[Crochet] Jumper for Labubu

With the recent craze of Labubu, since my daughter is also a huge fan, I have decided to crochet some wearables for the doll. I have found some YouTube videos by Pikky DIY which was resourceful and filled with many easy-to-understand patterns to crochet Labubu's clothes. I have started with this cute jumper!

I have used Bernat Satin multi-coloured worsted weight yarn that I have been keeping for ages and it turned out looking so adorable!

[Crochet] Beanies

I have been busy lately more with my crafts than my reading. I have also been joining more crafts gathering for both cross-stitching and sewing. I have received requests to teach basic crochet too. Hence, my free time is filled with endless crafting and not much time reading! 

For my recent crochet class, I have been busy searching for an easy to crochet beanie for beginners. I have found such patterns by Diane Serviss of Pixiebell and made a few for the class as samples.

First one is a 30 Minute Basic Beanie:

Ravelry: 30 Minute Basic Beanie pattern by Diane Serviss

I've used two 7-ply cotton yarns to match the bulky size with 9mm crochet hook for this pattern.

Second one is this Worsted Weight Basic Beanie:

Ravelry: Worsted Weight Basic Beanie pattern by Diane Serviss

I've used Chenille 4mm yarn with 5.5mm crochet hook for this pattern.

[Crochet] Card holder

Another nudge from my student, an easy and small crochet project, a small coin purse / card holder. Pattern by Linna-ne on Youtube. I've used:

• mixed wool yarn from Spotlight
• random button from my stash 

[Crochet] Scrunchies

I've recently crocheted these scrunchies / hair ties! I've bought the rubber bands for a long time and finally got the nudge from a student to do it! This is an easy pattern by @loopytales456 on Instagram.

I've used:

• acrylic yarns
• rubber band from Mr. DIY

Bali: 2 amazing beaches that I love

One of the main reasons I love Bali are the beaches, so clean, serene and tranquil. If I have the option, I will definitely choose a beach house as opposed to city life! However, that will have to wait so travelling to the beaches of the world is the current choice for me. 

I just loved this pointer given by a friend, a frequent flyer to Bali who calls Bali her second home nonetheless, when I've asked where the best place is to stay. Here are her recs:

1. If near busy, clubs - then Kuta /legian area. 

2. If beach  abit way from business but still want it lol, then Seminyak. 

3. If you want sunrise and peaceful area where old people enjoy their retirement life then it is Sanur.

Cool recs which I want to park it here for my future reference LOL! Thanks so much Spena! She blogs too so you can check out her blog here:

https://spena15.wordpress.com/

Anyway, we have visited a few beaches in Bali this time around so here are 2 which I personally love this time! It is in no particular order ya...

1. Melasti Beach

It is located at Ungasan, south of Bali. The whole stretch is so clean, picturesque and serenely quiet except for the waves crashing. Ahh bliss.....

2. Kuta Beach

The most famous beach where tourists will flock with lots of amenities, hotels and facilities. It is usually crowded but not on the day we were there. I was amazed with the peaceful vibe then.

[Sew] 3D Fabric Face Mask

I've finally embarked on this pattern which I've discovered from the world wide web; from See Kate Sew to Sweet Red Poppy to Sotak Handmade and many more. After watching numerous YouTube videos of all the talented sewists sharing how to sew a 3D face mask using their own respective design or template, I've finally decided on combining a few to simplify and better fit us :-)

1. The second time, after input from family, it turns out quite snug and small
2. The first time which turned out big and loose fitting
3. Lastly, after getting a friend's input, it has turned out exactly what I would have liked!

Apologies for the inconsistent numbering as I didn't realized the arrangement was the other way around for the right hand side ones. Anyway, this pattern is by far the easiest to sew compared to the cup and medical type face masks! 

