Big bows from used cloth

Looks good right   ^.^

Hi, I am sorry...been neglecting my blog lately. It is final exam weeks and I have been busy preparing and helping my girls. So I guess...I am gonna publish only one post per week.   :-)  After taking break for weeks, here is my new creation of bows. As you can see from the picture, I didn’t use any ribbons here but used old clothes instead. I cut lots of small circles (diameter of 5cm) out of the old clothes (pity…I don’t have the one with pattern). I made around 18 circles. Beside it, you will need black felt (cut into 2 small circles), hair clip, needle and some thread. Yes, less hot gun glue use for a while  *grinning*

I bought this @Artbox...my inspiration source   >.<

Tada...i made so many he he he

How to:

1. Make triangle (fold it anyway you like) of all circles
2. Stitch the triangle one by one onto the black felt (cover the black felt in circular pattern)
3. Continue until you have stitched up 2/3 of your circles
4. Stitch together 3 triangles and sew it to the black felt. Fasten if required
5. Stitch the last 3 triangles and again sew it to the black felt.
6. Fasten the thread (make several knots to ensure it is well-fasten) on the back of the black felt
7. Glue the back of the black felt on to the clip. If you are using barreta clip (like me), dissemble the clip first prior gluing.
8. Glue another black felt on top of the clip (to secure the clip) and re-assemble the clip (for barreta)
9. If you are using hair rubber band, you can stitch the rubber band onto the black felt and glue another black felt on top of the rubber band
10. Last step is to arrange the flower petals as you like

Step 1

Step 2 - 3

Step 4 - 6

Step 7 - 8 (for using barreta clip)

Step 9 - 10 (for using hair rubber)

There is another method to make this flowery bow:

1. Prepare around 10 – 14 small circles (I used the leftover circles)
2. Set aside 2 circles and fold the rest (into half circle)
3. Put 1 circle then add on top of it, the fold ones. Do it one by one, by rotating the half circle (please look at the picture provided)
4. At the end, add on top of it, the last circle
5. Stitch the middle of the circle. Please ensure that you stitch all of them (including the fold ones)
6. Fasten the thread.
7. Now you can either fasten the flower onto a hairclip or hair-band or hair rubber or pin (for bodice corsage) or even onto small ribbon (for wrist corsage).  Don’t forget to arrange the flower petals.

Step 1 - 4

Step 5 -  7

Awesome isn’t it   :-D 

The Bourne Legacy

Last night, I have my monthly-movie-date with my dear husband, watching The Bourne Legacy that I had been anxious to watch for over a month. It was release almost a month ago, however it was only put up for play since last week, and only @IMAX phewww. However, I’m glad to catch it last night (yes, it has been playing at cinemas since last Wednesday).

I took this pic from www.21cineplex.com   :-)

Anyway, I was quite confused during the first 30mins of the movie. Mind you, I didn’t read the synopsis of the movie beforehand…my bad. Beside, I haven’t read the book as well (yes, there is a book by Eric Van Lustbander, which was quite hard to find here) and the movie trailer that I watched few months ago doesn’t give much clue anyway so I thought, it was another sequel of Jason Bourne movie, with different actor. I thought this Jeremy Renner was replacing Matt Damon as Jason Bourne LOL. I kept thinking that Jeremy Renner wasn’t suitable to play as Jason he he he. So don’t mix this movie with the previous trilogy of Bourne movies since this one has little connection with the trilogy. They only display few footage taken from the ending part of The Bourne Ultimatum movie.

My husband was confused too…I could see that he was so restless during the first hour of the movie (well, either that or maybe because of the mosquitoes…geez I felt it too but lucky…no bite at all   *grinning*). Anyway, he was not Bourne’ fan like me…so it was a good chance that he didn’t understand at all…what was going on, on the movie. I don’t blame him though, since the first hour of the movie was moving so fast from one scene in Alaska to another in America then moved to some scene in London…and even Korea. Not to mention the switching between the present scenes with some memories (yes…I hate those as well).

However, I should give thumb up for Jeremy Renner (remember the agent in MI: The Ghost Protocol and Hawkeye from The Avengers) as Aaron Cross. He was Kenneth James, an army soldier who was pronounced death in Iraqi war. Aaron Cross was an agent in Outcome program, which emphasis on improvement of mental and physical abilities through medication (pills). Apparently, since the Bourne case with Threadstone, American’ gov created other similar programs as well, such as Blackbriar (2^nd generation of Threadstone), Outcome, LARK 3 (which emphasis on creating a killing machine, an agent who cast his/her empathy), and others which were not mentioned on the movie.

