Money Envelopes

In lieu of Eid, tradition practised in Asia is the giving of cash (small amounts of course!) to children. The notes or coins are put in colourful money envelopes. Some has cute designs whilst some is simple and classy. I decided that it would be fun to make personalised money envelopes for the "little rascals" a.k.a my niece and nephews.

I remembered my childhood days when I received so many envelopes that I lost track which money envelope was given by which relatives. The one that would stick in my mind are those whose money envelopes are unique.

Anyway, something small and simple like doing an envelope is so much fun and definitely has the personal touch to it. Can't wait to start the day....lots of yummy goodies waiting for us!

Curtains

In the festive spirit of Hari Raya, I decided to make curtains to spice the place up plus up till now Sam has been using bedsheets to cover the windows while watching TV due to the glare.

Pretty happy with the outcome although the measuring and cutting is quite time-consuming. I did not have enough of one material hence I decided to combine 2 various fabric to make one curtain.

Salam Lebaran to my family and friends who are far from sight but close to heart. Hope most of you are feasting on lots of yummy goodies 'cos we sure will tomorrow!

Tutorial:

• Tab Curtains 

Bathmat

This morning was scheduled for cleaning the house (not that it's messy...I have a cleanliness obsession!). As I was vacuuming the bathroom, I noticed how old and worn out our bath mat was. We were actually supposed to pick up a new bath mat in the store sometime back but just never get around to it. Figured it can't be too hard to quickly sew one up.

Tutorial:

• Old unused bathroom towel. Measure desired rectangle length  and stack 3 layers. I used one large bath towel with spare towel fabric that I'll use to make pot holder
• Sew border of different fabric color around the mat
• Cut designs using matching fabric - I used flower cookie cutter to make flower shapes and stich it to the mat

Passport Wallet

Random inspiration to do a passport wallet. Figured might come in handy when I go on my upcoming trip. Did bit of alteration from the tutorial I found online. I might have another go at this at some point with a different fabric combination. I find that though the inner fabric is pretty, looks too girlish for my preference.

Tutorial:

• Passport Wallet 

Pincushion

Last night I had the sudden urge to make a new pincushion for myself given that the existing tomato shape pincushion is way too small. Was searching online for few ideas and I came across a really neat pincushion tutorial posted on Better Home & Garden site.

Doesn't seen hard to make it however I don't have any polyester fiberfill at home which means I need to make a trip down to the Spotlight store.However, I remembered that I still have my cushion from the wedding that was used to carry our padlocks. It's a great size for me to turn it into a pincushion. All I did was get 2 strips of pink cloth and stitch on both sides of the stripes with white thread to make match with the floral print on the pillow. Sew the strips on the pillow and stuck a red button on it. Saves me the hassle of making a pincushion from scratch and the end result is still cute.

Sling bag

This is thus far my most challenging sewing project. I was going through my fabric stash and came across this ugly yellow, tough nylon like fabric. Trying to crack my brain what I can actually do with it when I experience another "Dee's light bulb moment". I've always wanted a black sling of the same design as my current beige sling bag unfortunately they do not carry any stock in black. I figured I might try a bit of sewing puzzle game, trying to work out how that sling bag is made and if I can re-create it with my existing fabrics.

Due to extreme concentration, I totally forgot to take pictures of the process. Took me 6 hours straight doing this sling bag. Somehow or rather, I manage to make the bag in a neat manner without any loose ends and have hidden any unsightly stitching. I use the tough yellow fabric as the body of the back to give it durability and literally cover it with black cloth on the outside and grey cloth on the inside.

Needless to say, I am giving myself a pat in the back for a job well done!

Pleated Waistband Skirt

Another sewing skirt project to test out my skills. Am considering of making another one with a nicer fabric that can give the girly twirly effect ♥

Tutorial:

• Pleated Wasitband Skirt

Poncho Top

My sis has been wanting to buy a poncho top for herself. Being the best sister in the whole wide world, I decided to be nice for a change and make her one. 

Tried looking for a a pattern online but majority are knitted poncho top which is not helpful in this instance. Looking at online pictures, I decided that I just might put something together. It's a piece of square fabric folded into half to make into a triangle. I cut a v-neck for the neckline and tack a straight seam on the sides for the sleeves.Reckon I did alright for my first try. Had couple of errors but nothing that's not fixable.

Hope you like it Sis, love ya! xx

Circular Skirt + Tube Top

Amongst my fabric collection is a jersey material that's very soft and has flowy-like texture. Decided to use it to make a circular skirt with a matching tube top.

