The Journey

A wedding gifts (I hope) for a friend's daughter

2012-02-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
Hi!

I managed to finish the set in between pile of pending orders! Phewww!
This is supposed to be Aleksandra bag, but...thanks to my perfect skill of calculating, the bag end up to be smaller that it supposed to be! Argh! Oh no! A perfect disaster when you are actually in a hurry to complete other stuff for your clients!

The set

I was blank for a moment as I have cut all pieces, and don't want to waste every single beautiful denim fabric. So, I left the project for awhile and do my house chores, and then I went bag to my cutting table and just starred at the fabric pieces. "What am I going to do now??". And an idea popped out from my brain to attach the pockets at both sides instead of the front. And so I went on with the flow (not knowing what will happen especially to the shape) and one by one of the pieces were sewn onto the body. And ta da! Here it is, the variation of Aleksandra (smaller variation), tell me what you think, please!

The set is using a soft denim (love!) and lining is using the chocolate brown with pin size dots. Fully interfaced to retain the shape. My husband said the bag is nicer if it is not too soft (He actually compliment the design *blush, nothing beats the compliment from the one you love, right?? he he) He is definitely a critic!

And since the brown fabric did not match the PU leather closure supposedly to be put on the pockets (another reason for more fabric hunting), I just finished them up with brass snap buttons. Oh, and the bag have zippy closure and a zippy pocket inside. And I absolutely love how I end the zippy end as I used to hate covered them with square shape which were always end up with odd (I mean, very odd) square shape! Urgh!

The bag will look like this when we hold it with the handheld handles

And will look like this when we carry on our shoulder

And as for the bag organizer, luckily the size of SOPHIE Organizer is perfect for the bag and it was a fast one! And of course the key fob, I was meaning t o make these soon as I received them from Azzah, but when my husband told me that these key fobs are everywhere to be seen in Pekan Rabu, Alor Setar, I was devastated! I thought these were new for local people, but I was wrong. Well, don't blame me, I do not do window shopping that much, but certainly did not see key fobs obsession in Hatyai...hmmm....

This is the zippy end that I'm babbling about

The brass ware

Also love the handheld design!!! Made it myself.

The brass snap button and bias bind, hand sewn on the bag with love and care

Side view of the pocket. Love! Love! the pockets! :)

I think I''l make the key fob free for every purchase of RM60 and above at my shop in a single receipt, how about that?? Ha ha

The organizer with matching fabrics

Inside view of the organizer

The matching key fob with denim fabric :)

These are on the way to its new owner (Oh, I wish these were mine) Hope she'll love it, but she can return them to me if she doesn't like it, no problem mu aha ha ha ha....just kidding!

So far...

2012-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
Hi!

...I've been busy. Well, I am busy most of the time with the kids and sewing, never had enough time for everything!
Family and work are both equally important to me, I can't just abandon all my faithful clients and at the same time our family are my responsible too! Dividing time are my worst skill and sometimes the kids get in the way too ha ha! Sometimes, I'll just have to go with the flow, everything must be done when Naydee asleep, everything means, sewing, hanging the clothes, folding the clothes, washing the dishes, cooking etc, and she does not sleep long! Adoi! To those who have small children know why I have to do house chores only when Naydee is asleep, right? *wink So, you can imagine my daily routine. Ha ha

Here are what I've completed so far:

Enadia Sling bag

Baby Jue Tote Organizer

Messenger Baby Bag

Doorgift samples for my husband's friend. 6 combination of color

This can be put surah Yaasin in it, cute tote eh?

Padded drawstring pouch

I have just finished a set of different version of Aleksandra bag, just a small touch up before I upload it here, it's a wedding gift for the bride of the door gifts I've made before, remember the post? And few more orders by clients :)

Doorgifts- 100 of them!

2012-01-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
Hi!

I managed to finish these 100 pouches for a good friend of my husband's daughter's wedding. Had to make 4 designs because of limited same design fabrics. Grr....I should have bought the whole bolt!

I've learn a lot during the process of making these sweeties, how to organizing the work process. I also gets to apply my craving in paper crafts! Love making those tags, and yes, hand cut and glue one-by-one!

