Okinokiyo - the blog

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2013-12-04T13:10:00.000+08:00

The sights that I love to see.

This was after lunching outside while waiting my husband to pay, in front of where we parked our car. We had to stay a bit further, due to some smokers nearby.

This is a normal view. All of us will just simply sit on the floor and read for hours.

Meowwww...

2013-11-04T12:10:00.000+08:00

We are in Kuching following the mister for his training. Since myself and Nasya never been to Kuching, so we tagged along.

First impression of Kuching is - no rubbish by the roadsides, clean. Impressive. We went to Santubong on the first day to see the greens, since we are staying in the city. So green and fresh. Love it.

Dropped by Damai Beach Resort and spend half hour there.

Nasya wearing Denim Rorry hat.

Planned to spend the first day Sarawak Cultural Village didn't materialize because the mister has to finish his work before the training today. So, we just roam around the city and napped a lot on the first day.

I have some emails to reply today and see you later!

Nasya's sale carnival

2013-09-23T09:00:00.000+08:00

Nasya's school organized a sale carnival last Friday for 6yo students and invited parents and family to come. Nasya has been telling this even before fasting month.

The message in the message book on this sale carnival was something like this "...children can sell books, old toys and art and craft..."

When Nasya heard selling books, she right away said "No! Not my books!" Hmm, this girl has a thing for her books even though she already read almost all of her books.

Toys, we just donated the nice and not used anymore to her cousins, so we have Art and Craft left. But still, what kind of art and craft Nasya wanted to sell?

After some brain storming, (yes we did)I gave her some options and of course she said jewellery. She is into Sofia The First now, so that actually summarized the decision .

We went to Karysma, and bought some colored beads. Used my elastic thread and spent 2-3 hours for first few necklaces and bracelets.

2 days before, I sewed some pouch using Ikea fabric and cut some stickers. You know how children at this age crazy about stickers. All gone. Necklaces, bracelets, pouch bags, batu seremban, headband, book marks (ok we have few left for this)

This was their super inspired principal, who made all the kids want to go to school. You should see how the kids adore the teachers here. We, the parents still cannot believe it.

After making some sales, Nasya ran to her friend's booth to buy dinosaurs. Her fav stegosaurus gone in few seconds so, she settled with Trex. I think that is Trex :p

I love the school for doing this (and of course so many other things) because she was telling me that she wanted to sell something and get her own money after following me to few bazaars since 3 years back. Now she owned and experienced it and agreed with me that it was a quite tiring but of course fun experience.

Thank you Tadika Insan Kamil!

Seek and Keep Bazaar

2013-09-21T22:02:00.000+08:00

Every weekend, especially Saturday, my day will filled up with something. The normal ones are fabric hunting, sewing supplies shopping, meeting friends and for this week is check out Seek and Keep Bazaar! I've been to this bazaar few months back and really love the ambiance.

Located at BSC, very posh place for me, good crowd and family friendly place. Met Murni, long time didnt see her and really love her booth. All are fresh! fresh! fresh! I didnt buy any though coz Im a bit unlucky when it comes to plants.

Before meeting Murni, I saw this one booth and almost want to scream. I love every single thing there. Now feel a bit regret for not buying. I love hooks and hangers. So usually I bought but I didnt hang it. So, I found this pretty hooks there. Butterfly in brass (I think). RM150 (if not mistaken). Please follow the seller in Instagram and Facebook with the name industrylifestyle

Did you see the ABC block there? Super love!

The numbers too! Want!

Nasya was wearing Kitakids dress from Mimpi Kita. Took this picture at British India wall. I have 3 pose of Nasya's here. :) In different British India of course.

Not that tired Saturday for me so far!

Books: Coming Up Roses

2013-09-18T09:00:00.000+08:00

I love books. Love how I can easily find time last time to read them.

A new book I purchased this month is this book. Cath Kidston - Coming Up Roses.It is how Cath started her business until now. Love all about this book, from the simple story and direct message is clearly delivered, nice photos (of course she shared all the nice prints of her products)

Bought this at MPH Bangsar Village during outing with Ira and can find it too at MPH online just in case you guys interested to buy it.

My type of readings are anything related with creative business, childhood education, art and craft and lately into home decor books but more to DIY, flea markets, industrial looks and not the branded stuff sort of things.

So, what book should I read next month? What is your favourite book?

Hong Kong trip

2013-09-17T17:22:00.001+08:00

We usually bring the hat along whenever we go. So, this year for our annual trip, we went to Hong Kong. It was on my birthday, but the main agenda is Disneyland for Nasya. How odd is that?

