Begin again

It has been way too long since I last posted anything here..

the best way I suppose is to begin again, fresh start..

So here I go..

This is me.. Sohana Sabir a.k.a MyBotanG

and this here is my family..

a hubby, a daughter and myself

this is Iman Sofea, she'll be 14 in May. She is in her 2nd year of Junior High school

people say she looks a lot like me, but I feel she resembles hubby both in looks and personality (which drives me crazy at times, to have 2 of them and non on my team..)

and this is us trying to murder a cardboard storm trooper with our churos..

Hubby is the main reason we are here in Japan.. he originally came to Japan as an undergraduate student, he then brought me here, and we brought Sofea.. long story short, we never left.. we tried to once.. but Allah has better plan for us..

So 15 years ++, 5 cities and 9 apartments later.. we are now residing in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

I am still sewing, been doing it full time for the last 6 years ++

Sofea and myself in my handmade dresses

I have added clothes making to my resume (in addition to making bags and quilts)

I also teach sewing at a centre that hires and trains people with special needs

So, stick around..

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It has been way too long....

and I don't know how to start again... *sob*

I apologize for my lack of posting here.. I am still around and sewing and updating over at my page on FB..

I promise to write soon..

*Wild Cosmos snapped in Oct*

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2011 Recap...

Does it still count if the recap or talking about the new year are done when the first month is almost over? or maybe I can claim I was waiting for the Chinese new year... *roll eyes*  

Anyway... 

I enjoyed (envious actually) looking at all the pretty mosaic recap table on so many blogs, that I was determined to have one too this year. I played with Big Huge Lab Mosaic Maker and finally managed to come up with the above.. 

Highlight 2011 for MyBotanG:

1. My first sew along - Reversible Bucket Bag 

2. My second sew along - applique project

3. Designed Diaper Keeper for mommies

4. Introduced baby quilt set

5. Carrie-me-tote in style

6. A single sized quilt for boy

7. Designed bento wrap - reusable sandwich wrap.. yeay!!

8. Designed Odekake BOX - inspired by Odekake bag - will blog about it 

9. GA to celebrate 1K-LIKE on FB page

10. Obsession with flower brooch - pic here, here and here

11. Kinoko Sling using laminated fabric

12. Made some quilted cozy cases   

Hope you've had a great start into the year of Dragon.. 

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Moving and never ending unpacking..

We moved to another state in Japan last weekend (on 29th October to be exact)

The move went smoothly, it was a perfect day and the movers did a good job packing, loading and later unloading our stuff in the new home... 

Pictured above - the moving truck with quilted covers used to cover the oversize stuff i.e fridge, telly, table, washing machine, etc to protect them from bump and bruises *grin* 

My studio was all packed within an hour by 1 lady mover. It went from this..

...to this lonely and cold room full with panda boxes... It took me more than 1 week to get everything into the boxes the last time we moved.. my theory - we are attached to our items, we tend to ponder and daydream of yummy projects, thus taking longer to get the job done *grin*

Major headache started when I have to unpack and put everything in some working order..

Pictured - the view of my studio a day after the move.. 

The best thing was all the boxes were labeled and the movers sorted them into its designated areas..   

It took several days and lots of pushing and pulling, but after almost a week, I'm happy to report that basically everything is in its place and I have even started sewing again, working on some small projects..




Pictured - my sewing and cutting area

Pictured - Fabrics, books, notion








I am happy to report that I have a secret nook for my stash.. It is small and hidden and I am totally loving the headache it is causing me to organise the space..

Pictured above - sturdy moving boxes stacked on top of each other and arranged vertically (6 boxes all together) to form a cabinet to store fabrics, old clothes waiting to be recycled, batting, packing plastics and etc. The top shelf is used to store smaller cut fabrics (mostly FQ and FE) and some other remnants.. 

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Birds of a feather...

Do tend to flock together.. don't they?

Living in a foreign land, working from home do take its toll on your spirit at times. I find solace online through groups I've joined on FB with similar interest in crafting as myself.

I personally feel that I've benefited in various ways from these groups I've joined. To list a few:

1. I get motivated when I see crafts created by others in the group
2. I get inspired and aim to produce something of superior quality to showcase to the group and get their feedback
3. Reading about others' success stories inspires me to do better
4. I learn new things related to my trade
5. I get my queries answered
6. I try to contribute to others' queries which in turn deepen my understanding of the matter

If you take crafting seriously, know Malay (not a requirement but the discussions are mostly conducted in Malay language) and are interested to be part of a Malaysian crafting community that share and care (for FREE), feel free to join us:

1D1P (1 day 1 product) - A group dedicated to encourage and motivate producing handmade items on daily basis. You can showcase your handmade, join in the discussions, sew along, challenge and much more

GMJ (geng mesin jahit) - A group that covers broader aspects of sewing and crafting. A one-stop place for anything and everything related to crafting.  

However, a group is not a place for a freeloader. Just as in a relationship, you need to put in an effort and contribute. You can't just sign in and expect good stuff to come along your way.

What helps you stay upbeat and motivated..?  


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An update.. finally

Wishing all muslims Eid Mubarak and Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Malaysians all around the world. 

Will be back very soon.. 

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Looking forward to JUNE

MyBotanG 2nd Anniversary

And so it has been 2 years since I started making and selling my handmade items online. I started with making few bags (Bento, Bag Set, Odekake) and selling to my college friends and contacts  on FB only. I'm grateful to my friends who trusted my judgments (though art or design was not my major) they paid and allowed me to play around with fabrics and patterns. Since then I've added many more items to MyBotanG line up, including kitchen, baby and kids and various bags. 

In the 2nd year, MyBotanG has expanded to a separate shoppe blog to sell fabrics and notions and recently MyBotanG page on FB has also been launched to cater for a larger audience. 

