Welcome to Knotty Bicsie!: New Projects

Showing posts with label New Projects. Show all posts

A Dream Come True - Best Birthday Gift Ever!

A few years ago on my birthday, I set a goal to achieve something BIG by my 35th birthday - publishing an illustration book about a little girl who picks up knitting from a happy knitting elephant perhaps?

Well, on my 36th Birthday last year, not having a permanent space to continue with Knotty Bicsie, I was struggling to look for a direction for Knotty Bicsie. Not even anywhere close to the goal I set 5 years ago! "Fortunately" I was so busy picking up my pieces, I must say I don't remember feeling any disappointment nor sadness at all, for not being able to achieve my goal? Oops! :P

Another year has zoomed past, my 37th Birthday is approaching this Sunday. I'm proud to announce that I finally achieved something BIG! No illustration book YET, but I'm now a proud owner of Knotty Bicsie Knitting Cafe!!! And our official opening is of course this Sunday, 11Jan2015, on my Birthday! :D I am 2 years late, but better late then never right?? heehee... :P

Although a small shop, it really feels like a dream come true. Better yet, it feels like a 2nd home to my family & I. And so my NEW resolution, definitely aspire to be able to spend more time with my family, be it at our 2nd home, or anywhere around the world... AND to groom our 2nd home into a sustainable family "playground" for me & my 2 Dar-dars ;)

Here's a toast to everyone chasing your dream, may all your dreams come true like mine! May all sour dream manifest into something even more magnificent & magical!

Some Updates...

Dear Knotty Fans,

I know itx been a long while :P For those of you who haven't "Like" our Facebook Fan Page , pls do so, since I now post updates there more regularly. Itx simply too convenient to resist :P

If u haven't known, we now share a shop space with Artz Graine at 500 Guillemard Road #01-04 S399839. (Paya Lebar MRT exit D, behind City Plaza.) However, I do feel I am finally ready to fly solo, so am in the midst of looking for our very own shop space by March/April 2014. This sure is a BIG milestone for Knotty Bicsie! While feeling a bit nervous & uncertain, I do believe YOU, my dearest Knotty Fans, will continue to knit & crochet with me in years to come! ;) Like I always say, knitting & crochet are best enjoyed with fabulous friends! ;)

I do have some big plans lined up for 2014, so stay tuned...

Keep knitting/crocheting & smiling! :))) Together, let's make crafting, knitting & crochet a modern way of life for everyone! ;)

Cheers,

Betsy :)

NEW! Finger Knitting & Decoupage Tile Coasters Workshop

The school holidays are here & X'mas is just round the corner! As usual, Knotty Bicsie has prepared a few special workshops for our Knotty Fans this season. These workshops are suitable for children too. Great time to come learn something new & be able to hand-make something for your love ones this X'mas! :)

Finger knitting is a form of knitting done entirely using fingers with no knitting needles involved in this technique! It is a fun way to introduce knitting to anyone, including children and easy to learn. A great way to keep one occupied too, e.g. travelling, as it is safe to do finger-knitting on planes.

Finger knitting produces a long thin strip of stitches which can be made into many useful items such as a scarf, belt, hair / gift decoration!

Course Fees: S$28.00/pax, INCLUDES materials.Limited seats only. Email bicsie@gmail.com to register now! :)

Decoupage is the art of decorating an object using paper cut-outs, giving an appearance of depth and makes the pictures look as though they are painted on the object. Decoupage is a fun and easy way to decorate any object from small vases to large furniture. Best of all, decoupage can be learnt quickly in just a few steps.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to decorate tile coasters using decoupage, which make lovely handmade gifts for any occasion!

Course Fees: S$48.00/pax, INCLUDES materials.

Limited seats only. Email bicsie@gmail.com to register now! :)

Knotty Every on the Raod...

To participate, simply:

1) Like us on our facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/KnottyFans);

2) Post on our wall to tell us why u would like to pick up knitting from Knotty Bicsie;

3) If your wall post is accompanied by a photo of yourself with our Knotty Every, you get double the chance!

