Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Grab and match in style

Someone emailed me asking if I could sew up a cute bag for her little girl who loves having something in hand while she walks about, and she wanted one with a matching diaper.

So I asked if she'd like a grab bag with this lovely flowery pattern, she said yes :)

So here's the adorable grab bag that I sewed up for her.


You can even wear it around your shoulders :)


Matching sets!
I intentionally did this with the soakers as well :)


Here's how it looks like when you open up the grab bag. to wear it, simply slide the longer strap into the opening of the shorter strap and let it hang!


6 Little pockets, great for handphones, tissue papers, make ups, lotions, sanitisers, or car keys that we women so often lose in our bags


And the matching diaper up close :)

Till I sew next



Sunday, October 23, 2011

Pea Pod Baby Carrier

I don't normally sew during the weekends,
But since dad told us that we would be visiting my late grandparent's graves the next morning, it itched me to sew a carrier for Chago.
He had put on quite a lot of weight over the pass 2 weeks
He wriggles a lot and so Miguel and I can no longer carry him without straining our backs!
So I made this:


I found this pattern somewhere in my ebook stash.
So I got busy.


This was taken during my Late Grandmother's funeral day. 
Look way back in this picture. 
You can't see her "grave" in here simply because her lot is way way way up up up!
So Imagine having to climb these steep steps at 11am under the hot blazing sun!
I was not liking the idea of wrestling with my 15 mth old all the way up and down!



The Finished product on us :))


Took me under 2 hours to make this. Was super happy with the results.
Even happier when we went up and down the steep steps without having to feel really sweaty and hot and irritated at the same time. 
So I guess, My love for Baby Wearing has returned!
I love how this is not too thick, airy and very very simple.
Since it's a hip carrier and the straps are on the shoulder than the back
I do not need to strain anything, weight is distributed evenly and it does not even feel hot on both of us!

Happy is what I am :))

Till I sew Next!



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Coconut Goodness :)

Wonders of Virgin Coconut oil


I bought this at an Agricultural fair that was held locally. I have always wanted to make my own but never got to do so. I saw someone selling this so I got to asking how they process it and whether it was heat processed or cold pressed. It was cold Pressed.
According to the guy, 
the shredded were dried for a little while under the sun. 
I didn't know it needs drying...
Anyways, I got me this and got a free 60ml VCO spray as well. 

So this is what I have use it for so far:
1. 1 Teaspoon in Chago's Oats and cereal breakfast
2. On Chago's growing curly locks
3. On my crazy distressed dry hair (works wonders) before shower
4. On insetc bites - I put it on Chago and the swelling and bites disappeared after 30 minutes!
5. Chapped Lips
6. Salads - Yummy
7. Rice - I add 1 tbsp og VCO into a cooking pot of rice and it makes a lot of difference! The aroma is enough to get people into the mood of eating
8. Steamed Fish - marinated the fish with tumeric, a little bit of salt, pepper, thyme and VCO. Delicioso!
9. Repellent against Insects
10. To strengthen Immunity
11. Natural Sun Block!

And....

Today, Just before taking a bath, I decided to put some on my face for awhile. 
I have this habit for using a tweezer to tweeze out my white heads around my nose area, so I did so today before actually leaving the room to shower and..
It was so easy! Easier than it was without VCO on my face.
It was as if the oil went into my pores and loosen the sides of where the white heads sit in and  made it so easy to remove. I got so many out in just minutes without damaging my skin or causing my nose to turn red.

There are so many benefits to consuming VCO at least 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. And if you could afford it, you can replace your regular cooking oil with this. 

They are quite costly, but I will still want to do it myself.
I'll just need to find the time to get me some fresh desiccated coconut flesh.

Till then, I'll continue with this bottle of V 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Monsters ALIVE this Halloween!

Since Halloween is coming up,
The ever so popular monsters are making waves!
The new female face of Mr, Yellow Fellow?
I don't really have a name for her...





Soft Luscious velour!
Now, who can ever resist that!


Miss Foxy and her new girl friend!

Mr. Buzzy Blues and Mr. Wasabe


Ah Mr. Wasabe...
You're just about the weirdest looking monster I have
YET, 
You are the popular one Yet!


Mr. Buzzy Blues


Gotta have them labels on :)

Till I sew next

Vrooming on Bed Liners!

This is for a little boy who has very good taste in designer fabrics selection.
This wonderful mum made this second purchase just for him.
No, not THIS little fella in the picture, 
This little charmer is mine :)



Ask him to smile, and he WILL smile...
most of the time anyways :)


This makes me want to sew up an I-Spy Blankie


One Side waterproof PUL (Solid Blue)
And the other side Anne Keller's Designer Print for Robert Kaufman :)

This sort of thing always and I mean ALWAYS temp me into giving it to Chago instead of selling it off.

