I don't usually take the time to thank every one of you for your kind acts you have taken to make me feel good about myself, but this past few days, I have been giving a lot of thoughts to how lucky I have been to have such great, supportive, warm friends who are always there for me. I have been in need of a lot of support lately, and I have had more than enough of it from my trusted friends and my hubby. Supportive people for me includes every one of you who are nice to hop over here to read my new post out of your busy time. Thank you so much to you all!
Sewing something and putting my projects out there for anyone's eyes has not been easy for me. I am very critical of my work and am always afraid that people might be here to judge me. However, in the history of Pink Penguin since April of 2008, I have never ever received a single email from anybody to criticize anything I have made or have said. This I find it almost a miracle as there are people who aren't necessarily as nice as you guys. I am so lucky. All my fear about my creativity and my projects are usually swept away completely by your sweet comments/emails. They have such strong uplifting power to me, so much that I can hardly describe it to my friends who don't blog or craft. (I would look just silly, hehe.) Without your support, I would not have as much confidence to keep creating and blogging. I deeply thank you for any moment you have spent to let me know you like my projects/tutes/blog. I am especially thankful when I receive emails letting me know that they liked my stuff in published works, as I am usually very, very nervous and shaky about having my work being published in print. So when I saw this post by my friend Penny of Sew Take a Hike today, I started feeling too warm and fuzzy and tears came down on my face. How much it made me feel better is indescribable.
I am also very thankful of all of you who have supported my wee etsy shop. It has been very helpful to me in that I feel I am doing something I can to support this family that Joe works very hard for.
I am ready to have a great Christmas with KFC and a decorated cake at a Kotatsu table (a table with a heater right underneath the table top and a blanket to go over to keep the heat) in our tatami room. I will make quick eggnog for Joe so that he won't miss American way of Christmas too much.
I hope you are keeping yourself warm and that you have a Merry, Merry Christmas with your loved ones!
Thank you again for your every kind act! Love you all!
![kitchen123](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6559235647_583faa5e28.jpg)
P.S. Here is a little pattern I made a long time ago. I never cared about it enough to write a tutorial on how to use it, so the whole idea was tossed, and time passed by. I just happen to remember about this because I was thinking about a cake for tomorrow. (It's supposed to be a cake in the oven.) If this is something any of you would want to give a try for personal use, I'd be delighted! It may look a bit boring as it is but maybe it has potential to turn into a fun potholder? Who knows? You can download it here if you would like ;) Just a wee Christmas gift from me to thank you!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30hws7Hi4X5l4PhE6A-jF5VW3nWBM_B4llVXcSSpnuxAVYPmhyQp77VKbgmTWp-YgKRVOG67D2_1YBevMt6BRuDHs1zzgf-vHOTN36PgYvGthJ25D4rPcVwvwWRqTnXifw2KUeI5yUsUN/s400/22222.jpg)
That is so generous!!!Thanks for the sweet gift and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Brasil!
Being from KY, it makes me laugh that you eat KFC for Christmas :). I keep up regularly with your blog, but do not comment often. I adore your work and there is nothing you make that isn't beautiful!!! Thank you for your awesome blog!
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas! And thank you for all your wonderful projects and having the courage to share them!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family Ayumi!!! I know I haven't been sewing for very long, but your blog inspired me to make one of my very first sewing projects...it even included a zipper =D I hope you have a wonderful holiday and New Year!! I can't wait to make my own pink stove! Oh my goodness. It's so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thank you!! I love all your projects and look forward to each post. I appreciate that you take time out of your day to respond when I comment. What a cute pattern! I've been wanting to make potholders and I might just use this for my first one!
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I made 6 of your patchwork wristlets for Presents this year for some family members. Filled them with money or gift cards and a special note in each one. I've made ove 10 now and I'm sure I'll make more next year. Can't wait to watch my step-daughters open their special package tomorrow evening. Thanks again for all you do.
