Sunday, October 31, 2010

A gift for Aunty Tasha

Natasha Nordin Manan is leaving for a 6 months backpack adventure in New Zealand. How cool is that? Tasha is related to me by marriage. She’s my uncle’s wife’s niece. My uncle is my dad’s elder brother (Pak Long). Back to Tasha. She started her travelog here. I’m looking forward to seeing New Zealand, the land of The Lords of The Ring through her eyes. She’s actually going in summer but I hope she’d find a use for this scarf as the weather gets cooler towards May next year.

Tasha advocates green living so I’ve recycled this gift box to put her scarf in. It was a box which Arwen’s first baju kurung came in from Shapiah of Chempaka Damask. I recycled every bit of it, from the box to the ribbon and the bit of strand thingy. 

To Tasha, Bon Voyage! We hope you have a blast in this adventure of yours. Knowing you, you’ll set the trail on fire :) Be safe and we’re going to miss you.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Inspired by my new book, One Yard Wonder. I did this early this morning after Subuh prayers while waiting for my son to get ready to school.

It’s not mine, it’s for a friend who asked me to make one for her antique sewing machine which used to be her late mom’s. Dr. Lala, I hope you like :)


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

More Books

This is taken on my more often than not messy sewing table
This one taken later. Playing around with my camera

Second take; taking notes on how to improve the quality of the photos

Alhamdulillah... I’ve been waiting for these books in the mail as I have a feeling that they’ll be arriving this week and found them stuffed in my mail box when I got home from the playground with the kids earlier this evening.

This is my second time ordering from Amazon.com and I’m really happy with my purchases. The first order were books on knits. This time around it’s One-Yard Wonders, Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross (I love her) and Making Children’s Clothes. 

I’m so over occupied with the books that I absent-mindedly marinated my chicken with curry powder instead of tumeric powder. I hope it’s not too hot for Danial later. Must get back to my chickens on the stove. Don’t want another kitchen disaster to happen. 

For now, I’m over the moon with these books...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Handphone Pouch

A handphone pouch to fit Nokia E72 made from Amy Butler’s Star Paisley in Apricot lined with green linen. It measures approximately 6” x 4”. 1” bigger both width and length-wise to my earlier version of the handphone pouch seen here. I’ve always enjoyed making one of these beauties. One of my favorite quick projects.

For durability, I’ve used lightweight interfacing for both the outer and inner fabric as well as the straps. I love the feel of fabric fused with interfacing.

Thanks Fazila. I hope you like it :)


Monday, October 25, 2010

Patchwork Bag Ver 2-Improved


My first patchwork bag caught the interest of a nice lady in Putrajaya and she had asked me to make one for her. Not long, she also added me in her Facebook friends (or was it the other way around?).

Anyway, this is her bag using the remnants of my Andromeda FQ bundle. The lining is made of Japanese cotton with matching colour. 

I say it’s improved because I went the little bit extra by adding medium weight interface to the lining for added durability. I’m the one who didn’t bother to read all the instructions, when I went back to Angela’s diaper bag tutorial, she actually did fused together heavy weight interface to her lining material. My bag didn’t have any interfacing for the lining. Kind of flimsy but it’s OK. It’s my bag. Anyway, I’m glad that I did. I know that I’ve made good quality product and people pay good money for it. The bag is priced at a premium. I won’t be making one if the price is not right. 

I’m “carless”  for the moment as my hubby’s car is in the workshop, thus he’s driving my car. But in a couple of days, this bag is going to meet it’s owner. We’re arranging for a meet up as she’s working in Putrajaya and I’m just looking for an excuse to get out of the house and break the routine. :)

Till then, have a wonderful, productive week ahead peeps! :)




Friday, October 22, 2010

The final series of the lumbar covers

This is the final update on my new lumbar cushion covers with Amy Butler’s Lotus Pond in Ivory. The other entries are here and here. Now my sofa has a fresh look. It’s true that you can’t force creativity. I was dragging this project after the first two covers. Took me some time to finish the third cover. When the mood set it last night, I finished the final two covers (the left and right most covers in the picture above) in less than an hour. 

Now, on to the next project...

Lucky 100!


When I started this blog, I’d never would have imagined that I’d have 100 followers. Who would have ‘thunk’ (I know it’s ‘thought’, but I just like the word) 100 people out there are following my blog. I’ve made friends through this blog and I’m sure I’ll be making new ones as I continue this blogging journey. 

