More Crochet

I've been working at my crochet lately and I made a bunch of more these round pouches.

 This one was requested by my sister. She made the flower on top by herself.

Now that I'm finally getting better at crocheting stuff, I decided to try this crochet basket too. It took me almost a day but it's done at last. (I didn't make the handle for it)

It's actually quite big and I'm thinking it will be useful to keep on the dresser for random things such as hair ties and clips perhaps.

The angry birds seem to find it real cozy. :)

I Am Blessed

"If you are thankful, I will give you more." Quran 14:7

I have a roof over my head, warm food at my table and a family that cares around me. This is something that many people around the world crave for right now. I am, indeed, very lucky. But oh, how easy it is to forget it and whine and complain. Instead of looking at what we have, we only see what we don't have. I want to sit back and appreciate all that I have in my life right now and be thankful for it. 

I am blessed to be able to go for Umrah this year as well. So many people asked me to pray for them. Some asked for something in particular and some in general terms. I don't know how many of my prayers will get accepted but I remembered each and every person. Usually, I can think of a billion things I'd want to wish for but when I get there, all my wishes seem so insignificant. Nothing really matters. I end up not asking for anything at all but just guidance and forgiveness.

 In Makkah and Madina, it's a whole new world. The residents are usually guiding and helpful. The only concern is getting to prayers on time. There seem to be no worldly burdens. The sacred water, Ab-e-Zamzam keeps us refreshed.

I find it very amusing to watch  the little children around. I got a cut on my foot and had to use a band-aid for it. This little girl looked at my foot twice as she went by and the look on her face was SO worried. It was the cutest thing ever. My Dad says I should have said to her, "a pigeon bit me". (hehe)

The beginning of May has not been an easy one for our family. I'm glad we got the chance to go to for Umrah and pray at this tough time. I know this tough time won't last but it's much more comforting to go and pray at such spiritually charged places. We return with high hopes and greater trust in Allah.

 Now that we are back home and it's been a few days, I miss being there and really hope to go back again. 

Beaks and Bows

Last time, while I tried to sew a small Totoro, I watched the movie. It made me realize that I can watch an animated movie while I sew. Why animated? Because I can just glance at it every now and then and just listen to it while working and still know what's going on. Makes sewing more fun for me. 

I had made the blue bird and the yellow bird right after I made the red one. But I wanted to make the black one before I put them all on my blog. So today while I made the black bird, I watched Howl's Moving Castle. I don't have a sewing machine yet so I hand-stitch each bird. I seem to have a hard time sewing on their beaks. It takes about five tries to get them okay looking. But they're worth it. Here they all are:

The black bomb bird is my favorite! I am so so thankful to Care's blog where I got all the patterns from.

The other thing I've been working with felt making little bow hair clips. I got a pack of black hair clips for very cheap and the good thing about them is that the top black part actually comes off from the clip. I made little bows with felt and used glue to put them on the black top. Left them one day to dry and viola! pretty little clips all ready! 

 I didn't really think it necessary to cover the black part with felt because my hair is black and when I put it on, only the bow shows. I don't know how long they'll stay with glue. Maybe I should have sewn them on. I guess I will if they start to come off. Right now, I'm happy with they way they are.

Might make more birds and bows with the felt I have left. Perhaps get better at sewing beaks on? :)