Well, Till I sew next



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Ties for all occasions

I was getting Chago ready for a Friend's Wedding yesterday when I realized that he did not have the right clothes for that occasion. Well, he did, but he outgrew all of them and I just hate buying clothes that I know won't fit him in the next month or so.
So I made him this tie.
Cutie pie.
So tying involved. Just snap it on and you've got yourself a handsome little fella.



Checking himself out. He probably likes it.




Beautiful :)

Friday, October 7, 2011

A little Bird Told Me...

Another Booties + Cd set! I love this Robert Kaufman Print on their Anne Keller's Zoology Series. 
Vibrant Colours
Beautiful Prints
Playful Indeed!

So another set ready to go!



Till I sew Next!

Ready to go!

This order is done and ready to go :)
The matching hat and cd, Aeroplane on blue and Mr Buzzy Blues!



See How the Castro hat goes along well with any cd??



Love this combination too!


Hope this Happy Mama will love this bunch!

Matching Hats?

I have done this before but I missed out on a chance of taking a picture of the finished product.
Now, I make sure, or at least try to snap pictures of stuff I made after finishing them!
Matching Castro hat and Cloth Diaper.
How cool is that?!
I so want to make one for myself but I am not a hat person.
Chago doesn't seem to like anything on his head
and Miguel says it's not sunny indoors to wear hats haha!
I guess it's a Malaysia thing to wear Hat rain or shine!

Anyways,
Made for a cool mama, a matching cd and hat set!
I love the fabric print! So Boyish indeed!





Now i'll need to work out on a vest pattern to go with a hat,
a real special momma wants it :)

Till I sew next!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Amber Teething Necklace

I have had them for 10 months now but I never thought of blogging about them.
When Chago was 4 months old, his crazy teething phase started. His tantrums got me throwing mine towards Miguel because while he was away at work, I was the one who was trying very hard to keep myself sane!

My mum actually told me that someone she knows in Singapore bought a teething necklace for her daughter to wear and never really had that much problems with teething. Out of desperation, I did some reading, but the more I read the more difficult it was to select or find someone who sells GENUINE Baltic Amber teething Necklaces. I stumbled across a Baltic Amber Teething necklace handmaker, Who was more than helpful with my questions and concerns. I was a sceptic even when I was purchasing it online from her. I kept on thinking... 
"Man... if this doesn't work, I'm just wasting my money!"
I bought 4 to save on shipping. I must say, Miguel was not happy with my purchases. Why 4??
One for Miguel's God Mother, we were living with her at that time.
One for Miguel
One for Chago
And one for myself.

As soon as it arrived, I put it on Chago.
I swear... Just 3 hours after putting it on Chago, I got my Happy boy again!!!
His 2 lower front teeth came saying hello the following week. 1 month later, another two upper front teeth.
And the other 4 came without my knowledge as he did not scream, no diarrhea, very mild fever, but the same old happy Chago who continued drinking 9 oz of milk at every 2 hours!


This is Chago when he was 4 months old. Just 3 hours after putting the necklace on him. Hehehe! I got my smiling Chago again!


You can see that I am wearing it on my wrist too :) I bought a Child's Teething Necklace and go round twice at my wrist.

We had it on him while he sleeps and even when he showers. The Baltic Amber that I got for Chago and ourselves were not polished ones but Raw ones instead. Although some may say that there aren't any differences, some begs to differ. 

You can read more on RAW vs POLISHED Baltic Amber Beads:
RAW Baltic amber is unprocessed, untreated amber that has come directly from the Baltic Sea. It is the true form of amber and also contains extra layers of succinic acid which is what relieves pain and helps with all other issues amber can help with. Since raw amber does have extra succinic acid in/on it it is considered (and proven) to be MAXIMUM strength amber. Due to the great relief Raw amber gives it is the only amber I will use on newborns for gas and colic and is also what I recommend most for severe/chronic pains and also for GERD! You can also make your raw amber look polished by soaking it in baby oil and water. This will not effect the amber's healing just makes the colors more vibrant.
Polished Baltic amber has been heat and pressure treated to make it shine. This amber does still contain succinic acid in healing amounts and works well with teething babies as well as other issues even in adults. This amber is often used for pain relief and does work well.
MANY people also come to me with the question of "is the lighter colored amber stronger?" the answer is NO! All colors of amber heal the same. The condition (RAW or Polished) is what really makes the difference for those needing the extra pain relief.

Miguel took it off him while giving Chago a bath about 2 months ago. I thought, well, since he wasn't teething or anything like that, might as well just take it off him.

I just realized that of all the times that he was not wearing his necklace, he had been having diarrhoea, mild fever, being more and more cranky etc!
And just 2 weeks ago, I have been sick along with him, he recovered and I never did because it was hard keeping up with orders and having to take care of both Chago and myself at the same time. Miguel was sick too trying to take care of the THREE of us!
When his teething tantrums kicked off again, and I saw how he bit his fingers till there were scars in them, 
I then remembered the the necklace.
I got it and put them on him that night and he went right to sleep. The next day (yesterday) I have my happy Chago again!