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing - you really should draw up your confidence about your own talent. I found your blog and your amazing tutorials about 18mths ago. I have never been disappointed by anything I've ever made from your tutorials, not ever! Since then have started my own blogging journey and hop around quite a few blogs. I am always very excited when the blog reader tells me you have posted a new post. Your posts are fun and informative and your makes are absolutely gorgeous - with talent and creativity oozing from you, you really need to grasp hold of it and accept it. I suspect you will always retain your modesty but do not underestimate or undervalue your skill! Besides, everywhere I look on blogland someone is saying "and I made these with Ayumi's fabulous tutorial" - you are now a blogging household name because when we see Ayumi mentioned we all know it's you! That's phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteChristmas wishes to you and your family from Northern Ireland!
PS I think this little paper pieced stove would be amazing as a potholder! Thank you!
Oh you are so lovely! What a cute pattern and Penny's version of your slippers are so cosy! I'll be thinking of you and J and your KFC bucket! Ha Ha :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas to you! Just wana let you know I enjoy reading your blog and your sewing tutorials have been very helpful to me. Thanks for sharing it and keep blogging :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, enjoy your KFC ;-) I am using your pattern for the patchwork fabric basket for about the hundredth time to make a toy doggy bed for a little girl to play with!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Ayumi and Joe - enjoy your bucket of chicken and eggnog under your blanket!
ReplyDeleteYou have been an inspiration to me this year, and I have loved our chats about twins and shopping - here's to many more in 2012.
Have a good one, Hadley x
Merry Christmas, enjoy your KFC :0)
ReplyDeletethank you for continuing to share you inspiration ..
Looking forward to reading your posts in the New Year
Claire xox
Awe, you are so sweet. Merry Christmas and enjoy your KFC :)
ReplyDeleteI think that the cake in the oven is adorable! I would love to add it to my "to do" list. I agree with all the others that you are just so nice and sweet and wonderful and I am happy to know you!
ReplyDeleteAyumi - you are a dear! I have told so many people about your Christmas cakes and KFC meal that I got hungry for some KFC - so that's what we had for lunch yesterday. Just embrace your talent and good success ! The first time I found you was when you shared the pieced teapot - it was (is) amazing and I have been a fan ever since...Merry Christmas to you and Joe!
ReplyDeleteAyumi, merry christmas and a happy new year to you.
ReplyDeleteyou are one of my quilting heroes!, there is a list of you. And one day i will blog about it. You inspired me to start on this quilting adventure. So thank you very much and keep up all your brilliant work.
Dear sweet Ayumi I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your hubby and your KFC! (that table sounds so cozy) To me you are one of the most talented people out there and I am so happy to have 'met' you :-)
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things you will come up with in 2012!
Oh, merry Christmas to you, too, Ayumi! I understand what it's like to be your own worst critic, but I can tell you for certain that there's nothing you make to criticize one bit! You are such an inspiring sewist, I always love dropping by to see what you're working on :) Enjoy your KFC and your cake!
ReplyDeleteAnd a big fat happy Kissmas sloppy kiss from me to you. For one so talented, you don't seem to know it but that's why we all love you so much! XXX
ReplyDeleteA very Merry Christmas to you and Joe! It seems redundant to say it, but you know I adore your work. Your projects and creations are always beautiful and original and so perfectly crafted. And you are remarkably generous with your tutorials. I feel so lucky to have met you through this amazing bloggy/flickr world and am so happy to call you friend. XOXOX
ReplyDeleteYou always make stunning things, and you're so generous to make such detailed tutorials for your cute projects! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your loved ones. I love your wonderful creations! I went to library the other day carrying this gorgeous cherry shopping bag made by you - I have received such lovely compliments from the librarians etc etc. I told them your blog and lovely shop. Keep up the excellent work!!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you haven't ever given up, your work is absolutely wonderful, and I'm sure there are 1,000s out there aspiring to be able to create even half the things you do.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas, and enjoy your KFC!
Aw you are so sweet and generous A! You've been a genuine source of inspiration to me and the standard of your work is out of this world. I hope these few years of receiving bloggers' positive comments help to give you confidence and see yourself the way so many of us see you - an incredibly talented, humble and kind person. Enjoy your Christmas! Jxo
ReplyDeletei love everything you make. your paper piecing is always amazing and sooo inspiring. one of my goals in life is to be as good as you and be in a bee with you! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh Ayumi, Merry Christmas to you too!!! I will think of you and Joe eating KFC and homemade eggnog!! Thank you for always inspiring and encouraging. And thank you for the cute, cute stove pattern. It really is darling!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you, I love your work and your very clear and inspirational tutorials. I made a version of one of them and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you and Joe and your KFC as my husband and I enjoy our barbecued pork lunch in our Aussie back yard on
ReplyDeleteChristmas day. Merry Christmas to you both and all good wishes for 2012. Thank you so much for your sharing and fabulous designs since you began blogging; you have absolutely no need to be nervous about your talents and I and many others always look forward to your designs and to each blog post. So there!
