It's been so long!

It has been way too long! How have you all been? I am so sorry for being away for so long. I didn't mean to abandon this blog but that's what it seemed like. I really don't know if anyone is still reading blogs but I thought to come back here to share some of patchwork items I've whipped up recently. I didn't take a long break from just blogging/instagram but also from sewing patchwork items. The past few years were probably the busiest time ever in my life. With two little ones two years apart, we've moved several times, even across overseas. Prioritizing what's the most important part of life, I have found myself needing all these years to devote my energy to things other than blogging and playing with cute fabrics. I feel guilty for my withdrawal and have missed the sewing community that is so kind, encouraging. and inspiring. Now my little one is in preschool so I have some time for playful sewing and I am loving it.

It's pretty crazy that I have brought with me SO much fabric every time I moved. I have given away a lot of it to friends in Japan to make the move to the US easy (Yes, I am back in the US now!), but I still had quite ridiculous amount. Finding the place to store them has always been an issue everywhere I lived. This is pretty embarrassing especially since I once considered myself a minimalist after being hugely inspired by Marie Kondo's books. I guess after all my fabrics are those things she calls 'things that spark joy" to me. I just love them! When I see them and hold them in my hands, I feel joy as much as I did the first time I got them many years ago. 

I did make some garments for kids and myself during my break but that wasn't the same as sewing patchwork items. Sewing garments were fun and gave me instant gratification but it didn't bring this much joy. Making these oven mitts, I got to play with my very favorite fabrics. It was like justifying my hoarding and giving them a reason they had to follow me everywhere.

Thank you for friends who have purchased my oven mitts from my shop.                                                                                                                                      

This oven mitt is listed in the shop now.

And as you can see, I am quite addicted to hand-applique. Something about curvy finished edges is so cute. I used a brand new clock making kit to make this clock but I don't know if the clock will function ok, but making it was so fun I think I will get more kits to make more. This clock too is listed in my shop if you have a room that needs a wall clock.

I hope to be back soon! I hope you are all enjoying sewing whenever you can! 

Thank you for remembering me and taking the time to read this post!

Block #80 Patricia ~ Farmer's Wife ~

Welcome to this stop for The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt QAL hosted by the lovely Kerry of verykerryberry. Here is my block #80 Patricia. I made it using paper piecing patterns in the CD that comes with this book. I didn't look at the beautifully finished block in the book until I was done with mine only because I enjoy a surprise :) We all know the same quilt blocks can look completely different depending on your fabric combinations and how you put them together. So I didn't know that this block, Patricia, was actually one of the blocks on the book cover until I looked inside the book!

 It looks pretty different, don't you think?! This is why patchwork is so much fun - endless possibilities!

I love biking everywhere, with two little ones, one in front and the other in the baby carrier attached to me. (It probably sounds weird to some of you, but it is typical around here in Tokyo, where most people don't own a car.)

I had so much fun making this and can't thank my sweet friend Kerry to have me be a part of this journey. This gives me such a great opportunity to make something beautiful and to bring me back the joy patchwork can give me. What positive, uplifting energy!

I have been terrible at keeping you updated. I am so sorry about that! Things are much less hectic here in this household. Honoka is almost three. When she was going through terrible twos, she was like a little crazy monster but now she is a sweet little girl.

 Hayato is 9 months old. He is much less colicky and is quite adventurous and mischievous!

I am finally starting to feel more in control and to learn tricks to squeeze in some sewing time here and there. Like many of you kind friends have kindly let me know, it is only a matter of time until I will have more time, energy, and confidence to sew.

I can't wait to connect with the sewing world again, but until then,

I will be enjoying this time when my kids are little, adorable, and crazy as much as I can :) Seeing them grow daily is just beyond thrilling.

If you are reading this because you are subscribed to it, thank you so much for not forgetting about me! I really hope to come back to blogging more often.

Hope you are enjoying the beginning of summer (or winter if you are in Australia/New Zealand) :)

xoxo!

#33 Farmer's Wife

I am so glad to be back here! It has been way too long, hasn't it?! Before I explain why I have been so quiet here, I want to show you some blocks I've made from The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird so far. If you are here, you are probably sewing along with the lovely Kerry of very kerry berry and a bunch of talented gals!