I see u have met Knotty Every after an extreme makeover! Stay tuned for MORE makeover coming your way from now till October 2013! We'll be having Giveaways whenever new "makeover procedure" is being spotted by our Knotty Fans :)

For our very 1st Giveaway, we are giving you a FREE Trial Funky Knit Workshop worth S$50.00! Simply like us on our facebook fan page & tell us why u would like to pick up knitting from Knotty Bicsie to stand a chance to win. We are giving away 3 FREE Trials every month from now till February 2013! Knotty Fans who already can knit can join too, & bring a family/friend to enjoy the free trial, & we'll be giving u, our beloved Funky Knitter a mystery gift. ;)

THREE winners per Draw.

FOUR Draws in total: 1 Dec 2012, 1 Jan 2013, 1 Feb 2013, 1 Mar 2013.

Closing dates are the last day of November 2012, December 2012, January 2013 & February 2013.

Me & My Bad Habit :/

Sometimes I do get "bored" doing some stuffs, especially when I'm at those "beefing up" stage of a project :/ So I always find myself working on more than a project concurrently, often too many at a go in fact! :P Guess I only have myself to blame when I feel I'm all over the place ba! *sigh* :/

Making Some Knotty Noises

Hello, Knotty Fans! I know it's been yet another long long time... SORRY!!! Just that mobile upload to fb these days are so convenient, I find myself posting photos with quick captions onto our fb Fan Page all the time instead :P So are u following our Knotty News on our Facebook Fan Page yet?? :P

I started sending my girl to childcare since April & this sure frees me some time to get busy at Knotty Bicsie again...

Besides adding a few more sessions to our ongoing workshops, we are very lucky to get another regular corporate client at which we conduct various corporate workshops on a monthly basis. Yay...! :)

And I've also started taking in more customized orders again... So Knotty Fans, bring on all your crazy requests & keep our fingers wriggling like mad! hehe... :)

GOOD NEWS!!! By popular demand, we are bringing back our very successful Handmade-A-Fair!!! Once again to celebrate our Anniversary this October, we've invited some super talented crafters to set up "stalls" at our humble studio to bring you an extra-ordinary shopping experience! So stay tuned for our 6th Anniversary promotions... coming REAL SOON...! ;)

Also in the pipeline, we are in the process of cooking up a yummilicious Mee Suah 2013 for next year! Woohoo...! If u've been following us on our fb Fan Page, u will know about our "BIGGEST investment" & "new member" to our Knotty Family - Knotty Every :) Yup, our cute little van, which I'm doing an extreme make-over on :) His "BIG REVEAL" will be at our Mee Suah 2013 of course ;)

Here's a TINY peep at some Knotty touches on Knotty Every so far... (ps: model not included, of course! :P And yup, that's my little monster at home :P)

So u see, even though we have been very "quiet", we are working real hard to bring more exciting stuffs to you in the next few years. & we thank you for your patience & continuous support all these years! THANK YOU!!! (& stay tuned for more juicy news here...! ;))

Happy Sling is Back!!!

CNY is round the corner! Have u gotten bags for your little ones to collect their "ang-baos"? Our Knotty Happy Slings are just what u need! They are perfect for ages 1-5, or even the young at heart :)

Each Happy Sling is uniquely hand-crocheted, with hand-sewn lining & hand-stitched applique. Mastepieces of our very own Knotty Elf, Irene. The 12x10cm pouch size is just enough for our EZ-Link card, a tissue pack, & maybe 1 or 2 little affections to bring out with :) The 100cm strap is also proportionate to the little ones' height. I'm sure they look VERY KAWAII on your little ones!!! :)

Only 3pcs left. So hurry! Email Betsy (bicsie@gmail.com) to order now!

