Pattern Review - Ceci Shorts by Petite Kids Boutique and Discount Coupon!

I was given the opportunity to test and review a cute pattern called Ceci Shorts a while back, designed by fellow Malaysian pattern designer selling on etsy, Petitekids. The owner, Wong Li Sian, is so sweet and helpful and has agreed to give a 20% discount coupon to all Sew Retro Chic and Lovemelots readers! Thank you so much Wong, you're the best! :)

As for the Ceci Shorts pattern, I tell you, this is the easiest shorts sewing pattern I've ever attempted. Seriously, Wong's tutorial is so simple, to the point and very clear I have no problem whatsoever. I completed the cute shorts for my lil Hanan in less than 1 hour...I made size 4T and the sizing is spot on for my lil girl....

I love the cute little pockets! If you've never sewn pockets before this is a great opportunity to learn...patch pocket is simple and easy to do :)

The little bow detail on the sides that's so cute! This is the only part of the pattern that I changed. I added a few inches when cutting the bow coz I wanted it longer and the bow looks more prominent :)

Isn't it obvious how much the little model loves her new shorts? Lol! She wears the shorts every other day, especially now that the weather is warmer, it's so comfy for her to run around in :)

All in all, this Ceci Shorts pattern is a must in your pattern stash for anytime you want to reach for easy-to-sew-yet-cute-outcome-everytime pattern. For that, the designer has generously given a 20% discount for all my blog readers, not just for this particular pattern but for ANY pattern in her etsy shop! Please use the coupon code LOVEMELOTS01 to receive the discount. For Malaysian buyers, Petitekids also accept bank transfers though her Facebook page.

I will be back with another pattern review for Petitekids soon, this time it's a dress and I am sew excited!

Giveaway Winners!

Hye! I just returned from my family trip to Perlis. It was fun! My first time there and we had that much needed R&R :)

Now, back to the giveaways! Random.org had spoken and the winners are :

1st prize - Amalia!
2nd prize - Stephanie Flynn!
3rd prize - Zulaikha Abd Hamid Soon!

Congratulations to the winners! Please email me your shipping address for the fabrics and to the 3rd prize winner please email me to discuss the discounted custom dress :)

I'd like to thank all who have taken part, your kind words and encouragement. I could see that almost all of us have one thing in common - family keeps us motivated. I like that, and I believe in that too, Insya Allah...

I'll be back soon with more sewing posts, I promise! :)

Double The Good News, Triple The Giveaways!!

Hello lovelies!!! How are you feeling today? I hope everyone is as upbeat as me! :D

Last Sunday, as I logged on to my Facebook page I was greeted with a pleasant surprise as Lovemelots Creations reached 2000 likers, yeay! I'm so happy and it occured to me that I have never celebrated fb page milestones here on my blog (when we reach 100, 200, 500, 1000 likes, you get the picture lol)...So I figured perhaps its a great time to celebrate as it coincides with the new year.

Then yesterday, I was again blessed with good news very early in the morning when I logged on to my university's student portal ( notice how both have something to do with news from the Internet? We are indeed in the year 2012! :P )...I received my semester result!!! As always I share it here mainly for my children and also for friends and family reading this blog.

Alhamdulillah......I am forever thankful that whatever effort I put in plus never ending du'a and prayer from everyone that matters in my life (especially my mother)...I managed! Business Research Methods is definitely a downer for me, it was unexpected, I must have done something wrong in my finals there. Nonetheless, even though the result is not as good as last semester, I am still very much happy because I've lamented how stressful this semester had been with four advanced courses....

Therefore....for this double celebration, I am having not double, but TRIPLE giveaways for you, wonderful Sew Retro Chic blog readers and Lovemelots Creations fans! Here are the details :

FOUR Half yards of designer fabrics - a total of 2 yards!

3.5 meters of 100% cotton fabric (from Korea) - approximately 4 yards

....and the 3rd Prize :

You can also give this voucher as a Gift to someone if you don't plan to use it :)

To enter, simply leave a comment here under this post. I would love to hear what motivates you to achieve success in life - be it at work, in your studies, at home as mom & wife or anything that you endeavour...perhaps I could take some pointers for my coming final semester which will reopen next Monday, errrkkk!!!

