Life with NeezaNeedleS

Count the blessing (part2)

2012-01-28T07:24:00.001+08:00

Continue from previous post…

And I also learnt that we actually own nothing in this world. Not a thing! Even our body part (that physically attached to us) is not ours. The fingers, the hand or the leg can gone in a blink of the eyes.

So count the blessing. Bersyukur!

I was sad at the beginning of the year (refers to my melancholic posts). All of a sudden everything needs money- renewing road tax, car broke down, yada-yada and peak of it my phone went kaput. One nice combo. I can help but little and was so worried if husband becoming stress in those money-matter situation. Mat however was very calm. There's always a way, he said. Kept calm and read the Quran. Ya, that's what he did. Literally. And Alhamdullillah, few days later good news start knocking the door. Alhamdullillah. Amazing. And Alhamdulillah.

The house would always in a mess. Big mess. But that means there's people occupying the house. Happy small people. Its not just a house. But a home.

Neighbors will always hear me shouting calling the kids. But that means I am watching my kids. Not just letting them out unsupervised. And ya, they play with the nature most unrainy days. Look after by me. Not bibik.

I sleep late most night. Sewing. But I know that what keeps me alive, makes me happy :)

So, all I can say, to be happy, learn to appreciate thing. Appreciate our body parts. Look at the lover eye or face- parents, husband, wife or kids. They might gone in second. Forgive and give love. Once in a while its okay to complaint but once in a while. Things not always be great but in any kind of situation Allah swt always there. Count the blessing, read the Quran and recite zikrullah to show some gratitude.

:)

(One self-reminder)
-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Count your Blessing

2012-01-28T00:38:00.001+08:00

The most valuable lesson that Allah swt gave to me is, I must say was the molar pregnancy followed with the chemotherapy treatment.

I learnt that I am not in control. I learnt that at that situation our lives is above all. I learnt than my job, my title means nothing to me. I learnt that family is valuable than any other thing in this whole wide world. I learnt that only Allah swt, my faith, can help me to overcome everything. I learnt that there is other peoples suffered serious illness than me. I learnt that death wait no one at no specific age. I learnt to praise Allah swt more. I learnt to appreciate every single thing. I learnt that whining, complaining and negativity won't makes you happy. I learnt that I am not in control. I never be in control.

We have to count our blessing to be happy. Look at the bright side. There's always hikmah on everything that happened and Alhamdullilah having to be sick, losing a baby and going for that painful moment of series of chemo treatment really an eye opener. I am still alive to be given second chance to repent, to be back on track, back on the right path. Alhamdullillah for that tremendous chances.

And again thanks to God, Alhamdulillah, to be able to wake up the next morning to serve as a khalifah. We might not be overnight rich. The debt still there. The problem still there. We still have to work. To solve. But just count the blessing. All of that makes we be what we are, the servant of Allah swt.

:)

-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Salam Jumaat

2012-01-27T13:50:00.000+08:00

Such a great day today. Hoping the best day to you too :)

Bizcard evolution

2012-01-25T13:15:00.001+08:00

All designed by me.

First two was made in Bangi. The last one I made from Kak Arin www.printsini.com. Love, love, love the last one :D

I read somewhere that a good biz card is clear and simple. No need to put much words (description) as card is not a brochure. But in my opinion, a good biz card should actually put description of what activity ure offering- Refer to those plumbing biz card where they ditch in our post box.

I don't know bout other people but I, sometimes just randomly gave my biz card at the mall especially if I see some parents struggling carrying their young one while pushing an empty stroller. Hehee.. (At a times, you have to be muka tebal to sell ;) #protips)

The wisdom tooth

2012-01-23T13:51:00.000+08:00

Removed. Finally. After suffered for more than a week. Alhamdullillah managed to find clinic than open today- CNY Public holiday.

I set an appointment for another tooth to be removed. That will be next week. Its going to be a minor surgery. Huhuhu…

About NeezaNeedles- the label

2012-01-20T16:28:00.000+08:00

Lama tak bercerita pasal 'business'.. hehee..

Alhamdullillah, work is good. Good. Alhamdullillah. I love what I'm doing and passionate with the whole thing and its such an addictive, that I need to be in the lab everyday, if I am not sewing, I will cutting fabric or webbing, counting the stocks and raw materials, and I can say that the first and the last thing in my mind would always about work and my daily achievement. Macam tak percaya, sebab all these while, for the past 10years, I've been job-jumping, from one sector to another and I don't find the satisfying of doing particular job (sebab tula asik job-jumping jer..). Not until I work for myself. Mebe because the feeling of sense of belonging is very strong, and I am particularly responsible to the whole thing. I love.. I am in love.. seriously.

And for the year 2012, I somehow think that its about time to be put some serious effort on what I am doing. And I started with label and logo.

Previously the logo is this: --

yang ni sekadar logo di business card je. Not brave enough to realization the logo at the beginning of the business. Takut tak kemana. And when I am strong and sure, I found out that the logo is wee bit colourful (according to the kedai) so I came out with a new logo:

And after showing this to Mat, he said that the logo is an A-okay but not attractive enough. And suddenly (Allhamdullilah , Thank God for the cetusan idea) I decided to omit the 'carrier' and let the LOVE be the carrier instead. :))

I like this logo very much, personnally (I like to make my own decision sbb if it turn bad, I put the blame on me). All logos is made via powerpoint (good apps for a buta-IT person like me.. hehee).

And now its time to print.

Printing was at first is kinda pening kepala. Sebab the usual kedai is so slow to respond my email. Semangat adalah berkobar-kobar and when people slow to respond terus rasa lemau. And I am glad to exchange the point of view regarding this matter with other crafters - Okinokiyo and ItsyDoodles via twitter. Sedikit sebanyak dapat info regarding other suppliers - InsangPari, RibbonBoutique dll.

But I decided to browse tru eBay and ya I found one company doing it. Alhamdullillah. Its kinda cheap so I made two different labels. One is quite big and another one is much smaller.

And ya.. Happy!!!

Then I made a new business cards with the new logo. This is also one happy thing. :)) Normally I made cards at Warta Bangi, those kedai yang 1jam boleh siap. They'll charge RM36 for 1box (front and back prited color).

This time around I made the cards fom Kak Arin - www.printsini.com. They're having an offer so I grabbed the opportunity (knowing bout this from tweet Kak Arin). Cheap: RM26 per box, front and back coloured. And again.. Happy!!!

The best part is semua pun online, so tak pening kepala (with an additional two kids) to go to the kedai.

Alhamdullillah. Hoping for a smooth sailing :))

Introducing - NeezaNeedles Ring slings Collection.

2012-01-18T20:36:00.008+08:00

NeezaNeedles Ringsling.

Click here for details: Ring Slings

All are readymade.

-- 100% Linen fabric (its durable)

-- Single layer (airy, less heat for both wearer and wearee)

-- Simple gathered shoulder (comfy assure)

-- Large aluminium rings (easy for adjustment)

-- With patch zipper pocket using designer fabric (to put ur money, keys, baby's handkerchief)

-- Come with storing pouch (easy to keep)

All fabric has been pre-wash before sewing.

RM120 (exclude shipping)

To purchase, email me: info@neezaneedles.biz

*******

Alhamdullilah. Been hibernating myself for the past few days in the sewing lab, for making these carriers.

Al-kisah, all of these are sudden attempt. I made a ring slings previously, You can see the tutorial here: Make you own Ring Slings (Project Refashion).
and there's a few customers asking me, why dont I come out with ring slings. And at that particular of time, I said, being solo-prenuer, its hard for me to do everything with my only two hands.

Later when I sorted the remnant fabrics, I've been thinking that these fabrics should turn out to be something, and suddenly I am thinking to pimp my ring slings (mine is the expensive Sakura Bloom (I bought pre-loved however) but do not have any pocket). And at that time, Thank you Allah swt, for giving me an idea to come out with my own ring slings line - simple design but with handy-pocket (using the designer fabric remnants). Alhamdulillah.

And my personal point of view, every baby-wearer should kept at least a ring slings in a car for any emergency cases. Hamza is 1 half year with 10-11kg (not sure with the figure), I carry him with onbu normally but in a hurry situation when I totally forget to bring along any carrier, the ring slings is such a life saver.

And yes, if you can sew, then go ahead make one for you. If not, feel free to buy from me :))

Me wearing Hamza in RS (somewhere in October'11) where he felt asleep @ Alamanda.

Once in a blue moon, it feels so good to cry ...

2012-01-15T02:42:00.001+08:00

The past few days was kinda stressful days for me.

No, this is non-work related. Work- Alhamdullillah is good. Better. Orders are coming in. Only my boy now have a mutual hate relationship with the sewing machine so I really have to squeeze myself to find a perfect time to sew; that would be the time when he is asleep. So while he's awake I'll entertain him , multitask with cutting the fabrics, webbing or folding the laundry (which I have not yet doing it in the year of 2012.. yes, the last time I folded laundry was last year 31Dec; I'll do it tomorrow, or mebe right after writing this entry).

And Alhamdullillah, I am healthy. Thank Allah swt for the perfect health. :)

So whats bother me as usual is the life problem which involves.. ya, you know it right. But I am yet to regret with any of my decision. My previous big decision. Maybe I am so unfit with that particular place, I am so relieve I am out of the circa. I am happy. Seriously, I am happy physically. Mentally, erm well... a little bit. Hahah..

Maybe the monthly changing-hormone effected my feeling for the past few days. Or maybe I put too much hope on something it become my biggest fear. And I know I've been neglected something and Allah swt wake me up, to makes me realize that I am not in control.

I am fine. Alhamdullillah. Life hard, ya. Nobody says it gonna be easy. This is not paradise, neither nor hell. Enjoy the journey, I must. Now, mari banyak berzikir supaya hati lebih tenang. :)

Good night. And you laundry, I see you when I see you.. hahah.

Fee Amanillah.

Testing

2012-01-14T15:28:00.001+08:00

123

Desire and the Importance of Failing

2012-01-13T23:46:00.008+08:00

This is Rumi Poem.

***

A window opens.
A curtain pulls back.

The lamp of lovers connect,
not at their ceramic bases,
but in their lightedness.

No lover wants union with the Beloved
without the Beloved also wanting the lover.

Love makes the lover weak,
while the Beloved gets strong.

Lightning from here strikes there.
When you begin to love God, God
is loving you. A clapping sound
does not come from one hand.

A thirsty man calls out, 'Delicious water,
where are you?' while the water moans,
'Where is the water drinker?'

The thirst in our souls is the attraction
put out by the Water itself.

We belong to It,
and It to us.

God's wisdom made us lovers of one another.
In fact, all the particles of the world
are in love and looking for lovers.

Pieces of straw tremble
in the presence of amber.

We tremble like iron filings
welcoming the magnet.

Whatever that Presence gives us
we take in. Earth signs feed.
Water signs wash and freshen.
Air signs clear the atmosphere.
Fire signs jiggle the skillet,
so we cook without getting burnt.

And the Holy Spirit helps with everything,
like a young man trying to support a family.
We, like the man's young wife, stay home,
taking care of the house, nursing the children.

Spirit and matter work together like this,
in a division of labor.

Sweethearts kiss and taste the delight
before they slip into bed and mate.

The desire of each lover is
that the work of the other be perfected.
By this man-and-woman cooperation,
the world gets preserved.
Generation occurs.

Roses and blue arghawan flowers flower.
Night and day meet in a mutual hug.

So different, but they do love each other,
the day and the night, like family.

And without their mutual alternation
we would have no energy.

Every part of the cosmos is draws toward its mate.
The ground keeps talking to the body,
saying, 'Come back! It's better for you
down here where you came from.'

The streamwater calls to the moisture in the body.
The fiery aether whispers to the body's heat,
'I am your origin. Come with me.'
Seventy-two diseases are caused
by the various elements pulling inside the body.
Disease comes, and the organs
fall out of harmony.

We're like four different birds,
that each had one leg tied in
with the other birds.

A flopping bouguet of birds!
Death releases the binding, and they fly off,
but before that, their pulling is our pain.

