A weekend filled with activities to the limit!

I am tired today (this post was written on Sunday, 19th September 2010). VERY tired! It’s been a very hectic and busy weekend, despite it being an extended weekend for me as I took leave on Friday, and on Thursday, 16th of September was a public holiday to commemorate and celebrate the forming of Malaysia 47 years ago.

The whole morning on 16th September was spent preparing and cooking food as we were expecting our siblings and my in-laws to visit for raya (will blog about that later).

I spent almost the whole day on my feet, and only went to bed at close to midnight when all the cleaning up was done with. Luckily I had my nieces, Kuya, Kuyana and Kuyasmin to help me out with the dishes, while my hubby took care of washing the big items. Thanks, kids! Thanks, Dia!

On Friday, 17th September, was spent sorting out all the pots and pans and dishes which I had taken out for the raya get together, putting them back into their respective places. I also did some organising of my sewing area. I wish I had taken photos before I did the organising as then you would see the difference and know how much effort has gone into sorting all my stash out and organising them.

On Saturday, 18th September, we started our day very early in the morning by having breakfast outside, before we proceeded to visit my late dad’s grave (will also blog about this later).

My hubby then dropped me and Aiman off for Aiman’s class while he went off to the gym. While I was at Bangsar Village, I dropped by Quilt Gallery to get some supplies to make more Little Missy bags. They have some new stock of fabrics, and I could not resist getting some.

Our next stop after Aiman’s class was to have lunch and we decided to have our lunch at Hawker Square, IKANO Power Center, as we wanted to do shop shopping at IKEA. Aiman wants to set up his own room, and so we needed to get some storage items to organise his (I think it is more of MY things, than it is his things, actually! LOL! *grin*) things. I still need to sort out a lot of things in his room before he can actually sleep there as I simply have too many things in there. It has somewhat become a store room of sorts. *blush*

Aiman, as usual, had his favourite Fried Kuay Teow.

I had Portugese Style Grilled Stingray.

My hubby ordered the Chinese Fried Rice.

My hubby and I shared a plate of Fried Oysters with Eggs.

It wasn't as nice as the ones we use to have at Uptown in Petaling Jaya. I miss that one. Maybe I could get hubby to take us there one day.

We wanted to get quite a number of storage items at IKEA, but they were out of stock, so, we settled for only two items – a set of drawers for Aiman, and a set of drawers for us. It was fortunate, actually, that the other items were not available, because it wouldn’t have fitted into our Waja anyway.

We started assembling the two drawer units after dinner, and slept only at 1.00am because the drawer unit for our room took longer to do. It had more parts. Besides that, it was already late when we started on our drawer unit (10.00pm to be exact!) and I kept making silly mistakes. You know how IKEA items are – you have to be precise. 1mm out and the parts wouldn’t fit in together.

On Sunday, 19th September, I spent the day sorting things out and getting things organised. I still have a lot more of organising to do, but things are looking more organised than before. I think I would need another weekend or two before things will look better and more organised.

Here's the chest of drawers for Aiman's room.

A closer look at the deco on top of the chest of drawers which Aiman himself had decorated. He actually has more cars, but he was playing with them when I took this photo.

The chest of drawers for our room in place of where a wicker basket used to sit.

Now we have a problem though. We need to get a new set of chairs. The present wicker chair on either side of the chest of drawers is too wide that it made pulling the drawers inconvenient as we would have to move the chair out of the way first.

My hubby suggested that we run a yard sale via Facebook to sell off some of the things we have which are still good but we no longer have a use for it. What do you think? You think it will work?

If I have time, I hope to paint one of the walls in Aiman’s room as he said that he wanted his room in RED! Can you imagine that? Time to get creative!

Wait for a sequel to this posting if you want to know how the RED turns out in maybe, ........ another year? LOL! *wink*

Doing piping is now a breeze!

I discovered this awesome and wonderful foot when I was learning to do the Saddle bag from Corine about two months ago.

I was taught to make the bag on the BERNINA, and it comes with quite a number of feet, and one of it is this wonderful feet they call it foot number 10, or, 30, can’t quite remember. But, anyway, it makes making piping a breeze and almost perfect like what you get if you buy readymade piping.

All the while I was taking the class; I wondered why the JANOME does not have such a foot. Then Leena, a friend, suggested that I asked the dealer where I bought the machine from. She was sure that the Janome would have one too, since the Janome is also a big brand name in the sewing world.

I did just that, but, unfortunately, not only do they not carry it, despite them being the sole JANOME distributor in Malaysia, they don’t even know anything about what the foot is all about. *sigh*

I asked if I could have it ordered if they can find out from JANOME international, but they seem lost as to what I was talking about. Bummer! I finally gave up!

So, I did the next best thing – I went online in search of it. I found it at several online shops but many wouldn’t ship to Malaysia. Another bummer!