A long process but worth every effort as they love the bags so much! Thank you so much for trusting me in making these for your special day!

Oh, yeah, the drawstring are lined and both fabrics are 100% cotton (not a cheap cotton, guys!), I'm using RM20-30/m fabrics, and only able to work with quality fabrics (not demanding here!), as using cheap fabrics only demoralized my sewing mood, and believe me, when making bulk orders like these, bad mood is the last thing you want on the list!!!

Plus, you'll get good quality products and every guest love your doorgifts, worth every cent, I guarantee! :)
The sad thing is, all fabrics are gone/out of stock, I hope to be able to find these loveliest soon. *fabrics hunting mode

The tag with 1 layer of butterfly

And the tag 2nd layer.
Flying effect! :)

New designs!

2012-01-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
Hi!!

It has been awhile since my last post :)
I am doing fine and okay :)
Still have a lot of sewing to be done. And pending orders.

While I am struggling to make pending orders, my husband force me to make his new design pencil roll (alaa...)
Kacau betul dia nak suruh siapkan design baru, oh, well, meet my co-designer, my husband, :) I am sure most of you girls know him already!

And this is a new design supposedly release in December :), the Aleksandra bag, exclusively design by NapKitten.

How was your day so far ???? Have a lovely day ahead! :)

Still alive!

2012-01-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
Hi,

I am still alive! Thank God, for giving me strength and health to be able to go thru another year of challenge. I managed to complete a lot of sewing though with a delay. When things are going smooth, my husband was warded again yesterday. Luckily, it was an early detection, and we manage to get to the hospital on time. Not as serious as before. And hopefully he'll recover soon.

I must admit, I am more calmer handling the situation yesterday than before, but only Allah know what going thru inside my mind.

Enjoy the finished sewing pictures! Stay healthy!

MY PRECIOUS!

Latest progress

2011-12-15T01:29:00.000-08:00

Only able to upload current progress of my sewing, due to Naydee was super manja the whole 2 days, 1 1/2 days job had turn to 3 days!! Aish, Naydee...oh, Naydee!

Cheeky Naydee
P/S: Such a messy house I have (baru perasan background yang sangat berselerak, so sorry! :D)

Pictures of the day

2011-12-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

Always with her messy day, but I love it!

Changes

2011-12-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-
-Hi-

It's December. And I haven't yet confirm any of my plan for my on-line business for next year. The past 3 years, I was just sewing to fill my time, earning some side income to help my husband and perfecting my workmanship.

I have never thought of becoming a seam-stress before, because I was a lousy sewer back at school, though I really love crafts and creating stuff from scratch. I guess, being a perfectionist helps me a long the way as I cannot stand seeing flaws in my hand made (but still have tiny bits of mistakes sometimes, but hey, nobody is perfect, right? Right?). I started to sew when my husband decided to buy a hi-speed sewing machine 3 years ago, despite knowing his wife have no experience in sewing. It was like, he already know the future (can he??) He specifically asked me to sew bags! First time sewing with hi-speed sewing machine (only those who sew using the machine knows how fast the machine can go!) my skill was way too far from being a beginner. Horrible! I can't stitch straight line though had draw a line. After a few attempts and failing to control the fabrics and machine, I just stop! That is how I always do it, if it's just not working, I have to stop until I can figure out what went wrong.

SHELL POUCH. Lama tak buat pouch ni. Nak buat lah lepas ni.

After a few days, I think few weeks kot (dengan sindiran suami yang dok kata beli mesin biaq berhabuk :)) I started to sew back again, this time, macam mai seru tu hehe...I controlled the speed my putting my right hand on the hand-wheel, most of the time, so that, tak lah terbabas, tapi panas gak tangan menahan wheel tu if kaki tertekan pedal secara tak sengaja...hehe...But it prevent me from getting injury.

When my husband was warded due to stress about 3 weeks ago, I am now trying my best to not letting him worried much about the money, and house income. I never talk to him anything that involves money! At all. I don't want him to over stressed himself and led to another attack. I wish I never have to experience that ever...ever again.