But I always wanted to bring her to Disneyland, so I am satisfied with this year holiday as we can see how happy she was during the whole trip. It was a 5d4n trip and we need more days! Spent 3 days in Disneyland itself and 3 days in Kowloon but we need more.

Disneyland was superb. Halal food is there in the park itself, and because we stayed in the nearby hotel, it makes us easy to go back to refresh and pray. Weather was nice, a bit gloomy and it was even raining on the 2nd day 6AM but it stopped 2 hours after that.

Nasya loves the classic merry go round in the Fantasyland, the high parachute in the Toy Story land, but I think she enjoyed the Mickey Phillarmagic and The Golden Mickey Shows. Oh wait, I think she loved all the shows and I personally loved the Lion King show, but I think Winne The Pooh Adventure was not worth queuing. Maybe because she knows the story already, and it was a quick one.

After Disneyland, we went to Kowloon. Stayed in the hotel there and we took a stroll at night at the famous Avenue of Stars. And we went to Sham Shui Po the next morning for some fabric hunting. According to Ira, it was fab, yes, it was. But I think my timing is not right. It was raining (again) that morning, so most of the stalls/shops opened a bit late. And because we are going back the next day, most of the fabric that I want is not available on the spot. They had to order it first within 5-7 days. So sad!

Mostly the style here is they displayed the swatches in front and in the shop and we can just tell them, how many meters we want for that certain fabric. The swatches there were free to grab. Other than fabrics, you can find laces, buttons, accessories, felt, leathers too. I bought some ribbons and trims and one fabric that I think I couldn't find it here :)

Overall it was a short trip, but meaningful to 3 of us. Gonna make another visit, for sure!

Birthday dress

2013-02-04T22:20:00.001+08:00

She is having fever when I came back from the office today but active as usual.

So i asked to try her new dress. Its a birthday dress. Its a tradition for me to make her new dress every birthdays.

And she came out with this silly faces. There are a lot, but I will just share this hehhee

Handmade home

2013-02-04T08:42:00.001+08:00

I know. I know that I have been neglecting the blog for quite sometimes..So here I pay it back :p

Anyway, just so you know, I love making things. I dont really make only stuff that people orders. You will get tired if you just focus on one thing and not doing some other new things, well that applies for me.

So we do some other craft and sewing some other interesting as well. I love to instill this in my daughter to let her know, you can make things on your own, but most of the complicated things still, I have to assist her.

Paper cut oven from the back of the magazine

Oh this book is a major love. So inspiring.

One of the content

Baby Alive new mini dress

Her handmade school bag that I have fix the zipper because earlier it has a problem when the teacher tried to zip it. Patter from Rae. Totally not for sale because it is so hard!

So looking forward till the end of the year and compile the things I have made through out the year other than the orders. Must be fun!

Read wherever you can baby

2013-02-04T08:27:00.001+08:00

When we going out, we will scan first to check if the malls we are going, do or do not have a book store. If they dont, we will make sure, this little girls have to run and drench in sweat...but usually the malls do have a book stores.

I do not realize until I found out, most of the photos in my phone are with her reading books, usually sitting on the floor and ignoring others.

She found out that the flight safety instructions are so interesting.

And we will let her read any kind of books. And only notice recently, she loves Human Body and earth related books. For the love of books!

Where is the cutom made menu?

2013-01-08T09:49:00.002+08:00

Hello all and happy new year!
Yeahh yeahhh I know I am super busy..Likewise..

I received so many emails asking where is the custom made menu? How to order and similar things like that. I know where this confusions coming from and I need to make some clarifications here...

I decided to pull off the custom made menu last few months due to work commitments that makes me work till late night and have no time to cut and sew things like that. So I thought ok, lets just make ready made hats. So I did. Few.

And I realized that, the one I made and the demand doesnt match. Predicted this as well.

So I think I need to switch it on again. But just to let you know the turnaround time might be longer. I will see my schedule this year, and hope it is not that clumsy and hectic like last year. And, custom made is open only few hats, the rest are ready made :p

You guys ok with this?

Year end bazaar

2012-12-14T12:05:00.001+08:00

Year end bazaar, tomorrow! I just need to release my stress and be with my beloved crafty friends...

Featured again in WHI :)

2012-10-29T17:50:00.003+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha to those celebrating and hello for missing too long! I miss you all but you know, the more plans you have, the more rezeki coming in, and I found out I dont have much time to blog.

