Handmade Houses of Provence Collection By Michael Powell

A wonderful collectable series of counted cross stitch designs that depict a row of traditional French Provencal village houses. In the background the rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop to this pretty street scene. The houses can be stitched and individually framed or butted up together to create the full street scene of five houses.

Wedding entails a lot of work and pressure. It is totally not that easy at all. A lot of things are to be planned and done, just for that two BIG days, ie Wedding Dinner & Wedding day.

I had pre-wedding blues prior to my wedding, due to the heavy workload I had, yet I have to prepare for my wedding.

I got this checklist from the website and find it quite useful, for which I have further edited and customised, and hence would like to share with my fellow friends who are preparing for their wedding:
10 – 12 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Set your wedding date. Pick a few dates, just in case your desired venues are not available
- For date picking, you may consider this place in Penang, which is quite famous among the locals 金吊桶, Tel:04-2271655
- Discuss with parents and future in-laws on the style & size of wedding ceremony
- Book a date with the ROM and the ceremony venue
- Read More About Getting Married in Penang
- Submit forms for R.O.M.
- For R.O.M., you may consider Penang Moral Uplifting Society, Tel: 04-2267248

6 – 10 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Select the bridal boutique, followed by the bridal gowns and suits
- Shop for bridal accessories like bridal shoes, shirts for the groom and jewellery
- Have your studio / outdoor wedding photo shooting session
- More about preparation for photo shooting
- Draft your guest list
- Source for reception venues that suit your taste and budget
- Confirm and book your venues if you haven’t done so
- Choose and buy wedding rings, order engraving

3 – 6 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Confirm your tentative guest list
- Work on the final arrangements’ programs for wedding dinner, i.e. entertainment
- I engaged Starzband, Tel:012-4204971 (Edwin) as the entertainer of the night, and I am extremely satisfied with it
- Choose your favours, i.e. wedding cakes
- I got mine from Juat Khoon Pastry Centre, Tel:2632858 (Mr Foo)
- He is very kind to give a mock wedding cake for cake cutting ceremony which is nicer than those provided by the restaurant
- Final confirmation on wedding venues
- Arrange wedding transportation
- Arrange out-of-town guest accommodations
- Engage the photographers / videographers for the day
- I appointed Alex Tan as my photographer, and I'm astonished at way he captured all those wonderful moments. He can be contacted at 012-4037172
- Select your bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ring bearer, etc. Inform them about their duties.
- Help mothers of the bride and groom to choose their dresses


2 – 3 MONTHS BEFORE:

- Print you wedding cards, as most caterers provided you with the cards without the inlets and envelopes
- I got mine printed by Andy, Tel: 012-4238852
- He offered a much cheaper compared to those printers out there
- Reconfirm menu details. Remember to make arrangements for guests who are vegetarian or guest who takes halal food.
- Mail wedding cards
- Finalize your transport and music arrangements.

1 MONTH BEFORE:

- Prepare payment envelopes / ang pow for fees and gratuities; or gifts for your wedding party. Eg. Your attendants, relatives etc.
- Have a final fitting at the bridal boutique. Ensure your bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses will be ready on time.
- Finalise your floral arrangements, i.e. hand bouquet for the bride, corsages for the groom, bestman and bridesmaid during wedding day; hand corsages for the bridesmaids during wedding day; corsages for VIPs during the dinner
- Ask relatives and friends to help at the wedding and reception.
- Buy your guest book
- Arrange for the supply of beer, wine or liquor for the wedding dinner, should you need one
- You may try this, Seng Hoe (PG) Sdn. Bhd, Tel:04-2610921 (Mr Yap)
- Arrange for the caterers for the wedding day
- I engaged Sin Hong Kee Catering Services, Tel: 04-6443711

2 – 3 WEEKS BEFORE:

- Confirm dinner attendants
- Confirm dinner menu and food tasting
- Confirm final program and decorations for dinner
- Finalize seating arrangement for dinner
- Remind florist to arrange for bridal bouquet and corsages to be sent to your place early or arrange for pick-up one day before your wedding
- Submit the final guest count to the caterer / hotel/ restaurant
- Arrange your head table seating.
- Have a facial and hair mask