Now, I am planning to make my on-line business as our main income, next year. I've plan to double, or maybe triple my effort daily to come out with more items for in-stock, to participate in any crafts markets, open a small stall some where in KL and expanding it to international level. My only hope is for him to just rest and recuperating well. Without having to worry much on anything.

And I've started to double up my effort by making these yesterday and early this morning hehe...

Enadia Cluth flaps. 20 of them!

4 denim Enadia Clutch, 50% done

Front view

It's a good start for me, juggling everything was never easy especially if you have 5 kids with no maid! :D But I am confident enough to be a super-mom! Sekurang-kurangnya di mata anak-anak. Kan?

Moga Allah permudahkan segala-galanya buat kami sekeluarga dan sentiasa ada sinar mentari yang menyinari di setiap cuaca mendung. Take care!

And this will be the new name for my hand made brand, next year. What do you think? :)

Things that happen

2011-12-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

Assalammualaikum
Hi...

I know I've been neglecting this blog for quite some times (every time) now.

A lot of things happen to me and family. Good and bad, happy and sad.

My husband was admitted about 3 weeks ago, a serious condition, a start. These I only share with freinds privately, not announce it here, but I can say it is the most horrible experience for me and my kids by far. Though he is still weak and tiring often, I hope and always pray to Allah that he is strong and getting better. I want him to be with us for as long as possible, until I know I can let him go. Am I being selfish?

I love the moment, to see his laughter, his smile. I always taught things happen for a reason and that reason (for me) to appreciate him more. To see things more positive and to appreciate every moment together in life. Our life might be very tough, but to have him and the kids by my side makes it easier to face everything that is impossible.

I just want to share this bonding moment between Abang and Naydee

Last week, my husband decided to sew (yay!), so we bought an old portable sewing machine, because he was not confident enough to use the industrial sewing machine hehe...

And so, his first ever project...SCRUNCHIES! For his daughter (thought these are for me :P) but, hey, never mind, I see his enthusiast while making these for his girl, measuring, cutting, sewing and even hand stitch the opening! And of course his girl selected the fabrics :)

He is making more...:) And oh, I bought some felt for Cha, and she made this...a really fat Robin...and hang it on the bedroom door :) It is very impressive to see her enthusiast to complete the craft. I must say I am really proud of her!

See the wing stitching? It's my husband's ;)

Dear readers,
Please take care of your health. And enjoy every moment you have with your spouse and kids. Stay healthy and happy.

To Haatyai...again!

2011-11-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

-Assalammualaikum-

Sorry for the long silence on this blog. I was so caught up with sewing and pending orders.

I've started to love staying in Changlun. Why? Because we get to go to Haatyai whenever we want. It's kind of going to Alor Setar trip, only better! :D

Yesterday we went for a day trip there, just to get some sewing supply for my online business. I manage to get some cotton bias binding (some with polka dots too!) some, zig-zag trims, Venus multi-purpose threads and self-adhesive plastics wraps, and a black fabric and some Venus zips. The only thing I didn't buy was tailor shears, argh, they only have the TB3,000 and TB4,000 shears...too expensive for my budget hehehe....

But I did get the cheaper one, not really my kind of shears, but, well, it will do until I get the budget for new scissors...Mana boleh hidup tanpa gunting, kalau dah jadi tukang jahit, kan? ;)

My collection of venus threads. cannot resist the colourful stack of threads in all colours in one of the shop, beautifully arrange in colour sequence. Moon, I definitely coming back for more :)

Venus zip in various length

Cotton bias binding in plain

Cotton bias in polka dots, cute eih?

I have to upload this... hahaha!!

They sell these in Thailand, cute modern vespa or err...scooter, I think about TBH104,000

On our way back to the border, we were really surprise that there were thousands of human going back to Malaysia. Most of them are Thais. We thought that we are going to stuck there for few hours but, syukur, segalanya dipermudahkan bagi kami. Only there for 10 minutes and we're out! My husband scan his passport and asked a favour from the staff to sign the border pass for the rest of us (my kids and I use the border pass).

Oh, if you want me to buy stuff from Haatyai, do let me know, ya, and oh, they sell self-adhesive plastic wrapper in kilo :) with seriously reasonable and definitely cheaper in price ;)