Tutorial:

•  Circular Skirt
• Tube top - I use an existing top as a pattern. It's literally 2 pieces of fabric sewn on the sides. The bottom is hemmed and the top is hemmed using a border.

This outfit will be perfect for summer. Can't wait to use it when we go on our 3 weeks sunny Asia trip!

Fabrics galore!

I am sooooo extremely pumped to start more sewing projects that I went on a fabric witch hunt to get the best deals in town. Sort of figured that given I am still a beginner, I shouldn't really be spending too much money on fabric only to end up stuffing it up!

Anyway, last week was my extremely lucky week 'cos I got 30 x pattern fabrics about 95 meters for $45 and 30 x variety fabric rolls about 700 meters for $51. I was extremely rapt with my purchases. These fabric will last me quite a while and gives me the ability to practice.

People around me are tad doubtful that this sewing bug I'm having will last. But hey, I'm having fun thus far....just need to start sewing!

Patchwork bag

My first sewing project was a patchwork bag taught by my MIL.I wanted to learn how to quilt but given materials limitation, she taught me basic sewing and patchwork techniques that I can apply when I get around to doing my own quilt.

This was done using one of those black shopping environmental bag. The sides were cut off so the bag can be stretch open vertically. Then different pieces of fabric were cut and sewed together before finally sewing the entire patchwork onto the bag itself. Then we cut 2 long rectangle black pieces to be sewed for the sides of the bag. My MIL also made 2 inside pockets with matching materials.

Needless to say, this project gets me pumping to start sewing more stuffs!

Fabric flowers

As mentioned previously, I am now a proud owner of the Kanzashi in Bloom flower book. I am currently in the midst of making few more flowers for my Sis and Mum who wanted brooches and rings fabric flowers. My MIL also taught me to make fabric flowers using a heat gun. It's pretty cool but as reminded by my husband, power tools and I don't go hand in hand!

As I was pretty inspired by the Kanzashi in Bloom, I surf around the net to find tutorials to make yoyo (super easy!), pinwheel and origami flowers. The origami flowers were really tedious. It was actually a paper flower tutorial however I figured that it can be used to make fabric flowers. It's a tad longer to make it given that fabric don't fold as easy as paper, duh!

Tutorials:

• Kanzashi flower (round petals)
• Yoyo flower 
• Origami Flower  (please note tutorial is for paper. I used fabric, cut of the end of the petals and sew the petals same way it's done with Kanzashi flower)

Will upload the flowers accessories once I finish making them.

Polkadot cupcakes

Made these the other day from a recipe I found online at hotchocinmymug blogspot. The recipes requires steaming of which I find that it needs to be eaten within 3-4 hours before the texture gets a tad chewy.

My suggestion would be to make this using a basic cupcake recipe and use the polkadot piping method to decorate. Instead of icing it, the soft icing could be used as a center filling for those sweet tooth out there.

I did mine in 3 various colors:

• pink with red polkadots has strawberry filling
• yellow with green polkadots has kaya filling (an asian egg + coconut jam)
• purple with blue polkadots has chocolate filling

It's fun to make and definitely one to receive lots of compliments due to its vibrant pretty colours.

The start of a creative journey

Being in a L.O.L club (Lady of Leisure) , I'm itching to try new things that I've never get around to due to busy work commitments. What I have achieved thus far are:

• my knack for event planning, having plan 2 weddings in Australia and Singapore
• re-found love for cooking 
• learning to play the piano (thanks to my awesome husband!)
• tinkering around with GIMP and successfully put together what I reckon is a very professional looking wedding album

My new found hobby is now sewing. I have always had a thing for paper crafts but is never into sewing. My mum used to be a seamstress and seeing her sew day after day just seems to put me off from sewing.

For my birthday in July this year, my MIL gave me Kanzashi in Bloom book. This wonderful book teaches one how to make craft flowers out of fabric. I decided to get materials and try it out. It was soooooo much fun! Then I had a light bulb moment....mmm, maybe...just maybe, I can do more than just make flowers out of fabric. I got myself a Janome sewing maching...thanks to Sis who has been voluntold to "donate" her fairly new sewing machine that has been collecting dust.

I have the necessary tools and equipment but I don't where to begin. Wait, I was lying...I do know how to turn the sewing machine on. Two weekends ago, I had the in-laws over for 4 days. My MIL who is a very crafty lady, showed me the ropes. In a million years, I would not have imagine that I can do a patchwork bag in 5 hours. She taught me the basic techniques to get me of the ground and running.

And now the creative journey begins....