Price: S$28.00 each,
EXclude S$4.00 postage via registered mail for local/Singapore address. S$8.00 for O-overseas address

To order, email bicsie@gmail.com your Full Name, Contact Number, Mailing Address & Name of Happy Sling you are ordering.

NEW!!! Rubber Stamp Carving Fun!

Rubber Stamp Making Workshop for Beginners

Duration: 2hr/workshop

Workshop Fees: S$32.00, INCLUDES ALL tools & materials

Available Slots:

- 25th Nov (Fri), 2-4pm;

- 26th Nov (Sat), 4-6pm;

- 2nd Dec (Fri), 2-4pm; or

- 3rd Dec (Sat), 4-6pm

To register, simply email your name, contact number & preferred slot to bicsie@gmail.com

Pls note that class size per session is minimum 4pax, maximum 8pax.

Yours Sincerely Making Some Noise

Hello, my friends! I hope this post finds everyone well & happy. & I sure hope my dear knotty fans are still following my blog even though I seems missing in action on this blog for a long while :( Sorry! Occasionally I will receive email, SMS, comments on my fb from u wonderful friends out there. This really brightens my day & warms my heart! Thank u! Rest assure that Knotty Bicsie will keep knitting & crocheting, & will always continue to spread these addictive hobbies! ;)

No blog post doesn't mean baby Edda has taken away all my time (even though I'm really quite occupied by my active little munchkin :P). Our crafting workshop is still busy & crowded as usual, especially on Fridays & Saturdays. There's also been quite a handful of customized orders...Interestingly, at one point some weeks ago, I had so many scarf orders, I had to activate my 2 wonderful knotty elves (my mum & funky-knitter-turn-crochet-craze Irene) to help out! We were wriggling our fingers into the nights like scarf factory! :P

Then there's the usual booties orders. Here's a few of the many uniquely handmade with love ;)

There's also been a few customized wedding dolls orders. I really need help in our little cottage studio all the time, so I decided to "groom" our very own crafty Irene to be my assistant. She started off unsure of her skills & workmanship, but time & again she impresses me with her meticulous attention to details & intricate finishings. More importantly, Knotty Fans' faces lit up with joy when they finally receive her fabulous work of heart! ;) Well done, Irene! These are 2 of her masterpieces. U'll see more of her creations I'm sure ;)

Finally, one rather embarrassing (at least to me) incident happened last week. 1 funky knitter asked me during our workshop what programs I have lined up for Knotty Bicsie's Anniversary this year & she's really looking forward to it. I feel very ashamed & paiseh when I had to admit that I haven't had any concrete plan yet :( but definitely there'll be promotions la :) I know I have to plan something interesting & prepare some real good deals. I cannot disappoint you, my dear supportive fans! So stay tuned. Look out for updates on our anniversary programs & promotions here next Friday on Teacher's Day! ;)

Till then, keep crafting! ;)

Working from Home...

HELLO!!! I know I haven't been blogging for a long long time... just couldn't find the quality time & discipline to do it :P Many thanks to all Knotty Fans who's been emailing/sms-ing your well-wishes. I feel so loved each time I hear from you peeps. Thank u! :)))

I always say Knotty Bicsie is a "happy accident", yet it's given me & my family our ideal lifestyle. Truly feel very lucky & blessed. Running my little home studio not only has given me lotsa freedom & flexibility to balance between work & family, most importantly now it's given me the joy of witnessing every milestone of my growing little angel. Edda is almost 8months old now... time really flies, watching her learn something new everyday. A little smile from her magically makes everything ok. We all laugh heartily with her whenever she laughs & giggles. She's indeed a bundle of joy packed with abundance of love & warmth :)

Well, besides "entertaining" & "being entertained by" Edda :P , I've been kept busy in our kitchen & our crafting studio too lo. Yup, been cooking almost everyday nowadays, healthier, save $$$, & less disruptive to our little girl's routine in the evening, even though it means getting busy in the kitchen as early as 6+am everyday @_@ So dinner out during Saturday nights have become a little treat for me :)

As for Knotty Bicsie's plan & directions for 2011, we will be focusing more on corporate deals & Weddin'Craft Parties this year...

