Zipper lined pencil pouch(sewed)

Sewing is my new passion and obsession. I am going crazy looking at the number of projects, patterns & fabric that I can use to make simple, easy, usable things and can't wait until I try them out. I actually like the feeling of turning a plain piece of fabric to an accessory which can be used or worn. Isn't it cool to do that, that's the reason I also like to crochet or arts for that reason.

I have been doing some fun clothes for my daughter for sometime now and felt bad that I completely forgot my son. So one day when I was checking my stash and some bookmarked  projects I thought what could I make for him? Then came to know he is carrying his pencils in his bag with books and dosent have a pouch for it. There it was! I thought and got to work immediately. I did ask him to pick the fabric and here it is a pencil pouch for him on his first day of school. A proud mom and her proud son, lots of good wishes his way.

This project is super simple and takes about 20-30 mins to make. This pouch is 9x6 in dimension.

Materials needed:
2 pieces of 10x6 outer fabric
2pieces of 10x6 inches inner fabric
9 inch zipper(any color)
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine

Herbal coconut hair oil

Growing long hair is a challenge after you enter your 30s and also after you had kids. First thing I wanted to do was stop hairfall and greying. So I started to look for remedies and best brand products to help, but nothing helped. So I thought "old is gold" and tried some home made herbal products so I am Sure will not have any side effects. So I found couple of them like coconut oil massage, rosemary oil massage, curry leaf pack for hair.

After trying one at time got an idea of why not mix all these and make it one n try out. I bet it sure is working and I can see my hairfall has gone down and so has it helped to grow with nourishing and a natural hair dye. I am super happy. This oil reminds me of one I used to use during my teenage.

It's super easy to make, warm 1/2 cup of coconut oil in a heavy pan until warm. Turn off the flame, Now add 20 curry leaves and 5-10 strands of rosemary(I used fresh, you can use dried too). Let it cool, now strain it and store it in an airtight container. Now to use it take a scoop of oil in your palm rub it and apply all over your hair and massage your scalp. Leave it for 30 mins minimum. You can cover it with a damp cloth or shower cap if you like. Then rinse it well with a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Do this 2-3 times a week and you can see the results within a month or two. I do this for my 4yr old daughter, every once in week.

Next batch I plan to add some gooseberry and almond oil too. Will post if I see good results. I hope you all give it a try and let me know if it helps and any other tip that you had success with.

T-shirt toddler dress

I had this Blog bookmarked for over an year now and I wasn't sure if I can attempt it as I am still a beginner in sewing and didn't wanted to spoil the fabric or get discouraged. Uff, finally gave it a try for my girls 4th year Bday. It wasn't that hard as I thought, actually came out really well than I expected. It took me few hours to get things ready and 1-2 hrs to sew it. So its definitely a simple one project for sure. I definitely plan to try more T-shirt dress for sure in this pattern.

I would like to recommend to give it a try and make a little happy and yourself proud. I would like to say few things what I might wanna change in this project, try to find a light weight fabric for skirt and good quality T-shirt to go with it. I fell in love with my fabric(from Joann) which has velvet prints on it but had a very hard time finding a T-shirt for that of good quality and match the color. So I had to compromise on the quality:( .

So do attempt it and let me know if you try. Happy sewing.

My garden '15

I was always fond of gardening since my childhood, we had a little area next to our house where we had planted few Rose bushes and I used to water them regularly. That's when my interest in gardening started.

Gardening brings peace and its a kind of meditation and a satisfaction. Of course its a costly hobby until u invest some to begin.

Our new member is the Apple tree in our garden, I have two Red delicious apple tree which have fee apples this season. Not sure if we will get to taste them or else bugs & birds get lucky. But its really amazing to see the nature of life. In my following posts you will be seeing each one individually.

Thanks for stopping by and happy gardening.

I had a veggie garden of 5*5 area and recently I added an another bed of 10*5 area. Right now I am growing spinach, amarathus, peas, radishes, tomato and
Basela leaf plants. In my new bed I have planted cucumbers, beans, okra, ash guard, bell peppers, chayote squash & corn from seeds. So waiting to sprout.

I do have a herb garden too with cilantro, dill, methi, chives, basil, mint, garlic, aloe vera and green chillies. Growing herb garden is very easy and during spring after the last frost. Just take some good garden soil and pots with proper drainage and plant the seeds and watch them grow. U will need to water them regularly until it sprouts. I would like to add holy basil/tulsi here too.