1 WEEK BEFORE:

- Have your rehearsal (if applicable)
- You may want to double check on the auspicious hour and have a run- through of the actual day customary formalities
- One last fitting of your bridal gowns to ensure the size fits as there can sometimes be drastic weight loss due to nervousness or franticness as the big day approaches
- Have a briefing with bridesmaids, best man and ushers to finalize duties assigned
- Book a relaxing massage or spa for the two of you to soothe away jitters and stress you have built up over the months
- Rest and eat well, drink lots of water so you’ll be absolutely fresh for the big day

1 DAY AHEAD:

- Pamper yourself with manicure and pedicure
- Perhaps, the groom may also have his manicure done, as hundreds would be shaking his hands on that big day
- Pack things to take to the wedding site
- Relax and sleep early

DAY OF THE WEDDING:

- Take a good breakfast.
- Have your hair and makeup done.
- Have your bridesmaid/ bestman to help in giving out your gratuities such as ang pow on your wedding day while you enjoy your wedding day without fussing over the small stuff..
- Enjoy the day

AFTER THE WEDDING:

- Tie up all the loose ends, i.e. settle any outstanding payments
- Send a token of gratitude to those who have lent you a hand in this big occasion

* My wedding did not follow the traditional Chinese cultural customs, and hence the checklist is not comprehensive enough if you are to abide by the traditional customs.

It's been ages since I last updated my blog. Has been very busy with work and preparing for my BIG day for the past few weeks. Finally, it's over! I'm truly relieved for that and absolutely feel so happy and contented that all the hard effort that myself and hubby had put in finally paid for.

My wedding was a successful one. Everything went on smoothly. Hurray!! A big hand for myself and hubby and to those who have helped us a lot along the journey. Thanks ya, my dearest friends and relatives, not forgetting our family members!

I was on my way back from Prai to the office. Upon reaching Jelutong Expressway, we (Siew Yee & myself) heard a weird sound. It's kinda loud that at first I thought that there was a helicopter flying just above my car. But, both of us have no sight of the helicopter. Only then I realised that my car tyre was punctured. Gosh!! It is damaged badly. Luckily that the car doesn't skid. I immediately called up my dear for my rescue. Thanks to my dear and my colleague for their prompt rescue.. How lucky we were..

This is the worst situation I have ever had with my car.... :(

I've been stretched to the fullest. I really do not know how much stress can I take any further. I'm under due pressure for work. My workload has been like a tonne of it that never ends. We are shorthanded, and we are downsized to only 10 staff, compared with 20 staff previously. Many of the colleagues are leaving, I doubt if we can handle so many jobs with the current manpower. Everyone of us are trying very hard to cope with the workload, everyone is down with uncountable pressure. We have been working for almost 10 hours a day, five days a week, plus a bonus of couple of hours on Saturday. Gosh!! How much more time do I left for myself?

My wedding day is just around the corner. There are so much things to be done. How I wish God could give me 24 hours more a day, coupled with energy and strength. Everyday, I came home with a deadly body, an exhausted skeleton, both mentally and physically. Pimples keep popping up one by one. A new one joined in the party daily. I do not want to be a "pimple-face" bride. But, my hormones are driving me crazy with all the external factors.

It was Emma's 1st Barkday on 11th March 2010! I totally have no idea where I can head for to buy her a birthday cake. In the end, I bought a cheese cake for her from Bread History. We celebrated her birthday for her as if she knows that it was her birthday.

She is no longer as adorable as previously she was. She is a young girl now. And the good thing is, she is getting smarter nowadays. She longer pee pee and poo poo in the house anymore. And, the best thing is, she understands the command "In". That's great, isn't it?

