Lovingly Knitted Gifts for The Little Ones

This project is so simple, I completed each of these sweet Baby Kimono Wrap Top within 2days, on top of my daily routine! It's an extremely easy knitting project for any beginner. I modified the design a little by crocheting the trimmings & adding colours. Free pattern is from The Lion Brand Yarn Website. They are now part of Princess Yuxin & Prince Joel's growing wardrobe :)

Collaboration with Designers

I always enjoy collaborations, especially with creative people & people in other specialization. This time, I'm collaborating with fashion (accessories) designer, Rayson Tan, to launch a hand-crochet bow-tie series for his label, L'ile aux Ashby. It's been really fun! Now we hope we have a "sell out" for the launch! Ganbatte ne! ;D

ps: Didn't bother to take nice photo shot. hehe... :P Check out www.lileauxashby.blogspot.com for really nice looking shot taken by Rayson :)

Meet Funky Knitter - Ava

Ava got to be the most hardworking Funky Knitter so far! She comes in for 4hrs every Sunday & still work on her own at home! Lucky boyfriend who gets to wear her "virgin project". Fits him perfectly! This pullover is knitted with 100% bamboo yarn, so it's good for Singapore too. Everyone's very happy, YAY!!! :D Boyfriend is too shy to show his face, hence this strange-looking photo. Haha... :D 

"Dear Betsy,

Learning from u so far has been fantastic. Although I have not had many lessons, u gave me a feeling that we are close friends who's lost touch and "found" each other again. haha...

A very patience tutor. Learnt alot from you. Alot of thanks.

Actually I don't know what else to say lei... Good lo... Thumbs up... Hehe.. Erm, in short, lots of thanks and keep up the good work.

If not for the shortage of yarn, I can really finish e sweater and give it to my boyfriend on Christmas. U really surprised me as i didn't think I can really do it in such a short time.

Thank you!" - Ava, 10th Feb 2009

Ava is now working on a new project. This time she's crocheting a pretty scarf for herself. Looking at her progress, I'm sure I'll be ready to show off her project here in 2weeks' time! Do look out for it! :)

Wonderful World

Nothing about knitting, crochet, nor crafting... but the most angelic voice singing one of my favourite songs. I can listen to Connie Talbot sing all day... You must also hear her sing "Over the Rainbow". Made me cry... her voice really touched my heart... Can't believe she's barely 8 this year! In fact, I think she was only 6 when this was recorded! Incredible! Really hope this innocent superstar will continue to shine & glow like an angel... 

This other clip melted my heart away. I'm sure you remember this talented little blind Korean girl who visited Singapore 1 or 2 years back? Enjoy...

Sunny Knotty Booties for Little Prince Joel

Made these extra tiny pair of booties, only 9.5cm in length, & they fit baby Joel Perfectly! Yay! I'm working on another little surprise for Baby Joel, almost completed. More than enough time for Joel's 1st month celebration next Sunday. I'm sure he'll look very handsome in it! I will post up the photo soon... :)

Wonderful Evening FreeForming

On 5th Feb 2009 (Thu), Knotty Bicsie had a guest STAR at our studio. FreeForm Textile Artist & Teacher, Prudence Mapstone, happen to be in Singapore for 3 days & agreed to conduct an Introductory workshop for our Funky Knitters & Crochet Craze. When she 1st arrived at our studio, I can't wait, but immediately whipped out my "Never Too Many Handbags" & asked for Prudence's autograph!

We were so lucky to have the master of FreeForm come teach us the principles & some techniques in FreeForming. Prudence is a very sweet & patient teacher. Her warm & vibrant smile, and encouraging words, makes twitching our clumsy fingers at FreeForming so much easier! Even Ava, who picked up crochet only 5days ago managed to come up with something cool!

By the end of the workshop, we were all so surprised by the chaotic, yet almost harmonious creations from our hands!

Check out our work of art!

This is my little "scrumble", as Prudence call it :) Might develop it into my submission for the "Yolo - Keep the Dream Alive" Art Competition. I'm so looking forward to see how it will turn out :)

A happy group photo before we call it a day...

