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!

Embroidery Project Bag Tutorial and Pattern

Weee...time for another tutorial!

I was pretty much inspired by an Instagram acquaintance @treadofhearts who made a project bag to put all her cross stitching stuff. I fell in love with the idea, made a bag with an embroidery panel to later stitch a design on and decided to share my work process. Change the measurements a bit and it can even work as an easy Ipad soft case.

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.

DIY Needle Minder Tutorial

Being sick is definitely no fun. But I'm glad to be a part of the cross stitchers' community at #onceuponatimesampler and #thefrostedpumpkinstitchery while I lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. I've gotten much better but am still recuperating. You can see from the photo above I'm still stuck at making little dwarfs from Snow White. They're still eyeless!

While browsing through the hashtags, I've kind of fallen in love with needle minders I've been seeing on cross stitchers' work. They're oh-so pretty and they range from Victorian designs to cute kawaii designs. Would love getting one for myself, but that would mean having to order one all the way from the States or the UK. Postage prices are just getting more expensive nowadays.

So here's a little do-it-yourself Needle Minder tutorial:

You'll need 2 pieces of magnets, a flat bead, tape or double sided tape and scissors.

Simply, tape/double tape the bead to one piece of magnet. You could even hot glue it down!

Now take the other magnet and place it on the other side of your embroidery hoop. The magnets will stick together and mind your needle for you when you need to take a break from stitching to check your stove or even your little boy! How cute is that!

Will be making another needle minder soon. In the meantime, happy stitching!

Much love,