The One About FIDA Sewing and Arts School

I have always declared that the Philippines needs more creative spaces.  With malls and commercial establishments being built one after another, a quaint craft supply store or a small workshop venue always appears to be a breath of fresh air for artistic souls.  Just think of it:  a space when creative juices can freely flow, where untapped potential can redeem itself, where there are no mistakes, just artsy opportunities.

FIDA (Fashion Institute of Design and Arts) Sewing and Arts School is the (relatively) new kid on the creative block.  Founded in 2009 with schools in Davao and Cebu, their new branch is located in Silang, Cavite.   It is owned by Christine Munda who served as the academic director of the School for Fashion and the Arts (SOFA) at its inception.  Armed with her business degree and advanced fashion design education, she put up her own businesses in apparel, arts and crafts, and interior design.  Her vast experience in fashion and the arts ultimately led her to putting up FIDA.

The new FIDA location in Silang, Cavite promises to be a haven for individuals seeking to pursue inspired hobbies and artistic endeavors.  The school will be having its Open House and Soft Launch this week with a bevy of craft classes and sewing workshops.

 

Check out the classes that are offered this summer!

Naturally, the sewing classes caught my eye!  And hey, they even have workshops for crafty kiddies and young sewing enthusiasts!

As a creative, I cannot stress enough that one should allow herself the gift of inspired creativity.  FIDA Sewing and Arts School sounds like the perfect place for such gift. :)

Follow FIDA Sewing and Arts School on Facebook and Instagram or their website.

The One About The Summer That Was

As I write this blog entry, I am taking a break from unboxing my stuff from last school year in preparation for the advent of a new one.  I am slowly willing myself to get back into the teaching groove given that I have one more week before classes start.  However, it is proving to be more challenging than it used to be given the kind of summer vacation that I just had.

The summer that was was nothing short of wonderful.  Apart from a quick trip to Hong Kong, it was really nothing grand but every minute of it was well-spent and none of the I-just-lazed-around-and-watched-TV-and-slept-all-day kind.

I still woke up at around 5 o'clock in the morning to prepare my husband's baon.  Once he is off to work, I would steal a few more minutes of sweet slumber before finally waking up and preparing myself a light breakfast of either yogurt or omelette.  And I then I would clean the house until it is spic and span.  Twice a week, I would attend Zumba classes in a nearby gym which would send my endorphins singing well until the end of the day.  No need for coffee -- at least for two days a week. :)

Upon coming home and taking a shower, I would devote the rest of the day to either sewing, knitting, reading, trying out new recipes, or drawing up plans for my passion projects.  It would involve me sitting with Miss Gertie (my sewing machine and, yes, she has a name because, why not?) as she hums away happily as we churn out a new soft toy or an article of clothing.  It would involve me catching a good movie on TV with my knitting needles and a ball of yarn in my new attempt to make Waldorf balls for my new niece.  It would involve me curling up with a good book as I attempt to make my bedside pile shorter.  It would involve taking a quick trip to the grocery, picking out ingredients for a new recipe.  It would involve taking trips downtown, scouring for materials and supplies for future projects or sitting in a cafe with my laptop or notebook of ideas, mapping out the steps I will soon take for the things I am passionate about.  At times, I would catch up with friends I have not seen in a while.

More on this kimono soon!

Took an online workshop that fit right in my passion project plans!

At the end of each day, I have never felt more productive.  My husband has never felt more cared for.

At the end of each week - Fridays - to celebrate accomplishments no matter how small, I would treat myself to breakfast or lunch at some place as a way of indulging myself after a productive week.  It did not need to be expensive but I ate what made me happy.

Breakfast as Third Cup Cafe

Lunch at The Royal Picadilly Restaurant

 Breakfast at The Breakfast Table

On my last day of summer, I simply unplugged myself from my "work" schedule and took things easy.

And so, the summer that was.  There was no opportunity to be bored simply because I did not let myself be.  Poor TV was seldom turned on because there was always something "more important" to do.  The days were simple; the moments were all lovely.  :)

The One That Keeps My Coffee Cozy

Sorry for the pun in the title but it's just that I'm over the moon after finishing this new coffee cozy that took longer to finish than the first one I made.  This is a long overdue gift for a friend -- along with a long overdue coffee date with her. :)

I made a cardboard cutout of a coffee tumbler, wrapped the knitted cozy around it, and labelled the card with my friend's name in my beginner-level calligraphy skills and line drawing.

Next knitting project:  NOT a coffee cozy!  :)

Happy crafting!

The One About the Knitted Coffee Cozy

Another knitting project completed (as if ang dami!)!  Hahaha!  I wanted to make something simple since I was going to be following a knitting pattern for the first time.  Also because I wanted to be kinda OC and make sure all my stitches are neat, even, and tight. And because I had a coffee tumbler that looked kinda black-and-white sad, I gave it a pop of color.  Pink, nonetheless!

The tumbler is the one that I usually bring to work but since I'm on the last stretch of my summer break, I haven't used it yet with my cozy on.  So I just delight myself with looking at it while it's on display in one of our counters.

Now my fingers are itching to knit again... :)

Happy crafting!

The One When the TV Isn't Turned On

This is why I am learning not to like watching TV...

My reading pile becomes smaller...

 I try to learn new things...

(they turned out moist but I still can't get the frosting right!)

 I make crafts that make me hungry...

And I get to sharpen my fine motor skills!

Detailed posts on each picture soon!  Do some crafting this week! :)

The One When I Attended a Knitting Class

Last May 11th, I attended a knitting class.  I mentioned in a past blog entry that knitting had been in my craft bucket list for a long time.  I happened to read about the Ricefield Collective and when they announced a knitting workshop that they were conducting with Craft MNL, I saw it as a sign to start learning how to knit.

There were just six of us in the class at the Craft MNL headquarters at The Collective which was perfect for me because that meant an almost one-on-one teaching style.  I received my knitting kit which looked like this:

I was one of the early birds (or eager beavers!) so I chatted a little with Meredith and Anna from Ricefield Collective.  They showed us samples of their lovely work:

We were taught the slip knot, how to make the stitches, how to cast on and cast off.  The best part is, they helped me learn how to knit left-handed!  I'm left-handed and there has been some crafts that have been difficult for me to learn. :(  But I'm happy Anna showed me how to knit left-handed considering that she was right-handed. :)

 That's Anna Maltz of Ricefield Collective.

 Meredith Ramirez of Ricefield Collective

 My halfway-done work.

 My finger warmers/puppets!

 They're supposed to be tarsiers!  Hahaha!  Not quite!

Class picture!

It's been fun learning how to knit and to this day, I still keep asking myself why it has taken me that long to learn this craft.  I'm glad our school summer break is coming up because I'm planning to devote a considerable part of my vacation to knitting!  Here's to learning a new craft -- and the motivation to improve (those tarsiers need more work)!!!

Happy crafting! :)

Weekend Tidbits

Here's a lowdown of what took place last weekend:

1.  Checked out Mezza Norte in its newest location at Trinoma;
2.  Attended a knitting class!!!
3.  Made baked eggs!

I'm still swamped with work and just wanted to pop in this blog but I really will make detailed posts of each item in the coming days.

The weekend that was.  Hope yours was just as eventful!

:)