Consider how the soul must be,
in the midst of these tensions,
feeling its own exalted pull.

My longing is more profound.
The birds want sweet green herbs
and the water running by.

I want the infinite! I want wisdom.
These birds want orchards and meadows
and vines with fruit on them.

I want a vast expansion.
They want profit and security
of having enough food.

Remember what the soul wants,
because in that, eternity
is wanting our souls!

Which is the meaning of the text,
They love That, and That loves them.

If I keep on explaining this,
the Mathnawi will run to eighty volumes!

The gist is: whatever anyone seeks,
that is seeking the seeker.

No matter if its animal,
or vegetable, or mineral.

Every bit of the universe
is filled with wanting,
and whatever any bit wants,
wants the wanter!

This subject must dissolve again.

Back to Sadri Jahan and the uneducated peasant
who loved him, so that gradually Sadri Jahan
loved the lowly man. But who really
attracted who, whoom, Huuuu?

Don't be presumptuous and say one or the other.
Close your lips. The mystery of loving
is God's sweetest secret.

Keep it. Bury it. Leave it here
where I leave it, drawn as I am
by the pull of the Puller
to something else.

You know how it is. Sometimes
we plan a trip to one place,
but something takes us to another.

When a horse is being broken, the trainer
pulls it in many different directions,
so the horse will come to know
what it is to be ridden,
The most beautiful and alert horse is one
completely attuned to the rider.

God fixes a passionate desire in you,
and then disappoints you.
God does that a hundred times!

God breaks the wings of one intention
and then gives you another,
cuts the rope of contriving,
so you'll remember your dependence.

But sometimes your plans work out!
You feel fulfilled and in control.

That's because, if you were always failing,
you might give up. But remember,
it is by failures that lovers
stay aware of how they are loved.

Failure is the key
to the kingdom within.

Your prayer should be, "Break the legs
of what I want to happen. Humiliate
my desire. Eat me like candy.
It's spring and finally
I have no will."

(Mathnawi, III, 4391 - 4472)

From 'Feeling the Shoulder of the Lion'
Translated by Coleman Barks

***

By God, we must always have hope.
Faith, itself, consists of fear and hope.
Someone once asked me, “Hope itself is good, but what is this fear?”
I said, “Show me a fear without hope, or a hope without fear. The two are inseparable.”
For example, a farmer plants wheat. Naturally he hopes that wheat will grow.
At the same time he is afraid some blight or drought may destroy it.
So, there is no hope without fear, or fear without hope.

“Things are made clear by their opposite.”
It is impossible to know anything without its opposite,
Although facing the truth is not attractive at first,
the longer one follows it the sweeter it becomes.

***

Deep. Meaningful.
Totally deep.

Kenapa hati menjadi keras..

2012-01-10T11:50:00.003+08:00

Daripada Ibn Umar RA, Rasullullah saw bersabda:
Janganlah memperbanyakkan percakapan selain untuk berzikir kepada Allah swt,
maka sesungguhnya banyak bercakap selain daripada berzikir kepada Allah swt itu adalah menyababkan hati seseorang itu menjadi keras.
Dan sesungguhnya, sejauh-jauh manusia kepada Allah swt adalah mereka yang berhati keras.
Hadith Riwayat At-Tirmizi

In my point of opinion, talking is not just verbally talk. Talk can also be our 'mind talk' - updating our blog, Fb and Twitter statuses in words. I think by now, we really have to think not only twice but thrice before we updating our status. Is it beneficial (to us in the next-life, mostly), or are we turning ourselves away from Allah swt? SubhanAllah..

I know some people might say that this is my blog, Fb or Tweet account, suka hati nak tulis apa, but we have to bear in mind that there's a place where we gonna be responsible with what we said, with what we wrote.

Sometimes I think:
writing about ME is better that writing about other people. Because when we write about other people we are actually backbiting him/her. But then again, writing a lot about ME can change me from being humble to arrogant. I might fall deeply in love with ME and thinking other people is not as good as me. And later I might forget that everything that I own: my ability to spare time to jemaah in surau, to regularly read the Quran , and any good deed that I do, is actually a gift from Allah swt which at anytime He can take it back from me and He can also turn me to become worst than the bad person (Nauzubillahiminzalik !!!)..

Have to always remember that yang Baik itu datangnya dari Allah swt, dah yang buruk itu datangnya dari diri kita sendiri.. Astagrafirullahillazim..

Lets hope that the things we said and wrote will help us to Jannah. InsyaAllah.. Wallahua'lam..

Al-Kahfi

2012-01-06T16:08:00.001+08:00

Friday today.. Jummah mubarak!

Did you know that it is sunnat to read Suratul-Kahf on Friday? I just knew it very recent. Selama ni dok la baca Yasin. Anyway, Suratul Kahf ni tak la panjang setakat 110 ayat saja but mebe agak kurang biasa, agak penat jugak nak menghabiskan satu surah tu on a go. So what I did is normally baca yang in Juzuk 15 malam Jumaat, and continue the Juzuk 16 on the Jumaat itself.

And I found that this surah is very interesting. 110 ayah and it has 3 significant story.

1) about those young men who runaway from their ruler and stayed sleep for about 100years in a cave.

2) Nabi Musa as and the knowledgeable Khidir,

3) and Zulkarnain with the Gog ang Magog.

Banyak fadilat mengamal kan membaca Suratul Kahf espcially the first 10 ayah, which will protect ourselves from fitna.

Ok, I still have a lot to learn, but I hope, things that I share will give benefit to you and me, insyaAllah.

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Brand New

2012-01-04T18:35:00.004+08:00

Brand.

What do you guys think? Compare to the old one:

I am making new labels specifically for the carriers. Before this am using the label previously made for the baju kurung which is simple and ya, simple. I wanted to use the blue one but when I sent for 'printing' the kedai said that I need to maximize the color up to only two colors or I have to pay extra for extra colors (the blue label got more than 5 colors according to the kedai). Since I am a bit buta-IT, (I made those label manually using powerpoint) so its hard to change the colors, thus I make a new one.

So, insyaAllah we gonna have new significant labels after this. After a year- Baru rasa berani nak buat one very serious label representing the company. Company.. whoa, that is one very serious word! Hehee..

:)

Rezeki

2011-12-31T13:37:00.001+08:00

*This is a self-reminder but I think its good to share with you my beloved readers :)

Macam-macam perseption orang tentang erti rezeki. Ada yang beranggapan only positive impact can be considered as rezeki - gaji naik, dapat anak, dapat hadiah, etc. Kalau barang hilang, kereta accident and rosak, keguguran dan kemudian kena pulak pergi buat kemoterapi, that's was considered as 'tak de rezeki'. In fact, I too was in that state of opinion.

Until very recent, I listened to @yasminmogahed 's podcast, where she said, that all, everything that happened, involved around us is considered rezk especially when we are able to face them. Able to face them like literally alive. Not dead. And that rezk is actually a test. Because life itself is a test, jadi semua, gaji naik, dapat anak, dapat hadiah, barang hilang, kereta accident and rosak, keguguran dan kemudian kena pulak pergi buat kemoterapi, adalah rezki (ujian). Yang baik rezki dan yang tak baik juga rezki. Its how we accept them and how we look at the situation, are we going to be too happy till we forget to be thankful to God or giving up and blame God with what had happened?, that's matter.

So, despite of complaining this is not enough, I am tired, I want my me time, we should always thankful. Thank you for being able to wake up in the next morning to breath the air facing a brand new day. Thank you (Allah swt) for the 2nd chance.

Count the blessing.. Start to think of Allah with what we do: Alhamdullillah- Syukur ke hadratMu Allah; Astaghrafirullah- Ampunilah dosa ku ini, Ya Allah; MasyaAllah, Lahaulawalaquwatailla billah - Sungguh atas kehendak Allah (semua ini terwujud), tidak ada daya kekuatan kecuali kekuatanMu (dengan pertolonganMu) Ya Allah.. -- make this as a habit (better then menyeranah).

May 2012 will open our mind to be more mature (in Islamic way) and being positive towards life. Happy New Year. Lets together improve our self to be a better Muslim, insyaAllah :)

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Terbengkalai

2011-12-30T22:22:00.000+08:00

What's up with that unfinished work.. Erm.. I guess I am not patience enough to do crochet.

I think this could be the best tool to teach me to become more bersabar. We will see... Hehee

This, I miss..

2011-12-30T13:58:00.000+08:00

Like a lot!

Crocheting. Bought the books when I was carrying Hamza, planned to make at least a pair of booty for him but till now, Na-da. Hehee..

I wish to be given more time to do this but ya, in life, we have to choose. To prioritize and focus. And also to stop to smell the roses.

So, this, can wait. I wanted to finish my reading first.
:)

NeezaNeedles 1st Anniversary Giveaway

2011-12-30T08:49:00.000+08:00

Is on now at my Facebook fanpage- go to this LINK. Do join. Even if you don't have baby yet, you can give them to your friends or siblings, if you won.

Open for International participant as well!!! :)

Spread the words.. Thank you :)))

This is a STICKY POST. New post (if there's any) will be below this post. :)

Beautiful love story

2011-12-29T22:03:00.002+08:00

Komen saya: Kisah cinta agung. Lagi best dari mana-mana drama.. Hehee..

This is the beautiful love story between Zainab bint Muhammad and Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee'.

Zainab was the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH) and her cousin Abu El'Ass, was Khadija's (RA) nephew. He was one of the nobles of the Quraish, and the Prophet (SAW) loved him very much.

One day Abu El'Ass went to the Prophet (SAW) before he had received his mission of Prophethood and said: "I want to marry your eldest daughter". So the Prophet replied: "I must ask her first". He (SAW) went to Zainab and asked her: "Your cousin came to me and he wishes to marry you, do you accept him as your husband?" Her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

So Zainab married Abu El'Ass, the beginning of a great love story. They had two children; Ali and Omama.
Then Muhammad became a Prophet while Abu El'Ass was away from Makkah. Abu El'Ass returned to find his wife a Muslim. When he first came back, his wife said "I have great news for you". He stood up and left her. Zainab was surprised and followed him as she said, "My father became a Prophet and I have become a Muslim". He replied, "Why didn't you tell me first?" Hence a big problem began between the two; a problem of religion and belief.
She told him, "I wasn't going to disbelieve in my father and his message, he is not a liar, and he is "The Honest and Trustworthy". I'm not the only believer; my mother and my sisters became Muslims, my cousin Ali ibn Abi Taleb became a Muslim, your cousin Othman ibn Affan became a Muslim, and your friend, Abu Bakr, became a Muslim".
He replied, "Well, as for me, I don't want people to say, 'he let down his people and his forefathers to please his wife'. And I am not accusing your father of anything". Then he said, "So will you excuse me and understand?" She replied, "Who will excuse and understand you if I don't? I will stay beside you and help you until you reach the truth." And she kept her word for 20 years.

Abu El'Ass remained an unbeliever, and then came the migration. Zainab went to her father and asked him for the permission to stay with her husband. The Prophet (SAW) replied, "Stay with your husband and children".

So Zainab stayed in Makkah, until the battle of Badr occurred. Abu El'Ass was to fight in the army of Quraish against the Muslims. For Zainab, it meant that her husband will be fighting her father, a time Zainab had always feared. She kept crying out: "O Allah, I fear one day the sun may rise and my children become orphans or I lose my father".

So the battle started, and ended in victory for the Muslims. Abu El'Ass was captured by the Muslims, and news of this reached Makkah. Zainab asked, "What did my father do?" They told her, "The Muslims won". So she prayed to Allah, thanking Him. Then she asked: "What did my husband do?" They said: "He was captured". She said, "I'll send a payment to release him". She didn't own anything of much value, so she took off her mother's necklace, and sent it with Abu El'Ass's brother to the Prophet.
While the Prophet (SAW) was sitting, taking payments and releasing captives, he saw Khadija's necklace. He held it up and asked: "Whose payment is this?" They said: "Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". He cried and said "This is Khadija's necklace". As soon as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw that necklace, he had a feeling of extreme compassion and his heart palpitated for the great memory. The Companions who were present there gazed in amazement having being captivated by the magnificence of the situation.

