My Obssession with Wall Hangings

I love wall hangings and if you see my house, you"ll find them all over. Don't be surprised if one day, I'll be making them .Here are some of my collections.


This one I won from eBay for $5. The owner bought it from Mexico. It's missing a small button-like felt on the right hand side of the tassle but you can't even noticed it.

  


Here's another one I got from the mountains in Banaue, Philippines. 

This one is a handmade mirrored wall hanging from Rajasthan, India. 

A beautiful handwoven tapestry from Peru.

Cushion Covers

A few months ago I was looking for a cover to replace the soiled covers of my floor cushions. It's not a started size so it was very hard to find something that would fit so I decided to make one instead. I'm happy with how it turned out. 

This was how it looked like before: 

And this is how it looks like after:

But then unfortunately, someone decided it was hers now!

Queen's Birthday Long Weekend Sale

Here in Sydney, we are currently on a long weekend for the Queen's Birthday on 11th June. And to celebrate, we are having a massive sale at Kikay Online Shop. 

We are having a massive 25% OFF EVERYTHING in store!

To get the discount, enter discount code: QUEEN at the checkout.

Here are some of the gorgeous products you can get on sale!

Click on the photo to purchase! 

Enjoy!

Was $60 Now $45

Was $75 Now $56.25

Was $75 Now $56.25

Was $65 Now $48.75

Was $36 Now 27

Linen Hobo Bag

This bag was inspired by the bags in the 1950s. Back in the 50s, the handbag was literally a handbag, worn over the forearm. In this bag design, I sort of made the handle a little longer so it can be worn over the shoulder.

 

This style has no flap so you can easily slip in and out stuff!
The leather handle is accented with rivets and it is made of high quality Japanese linen. It has 2 internal slip-on pockets reinforced with rivets!

OUTER FABRIC:
♥ 100% Black Japanese Linen

LINING:
♥ 100% Linen
♥ 100% Grey Cotton Canvas

Check it out here.

Handmade from Chulucanas, Peru

Here is my collection of Chulucanas pottery. Chulucanas is a remote town in Peru where these unique handmade ceramics are made by the descendants of the indigenous artist of northern Peru. The revived art form dates back to the Vicus community in 500 B.C. Chulucanas pottery are hand burnished with volcanic rock, decorated with earth colors of naturally-dyed slips, and based on their ancient culture for motifs as old as time.

I love these beautiful handmades and I hope one day, I can go and visit this place.

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

Red Dots Clutch Lucky Winner

Today we announced the lucky winner of the Red Dots Envelope Clutch competition. Thanks to all who joined the competition and congratulations to Cath Hicks. Well done Cath!

Here's the gorgeous gift from one of our new release envelope clutches.

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!

Black and White

I love making bags using the classic black and white colours. Here are a few samples of what I've made out of black and white designs.

 

 

 

 

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!)