In accordance to that, I'm having a SALE in the shoppe throughout the month of June and there'll also be a Giveaway sometime soon. 

MyBotanG's little helper busy at work preparing for the Anniversary Sale

Thank you for being there for me.. Hope you'll remain by my side in the years to come.. Pin It

New Year a.k.a Oshogatsu

For the Japanese, New Year a.k.a Oshogatsu is the most important holiday. Schools are closed for about 2 weeks, while businesses close down for usually about a week.

The Japanese has many traditions that they observe during oshogatsu. From the type of food, games, decorations and various symbolisms - for more info about oshogatsu read this.

A couple of activities or customs that we have adopted ourselves since coming to Japan is osoji a.k.a extensive cleaning. Though I would not call my cleaning method extensive, still I enjoy this culture of welcoming the new year with a clean state.

The second custom that we have adopted is sending out new year cards, which are postcards specially marked to be delivered on 1st January. The cards can be store bought on handmade and usually depict the zodiacal animal for the new year. I've been the unofficial card creator for our family. Here are our cards for 2009, 2010 and 2011..

Since it is school holiday now, Sofea and I spend our time doing some activities together. Today she helped me peel the carrots and potatoes while I prepared other ingredients for lunch. She also helped me to bake a cake. I also put together some activity sheets for her to do in between working on her holiday schoolwork and kumon. 

What activities do you do with your little ones at home..?? 

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1st Anniversary

The greatest comfort of my old age, and that which gives me the highest satisfaction, is the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices I have done to others. 

- Marcus Cato

My blog is 1

Here's to my family who supports my infatuation, who doesn't flinch when I come home with bags of fabric (yet again), who tries to listen attentively to my sewing and crafting related ramblings, and who loves me even if the first and sometimes the only place I want to visit is the fabric shop *sigh*

Here's to all of you, who has been here from the first post, who stops by to say hi!, who takes time to see what I've been up to..

Here's to all of you who has inspired and motivated me to strive to be better

And here's to many more years to come.. ameen..

Here are few pictures taken recently. Common view during colder season where due to shorter daylight (it gets dark by 5pm), many streets and park are illuminated to encourage people to be out and about. 

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Undies take II

Monday shouldn't start before noon, especially when Monday decides to be all gloomy and moody.. *yawn* 

Our weekend was relaxing. Since Saturday was sunny and bright, we went for a picnic in Osaka Banpakku Commemorative Park. Such a HUGE space with lots of activities going on on that day (bazaar, stalls, shows) 

What with the title (Undies take II), I hear you ask... 

Well, I found something similar to the original undies fabric I posted awhile back. 

It is less revealing and more modest *grin* with pale pink in the background. I am yet to cut into it but for the moment it is sitting there on the shelf looking all pretty..hehehehe 

How was your weekend..? My fellow Malaysians had a long 3 day weekend, right? What did you do..? Pin It

A room with a view a.k.a my sewing studio

It is not much, but this is where I spend most of my times these days

Every now and then I will look up to clear skies and white fluffy clouds

The weather is changing and the temperature is dropping fast 

(though sunny, it is 15 degree max today) 

Autumn is here *grin*

While we are in my humble sewing room let me show you another corner...

Now you see it....

Tadaaaa.. the mess is gone *grin*

I love this build in wall cabinet.. 

OK, maybe just one more.. 

The wall of progress

I have completed few more Kinoko Slings

I am working on a wall hanging 

Few blocks of log cabins waiting to be turned into something

There's no picture of the floor mainly because I tidied up the table top and threw everything on the floor for the photo shoot *roll eyes*

It is also full of threads and small fabric pieces.. maybe I should join Tini Hani's Jom Jahit and make a trim catcher for myself and safe me the headache of vacuuming every other day..    

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Our 3 day weekend

We had a 3 day weekend (Monday was a public holiday here in Japan) and a nice sunny spell.. So we went grape picking.. The grape vineyard is located in Osaka, we headed there with other Malaysian friends (about 30 people).

Climbing to the grape vineyard

All you can eat Japanese grapes, pick-wash-eat-no time limit (Adult RM37)

Fresh grapes straight from the tree

With some of the girls

Sofea

Us

I also managed to get started with my quilting projects...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well.. 

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Where were you last weekend..??

I was busy stuffing myself with glorious foods prepared NOT by me... *grin*

After being in Japan for about 6 years in total, this is the first time I've seen this many Muslims gathered in one place eating, talking, mixing around..eerr did I mention eating??

I was @ the Islam Food Festival held annually and this year attended by about 850 people. We had foods from Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Bangladesh and maybe few other places.

So, where were you last weekend..??

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Invitation

MyBotanG would like to cordially invite you to the launching of MyBotanG Shoppe *grin*

MyBotanG Shoppe

Thank you for all the support, kind words, comments, suggestions or even just for dropping by to read @MyBotanG. Truly appreciate it!! 

I will start uploading new sale items in the shoppe starting tomorrow onwards. All items will be sent via some friends going back to Malaysia for Eid (expect delivery by end of August/early September). Pin It

5 more days to go

Another 5 days to go before we return to Japan..

Though such a short trip, it was meaningful and full of beautiful memories.

The best part about my trip back home this year is I get to meet, hug and kiss the newest addition to our family, 4 months old Baby Sufi Hana.

You might still remember about me going on and on about making a quilt and crib padding for Hana chan from this post.

And of course I get to spend time with my nephew, the now big brother Saif Emir.

He is hardly 2 and a half years old, but he speaks clearly and expresses himself well, and we still get kisses and hugs from him.. *grin*

The hardest part of living so far away, is missing seeing them grow in front of my eyes and being there for them *sob*

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