After a long silence, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stood up and said "People, this man is my in-law, should I release him? And do you accept the return of this necklace to my daughter?" They answered in unison "Yes, Messenger of Allah".
The Prophet (SAW) gave the necklace to Abu El'Ass and said to him: "Tell Zainab not to give away Khadija''s necklace". Then he (SAW) said, "Abu El'Ass, Can we speak privately?" He took him aside and said, "Allah has ordered me to separate between a Muslim and a disbeliever, so could you return my daughter to me?" Abu El'Ass reluctantly agreed.

Zainab stood on the gates of Makkah waiting for the arrival of Abu El'Ass. When he finally came he said, "I am going away". She asked, "Where to?" He replied, "It is not me who is going, it is you. You are going to your father. We must separate because you are a Muslim". She implored him, "Will you become a Muslim and come with me?" But he refused.

So Zainab took her son and daughter and traveled to Madinah, and for 6 years she refused to remarry, hoping that one day Abu El'Ass would come.
After 6 years, Abu El'Ass was traveling in a caravan from Makkah to Syria. During the journey, he was intercepted by some of the Prophet's companions. He escaped and asked for Zainab's home. He knocked on her door shortly before the dawn prayer. She opened the door and asked him "Did you become a Muslim?" He whispered "No, I come as a fugitive". She implored him once more "Can you become a Muslim?" Again his answer was a negative. "Do not worry." She said, "Welcome my cousin, welcome, the father of Ali and Omama".

After the Prophet (SAW) prayed the dawn prayer in congregation with the people, they heard a voice from the back of the mosque, "I have freed Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". Zainab had granted Abu El'Ass' freedom. The Prophet (SAW)asked, "Have you heard what I heard?" They all said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah". Zainab said, "He is my cousin and the father of my children and I have freed him". The Prophet (SAW) stood up and said, "O people, I declare that this man was a very good son-in-law, he never broke his promise, and neither did he tell lies. So if you accept, I will return his money back and let him go. If you refuse it's your decision and I will not blame you for it." The companions agreed, "We will give him his money". So the Prophet (SAW) said to Zainab, "We have freed the one you have freed, O Zainab." Then he (SAW) went to her and told her "be generous to him, he is your cousin and the father of your children, but don't let him get near you, he is prohibited for you." She replied, "Sure, father, I'll do as you say".

She went in and told her husband, "O Abu El'Ass, didn't you miss us at all? Won't you become a Muslim and stay with us?" But he refused. Abu El'Ass then took the money and returned to Makkah. Once he returned he stood up and announced, "O people, here is your money. Is there anything left?" They replied, "No, Abu El'Ass, there is nothing left, thanks a lot." So Abu El'Ass said, "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammed is His Messenger." Then he went back to Madinah and ran to the Prophet (SAW) as he said, "Dear Prophet, you freed me yesterday, and today I say that I testify there is no god but Allah and you are His Messenger." He asked the Prophet, "Will you give me the permission to go back to Zainab?" The Prophet (SAW) smiled and said, "Come with me"; he took him to Zainab's house and knocked on her door. The Prophet (SAW) said, "O Zainab, your cousin came to me and asked if he can return to you". Just like 20 years before, her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

The sad thing was, a year after this incident, Zainab died. Abu El'Ass shed hot tears because of her death and drove those who were around him to tears. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) came with eyes full of tears and a heart full of sorrow. Zainab's death reminded him of the death of his wife, Khadija. He told the women, who gathered around Zainab's corpse, "Wash her three times and use camphor in the third wash." He performed funeral prayers on her and followed her final resting place. Abu El'Ass returned to his children, Ali and Omama. Kissing them and wetting them with his tears, he remembered the face of his departed darling.
May Allah be pleased with Zainab, the Prophet's daughter! May He reward her with Paradise for her patience, endurance and struggle!

Abu El'Ass would cry so profusely that the people saw the Prophet himself weeping and calming him down. Abu El'Ass would say, "By Allah, I can't stand life anymore without Zainab".

He died one year after Zainab's death.

***
Taken from twitter.com/BackonDeen

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Attack by the fungus..

2011-12-29T16:46:00.001+08:00

My sewing room!!!

Kemas session. Ouch!!!

With someone not feeling well and being clingy like a baby koala. Double ouch!!!

Marketing ..

2011-12-28T12:37:00.001+08:00

In my point of view.

You want to sell thing, you need to promote stuff.
1. Don't spam the timeline either in Fb or twitter. Its annoying especially person like me who view the social network by phone. All you will get it either Hide or Unfriend.. by me. Sorry.

2. Tagging is ok (for me it does help in spread the news) but please keep it once. You don't have to tag every single item with that same particular person. Again, its annoying. Rule #1 will reapply here.

3. Make your own Facebook page and promote your stuff there. Beg your friends to like and share your page. Makes giveaway. It helps in increase the number of page-Likers.

4. And do not double post; you don't have to promote on ur Fb page then in your personal Fb. Its confusing and ya, annoying. You can do that for the first few time at the beginning when you start your page but once the follower reach 100 stop do that. Time is precious. Focus on the stuff to sell rather than just promotional. Customers will come naturally. Believe me.

5. Sell good stuff with good value. If you're Muslim always make self-reflection. We manage to sell because Allah swt help us and the rezk is barakah. Mebe when we fail to sell is time to look back. We might have push it hard till we neglect our right to serve Allah. Eg: We push to sell from one house to another, sitting hours in front of the computer searching for buyers (and pray at late hour- hujung waktu) or like me, sewing till late night and miss Fajr (Astaghfirullah) or mebe to busy we even forget when the last time we read the Quran. Its time to look back. Yang baik is from Allah swt and obviosly yang buruk comes from us . Wallahualam.
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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Wrapping up 2011

2011-12-27T12:35:00.001+08:00

Alhamdullillah. 2011 is Such a great amazing year.

I know some people might said that every year is as same as the previous. We live today, so make full use of the moment, while yesterday is a past and tomoorow is a present, which we're not sure either we'll be able to make it or not. But as for me there's nothing wrong in making plan and looking back the past to improve.

So, here's what actually happened in 2011:

Mother in law past away, I lost my Bold Blackberry, I decided not to sew any more baju for adults, and I quitted my life-secured-job . Those are the 'bad news', but somehow, we moved on.. Father inlaw remarried, I bought new 'cheap version' of Blackberry, I focussed on sewing baby-carriers and decided to go serious in this as I have found my niche! And what more important is I can said that I've found happiness. We found happiness. We might not live in luxury as previous (before I resigned) but as my husband said, life is more meaningful. There's ample time to jemaah at Surau every Maghrib and Isyak, and we get to sit and discussed about Islam (taaruf) most night, and I no longer whined 'tired la' (as according to what my husband said) compared to when I was in rat-race. Alhamdullillah. I am glad that this whole thing has make us closer to the Creator, Allah swt. Alhamdullilah.

So, what I looks forward to 2012 is:

Maintain those that are good

I am going to be a teacher!!! Hehee.. So, orders have to sacrifice a bit. I might taking less orders than I used to take. Talking about orders, Alhamdullilah, Thanks dear God, the rezk that You give is sufficient and I am so happy. And I am glad that the customers are happy too. And the best thing is, I can say that my parent are now support what I am doing now. When I broke the news that I am going to resign from Kementerian Kesihatan, from the Public service, letting off my secured-pension, Dad was kinda shocked. And Mom was confused.. and.. mad. No, they don't nag me, but I know they are not agree with my Big decision due to their 'they-have-nothing-to-say' responsed. But now, I somehow believe that Dad and Mom respected my decision. Mom was like asking me to put the carriers to be sold in her friends shop and also freely promoting the carriers to her friends (asking their kids to wear their grandkids). Hehee.. And ya, talking about selling stuff in shop, oh my.. This, I am not sure either to put in my 2012 plans or not. I know I have turn-down few offers from vendors. I like to maintain the exclusivity of NeezaNeedles handmade carriers, I love to get to know my customers well, and getting the feedback from them. Ok, we KIV this. Hehee.. inshaAllah, with God-will, I might as well push on this.

And finally, we plan to add members of the family. Hehee.. No, I am not pregnant yet. But I hope to get pregnant in 2012.

Ok, I think I've write a lot. Thanks Allah swt for amazing 2011 (been featured in Metro, twice!!!) hehee.. Alhamdullilah. Thanks for the support - families, friends, customers, strangers. And I wish you reader a Happy 2012. :)

p/s: I know we have another 5days to hit 2012 but I am just very excited :D

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Self adored

2011-12-23T18:06:00.000+08:00

Hehee.. The curtain that I sewed.
Tomorrow is my sis inlaw big day!

Dinner tonite

2011-12-19T21:50:00.000+08:00

Steamed sweet corn and a happy faces! Bliss... :)

Weekends..

2011-12-17T21:38:00.006+08:00

Last week. We went to Museum Alam Semulajadi at the Precinct 15. They having the Crocodile Exhibition. Adult need to pay RM2 per entry while kid is free.

****

Today. We went to Paya Indah Wetlands located in Dengkil. A good, near and free place to bring the kids. We had fun!!! The kids got to feed the Hippo, see the crocodiles and chase a peacock. Hehee..

I hope you guys enjoy ur weekends as I do :)

Self sewing

2011-12-16T17:13:00.000+08:00

Finally. After a long pause.
A huge pillow case with zipper. One. But took almost a month - due to procastinating. Busy busy-me. Ah, lame!
Hehee..

Wall of art

2011-12-14T15:23:00.001+08:00

In my case, its the wall of stickers. Only applicable to this part of wall. No other places or I might turn green. Hehee..

Plastic cap snap button

2011-12-13T13:57:00.000+08:00

This. Better hundred times than the metal snap prong buttons. Like!

Also known as Kam snap button.

Dental revisited

2011-12-12T14:42:00.000+08:00

Somebody need to get her teeth fixed.

Hopefully we will have a very good sleep tonite. Hehee..

My babywearing man

2011-12-10T16:53:00.000+08:00

Is more to an onbuhimo-guy. No meitai, never a wrapper, once a ringslings and occasionally in our pink Ssc ergo.

This is fun!

2011-12-10T12:07:00.000+08:00

One of the books that we bought is on how to make an animals out of a balloon. So we've been playing with this until I successfully make a giraffe. Woo hoo..

Book is rm8 will all included!

So, anyone want to organize a birthday party? Can invite me for balloon maker. Hahah.. Giraffe only for the time being. :p

Gramedia sales books

2011-12-08T23:37:00.000+08:00

To those who asking, these are the books that I bought. All these for Zahra. Price is satisfying. (I didn't go to the Big Bad Wolf Book fair so can't give any comparison).

The horse with color pencil is Rm13. The book with oil pastel is Rm10.

Sticker books ~ Rm15 each.
Bought Charlie and Lola sticker books too at same price range.

Activity books range Rm2 - RM12.

Sale will be until end of month or all books sold, which come first.

Yup, this is Gramedia located at Mines Shopping complex.

I personally said for those yang ada anak nak masuk skolah better go. Stationary is so cheap!

Hope this help. :). And ya, they accept credit card. No fuss to bring cash. Hehee...

Books

2011-12-08T16:37:00.000+08:00

Very cheap books. Gramedia Mines closing down and they sale everyting that is in the shop at 50% (stationary stuff) - 70-80% (children book).

That's our catch. Mostly activity books. I don't buy any reading book as Zahra still can't read yet.

Total damage ~ Rm250 for 22 books include the Barney bag.

Apabila Imam tertambah rakaat...

2011-12-07T23:55:00.004+08:00

Ok, this happened a few weeks ago, when we went jamaah for Isya'. The Imam was accidentally repeated the tahiyatul awal at 3rd rakaah. I must said that it was such a blur moment. I remembered listened to the ceramah by Uztaz Azhar said that if Imam was wrong the maamum are responsible to re-correct him by say out loud 'Subhanallah', and makmum shouldn't follow the Imam too. I was at the second row so I just stand for the final rakaah, and no longer following the imam. But some maamum did continued following the Imam.