In my flower garden I have roses, tulips,  dhalia, star jasmine 2 different varieties, gerbera, hibiscus and crysantamums.

Bead-Ribbon Necklace

Bead Necklace and home made? Yes, it's a simple n elegant necklace with very minimum supplies to make is ready in no time. I love simple projects as you all know by now, anything which takes few steps and few items is what I keep looking. This is a super cute craft for any age and quick fix too. Perfect for parties and as a present too. Found this in a book I borrowed from my local library and fell in love with the picture and you know what next, have to try to make it. I am that a crazy person who goes nuts to make something when I get all excited in creating something. So I instantly went and looking into my big craft box of stash. Found the ones I needed and got to work instantly. My sweet little daughter wasn't left behind, she is always my good little helper and curious to know and make things with me😊.

So we started to pick beads and then no time it was ready and looked so pretty. So I recommend you all to give it a try for your self and or your loved one. They would really appreciate and love it for sure no and you get all the credit for your creativity. So let's get to the supplies and the way we do by not wasting any more time chit-chatting.

Supplies:
15-20 Beads of your choice(color& size)[you may need more for the longer necklace]
Needle and thread(color of the ribbon)
Ribbon about the length you need the necklace to be + 8inches
Hot glue(optional)

Method:
Take the ribbon and measuring about 4 inches from the end insert the needled thread and insert a bead, now fold the ribbon on top of the bead and needle through it and insert another bead and overlap the ribbon and needle through it making waves with the ribbon and beads in between. Finish it till you reach leaving 4 inches at the end. Not it well and hot glue it so you are sure it's not going to unknot. Whalah! The necklace is ready. Just tie it around the neck by forming a bow.

Note: you can hot glue every single hole bot it isn't necessary. You can make 2-3 lines and knot it and add one single string too. If 4 inches isn't enough to knot at the end add more ribbon, but check it before you start your project. I did this for my 3 yr old and 4 inches on each side was enough.

Menthya Matodi Palya( Fenugreek leaves & dal subzi)

I know I have a post already on Matodi-Palya but here is an other version with fenugreek leaves. I love this dry subzi, protein rich and tasty. It isn't an easy and quick recipe, sure needs some planning and time but it's all worth it. This can be made two ways either very dry or a little dry. This time went with the dry one as you can mix it with rice and eat.

It uses toor dal for binding and taste. I know some use channa dal but my Mom used to make it with Toor dal so do I. It was my all time favorite subzi, but I don't make it that often b'coz the amount of oil it needs to cook doesn't fit in my regular diet. But once in a while it's definitely worth it.

Without anymore  chat let's jump into the recipe and direction to make it.

Ingredients:

1cup  Menthya soppu/fenugreek leaves
2tbsp Toor Dal
5-6     Dry Red chillies(2tsp red chili powder)
4tsp    Fresh coconut
1tsp    Cumin seeds/jeera seeds
1tbsp  Oil(+more)
1/2tsp Mustard seeds
1tsp Turmeric powder
Pich of hing(asafetida)

Method:

Soak the Toor dal in water for about 30-45 mins. Drain the water completely once it soaked well, put it in a blender jar add dry red chillies/ powder, fresh coconut and cumin seeds. Grind  it into a fine paste without any water if possible (if not able to grind add very little water). Now make tempering with oil in a nonstick pan and add mustard seeds and when it splutters add hing and turmeric powder. Now add fenugreek leaves and fry for a while till it changes it's color. Now add dal paste, salt to taste and fry it till the oil dries out and the paste becomes a dry powder or like crystals.

Serve immediately or store in air tight container in the fridge for couple of days.

Note: Do add oil if needed in the middle, try to use a hard anodized or a non stick pan so it dosent stick in the bottom or get burnt. It stays for 5-10 days if no water is added when grinding.

Chevron clutch (crochet)

This is my first chevron stitch to explore in crochet. I loved the way it looks so classy and elegant, it's easy to do too. I made this clutch to understand more about this stitch and to make a simple project. It makes a great gift to teachers, young girls or for ur self for storing your crochet needles or patterns or anything.

I had few colors left out so I tried to mix and match them, single color would also look good too I guess. I fell in love with this pattern and thinking of making a nice cute dress for my daughter, hopefully soon.

But for now if you do want to try this pattern don't hesitate and give it a try you will like it, I am sure. For the pattern I followed this youtube video. Happy crocheting!