Friday, October 18, 2013

Gifts from Friends ~Quilts~


Alphabet quilt made by friends. More about it here
First of all, thank you so very much for all of you who sewed along through my book!! An extra thank you goes to Lindsey and Debbie who organized the whole zakka along wonderfully, and a special thank you to all 19 contributors who were so kind to take the time to make a project and share it on your blog on a scheduled date. I know all of you are very busy people with many other commitments in life. I feel overwhelmed with appreciation for every one of you. I hope you all had as much fun following along as I did. Much love to you all!! I feel extremely lucky.

Please accept my apology for slacking off on this blog lately. I have been wanting to get back to blogging regularly, but the longer I waited, the harder it became to come back. I know it's just about writing a quick update and clicking on "publish", but somehow I felt too much pressure to take the action. That's what happens when I become terribly disorganized. I owe so many friends so many things I feel inadequate to be present here, if that doesn't sound too strange.

Matching Game Quilt made by Mary

I am starting to realize that I am not one of those superwomen who seem to be able to get a million things done while holding a full time job and taking care of multiple children. As much as I admire them and wish to be like them, in reality I am a very slow person. I take extra long to get little things done. One pink penguin who takes verrrry slow steps.

Lovely print quilt made by Elnora

I am terribly sorry if I ever seemed unappreciative or rude or even inattentive. My online life has become a very important part of my life. Friendship I have developed through online community is something I truly embrace from the bottom of my heart. I am hoping to change my blogpost style a bit from lengthy posts (like this one!) to short, mainly picture posts. That way, it will be much easier for me to post regularly and you can save time on reading too :)

Hand quilted scrappy quilt made by Chase
I have been loving every aspect of being a mother. My baby girl Honoka is growing so fast I try my best to spend as much time with her as possible so I won't miss a thing. I wake up in the morning wanting to see her, and I go to sleep missing her smile. She brings so much joy to my life. I can't even describe how amazing it makes me feel to be able to call her my child. She is my favorite thing I have ever created for sure.

Pink quilt made by Penny
OK, I talked too much I am only getting to talk about these amazing quilts from friends finally and then it's time for bed. The makers of these quilts already how much I love them and I've posted the pictures on Instagram already, but I just wanted to take this chance to share these pictures here.


Honoka is such a lucky girl to have this many quilts made with much love. One truly lucky little pink penguin.

75 comments:


  1. Honoka is so adorable; and it is totally understandable that you are busy with "life"...lovely quilts, hugs,Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  2. She's beautiful! You enjoy every minute of her you can, we can and will wait ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. lovely baby, lovely quilts. Don't feel pressure or guilt. Enjoy that baby!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was so cute to see your lovely baby on all of her quilts! I like your idea of short snapshot posts, and I hope it makes your life easier so you can enjoy your cute little pink penguin. PS: how do you remove the background from your quilt photos? It makes them look so good :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. My goodness she is a gorgeous baby!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a cute baby! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  7. She's beautiful! =) Please don't feel pressure or guilt for not posting recently... having a child is a large change in life. You're transitioning and it is only normal. Relax =) We appreciate your posts and I know I for one tend to read your back posts when I need a shot of Ayumi creative spirit. =) Thank you Ayumi for sharing your presence - creativity- imagination- and your life on this blog - you were one of the ones to inspire me to start blogging and I have many of your tutorials to thank in helping me learn how to step forward in my own sewing. Thank you for being you! =) Aloha~ Karisma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thank you so much Karisma! Your sewing/quilting work is just amazing. It is such an honor to hear that my tutorials inspired you to sew!