We've had 2 groups of ladies coming over for their Hen's Party so far, & it's been really fun!

As for corporate workshops, we have the honour of working with Warren Golf Country Club, Singapore Chinese Girls' School Art Club & Sahara Sundance Event Company to conduct knitting & other crafting workshops since last year. All have been fun & exciting. Special thanks to all my instructors too. All these workshops would not be possible without YOU! :) Letx work hard together to make crafting a modern way of life for everyone! ;)

In adjustments to my new routine, Knotty Bicsie Home Studio is now opened on whole of Fri & Sat, & Sun mornings only. Selected Thursday slots are also available. Hence, to avoid disappointment, do book & confirm your slots as early as possible. :)

Introducing 2 of our many new Funky Knitters...

"The pace was slow enough for me therefore I could easily understand what she was teaching me. Now I am able to grasp the basic skills of knitting. As it was also a one-to-one teaching experience, that benefitted a lot as well." - Dellysda, 10th Feb 2011.

Sherman is really sweet & wanted to knit something for his sweetheart as Valentine's Day & went straight to YouTube. Unfortunately it turned out to be a disaster :P & eventually found his way to Knotty Bicsie Home Studio...

"My knitting experience is tough & challenging for me. Tangled up a couple of times & got mistakes. Knitting is not smooth-sailing at all. Thanks to Betsy for her kind patience & faithful teaching!" - Sherman Yeo, 12th Feb 2011.

Besides teaching, my fingers are still wriggling around to make some special orders for Knotty Fans out there. There's been some scarf, baby booties & other orders as well. A Knotty Phant Collector, Jet, kept her promise & came back again for her annual Knotty Phant! Now our 3 Knotty Phants are making friends @Jet's Japonicas Garden :)))

So you see, multi-tasking is definitely an under-statement for Knotty Bicsie this year :P Nevertheless, to maintain the quality of our creations & teachings, I'm sorry I have to disappointment some of you sometimes :( So pls do make your orders & confirm your workshops as early as possible to avoid any disappointment :)

Little House Cushion Workshop on 16th Dec 2010

Our Crafting Studio was filled with chatting & laughter last Thursday when our crafter-in-residence, Periwinkle, had her sewing workshop. 2 of the ladies turned out to be a hardcore fan of Periwinkle even before the workshop! So the experience was like learning from a celebrity idol for them B-) Teacher Suzanne even thoughtfully brought some Nonya pastries for the tea-break. All the colourful & pretty Little Houses sure made our studio a lot more cosy & lovely that day! ;)

Customized Orders

Been working on some customized orders lately... even now still working on a few new orders... Think will be kept busy all the way till X'mas liao :P

Knotty Bicsie Handmade-A-Fair 2010

For this year's Handmade-A-Fair, instead of showcasing crafters like last year, Knotty Bicsie will be showcasing a group of talented instructors who are dedicated to share their passion & craft :) There are limited seats for every workshops. So do sign up early to avoid disappointment. Closing date for registration: 5th Dec 2010

- Introductory Funky Knit (coaster)

- Tatting for X'mas (shuttle tatting)

- My Mini Garden (terrarium)

- Angelically Yours (Swarovski crystal beading)

- Little House Cushion (sewing. pin cushion)

- Bead-It-Your-Way! A Charming Time (bag charm)

- Bead-It-Your-Way! A Nostalgic Session (photo locket necklace)

Tatting for X'mas by SingTatter

Shuttle tatting is a centuries-old art of making fine laces. The lace consists almost entirely of double stitches or knots made using a shuttle, taking the form of rings & chains, & decorated with picots. Learn to shuttle tat & tat simple motifs for X’mas from Ellen Lai, founder of SingTatter Corner. Motifs may include simple snowflake, angel, bell & holly.