On another hobo bag and sewing

Over the course of my pregnancy, I have been working on a few crochet projects but seriously on a slow basis. Ngee. One that got me excited the most is the hobo bag requested by my fellow friend from high school. She really likes bright and lively colours thus she wants the bag to be in multicolours instead of mono. So, this is the first time I'm crocheting it in 3 different colours and this is how it turns out to be. The colours are picked based on another favourite crochet bag that she owns.

Maybe she is a fan of Bob Marley. Hee. At first, I wasn't very sure of the bright combo. But after it's done, complete with lining in the bag and on the handle plus a zippered pocket, the bag is really super nice. I love it!  

This is the first time I made a pocket in a bag. Not just a pocket, but a zippered one. So, it's a learning experience too. Hence also explains the time I took to complete this bag. I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Actually she requested the bag to have lining and never mentioned a pocket. But I decided to add it as a nice touch at no extra charge. She'll find it really useful anyway. I used a sturdy yet soft fabric for the lining. Can't remember the type. I'm bad at recognizing the types of fabric. But this fabric will help to retain the shape of the bag and it's handle for a long time.  

  

I specially bought this zipper online because I like the zipper head. It looks nicer than the normal head, right? 

Oh yeah, I bought my own sewing machine 4 months ago. That's why I'm so excited to sew everything! It feels great sewing with a new super smooth machine. I already have a long list of sewing projects printed and stashed in my file. Not to mention the many fabrics I've bought. Ngee.   

:: I followed this tutorial for the zippered pocket --> http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/02/zippered_inner_.html

Really easy and clear step by step :)



Casual clutch

Now what do you think of this? Cute, isn't it?! I made it as a birthday present for a friend. Should made one for myself too, right? :)

I modify the pattern a bit by adding a strap. The pattern's author is generous enough giving permission to sell items made using her pattern (except mass produce). So I might offer some for sale here. Just watch this space to grab one :)

::Posted using BlogPress from maiefa's iPhone::

Mad about crochet

So admist the busy schedule of my life now, I still try to squeeze in time for crocheting. It's like an addiction to me. The frenzy of trying every irresistable pattern I found. I'm so mad about crochet right now. Hehe.

We're in the process of moving in to our own rented house and most of the stuffs were already moved there. It's just us and our suitcase next. But oh dear, the thought of packing all those clothes is enough to make me grouchy. I just don't know where to start! It doesn't help too that the doors and windows of the new house is so high till no standard ready-made curtains can fit in. So, I have to sew new curtains and this has taken my time off crocheting. Pfft.

It's not like I hate sewing. I love sewing. But it's such a long fabric and the measuring and cutting is nerve wrecking. The sewing part is fun. It doesn't make sense to order-made one when I can sew myself, right? I'm excited at the prospect of moving into a new house too. Plus it saves money big time so that's enough to drive me to finish the curtains.

Last weekend, we went to a kenduri and later headed to shoot some photos at the railway station. I love the railway station here. It's so classic and what a beautiful spot for taking photos. We were the only person there that we model with all our heart and make ourselves at home. Haha.

Cool beanie for a cool guy? Hehe. My husband is a sucker for beanies. He has a handful of them and he always wear them whenever we go out especially at night time. So naturally the first thing I crocheted for him is this beanie and it really makes my man happy.

For me, it's the hobo bag! Isn't it cute? And it's the perfect size for a casual outing and to hold all the necessities. I made it in blue black so the dark colour can pretty much goes with any outfit. I'm definitely lugging this bag around for any outings now. Hehe.

The pattern didn't call for lining but I decided to do so because I don't want any small item sticking out in between.

The camera trigger-happy couple. Hee.


Disclaimer: The items shown above are handmade using free patterns available online.

Head-hugger

Well, I just couldn't wait to show the cap I've made. I know I mentioned a photoshoot but we were just too caught up with lepaking and lazying around after an exhausting week of work. Fret not, I will have sensible photos taken plus this new project once it's completed.



Ciao then!


Disclaimer: This item is handmade by me using free patterns I found online


::Posted using BlogPress from maiefa's iPhone::

Overwhelmed me

The consistency of me blogging is seriously fluctuating. One month I'm active (is five entries per month considered active? LOL) while the next isn't. I know I have things to say. Everytime I would think 'Ooh, I'll blog about this', 'Ooh, this is interesting to share'. But everytime it's left as just thoughts in my head. It might have to do with the fact that I'm an easily overwhelmed person. Overwhelmed with the things and projects I planned to do, not with feelings mind you. Seriously I have so many exciting things awaiting and to do but seriously I'm always running to keep up with time (Seriously, do I sound like Meredith Grey now?)

Last weekend me and hubby, and sist and her hubby, and my older sist, we went to Maher Zain's concert. Again?! Yes, such fanatic I am. And to prove how fanatic I could be, it was on the same day me and hubby had a course in Ipoh until 5 pm. Changing clothes and getting to the car, bla bla, we leave Ipoh exactly at 6pm hoping to reach Shah Alam by 8.30pm. And we did, more like he did. I was practically dozing off in the madly fast car. Alas, we did enjoy the concert in the beginning until towards the end we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. We slept snugly the last few songs. Seriously, we were damn tired. And we still need to return to Ipoh the same night because the eye course continues the next morning. See how madly fanatic we are?