Due to public disclosure of the highly confidential information of Threadstone and Blackbriar, Outcome program was terminated. All of the agents were terminated as well (read: killed), including the scientist team who had been working on the research and pill for Outcome. Aaron, as the sole survival agent who managed to slip out of death, was helping Dr Shearing (also the sole survival from the scientist team) from being killed. And in return, Aaron asked Dr Shearing to help him terminating his dependency on the pills. This led them to Manila, where the virus (pills' factory) was made. Of course, the American’ gov wouldn’t wait…the chase continued to Manila, by sending one of Bangkok’s LARK agent and the movie get more interesting from here on.

The second last hour was packed with action…love it. I love the bike chasing in the congested alleys of Manila (ehm sure looks like my neighborhood LOL). I love how Dr Shearing trying hard to stay alive and to help Aaron get rid of the LARK agent (mind you...she does have a loud voice he he he). And who would expect that the outstanding agent was killed, simply by a haste kick of a girl he he he. At the end, you could find Aaron and Dr Shearing in the middle of the sea…definitely somewhere on the globe.

World of Wonders (amusement park) - Citraraya Cikupa, Tangerang

It's Thursday already...have you planned for your weekend? How about spending some time with your kids here @Citraraya cikupa? They have something new called World of Wonders, just opened for 2 months   :-)

In front of 'tiny' China's great wall

I knew about World of Wonders (WOW) from an article in one of the property mag. It is the newest establishment of Citraraya housing estate @Cikupa, Tangerang (by Ciputra developer). There was a phone number (021-5961820) however, I'd never connected even once. So, we decided to try our luck, visiting the place few days ago by utilizing our iGo Amigo GPS. Since we didn't know the exact address and I found none elsewhere (including on the official website of Citraraya)...so we asked around when we arrived there. DON'T ask about WOW (they don't know the name of the place), but ask about the children playing area (or swimming pool) instead, they will directly point the direction in which you should go.

The second roundabout statue and Mardi Gras signage

I took the highway road (to Merak) and exited at Bitung, Curug. Then about less than 1km, turn to Bitung, Cikupa (don't go to the right of Jitake,Tangerang). Follow the road for about 5km until you see the grande main entrance of Citraraya. Then, turn to left and go straight about less than 2km, until you see Mardi Gras (the second roundabout). The amusement park is on the left side of the Mardi Gras (about 250m from the parking gate). If you see the ferris wheel from the parking gate, then you have arrived at the right place.

The entrance fee is 20k per pax (above 1yo requires ticket) for weekday (Mon - Thurs), including 1 ride ticket. They open from 2pm during weekday and from 10am for weekend and public holiday. For weekend (Fri - Sun) and public holiday, the entrace fee will be 25k including 1 ride ticket. The continuing ticket (the entrace plus all-ride-ticket) is 55k for weekday and 65k for weekend and public holiday. However, for this continuing ticket, each pax is allowed to ride the same ride twice only. And since they don't offer sorta express pass, better come during normal weekend. It was such a crowd when we went there and there were long queue almost on every ride. My tips: buy your children the continuing ticket and yourselves the entrance ticket :-)

The price list

At the first glance, WOW is very similar to China's Window of the World (CWoW), however, WOW only displays the wonders of the world. So you will find Spinx with selected Egyptian's God and Goddess statues inside. Pyramid made of sorta glass, with mirror maze/labyrinth inside. Caution: drink a lot since the Pyramid turns out to be very hot in the inside. They have China's great-wall with some terracota soldiers and Chinese girls' statues. They also have Stonehenge, Liberty Statue, Pisa Tower, San Fransisco's Bridge, Borobudur and Candi Prambanan. They have Ziggurat for karaoke as well as Colloseum for 4D show.