I am so thankful Kerry has introduced me to this amazing book! All the 99 block designs in the book are just so lovely! Today I am posting this block, #33 Farmer's Wife. Laurie managed to express this design with just one solid and one printed fabric beautifully. I thought I would be adventurous and try out something different just for exploration, but  I am not sure if I like how it turned out. Because the diagram is a little complex, this block may be prettier if you execute it with a fewer fabric choices.

I love this book partly because not only it comes with a CD that includes templates for all 99 blocks, does it offer paper piecing patterns for every one of them! Since I like to paper-piece whenever possible, of course I am using paper-piecing patterns. One thing I noticed while paper-piecing sections of this block was that the last four sections, the most outer border part, had to be sewn with a printed side of paper down because those four pieces weren't mirror image. Maybe that is how all paper-piecing patterns work for this book..? I just haven't had a chance to look at other blocks' patterns closely. Most blocks seem to be symmetrical anyway, so mirror image or not doesn't matter :) Just wanted to mention in case you are using paper-piecing patterns.

Another block I've made is #1 Addie. I like this one a lot :) I have a few blocks from Laurie's first Farmer's Wife book, so I am hoping to use all the blocks to make one quilt. I have so many blocks I want to make in the book too. I am just too slow!

Well, one excuse I have for my low productivity in the sewing department is that I have a new baby now! He was born on September 8th last year and his name is Hayato. He looks a lot like his sister but his personality is completely different. Unlike Honoka who was a pretty happy easy-going baby, Hayato has been one poor baby who is always uncomfortable and crying all the time. We love so very much and are desperate for a day when he will be much happier.

Honoka is a busy two and half year old. She is going through the max phase of terrible twos. We don't have close by family and available childcare isn't affordable for us. It has been quite chaotic around here as you can imagine, haha.

I sure don't have as much time and energy as compared to before that I can devote to what love to do which is sewing and being connected to friends online, but I am aware this is just temporary and family is my priority. I don't want to miss this precious time when kids are still little, adorable, and silly!

There are SO many things I want to make. The list is sooo long, but I know time will come back!!!

Now I spend most of the day outside because Honoka has a lot of energy to burn and Hayato calms down when we are out. 

It isn't too bad to take a long break. Yes, but it took me such a long to come to realize that. Now I can say from my heart I am doing the best I can and I am one happy mama and wife!

The Stash-Busting blog hop

I am excited to be back here to host a stop for Stash Busting blog hop for Kim Kruzich's new sweet book titled Retro Mama Scrap Happy Sewing! I've always admired her cute works over her blog for ages, so it was really exciting to know that she wrote a book!! Before seeing anything, I knew I'd have to get it because I knew it would be awesome. And of course I was right!! This book has 18 super cute projects that you can create from scrappy fabrics! Every one of them is just so cute and adorable and you will find a perfect gift for anyone from young children who would enjoy stuffed toys to your friends who love pouches!

I made this Take it East Cross-Body Bag from the book. I am so happy that I made it for myself! I rarely ever make anything for myself. Even when I think I am making something for myself, I end up giving it away if the result is good. This bag is an exception. It turned out nice because of Kim's easy and thorough instruction but I don't have the gut to part with it.

The functionality is amazing. It is a perfect size for a very quick outing like grocery shopping. It is rummy enough for my wallet, cellphone, some snack, one diaper and wipes. It has a nice zippered pocket which I am sure I will be using something to hide from my girl like chocolate. I am pretty sure I will be using this almost daily from now on. I'll have to make a smaller version for my girl because she is loving it possibly more than I do.

I used Liberty fabric (Japan print) and 100% linen for the outer and my Lighthearted fabric for the lining.

See the blog hop schedule here and be inspired by talented ladies playing with the book :)

If you are a UK resident and would like to win a copy of Retro Mama Scrap Happy Sewing, a copy 50 Fat Quarter Makes and some beautiful fat quarter bundle, remember to enter the giveaway going on over here!

Winner of Make it Take it

Congratulations go to Tamie! I will contact you shortly!

I will be back tomorrow morning!

Hope you are having a nice week so far!