:D

Now taken from Baltic Creation's Site, here's some info on Baltic Amber:

What is Baltic Amber? Baltic Amber is a fossilized tree resin originating from the Baltic Sea Region of Lithuania (near Russia). Baltic Amber contains Succinic Acid and when it is heated against the skin it releases an all natural analgesic (pain relief) which helps to ease teething pains in children as well as colic and gas and other ailments. This works so well that necklaces made in lengths for children are the main thing used in Europe and Asia for teething pains and other ailments. These also work wonders with adults! They help with Migraines, arthritis, acid reflux and many many other issues!! The Amber I use is imported by me directly from Lithuania. It is found in the Baltic Region in the Baltic Sea area. Baltic Amber is believed to contain the highest amounts of this acid. Though all types of amber are believed to contain this acid only Baltic Amber contains enough to be considered healing. Contrary to what some think NOT ALL Amber is Baltic. 

"Amber is associated with the solar plexus chakra and sometimes the sacral chakra. Mystical lore says that amber is beneficial for purifying the body, headaches, bone problems, heart problems, circulation, ears, hearing problems, endocrine system, fibromyalgia, intestinal/digestive disorders, kidney, bladder, lungs, and general healing purposes." INFO found HERE

Other internal uses: Amber is used as an ingredient in tonic formulas, it is used as an anti-aging formulation and a treatment to aid recovery for cancer patients after undergoing standard medical therapies. ...
Succinum is used in treating stomach ache.

Topical applications: Astringing ulcers and promoting tissue regeneration. Used externally, it is efficacious in the treatment of ulcers, boils, swellings. ...

It is interesting to note that the Chinese rely on Pure, Natural Baltic Amber. They have found what science has proven and that is that the Amber Acid from Natural Baltic Amber is the active agent and that they need Natural Baltic Amber for their remedies to be effective. Simply stated, even unripe gooseberries and rhubarb stalks, which are the richest in the natural acid, contain a thousand times less of the acid than in Baltic amber- succinite.

Russia is a major source of Baltic Amber. And their experience with it over the centuries has added to the knowledge base. (http://www.masterpage.com.pl/amber/amber-cures.html )


Wearing baltic amber close to the skin is a traditional European remedy for baby teething. A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs. Used for centuries in Europe, amber's natural anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties are perfect to soothe teething babies. Amber is fossilized resin, which warms against the skin, releasing it's therapeutic properties safely and naturally. It treats the throat, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver, and gallbladder, alleviates joint problems, and strengthens the mucus membranes. As an elixir and for wound healing, it is an excellent natural antibiotic. It aids the Abdomen, Bladder, Blood, Eyes, Kidneys, Stomach, Tissue Revitalization, Throat, Liver, and Joint Problems.

Here is what they say about Amber, or in Latin, Succinum:"
 
The calming effect of succinum is only one of the claimed properties, which include these main areas:
 
Subduing fright, tranquilizing the mind, and relieving convulsion. Succinum is used in the treatment of palpitation, amnesia, dreaminess, insomnia, etc.Alleviating water retention and relieving stranguria (difficult urination). Succinum is applied to the urinary disorders such as stranguria complicated by hematuria (blood in the urine), particularly when caused by pathogenic heat. Promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. Succinum is used in the treatment of amenorrhea and abdominal mass caused by blood stasis and stagnation of vital energy. Amber is also recommended for lower abdominal pains affecting the genitalia, such as pain of the testes, prostate, uterus, or vulvar region. Amber "frees the orifices" which is designation for treating conditions such as atherosclerotic blockage of the arteries and blood clots that can cause angina, heart attack, and stroke.... for more info visit the website this was found on here


SOME of the things Baltic Amber helps (Including but not limited to):
Arthritis, Acid Reflux (GERD), Burns, Broken bones, Chemotherapy, Chronic Back Pain, Chronic Fatigue, colic, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Gas (for children), Kidney Disorders, Lupus, Menstrual , Cramps, Migraines (Chronic Headaches), Muscular Aches and Strains, Nausea, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Stomach Problems and Upset, Teething Pain



Sunday, October 2, 2011

Going Safari!

This was a bit last minute but was more than glad to do it :D

Made for a special someone who wanted to dress up the most adorable chubby cheeks ever for a Jungle themed Birthday Party!
Oh! I bet she looked absolutely adorable!


Added some frills! She wanted some white lace but ran out of them so I used some of the fabrics and turned them into this instead. Got a tip from someone else, It probably was a better idea to use contrasting colours like Black :) Will do so the next time.



One set with matching booties :)

Till I sew next!