Anyways, I was invited again for WHI, thank you to Fiza who called me. I was driving that time and was thinking, can I slot my time for this? Luckily all went well and yes, there I was super duper early at 10.00 AM in Seri Pentas.

I was showing how to DIY your hats in that 6 minutes time slot, especially for parents at home. Will show you the tute that I stored a long time ago in my draft folder. And if you saw Nasya's photos lately, she is wearing the hat she decorated herself.

Before that live slot in WHI, we (my husband and I) went to OU and kill our time by shopping at the Uniqlo and Bershka hahaha. I want more scarfs pls! Saw this one Bershka skull printed scarfs but it was too wide and I dont know how to wrapped it, so I passed.

To WHI, Fiza specifically, thanks for the slot again, we really appreciate it, and yeah, as usual, more rezeki coming in, right after the slot..Alhamdulillah!

Jewllery making

2012-09-17T09:53:00.004+08:00

Nasya saw a DIY page inside her princess magazine on making bracelet, and I promised her we will make it together one day. So, during this long weekend, we sat together after dinner and whipped up princess bracelet. I cant remember where I put my beads so I went to buy 2 packets of different color pearl beads (I bought the beads a day earlier because she begged for this activity a week before).

It was pretty simple instructions, and easy to follow for kids, completed in less than 10 minutes! She can matched it with her magic wand and crown and be a princess at any time.

I use elastic thread. Can be bought at any sewing supply shop, so the bracelet is nicely fit on your kid's wrist and didnt hurt her.

Then, i saw a tweet from Hello Deer about their market, i saw a kid's statement necklace that was so cute! And because Im stucked at home waiting for the sewing machine guy to repair my machine, I cant go there to shop or even window-shop, I decided to make one.

Basically I did all the sewing, I asked Nasya what shape she wanted and chose the buttons she wanted on the necklace. So I sat with her, watching movie and sew the necklace. Really tiring as this is a hand-stitched, one by one...yawn! But I really wanted to finished it. I made the ribbon longer so that we can share the necklace if she is wearing her other handmade necklace.

Ok, and that, what we did during the long holiday, purely a handmade weekend :) I think this is one of the activity you can do with your kids. Usually kids loves handmade things and they wanted to be in the process, so let them be and have fun!

Ready Made Hats soon...

2012-09-12T08:46:00.003+08:00

Im coming out with more ready made hats! Why? Because I found out, lots of you out there, been asking for ready made hats and some of you have the hard time choosing the combination of the fabric for a hat. Yeah, I know it can be a problem even I myself sometime sit in front of the racks looking at the fabric and do not know what is the best combination of fabric.

Anyways, this is one sample that I snap the photo. I will do phase by phase based on the type of hats.Currently Im doing the Raisha hats, they are all complete. Havent take the photos yet and havent uploaded them on to the website yet.

Other reason why I want to do ready made hats are to explore with the options. I have few embellishments etc, which I think go well with the hats. I have cute buttons, laces, bias trims which I know can make the hats of your kids outstanding than others. Cant wait to show them once they are done.

And, last reason is because time is so limited now. Im just sad that I couldnt make your hat if my daily job is too occupied. I love both. You can find me at home having a teleconference at night and still can sewing while watching my fav tv series right after that. Drawback is, lack time with my girl and lack of sleep, HELP! :p

So, I want to give you guys options of having fast, no waiting time hats, new fresh look and yup win win situation for both of us. Happy? I am.

But I do need some cooperation from you in terms of sizing of hats that you are looking for, and type of hats you love most, I will be making those a lot. So you have a wider options.

Do comments on : Size you are looking for and Type of Hats you would like to see most.

Really appreciate that!! Till then, Muchas gracias! :D

Nasya meets Mister Maker

2012-09-08T22:43:00.004+08:00

We do not subscribe Astro. Which I think is a good decision, since we are Internet Users more than TV users. So when we subscribe Unifi, we use their HyppTV channel as main tv stations. I love their kids channel because of cbeebies and Nick Jr. Nasya learns a lot from Cbeebies.

Mister Maker is one of her favourite. So when she realized that Mister Maker is coming to town, she was so excited looking forward to the day, so did I. Event was at Bangsar Village and we were late. We went to the Immigration Office for our passport renewals, and it took almost all of our day :S

Anyways...the show was good, even though it was short, but packed and she enjoyed it so much. Can see from her glowing face when first seeing Mister Maker in front of her!

We took photo at the poster around the concourse area while waiting for the last session.

With her top favourite show from Cbeebies, Charlie and Lola!
Nasya wearing Leelo Kids Jasmine Pants and Old Navy Rapunzel Tshirt. Speaking of East meets West. :)

There was coloring session as well in between the break, the best 10-entries got a goodie bag.

