And the two lucky FACEBOOK likers are...

 

Winner # 1:  76

 Winner # 2: 6

...and the 2 lucky FACEBOOK LIKERS are....

ANNE, YANAY, and to the rest, THANK YOU for liking and patronizing By Beaded Story in Facebook. As my little way of giving thanks, Anne and Yanay, you may now choose your Mother's Heart Necklace or Mother's Heart Bracelet from THIS ALBUM.  Details on how and where to pick-up will be sent to you through private message soon.

 

Cheers!  'Til the next raffle.  Maybe Christmas 2012?  Or better yet, my birthday! 
 

Can't wait!

While in a sewing shop (yup! I am trying my luck on sewing due to my addiction on making T-shirt necklaces), an unknown yet pretty lady (read: mestiza) had blocked my way and said "Your dress is pretty, and I adore the embroidery.  Where did you get that?".  A long talk followed after.  

 

I had worn my Kaftan dress while shopping for thread, needles and strands of gold beads a week ago.  T-shirt necklaces aside, my dress had sparked my interest to pursue (and practice) sewing.  As a child, I sucked big time in sewing class and I still do.  A simple running stitch would turn into a crisscross stitch, then end all tangled up.  I remember having zero patience on sewing.

But I agree with pretty lady.  The embroidery is impeccable. Despite the internal dilemma of whether to identify the "mastermind" behind the dress or not, I gave in and shared details in the end.  Sorry Pinks, I broke my word.  But you and your dresses deserve recognition.

Photo c/o Pinky.  Model:  Pinky's co-worker.

My friend, Pinky, is a full-time corporate employee and a dedicated mom to her two "ducklings".   Like what I had said in a previous post, Pinky has been a long time aficionado for arranging floral bouquets and sculptures.  On occasions like Mother's Day or Birthdays, I order floral bouquets from her to give as gifts.  You may visit this post to see the floral arrangement Pinky had made for my Mom.

Photo c/o Pinky

Recently, Pinky had discovered her gift of designing and creating Kaftan dresses and blouses, still with flowers as main theme.  When members of her household are finally settled in for the night, only then she begins the works.

Photo c/o Pinky

Given the time and labor entailed to embroider flowers, her works still remain exclusive within her circle of friends. But the good news is, she plans to accommodate orders online soon. In the meantime, should you wish to inquire, you may send an email to bybeadedstory@gmail.com and I will surely relay your queries to Pinky. 

Photo c/o Pinky

Pretty!!!  Early this week, I had asked Pinky to make another dress for me using the design she had used on the maroon with old rose flowers blouse.  I am excited and can't wait any longer!
 

Chiqui is laughing because of my shoes...again!

"Dear Lord, my shoes are falling apart.  Please please please .... HELP .... I pray that those seated by the front have blurred vision!!!" Hilarious but yes, I must have said this prayer more than a hundred times while in between my church lines.   See those silver shoes?  Nightmare!!!  The straps had snapped off just right before the bridal march, and just a minute away from me saying my first line, "Please all stand".   J. Bond was my shoe and toes lookout.  All  straps were tightly tucked and pressed underneath my toes. I didn't dare move. Otherwise, my shoes would have flown.  I had told Chiqui  of my nightmare only after the ceremony.  I wouldn't dare tell her while in action, otherwise I would have lost my lines.  She only had this to say, "AGAIN!!! Hahaha!!!".  Yes, this ain't the first time, but rather, the nnnnnnnnnnnTH time.  Obviously, this has been my long time curse, while bag and pants zippers come second.

Yesterday, a cousin's wedding took place.  I came prepared with 2 pairs of shoes in tow plus a pair of slip-ons that I regularly use for driving and grocery shopping.  Of course, the expected had happened. Again.

The first, a high-heeled shoe that broke as soon as I had stepped foot on the Church's parking grounds.  I have had this pair for more than 5 years and have never been worn.  Until yesterday. For 10 seconds.

Not to worry.  I had my second pair which were on the flat side. I had brought this in anticipation of the running I was to do while taking photos.  The last time I have worn this pair was four years ago and at work.  Unfortunately, this pair had only reached the church's entrance.  See that nasty smile?  Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Thank God, my driving and grocery slip-ons remains sturdy and reliable. I wear this almost everyday.

I had asked J. Bond to take this photo of me for Chiqui's sake.  While at Church, Chiqui and I had a quick exchange of text messages regarding my shoe curse.

Me:  I'm in a wedding.  Guess what happened...again!