Some of the rides

I clearly can see that WOW uses CWoW as reference. The difference only lays on the size, in which WOW is much...much...much smaller compare to CWoW. If you need a whole day to visit CWoW and walk until your feet are sore, to reach one place from another, here at WOW, you only need to walk few steps away LOL

Beside the wonders of the world, WOW also displays some distinct animals and tribes such as mammoth with its nomads, various dinos, gladiators, even the famous myth like loch-ness monster. As for the rides, they have the normal rides such as carrousel, ferris wheel, comical train, bumper boat and car, and some extreme rides that we can find here at Jkt's mall or Dufan (not as complete as Dufan though). They also have Lampion Garden which only opens after 6pm. If you are lucky, you could catch their mascots (but prepare some money for tip if you would like to take the picture with them...yeah...I know it's not common at Jkt but apperently they do tip there @Cikupa)

Posed with the dino's claw on the entrance

Daddy with Cia2 on a ride (didn't know the name of the ride though)

Enough with the ride, you could have a blast at Water World (right next to WOW). The ticket will be 30k for weekday and 35k per pax (above 1yo requires ticket) on weekend and public holiday. I didn't enter but from outside, at glimpse, it looks like Water Boom @Lippo Cikarang.

HELP! Cia2 was being caught by the Roman soldiers   :-)

Well, imho, WOW can be one of family amusement park if the developer/management take proper maintenance and further improvement. At least, for people who lives @Cikupa doesn't need to travel such distance (about 1hour if the traffic is light) to Dufan to have the same fun day. I've decided to come back sometimes in the near future...when it's not as crowded as this time.

The one @WOW

This one was @CWOW...same pose at different places with almost same background LOL

I was so tired…let’s see how fast and how good the newly bought 2kg King Koil Goose Down feather pillow will put me asleep    *winking*

Simple bow

Have you seen the latest Magnum ice stick commercial advertisement (ca)? At first, I thought it was some new release movie trailer, especially with the Academic Award winner actor and actress in it. At the end, it turns out to be the new golden chocolate with caramel Magnum. Ehm, I love choc but I hate caramel the most…Seeing the gold doesn’t appetizing. Perhaps I’m more the classic type   

Talking bout some classic thing, I made this classic bow quite sometimes ago, but I just had time to write it now (sometimes I forgot to take a pic when I make something...but now, I always has my ipod or blackberry nearby). It is so simple so you will be able to create yours without difficulty.

As usual, you will need ribbons (I used sheer organza ones), hairclip, thread and needle, pin needle and scissors. You can add other ornament for decoration too (I use small silvery beads).

Step 1 - 4

How to:
1. Fold the ribbon like shown on the pic. You can use pin needle to secure the folds. Fold it so you have around 3-5loops.
2. Insert the thread into the needle and make a knot on the end of the thread. Stitch the middle of the ribbon (as shown by the pic).
3. After finish stitching, pull the thread so the ribbon will crease.
4. Tidy up the loops as you like and wrap the thread around the middle of the ribbon, at least 2times. Make a knot to secure the wrapping.
5. Prepare another smaller ribbon. If you want, you can insert the beads into this ribbon.
6. Wrap the smaller ribbon around the big one, to cover the thread, and tie it around the clip. You can glue it as well, to ensure it is well-fasten.

Step 5 - 6

You can attach the decoration (use glue) onto the ribbon, as you wish. Now you have your bow ready for use.

Shops that I like

During the last holiday, I visited lots of mall, one after another and I happened to spend more time on the below shops (I made it into the big 5) rather than clothes or handbag or shoes ones 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 These shops sell fancy teeny mini ensy bitsy piece and I Ŀ♡√Ɛ to browse all those. My girls too *grinning*

Something I found @Scoop, for tea leaves

Let's start with the shop on my top list, Scoop. Scoop has been around for a year or two, and you could find the latest (with more new stuffs) @Supermall Karawaci and Kota Kasablanka Mall, or you could visit the one @SMS or MKG. Scoop sell various cute and unexpected things, from stationery up to kitchen utensils, small ornaments for decorating your room and lots more. I Ŀ♡√Ɛ Scoop because their stuff are unique and every visit will bring a creative idea for me. I like how they put the display as well the humble price...Ŀ♡√Ɛ it...Ŀ♡√Ɛ it...Ŀ♡√Ɛ it! My husband who normally waits for us outside, like to come in and browse as well 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】

Next, let's welcome the newcomer in town, Class Room @ Central Park. The shop is quite small but you would find the shop to be eye-catching. As per the brand name, they mainly focus on stationery and gifts, with price started from as cheap as 10k. But still, you could find something unique if you browse thoroughly there :-)