What I've used:

• 100% cotton fabric
• silicon bead stopper
• elastic band
• nose wire

Crochet: Chevron Hanging Planter

I've been wanting to crochet a holder for my small potted plants for indoor. Finally found this Chevron Hanging Planter pattern by https://www.hellohappy.net/ which was simple and easy to make. However I do not have bulky yarns so managed to make a mini one with my acrylic yarn.

What I've used:

• 100% acrylic yarn
• some crystals
• a mini glass
• an indoor plant

Looks like I need to look for bulky yarns to make more for bigger pots :-)

RMO: Day 50 CMCO: Day 3

Wow! We have reached the big 50! Still the same old routine with work in the morning and some reading or crafting at night. Nothing has changed much but I've missed my second Bakawali blooming last night. Only able to see the tail end of it this morning!

Such a lovely and exquisite bloom! Wished that it could have last a little longer though. I've seen the first bud bloom at midnight few months back and I've thoroughly enjoyed it amidst the mossie bites and all. I've always enjoyed seeing all the flowers in my garden blooming as it's a spark joy experience indeed!

Also, we had our first 'tapau' food for lunch today! Our first takeaway on day 50 mind you. Mine was dried curry noodle but it felt off a little, maybe due to it's oiliness and saltiness. I didn't quite enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed previously, incomparable to home-cooked meals for sure. Oh well, I'll have to endure the same once I've started going back to office so better to think less of it and enjoy life at home much more lah for now!

CSM: World Orangutan Day

It's this Saturday! For more details, you can check out their Facebook page below:
https://www.facebook.com/FreeTreeSociety/

No plastic bags in Selangor

Note: this is my rant on the current 'no plastic bags' policy in Selangor. It may be lame to some but this is just my opinion.

I have always applauded and supported green environmental friendly moves. So when the Selangor government moved to have this 'no plastic bags' policy in the state, I'm all for it. However, I did wonder though about the extra charge of 20 sen for a plastic bag if need be. With this 'no plastic bags' move, it is to encourage the consumers to bring our own green bag and not to rely on retailers to provide the plastic bags which are mostly non-biodegradable. It's a good move but I am really curious of the extra charge though.

All this while, without the 'no plastic bags' policy, we have been given plastic or paper bags without paying extra. So when this policy took effect, I noticed that MOST of the retailers took this opportunity to charge their customers! I know it sounds negative at my end but then this is my thought...

For example, I have recently bought some clothes from Uniqlo and was asked to pay 20 sen for a bag. Before that, we were not charged that 20 sen. Mind you, I had bought a few hundred ringgit worth of clothes and I would have expected a bag for FREE. I mean 20 sen is no biggie for a BIG retailer like Uniqlo to absorb into their cost! They could adjust it in their POS/ accounting system especially for customers who had bought more than, lets say, RM100 or RM150. That would be a fair deal. I wouldn't have minded paying that 20 sen if it was a small grocery shop or market but I minded paying Uniqlo for it. Thankfully I had my loyal strawberry green bag with me.

I didn't mean to pick on Uniqlo but that was the first incident I had after the policy kicked in. I totally felt annoyed that such a big retailer actually took the opportunity to charge their customers 20 sen when before that it was part of their costing which was absorbed. So we are paying extra now plus given the bad economy, 20 sen is a lot once we accumulate it. Unless they reduced their RRP lah then I wouldn't have minded paying that extra 20 sen.

The same goes for Popular, already zero tax for reading materials and they still want to charge 20 sen for a plastic bag. Even pharmacies like Watsons and Guardian so I pity those who forgot and had to pay especially when they had purchased a lot! Most of the big retailers are taking this opportunity to earn extra profit from this policy. I just don't get it, why the extra burden on us when they could have absorbed it? Even those who provides paper bags are doing this which is usually biodegradable.

I totally applaud those who didn't follow suit like Sasa, Cotton On, Coach, Young Hearts and Obermain. Whether or not they had biodegradable plastic or paper bags, they did not imposed the extra charges on their customers but absorbed it regardless of amount. This is a huge gap, in my opinion, especially for retailers to take this opportunity to profit more. I may be wrong, the mechanics of this policy could be different from what I thought but this is how I feel about it.

