Exclusively a Handbound Organizer!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and Hello everyone,

These are series of handbound books, using Long Stitch binding, made by all bookbinders: Yogee, Michelle, Ms.Goh, Samantha, Honey and others at Fabric Fanatics. I love all different colors of books, and all nicest colors of thread showing here (^,~)

The Long Stitch binding involves sewing directly through the covering material and the stitches are visible on the spine. I love the simple/ordinary look of the basic long stitching, giving more masculine appearance and the butterfly pattern gives feminine look to the book.

"The beauty of the Long Stitch binding style for me is it's simplicity and robustness.
Also you need very few tools to make this style of book"
~ UNKNOWN ~

Mrs.Syam also taught us how to make the DANGLING using the extra leftover thread. The dangling works as a bookmark to the book and it can be made by using metal charms, cute buttons, beads and e.t.c.

Oh I made the red one, with special MADE FOR YOU charm (^___^)

I think that's all for now.

Thank you very much and have a blissful day.

Bookbinding Workshop by LittleSyam: A Dream Come True

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and good day,

It was 2 years ago when I first heard about LittleSyam. It happened when I suddenly interested in binding books and I asked about it to one of my favorite crafter, Asma Ahmad of Simple Rhyme. She recommended me to learn bookbinding from a very talented, professional bookbinder, LittleSyam. It sounded so impossible for me as I've never been to any event after having kids. So I spent times learning from blogs, youtube and even pictures of her books inspire me much. 

I believe that it is far a way better learning things from a real GURU than learning from screen even there's so much tutorials we can get online. I waited so long to have this opportunity and with help of my dearest husband, I finally got here.

The Bookbinding Workshop by LittleSyam was held at Fabric Fanatics, The Summit, USJ. Other than holding workshops for crafts projects, Fabric Fanatics offers beautiful craft fabrics, sewing craft supplies such as buttons, laces, bag accessories and you can find almost everything related to handmade crafts there.

Me with my dearest bookbinding GURU, Mrs.Syam. She's simply the best GURU, a very happy-go-lucky and positive person, of 20 years experience in bookbinding and other crafts.

Standing from left: Ms.Goh, Jenny, Husna and sitting from left: Yogee, Mrs.Syam and me (^___^)

I joined Kettle Stitching slot for first day and a slot takes 3 to 4 hours depending on situations and on. I can't afford to take both slots per day and I think I'll come back next time for the other, InsyaALLAH.

"Don't chase for money, money will come to you eventually"

~ LittleSyam ~

Yeay! A happy face after she gave me a certificate claiming that I'm officially a bookbinder no.698 (^___^)

"Bookbinding balancing my life. Even when I kisssd my son, I can feel the electric static on my face and yes, I think I've had enough of computer work and bookbinding allows me to do things using my bare hands"

~ LittleSyam ~

I really love KETTLE stitching with BUTTERFLY pattern and Mrs.Syam also taught me how to make the DANGLING using the extra leftover thread. The dangling works as a bookmark to the book and it can be made by using metal charms, cute buttons and etc.

Working with new friends, Ms.Goh and Jenny

Kinds of thread used for bookbinding. I was introduced to many types of thread during the workshop and it was a good chance for me to get to know materials more than what I read online.

Happy faces of all dearest (^___^)

Managed to bring my husband and kids visiting Mrs.Syam at Fabric Fanatics the next day after.
Oh, she blogged about us all too, HERE

With Kelly, nice person behind Fabric Fanatics

Another bookbinding session with these amazing people on second day of the workshop. I did really enjoy Long Stitching with LittleSyam and meeting new faces again. The session took longer than I thought because there were a bit of tricky part, binding with the leather sheet. Mrs.Syam had been so nice, she guided us all the time and we were so comfortable working with each other.

Long stitching shape's coming. YEAY! You can't imagine how my heart's pounding real fast, starting the very first stitch to the end. I was so excited and happy that I finally doing things that I only see on pictures all this while.

Standing from left: Samantha, Ms.Goh, me, Nana, Mrs.Syam, Mrs.Linda, Honey

and Michelle sitting next to Yogee in front of us all.

I did really enjoy both Kettle and Long Stitch session, plus it's a great chance of making new friends. Thanks all so much, this is my 1st workshop that I attend in this 4 years, after getting married and having kids. I can't believe this is real. Thanks dear Fairuz Affandi for being so supportive! You really made my day!

I think that's all for now, wait for my next post ya!

I'll show you books that we all successfully made during the workshop.

Thank you and have a blissful days ahead.

It's Plain, It's Simple, It's Lemon

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and Good Day,

ALHAMDULILLAH, first and exclusive! It's a PLAIN handbound book for DIY: 'Decorate It Yourself'. Special made for those who loves to DIY! It's nice, simple and I think it's PERFECT as a notebook, diary and also personalized GIFT that you can decorate yourself.

I'm using coptic stitching for the book and basically, all signatures are stitched together with the book covers. It holds everything together tightly, but with super flexibility. The pages will open up completely flat without risk of damage to the spine and that’s why this method is so popular.

“So the freshness lives on in a lemon,

in the sweet-smelling house of the rind,

the proportions, arcane and acerb” 

~ Pablo Neruda ~

"Love is like Lemons"

“Life itself is simple. It's just not easy.” 

~ Steve Maraboli ~

I like seeing how the book lies completely open when flat on surface. That is one of the benefits of binding this way. We can see the entire page and most people find it's great to write and work in.

"Pastel colors are best for notebook. It helps you find your mood while writing notes,

and make you smile too just when you read it back"

~ craftyanathirah ~

I recommend people to be creative and please think out of the box. You can decorate your plain notebooks with quilling decorations or almost everything possible to personalized the book itself. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.

I hope you like my version of plain handbound books. I love using anything simple and easy to found. It really doesn't need to trouble yourself when you're in mood of crafting. Make yourself comfortable and you'll find happiness in everything you do.

Thank you and Have a blissful days ahead!