage tags as a giveaway!

Tissue paper pompoms!

Lanterns hang on top of the other with matching tissue paper pompoms!

 

Yummy fruit salad

Meet Kiki

Kiki is a Pomeranian x Silky Terrier puppy. My daughter got her when she was only 3 months old. When she's in the mood to play, she'll bring her toy to you and she won't leave you alone until you play tug-of-war with her. She loves to run around the yard, play with the soccer ball and chase birds.

She's a bright little princess who always think before she acts. During the day when she's by herself, she loves to lie down near the front window and watch people go by, sometimes barking at them, sometimes not (just depends if she likes your energy or not!). And when she needs to go, she goes up the stairs to her pee pad in the bathroom. 

She keeps herself busy with her toys and takes naps every now and then. Thank God she is not the type who would chew your furniture but she's got one weakness --- she loves to unroll the toilet paper when she's bored to death when home alone.

Kiki likes being silly, enjoys playing fetch and is always willing to collect her toys but of course with a price ... her favourite crispy liver treat.

Kiki is 10 months old today. Here she is posing at the camera (well, she was forced to by the human!)

Motivation and Inspiration

Have you had those days when you're not just motivated to do anything? or those times when you feel like doing something but there's just no inspiration pouring in? 

I get those days every now and then and my collection of favourite quotes always helps. Here are some of them. If you want to check out more, I post them in my Pinterest board called "Something to think about".

I hope you will find motivation and inspiration in these quotes and sayings. Enjoy!

 

One Down Eleven To Go

Yep, it's the last day of January 2012. 1 down, 11 more months to go until it's Christmas once more!

It's too scary thinking how time flies so quickly. I supposed the only way to stop the days from going so quickly is to take everyday slowly. So this year, I'm taking one day at a time. Let's see if I will have accomplished things by the end of the year. 

We have a brand new store at Storenvy. Storenvy is a social marketplace of cool stuff from thousands of indie sellers. Check out our awesome new shop or click that cool store icon on the top left menu.


This year, we are taking markets seriously so we will be attending shows and fairs more often. This Sunday, 5th of February, visit us at Heritage Craft Fair and St Ives Handmade Market. Come to a fair where time stands still, where you can see craft being created right before your eyes. Is it date? Please come and visit us. 

In my next post I have something very exciting to show you but for now my lips are sealed. Until next post ... 

2011 - It's been an Amazing Year

I know it's cliche, but I can't help but say that 2011 has gone so quickly (very quickly!). I have no complains. It's been an amazing year, lots of lessons learnt and bags made!

Bring it on 2012! 

My wish for everyone ... 

Last few days, SALE ends soon

http://kikaydesigns.com

Super Sale on NOw

http://kikaydesigns.com

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Somehow, not only for Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing, returns to you glad --- 

 Thank you all for an amazing year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 

Always on my mind, Forever in my heart.

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not meant to be
So he put his arms around you, and whispered come with me
With tearful eyes we watched you, as we saw you pass away
Although we love you deeply, we could not make you stay
Your golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us... He only takes the best.

Saturday Morning in Pictures

 Took a walk at 7.15 am

Coffee after my morning walk

Did the washing

Vaccum my studio

Morning Tea ... yummy Cottage Cheese (low fat!) and wafer thins

Time to organize the fabrics

Lunch, lunch , lunch!

A Week of Rain

It's been cold and wet all week in Sydney and it looks like it's going to be the same for the weekend. On the brighter side, it's nice to stay indoors to do some sewing in this yucky weather!

The Tote that was never planned

Back to sewing after 4 weeks of  being slack!

You may not know, but I'm the type who sometimes makes a sketch but most of the time, it's all in my head. With an idea in mind, I just go ahead and cut, design and sew! So, it's not surprising that my initial idea won’t make it to the final product.  

The Tote I made over the weekend is nothing like what I was planning to make. But as always, I love how I diverted my design and ended with a totally different bag. And yes, you guessed it right, this new design is coming out in the next few weeks just in time for my next market!