Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Zakka Along 2.0 :: Patchwork, Please kicked off!!


I can't begin to tell you how much I have been looking forward to this! The Zakka Along finally kicked off with Penny's awesome variation of bellpepper coasters, the very first project in the zakka along!! I feel that it was just a few weeks ago when Lindsey kindly contacted me to bring up the idea of zakka along through my book, Patchwork, Please!. This, in fact, happened about a half year ago! You can imagine how thrilled I must have been, but I guess I was more nervous than excited at first. I wasn't sure if enough people will like the projects in the book enough to participate in it, and if my instructions are clear enough for everyone to follow through, and if anyone would be willing to be a contributor for my book's zakka-along. But knowing how fun and successful the first zakka along Lindsey hosted was, I had such a great feeling that this zakka along has a lot of potential for people to have lots of fun if I let Lindsey and Debbie take a lead in this event!

Lindsey and Debbie are such amazing hosts! They have been working very hard behind the scene even before the book came out. I can't thank them enough for their willingness to do this and their absolutely awesome organizing skills!!

I am sure you've already read the detail about the zakka along. Not sure what it is all about yet? Then you should check out here for details! It's not too late to join in! There are TONS of prizes from lots of great sponsors every singe week starting this week through the first week of October, not to mention great prizes waiting at the very end!!! Here is a schedule of the Zakka along!

June 3: Penny | Sew Take a Hike :: Bell Pepper Coasters
June 10: Maureen | MC Handmade :: B,L,D Towels
June 17: Anna | Noodlehead :: Lettered Tea Cozy + Pouch
June 24: Angela | Cut to Pieces :: Polka Dot Cafe Apron
July 1: Lynne | Lily’s Quilts :: Diamond Patchwork Placemat
July 8: Lindsey | LRstitched :: Yum Yum Apple Bib
July 15: Sukie | Don’t Ya Know :: Dino-Mite Hat
July 22: Jennifer | Ellison Lane :: Book for Baby Quilt
July 29: Krista | Poppyprint :: My Scrappy Box
August 5: Kerry | Very Kerry Berry :: Swedish Bloom Time Quilt
August 12: Tamiko | Patchwork Notes :: You’ve Got Mail Wall Pocket
August 19: Monica | Happy Zombie :: Happy Hexagon Trivet
August 26: Krista | Spotted Stone Studio :: Piece of Cake Shopping Bag
Sept 2: Lori | Bee in My Bonnet :: Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch
Sept 9: Amy | During Quiet TIme :: Vintage Pencil Case
Sept 16: Svetlana | SOTAK Handmade :: I love My Ipad Quilted Cover
Sept 23: Amber | One Shabby Chick :: Handy Market Tote
Sept 30: Deb | A Quilter’s Table :: Sweet Trips Embroidery Pouch
Oct 7: Leila | Where the Orchids Grow :: Prettified Pincushion

I have been a big fan of every one of these 19 creative people, so I was absolutely over the moon about them agreeing to be contributors! Thank you so much every one of you and all of you who are sewing along! There is nothing like seeing everyone's work made from my book really. It almost drives me nuts every time I see it!

If you've made bellcoasters, don't forget to link up here over at Lindsey's blog for your chance to win the $25 gift card to Fort Worth Fabric Studio and a crib-sized package Legacy™ by Pellon® 100% Bleached Cotton Batting. And certainly, do check out Penny's great tips for altering the coaster pattern to make a hot pad! (LOVE the idea, don't you?!) While you are there, you'll definitely want to leave a comment for your chance to win some yummy prizes :)

Once again, thank you to all of you who are sewing along through my book! My fingers are crossed that it will be so much fun for you!!


On a personal note, I may be MIA quite often during the sew long is taking place, because I am due July 6th :) I've decided to follow a traditional way here, which is to move in with parents, give birth at a hospital close to their house, spend a month or so with parents and the baby, and come back to my home. Now I have been going back and forth between my apartment (in Tokyo) and my parents' (in Gunma - 2.5 hours train ride one way) for my check ups. Sometime next week, I will move in with my parents so no more traveling but seeing Joe for only weekends :(  I'll miss him terribly, but hopefully I am making the right decision for the baby and myself. Because of this, my little etsy shop will be closed for a few months starting in a week! (I've noticed a lot of people who are sewing along have shopped at my shop to get ready for the zakka along - thank you so much!!!)

Hope your week started off nicely! Mine did most definitely :)

45 comments:

  1. Amazing to think you are almost at your due date! How wonderful! I wish you every blessing for a safe delivery and a happy, healthy baby! Waiting on my PP book to arrive in the post any day now! Jxo

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  2. This is such a sweet book and I am longing for making some of it in the QAL ;-)

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  3. It all looks lovely, I do hope all goes well with you. I look forward to seeing baby pictures soon!

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  4. Congratulations on The Zakka Along! And good luck with the baby!! :) :)

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  5. I will be having lots of fun seeing projects made from your book! Everywhere I read, everyone praises your book especially for its clear instructions:)) I pray for your safe delivery, Ayumi!^^

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  6. Ayumi the sew along is so exciting - sit back and enjoy seeing people create because of you :) It is a fantastic idea to do the traditional thing and so lovely to have family around you! I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy birth experience :)

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  7. Fingers crossed! I have to tell you. I LOVE that you did not only used inches. I don't have to recalcute! Thank you!

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  8. Best wishes for you and the little penguin. Your way sounds lovely - having parents to look after you is a great idea. Can't wait for my book to arrive so I can start.