My followers’ list stayed at 98 for the longest time and I’ve already promised myself that I’m going to give a surprise gift to the 100th follower. On Saturday, 17th October 2010, the lucky person to be the 100th follower is MIRA. I haven’t decided on what the surprise gift is going to be but I’m making one, that’s for sure.

To my other friends (I much prefer ‘friend’ to ‘follower’. It sounds like I’m a cult leader or something), thank you so much for sharing this wonderful blogging journey with me. I am planning to do a giveaway to my friends in conjunction with my birthday in November which is not long to go. That too, I have not decided on what the giveaway would be. Maybe a voucher to shop at Lil Arwen? What do you guys fancy? 

Monday, October 18, 2010

Mina’s Tie Top and Capri Pants


It’s the same as Delia’s (read about it here). This time it’s Caleb Gray’s Confections in Holiday with Ann Kelle’s Metro Market in Pink tie and ruffles. I just love working with these fabric.

I hope either the Daddy, or Mummy or even Granny will take pictures of them in these outfits.



Sunday, October 17, 2010

New Lumbar Cushion Covers

I washed the covers for my lumbar cushions on my sofa recently. After the wash, I wanted to put them on again but ALL, yes, ALL the zip on the covers went bust. My sofa is older than Danial and I guess when it’s time to go, it’s time to go.

I’ve been meaning to make new covers for the lumbar cushions anyway. It just that it never climb up on the list of things to make until this incident. My cushions were naked without a cover for a week. Good thing I wasn’t expecting any guests or received one for that matter.

A quick measure, and sew on the hems and the sides and Wallah! I made two early this morning and used snaps button in metallic grey as the closure. Danial noticed it the first thing when he woke up and complimented it. They got comfortable and I snapped their photo on the sofa. Aren’t they just darlings? My babies as well as the covers, in no particular order, hehehe...


Friday, October 15, 2010

Delia’s Top and Capri Pants


My aunt commissioned me to make a pair of top and capri pants for her grand-daughters. They are 2 and 3 years old but just about the same height so I made the tops and pants the same size. Just finished one using Caleb Gray’s Confections in cream. Love the cuppies.

Stay tuned for the other pair.

Friday, October 8, 2010

My Patchwork Bag


I realized that I don’t have a bag to call my own when I went for tea at Hajjar’s a few weeks ago. I’ve been comfortable sharing Arwen’s diaper bag that when I went solo, I don’t have a bag to put my own things in. 

So, after finishing cushion cover for my BFF, I’ve decided to make a tote for myself. I love the Andromeda colour palatte so, it just make sense that I make a bag out of the fat quarters. My inspiration is from Angela’s diaper bag

I quilted the patchwork in the ditch and 1/4 inch from the edge. Went the extra mile matching the thread with the colour of the fabric as best as I can. 

There’s only two side pockets outside. One long zippered pocket on one side and 3 elasticized pockets on the other side. I’ve added a key-holder with a decorative ribbon. You know how you keep losing things in a big bag especially keys? And you end up turning your bag upside down and throwing all its contents out to find the carkeys.It’s an idea that Naza of Itsy Doodles has been incorporating in her Chic Mama Totes after our many sessions of brain-storming, over Arwen and Akif’s play-dates.

Now, Arwen gets to share MY bag while I soak her diaper bag in super-strong detergent. Arwen is 17 months now and the bag hasn’t been washed that long. 

A Pillow for my BFF

The skies are gloomy this morning. The sunlight didn’t come into the house so I set up my props outdoors to take pictures of my recent projects. One of it is a pillow cover for my BFF.

My BFF since we’re 19. She’s having her housewarming cum hari raya open house this saturday. I wanted to make something for her new home so I made her this pillow cover. Combining my various interests in photo-editing and sewing into one. I made a simple collage of her and the many hats she wear. Printed it on an iron-on transfer and transfered it onto a white cotton cloth. Then I just make a simple border from my Andromeda Fat Quarters collection I’ve been keeping.

To be honest, even this photo has been edited. The picture of my friend didn’t come out as nicely as you see here. I’ve wasted 3 iron-on transfers and got the same result so I decided to go ahead with it. This is how I envisioned it to be. So, a tip for those who fancy trying this, keep it to text or simple designs.

To my dear Lynne. Congratulations on your new home. May our friendship lasts forever. I love you my dear friend...


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

My Lil Arwen’s shop is open!!!


Announcing the official opening of Lil Arwen!!!!!

I’ve set up this blog after Lil Arwen’s debut last Ramadhan. 

I’m kick starting this blog with a special promo price for some of my personal stash. I hope to upload more pictures, so bear with me.

In the meanwhile, do check out my Lil Arwen :)


Nuffnang