Kevin & Caroline

Save the Date for Me - It's My Wedding

We, Kevin Chew & Caroline Lim, are pleased to announce that we will be tying the knot this Summer. We would appreciate of you could kindly mark your calendar and save the date for us. You are cordially invited to our wedding dinner:-
Date: 10th July 2010
(corresponding to the 29th day of Chinese 5th Moon)
Time: 7.00 pm
Invitation cards would be delivered to your door step soon. See you then!
Regards,
From the Groom and the Bride

View our website: http://www.mywedding.com/kevincarol

Our wedding date: July 11, 2010

Two weeks before, I went to perm my hair. Most of my friends said I look better with curls, as it's not so dull,  while some said I'm not good in maintaining the curls. The curls look so nice right after the perm. I like the waviness of that.

It's been ages since I last updated my blog, was very busy and exhausted lately. As it's the peak period for our audit firm, we have to work till late night daily. Furthermore, we are short handed as many staff have tendered their resignations, I just reach home from a farewell dinner in Kim Steamboat. Today, it's Han Lieu's last day with us. Last week, it was Tian Hong, and a week before that, it was Yian. On average, one colleague left us weekly. Hopefully, we can survive through this peak period.

To view more photos onHan Lieu's Farewell

Many friends of mine are getting married either this year or next year, with some are planning for a blissful wedding. So am I. It's gotta be a wedding fever again. There are really dozens of things to be done prior to this BIG day. Last month, I had my gowns picking and photo shooting. It was terribly tiring. Many things needed to be done before photo shooting, such as: -

- Shopping for bridal shoes for the bride and groom.

- Shopping for shirts for the groom.

- Hunting for ampoules, fake lashes, nude bra and body foundation for the bride.  I got my ampoules from a shop in I-Avenue at a  very cheap price, like 10 bottles for RM20, for which the Bridal Studio(BS) is selling at approximately RM35 per bottle. Fake lashes can be obtained from Beauty Impact at about RM15 for 10 pairs for which BS is selling at approximately RM25 per pair. I got my body foundation from the BS and still  have plenty of them leftover. If anyone of you needed body foundation, you are welcomed to contact me.

- Pampering the bride with manicure and pedicure as well as having nails art to be done.

- Have enough of sleep, pamper yourself with facial and hair treatment, and visit your hair stylist for a hair cut  a week before the photo shooting,

- Bring along a few facial sponges for make-up if you have sensitive skin to avoid having breakouts after the photo shooting.

- A friend of mine, Phaik Wan, had suggested me drinking plenty of Barley drinks a week before photo shooting as your skin would be more radiant. I guess it helps too!

- Finally, bring along any memorable items or gifts along for the photo shooting!

I got to view my photos a week after the shooting., the photos were just nice. Guess the photographers are in the midst of designing the photos now. I'm waiting to be contacted to view the designed photos in April.

A peep into my Photo shooting>>>

After photo shooting, there are couple of things to be done before I can head for a good night sleep:-
- To remove every single make up off my face with make-up remover and have a good soothing facial right after that to pamper it

- Apply conditioner first on my hair to ease the tangles, before washing off with shampoo. I also apply hair treatment onto my hair to soothe the hair for the styling products it has to bear with earlier.

- Finally, I'm ready to board the bus to my Dreamland!!

2nd Directors Meeting
 
Date: 18th February 2010

Venue: Prai - Penang (Every director's house)

Time: 11.00am

Attendance: Beng Lay, Ben, May, Chee Huey, Tze Chin, Siew Yee & Caroline

Resolutions:

  1. To celebrate Chinese New Year
  2. To gather around and have some fun.
 3. To eat home cook food prepared by May's mum.
 4. To launch Hide & Seek and Siam Ban Lak mission.
 5. To enjoy Ms Beethoven's piano classes.
 6. To watch movie.
 7. To celebrate myself being eligible to collect red packets for the very last year.
 8. To play around with Ginny and Cha Cha.
 9. To taste the cheapest satay in Balik Pulau. (only at 25 sen per stick, you gotta believe it!!)
10. Chee Huey retires and eligible for re-electon at the next meeting.
11. Meeting adjourned at 8.30pm.

