Eid Mubarak!

 

Source: Twitter

After a month of Ramadan today, we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in India. And again we celebrate Eid in lockdown like last year. I terribly missed my family back in Indonesia. Thanks to the internet we can at least do video chat. On Eid, or a few days before Eid, we'd like to share what we plan to cook and other preparations we're doing. 

This Eid, I made Indonesian Opor Ayam (Indonesian coconut chicken curry) using a recipe from this youtube channel. The curry turned out yummy and light!  Both my sons confirmed it and said it reminds them of Eid in Indonesia.

I made mandatory jam cookies and cashew cookies. The boys loved the cookies so much that I have to make another batch a day before Eid.  My MIL made the Indian curries and seviyan which is very yummy, and the hubby made Biryani.  We have it quite simple this year. Hopefully next year, we could have friends and relatives coming for Eid again. 

Cashew Cookies 

Jam Cookies / Nastar

This is before we took family photos. My boys just don't like their photos taken, esp. my younger son! 

Well, even though in lockdown, we quite enjoyed the day. I hope you all have a lovely Eid day too!

source: Pinterest

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Have a nice day!

Elvira

*****

PS: Don't forget to check the previous Tutorial about 

Adding Zipper Pocket on Nuno Wallet

Last week story and mini travel wallets

It's already mid of September and we're still staying home as much as we can! Thank God for the internet, at least I can video call my family back home in Indonesia. I really miss my 4 years old nephew who is now a big fan of BTS, yes, he's our little "Army". 

I am still getting used to working with wrist splint. Since last month my carpal tunnel syndrome has gotten a little worse. So now I am batching my work and taking frequent breaks to do stretching. Sometimes I rest for 2 days if the pain is too much. I don't want to exert myself at this point. But the brace does help. I ordered gloves too actually from amazon but the only sent me this and refunded the gloves. 

Last week, I went to meet my Indonesia friend Eva to drop avocadoes for her. It was the first weekend after the lockdown was lifted in my city. We had a lot of avocadoes this summer. And in the afternoon, Plabita came and collect a few avocados. Well, visiting is not advisable right not with cases seems to be going up day by day. We only met outside in the garden, maintaining our distance, and wearing a mask. But it's really lovely to meet friends in the real world :D. She said she's never seen an avocado tree in her life! Well, avocados are not easily available here and recently gaining popularity that the price can go up to INR 500 for one. That's crazy!

From the sewing room, I made this cute matryoshka travel wallet back in June in between sewing masks. Mask wearing is going to stay now and I'm glad that many people are wearing it now. I almost forgot how I enjoyed creating wallets right from choosing the color combo to finishing the binding by hand. If you asked me, why the binding? for me because I have a weak wrist and turning wallets or bag really painful process for me :D. Also, I love the look of the wallet with binding. It gives the one of kind handmade look! 

This is another one I completed and sold. This Wonderland from Rifle Paper co is really popular with my customers and I think I am going to keep one for my self before I run out of fabrics:). Well, getting fabrics from abroad is not an easy affair right now, especially in India. 

Wonderland Handmade Travel Wallet

I also made a zip around one. I really love the previous one that I made and when I see this navy print, I thought why not make another one. 

Navy Theme Wallet

Super easy project and satisfying result. 

Pattern: Small Travel Wallet

Product: Handmade Travel Wallet

Zip Around Tutorial

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay Safe!

- Elvira -

Virtual Holiday On YouTube

I have a new fave time-pass! Many people are making videos of their daily life as they go about doing their chores. Some of them are really good that you want to just clean your house. Well, in my case, that urge only lasts for a few minutes. I'd rather be sewing - really! (must check this one!)

Another one I enjoyed is the walking video. There is no narration on the video. There are a few walking Youtuber and also on  Instagram stories which I love to watch! I really love this video from Seoul Walker. 

Today morning, I was watching this video where he walked around and showed us around Asakusa's Sensoji Temple The place which used to always buzzed with people/tourists now empty. Even the passage between the shop rows is empty. 

Empty Rows

Asakusa 2020 - screenshot from the video

Asakusa in 2018

Asakusa in 2019

During my visit to Asakusa in 2018, we could not even take a decent picture in front of the gate! Tourism indeed is very badly hit, which affects so many people in the industries. I was discussing this with Mbak Belly and we're remembering the Halal Ramen shop Asakusa! 

Now we can only hope and pray that we stay safe and healthy (physically and mentally). Try to remain positive thinking and maybe learn a few things that you always want to learn or do!