Dear Prudence, Thank you so much for so generously teaching your tricks & sharing your experiences with us. I know you had an early flight the next morning, I hop u did not get back to your hotel to late after we ended at almost 10.30pm! Will keep you posted on our Freeforming progress definitely. Till we meet again, happy freeforming! :)

Introductory to FreeForm Knitting/Crochet Workshop

Dear Funky Knitters & Crochet Craze, GREAT NEWS!!!

Master of FreeForm Knitting/Crochet, Prudence Mapstone, is coming to town this February! Knotty Bicsie is collaborating with Prudence to have a very special workshop on Introductory to FreeForm Knitting/Crochet for you! 

Introductory FreeForm Knitting/Crochet Workshop by Prudence Mapstone

Date: 5th Feb 2009 (Thursday)

Time: 7-10pm

Venue: Admiralty Drive (nearest MRT: Sembawang). Full address details will be given upon registration.

Fees: S$50.00, excluding materials*

Registration: email bicsie@gmail.com to register. Confirmation upon FULL PAYMENT via inter-bank transfer*

*Email bicsie@gmail.com for full details.

Limited seats & 1-day only. So register now!

Hand-Crochet Gift for a Special Friend

Ayako has been a wonderful friend, who has inspired & helped Ed & I in many ways with her special gift. Always wanted to give her something really unique to show how much we treasure her friendship. Then one day, this sudden urge to knit/crochet a blouse for Ayako came so strong, I immediately started my new crochet project. Being very petite means her clothes are so fast to make :P I was so motivated, I actually complete this sweet top in less than 48hrs! The colour is so her, I knew she'd love it! Will try to get a photo of her wearing it & show it to all of you here soon :)

Secret Knitting Projects

Haha... This is hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing... :P

The BEST X'mas Present to YOU!

A friend sent me this amazing video. I think this is the most beautiful & best X'mas present I can think of for anyone! So this is from me to you, my friends! So let's all start validating & smiling today!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Merry Christmas!

What a Merry Merry Christmas!

Remember the 4 lovely Knotty Staffs I introduced earlier this month? Well, it's finally time to meet these friendly ladies in person! Come on down to X'mas Fashion Fair @Dhoby Ghaut (just outside Plaza Singapura Star Bucks) now! The fair runs from now till 28th Dec, open daily from 12noon-10pm. On days when crowd lingers on, our hardworking elves will surely stay on till past midnite!

Since these diligent Knotty Staffs are helping me @Dhoby Ghaut, where is Betsy then? Well, I'm "stuck" in my home studio either teaching knitting/crochet, or rushing out new products to replenish for everyday's sales @Dhoby Ghaut lo! But if you really really miss Betsy so much, you can catch me everyday between 11.30am-12noon @Dhoby Ghaut, or 6pm-12midnite this Fri & Sat @Clarke Quay (in front of "Clinic").

Christmas has been busy busy busy since I started Knotty Bicsie. Tiring, but fun & fulfilling. 2008's been an eventful year for both Knotty Bicsie & me personally: 

1) launch of our online shop, 

2) Tokyo Business Trip, 

3) Hokkaido Trip, 

4) setting up of KBCC, 

5) Knotty Tea Party, 

6) my 1st solo exhibition - Mee Suah, 

7) my O Level Art students achieving 100% distinctions, 

8) on Sunday Times, 

9) on Radio 100.3, 

10) sponsor to "Booties for My Footie" contest, 

11) starting of our supply shop, 

12) & now the Knotty Bicsie family has grown with 4 new wonderful helpers!

Wow! Exactly 12 happy occasions &/or breakthrough to celebrate over the 12days of X'mas! I'm counting my blessings everyday & am truly grateful for all that I have. Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, filled with love, joy & celebrations. what better way to end a year & to welcome a brand new year of new adventures & surprises...

Merry Christmas, Everyone! :)

Busy Busy X'mas Fairs Season

Knotty Bicsie will be at Clarke Quay the following days:

12th Dec 2008, Fri

13th Dec 2008, Sat

19th Dec 2008, Fri

20th Dec 2008, Sat

from 6pm-12midnight.

Do drop by to say hi! :)

While I am not @MAAD...

