The Inspired piece

Hello everyone... When I went to Harrods London... I saw a beautiful black bolero made by Valentino that cost an arm and a leg. I thought it was silk but the shop assistance said its polyester. Then I came back to Bologna and made this one. Not exactly the same coz this one is more special made by Ritney. Took me a while to gathered the ruffle. and it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to work with slippery satin. But worth it. I'm happy with the result.

Welcome to a new comer

I just arrived back in Bologna and the comune there invite me to a welcome party for a new citizen. So there I was show off with Italian flag ^.^ The dress made by myself. I supposed to put on my pump shoes instead.. but I lost 'em somewhere around the house. I spoiled my entire look ;(

London Trip

hello everyone.. I just got back from fabrics shopping trip in London. Bcoz in my mind they have more latest stuff than anywhere.. so there I went. I brought back around 50kg of fabrics. Most of them are elastic. I went around for my fav taffetta but they didn't have. What a shamed. I ended up bought Silk Dupion though.

I stayed there for a week. Get incredible amused with the city. Very cosmopolitan. Love it! Wish to come back again and grab more supply..hahah

The weather was alright for London. Rain a bit in the morning and the sun came up gradually... and then rain again..lol

The other good thing about it is that I get alot of inspiration for my http://ritney.etsy.com/

but can't say anything yet since I haven't get my time set up for creating things. Shame on me!

Please check back later ^.^

RECYCLE Vintage Leather BAG

A while ago someone gave me a soft vintage leather jacket which was horrible. But b'coz its material so I thought I keep it. In case. Today when I'm feeling low.. I get the idea to make a bag out of it. Maybe can also give you an inspiration how to recycle thing. Now get your scissor ready.. So I dismantle everything on the jacket. Pieces and pieces.. doesn't need to be a perfect cut of piece. We are having fun here.. don't complicate your life..let your scissor take the rest. Then re-sew the pieces on top of each other into a one big piece. I folded in two and sew the side edges. It is recommended to use thread for a jeans.. basically strong thread than normal. Put the handle on the side and insert the lining (optional). I don't do zipper or pocket. I attach snap button though..also recycle from an old crap. Oh well.. at least the old jacket now has a new life until I get bore and wish for a new bag. So today moral lesson is not to throw away an old junk. Recycle them if possible. This world we are living in already occupied with rubbish. Lets together make a better living. What you need : -Any leather junk -scissor -Thread -fabric for lining (optional) -sewing machine (optional)..you still can sew by hand though. -willing..

Loop turning TIPS

Have you ever in a difficult situation of trying to turn the loop??? weather your about to making some straps or anything?Especially when the loop is stitch close on the end of it. Today I would like to share a little tips how to turn the loop..easily ^.^

Start with attaching a safety pin in the middle.. on the end of the strap

Then sew.. right side facing. All the way down till the end.

After you finish sewing.. push or pull up the safety pin (which now inside the loop already). Until you complete the turning. At this point you finish your turning. Iron your strap..Top stitch all around... and your strap ready to use.

I use this method to make straps for my obi belt. http://ritney.etsy.com

Have a really nice day for all the happy women outhere.

Balloon Skirt

Hello... I made a balloon skirt the other day. I would like to share a bit how. It is very easy project. Trace the pattern from any simple/basic skirt pattern you able to find. You don't need an exact measurement. The bigger the better to get "baloon effect". Cut the fabric. Make pattern for the lining by reducing the bottom length around 10cm. Add seam allowance. Sew together skirt and lining. Right side facing. Leave the top part un sewn.

For the ballon effect : Attach the elastic (more or less 90cm) on the seam allowance. The point where you sewn together skirt and lining. Now for the top part.. U may want to attach the waistband. Or insert the elastic on it. Or even better finish the skirt with drawstring method. Anyhow. It is fun easy project.

work out well with taffeta fabric. Any rigid fabric can do aswell. Feel free to try with different ways.

I wore the skirt for the Idul Fitri party. I received many compliments for such a simple effort. In the picture I wore the skirt with a large belt. Next time I'll try drawstring instead of plain waistband.

Every kitten

Do you recognise the cute face on the picture? It's kitten. The reason I stop my bike when I went back from the dentist. I find it impossible to walk by one without say hi...huhuhuhuhu.......... Currently I don't have one. We live in a flat. It is unfair for kitten to live in a cubical place. Unfair for human aswell..

Wrap it on

I always feel like wearing something easy for summer. Another continuation from "Faces" fabric. Wrap skirt.. just wrap it around ur hip.