Suddenly, Hamza was crying out loud (some kids teased him) and as I confident that he is clean (as he just take his shower before we leave) I just carried him through out the salah. But it was really a chaotic moment and suddenly I cant remember what to do after my tahiyatul akhir, should I remain sit, waiting for the Imam to give salaam first or continued to give the salaam ?? What I did was, give my salaam, and as Hamza wanted to be fed, I walked home (leaving Hubby behind), and at home I took my Isya' pray again. Too confuse with the whole situation.

And later that night, I asked Mat about the incident in surau, and he said that I should do mufarakah. I must admit that I know nothing about murafakah, and I googled and found this:

http://soaljawab.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/imam-tertambah-rakaat-bolehkah-mufaraqah/

I written this so that the knowledge can be shared with you guys out there.. Yes, this is so new for me.. :)

ps: Yup, we can carry our child during salah, in condition that he/she is clean (hadas besar atau kecil). If not, our salah is invalid as we are not properly clean eg. menanggung najis. Wallahu'alam.

Metal snap prong buttons for sale

2011-12-07T21:22:00.003+08:00

Metal snap prong buttons for sale. 30 set per pack. Drop me email neeza79@yahoo.com to purchase. Do add Rm3.50 for postage. TQ.

Tutorial how to use the button:
http://www.neezaneedles.com/2011/05/how-to-install-snap-prong-button-using.html
http://www.neezaneedles.com/2010/02/how-to-install-snap-prong-buttons.html

A box

2011-12-03T12:50:00.000+08:00

Of scraps. For a year (possibly less) of hard work. Pheww...

My best friends..

2011-12-02T17:54:00.001+08:00

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

No god but God

2011-12-02T13:23:00.001+08:00

#nowreading. In between breastfeeding. Addictive I must say. Hubby should bought this book in English. Its weird reading in bahasa.

Happy One Anniversary..

2011-12-01T13:58:00.008+08:00

Its December...
Alhamdullillah.. NeezaNeedles Babywearing Handmade approached a year!

Sekejap jer masa berlalu.. A year, and the biggest achievement I can say is I've sewn more than 100 carriers (onbu, mei tai, buckle tai, merak), 122 to be exact, with 71 came from Merak alone. Thanks for the supporting guys..

I never thought that I'll be in this type of business - babywearing making. I like wearing my baby and often go gaga on babywearing gear but to sell one, rasa macam tak mungkin because at that particular time I wasn't sure about the market and I dont want to compete with Snuggbaby or Jumpsac or Aidafiqs as they're my friends. [I believed I'm not a competitor to those brands, just being here to give some color to the market and to provide variety.. :)].

I remembered my very first customer- Nurul Huda, who emailed me asking me to make her a meitai.. At first rasa macam betul ke nak suruh buat meitai ni.. and I made two (instead of one- so that nanti dia bole choose which she likes most) and managed to sell both two via this blog. Thanks to Izan for becoming the second buyer.

After successfully sold two of the very first mei tai, I made another 4. And this four is unlike the first two, it is very HARD to sell!!! It seems like none want to buy. And as at the same time I am at my in-law in Terengganu, I dont really think much about the carriers as I was a bit busy on making 2 dozens of kid baju kurungs for customers. My friend then gave birth and I gave her one of the meitai as a gift. Then I started to think back about the carriers. How to push to sell?

Since at in-law, I have quite ample time, I began to read marketing blogs. And this is what they're suggesting:

1) Be in niche.
In the other word, join forum. I did join the Malaysian baby-wearing forum but not that active. Frankly, I have problem on joining forum. Not that because of other people, but it is mostly because of me. I am very easy to be persuaded. I joined at the beginning, and resulted I bought Ellaroo wrap and Ergo SSC. These are not cheap and I found out I less using it, so I back off from the forum. Tak tau kalo stay lama lagi apa lagi damaged nya. In fact, very recent I like to hang out at the MBW facebook group and resulted from that, I bid a didymos indio at eBay. Luckily being outbid. And now, I stay far from that group.. huhuh..

2) Promote yourself.
Be known. And the best is to be in the media. So, I contacted a few journalists to be in the media and one of my email got answered. Unfortunately, instead of writing about my hobby, she wrote about my day-career. I was kinda frustrated (thats one reason why I dont announced it at public on the day I got published) but Allah swt amazingly have set a rezk. Some of baby-wearers noticed about the article and did contact me to purchase the ready-made meitais. And I also been contacted by one of MCDP members as at that particular time, they're having an event and asking me if I would like to join as vendor or contributor, and seems there's still ready-made meitai un-sell, so I gave one to them as part of some prizes for a contest/lucky-draw. And I dont know that MCDP is one big NGO-Malaysia-cloth diaper-society, and right after the event, some of them contacted me to purchase mei tai. And I remembered that Marsha is my very first customer for the buckle-tai. And I started to make and sell (at least a carrier a week) until another journalist approached me (this is I believed God-sent) to cover story about me and my handmade babywearing gears.

And the rest is all history. Thanks to Allah swt, first and foremost for this un-expected opportunity, answering my prayer - I wanna stay home taking self-care of my children (thats the main purpose) and He gave me a little job to do in between.

Future planning:
Seriously, I got none. For the time being I am quite comfortable with what I'm doing and what I have. Few vendors did contacted me, asking me if they can sell Merak at their shop. That's one big honored I must say. But NeezaNeedles is very small, managed by one person, that is me.
Insya Allah, one baby step at a times. However, I am not ready and not welcome to sacrificing my family and my time to Allah swt just to expand the business.

Ok enough rambling. Lets get back to work.. Hehee..

Amused

2011-11-28T14:24:00.005+08:00

Little thing that steal the kids attention..

The big huge (not to forget- smelly) loud mobile machine - the garbage lorry.

Keep Calm & ...

2011-11-28T10:37:00.005+08:00

*image from Google.

ps: pagi tadi masa amik wudhu jatuh terduduk dalam bilik air. I cant remember what is in my mind, suddenly dah terduduk jatuh. Alhamdulillah, jatuh terduduk (the 'cushion' can support tha fall better rather than jatuh on my knee..) huhuhu..

Hijab - my story..

2011-11-26T21:29:00.005+08:00

I feel like sharing this story with you guys..

Macam Wardina cakap, (from Ini Kisahku), after balik umrah, dia rasa dia dah berubah.. tapi orang still offer cerita dengan watak yang 'tak sesuai' so she decided to wear tudung as highlighted to people that she's changed and please respect her decision.

Tudung ni hikmah nya tinggi - mengangkat mertabat wanita. So, bertudung la menepati syariah..

And just like I wrote in previous post, nak berubah tu susah.. tapi nak maintain lagi susah.. Hijrah itu jihad..

ps: baru nak reply komen sbb all these while dok blogging via eml so tak bukak blogger.com .. Thanks for dropping by and left some point of view :)

Salam Maal Hijrah

2011-11-26T20:44:00.000+08:00

"Di saat mendapat tawaran bermain, kita memilih beribadah, itu adalah jihad.. Di saat sedih, kita memilih membaca al-Qur'an daripada mendengar muzik, itu adalah jihad.. Di saat marah, kita memilih bersabar daripada mengamuk, itu juga jihad.. Jihad ertinya mengerahkan seluruh kemampuan iaitu kemampuan mendapatkan yang dicintai Allah swt dan menolak yg dibenci Allah swt" - Ibnu Taimiyah

Hijrah itu jihad. Bad habit die hard.. Maka kita Hijrah. Susah.. But maintaining the momentum is way lot difficult.

Only those with perseverance and hardship will success.

Wishing all Muslims around the world, a very blessed Awal Muharam 1433H Salaam Maal Hijrah! ♡

May the coming year will turn us to be a better Muslim. InsyaAllah.. :)

We live in the world of consumerism

2011-11-26T08:13:00.001+08:00

Something worth reading. Like!!!

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Piles of Stuff: A Reflection on Consumerism

Posted by Amatullah • March 30th, 2011 •

Bismillah

I went straight to my room after returning from my uncle's janazah (funeral prayer). He died from Leukemia and just returned from umrah a few weeks before his death. Upon entering my room, the thought that he was being placed into the ground and the men covering him with dirt was so heavy. I thought of how much he helped others whenever he could, whether financially or psychically. I thought of how he would drive my mom every Saturday for nearly an hour to take her to a Qur'an class in a different city because she was scared to drive for such a long distance at night time. He would drive around in his bright blue hatchback from 1995, even though he was more than able to afford a newer shinier car, because he thought it was a waste of money. I thought of his small apartment and his belongings and who would sort through his things. I then started to look around my room, books here, clothes there, CDs on that side and packages on the other.

I couldn't hold back the tears.

I finally understood Surah At-Takathur:

أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ

The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you,

حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِر

Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die).

This was nearly four years ago. I didn't realize how many useless things I had until a loved one moved on to the next life and left behind all of his belongings. I thought of my useless belongings and who would go through them after my death.

We live in a word of consumption. We are consumed with consumerism – constantly buying and buying – to the point where we run out of space in our homes for everything we buy. We are transfixed when we see a store that has "BLOWOUT SALE!" written in its window. We can't help but line up in the freezing cold for that newer model, telling ourselves that we can't be seen with last year's model. We swipe and swipe until our cards are worn out. We compete with friends and family to see who can buy the shinier and fancier product first.

For what? For stuff.

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Ruined is the slave of the dinar, dirham, and fancy clothes of velvet and silk! If he is given, he is pleased, and if he is not given, he is displeased." (Bukhari) Who is a slave? A slave is someone who is bound by his master. He must answer to his master when he calls, and he spends his time in servitude to him. Similarly, the slave of money constantly has money on their mind. They think of ways to get more of it while they spend and spend. The slave of money always wants more, and he cannot bear it when he does not receive it. It runs their life, and it is their first priority. The Prophet (alayhi salaatu wa sallam) says this person is ruined because he will never be able to be thankful for what he has. Allah says,

وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ كَفُورًا

And man is ever ungrateful. (17:67)

This cycle of consumerism has turned us into slaves of Dollar Bill, while we should only be slaves to Allah (The Most High). Our servitude belongs only to Him. This worldly life is not meant for us to fill our homes with stuff. We should be using this life to come closer to Allah and not to be diverted from Him. Just as a slave is exhausted from his labor, our constant consumerism tires us. We are consumed with consuming. We are tired. Even if we may not spend constantly, we still own too many things, most of which we cannot even remember purchasing. Piles and piles just lying around.

Allah 'azza wa jal reminds us in the Qur'an,

إِنَّمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ

This worldly life is only [temporary] enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter – that is the home of [permanent] settlement. (40:39)

These possessions that we hoard may be our safety net and our "cool" factor in this life, but the reality will come after we die. These things that we worked so hard for, saved up our salaries for, and stood in line for don't really belong to us. They cannot keep us company in our graves, rather they will be taken by other people. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Three things follow a dead man, two of which will return and one will remain with him. His family, his property and his deeds follow him but his family and property return, while his deeds remain with him." [Bukhari]

It will be hard for us to break free of the shackles of Dollar Bill because it is the nature of humans to always want and want. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) tells us, "If the son of Adam had money equal to a valley, then he will wish for another similar to it, for nothing can satisfy the eye of Adam's son except dust." [Bukhari]

This is how we were created. We will always look to what people have around us and desire it for ourselves. We will slowly walk past that store, and gaze longingly into all that shiny-ness. It is not impossible though to remove ourselves from it. Allah does not burden anyone beyond what they cannot bear. When we taste the sweetness of freedom after slavery, we will see how much it was weighing us down.

