Angpow Purse

 It’s the time of the year where I dig up the pattern for these simple angpow purse by ImazzPattern. Here’s the link to the pattern and it’s FREE!  I’m trying to go use up my fabric stash instead of organizing them. I’ve been very good with not buying anymore fabric and using up what I have. Trying to reduce my stash if that is ever possible.

I made them last year for my kids, my mom and my late grandmother. My kids later use it to keep their hari raya money collection so they don’t get mixed up.

I use my pearl snap buttons because I have lots of them and I have the best tool to fix them onto the purse. Read about it here.

How’s your Raya so far?

Arwen’s Kimono Kurung

Ramadan is usually the month that I reserve for some personal sewing and that means sewing for myself and kids or more Arwen. Danial is grown up already and he prefers Jubah which I don’t know how to sew so we buy one for him. For Arwen, she’s not into the traditional baju kurung so I had to come out with something avant garde. OK, something edgy for the little missy.

While browsing my instagram feed, I came across a paper article posted by @asphodelstudio about her kimono kurung for kids being featured in the papers. I thought they look nice and something I can wing on my own. I sold the idea to Arwen and she agreed.

So, I drafted the pattern and long story short, Arwen’s Kimono Kurung came into existence. I had some plain pink cotton material enough for the kimono top to match the batik skirt. I purchased a bundle of Nor Arfa’s Pastel batik from @anisbatikcotton a couple of months ago and she chose one for her batik skirt. I love the pastel pink and turqoise combination.

Before I pen off, I would like to wish to all Muslim,

Finding my bag-making mojo back: Large Boxy Bag

 Arwen has been stuffing her telekung inside her school bag and when I asked her why, she said she can’t leave her telekung at school because it doesn’t have a bag. A sneaky way of getting me to make a bag for her. And in the process of moving my things from home to RRCraftHub, I’ve found materials I’ve forgotten I had them. One of which is this sweet pink floral material.

Originally, I set out to make a large boxy bag for her telekung. It finishes 12” length by 10” height by 4” depth; too big to fit in her cubbie. so I made a smaller tote with pink cotton webbing.

In the meanwhile, I finished the large boxy bag with leather handles. I’m going to make a few more prototypes with different dimensions just because.... 

Product Review: Hand Press and Snap Button Dies

I purchased my hand press from Zila Kasim (instagram: @zilakasim) some time last year. I was so pleased at how smooth and effortless to operate it that I sold off my Kam press lock stock and barrel with the resin snaps. After all my baby cloth diapering days are over and I have lots of metal snap press that I can use. 

The press comes with rivet dies and you can add on different dies if you wish. I was making angpow pouches and knew I needed the snap button dies. I’ve been using the snap setter tool which has it’s own issue of noise pollution. What more now I work in an apartment, I don’t want the neighbours to complain of the noise I make knocking the snap buttons in. 

So, check out the video. It is a one shot video where I shoot with one hand and use the other hand to press down the hand press to fix the snap button. That’s how smooth and effortless it is. I can never do that on my Kam Press. 

An added bonus, I can use the dies with my pearl base too! Check out my angpow purse:

Malaysia’s 14th General Election

Wednesday, 9 May 2018, Malaysians performed their duty as citizens of Malaysia and casted their votes for the 14th General Election. I don’t want to make it a political post but this GE is a game changer and changed the political scene of Malaysia and I am truly humbled and blessed to witness history in the making. I wanted to document it in this blog on how the rakyat has spoken and how we stand united to choose the leaders of Malaysia. 

Thank goodness my line moved in a steady pace

I queued for 1.5 hours

DONE!

At the time this blog is written, it has only been 3 weeks since the PH coalition took over and form the new government. I’m happy to report that one of the positive outcomes that came out of it is the abolition of GST. That means prices are reduced, to remove the GST from the price. I am happy to report that I had a good busy; busy updating the price after receiving a note from my supplier of the price adjustments for Silhouette products. For more info, do check my website, www.madebyrozirahman.com

First Workshop at RRCraftHub: Hot Air Balloon Bouquet

I was preoccupied with Learning Oasis sewing workshop in the first week of May but I want to kick off a class at RRCraftHub. So, I made arrangement with Atie aka MekBungo to run a Hot Air Balloon Workshop. I helped her with the poster and we blasted the social media. It ran less than 1 week and we managed to gather 3 students for MekBungo’s maiden class.

Long story short, the students’ commented that the intro price of RM250 for the class is really value for money. MekBungo shared her tips and tricks on making the hot air balloons like

• various types of clear balloons, price range, quality and where to get them
• how to get the smaller balloons in the bigger balloon
• how to make simple arrangement of a combination flowers and chocolates
• how to finish the bouquet with sticker vinyl personalization and ribbon
• and lots more!

Atie going through various types of balloons

Mother’s day hot air balloon bouquets

loving the red and pink combo by Scila of @scraft malaysia

Arwen gets a bouquet as the workshop falls on her birthday

I received a lot of request for the workshop but in view of Ramadan and the coming Syawal, I guess the earlier dates we can organize one will be end of July or early August. If you’re interested to attend the workshop, Please fill up this form and we will contact you to confirm your attendance. That is so we don’t miss out anybody.

Knitting & Crochet Open Session

Another throwback post. My ACG (Arts & Crafts Guild Malaysia) buddies decided to meet up before Ramadan and do a Knit and Crochet Open Session. Spotlight Mytown has generously allowed us to use hold our session at their venue. I prefer the unofficial term of “knit and b*tch” but then it may be scorn upon by others who might not see the funny side of it. 

Anyway, Mastura of @rimaumanja turned up; Liza @crafthappyliza, Fid @misfydkrafts and Kak Jon @tatarenda.my turned up. We had a lovely chitchat session while our hands are knitting and crocheting. Oh! Adam and Adam Junior came by to stop and chat as well. 

Photo credit: Misfyd

Photo credit: Mastura rimaumanja

Photo cretid: Mastura rimaumanja

We later adjourned for late lunch at a Thai restaurant. I can’t recall the name but who cares when we are enjoying the company. Abby @sarangcraftbyabby and daughter stopped by and joined in for dessert.