Down to my list, I have ArtBox for Korean knick-knacks. They have several outlets but I often visit the one @MKG. I Ŀ♡√Ɛ the notebook sold there, with their pretty cover and cute picture...unressistible! They sell sleeping wears, undies, ribbons and bows, stationeries and many more. They normally put some Korean songs on air too :-) Too bad, the price here is definitely higher than any other similar places

Items sold @Paper Studio

Next, I have scrapbooking store @GI and few days ago, I visited the outlet inside Gramedia @Central Park (don't have any idea though whether it's the same store or not, but the stuff sold are the same). Since I'm so much into art n craft, I could spend hours just to look at the pretty, cute, creative stuff here. Mostly they sell decoration ornament for scrapbooking, such as ribbons, buttons, fancy stickers and stamps, fancy cardboxes, and many more. I intended to buy their assorted buttons (various kinds with different size...would be perfect for my ribbon bows or other art need) however, a set of around 20pieces of button was sold more than 70k ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) wayyy to pricey just for a button...don't уσυ think so? I would do better to take out old buttons from the unused clothes in my storage room...єнммм....classy 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 Scrapbooking sure is an expensive hobbies, not my cup of tea. But it wouldn't hurt to simply browse the stuff, I can always duplicate some of them using anything that is at my disposal :-)

But luckily I found cheaper scrap-booking store, called Paper Studio @Kota Kasablanka Mall, they have other outlets @MKG, Citraland and several other malls. The stuff is cheaper however the variance offered is not as fancy as Scrapbooking store. If you are into scrap-booking, you might find Bukuunik.com another shop to consider as well.

Some books that i purchased at discounted price yayyy   :-)

Disinfectant gel for your gadget

The last shop on my list doesn't mean the least that I like. It is Times bookstore. And I particularly like the one @Lippo Karawaci since that one is the biggest. I could spend hours there...selecting the fictions or books on sale or the pricey unique knick-knack. Lucky they have a cafe so my husband could wait for me while drinking his coffee and my girls could play and have puddings while we are at it. Another benefit is, as a member, I often get special discount уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! 

Karimata resto - Sentul City

We have heard bout this place since early of this year, however, we had no chance to try it yet until few days ago. The location is pretty strategic, right after the highway exit gate of Sentul City (to your right). If уσυ are not familiar with Sentul area...no worry...they have big signage showing the way there.

Yum...yum...looks pretty good   :-P

The one @Kalimantan

The place is a bit rundown, so do not expect some fancy dine and hangout place. Very basic building, made of wood and bamboo, with ceiling fans to either keep the house flies away and to cool down the place. It is 2 storeys, in which they kept their fish tank down on the bottom floor. Parking space is quite big. They have 'lesehan' areas on the top floor (I decided to use top and bottom floors, since the top floor has direct access to their main entrance). In regards of the resto, i prefer kalimantan @Cimanggis, it is brighter and cleaner, more representable   :-)

Inside the resto @Karimata

@Kalimantan

The menus are various, but mostly seafood, though they offer poultry dishes and selected vegetables. We chose their main (famous) menu, Ikan Patin Bakar Bambu. And as for my girls, we ordered Ikan Gurame Goreng Kering, some fried tempe and tofu, plus corn soup. They were fast in preparing the dishes (not more than 15mins). I have to give thumbs up for the staffs in light caramel uniform, they were capable and fast, with servicing attitude as well.

Gurame goreng kering

The ikan patin bambu looked and smelled good, quite big for both of us (so I had more than my share here). However in term of taste, I prefer Ikan Patin Bakar Bambu Kalimantan (Cimanggis exit gate then turn to left). Here, it wasn't as spicy as Kalimantan's one and they put too much turmeric on the sauce. The mango salad was good but the portion was way too small (╥﹏╥) нιкѕѕѕ...(๑•́ ₃ •̀๑) I would like to ask for more but ... too much hassle. Compared to Kalimantan, the price here @Karimata is a bit cheaper.

The address and contact number

And if you would like to try it out (either Kalimantan or Karimata), I would recommend you to make a reservation first. They tend to get crowded on weekend and holiday.

Ιтα∂αкιмαѕυ いただきます

Novotel Bogor

They have these swings scattered around the lobby and corridor

Nice corridor right?