Thank you for stopping by! 

Stay Healthy!

~ Elvira~ 

Do What You Can

Whatever you’re facing right now, whatever you’re dealing with won’t last. Nothing does. So get a perspective on life. Things will get better. That’s the Almighty’s promise. Tomorrow brings new hope. Daybreak will happen. Get hold of yourself and keep moving. You’ll get there! - Mufti Menk

Last week  India was shocked by the news of young upcoming actor Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide. Fame and wealth are not guaranteed to happiness. Everyone has their own challenges they have to face every day. Even the famous and rich. We truly cannot judge people by what they appear to be in public. Please be kind! Talk with kindness even if you disagree with someone. You never know what the other party is struggling with. 

For my readers, if you are reading this and going through a challenging time in your life, I want you to know that I'm here for you. You can reach out to me anytime. 

During this lockdown, many of us feel desperate and uncertain. Some of us maybe have a long list of resolutions for 2020. But this is not the end of the world. It's OK not to be OK. It's OK to slow down, adjust your step to reach your goal. 

I like this video by Bon Jovi 

If you can't do what you do, you do what you can :)

That's exactly what we should do at this time. Do what you can, slowly at your own pace, and enjoy the process. 

Cheer up and have a nice day ;)

- Elvira-

New normal after lockdown

3D Face Masks with Filter Pocket

Many small businesses suffered during a strict lockdown. If you read the news, many migrant workers have to walk for days to reach their village due to the unavailability of the transport system. I went out a few weeks ago and saw many people are walking on the highway, some with their friends, some with their family and young children. It breaks my heart to read and see the news about them that sometimes I just stopped reading the news. 

Mask for Kids

As the government relaxed lockdown a few weeks ago businesses  started to open and slowly people are back to work, to new normal.

New normal means:

• Wear a mask when you go out. (Also read: what fabric to use for homemade mask)
• Maintain a social distance of 6 feet (is that even possible here??).
• Wear a face shield if you cannot maintain 6 feet distance. (Also read: how to make DIY Face Shield)
• Cover your mouth with your elbow while coughing or sneezing.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap.
• Wash your groceries after you bring them in (at least I do this) - some said to leave the vegetables, etc in an open space for a couple of hours before putting them into the fridge.
• Change your clothes after you come back home and wash your mask every day. 

According to the news, the school most probably will re-open after July. Now, thanks to the internet, online classes are going on. Some parents suggested to only open the senior section so that the school can maintain 1/3 ratio per class. 

Many senior students also tweeted asking for reopening, especially those in the science stream. There are so many things to be considered before reopening and I know it's going to be tough for the teachers to keep vigilant of the students. 

How to make a surgical pleated mask

I guess we all need to learn to be more disciplined and considerate of others. Think twice before you act. Think about what will be the impact of your action for others. 

I hope this virus will be gone soon, meanwhile please wear a mask when you go out or when you don't feel well at home. 

Until then,

Take care & stay safe!

-Elvira- 

Mask Making

The mask making is still continue here. As the curve of cases are climbing up, everyday we have this little fear inside us. We do our best to follow the government's order to stay home, maintain social distancing and of course praying that we'll be spared of this highly contagious pandemic. 

Initially, I spent my days monitoring the number and reading every news out there and that made me depressed. That's when I decided to make masks and shared the pattern and free tutorials. 

I started wearing mask when I go out way back in February, when most people here are still oblivious about the gravity of Covid-19 and were making jokes. 

Mask making is my anti depressant. I'm grateful in this trying time I can lend my hand to help out a little bit. Even when the scientist are still debating whether fabric mask is efficient, but I am sure, it helps a little. Especially, when even hospitals are lack of surgical mask and PPE. Desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Here are few masks I finished and delivered few days ago. 

Many wanted to order the masks, but unfortunately the courier is not open during the lockdown, which most probably will be extended. 

This 3D Face mask is most comfortable to wear. You can comfortably talk when you wear the mask and it wont slip off your face.

I'm making few more dozens of mask for my SIL's staff in the hospital. I am using cotton mix and some combed cotton for the exterior and cotton fabric for the lining. 

If you wish to make this 3D Face Mask, the pattern is available at ETSY as well as my WEBSITE.

Don't forget, the rest of the Chezvies Patterns is ON SALE 40% now on ETSY during the lock down period. So, if you're bored and looking for something to learn, go ahead and check out the Patterns.

Keep well and stay creative! 

Elvira