1st Directors Meeting
 
Date: 12th January 2010

Venue: US Pizza

Time: 7.00pm

Attendance: Beng Lay, May, Chee Huey, Hui Yin, Lay Beng, Siew Yee & Caroline

Resolutions:

1. To celebrate Hui Yin's 26th Birthday
2. To gather around and have some fun.
3. Caroline retires and eligible for re-electon at the next meeting.
4. Meeting adjourned at 8.30pm.

by Lynn Waters Busa

by Lynn Waters Busa 

My Third project, Kiss the Cook. This is specially stitched with lots of love for my COOK, aka my MUMMY, to thank her for the healthy and delicious food that she has been serving me all these years. I took approximately three months to complete this project. It's finally done! Yeah!

17th December 2009

I started having an early birthday celebration with my fellow buddies from my workplace. We went to Taoz for dinner. It's great and fun there.







And, I even got a present from Singapore. Thanks a lot, Tian Siang! Your Precious Moments is not just a mere birthday gift, but also a wedding gift to me. Like it so much!!




18th December 2009

This Special day of the day has been assigned to be spent with my loved ones, my dear and of coz' my family. My dear treated me to a buffet lunch in the newly opened Eastin Hotel. The food is nice, that's my opinion. I like the dessert most, as they are just too lovely. Ate till I'm bloated. Keke..






Later, spent the rest of the day dating with my dear before joining my family members for dinner in Kim Gary. I've got Kim Gary card, and was entitled to 50% discount for the meals, to the maximum of 6 pax. It's just nice, 6 of us- myself, my dear, my mum, parents-in-law and Yung. We ate a lot too, and the bill came out to be less than hundred bucks! Fantastic, isn't it?

I was older by one year old. And my birthday wishes are...shhrr~~ gotta keep it as secret, to make sure that it will come true.. Keke...

Last Christmas, I received this cute door hanger from my god sister. He is here to wish everyone a merry and blessed Christmas, a bit belated though. Coz' I'm too lazy to write up any post lately.

On Christmas eve, I was asked to make some cupcakes for mum. She wanted to serve them for her Christmas Party in ward. So, my silent night was spent at home, baking cupcakes and decorating them too. It's indeed a truly, silent night for me.. Hehe...

Just came back from Ipoh today to attend the funeral of my grandfather-in-law. He left this world peacefully on Monday. However, he is very lucky to have so many children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to be with him before he left. May he lives in the other 'world' happily in eternity.

Just now, I received a mail from United Kingdom. I was so happy, as I have been expecting this mail for the past one month. Finally, the postman delivered it to my house. It's my ACCA Certificate!

I'm finally a Certified Chartered Accountant!


My name is now officially known as - Caroline Lim Mei Hwa, ACCA, CFP.

Time really flies, it's the last day of the year!

The last two days of my 2009 were spent for stock takes. I have a very awesome experience this year. Yesterday, I went to a feed mill and flour mill factory. The feed and flour were placed in silos. We have to climb up the silos in order to measure the amount of the stock. The height of the silo is at 7-storey tall. Gosh! My legs seem not to be mine. I got height phobia!!

And, today, I went to a fishery cold room. The temperature of the cold room is at minus 20 degree Celsius. My nose and ears are freezing. It's worse than the winter that I had in Vancouver before. Even the pen that I was using, the ink totally cannot come out. I

Truthfully, this year really passed by very fast. Hopefully, next year would be a more fruitful year. And, may everyone has a blessed new year!!!

Goodbye, 2009!!!

This is Small-T. She is Emma's elder sister. But, I guess she has some abnormalities, as she can hardly grow bigger nowadays. My dear has abandoned her couple of months ago when he started to keep Emma as a pet. So, Small-T has been staying with me ever since then. I'm sure Small-T is happier staying with me as she has a cleaner house here. Though, it has shrink in size. Keke...

This is my second cross stitch project for my entire life. This is specially made for my god sister. Well, I took almost 3 months to complete it. I bought this in Sungai Wang while shopping with my god sister and started doing it end of September. I officially completed it just two hours ago. I feel so contented having completed this project. It's just too lovely. And, this piece of cloth is now on its way being framed by my neighbour. Hehe.

Connie, here's a glimpse of the project. The first picture was taken last night, using Lumix TZ7, while the second one was captured using Canon Ixus 50 just now. See the differences?

Just to refresh, this is my first project. I did it last year during my holiday.

Tala...Framed..