We find our best example in the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam). He was undeniably the ruler of Arabia at the time of his death, yet his home was bare. When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him why he lived in such a way while the kings of Persia and Rome were living lavishly, he responded, "The example of me and this worldly life is like that of a rider traveling on a hot summer day, so he took shelter in the shadow of a tree for an hour, then left it and went on his way." [Tirmidhi]

After I realized how much stuff I had that day, I've taken measures to keep myself from falling into the cycle again:

1- Avoiding malls unless it's necessary. Malls are designed to make us buy things and window displays are meant to lure us in. You can keep yourself from the temptation by not putting yourself in that situation.

2- When you get something, give something. It is so easy to forget how much stuff we have piled in our homes. It is only when you move or travel that this realization comes. When you buy something, find something else to give as sadaqah (charity) or give it to a sibling or a friend.

3- Ask yourself if this item will bring you closer to Allah or if it will benefit you after you die. Do you really need it? Most of the time, the answer is no.

4- Stick with people who don't remind you of at-takathur, the competition to see who can get the best. Surround yourself with friends who compete with you in good deeds instead.

5- Keep it simple. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said to be in this world as a traveler. We've all seen those poor souls at the airports struggling to carry and lugging around way too much luggage. Don't be one of them.

6- Go to a developing country and see how the vast majority of humanity lives. If you can't go, then read the World News. I've never witnessed poverty like I saw in Egypt. I felt disgusted in myself and in our culture for how wasteful and ungrateful we are, while they were so thankful for the simple piece of bread they were able to have for dinner.

7- Read the biography of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and the lives of the Companions and righteous and see how they lived. We may not be able to live how they lived, but we can be as simple as they were in our own way. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Do you not hear? Do you not hear? Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith."[Abu Dawood]

8- Count your blessings. Literally. Reflect on how much you have, and how much Allah has given you…and how much you given to Him.

9- Try not to be wasteful, and teach any young ones around you not to be wasteful. Be it with food or even when taking notes. Why leave a whole page blank when it can be used? Allah says, "and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He likes not those who waste by extravagance." (7:31)

10- Focus on the hereafter, and Allah will give you the dunya. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "For the ones whose concern is this world Allah will scatter his affair, and place poverty between his two eyes. And he will not get from the world except what is written for him. And for the one whose intention is the hereafter Allah will gather for him his affair and place contentment in his heart, and the world will come to him willingly.‌" [ibn Majah]

11- Ask Allah (Glorified is He) to make you content with what you have, and to make His Pleasure your goal. Ask Him to make you among those who are grateful and patient, and among those who race in good deeds and not of those who race in amassing possessions. You will realize that contentment is the real treasure.

If these tips aren't enough to help you, then think of the last ayah of Surah At-Takathur:

ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ

Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delight (you indulged in, in this world)!

Can you imagine standing in front of Allah, Lord of all that exists, and being asked about the stuff we spoiled ourselves with?

Free yourself now from the shackles of Dollar Bill, before your time is up and your belongings will be left for someone else to sort through.

The death

2011-11-24T01:43:00.000+08:00

I just knew about the death of the famous Siamese twin Ahmad and Muhammad's mom. Innalilla wainnailaihirojiun.

Young. At d age of 34, leaving 4(or 5, can't remember) small kids. Died because of breast cancer. But one thing that I can say is that she's one blessed woman. 'Mati cantik' orang kata. Expected, tak mengejut. Untung sangat as she's aware that she's going to leave soon thus she got an ample space to repent and people might as well got their chances to forgiven.

If I can choose, I want to be dead in such way. Severe illness, bedridden and gone.

If I can choose...

-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Upgrade

2011-11-23T14:30:00.000+08:00

The threads.

If using the small fat thread, it can last for two weeks. And the middle long big thread can last for 2 months. Let see the largest spool can last for how many months. :)

Cantik

2011-11-23T01:59:00.001+08:00

I like watching women dress like that. Masya Allah, such a beautiful scene. I remembered we went to Zoo Negara 2 weeks before Ramadan and there's more than 5 ladies wearing such attire. Made me amused.

Simple

2011-11-22T22:10:00.001+08:00

@iTWEETdawah - The more I learn about Islam, the more I realize how perfect it is.

~ couldn't agree more.

As for me I discovered that life is so much simple.

Like now, I wear tudung sarung and jubah and that's the most easiest, modest and 'menepati hukum and syarak' cloth. And I was like 'kenapalah aku tak discover this kind of attire like long ago'.. sebab mudahnya, tiap kali nak keluar rumah, amik je mana jubah bersih yang tergantung, sarung tudung, pakai socks and I am ready to meet the public. Tak de lagi adegan nak pakai baju apa ni yer?? Dan, yang paling menarik, if we're out and its time to perform the salaah, boleh terus je solat tanpa perlu fikir serabut rasa nak kena pakai telekung surau yang hangit hapak etc..

Itu bab pakaian, bab makan pun dah semakin ringkas. Tak de rasa nak ke fancy restoran (like we use to do when I was working full time). Makan je apa yang ada asal kenyang. Anak-anak pun sebenarnya tak la demand, for them food is good and tasty, diorang makan aje. Once in a while ada la jugak makan kat fancy restoran, sbb sometimes eating out is one way to get close among the family members.

Dan sekarang pun, nafsu untuk membeli belah memang hampir tak ada. Live with whatever we have, make full use with whatever we have. Mebe sebab income pun dah tak banyak, but I am happy with our new life. Simple and easy. And I believe we are more closer, back to the Deen. Syukur, Alhamdullilah.. :)

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Gemuruh

2011-11-22T02:32:00.001+08:00

Lagu lama. But I just realized the deep meaningful lyrics. Sangat semarak semangat!

***
Faizal Tahir - Gemuruh

Bila bertalu rentak di kalbu
Hasrat yang tersirat semakin ku buru
Bila bergema laungan gempita
Harapan bernyala nadiku berganda

Gemuruh jiwa semangat membara
Dari puncak ingin ke angkasa
Berkalungkan bintang berkelipan
Menyerlah jauh dari yang biasa

Ungkapan ini bukan sekadar bermimpi
Segalanya pastikan terbukti nanti

***

Insya Allah.. ~ Menyerlah jauh dari yang biasa :)

No.. This is not a cryptic post. Am not going to make any appearance in TV or magazine (not for d time being.. niat ada but source x de.. Hehee). Order tengah berbaris tu. Rasa inspired je bila dengar the song lyrics.
Ok. Gonna catch some beauty rest. Nite all. Fee amanillah. :)

-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Poslaju pick up service

2011-11-16T16:03:00.000+08:00

Awesome service!

I wanted to use d service like long time ago but was reluctant as I heard user must open an account with Rm500 deposit, which is way out my budget. But due to own logistic problem, I called the service centre and they said they'll come with only Rm5 service charges. And that cheaper compare to if I have to go to the post centre by taxi.

Again I would say this is one awesome service. They will bring along the flyers (mailing packages) and the consignment notes if you haven't got one.

Call to pray

2011-11-14T17:15:00.000+08:00

Alhamdullillah. The most valuable thing that I treasure for no longer working 8-5 if the opportunity to solat jemaah at the surau during Zhur and Asr. This is also our breaktime- kids need to be outside the house while I need a me-time from the load in the studio.

Alhamdullillah. Am very glad the surau is just a walk away. :)

Zikr for every Monday

2011-11-14T06:43:00.001+08:00

Laa Haula Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahil 'Aliyyil 'Azhim (1000 times) meaning : There is no power and no strength except Allah the Most High, the Great.

-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Alhamdullillah

2011-11-13T02:34:00.001+08:00

Alhamdullillah. Thank you Allah. I really can't stop to express my gratitude toward God as tonight while making the straps for Merak ssc, I have been given such an idea how to make it a wee bit faster and way nicer (the outcome) than the method that I used to do. For me, the most crucial stage to sew the carriers is at making the strap, and ya, I really can't stop thanking Allah for the idea I've long waited. :)

Allahuakbar!

Parents

2011-11-12T12:57:00.001+08:00

I was at the kitchen downstairs and when I was about to drink I called Zahra (who's watching tv upstairs), in intentionally to ask her if she wants anything in the kitchen too. She didn't response, and it makes me thinking..

'I think this is what my mom felt when she called me and I (kinda) ignored her.'

I remembered about story of *Juriah. A very pious man who isolated himself to worship Allah swt. One night his mom came to visit, been calling him few times outsides his tent, but Juriah, being focused, he didn't answered to his mom. And his mom was hurt and pray to Allah swt. And Juriah later being accused for pregnant a woman. He denied but since nobody can be his eye-witness, and everybody seems to believe the woman, he been punished. The news about the punishment reach his mother and his mother pray for his safety, and right before the punishment, the woman revealed the real story. *correct me if I'm wrong as I been reading this story long ago.

There are few surah in the Quran (Al-Baqarah, Alimran, Luqman) that have ayat said that we have to make good deed and respect our parent, even we have wicked parent, we shouldn't have grunges towards them.

I am not mad with Zahra but I am more guilty to own self as I once did the same thing to my mum. I hope my mom will forgive me with whatever inappropriate thing that I've made. I always think that we human shouldn't keep revenge. Setiap manusia patut mengambil setiap kejadian sebagai ujian. Its ok to be mad but not to take it personally. Kita patut maaf memaafi, the world will be a better place. But then again, we are just a human being. And this is dunnya, Not paradise.

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Candy and Vinegar

2011-11-09T16:53:00.001+08:00

Once upon a time, there were two shops. One was selling candy and the other –vinegar. There was intense rivalry. The vinegar shop was a great success compared to the one selling candy. Every single customer who visited the vinegar shop would always come out of it with 'gallons' of vinegar while the customers of the candy shop would come out empty handed.

This imbalance went on for a while until one day, the candy seller decided to close down the shop. Feeling disgruntled and perplexed at the same time, he said to himself: "I just can't leave in this state. I must go down to the vinegar shop and ask the vinegar seller the reason for the secret of his success." So, he went down to the vinegar shop said to the vinegar seller "Listen here now; I sell candy, something that is nice & sweet. Everybody loves candy. But you, you are selling vinegar – something that is nasty, sour and disliked by most people. Can you please explain to me how you can sell much more than me?" "Well, perhaps it's bcoz I sell vinegar with a candy face but u sell candy with a vinegar face", replied the vinegar seller, smiling,

One of the More important Lessons we Can grasp from This story is That The nature of the Product one is trying To Sell has Little bearing on Its sales. The product can be very nice and sweet, but what matters more is how one presents one's self, and the product, in the process.

Remember to smile :)

***

Again taken from www.twitter.com/RahmaAlkhadr

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Neezaneedles Facebook fanpage giveaway

2011-11-09T15:45:00.001+08:00

Kemas-kemas barang and I found under utilize items & decided to give them to whoever want it! Comment below (at my fb page) to get these A4size cutting mat + used 28mm olfa rotary cutter + new in box olfa 28mm blades. Winner will be picked randomly this Sunday. :)

Bilal ibn Rabah

2011-11-08T19:19:00.007+08:00

Antara cerita sahabat Nabi yang saya suka baca. The story will mix between Malay and English, sebab senang nak menulis gaya bercerita. :)

***

Bilal, physically was unattractive - mata sepet, kulit hitam, badan besar, suara garau but most dedicated person towards Islam. Antara hamba sahaya yang pertama memeluk Islam dan kemudiannya disiksa teruk oleh tuannya (selapas mendapat tahu beliau embraced Islam). He been punished by putting a big rock on his body, below the hot sun and he just said Ahad! Ahad! - which means anything that happen he will not turning on his decision towards Islam. He then being released by his master.

Apabila suruhan solat diturunkan ke atas manusia (menerusi Peristiwa Israq Mikraj), Nabi Muhammad saw berfikir bagaimana seharusnya manusia dikumpulkan untuk menunaikan solat. Para sahabat ada yang bercadang agar dibunyikan loceng, paluan gong, horns dan sebagainya, sehinggalah datangnya Abdullah bin Zaid berkata beliau bermimpi akan nada Azan, dan dinyanyikan laungan tersebut, Selepas mendengar nada Azan tersebut, Rasullulah saw memanggil Bilal, disuruh Abdullah bin Zaid mengajarkan nada Azan tersebut, dan jadilah Bilal muazzin pertama yang memanggil orang supaya bersolat jemaah di kota Madinah. Apabila berkumandang nada Azan tersebut, berlari Umar AlKhattab datang ke Rasullullah saw berkata, beliau juga bermimpikan nada yang sama. And Prophet Muhammad (SAW) accepted this Azan as the official call to the Solat.