Mister Maker and the emcee which was so good in entertaining

Nasya at the end of the show, she got the front stage seat, which was awesome, and kept saying, "Mister Maker looked at me when he was so silly saying very very very very 100 times.."

This is the clip that my husband took :

When we reached home, she said, "You know mom, today is so great" Dont you guys think Mister Maker's job is so cool? He entertains and shares his craft ideas to kids that adore him and travels around the world!

Thanks Mister Maker for coming to Malaysia! Ok HyppTV, can you bring Charlie and Lola next? :p

Okinokiyo on Bella NTV7

2012-08-27T09:23:00.001+08:00

Hi all, Welcome back to reality after Raya!
For those who didnt get to watch us on Bella before raya, here is the clip for you to see how the little towkay cannot sit still even she is live on TV haha!

Thank you for all the support and I will be back with more posts! And Thanks Bella for having us!

Raya Money Packets

2012-08-14T21:22:00.005+08:00

Raya is less than a week and I am glad I have distributed the money packets from Okinokiyo to the customers & some business contacts. So surprised that many people love it when I instgrammed it last week.

The idea came quite late though. I was in the shower on Sunday when I thought of it. So I asked my husband to see if there were any printer still taking orders and what was the price like. And in terms of design, I want something that is casual, can be used even after raya.

I went to few akikahs before Ramadhan and we were running out of money packets. And the one we have emm, with all the Selamat Hari Raya writings, I dont really like it.

When we were drafting, Wondermilk tweeted their 6 designs of raya packets they have. Super awesome. I at first want to come out with Chevron prints since it is IN right now, but it might not the trend 2-3 months later. So, we back to circles and play with colors.

We printed 1K pieces and it is not enough to distribute to all business contacts and customers. I didnt know that 1K is not enough! *Jot down this in my mind..* And the first batch of customers and friends already received it. Hope you like it as much as we like it...

I will blog about Bella session and the tute insyaAllah after raya.

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin. Drive safe during Raya ok?

Salam Ramadhan

2012-07-24T21:06:00.003+08:00

The whole house welcoming Ramadhan with flu and fever. I cannot getup one day due to fever (it was before Ramadhan, thank god) and now recovering very s l o w l y.

Office work was hectic and stressful but still I managed to sew at night to distress myself. As I planned, I want to focus this month with more ibadah and less dunya. And always welcoming orders but will try not to accept any order 2 weeks before Eid. So those who plan their kids to wear hats during Eid - visiting from one house to another, do place your order now ok? Else, order can only be completed 2 weeks after that.

Im focusing on Leelo Kids production now... I revamp the blog last night, about 30% and managed to setup the font and colors but still lots to do. In terms of Production, Jasmine Pants are ready, and so itchy to sew the rest but I need to visit few fabric shop for some supplies. October will be hectic!

Oh well, I posted a comment on Nasya's kindy FB page, and look what her teacher's respond :

"Salam Mai, Nasya will have plenty of exposure to fasting related lesson plans. Rather than why Muslim have to fast, it is rather "why I choose to fast". Ramadhan Kareem"

We have chosen the best school indeed. Can she spend more than 2 years in her kindy. I seriously dont mind..

Till then, xoxo

Talking machine

2012-07-05T08:45:00.000+08:00

Hellowww, for 2 days in a row I woke up late, and today I made a record, to arrive in the office early! Yay for me. Thanks to smooth road and no traffic jams. And have you utilise your 15% offer? If you havent, there is one day left, and it will expire tomorrow midnite, so hurry!

I think I have a talking machine at home. Nasya talks a lot. Most of them are funny things. She is one serious joker. Im a bit worried because she can read but she cant spell :S Too much of reading makes her know what that words are and how the sounds but she never bothered to learn to spell.

The other day she asked me -
Nasya : Mom, do you how to spell GOT?
Me: GOT or GOD? What do you want to say?
Nasya : I want to say I GOT something...
Me: Ok, the spelling is G.O.T

And she knew if it is wrong. One day my husband tested her.
Nasya : I want to write a letter. Can you help me in spelling?
Dad : Yes, of course.
Nasya : I want to say Hello Friend.
Dad : H.E.L.L.O.W
Nasya : *writing down* ... No, I there is no W here. Just H.E.L.L.O.
Dad : Smart girl!