Chiqui:  OMG.  Your shoes?  Your bag?  (she knows!!!)

Me:  My shoes.  I brought three pairs.  The first two wakwak (broken)!  The first only reached the parking lot.  The second hanggang church entrance.  And the third is my grocery pair. So far so good.  Hahaha!  I swear palpak!!!

Chiqui:  Hahaha!  Trix!  Some things never change!

So Chiqui, I swear I will end this curse.  I will wear my grocery or driving shoes on special occasions from now on.  No more fancy looking heeled or flat shoes for me.  Lol! 

To dear readers, should you have tips on how to store and care for shoes, please feel free to share these with me.  This curse has got to end.

Quiapo and T-shirt necklaces

August is when life seems to slow down, probably a result of the ongoing strong rains and widespread floods.  So on rare  August days when the sun is up, I immediately grab and run to my favorite bead street in Quiapo. I've been running low on cords and tiny accent beads.

 

    

Even with trashy flood remnants scattered around Quiapo, I enjoyed my trip and had bought a lot of pretty finds that were not part of my original list. Nothing new. I am usually this way. I buy whatever catches my eye, and thus, end up overspending.  Ugh!

Raw and undone Floral Ceramic Beads and Mother and Child Medals. 

I had intended to hold another garage sale this month.  However, bad weather can absolutely put life on hold.  Ergo, I cancelled and opted to handover my sale stuff to flood victims instead.  Unfortunately, old shirts were scrapped from the list since these have been previously cut and converted into something like these :)

Courtesy of www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com

Courtesy of www.beadinggem.com

I am addicted to making and wearing T-shirt necklaces these days.  A really cool and creative way of recycling t-shirts which I had thought of as junk.  One of these days, I will share photos of my necklaces with you.  But in the meantime, here's an easy  tutorial video which had gotten me inspired and hyped up. No use of glue nor stitching involved :)

Rains, a Bruise and a Kaftan dress

I pray for the rains to stop, for floods to quickly subside, and for everyone's safety (and sanity).

The floods surrounding my Mom's place (in the Philippines) are way too minor compared to what is yet going on in the north.

  Pasay Road corner Amorsolo, Makati City

I am not in any way entitled to raise even a few sentiments. I am safe and so are my family, friends and Bugsy. Thank God!  News updates show the horrible damage of these rains to Filipinos, properties, and pets.  Yet,  I feel frustrated over the firm refusal of many  to evacuate homes situated in critical areas.  Both little things and hard earned belongings are hard to let go. I know. 

On my end, I slipped and badly bruised my left knee prior to meeting a bead client and a pleasurable window shopping spree two rainy days ago.  The photo shows the cleansed aftermath, but prior was all about a muddy and bloody scene. I remember having  skipped over a muddy path. Unfortunately, I slipped and bruised my knee. And as soon as my senses came to life, (in a hush tone) I had said three seemingly important words ..."Save My BAG!!!".  Oh yes, the bag came first before my own rescue.  I can laugh hard over my crazy mindset now, but I was tremendously dead serious about prioritizing the souvenir sack bag from Monaco given by Tita Cyn last year.  Ergo, there's zero difference between me and those who refuse to evacuate. And now, I am frustrated over my bruise, the limp way of walking and the pain caused by a slight bend. My bag, on the other hand, is back to its brand new form.

This photo was taken hours after the slip. Momentarily, I had forgotten all about the bruise while drooling over my new kaftan dress and  its amazing embroidery. I had posted an order days prior, and that unfateful day was the day I was scheduled to pick up.  Hidden behind was my wound. 

The dress with embroidered floral pattern was designed by my friend, Pinky.  A long time aficionado for arranging floral bouquets and sculptures, and from whom I have gotten my inspiration from for last year's lace  necklaces, Pinky has recently discovered her wonderful skill of designing Kaftan blouses and dresses. Given the time and labor  entailed to embroider flowers, her works remain exclusive within her circle of friends.  But the good news is, she  plans to accommodate orders online soon.   In the meantime, should you wish to inquire, you may send an email to bybeadedstory@gmail.com and I can surely relay your queries to Pinky.  It does feel great to support a friend who handmakes crafts  with hard work, passion and love.

Anyway,  we cannot control rains from coming, but we have the choice to stay safe.  Right?...lesson learned from the bruise I am currently nursing.  And when a bit of cheer and "healing" are needed, go and find for whatever can bright brighten your day.  In my case, my Kaftan embroidered dress :)  Stay safe and dry!