      Delete
  8. Ayumi, your little daughter Honoka is so so sweet and cute baby!! :) She is so lovely :) I am sure, that you are really proud mom :) And the quilts... really nice presents for little one!
    Have a wonderful time!
    Jolana

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sweet baby and lovely quilts! ほのかちゃん、とってもとっても可愛いですね♪ 今はブログのことは置いておいて育児を思いっきりエンジョイされたら良いかと思いますよ♪ 私も一人目を生んだばかりの頃は毎日が忙しくてめまぐるしかったのを覚えています。二人目の時はだいぶ手抜きがうまくなり、今となっては手抜きばかりですが^^;あゆみちゃんのご家族みなさんがいつまでも健康で幸せいっぱいでありますように!With lots of love from California,

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your baby is adorable!
    Thanks for sharing such a lovely update and pictures.
    Take all the time you can with your baby, it goes by fast!
    I have so many wonderful projects to make with your book, tutorials and paper piecing to keep me busy until Honoka is all grown up!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your bay is so cute! congratulations,

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your little one is sooooo cute!!! And new mothers shouldn't ever have to apologise for spending time with their babies! Enjoy the bonding time together :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. So glad to "see" you here, Ayumi!!! Honoka is beautiful and I completely understand about being overwhelmed by everything. It seems you have your priorities in the right place, though. Honoka is only going to be little for a relatively short time and these are precious days you get to spend with her. So thrilled for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your little girl is adorable! Keep her safe and warm under those beautiful quilts and remember, your friends understand your life has changed. It's changed for the better but time will now be in short supply. ;p

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, Ayumi, it's so great to see more pictures of darling Honoka! Never has there been a cuter quilt model! We, your readers, are so grateful to you for the inspiration you've given us, plus what you've taught us from your tutorials, we'd never fault you for not posting for awhile. So glad you're enjoying being a mother!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Ayumi! How precious is she! Thanks for sharing her with us :) Those darling quilts made with so much love and hope for a happy life! Very happy for you all ! xo Pam

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a total cutie!!!
    You take your time and enjoy her - we can occupy ourselves for a while xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ahh, the best dressed baby bed in history there :o) She looks very happy with them too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aw what a gorgeous little penguin you have there! Hold her close! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ayumi! She is so perfect. I think your "followers" are perfectly content with some adorable baby pics and update that all is well. What fabulous friends you have to make Honoka so many beautiful quilts!!! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thank you for saying that! I don't think I will be able to resist including a photo of her or two for every post, so it's great to hear what you said ;)

      Delete
  21. Honoka is beautiful! and she has some very lovely quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ooh those chubby legs, look like my upper arms. Cuter on baby!

    ReplyDelete
  23. She's so beautiful, I can see why your smitten! I'm not a superwoman either. I love how you described being a slow mover, I'm the same way. We march to the beat of a different drum! Enjoy the new mommyhood, you deserve some time off and we'll be here when you find the time to check in :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. Honoka is the cutest baby ever ! So adorable . Her little face is like a little doll . Her legs are so cute ! Enjoy every minute of being with her . I have three children so I know what it's like when you have a little baby in the house . They take up a lot of time . Don't feel guilty about your blog . Gosh, we understand . You have such a loyal group of friends, we will all still be here for you whether you blog .....or not ...!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ayumi...Honoka is just precious. What wonderful sewing friends you have to have received so many quilts made with 'love'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I sure have such amazing friends :)

      Delete
  26. What a cutie pie!!:D don't worry about not blogging regularly, Ayumi! Take your time and just enjoy being with precious Honoka<3 I'm a slow person myself hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  27. oh Ayumi, Honoka is just gorgeous! What a little sweetie... you could post a million pictures of her and I wouldn't get bored :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a precious baby girl. Lovely quilts made by special people in your lives. Enjoy your bundle of joy and the rest of your family. Children grow so quickly we don't want to miss anything. Thank you for sharing Honoka she's a beautiful flower.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your paragraph about motherhood and her being your favorite creation I had to reread a few times. It's so true. Words are inadequate to explain what a precious and wonderful gift a child is. I'm so happy to hear your full heart!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh please! Who could possibly keep a blog going with that beautiful child to shower with love! That's what is important right there. And I love your book. I purchased a copy and have several things I want to make but haven't done so yet, but I will!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your baby girl is so cute! What a blessing! I love all the quilts she has. how very wonderful! Nice to see both of you here.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I can hear the happiness through your words. She is absolutely gorgeous! Take this time and enjoy her, we will still all be here when you decide to write. They grow so quickly that you need to take this time to enjoy her while she is small.
    Lovely quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful quilts and gorgeous baby girl.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful baby! And great Quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm naturally slow, too. No superwoman here. Actually, I think the superwoman idea is an illusion, if you are putting time and energy into one part of your life, you are taking it from another. Spend time with bub and don't feel one bit of pressure to get back to sewing or blogging until you have the time, energy and desire to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Honoka is adorable! Take this time and enjoy her and motherhood, because, as you said, they grow so fast. Take slow little penguin steps, but please return to blogging someday, I love your work and your inspirations. It is funny because I was just telling someone about you and your blog, and here you are. Finally, remember you do not need to be superwoman, just a woman happy with her life.

