Tuesday 31 August 2021

PRICELESS: NANAY PONG’S TIME-WORN COIN PURSE

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD


One late afternoon, she saw her Nanay (mother) giggling whilst comfortably sat on the hut’s bench; abutted to the compound’s twig tower fence. That is why she curiously asked her, “why are you giggling, ‘nay?”. Her mother then replied, “I won the last two!”. What she meant was, she won a sum of money through the urban betting where the winning last two numbers was based on the weekly draw of the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office). In practical terms, this is when a small amount of money is to be paid to someone in exchange for chosen combinations from numbers 00 to 99. You will then know the winning result within 24 hours or a night after. In their conversation, her Nanay intimately added, “I won’t give you money like others, but I will buy snacks for us”. She then warmly replied to her, “no worries!”. 

When her Nanay was going to buy snacks and grabbed the purse out of her culottes’ slip pocket, she noticed the delicateness of the coin purse. Actually, it was quite scruffy and too unreliable for her remaining bills. That is why, she politely asked if they could exchange purses. She contentedly and freely handed over her purse without removing the contents. That intimate conversation she had with her Nanay years ago forever lives in her memory! 


Most wealthy parent(s) would bequeath their children either before or after they passed away. However, she is one of the many who inherited nothing but the anecdotal coin purse. It is the sole hand-me-down memorabilia given by her Nanay, which she carefully keeps for 12 years to date. Personally, she treats it as a masquerade heirloom which holds reminiscences and priceless flashbacks. 

One of the days, when she was navigating the online world for a coin purse, she ended-up with nothing. She found a few but they lacked charm and were unparalleled to her personality. A few days after, she rummaged through a drawer which consisted of trinkets and found her Nanay’s nostalgic coin purse. It made her realise that there was no urge to buy a new one as all she had to do was to allot time for an overall restoration of the coin purse and spruce up its features. 

The unexpected restoration, through a fits and starts procedure, took 7 days to complete. Actually, she presumed to be able to finish it in a few days. Unfortunately, the delicateness of the original fabric and its fiddly size caused delays. 

The personalised end result was achieved by using the excess fabric of her garments; surplus material from her handbag; the convenience of stitches using a sewing machine and the laborious needle & thimble of hand sewing. In particular, the original frayed fabric was strengthened by sticking and stitching a dissimilar fabric. It was then embellished using colourful cushions with decorative flowers, front and back, and accentuated with the original yet enhanced carbine hook. Moreover, the base has been smartened with colourful embroidered eyelets.

The lining has two joint fabric and were seamed. However, the see-through lines of the featured lining were embroidered by hand. It was carried out to emphasise the leaves and its stems. Apart from that, it was then upheld by securing interior flaps and finalised with a customised functional mini slip pocket.

Furthermore, the stiffness of the coin purse was a result of the fusible foam stabiliser. This was inserted between the outer and its lining fabric. More importantly, this is now a reliable coin purse because of its sturdier zipper in gold plated slider with a black leather puller. 

She doesn’t like dwelling in the past (a visit is more bearable) as it causes different emotional responses. However, she is very passionate about creating functional pieces from upcycled materials and more so, if each component embodies untold stories. On that account, here is another handcrafted piece of Fits and Starts sewn by Quidnunc Queen and named, “Priceless: Nanay Pong’s Time-Worn Coin Purse”.

Friday 13 August 2021

MAGIC OF THAILAND IN MILTON KEYNES

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Lockdown has brought many people closer and kinder to one another. It also has an effect of appreciating and valuing more the familiar "things" we used to plan, enjoy and explore in life. I.e., the priceless freedom of travelling or choosing a holiday destination that was once at the reach of our fingertips. When the national restrictions (e.g., meet up, travel guidance, etc.) have been lifted, we thought that life's activities are going back to its normal grounds. However, the conventional approach of visiting sweat-inducing countries to many of us is still a wish list. It's because travelling abroad could costs someone exorbitant fees on top of their flight tickets; accommodation prices and expenditure. That is why, for most of us who can afford to travel before do yearn for hassle-free and reasonable means of booking a vacation of our own choice. 

On the 07th and 08th of August this year, your Quidnunc Queen was able to travel to Thailand on land and not by air. Her expedition for 2 days happened here in the United Kingdom and the town was halfway between London and Birmingham, Milton Keynes. Where she experienced once again the diverse culture and awe inspiring tradition of Thailand as well as their friendly community at Campbell Park on Silbury Blvd., MK9 4AD. This all became possible because of the toil people and heartwarming organisers behind "Magic of Thailand". 

At the event, she was mesmerised by the presence of a group of monks who chanted for blessings and healing on stage before the planned programme convenes; 

she was drawn in at the for sale displayed stuff and interestingly nosy about the flavoursome cuisine of the transient stalls surrounding the venue;

she was baffled and curious about the erected Muay Thai's boxing ring on the park; 


she was fascinated by the graceful hand movements and body language of the Thai Traditional dancers who dolled themselves in colourful clothing, chut thai, and wore ornate headdress, makuáš­a; 

she was electrified by the exhilarating performance of the “Ladyboys of Thailand” on stage. Who have stage names as Vivienne Westwood and TK ThaiKisschen. One of the creative impersonators, TK ThaiKisschen, is an entrepreneur who owns the fledgling business, Thai Kisschen; 

she was impressed by the upbeat singing voice and charismatic personality of urban pop singer, Geri Love, on stage; 

and she was entertained by the resilience (taste buds) and sportsmanship of nominees for “I'm British, Get Me Out of Here” eating competition demonstrated on stage. 

Magic of Thailand was established in 2012 and was first introduced in Southwest England, Dorset. Its main aim is to bring over to our respective towns or counties the diverse culture and awe inspiring tradition of Thailand as well as introduce more engaging surprises. More importantly, it functions as conveyor belt for a charitable cause, which has been raising and donating funds to various organisations and schools in Thailand. The production is headed by a team of organisers, namely Daniel Biggs, who has been the single-handed host for 5 years to date; Jackie Winitkun, who has been the moderator for “I'm British, Get Me Out of Here” eating competition; and Sal Dengate. Moreover, the success of the event last weekend “come rain or shine” weather condition was because of the invaluable reinforcement provided by a team of legwork staff. 

If you would like to know more supplementary information as to when they are coming around you or for more underpinning update, just click on the links below, 

 http://www.magicofthailand.co.uk 

 https://www.facebook.com/MagicOfThailandFestivals

The magnetic needle of your Quidnunc Queen's compass is pointing its direction towards north-east of London. This is where the Magic of Thailand is heading to this upcoming weekend, 14th and 15th of August.

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