Thankfully my CNY shopping is over and I'll not shop for another year or so. In line with my frugal resolution, I'm making it a point to avoid shopping at those retailers who charge for plastic bags... especially the BIG retailers... except for the SMEs and small businesses.

Cilantro power!

Something good for cilantro/coriander lovers! Unfortunately, not for me though... can't stand the smell :-p

Your year of garden DIY

Useful gardening DIY for all year round!

Edible bulbs

Know the various types of onions, garlics and leeks!

Understanding epsom salt #atozchallenge

Epsom salt is not only good for humans but also splendid for gardening especially edibles!

List of pLants mosquitoes hate! #atoz challenge

A very good idea... I do have some in my garden... need to test them out to see how effective it is!

GardeninG tips: asian basils #atozchallenge

Here's how you can identify the different Asian Basils - tips found from Facebook.

Fancy terrarium ideas #atozchallenge

Found this useful tips on how to create your own terrarium:

Unfortunately can't credit accordingly as these tips were found in Facebook.

Day out with a gooD bookish pal #atozchallenge

It was sheer coincidence when Ai Jou and I chatted via Whatsapp about going to the Art for Grabs event in The School, Jaya One. So we met up last Sunday afternoon and proceeded as planned.

First stop: Jumble Station.
As posted previously, Jumble Station is a non-profit organisation who helped Parents Without Partners in managing and getting through life as a single parent. Located at P1 floor, there is a counter for us to submit our donations and another preloved shop selling all the good condition donated stuffs in order to raise money. I was in awe with the many gems available at their books corner. Priced at RM5 each or RM8 for 2 or RM10 for 3, what a steal! We managed to get 3 books in total so mine was only RM3.30!!! Anyway, we also donated our stuffs collated from our KonMari spring-cleaning. I had a heavy bag of books and knacks... still more to come though...

Second stop: Art for Grabs event.
There were many new and preloved books stalls and handmade booths but my main target here was the KL Book Exchange booth as I had 8 books for exchange! Well, I had reserved 3 books earlier with Gladys, the owner, and then scoured the rest through the piles of books! After that, we headed for a coffee break as Ai Jou was hungry LOL!

Third stop: The Bee.

My yummy Iced Latte!

OK, I have never been here so it's my first. The place was crowded but thankfully there's a table for us. The ambiance was cosy though tight in space and noisy plus it was kinda warm. My iced latte was sugarless but I didn't sweeten it as the caffeine was bitterly tasty enough. The carrot cake was a little too sweet for my sweet tooth though LOL! Anyway, we had a great time catching up and as usual... time flies when we are enjoying ourselves. So thanks to Ai Jou for bringing me here!

Final stop: continued browsing the remaining booths.
Yes, we continued checking out the remaining booths and met Vannitha of The Revolving Library! Another great non-profit organisation raising funds to provide more literacy to under-privileged children. There were other noteworthy booths too like NotbookNotbuk with many unique handcrafted paper goods and BeGood with homemade skincare made for positivity. Honestly, I was surprised to have met some friends here though Ai Jou met more!

My final book haul! All in great condition!

I got Cornella Funke's through Jumble Station for RM3.30 only by sharing the purchase with Ai Jou! Sandra Brown's for RM1 in exchange with a book at The Revolving Library and the remaining 5 were books exchanged at KL Book Exchange. So I still have 2 more books for exchange, perhaps the next round when KLBE is in Jaya One *fingers crossed*

I'm so loving these handmade bookmarks which I got for only RM2 each!

Overall, I had a wonderful time catching up with Ai Jou. And then a great time browsing and buying/ exchanging LOL! I felt contented and happy in the end... happy sigh! Can't wait for our next date in early May!

Ai Jou, thanks for these!

Healing herbs and spices

Another tip found on Facebook :-)

Signs of nutrient deficiency

Found this in the net... for the avid gardeners...