    ReplyDelete
  37. What beautiful gifts for your gorgeous girl! Honoka is adorable! Enjoy your special time with her xxx

    ReplyDelete
  38. Honoka is adorable and the quilts are beautiful, too.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm so glad that you are enjoying being a mother. There is truly nothing like it.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Ayumi Your little one is adorable and even more beautiful on those lovely gift quilts. Don't give it a second thought that you have not blogged in a while. Your daughter is only little once. Enjoy her - she will grow up so fast. So good to hear from you again. Best wishes to your little family. N

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a beautiful little girl and a beautiful bundle of quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful post Ayumi. The superwoman thing is a myth IMO! Better to take time & be yourself :)
    Honoka is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Felicidades porlos regalos y por tener una niña tan bonita ,que la verdad ha crecido mucho, besos.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ayumi, I too am a very slow person. I like to take my time with things and I have realized I just don't enjoy life if I'm trying to rush about too much. Enjoy every minute of your beautiful girl. The baby stage really does fly much too fast xxx

    ReplyDelete
  45. You are blessed, Ayumi! What a beautiful baby surrounded by so much love. Thanks for sharing some pictures of Honoka with those beautiful quilts. She is darling!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Take your time mama! These are precious moments indeed and you should treasure them. I'll admit I was feeling a bit of a slacker for not getting you a quilt, but it looks like your little gal is blessed with them! lol

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh Honoka is beautiful and some wondeful quilt designs.
    Hope your enjoying every moment of being a new mum.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh, she's beautiful and I love her name! And all those quilts! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  49. She's adorable! All of us who are moms know exactly how busy and wonderous it is. . .enjoy your sweet baby!

    ReplyDelete
  50. She's so pretty!!! And a lucky baby girl!!!

    Those quilts are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  51. So happy to see your update! Honoka is beautiful and such a blessing to you and your husband. Don't feel any guilt for a second about needing to adjust your focus in your life. That's what happens when you become a mama. <3

    ReplyDelete
  52. Ayumi...when I first found your blog, I was just IN LOVE with your work...and then, I feel like I have been able to get to know "YOU" due to flickr..and IG...Everytime I have made something with one of your patterns, somehow you have found time to leave me a sweet comment!! I think you are just a remarkable person...very kindhearted...and genuine:) Your little girl is just ADORABLE!!!! I love seeing her pictures...and I am so very happy for you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww what a sweet thing to say!! I leave comments because your work is so amazing I couldn't resist doing it! Thank you for being so sweet!!

      Delete
  53. Aw Ayumi, she's growing up so fast! And she's just as beautiful as her mommy :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a sweet little girl. Lovely pictures. Stay well and don't worry about blogging even though I enjoyed seeing your pics :-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Honoka is precious! I know exactly how you feel, about it being impossible to describe the love & feelings you have for your baby. My daughter Violet is 7 weeks old and the absolute joy of my life. She is also a hapa (half Asian/half Caucasian) baby :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos of your adorable baby - take your time and don't worry about blogging.x

    ReplyDelete
  57. Sweetest quilts for your precious baby. Thank you for sharing cutest pictures of Honoka!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Before I type another word, I must again tell you what a beauty little Honoka is! Of course, you wish to spend as much time as possible with her. These are very precious days and weeks.

    All those quilts are also remarkable. Ayumi, it is good that you are someone who finds a "slow lane" a comfortable lane. I am a person who can multi-task and prioritize tasks very well ... up to a point. I know when I go over my own personal speed limit, and definitely find that feeling disagreeable.

    It's truly important to keep some time in each day for reflection, and a chance to sort of process all that swirls around us.

    As always, best wishes. xo

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the moment to leave a comment ;) I always love hearing from you!