I did not give up and kept searching for it over several days at night after Aiman was settled in bed. Can’t concentrate to buy anything online when I have a 10 year old son hovering over you, you know. LOL! *grin*

I finally found it at eBay! This eBay seller, David, was very helpful, and it was nice to know that he has shipped many items to Malaysia before. That put my mind at ease.

I immediately put an order for the foot and a couple of other foot too – the top stitch foot which I also learned how to use while doing the Saddle bag from Corine, and the curving foot. I have yet to know how to use the curving feet though. For some reason, the foot did not sit nicely on my Janome.

The first time I made my first piping using my own piping foot, I was like a child who just got her favourite lollipop! I just wanted to show it off to someone! LOL! Alas, it was already late at night when I did my first piping! LOL! *grin*

Ever since I got the foot, I have been making quite a number of bags with piping, and I just love the way the piping gives that value added detail to the bags, other than the piping looking so nice and almost perfect!

Just keep a lookout for more bags with pipings from Uniquely Aznique!

Been busy embroidering......

I have been busy...well, ok, since when have I not been busy? LOL! *grin*

OK, make it, I have been EXTRA busy! LOL!

Besides work and doing the household chores, I have been quite busy lately doing embroidery work on my Em, embroidering towels as gifts and also to fulfill orders. Yeah...orders! Sounds like I have loads of orders, right? LOL!

I do, actually, though not many, but enough to keep me occupied after my son goes to bed, and while I keep my hubby company (or is that the other way around? LOL!) whenever he watches one of those war movies. I have fun playing around with the beautiful designs available online and personalising it with names for that special someone.

You know, it does make a lot of difference when you gift someone something personalised. It makes that person feel special that you actually took the trouble to have it personalised.

I made these for a friend who got married on the second day of Hari Raya.

I made these for my brother and SIL for their 17th Wedding Anniversay. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Nik Ai and Eli! Miss you guys!



These are for my brother, Ayis and his family. I just love the colours of the towels that he had chosen! And, I just love the motif for FATIN and FAWZAN. Cute, don't you think?

Don't you just love these personalised towels? Well, guess what? I am offering sets of embroidered towels at my blog shop - UNIQUELY AZNIQUE  (http://uniquelyaznique.blogspot.com/).

Do drop by to take a look on what I have  to offer and to get further info and more details.

Chicken Rice and a pouch finally completed!

OK, that title sounds confusing, right? LOL! *wink*

Actually, this posting is way overdue. In fact, I have quite a number of overdue postings, but I will still eventually put it up as my blog is a record of things my family and I do for the benefit of my son to read in years to come and for my long distance family and friends who keeps in touch with me through my blog.

Anyway, back to this current posting, my niece, Kuya, who is currently studying at HELP Institute, spent the last weekend of the fasting month with us.

It’s been a long time since I last cooked any decent meal at home as I have been coming home late almost every day and weekends are filled up with other commitments. So, that weekend, since my niece was around to help out, I decided to cook Nasi Ayam (Chicken Rice) for Berbuka (Iftar).

I had forgotten how to make the chillie sauce that usually accompanies the chicken rice, but, with my niece’s help, our chillie sauce turned out great! It was delicious!

Instead of frying the chicken, we decided to make it hainanese style by baking/grilling the chicken, but I cooked it for too long that it almost got the chicken burnt and we were left with very little gravy to pour over our rice. But, none the less, the chicken tasted great!

I forgot one major dish though. I forgot the soup! *blush*

Overall, the dinner was great! Well, at least my hubby, son and niece appreciated my cooking! *smile*

Earlier on in the day, my niece sat down with me to complete her pouch which she started with me some 8 months ago when she last visited me during the last December school holidays.

It’s finally completed, though with her name spelt wrong. *sigh*

Not my fault, actually. She herself forgot how her name was spelt!

Can you imagine? LOL! *grin* Trust my niece to forget how to spell her own name! LOL!

HARI RAYA 2010 (Day Two) - A Wedding and more visiting!

A friend of both my hubby and I got married on the 2nd day of Hari Raya, and she being a very close and dear friend, we decided to make the trip to Batu Pahat, a 2 ½ hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, for the wedding. We would say that this a wedding much awaited by many of our friends and colleagues at work. *smile* This is her first wedding, and she herself had rightly said, her life is only just about to begin .... at 40++ *grin* Kalau dah jodoh, akan bertemu jua..... (it was fated for you to marry, you will surely meet...).

We started out at about 9.30am, and only arrived in Batu Pahat (it usually takes only 2 ½ to 3 hours to get to Batu Pahat on normal days) at about 1.30pm due to heavy traffic along the trunk roads leading to Batu Pahat town.

When we got there, the bride and groom had already arrived, and was just done with the Makan Berhidang.