I wish you and yours a very merry christmas too!
ReplyDeleteliebe Grüße
Bente - Germany
Have a fabulous Christmas back in your homeland. I love that you said "wee" twice in this post, maybe I have rubbed off a tiny bit..ha!
ReplyDeleteAyumi, you already know how much I think of your work and your cute self. So I'll just say thanks for the cake! And have a very happy holiday sipping your eggnog.
ReplyDeletePLUS the happiest of New Year's in 2012. It's gonna be a big one, I predict.
Merry Christmas, Ayumi!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy I found your blog. I love seeing a new post from you as I know it will always be wonderful! Your creations are amazing and I'm inspired and full of admiration for your talent :)
Looking forward to seeing what you get up to in the new year :)
Oh, what a sweet posting, Ayumi! Your many followers all over the world love to see and read what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, will be thinking about you on Christmas, enjoying your KFC (big grin), cake, and eggnog...
Thanks for the stove pattern (very cute) and for sharing your enormous talents with us all!
Ayumi, the biggest question I have for you today is original recipe or extra crispy??? :-)
ReplyDeleteYour work is awesome. As you know, any one of us will have your back and defend you (and your talent) over and over. Keep doing what you are doing because you are doing great.
Merry, merry Christmas!
Hugs, Ayumi! You are the best. :) I hope you have a most wonderful Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too ayumi! Your work and fabric choices are so inspiring to so many of us! When I saw your stove pattern this morning, I all but ran to my sewing room to get started! I'm looking forward to having the time this weekend to spend putting all of it's finishing touches on. Thank you so much for all your patterns and tutorials. They are invaluable to me.
ReplyDeleteI am always impressed with the things that you manage to come up with! You are one talented lady! Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your KFC!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too! I love reading your blog, you are so talented and creative!! I am currently in the process of making some placemats, that have been inspired by your tutorial, for my mother-in-law as a Christmas present. I will email a pic of them when they are done (and after I have given them to her!) I really love your designs, they are quite modern and different which is very exciting to sew! I hope you have a wonderful time over Christmas and have new and exciting adventures for 2012! Jahna x
ReplyDeleteAyumi you are an inspiration! I LOVE to read your blog and am in awe of your generosity and talent. Thank you for what you do! I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that you enjoy your KFC!
ReplyDeleteA big Christmas hug to you, Ayumi!
ReplyDelete; )
Merry Christmas to you!!!! I love reading your blog. You are a big inspiration to me. I love your projects and looking at the adorable fabric you use!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDesde Venezuela te deseamos "Feliz Navidad y un Prospero y Venturoso Año Nuevo 2012, con Fe, Esperanzas que se cumplan, Salud, Paz y Amor.
ReplyDeletebakatcha dear!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and Joe ~ enjoy your KFC and eggnog!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration with all your designs and sewing ~ I'm so glad I found your blog and enjoy reading wherever you post!
Thanks so much for the oven and cake block! I'm making one today!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Your blog is at the top of my "must read" list. I share it with all my friends, even the non-quilters, who always appreciate your designs and skills.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family. Your blog is at the top of my "must read" list. I share it with all my friends, even the non-quilters, who always appreciate your designs and skills.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Ayumi. I think we as individuals are often very critical of our own work - I know I am for sure. But you just have to see the comments above to know that you do wonderful work and you are very talented and amazing and many people including myself appreciate you. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're so talented, I wish you believed it as much as the rest of us...Happy Christmas and enjoy your KFC!
ReplyDeleteHello Ayumi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your cute Kitchen pattern.
I loved it.Around 6 years ago I set up my own volunteer quilt group
and then sending our quilts to the orphanages in Africa or other countries.
Maybe my members enjoy your pattern ,so can we use your pattern
as a part of the volunteer quilts?
