Toddler Bookpack DIY

Aidi's really into books and I have to make sure I have at least one kids book in my (enormous) purse to entertain him when we're on the go. Decided it's about time that he carried his own books and bags, cause really, add that to mummy's gadgets (and even dad's sometimes), it's a load too much!

Rummaged through my kiddy fabric stash and found these coordinating fabrics and a zipper to match. Score! Came up with my own toddler backpack pattern and made this square bag just the right size for his board books and his little water bottle.

That feeling you get when you make something for your kid and he doesn't want to take it off? Sheer bliss~

Much love, 

Freebie: Arabic Alphabet Printable Flashcards for Toddlers

As a Muslim, the Arabic language is an essential part of the religion, so I've been introducing Aidi to the basic Arabic letters at this young age. Currently Aidi's at word vomit stage and will imitate a lot of words and sounds we say. He's been counting up to 4 and jumping straight to number 10 and finger spelling his ABCs so now seems to be the right time to get him used to these unique letters.

I made this set of colourful printable flashcards (with little arrows for writing directions) and would love to share them with you (click the download button below) This download is only up to the letter seen س and I'll upload the other letters soonish.

One way to use these flashcards would be to let your toddler follow the arrows using their fingers. This will encourage their fine motor skills as well! Sometimes, I'd take little pompom balls and let Aidi arrange them according to the letters. He loves that too. You could even print 2 copies of each letter and play matching games with your kids. Too many fun ways to use them. Laminate them for durability! 

If you've printed them out, tell me how you use them, or better yet, share them with me on Instagram by tagging @dzaltastic and #dzaltastic cause I'd love to see little hands using these.

Much love,

Fastest way to make a GIF image

I love GIF images and love them even more when my son's in it! Videos take too long and hey, if people don't have the time they'd probably skip the play button. It didn't take long to make my GIFs, in fact, I only took the photos using my smart phone and copied the links to share them.

So here's what I would normally do. Photos from my Android phone are automatically updated using Google+'s Auto Backup. So whenever I want a GIF image, I would take multiple continuous photos of my son in action. Now don't lie, but I know you must have loads of photos like that, especially when they're moving photos and you're just hoping that one of them would be clear enough to be shared on Facebook. Now you have a reason to do so!

After taking about 3 to 5 photos, I'll wait a few minutes and I'll have a notification on my smartphone saying my image are already backed up and there are a few photos being made Awesome. Check those Auto-Awesome images on your G+ account and enjoy photos of your baby taking his first few steps. This was Aidi's:

Here's another effect by Auto-Awesome. Multiple similar photos made awesome with frames.

I've also gotten the same effect whenever I upload multiple continuous photo from my digital camera to G+ like this one:

If you're using an Iphone, you'd probably want to install the G+ app on your phone to use this function. Tell me how it went, would love to know!

100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo

This little earless blue cat is a childhood cartoon. Hubby and I both grew up watching him take out magical inventions from a pocket on his tummy since we were little and we Aidi got excited when we bought the tickets from Mydeal for this 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo.

DIY Cloth Blocks Tutorial

This was actually one of those mistakes-turned-great kinda projects. I wanted to make unique cube Batu Serembans (or five stones) to play with but ended up making them a little bit bigger than expected. But Aidi and I had so much fun with these that I just had to share them.

My first time with knit fabric

Received my little pack of sewing stuff and fabric from Japan a while back. Happy happy as can be!

It's been super hard to find cute knit fabric in Malaysia, so was looking forward to get these knit fabric for the little one (If you do know of a place, please tell me and I'd forever be grateful >.<). Couldn't personally choose the fabric patterns but I asked for boyish designs from my relative who was coming back from Japan, just so I could make something for Aidi.

I was expecting a thinner type of knit, more t-shirt like, but I love the designs nonetheless. Was informed that they had cute girly designs but I still don't have a little girl to splurge my money on and part of the fun is making stuff for my baby. To be on the safe side, I only bought 1 meter of each design and my first knit project was a simple 'shorts' project.

My first impression of knit? The heavier weight of the fabric made serging (jahit tepi) easy. Yet, when the edges rolled up, I came to realise why the shape of the footer was in the shape of an L. To unravel the rolled edge causing it to travel flat under the needle.

I don't know about you but I found it much easier to serge twice. The first stitches helped bind the fabric thus no more edge rolls on the second round. Made this in about 15 minutes! Inserted the elastic band for the waist and my boy now has his own knit shorts. Ta daa! 

Hubby came home and was jealous of the little pumpkin's shorts and demanded one for him too. Well, will have to see what I can whip up next with the fabric I have left.