I like Novotel (well I'm the loyal Accor member anyway)...but I like the green action of Novotel. Almost all of the hotels (at least around Indonesia...been to several of them) optimize the environment-friendly architecture. There will be lots of greenery, open space that allows the breeze to sweep thru your room and wooden furnitures/building. Brings forward the minimalist layout, the rooms are still cozy and comfy.

The inner garden, near the lobby area

Lovely open area with lots of green...awesome

I like the restroom here, wooden furnished with big glass windows that make the room looks more spacious. Not to mention, they put real plants and shurub tree around the room as well...sure gives out a nice natural feeling.

Some children activities during holiday season

Especially the one here at Bogor, the open space and greenery are awesome. Too bad, the pool is too narrow but since they focused on family, they provide lots of activities (especially during holiday) to be enjoyed by the whole family. They have the kids club, horse riding and outbound for the kids, and spa to pamper the parent. They have table tennis, basketball court, and lots more facilities. Basically, it's a one stop family entertaining venue...we can stay at the hotel for whole day...fun!

New facility, outbound for children

Air Terjun Bidadari @Sentul Paradise Park

Air terjun Bidadari, Sentul

While we were looking for sightseeing place nearby Sentul, we came across a big banner of Sentul Paradise Park. Newly opened 2months ago, this place boosts its natural waterfall, Air Terjun Bidadari (phone # 021 87960742). I called right away, and the receptionist told me that it was about 8km from Sentul City. No worry, they have put a banner with direction on each turn so you would not take the wrong turn.

We were halfway there when my hubby realized that we were almost running out of fuel (it was roughly about 6km from Sentul City). Few mins of hesitation before we decided to turned-back and filled the fuel first. It would be risky if we continued and ran out of fuel...stopped in the middle of nowhere (there were valleys and small villages on the sides of the road). You have to be careful since the zigzag-ing road is pretty narrow (two ways). And we were lucky for turning back, since the estimated 8km were stretched to 11.5km before we saw the 'welcome' banner. From that point, we still went for another 1.5km, going down on a rough and difficult gravelled road ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) Gotta be extra careful here, since the valley and mountain view is sooo breath-taking. I kept saying...‎​‎​⊙.◎ ‎​‎​w(°ｏ°)w ⊙.◎ You would be better stop at the side of the road for picture taking and 'feasting' your eyes and soul (>.<)

Look at the road...phewww

The entrance fee will be 30k per pax (under 5yo is free) and another 10k for car (5k for bike). I would not mind the fee, however, the place is so much under-facilitated (it is kinda pricey). The construction is still halway done. Most of the walking path was gravelled and uneven, so pls...leave your high-heel at home and wear your old slipper/sandal (rubber boots will do too). They only have 1 restroom for the whole area. Inside, you will find public shower area with 8taps, but only one was running (with small water flow). The other were either cobwebbed or broken (just after 2months old geezzz). They only have 2 toilet cubicles (in which there was a palm-size-hole on one of its door) and another 2 changing rooms. Proper facilities maintenance was not done (either they didn't employ any cleaning service or the cleaning service staffs were on leave), you could see trash everywhere. I even spotted several used diapers being thrown carelessly on the grass ck! ck! ck!...ε٩(๑> ₃ <)۶з   Moms! Always bring your own plastic bag for trash pls!

The crowd during last holiday

The waterfall itself is quite ok...not too big or high but surrounded by awesome views (it sure could make you forget bout the restroom for a while). The water was cold (even under the scorching sun) and sometimes, we could feel the cold breeze from the mountain. However, (imho) the developer ruined this natural place by adding some huge human-made-meteorites (well...I didn't get it...the relation between meteorite with waterfall). And they build knee-depth pool around the waterfall (which at the time we visited, was muddy brown in color). Maybe it was due to the number of visitor that day (it was the 2nd day of Eid Mubarak). But...I do like how they add white beach sand on the spot...felt nice to my feet. I believe the sand was taken from somewhere else, and put around the pool.

The knee-depth pool

Well, I would like to come again...but definitely not on public holiday like this. Even though the human-made facilities were not on my definition of paradise (as per the name used...Sentul Paradise Park)...but the view there and on the way there are enough for me. It's definitely a luxury for city-girl like me *winking*