Rose Applique

check it on http://ritney.etsy.com

It' s been going on in my mind. About how to make a fabric flower applique. Search a lot on the net. Finally I figure out one easy way. Cut a long strap.. fold it in half ..length wise. Stitch with basting stitch along the length wise. Pull the bottom thread till it create ruffle. From this point you can start making the flower.I attached it onto my Slip&Go bag. What d' ya think?

Subscribe to La Mia Boutique

It's a b'day gift from my mom in law. They give 50% discount for 1 year subscription. It's Italian. So sometimes I just guessing to construct some garment ;).. why not. Just like Burda we only have it in Italian. But I get used to it... used to guess..haha In my opinion.. this Boutique gives more urban clothes. Sometimes I find similar dress cut like the one on the shop display here in Bologna.

It wasn't meant to be

The color is brick red. Knit fabric. I'm not sure weather is cotton or jersey. It wasn't meant to be like this. Something went wrong in the process when I made the pattern. Supposed to be a wrap top. But end up like this. To spice it up I attached flower fabric in the front and let the tail free. You may find it in http://ritney.etsy.com/ I welcome you to have a look ;) It is gonna be the one and only i think. coz it wasn't meant to be..

A day out in the farm

We went to my Gf house the other day. Her house located in the country side. Where she can accomodate kitten... dogs... plants.... friends.. or about anything. We had BBQ... splendid!

she also has this kitten which always make me smile coz during summer time he get so skinny with the big head and bull face. Then during winter time become big CAT with thick fur and puffy pawn...loves it

set up etsy shop

In the end i realize I made to much gadget to enjoy myself. So yesterday I started to set up etsy shop to accomodate my cluters. My head spinning doing this. What a hardJob to make a first step. My husband says once I get the handle of things will be much easier. I welcome you all to drop by and have a look on my shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7640073 If u find nothing listed there meaning my head still spinning... HA.. hope you find something though. I will update the stuff regularly.

Happiness is..

How many people knows what is happiness actually means? What does it matter anyway? Some people even fool themselves *maybe includes me* to think that they are happy. How many people dare to ask themselves : "Am I happy?". Do they brave enough to answer the questions honestly. But they do have the courage to blame someone elses over their misery. Does alots of cash makes you happy? Helps though. Poverty doesn't makes you happy either. They say happiness comes from within. I learned not to rely my happiness on someone elses. For me.... the feeling of achievement; freedom and self satisfaction are my happiness. I bet there is more... I'll add it later once i figure it out. Let's be Happy then ;)

kitten on the pool

we are not the only one who feels like swimming on the hot summer day

Oooops.. Almost fall

I turn 27

Yesterday which is june 30 2008, I turn 27. I made black forest homemade cake during the day

and at night we went out to listen to the music. But it was tuesday in Bologna hardly any nightlife around. After "Pub Tour" like my husband named it, walk around city center with my high heel and sore feet. Found nothing! No music... per niente! We ended in a place with DJ played nonsense music just around the corner of via polese. I had a cocktail *didn't even made me tipsy, nothing*. I dissapointed. Another dissapointed birthday day.

betty lafea please no more

Today I took my braces off after 1.5 years of rapid treatment. Though that's all and you free???!!! THINK AGAIN. I have my retainer now. And because my teeth are freshly straighten so would be better if I wear my retainer almost every time but not when I eat or drink. Oh boy.. no wonder most of my friends who wears brace end up to re-putting their brace till the rest of their life or till they get fed up with it and prefer to give up the treatment and stay live with crooked teeth...oh how sad!! wish me luck ;)

Stop being worry

I need to tell myself over and over to stop being worry over nothing! I bet it's my nature alright. Why was I born under this sign *cancer*.. I am good hearted that's cool..but to be extra sensitive that is a headache. Hopefully I can cope with myself.. *sigh*. Today I tried to finish the "bikini project" but guess I couldn't manage to set up my zig zag stiches on top of my funny material fabric. This "many faces" fabric I adore so much only able to work with my serger. And I don't have cover stich feature... what to do!!!! My husband said my face look cleaner due to my illness. He said when I am sick.. I stop to being worry... ow.. there you go again. Worries means sick! So don't worry be happy! ow yeah ;)

Naughty cough

I have cough! so annoying. Everybody in the house are worrying coz I keep coughing and seems like I can't stop coughing... (not that I wished for that though). For the last few days I stayed at home. Do nothing but watching movies or browsing....*hey what's wrong with that?!* I completely stop being creative. Just can't do it now. I actually have a project waiting to finish. First time trial on making my own bikini. Should be a one day project this one. Eventhough I hate to make the strap..damn it!

Half Moon shape BAG

One hot sunny day came after a big rain the day before. I went to centro and had a look around with my NEW modified Charlie bag. Pretty huge isn't it.. Like it!!

Super star wannabe..Aha!

The whole look of d bag... Half moon shape.