Sunday, April 25, 2010

Stitch Magazine!

Stitch Magazine

Thank you for your lovely words about those placemats!
Several people have asked me whether I'd post a tute
for it, and I am very happy to announce that I will
do so on the 27th of May! Sorry it's not too soon,
but I promise I'll do my best to make it fun!

By the way, have you got this new issue of Stitch
that came out pretty recently? This is a GREAT issue!!!
As soon as I started flipping pages I found myself
expanding my to-make-list like exponentially.
I love how Stitch always features such modern,
unique handmade items made by really talented folks!

Stitch Magazine

And I can't believe how lucky I have been to
be able to contribute my projects to such an
innovative mag! (Sorry I kept it a secret again,
I just love this moment of sharing the surprise!)
Every time I see my items published in this magazine,
I literally shake in excitement. I really can't help it!

Stitch Magazine

I had never been a great student in art classes
throughout my childhood. I was a terrible student
in sewing classes in elementary school. Growing up,
I never ever associated myself with "creativity" or
"sewing" or "designing." But it didn't mean I gave up.
I've always wanted to be creative, to design,
and to sew things original.

Stitch Magazine

And here I am with my things in a magazine
written in a different language, published
in a different country! (from the perspective that I was born
and grew up in Japan and my native language
is Japanese. ) It's still so unbelievable

to me. I'm sorry to be lacking humbleness but I really love this
and appreciate
all the supports you've given me to make
this possible!!! Thank you a MILLION!

Stitch Magazine

The magazine is on stand now at local bookstores
in the U.S. but it is also available on the publisher's
website here. You'll love projects from
popular designers like Rashida of i heart linen
and Malka of a stitch in dye
and many modern cool ideas that will make you
feel "Wow! That looks fun!" Trust me ;)

On a separate note, I've realized that this blog has
become a 2 year-old recently! I will be back with
giveaway next time! I've ordered interesting Japanese
fabric for this, so I hope you'll come back
to enter
the giveaway!

Thanks for letting me share my joy and thought.
Have a great week!!



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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Placemats completed! I'm in LOVE!

Quilted Placemats

Here is a set of 6 quilted place mats that I finished
last week! I am extremely satisfied with the outcome!!
Coming to this point is amazing to me. I've had
so many different ideas for this project
of which led me to spent too much time
on brainstorming, cutting out unnecessary pieces
of fabric, going back and forth to a fabric store.
At one point, this idea of quilted mats clicked me,
and I knew that I'd have to nail it.

Quilted Placemats

I wanted each one of those to have a personality
that is different from others, so for each mat
I used a bias tape of a different color.
I really enjoyed hand-sewing it to the edges of
each placemat. One thing that I found and couldn't
believe was that the hand-sewing part was taking
me an hour per place mat. Oh my goodness.
I knew I am a bit slower side when it comes to
hand-sewing but didn't expect to be that slow. lol.
But I truly enjoyed each minute of it.
Some were done in the train.
Some were done while watching Dexter.
(I've been addicted to the show now!)

Quilted Placemats

This project was like my way of saying
"Hey, I want to make a quilt, but I am scared!"
if you know what I mean.

I've been really inspired by beautiful
quilts popping up all over in the crafty blog world,
and I am itching to start making a quilt.
But you know how I am much more into
smaller projects like zakka items. An idea
of a big project scares me a little, but
I guess I wouldn't be able to find out
unless I gave a shot.

Quilted Placemats

I'd really hate to see these placemats
go, but they will go find their new home
in Norway. I hope the recipient will
love them as much as I do..!!


Thanks for stopping by!!




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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Quilted Placemats in Progress

progress


progress2


progress3


progress4


progress5

Three more to come! Loving them so far!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a great day ;)




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