I did not go to MAAD last weekend because it's Edward's Birthday yesterday (7Dec). Heard that sales was good for many people. Too bad for Knotty Bicsie, I guess, but definitely NOT too bad for Betsy! Since I had a jolly good time with Edward & our family :)

On Saturday, Edward & I found this idyllic massage place @D'Kranji Farm Resort. Treated him to a relaxing 60min session, which includes foot scrub, leg massage, plus head, neck & shoulder massage. Honestly, we were so relaxed, we were somewhat rather sleepy after the session :P Then before going to the Pameran Poskad '08 Opening, some of us from Pauseability met up fora quick, but nice dinner at Olio Dome @Dempsey Place. That night, both of us slept very soundly... aarrr......... :)

Finally, it's Sunday, Edward's Birthday! Woke up early to make him Abalone & Chicken Mee Suah. Yummy...! :P After breakfast, when he left home for Airward Runway, the show began! Rei delivered the intricately customized cake over. Boy, I was so thrilled when I saw the cake! Isn't it gorgeous! Mum & Dad also came over to make this very special surprise delivery to Airward Runway for our Birthday Boy. Everyone was impressed with the beautifully constructed "Zero" on Ed's cake. Thanx, Rei!

After lunch, we played tourists & went to the Singapore Flyer for the very 1st time! hehe... It was Ed's mum's treat. Yippee! :D It was really nice to see Ed's mum so happy & excited. We took many many MANY photos (at least 35 shots) @Singapore Flyer alone! haha.... Very touristy indeed! lol.... Well, not that there's lotsa excitement there, but rather, it was a very nice family outing. :) If only Ed's Dad could come too... everything would be perfect...

Had a discussion with Ed last night. Wondering if I should still put so much energy on running bazaars, since our knitting/crochet workshops are picking up. Well, since I've already gotten a small group of Knotty Staff, maybe I should gradually hand the bazaar hopping task to them, so they can be Knotty Bicsie's ambassadors, while I can concentrate on our crafting studio. Now the real test for my Knotty Staff is the X'mas Fashion Fair @Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. If they can be independent & dependable, then Knotty Bicsie will be all set to fly in 2009! Ganbatte ne! ;)

Knotty Bicsie is Growing... What a Great Way to Start the Long Weekend!

I had a very fun Friday yesterday...

To start the day, Crochet Craze, Mimi, finally reached the assembly stage of her very 1st Amigurumi project. Can see she was very excited. When we were finally done, we were both very thrilled by how cute the little fella turns out! Kawaii ne!

"Hi! Betsy, thanks alot for agreeing to teach me desipte my deafness. Also appericate yr patience to write notes to explain during our crochet class. It is enjoyable to crochet, even though it was not easy at start! :P Yr blog 's very well written and lots of nice photos.. I wish I can blog like u but my grammer's not good. :( U might like to take a look at my website at http://www.micrafts.webs.com I love to try every crafts which interests me greatly...also I enjoy creating with my hands..:) Have a blessed xmas in advance!" - Mimi, 6th Dec 2008

Then Jullie came over with her freshly baked apple crumble to catch up with Dewi, who's completed her 2nd pair of baby booties. Jullie's apple crumble is sooo.... yummy, we all got so distracted from our crochet session! We even went out for coffee later in the afternoon! haha...

Finally, the day I've been waiting for... Knotty Staff Training! As you know I've been trying to get part-time sales promoters, so here they are: Del, Sharis, Azree & Ee Wei. We had a ladies nite till almost 10pm! We started the session with a little knitting, which everyone agreed it to be extremely therapeutic, especially after a long day... Then of course, I showed the ladies how the stall is usually set up, we exchanged some ideas & these wonderful Knotty Staff sure gave me lotsa great suggestions & new ideas! O, we even had role-play for everyone to practice how to promote Knotty Bicsie! hehe... our staff training very pro, right?? Dun pray pray ar! lol.... :P

Del, Sharis, Azree & EeWei, thank you so much for the fun time we had last nite. Special thanks to EeWei, who's always so supportive & helpful! You're truly an amazing Knotty Fan! Let's make Knotty Bicsie SOLD OUT everyday at the fair! Yay! ;D

Pameran Poskad '08

I had fun making this postcard to be exhibited together with other 200+ artists from around the world. The exhibition is opening this Saturday. All postcards on display are for sale. Do join us. Who knows? You might be able to own a postcard by someone famous at a very affordable price! Knotty Bicsie's artist # is 028, under Pauseability.