Bilal melaungkan Azan sehinggalah Nabi Muhammad saw wafat. After the passing away of Rasulullah saw, Bilal was overcome with immense grief. Sedihnya Bilal sehingga beliau decided to leave Madinah dan berpindah ke Syria. Dalam perjalanan ke Syria, beliau tertido dan bermimpi akan Rasullulah berkata, "Why did you leave me?". Bilal terjaga and without hesitation, made the journey back to Madinah.

Setibanya Bilal di Kota Madinah, ramai yang bersorak gembira berkata, Muazzin kesayangan Rasullulah telah kembali. Word spread through the streets that Bilal had returned dan ramai requested supaya Bilal melaungkan Azan. However, since Rasulullah saw death, Bilal’s grief had been so immense that he resolved that he would never do the Azan again, and so he refused the pleas of the people. Not until he saw the two beloved grandsons of Rasulullah saw, Hassan and Hussain yang turut sama request supaya Bilal melaungkan Azan. Dan atas rasa cinta Bilal terhadap Rasullullah saw dan keturunannya, beliau tidak dapat menolak permintaan tersebut, lantas bangkit berdiri di atas mimbar, dan melaungkan Azan untuk kesekian kalinya. His voice, beautiful as it was, rang through the streets of Madinah, his pain and heartbreak evident in the painful tune. Hampir seluruh penduduk Madinah bergenang air mata, tatkala mendengar seruan azan tersebut, menangis teringat akan saat-saat Rasullulah saw masih bersama mereka. When he reached “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasulallah”, he broke down and could not continue. His pain and the pain of Madinah’s people was unbearable. Kenangan bersama Rasulullulah saw terpancar di setiap hati penduduk Madinah. Dan itu juga merupakan Azan terakhir dari Bilal, beliau meninggal dunia tidak lama kemudian.

***

InsyaAllah, jika ada kelapangan lagi, (once I done with my reading) will share with you guys, kisah Sirah Nabi atau Para Sahabat. Semoga kita mendapat manfaat dengan kisah-kisah seperti ini :)

Its a long journey

2011-11-08T16:17:00.000+08:00

Back home..

We make a move on Monday after Zhur. Hamza wasn't well. And as he vomitted 3 times along the way, we decided to make a pits stop at Kuantan. And continue our journey again after Zhur and along the way he decided to puke on me for the 4th times.

Alhamdullillah we reach home safely.

Emak

2011-11-07T22:38:00.001+08:00

Mom in law past away somewhere early this year and father in law remarried soon after that. And I frankly admit that I adore my new mom in law. From appearance, she looks old (maybe in her mid-50s) yet strong, patient and motherly. I might say that we are new for her but her warmth acceptance towards us makes me feel like she's been in the family for long.

She said to me that she's never been to Mecca but she really wants to go. I hope and pray that she'll get the chance sooner or later. And if she doesn't, I pray she'll go to heaven, nevertheless. I think all motherly Mother should have a place in heaven because being mother is not just giving birth, its about sacrificing, more to give and sometimes none to take. Its not as easy as one can imagine.

-----
Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

The curtains

2011-11-06T19:41:00.000+08:00

21 panels done. Alhamdulillah.

Raya prep

2011-11-05T12:31:00.000+08:00

Mil and sils busy making ketupat.
While me busy with curtains (banyak rupa nya...)
So, how's your raya preparation peeps? Those going back kampung, drive safely ok.

Karma.. don't

2011-11-05T10:53:00.000+08:00

To my Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

Karma - Buat baik dibalas baik, buat jahat dibalas jahat, while in Islam- buat baik(mengikut syariat) dapat pahala dan balasan syurga, dan berbuat mungkar dibalas neraka.

Mebe some of you didn't see the different but karma balasan adalah di dunia. Mengikut hukum karma kalau kita buat baik, kita akan hidup selamat sejahtera, dan kalo kita buat jahat, hidup akan tidak selamat. While in real world that doesn't happen. Sebab dunia adalah dugaan dan ujian, Allah menduga kita dengan harta, pangkat, kedudukan, anak, dan kesemua nya sekali. Jika kita percaya kepada karma – berbuat baik dibalas baik, berbuat jahat dibalas jahat; dan bila kita sebagai 'orang baik' diduga dan terus diduga, we at the end of the day akan menyalahkan Allah swt- 'Aku dah buat habis baik dah, kenapa Kau balas begini, Tuhan?' (just like the *** movie where they went to their 'prayer house' and blame the 'God') dan jika kita percaya orang jahat dibalas jahat, bila kita asyik lihat orang jahat, bebas dari kesalahan, again kita akan kata life is unfair, sebab kita percaya pada karma, walhal semua itu adalah ujian Allah swt pada hambanya.

We Muslim have to believe whatever happen in our life is from Allah swt.

'Hanya kepada Kau kami sembah, dan hanya kepada Kau kami mohon pertolongan' [1:5]

We read that ayat 17times a day so have faith with what we said.

Maka, dear my Muslim friends, don't believe in Karma. Karma is not even stated in the Quran, Quran said berbuat la baik sesama kamu untuk mendapat balasan syurga. Balasan nya bukan di sini, balasan nya di 'destinasi' kelak. Dan ingat la, salah satu dari dosa besar ialah syirik iaitu mempercayai selain Allah swt. Wallahualam..

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Blackberry app

2011-11-04T18:19:00.000+08:00

This is the first ever app that I bought. My personal comment is I like the app very much. Easier for me to put watermarks on pictures to update blog or my fb page status. :)

My new look

2011-11-04T11:02:00.000+08:00

Finally after months of blurry vision (one reason why I bought d new lamp) and sudden attacked of headache, I surrendered to the extra eyes. Have to admit that I am getting old (gray hairs pun sudah banyak).

Second and third pictures is for those who inquir about the previous post - the Quran. I bought all 10 jilid for rm135. Each jilid cost vary from rm13-17. Hope this help :)

Finally found

2011-11-03T19:43:00.000+08:00

I've been searching for a Quran that is:
- with tafsir in simple Malay
- with tajwid
- big font for both quranic and the tafsir (I have sight problem, admit that)
- light not heavy, thus I preferred it is compiled by juzuk so that easier for me to read while lying down (eg. breast feeding Hamza)

And thank Allah found it at Terenganu. After searching up down, high low in Bangi and Kajang.

Kewajiban bertudung..

2011-10-26T23:29:00.000+08:00

Copy paste from www.twitter.com/gadisberjilbabb

1. Saudariku seagama yang dimuliakan oleh Allah Azza wa Jalla. Dalam kesempatan ini, kami hendak menyampaikan akan suatu permasalahan.
2. Ini adalah masalah yg sebenarnya sudah jelas di dalam al-Qur'an dan ada di dalam hadits-hadits Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam.
3. Ketahuilah, apa yg hendak kami sampaikan ini sudah dilakukan oleh para wanita sejak zaman Rasulullah hingga di zaman sekarang ini.
4. Akan tetapi sungguh sayang tatkala sudah begitu banyaknya contohnya, masih saja ada yg meragukannya sbg suatu kewajiban. Inilah Jilbab.
5. Saat ini banyak yg meragukan wajibnya wanita untuk berjilbab. Maka patut dipertanyakan. Sebenarnya, siapa yg menyuruh wanita berjilbab?
6. Ada yg menganggap jilbab, sbg masalah ortodoks, bahkan ada yg berani mengatakan bahwa jilbab adlh adat istiadat. Takutlah kepada Allah.
7. Ketahuilah wahai saudariku, musuh-musuh Islam tidak akan pernah berhenti untuk menjauhkan para muslimah dari agama yg haq nan lurus ini.
8. Bahkan banyak dari musuh-musuh Islam ini yang dengan teganya melemparkan tuduhan-tuduhan keji kepada para wanita muslimah yang suci.
9. Bahkan dengan serampangannya mereka mengatakan, 'Islam adalah penjara bagi wanita...' Mengerikan lisan mereka....
10. Ketahuilah, syari'at Allah Ta'ala tidak mungkin tidak mempunyai makna bagi umat-Nya.
11. Ada juga orang-2 yg dengki, mengatakan bahwa wanita muslimah itu kulitnya sakit sehingga mereka mengenakan hijab untuk menutupi aibnya.
12. Sungguh begitu kotor tuduhan mereka, begitu jahatnya mereka terhadap wanita-wanita muslimah..
13. Saudariku muslimah, ingatlah slalu ayat-ayat Allah yg Mulia, bahwasanya kaum kuffur tdk akan snang kecuali kita mengikuti agama mereka.
14. "Orang-orang Yahudi dan Nasrani tidak akan senang kepada kamu hingga kamu mengikuti agama mereka." QS.2:120
15. Maka katakanlah kepada mereka, "Sesungguhnya petunjuk Allah itulah petunjuk yang benar." QS.2:120
16. Jika kamu ikuti kemauan mereka setelah pengetahuan datang kepadamu, "Maka Allah tdk lagi menjadi pelindung & penolong bagimu." QS.2:120
17. Terbukti, sekarang mereka melontarkan tuduhan-2 keji, menulis buku yg menghina Islam, sehingga orang yg ingin Istiqomah, menjadi ragu.
18. Maka ingatlah selalu, "Hai orang-2 yg beriman, masuklah kamu ke dlm Islam keseluruhan, jangan kamu turuti langkah-2 syaitan." QS.2:208
19. Karena sesungguhnya, "Syaitan itu musuh yang nyata bagimu." QS.2:208
20. Maka saudariku yang dimuliakan oleh Allah. Janganlah kalian mendengarkan kata-kata dan bujuk rayu para musuh Islam.
21. Karena sejatinya, mereka hanyalah penghancur yang berdiri di tepi neraka jahannam, yang akan mengajak kalian menuju siksa api neraka.
22. Dan ketahuilah bahwa para musuh Islam itu, "Mereka tidak mengatakan sesuatu kecuali dusta." QS.18:5
23. Wahai saudariku ketahuilah, para musuh Islam hanya menghendaki satu perkara. Yaitu menghancurkan Islam dan merusak generasi Islam.
24. Mereka ingin agar wanita muslimah keluar dari bentengnya. Mereka ingin kalian menjadi dagangan yang murah. Yaitu pemuas nafsu syahwat.
25. Mereka berusaha menipu kalian, agar kalian keluar dari surga, sebagaimana Iblis menipu bapak kita Nabi Adam Alaiyhi sallam.
26. Iblis sukses mengeluarkan Nabi Adam dan Hawa dari surga dengan aurat terbuka. Tidakkah kalian berpikir? Mereka menggunakan cara yg sama?
27. Karenanya saudariku, janganlah kalian lengah. Jangan kalian dengarkan ocehan mereka yg menganjurkan kalian berbuat dosa dan maksiat.
28. Akan tetapi penuhilah panggilan Allah dan Rasul-Nya, karena di situ ada kebahagiaan yang sejati.
29. Karena Allah hanya menghendaki dari kalian tidak lain adalah kesucian, kemuliaan dan keluhuran.
30. "Allah tdk hendak menyulitkan kamu,tetapi Dia hendak membersihkan kamu & menyempurnakan nikmat-Nya bagimu,supaya kamu bersyukur." QS.5:6

31. Dan "Sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bertaubat dan menyukai orang-orang yang mensucikan diri." QS.2:222

32. Saudariku muslimah, Alhamdulillah di negara kita sudah banyak wanita yang mulai memakai jilbab.

33. Bahkan jk kita berkunjung misalnya ke saudi, hampir 99% wanita kita jumpai telah berjilbab, dan berbusana muslimah yg menutup auratnya.