Our friend, Rosila, looks different as she was attired in a head scarf, as before this, she wasn’t wearing a head scarf. But, she looked very happy and cheerful, and was smiling from ear to ear, as any bride would, but her wedding is extra special. *smile*

After the wedding, we headed on my mother-in-law’s kampong (home town), Muar, an hour’s drive from Batu Pahat. There we visited my MIL’s eldest and only brother, Ayah Long, and most of his children. It’s been some time since we made a viist to Muar, and so, we spent quite some time there, chatting with my hubby’s cousin and aunt. Aiman was happily playing with Teh, their favourite pet cat.

Before heading back to Kuala Lumpur, my hubby took us around Muar.

He also showed us the government quarters where he used to live when my FIL was still serving the government many years ago.

The house looks abandoned, which is a pity since most government quarters those days are really huge with a huge garden for you to run around outside instead of being cooped up in the house in front of the TV or computer all day like kids nowadays do.

 

Aiman was actually smitten by the house that he wanted us to buy it! LOL!

Wa started our journey back to Kuala Lumpur at about 6.00pm, and made a stop over at the Restoran Jejantas Air Keroh located along the highway for dinner and maghrib prayers.

My son had Mee Goreng Mamak for dinner.

Sup Ekor with rice for hubby

Asam Laksa for me.

I didn't like it. The gravy was too thin, and it was so hot and spicy that I had to look for potato chips to take away the heaty traste from my mouth.

We safely arrived back in Kuala Lumpur at 10.00pm due to heavy traffic on the highway.
 

To Rosila and Kamarudin, CONGRATULATIONS!

May your marriage be blessed and may you both always remain faithful to one another and be together till death do you part. Amin.

And here are the embroidered towels I made for them. I hope they like them!

For orders, do drop me an email! *wink*

HARI RAYA 2010 (Day One)

For raya this year, we celebrated it in Kuala Lumpur. As usual, in the morning, we would go for our raya prayers before we head on to my in-laws’ house.

We were the first of my hubby’s siblings to arrive at my in-laws. When we got there, the table was already laden with the usual Johor raya food – Nasi Briyani.

When I first got married some 18 years ago, it took me some time to get used to having Nasi Briyani as a raya food because I grew up with satay and nasi impit being served as the usual raya food. *grin* But, I love my father-in-law’s Nasi Briyani!

I am no fan of Nasi Briyani. In fact, I am no fan of any mamak food. I simply cannot stand the thick briyani taste of the gravy, and would only eat it if it was the last food on earth, or, it was the only food available and I am too lazy to cook! LOL! Ask my hubby, and he will nod in agreement! *grin*

But, my father-in-law’s Nasi Briyani is the only briyani where I would really enjoy very much and would actually take seconds! LOL!  And I love my FIL's Harissa!

My yearly raya contribution is a Carrot Cake. Usually I would just frost the cake with plain Cream Cheese frosting, but, this year, I decided to decorate it a bit, but I took the short cut way – I bought the sugar flowers. *grin*

Doesn’t the cake look nice? *wink*

All my nieces and nephew, my hubby and my son, even my hubby’s aunts look forward to my Carrot Cake. I feel so honoured! *blush* My niece in the US would not eat any other Carrot Cake. That is so sweet. I am touched!

Anyway, back to the raya celebration, after my in-laws’ house, we headed on to my hubby’s aunt’s house, Mak Zai. I love her Lontong, and would have taken seconds had I not be so full with Nasi Briyani.

Seen here is Mak Zai deep in conversation with my hubby. She must be talking business! *wink*

She is one business lady I admire and would love to take some time to get some business tips from her. *grin*

In this photo, seated are Aiman, Lydia, Mak Zai's granddaughter, Mak Zai, and standing behind is my hubby and Ayah Yim, Mak Zai's hubby. 

Aiman with cousin, Lydia.

After Mak Zai's house, we went back to my in-laws'house to meet up with my SILs and brother in-law.

Seen here, starting clockwise, seated next to me on the left is my niece, Rinnie, my SIL, Adeque or Azlin, my niece, Alyssa, my niece, Hilda, and my SIL, Eina.

In this photo, my hubby with all his siblings.

Aiman with his cousin and cousin's cousin.

And more food prepared by my SIL, Azlin.

After Friday prayers, we headed on to another one of my hubby’s aunt, Mak Jah. Unfortunately I forgot to take any photos while I was there. *sigh*

In the mean time, at my MIL's house, she was also receiving some friends from her PD (Parkinson Desease) club which she frequents for activities. 

Our last stop on the first day of raya was to my SIL’s house, Eina, my hubby’s youngest sister. No photos there either as we spent a lot of time talking. *grin* Love the Nasi Dagang Terengganu there though. It was something different after eating Lontong twice at both my hubby’s aunties houses. *smile*

We got home only at 8.00pm that day.

Here’s wishing all my friends, readers of my blog, my mum, my in-laws, my siblings and all my relatives, SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI! Maaf Zahir Batin!

END OF RAYA DAY ONE. Next – RAYA DAY TWO - A Wedding and more visiting!