February 16, 2010

Happy Chinese New Year

Sunday Feb. 14th was not only a Valentine's Day, but it was Chinese New Year too. This year is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar. I consider myself a citizen of the world and I like to celebrate in many cultures andcustoms. I have been living as an expatriate in the last 30 years of mylife. I have met and made friends with people from all over the world. Many of my something special to celebrate Chinese New Year. We all brought in homemade Chinese food to share during our lunch break. We exchanged gifts like KrisKringle, but we called it Ching Chingle just to be unique.

The above Chinese New Year card was sent to me by my friend Mel after the event. I just love it because it is mostly red, my favorite colour at the moment.
We booked one meeting room to use for the day. We spread out the delicious homemade lunch and grape juice bubbly on the table, but I told them I needed to take some photos before they can start. In the photo from the left is Wan, Mel and Nan. Having them at work made my day very enjoyable.Thanks girls for the delicious food and the effort that you put into making it.

I got Mel for my Ching Chingle. Mel is a fountain pen collector and I know she has been wanting a pen roll to keep her pens together. I made her this roll from re-purposed jeans. It was quite fun and easy to make.
I got this cute Oriental print to use for the lining and pockets. I like it so much that I made one for myself too. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR everyone, itcan't be hard to be happy even though you are not Chinese...! If you are interested in reading about the Chinese Lunar Year you can go here.


13 comments:

dragonfly gypsy said...

Hi Nat, WOW!! Lucky you to have a great day like that with your friends. I must try it any excuse for a party. Your pen roll was fantastic. Cheers Sharron

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Oh Nat...I love the RED!

I think that it is great to share such a great friendship w/the gals at work...and what a way to celebrate the Chinese New Year!

Of course I love the gift that you made..it is so personalized and you used recycled material.

Thanks again for sharing.

Mel said...

I loved the pen roll. It was just the thing I needed to carry my pens in :) thank you!!! The celebration was wonderful. We were so full after the event!

Sue-Anne said...

Happy Chinese New Year Nat! Your lunch looks divine and what a nice way to break up the work day. Your pencil roll looks great too with the special fabric.

Terry said...

The lining fabric is great. Chinese dolls flying kites. Very New year.
Anice thoughtful gift as always.
Happy Stitching Terry

QuiltSue said...

Looks like you had a great day.

Happy New Year.

ria vogelzang said...

Love your picture of your friends! And the nice Chinese Balloons!!
Lovely pen roll you made for your friend Mel. gave me some idea's too..... ;))
Have a great day! Hugs, Ria.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hey Nat...Happy Chinese New Year (belated of course)...and I love that Pen Roll, what a great idea...Dzintra♥x

kaiteM said...

Happy New Year of the Tiger to you too Nat, and you've done a lovely job with that penholder, esp with finding the cute lining material. I made a red and gold fab'paper bookmark for a Chinese friend of mine. cheers,K.

Needled Mom said...

Happy Chines New Year to you! What a great pen case. I love the fabric.

Unknown said...

What a lovely day & time with your friends, Nat. Look at those lovely gifts, love the pencil holder & fabric.

Have a beautiful weekend.
Hugs ~ Marydon

Anonymous said...

What fun it is to work with people who become your friends, Natima.... Oh, I can just see you are going to have to bring a few empty suitcases to Japan to load all those pretty fabrics they have. I am so envious. :)

Micki said...

Happy Chinese New year and it is so nice that you had an enjoyable day!
Micki

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