Thank you for your pattern, it's so cute!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy new year!!!
Well, you want a word of criticism? Please stop stop stop being so critical with yourself, you are a great person, wonderful sewer and so original and creative! Now you can say you had someone who criticized you!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work and believe in yourself, you can do it!!!!!!!! Hugs from Italy, Roberta
ReplyDeleteYou have so Lovely Blog that it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful things and sewings! Adorable!
Just wanted to t thanks for the tutorials and insightful blog posts! I made fabric baskets from one of your tutorials last year. We had one in each restroom at the nature center where we were married with soaps, toothbrushes, bandaids, etc. They turned out really nice. I've been meaning to photograph them and share a link. Will be better at that in 2012 I hope. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!!
ReplyDeleteYour work just inspires me. I love your generosity. Have a lovely festive season.
ReplyDeleteAyumi, you are amazing. and i'm talking about you as a person. your work is fantastic, but *you* are even better and more important. i hope you can take it easy on yourself in the new year.
ReplyDeletelove,
melinda
Hei! I am 53 old woman from Finland. Sorry, I cant speak english. But I like very much yours blog and yours handicrafts. Would you like make a bag to me. I can knitting someting to you. My blog: http://lellu.vuodatus.net and e-mail: leila.pohjolainen@suomi24.fi
ReplyDeleteDear Ayumi! Happy New Year 2012!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo great, thank you. Lovely blogg you have.
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy new year :-)
Ayumi, recibe un Gran Saludo de Feliz Año Nuevo 2012, deseo para ti y tu esposo y todos tus seres amados miles de Bendiciones.
ReplyDeleteDesde Venezuela, con mucho cariño y admiración por tantas vivencias y labores que podemos ver en estas páginas que compartes con nosotros. Gracias.
wilperez38@gmail.com
Thank you everyone!
ReplyDeleteRosewitch-
I would love it if you used this pattern for volunteer quilts! Thank you so much ;)
xoxo!
Hay! There is samting to you: http://lellu.vuodatus.net
ReplyDeleteThank you and please keep sharing your projects, they are so inspirational...I don't have much time to read blogs but I always always read yours! Best wishes for the new year!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this nice pattern, I love it very much.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year ^o^
Hello, Ayumi!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!
Her crafts are amazing, tasteful and very beautiful!
Sorry for my English, it sucks! I am using the Google translator to help me ...
I would be very happy if you visited my blog as well:
artesdalolo.blogspot.com
Kisses, Lolo
Oi Ayumi, estou te seguindo, sou brasileira. Amei seu blog, estava mesmo procurando um meio para aproveitar meus retalhos de tecido. Vou aproveitar e me inspirar em você, e tentar fazer alguma coisa, quando conseguir, te mostro, tá.
ReplyDeleteDeus te abençoe!
bjs!
Nilza
Olá Ayumi!
ReplyDeleteTudo muito lindo por aqui. Parabéns! Já estou te seguindo.
Bjs
Claudia Melo
where did you go? I love your tutorials....so cute. Pinned lots on pinterest for a future day. I also just loved your post....about doing what you can to help your family. encouraging. Hope all is ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandee! I will be able to back to a normal blogging mode very soon! It's been just a bit too busy! Thank you for your kind words though ;)
DeleteThank you for your cute Kitchen pattern
ReplyDeletenice post, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are OK... I've missed reading about your lovely projects...
ReplyDeleteAww thank you for missing my projects!
DeleteI will be able to be back in a few weeks ;)
Thanks for so generously sharing this pattern!!! I was just thinking of making some cute pot holders for my Mom -- I actually stopped by your blog for some inspiration! This will be perfect. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lizzy! I'd looove it if you made a potholder with this pattern ;)
DeleteOhh Great :)
ReplyDeleteArigatou
ReplyDeleteamazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://babyemilycloset.blogspot.com/
Christmas 2012 is here. I hope you continue your projects and keep posting tutorials. Very useful. Here's wishing and sending you the best merry christmas greetings this year. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteThis is just simply amazing and great! Keep on sharing your creations and tutorials. They are so great help for us. My best wishes to you on Christmas. Drop by sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteAnne Walker @ short Christmas messages