34. Akan tetapi, tidak jarang kita jumpai perkataan seperti ini, "Ah ini jilbab mungkin hanya adat istiadat orang-2 arab."

35. Bahkan ada pula yang tanpa ilmu dan rasa takut mengatakan bahwa muslimah di tanah air hanya meniru-niru orang arab saja.

36. Banyak sekali yg seperti itu kita temui, bukan hanya dr mulut orang-2 awam, bahkan orang-2 yg katanya berpendidikan pun ada yg demikian.

37. Itulah tanda orang berilmu namun tersesat. Mereka belajar di barat, tidak berilmu ttg Islam tp serampangan mengatakan sesuatu ttg Islam.

38. Mereka dengan sesatnya mengatakan bahwa jilbab, hanyalah budaya arab yang dibawa ke Indonesia.

39. Maka ingatlah yaa ukhti muslimah, bahwasanya masing-masing kita ini diciptakan oleh Allah Azza wa Jalla.

40. Oleh karena itu ketahuilah bahwa Allah, "Tidak menciptakan jin dan manusia melainkan supaya mereka mengabdi kepada-Ku." QS.51:56

41. Makna dari ayat ini cukup jelas bahwa yang namanya manusia, diciptakan bukan untuk dibiarkan begitu saja oleh Allah Azza wa Jalla.

42. Islam mempunya pedoman hidup bagi umat-Nya, Islam mengatur segala permasalahan termasuk didalamnya masalah pakaian.

43. Maka jika ada yg bertanya mengapa kalian berjilbab, katakanlah bahwa Allah menyuruh kami berjilbab. Jilbab bukan adat istiadat belaka.

44. Ingatlah bahwa Allah yg menciptakan kalian. Dan karena Allah yg menciptakan manusia, maka Allah yang paling tau tentang keadaan kalian.

45. Sanggup atau tidaknya manusia akan sesuatu. Baik atau buruknya sesuatu untuk manusia, maka sudah pasti Allah lah yang lebih mengetahui.

46. Jadi ketika Allah Azza wa Jalla menyuruh untuk berjilbab, maka Allah mengetahui jika wanita tidak berjilbab maka wanita akan rusak.

47. Jangan kita ingkari bahwa di depan mata kita jelas tampak sebagian wanita terjerumus ke dalam kerusakan yang tidak mereka sadari.

48. Bahkan mereka mengira kerusakan itu adalah kesenangan. Sungguh mengharukan.

49. Ketahuilah, Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam telah mengisyaratkan bahwa,

50. "Tidaklah aku tinggalkan setelahku suatu fitnah yang lebih berbahaya bagi laki laki (melainkan fitnah yang datang dari) wanita."

51. Hadits ini shahih yaa ukhti, dikeluarkan oleh Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Ibnu Majah dan Imam At-Tirmidzi.

52. Karena itu berpikirlah, jilbab adalah syari'at yg agung. Kita telah saksikan betapa banyak wanita tdk berjilbab, terjerumus pd maksiat.

53. Dan jilbab bukan sesuatu sekedar kerudung. Jilbab bukan pakaian yang bisa disamakan dengan apa yang ada di panggung-2 fashion show.

54. Jilbab itu penutup aurat. Bukan sesuatu yang bisa kalian design menjadi suatu trend jika hanya ingin dijadikan komoditas bisnis belaka.

55. Dan sekali lagi ingatlah bahwa perintah berjilbab itu datang dari Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala sebagaimana firman-Nya,

56. "Hai Nabi, katakanlah kepada isteri-isterimu, anak-anak perempuanmu dan isteri-isteri orang mukmin" QS.33:59

57. 'Hendaklah mereka mengulurkan jilbabnya ke seluruh tubuh mereka'. Yang demikian itu supaya mereka lebih mudah untuk dikenal," QS.33:59

59. Maka jelas. Jilbab bukan hanya untuk Isteri Nabi & anaknya. Semua wanita muslim baik arab, cina maupun melayu wajib berbusana muslimah.

60. Dan perintah untuk berjilbab ini berlaku selamanya. Semenjak zaman Nabi shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam hingga hari kiamat nanti.

61. Oleh karena itu, bagi setiap wanita yang mengaku beriman, tidak ada udzur bagi dirinya untuk tidak berjilbab. Siap atau tidak siap.

62. Dan sekali lagi ingatlah bahwa yang menyuruh kalian untuk berjilbab adalah Allah dan Rasul-Nya. Maka wajib bagi kalian untuk taat.

63. Tertolaklah alasan2 sebagimana sering wanita katakan bhw mreka belum siap berjilbab, bahkan ada yg pentingkan pekerjaannya drpd jilbab.

64. Allah telah memberikan kalian rezeki, segalanya yg kalian butuhkan, maka sudah sepantasnya kalian bersyukur atas semua itu kepada Allah.

65. Dan bentuk syukur kepada Allah, adalah dgn menta'ati semua perintah-Nya dan menjauhi larangan-Nya.

66. Allah yang memberikan rizki, Allah yang menghidupkan dan mematikan kita, maka nikmat Allah yang manakah yang mau kamu dustakan?

67. Tidakkah kalian takut ketika ajal kalian tiba akan tetapi masih begitu banyak maksiat dalam diri kalian?

68. Tidakkah kalian takut ketika ajal kalian tiba, akan tetapi kalian dalam kondisi yang jauh dari keta'atan kepada-Nya?

69. Tidakkah kalian takut ketika ajal kalian yang sewaktu-waktu akan mendahului niat berjilbab kalian yg baru kalian pasang di hati itu?

70. Tidakkah kalian takut ketika kalian dipanggil oleh Allah, akan tetapi semasa hidup kalian tidak berjilbab?

71. Tidakkah kalian takut jika ajal tiba, namun tatkala Allah beri hidup, kalian malah mengenakan pakaian kesombongan di atas blitz kamera?

72. Yaa ukhti, jangan mengira adzab Allah itu ringan. Sekali-kali tidak. Dan kami mencintai kalian. Kami menginginkan kebaikan bagi kalian.

73. Semoga para wanita yang pada hakikatnya telanjang itu berfikir. Berfikir akan bagamana nanti kondisinya tatkala di hadapan Allah kelak?

74. "Dan datanglah sakaratul maut dengan sebenar-benarnya. Itulah yang kamu selalu lari daripadanya." QS.50:19

75. Pada dasarnya, manusia itu takut kepada mati. Jarang ada yg berani untuk mati. Begitu juga kalian wahai ukhti muslimah.

76. Dan ketika manusia sudah mati, sudah di alam kubur, maka pada saat itulah manusia akan sadar akan kelalaiannya.

77. Dan jika manusia terlambat bertaubat karena ajal, maka aku tidak mampu bayangkan tatkala nanti mereka di tanya mengenai masalah jilbab.

78. Allah akan meminta pertanggung-jawaban manusia atas yg ada di al-Qur'an. Apalagi jika jilbab itu malah dijadikan pakaian kesombongan.

79. Masalah ini tidak sepele. Betapa banyak perintah berjilbab di al-Qur'an, bahkan Nabi mengancam wanita tidak berjilbab dengan neraka.

80. Tidak ada satupun Ulama mengingkari wajibnya berjilbab. Dan tidak ada satupun Ulama berselisih akan bagaimana bentuk jilbab yang syar'i.

81. Makanya aneh jika ada yg membantah pendapat ulama dgn perkataan da'i trendi. Hanyalah ulama yang boleh berfatwa. Ulama bukan ustadz.

82. Dan mengingkari maupun merubah Jilbab adalah maksiat thdp perintah Allah, dan yang seperti itu dapat membawa seseorang kepada kekufuran.

83. Janganlah kalian menjadikan diri kalian digiring ke neraka dalam keadaan haus.

84. Kami kira cukup. Maka jadikanlah apa yang sampaikan ini sebagai renungan untuk kehidupan yang lebih baik.

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Kisah Nabi Ayub as

2011-10-26T00:56:00.001+08:00

I read about his story when I was young and I remembered crying when reading d story. Nabi Ayub as is such a rich man - harta banyak and anak ramai and very much pious. And since Satan was envy with his wealth, they ask Allah to put him into some test. First test was all his properties were taken - farm was on fire and all the animals died because of plague. Second test was his kids all died one by one again because of some deceased. He got the infection too which his skin became swollen and produced smelly pus and because of that his wife ran away. Despite of whatever happened, he still obeys Allah and went to the mosque to pray until the jemaah told him to stay away from masjid as the pus too smelly they can't concentrate to pray. He went back home and in tears pray to Allah swt saying that Allah swt can take anything that he owned - the kids, farms, wife even his health but never his love towards Him. He will still pray and love Allah swt with all his heart, nonetheless.

The story is too beautiful (yup, I'm crying again while writing this). The love towards Allah swt more than anything that is in the world... Adakah kita begitu?
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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

I can cook

2011-10-24T17:04:00.000+08:00

Inspired with the TV program 'I can cook' from CBBies, we spent our afternoon making muffins. But the muffins a bit sloopy because we actually don't have the real oven. We cook them in the toaster oven instead. But it does taste good. A fun thing to do with kids when they refused to take the afternoon nap and prevented me to be closed with the sewing machine. :)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

A bit kekok

2011-10-21T15:38:00.000+08:00

After a year and half not wearing watch. Hehehe..

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Weekly de javu..

2011-10-20T11:37:00.000+08:00

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Books..

2011-10-18T15:09:00.000+08:00

No, not from the Big Bad Wolf but from online Chinese Book Fair. Hehehe.. Got these for rm120 all include postage. Wee..

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

The best thing to give

2011-10-17T22:59:00.001+08:00

To your enemy is forgiveness
To an opponent is tolerance
To a friend is your heart
To your child is a good example
To a father is deference
To your mother is a conduct that will make her proud of you
To yourself, a respect
To all men, a charity
---Benjamin Franklin

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Babywearing and modesty

2011-10-17T19:54:00.004+08:00

No restriction. Yes, you can!

Baju kurung and Jubah:

And even niqab:

Enjoy baby-wearing guys :D

IBW2011

2011-10-16T21:53:00.018+08:00

*picture was sketched by Liza, owner Snuggbaby.com.

Successful event! Enjoy the pictures :)

I bumped over 3 Merak buckle tais and an Onbuhimo made by truly yours. And am happy seeing the onwers are happy :)) .. Thanks guys..

Onbuhimo #3

2011-10-16T15:00:00.001+08:00

Weekend #sewing. In conjunction with International Babywearing Week 2011.

The third onbuhimo for meself. :)

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

La tahzan

2011-10-15T23:28:00.001+08:00

You have sweet water to drink! Fresh air to breathe! Feet to walk with! You sleep safely in your bed! So, why be sad? #BeGrateful

If you have committed a mistake, correct it. The doors of repentance are ever open! The fountain of forgiveness is ever rich! #DontBeSad

Let all by gones be by gones! What is predestined for you, you shall see it! Being sad will not change anything! So don't be sad! #BeGrateful

Sadness spoils your life! Destroys your happiness! And turns it into wretchedness! So don't be sad! #Smile #BeGrateful #Strength Alhamdulilah

Every cloud has a silver lining! After long nights, comes the bright sun! Life will soon give u a smile! So be ready to get it! #Alhamdulilah

Real life is that spent in happiness! So cross out ur sad days from ur age! Peace of mind is the real treasure! Sorrow avails not! #Alhamdulilah

Twitter.com/RahmaAlkhadr

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

New lamp

2011-10-15T19:22:00.000+08:00

Bough myself a new lamp. So that the light intensity is sufficient enough for me to sew during d night. :)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Pimp your Jubah/Abaya so that it become breastfeeding friendly

2011-10-15T09:33:00.001+08:00

by attaching the concealed zipper on its side.

Here's how: (in the other note, this is also a simple tutorial on how to sew using the concealed zipper [zip sorok])

Selamat mencuba :)

The silly box

2011-10-14T22:21:00.001+08:00

Aka television. Its been months not watching one and am glad I don't feel missing or left out.