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  9. Happy news! Best wishes, Ayumi. I can't wait to hear more about your baby's arrival.

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  10. oh Ayumi!!! I'm so excited for you and Joe and the baby. :)

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  11. Hi Ayumi! For the baby and for your book with this zakka along! I think your way to go to parents house sounds great. You will get help and can rest there. Hugs! x Teje

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  12. Oh how fun, Ayumi! Can you believe we're now on our way!!?? What a fun first week so far. Wishing you & your family the best, and check in as you can!

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  13. I love your book, it's wonderful. I hope everything goes really well with the baby. How wonderful to stay with parents and be looked after.

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  14. I just ordered your book! Looking forward sewing cute stuff! You are my hero! :)

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    1. Aww what a sweet thing to say! Thank you! I hope you will enjoy the projects in it!!

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  15. You'll be so happy to have your parents help in those first weeks. We own a home with my parents & I don't know what I would do now without their help with the kids every day! Praying that you have a safe delivery & enjoying the sew along! :)

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  16. Thinking back to my own childbirth experience, I'd say you've made just the right decision. How I wish I'd had that support and time to rest and recover. Definitely take it easy and enjoy the pampering. Life often takes us away from our husbands, but it won't be forever. Very best wishes for a blessed birth.

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    1. Oh I am glad to hear you think it is a great idea! I've been thinking I can do everything on my own, but so many friends of mine told me that I would be much more in need of help than I had expected in the first few weeks after the baby is born. Hopefully it is a good thing for my folks to spend some time with the baby too.

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  17. Your book is so full of beautiful patchwork projects and I do look forward to follow the zakka along. Thank you for sharing so much beauty and kindness, Ayumi. Wish you a happy stay with your family, and best wishes for a safe delivery. That sounds like a wonderful, japanese tradition.
    xo

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  18. I've been thinking of you friend as your baby time draws near. Hope things go smoothly and I know you will appreciate the extra help being with your family. Love being part of this special hop. I've been so excited for your book and so happy for you and your success! It's so well deserved my friend.
    xo

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  19. I just bought the book and will participate in sew along. Best wishes to you, Ayumi!

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    1. Yay I am so happy you will be participating in the sew-along! Thank you Yeka!

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  20. It is such an exciting time Ayumi. Enjoy your train trips; the peace and quiet and time with your parents. They must be so excited to welcome a grandchild into their home! All the best - we'll miss you but know that amazing things are happening in your life!

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  21. I love that there is a sew along for you book!!! I've already seen so many cute pepper coasters posted to Instagram and Facebook. I can't wait to see more. July 6th!!! You must be so excited. Sending lots of love to you and your family =D

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  22. It sounds like a mighty plan - good luck my friend xxx

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  23. Best of luck with your delivery!

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  24. Congratulations to the zakka along kick off! Wishing you have a safe trip to your parents' place in Gunma, rest well, eat good food ;) relax, and have a good time! お体大切にお過ごしくださいね。すてきなお知らせを楽しみにしています♪

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  25. Best and warmest wishes for your delivery and meeting your new, special little beloved one for the first time!
    Warm wishes,
    Amber

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  26. You made the right decision. Let your parents care for you and your baby and enjoy the time with them. I spend some weeks with my parents too, when I gave birth to my second child. It was relaxing and fun and I could concentrate on my newborn without taking care of cooking cleaning etc. With best wishes for your delivery,
    Patricia

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  27. Wish you the best! That little pink penguin will be here before you know it. ;p

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  28. Oh wow! The time has just whizzed on by! What a lovely tradition. I spent a lot of time with my parents post delivery with my first. It was a lovely time for all of us. Congratulations!
    I have made the PP book blocks for a blanket band. I will post a photo when I finally get it all pieced together. Hugs!

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  29. I totally LOVE the book. The day it arrived (since I ordered it in internet) I made the tea bags pouch and now I'm doing the Swedish Bloom quilt. All projects are sooooo cute!!! and super easily explained, so couldn't wait for Kerry for the "Swedish Bloom" one even...

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    1. Aww thank you Roxie! You made my day!! I can't wait to see Kerry's Swedish Bloom quilt either!

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  30. I keep logging in for news of the baby. Hoping everything is going well. XX

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    1. Thank you so much Polly! My little girl arrived safely on July 13th! She has been just an amazing little addition to the family, but she keeps me pretty busy just as I expected ;)

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  31. XO to you Ayumi. I hope you are well and happy with your new baby and home with Jeff now!

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  32. I just saw this new book on Ellison Lane, it looks AMAZING - I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

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  33. Hi Ayumi I hope you and your new new baby are going well! I received my book in April and since the moment I saw it I fell in love with it! Congratulation your book is really gorgeous! Thank you!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Hugs and love from Portugal!

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Ana! I am so delighted to hear you are enjoying my book!! I hope all is well with you :)

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  34. Congratulations! I kept checking back to see if your baby arrived--I'm so glad to see you all are well, and such a pretty baby! Don't feel like a bad blogger, you deserved and needed that time to yourselves:) All the best to you and your little family!
    (Couldn't find where to comment on the baby post, so put it here.)

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    1. Thank you so much for saying that, Lynn! I didn't allow the comment for the post only because I didn't think I could reply to every comment I would receive as timely as I would like to. It's been so fun to be a mother of Honoka :)

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  35. I love your book! I am doing the Zakka along. It's been incredibly fun. Congrats on your baby.

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  36. Olá...
    Fiz um Blog: feitoamaocommuitocarinho.blogspot.com.br
    Espero que goste!
    Bjs...
    Rê Ascenso!!!

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