So, yes a bit worried there. Read - checked, write - beeep!
Phonics doesnt work with her. Because it makes her yawn the whole session. I think I will let her teacher do the spelling work :D and I will brush up her Malay. Last night she said lagi satu ("another" or "one more" in English) as "lasi gatu" all jumbled up. But good thing is, she knew it is wrong and trying hard to say the right word. :D

Got to go, and have you use the 15% discount? Hurry, one day left. All orders will be posted next week, Monday till Friday.

Till then, xoxo.

Okinokiyo featured in Women's Weekly July 2012

2012-07-01T13:04:00.000+08:00

Due to work in the office and few unfortunate family events, I am quite late buying July MWW. I knew this when a craft friend instagramm-ed it. Thanks Azah & Azza!

Thanks to MWW too, for featuring us in the kids online shopping website. :) I really really appreciate that.

Orders still open as usual, despite the busy schedule. I got 3 more fabrics not uploaded in the website, and few pending orders not yet cut the fabric.

To show my appreciation to all of you out there, use this below coupon during check out.

We are upgrading the website to integrate with the banking system and also few other things to make sure shopping is easy for all of you, ok? :D

Till then, enjoy your weekend!

Leelo Kids

2012-06-21T23:36:00.001+08:00

Those who follow me in twitter, instagram and facebook must see that I have a new "baby". A new brand of mine.

Leelo Kids

Hats is still going on, dont worry. You can still place the order. But I love to explore the world and stretch myself to the maximum I can go. Let see how far. I know you guys will support me, I always know because you guys are just so awesome!

Let me tell you about Leelo Kids a bit. You can also read it here. The concept will be a bit different with Okinokiyo. While for Okinokiyo use imported fabrics, my husband has challenged me to do something with local source. So, Im using Batik! I know, you will say, "batik?!!! For oldies! And confinement ladies!" I love when people underestimate the idea, it makes me to prove that we can do it even better. So yes, I'm coming up with something fresh for your little lady, targetted at 6months till 8 years old. I just so excited and some friends have been keeping this secret and keep listening this for almost every day.

I missed the boat to join Fuyoh Art Bazaar this month and during the last month Jaya One Markets, the clothing still in production, so I really hope to join Little Red Market next October. They are opening the slots and shout here if you want to see the debut! I really really really want to join because they will be a soft launch event the following month, ahem..

To get more updates and to see what's happening, do follow me here :
Instagram : leelokids
Twitter : leelokids
Facebook : www.fb.com/leelokids

And my trusted husband is integrating the store with the blog now, and I think it is almost complete...

And Im looking for some new and faces with character for a photoshoot somewhere in September, if you think that your girl is the one, send me the picture!

1st Market in 2012

2012-05-30T09:30:00.000+08:00

This was our first market 2012 and we survived! We in this context are - myself, my husband and our lil Nasya of course. Why? Because of the current state I am, working mom, I managed to come out with some lil goodies for this market!

Our booth (Snazzy n Such (www.snazzynsuch.com)) was at the end of the road which was good and not good. Good because we didnt feel hot. And not good because some of our customers overlook us. One of them have to round 2 times only they managed to find us... :S But after all the sales was good.

I seriously excited to see on of instagram friend showed up. She is one incredible hot momma with a very adorable cute lil girl! She paints! Potraits...oh my god, you should follow her and trust me you will ohhh and ahhhhh to see her paintings :)

Thanks Sara for showing up and thanks for the purchases! Love love Lora soo much!

Im coming up with some new things, braving up myself to take this steps..Will let you know once the things are ready.

And by today, batu seremban will appear in our shopping cart. It is a triangle batu seremban and comes with a pouch. All handmade :D

Have a nice day to you! :)

Markets 2012

2012-05-22T08:53:00.001+08:00

And finally, I will be back again in Markets?

What to expect this time?
1. Hats clearance
2. Headbands
3. Bows for boys
4. Pot holders
5. Patchy belts
6. Batu seremban

So, come and dont miss it!!

Oh my Charlie and Lola

2012-05-17T21:52:00.000+08:00

My daughter, my only darling loves to talk. One day while putting on her clothes, I heard she mumbling alone. When I heard properly, she was actually pretend to be Charlie AND Lola.

For those who do not know, my husband and I only allows her watch tv after school around 5 till 7 only. We dont watch tv at night and she can watch tv during weekends - Saturday & Sunday. We dont have Astro and we are on unifi with hypptv. So her entertainment is cbeebies and nick jr...

So here some clips from Charlie and Lola and her 'mimic'ing charlie and lola...

And this is Nasya, ignore me okay?

Happy weekend!

Recently made

2012-05-10T01:03:00.001+08:00

....other than hats :)