From our seats, this is the best picture I could take.

Then..

He's just too cute.

Fazrul boldly went front stage and took these awesome pictures. Brilliant!

I've finished my first baby beanie few days ago. Phew, finally after a long break from crocheting. But I couldn't find any model around. All my friend's kids is either a boy or have grown bigger. Hence, it'll just be Miss Pingu's nest then for now. Hehe.

Then, the yarns I ordered arrived early this week. Yeay! In no jiffy I whip up a crochet cap for Fazrul. I finished it yesterday and he loves it. There's no picture taken to post here yet but probably we'll have a photoshoot tomorrow. Hehe.

Yummy yarns

Isn't the smell of weekend awesomely great? Tomorrow we have a checklist of movies to tick off at the cinema. Plus, we'll start moving things into our new rented house too. Ah, our own little love nest.

::Maher Zain pictures credit to hubby

Prosperous wish and crochet

Incorporating crochet in handmade cards is not a new thing. I bet lots of card makers have thought of the idea and done it albeit they're a crocheter or not. It's just a matter of being creative and exploring because when there is that two factor, there is no limit as to what shall be done. So I would not pride myself for having done so. But I shall be very proud for myself for conquering the art of crochet like I want to since forever. From a young age I've gazed with awe at my mother crocheting. Reason being it's so artsy and the outcomes is really beautiful. One day I'm going to try venture into knitting as well. Wow, that would be a real challenge to use both hands. For the time being, I still need to practice crochet a lot and finish my first big article.

The first time I blend crochet and cards, it was with the first pattern I managed to complete. I gave the card to Fazrul to share with him, proud I was. Hehe. For this CNY card, I crochet sweet daisies in red using embroidery floss. I love it. Embroidery floss are great and the choices of colours are endless. I had fun choosing them. But obviously I couldn't buy the whole lot. They're much more expensive than embroidery yarn. If it was up to me, I want each of every colours!

 

It is for Dr Ng, my head of department. Just a nice way for me and my colleagues to wish her. After all, she showered the whole department with yummy juicy mandarin oranges! Yummies!

 

Express visit to Kuching

Some might already know by now but here's announcing a very good news for us and the family. Fazrul already got his posting transfer letter and we will start living together very soon. Aye, couldn't be more excited! Alhamdulillah.

Anyway, with him leaving Kuching there's shipping and cargo to transport his six year's worth of life there. So this calls for an unplan trip to Kuching. For a shopping spree! Wee~ It was a short trip. Really short trip. I went on saturday morning and came back on sunday evening which is yesterday. My colleague said, 'macam balik kampung sebelah je'. Ngeehee.  

Boy, given the time it was a really hectic shopping spree. Back and forth to various outlets in Kuching, and the process continued to Serikin. I must have exhausted the sole of my shoes.

In the midst of hecticness, we still didn't forget to fulfill our gastronomical voyage. After all, it might be a long time before we would set foot in Kuching again. Remember that last time I was disappointed because the best restaurant with mi kolok was closed for renovation? Well they're back in business again and it's the first place we head to immediately after I arrived. Slurrppp.

So very satisfying. The next is of course the mouth watering ayam penyet. But we were too late. Because they were totally sold out! It was only 9 pm though. Oh well, maybe that's a calling for a trip next time. Hehe.



While on the plane I keep myself busy with crocheting. It's been a while since I crochet and then I found this really nice, cute and easy peasy pattern of flower and heart. I need the crochet fix anyway. Just to ease my mind and keep me happy. It's weird how it affects me. Heh. Anyway, I don't fancy bringing a half done tablecloth or blanket on a trip so this one is really great. I can make plenty and these are really awesome to add as embellishment on handmade cards, frames, tablecloth or any other projects. I'm planning to buy more yarns and hooks soon to make it in different sizes.

If you're a crocheter as well, check it out. They're one of my favourite crafter on the net. I absolutely think the owner's a genius for creating all the stuff.

Ah well, I better get going if I want to get those yarns. Ciao!

 On arts and crafts

I've been sharing the outcomes of my passion in arts at this blog http://missmaiefacards.blogspot.com. But lately I've been thinking that I just want to share all of it here. This is me and my life. And this art thingy holds a significant place in my life. So why not here? Besides it ain't just handmade cards there anymore. I have some other stuffs too. Plus I think I could really simplify my life by maintaining only one blog from now on. Reasons, reasons, bla, bla. Hehe. So here goes my first DIY art sharing this year:  

It's a guestbook I made for my sister in law's wedding last month. It's not much, I know. Really simple. This is my first time trying to make one and it was at the very last minute. Like two days before the wedding. I didn't have that much time to layout the ideas and find the materials. So hopefully I will come up with greater ideas next time!

:: Can you believe that it's already mid January of a new year. Wherever did the time flies? Fiuuu~