*****

Watching hours of bad news on TV can give u a false impression that everything in the world is negative & bad #WhyYouShouldStopWatchingTV

Advertisers spend millions Dollars just to get their ad shown During the broadcast, trying To manipulate ur Mind so u'll buy Their product #Think

Don't allow TV/media messages to control u.Think for urself & make decisions based on ur values, not on what the Media is telling u #BeSmart

The one thing I noticed about TV is how it gives you an illusion that you're missing out from not watching #TVFreeProgram

As you are watching the TV show, take a moment to assess how you feel. What are you thinking? Positive thoughts? Or negative thoughts?

Not Watching TV Saves Ur Money. TV drives us to Buy things that we don't need to buy. Heavy TV viewing is linked to higher material aspirations #NoTV :)

*****

All above is quoted from @RahmaAlkhadr from twitter.com. I like what she's twit. Its kinda amazing as I have the same opinion as her. Like most of the time. :)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Jumma Mubarak :)

2011-10-14T10:41:00.000+08:00

Us this morning - Sidai kain, dengan muka comot masing-masing.

I am wearing the onbuhimo that I made for one of my customer, cant ditch the temptation- too pretty to be ignored.

Oh, now I am so missing my own onbuhimo. Maybe should make another one for self. Hehehe..

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

Look at the concept

2011-10-13T11:24:00.022+08:00

***

Perjalanan setiap anak Adam memikul satu tanggungjawab 'khalifah' di bahu masing-masing.
Islam itu mudah, tapi jangan ambil mudah. If we follow the right path (AlQuran and Sunnah), do it will all our heart with no complaint, insyaAllah, we will meet at Jannah.

Words to ponder

2011-10-13T01:30:00.001+08:00

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years building, others could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough for some. Give your best anyway.
Because in the end, it is between you and Allah SWT. It was never between you and them anyway.

***

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Troubleshoot your machine

2011-10-09T18:14:00.002+08:00

When your fabric cannot smoothly move. Why?

Mass production

2011-10-06T19:27:00.000+08:00

Merak buckle tais. Eleven work in progress.

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Pesta Buku Putrajaya

2011-10-05T15:12:00.000+08:00

We went for our usual trip to post office this morning and there's huge banner of this book fiesta so not to miss anything we just drop in to see how's the book fair look alike. Quite ok, banyak jugak buku and I bought the last book for Zahra. Ada diskaun, best!

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Random seven

2011-10-03T18:36:00.001+08:00

The above award goes with this terms:

Q1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
Ok thanking Kak Diah from http://diahrothman.blogspot.com for the awards.

Q2. Share seven things about yourself on the post.

1. My sister came yesterday and we borak-borak until bumped into this topic: between twitter and facebook which one I prefer more? My answer was blogging. Hahaha.. Yup, I think I like blog rather than twitter and facebook. Blog is something specifically highlighted on me. Its me here all alone. Hahah, 'gila publisiti' bunyinya. But I still like Twitter as I followed @islamicthinking, @perfect_islam, @islamspeaks, ect, where they spam my timelime with spiritual and muhasabah about life and islam, and I still need facebook for my FB page. Can't ditch the sosial network thus to avoid them from being thing that useless or 'lagho', fill it with something that can feed our soul. And because I blog a lot lately, my sis suggested that I should just put the nuffnang ads. So I did- just a moment ago, after being here for more than two years. Yup, I started this blog on 19July2009.

2. I make baby carriers. For now. But I love creating cloth for me and kids. But let it be for me and my kids. Not that I don't want to take order for baju but unfortunately, its all on me. Being a soloprenuer, one thing that I learnt is that I have to prioritize and being greedy is not good. So, let it be carriers for the time being ya. :)

3. My life now revolves between kids and hubby. Alhamdullilah, I treasure every moment. Rasa tenang and seronok sangat. But being a normal human being, sometimes I do feel sad. And I cried - to the Creator. And then I feel good again. Not to say that I didn't need friend but He's there. And I feel His love filled in my heart. So, why bother shout at a 'wall' where I can just pray and being bless.. imho.. :)

4. I love Mat's beard. Hahah, have to admit this in public. It did give such a remark. And I like the 'remarked'. Sejak tak kerja, I am so la lazy to melawa if going out. I prefer to wear jubah. With Mat appearance and me wearing the jubah is something that blend very well. I think.

5. The kids so crazy towards Angry Birds. Such a phenomenon. I think I have to go to Nagoya to buy that cheap Angry Birds fabrics. Plan to make pyjamas for them.

6. Life good. Alhamdullillah. I feel so bless. The this whole thing that happened has eventually open my eyes to see world in different perspective. To love the Creator more than other intangible thing and to accept life as something that we should not hook on. I'm sort of adopting the amish-life, iykwim. :)

7. Works piling so better off now.

*********
Q3. Pass the award to fifteen bloggers that you think deserve it.
Q4. Lastly contact all the bloggers that you've picked for the award.
--- am cracking my head with Q2, so I pass the Q3 and Q4.. hehehee

Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/neezaneedles

My new toy..

2011-10-03T09:39:00.001+08:00

Uh, forgive me. I bought another new sewing machine. Ngee..

But unlike the other machines, this one is a wee bit special, because, its small something like a toy, Purple and its Singer. Yup, its the Pixie Plus. Bought at eBay, and being a 'bargain buyer' I got this at a very good price- RM150 and that include shipping.. Yeay

I made a little Vlog about this machine (to you, yes 'you' especially ;)), however, the others can enjoy too. Nothing much, just 'bebel-bebel' to show whether the machine can be function or not. Hehehe...

Have a great Monday, peeps!

Easy way to make cuff-end sleeves

2011-10-02T09:38:00.001+08:00

Ok, if you have baju kurung and wanted to convert them to cuff-end sleeves (which is more cover the aurah) here simple video tutorial on how to do them: Just using the elastic.

ps: Sengau skit as I'm having runny nose :)

The simple Black Abaya

2011-10-01T19:28:00.008+08:00

Weekend #sewing.

I made myself a simple black abaya/jubah. Yeay!

With simple elastic cuff at the sleeves (I made a video-tutorial how to do this):

And a concealed-zipper for breastfeeding. Yeay!

Pattern was trace from other bought abaya.
Fabric: OK, this is the best part- RM2/meter remnant from Kamdar. The whole jubah is 2half meter so you do the math of the overall price for the jubah.

Last but not least- A happy-satisfying me :D

Corduroy

2011-10-01T11:06:00.000+08:00

Some place where you can buy corduroy fabrics locally.

First 2 pictures is at Jakel Shah Alam. They got plain and flowery cord fabby. And they sell rm28 per meter, while the last picture is at Kamdar kajang. Much cheaper as they sell rm18 per meter but they only carry plain cord.

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Kemas

2011-09-30T01:24:00.000+08:00

Moment before we hit the bed. And ya, the feeling its like a deja vu, every single nite. :)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Marketing tips

2011-09-29T21:14:00.003+08:00

I have a habit of reading the business/marketing blog while breasfeeding Hamza (as that the only time that I can lie and read.. hehehe).

Ok, these are few tips that I would like to share:
1) Price. State clearly and precise. I made a long post about this previously. We don't wanna go to a shop and keep to ask the salesperson the price of each item and as seller answering same question over and over again kinda tiring especially later customer just walk away without buying anything. So, state price. Crystal clear. Jimat masa penjual dan pembeli.

2) Nice picture. Whole clear item. If you sell cloth, better to have a mannequin than putting the cloth on the floor.

3) If you want to link your website to Facebook or Twitter, better use full link web-address. Using bitly, owly is not a good way to promote ur online-shop. People will never remember or worst they wouldn't even interested to click.

4. Have a business card. Bring anywhere. Once people ask you, 'keje apa?'. Be proud to give them the card. Even they will not into your niche (like me: they don't have baby to carry) but at least they know about your existance and will promote you to their friends, who knows kan.

5. And of course, the most easy way to market your product is you use it / talk about it proudly. If you make baju, wear them. If you bake, make some to relatives and friends each time you gathered. Talk about what you make. Be proud. And of course, when I said be proud means you talk about how you enjoy making it, NOT whining about what you make. [Additional note (to meself too): Whining is not good. Far more worst if you whine on your FB/Twitter wall. It showed some kind of attitude there. Be grateful. Always be grateful. Customer cerewet or whatsoever, just be grateful. Ok..]

So I guess you see the key word here: Be Proud. Siapa yang patut lebih bangga dengan barang buatan sendiri jika bukan diri kita (dan family)..

Ok. That's all.

Red rempit

2011-09-28T12:16:00.000+08:00

While I was hanging d clothes tis morning :)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Pimp the chair

2011-09-26T19:59:00.004+08:00

The massage chair to be exact. The chair is 4yo and a year ago the seat skin started to peel off. It came out each and everytime we used the chair and not only it looks ugly, but it giving me extra work to sweep the floor right after using the chair.

So, this is the before look:

After:

With new cover sewn by me :)

Tutorial: Sew simple Hair scrunchy

2011-09-21T15:15:00.007+08:00

Lama tak buat video tutorial, so here it is, a simple vid-tute on How to Make Hair Scrunchy.

I've been doing this a lot lately (apart of making the carriers). Sebab sort of mind relaxing. Plus it is so easy I am just using the fabric scraps. Now you know how to make this by yourself, bole la buat banyak2 kot bole jadi hasil pendapatan sampingan ke.. Happy trying :D

Be clear with your price tag

2011-09-20T17:58:00.001+08:00

This is based on my observation mostly in Facebook. Someone want to sell her handmade cloth diaper, cloth pads, homemade cookies or cake (to name a few) BUT kinda secretive with the price that their put - PM me for the price.

It makes me wonder :
1. Did they have selective price lists for selective people?
2. Are they selling like eBay? Offer me good price and the goods is yours?
3. What are they affraid off (for not disclosing the price tag?) Competitors?
4. Do they spend the whole day in front of the net answering every eml asking for the price as obviously I am not.

Well, #1 advise from most of the marketing and business blogs - be clear with your price tag as some customers they don't really like to go into the fuss of emailing, asking and waiting.

Ok mebe some seller loves to get in touch with their customers before proceed with business but imho displaying your price tag can save a lot of time. Even if your price higher than others but with God will if we're sincere in doing the job there will sure be people interested with our stuff.

:)

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Neeza Zaini
www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Taman permainan

2011-09-15T12:07:00.000+08:00

The house. Specific area: our bedroom and TV corner.

Whatever kids. As long as you happy and actively learning (playing). :)

www.fb.com/NeezaneedleS

Single fitted bed sheet

2011-09-14T22:45:00.000+08:00

Two days in a row Zahra wet the bed so we run out of bed cover and despite the high piles of carriers to be made, I take a break and sew this simple single fitted bed cover.

The cute bear fabric was bought long ago with the above purposed. The pillow covers I shall resume later in need. Hehehe..

Fabric: Cotton bought at Kamdar Kuala Tganu for Rm1/meter. Yup, its under 'kain rosak' fabrics pile. And I bought 10meters uncut of the above fabric.
www.Neezaneedles.com
www.Neezaneedles.biz
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Another Giveaway - Win 2type of fabric

2011-09-13T19:38:00.002+08:00

Previous book giveaway officially closed, where the lucky winner was already announced.

I never thought it is that fast to reach 1k fan-liked.

So, I announced other giveaway. THANK YOU Giveaway is now ON. 2 fabrics (~1mtr each) up for grab. Giveaway open till Hari Malaysia. Visit my Facebook Fanpage: Neezaneedles to enter ☺.

Thanks.

Another giveaway

2011-09-13T18:17:00.000+08:00

September Giveaway

2011-09-13T10:16:00.000+08:00

Its a book! A fundamental book about sewing - Sewing 101.

Here's how to win:
I'll put this link to my Facebook fanpage and comment below:
"I wanna win the book"
Spread the news and share my page.
Once page hit 1000 Like, I will pick the lucky winner.
Open to all with Malaysian postage address.
Good Luck!

www.Neezaneedles.com
www.Neezaneedles.biz
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