This giveaway will end on Sunday, 15th January 2012, 12 midnight Malaysian time. Anyone, anywhere in the world can enter provided you are a follower of this blog and have Liked my page on facebook. I will randomly choose the winners on Monday the 16th.

I am off for a short vacation to Perlis today with my family (first time nak pi Padang Besar, best ke kat situ? hehe). Hoping to come back fresh and rejuvenated on Saturday and expecting to read some fabulous comments from you. Thank you for all your support all this while, I really, truly appreciate it. Love you!!!! *hugs*

xoxo,

Zura

School Year 2012

This year, both my girls are in school. And this year is super important to both of them....

Aisha is 12 years old this year (in December!) and she is sitting for the UPSR exam (national exam for Standard 6 students in Malaysia) at the end of the year. I am still unable to fully processed the fact that I am now a mother of exam-year kid. Really, I just don't feel all grown up that way.....but I have to face reality and prep up mentally to lend my support and encouragement for my love, Aisha. She is indeed the sweetest girl on the block...sweet tempered and sensitive but sometimes need that little extra push to give her all in her studies. I pray for her success daily...even though UPSR is not very crucial compared to the other 2 exams she will face few years from now, it is still important I think at least to boost her confidence in her abilities etc....Oh! And that bursts of colors on the rack behind Aisha? I just revamped the sewing room and the shelf my mom gave me is the perfect storage for those fabrics!

Yep, my lil diva, Miss Hanan is starting her kindy this year! She was SO excited, could barely sleep the night before and woke up super early, just can't wait to go to school.... Well, hubby and I were a bit anxious about her 1st day...when we dropped her off, her mood turned somber as she witnessed many anxious & crying 4 & 5 year olds. Alhamdulillah, she survived the day without drama and came home chatty about her new school...we don't have very high expectations, just wishing that she would learn social skills and how to mix around as she had been at home surrounded by adults for the past 4 years...this is the only thing that make me regret waiting for 7 years before trying for another baby after Aisha...the gap is just too far....

Here's to a successful and stress free year in 2012 for all of us mommies to school going children...bye! :)

Happy New Year...Welcoming 2012!

Salam and hi!

I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss writing on my blog and of course missing connecting with you! As of now, my studies have totally overtaken my life, virtual and real alike. When I discovered that my final exam will only ends on the 3rd of January 2012, the one thing that crossed my mind - there goes my new year celebration. Not that I am going to party and such, but I have plans for Lovemelots Creations as the new year begin. Oh well, come to think of it, I have the whole year to do it, no big deal. Right now, I would like to just welcome 2012 with open arms :)

2011 had been a roller-coaster of events for me personally. The memories of my late baby sister, her battle with cancer and how we finally lost her in May, will forever be engraved in my mind. I remember her constantly, very vivid memories of her smiles and laughter and her painful cries during her long stay in the hospital -  all criss-crossed my mind especially after daily prayer. Tears still flow but there's nothing I could do other than praying that Allah would grant her jannah and cherish the life I still have with my beloved little family, alhamdulillah...

On the sewing front - oh wow...I think I have sewn many more dresses in 2011 compared to before. Almost all sewing had been for my wonderful customers and friends over at Lovemelots Creations. I thank you with all my heart for your trust and support of me. I will only be able to resume sewing after my finals though and I hope 2012 will offer you more new & exciting designs from Lovemelots. Here are some highlights of 2011 sewing :

This Tuesday will be my last exam for this semester, after that I will have a 2 weeks inter-semester break which I am really looking forward to. We planned a small getaway and later I hope to come back refreshed and all geared up to sew away!

I will be back in school mid-January for my final semester. It will be a light one as I only have 1 course (compared to 4 this semester) and writing of my project paper research. God willing, if everything turns out well, I will be graduating in May and then I would have to go back to my old life - a full time working mom. Hmmm...I forgot how that was, we'll see.... :)

So my beautiful friends, here's wishing you a wonderful and blessed 2012. May this be another happy year for you and the family, from me and my girls *hugs*