KBCC #08: Drink Can Fun!

It was a cosy & relaxed afternoon @Pauseability last Saturday. Michelle & Isabelle came in a little late, but just in time before we made too much progress in our drink can weaving project.

After some squeaking, twisting, twitching, coiling... Wala! Check out our drink-can-bloom!

Then we decided to arrange them into a sculpture... Then came the idea of using them as our X'mas decoration for December's KBCC! Details as follows:

KBCC #09 - Rolling X'mas Party!

Date: 27th Dec 2008, Satyrday

Time: 2-5pm

Venue: Pauseability (Blk 125, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-541)

Synopsis:

Teacher EeWei will be showing us how to recycle plain rolls into beautiful work of art. Inspired by Yuken Teruya. Of course, not to forget our X'mas Cards Exchange! We've all decided to each make at least 1 ATC (Artist Trading Cards of size 2.5x3.5inches) on X'mas theme, which we will then trade among ourselves @KBCC.

So pls remember to bring rolls, scissors & cutters, completed X'mas ATC(s).

Registration: S$10.00/participant

RSVP: Pls RSVP by 22nd Dec 2008 (Monday)

Cya Next Year, Mee Suah...

Time flies... Today is the last day of Mee Suah Exhibition @The Arts House. But you know what? A group of knitting/crochet enthusiasts & I are already planning for next year's Mee Suah Party! So don't you worry, there'll surely be even more yummy treats to your senses coming your way next year! Look out for more colourful & playful Mee Suah in 2009! :D

For those who missed Mee Suah 2008, GOOD NEWS!!! Part of Mee Suah (only the FreeForm Knitted Art pieces) is travelling to Barang Barang (Central) for the month of December 2008, then to Barang Barang (SPC, Paya Lebar) for the month of Jan 2009. So you still got 2months to catch Mee Suah ;) Or you may also click here to view a VR video of Mee Suah @The Arts House. Courtesy of "Clair de Lune Photography". 

Cool Knitted Animation

Totally admire this work! This must be the MOST amount of knitting for a single piece of work!!! Special thanks to Moses of Pauseability for sharing it with me.

Mee Suah Opening on 8th Nov 2008

The photos are ready! Click here to view them.

Live Interview on Radio 100.3

Yesterday was a fun fun FUN day! Ed & I made a trip to SPH where we had our live interview with DJ Wilson. It was the second time I've been in a recording room. It is totally different from the 1st time many many years ago when i was a kid! I remember how a typical recording studio is a solemn black box, very intimidating & stressful. But Wilson's studio is the exact opposite: cheerful & vibrant. The cosy environment really helped us feel more relaxed during the interview... :)

Actually before getting to the recording studio, Ed & I decided to get touristy & started snapping away... :P

This is me just outside SPH gate. See 100.3? :D

Then we see this HUGE side just outside the Podium & we just couldn't resist! :P

Wilson brought us up to the waiting area of 100.3 office to wait while he finish off some work prior to the live broadcast. Waited for 25min.... with nothing much to do, we decided to play with our camera again. hehe...

FINALLY! Inside the recording studio with our handsome DJ Wilson. & the show begins... :)

I have a recording of the whole interview, still trying to figure out which part of it to put on this blog... also trying to figure out how to do it with my iMovie. :)

Special Thanks to DJ Wilson for making yet another tiny little childhood dream of mine come true! You know what I mean. ;)

Ed & I felt a great sense of satisfaction & felicity yesterday. Never did we imagine that my seemingly crazy decision 2years ago, plus my willful & stubborn perseverance to run Knotty Bicsie have brought us so far & to so many places... We've been featured in magazines, Straits Times, made business trip to the kingdom of kawaii craft, Tokyo, been on TV with Pauseability, done my solo exhibition, now live interview on radio! Wow! I can never imagine such exciting journey if I had stayed on in my previous job. Tough route, but definitely adventurous & full of surprises, very fulfilling... I'm very grateful for all these colourful stories in this new chapter of my life, & I thank all of you who make these delightful stories possible!