Her Kin-cha-ku aka {drawstring bag}

 { Mr. Rocky paper piecing pattern}

 { S for Stella}

 { additional handle for s}

 { S kept telling me, the deer print is SO cute}

 { took longer time to make it}

 { she wants to take it window shopping}

{ her kin-cha-ku}

One of S' holiday present was {Mr. Rocky} kin-cha-ku aka {drawstring bag}. It took longer time to make, since she's in bed around 9a.m. Each night, I took about 30 minutes or longer for the hand-quilting then tuck it away.  It was hard to decided if I should personalized this bag for her, but I did! I used the her initial S in the back of the bag. When she open the box for few second she asked why not Stella, maybe next one, I replied.

After made four different kin-cha-ku, {here}, {here}, {here}, {here}. I knew I had to change something for S'.  She needs a handle to carry it! The only time she carries her purse is when she needs to buy something from the store. The messenger bag I made for her is getting smaller, but she still loves it.

With the new kin-cha-ku, I though she could put her wallet inside and maybe things that she needs.The closure is on the top, so that would leave extra room for her to use. Hand-quilting is perfect for it.

edit: thank you for email me about the large PDF files that you aren't able to access to.. I got both pattern resize and ready to go.. shouldn't have problem, but do let me know! Enjoy~

Another handmade holiday in 2012~

xxC 

Random: Sewing and making

 {black and white}

 {patchwork, patchwork, patchwork}

 {sewing too far}

 {dear friend of mine made me a pincushion and really made me feel special }

 { Can you believe they are scraps?}

 { new toy number one}

 {perfect tool for hand-quilting}

 {new toy number two}

 { don't think I am a neat sewer.. I get messy}

 { hand-quilting in action}

 { S, the builder}

{ BEST! scraps!}

{12.27.2012} 

I had some ideas for the scraps that were cut last week. The design was simple, but I think I've gone a little too far than planned. By the mid-day, so many triangle scrape pieces were showing up and many 1/4" off cut pieces that mistake cuts.  It was time to walk away from the sewing room for a little while before made more mistakes.

When return back to the sewing room, I cut down the triangles and made them half of the size.  They were perfect size for the 1/4" off cut pieces. Then pieced them together and made them into small blocks. Of course, I had to play a little scraps, before call it a day.

The new sewing tool is Clover Hera Marker . It has been a great new tool for me. When I work with hand quilting,  I can simply use the Hera marker drew lines on the fabric pieces and it creates marking line. I used to tape masking tape when I do hand-quilting. It wasn't ideal at all! The b-gone pens are great, but I have noticed sometimes it still leaves blue marks on the pieces.

The second sewing tool is Clover Wonder Clips.  I have not test these on quilt binding, but the clips are sturdy. I found them in the reasonable price at amazon if you are looking for some. 

S and I both are ready for new semester.  Winter is long and cold in N.D. and it is hard to be out and about all day long. We try to take walks in the morning and early afternoon to get some fresh air.  We are wishing snow tomorrow morning, so we could  have her hot coco and my morning booster outside. Um.. take a guess if we make it or not? 

xxC

Random: Handmade & Holidays

 { a place we sit, knit, snuggle, watch movies, watch snow falling..and more}

 { time to play and read}

 { a new simple tote}

 {IKEA fabric is really sweet}

 { totes for books, winter gears, groceries and more}

 { S' kin-cha-ku}

 {S' magic wand}

{S' garment}

{12/26/2012}

This morning we saw rainbow in the sky, but it wasn't raining. It was lightly snowing from the sky. We never seen rainbow in snowing days. It was really pretty and made me think of magic.  The weather is warmer today than last few days and the sun was bright and shine.  S and I have been lazy resting in the couch a lot this week. We shared cheese and crackers; we knit together; watch movies; play games. It is really the best time that I could recall all year around. 

While I was sewing a new tote, S set up her reading tent. Due to our limited space here, she can only set up her tent during the long holiday break. If we have a warmer floor I am sure she'd love to camp in the living room.   She layers lots quilts inside the tent, so she can have a little cushion under the hard and cold floor.

The new tote is super simple to make. It is 17"x21" and the base is 4" wide.  We have a stack of totes at home.  They are super handy for any purpose. The new tote fabric was light woven and just seem the right fabric for another all purpose tote. 

S' kin-cha-ku... She is loving her kin-cha-ku aka drawstring bag. The only part that's different from last few kin-cha-ku is I made a handle for her to carry {will have a full post on S' kin-cha-ku later, so you can see the back of her bag}.

S received a  handmade wooden magic wand from our dear friend. Eight surly is an age of adventures and seeking magical stories. It is fun to hear her retell stories that she reads and introduces these characters to me.  I am preparing that she might ask for a wizard's cape anytime soon...

Garment for S was finished the day before the 25th. While I was cutting the pattern pieces, I thought it is going to be easy, but I was confused on the neckline hemming part and tear down a couple of times. It is the best  pajamas that I have made for her. She has been wearing it all day and loving the cozy flannel. Of course, she needs another set or two. She has outgrown the ones that I made for her three years ago or longer.

This year, I truly enjoy the handmade holiday. I found myself enjoy making gifts for friends and S more than anything. It makes me feel good that I could make something for friends and families. I didn't get myself anything for the holiday. It seems like that I don't need anything, BUT fabric.   However, I allow myself to enjoy all the good food, cookies, and chocolate that send by our friends. It might be a problem when I return to normal schedule. I would miss all the great time that I just talked above.  Holiday Season continues at {1/4" mark house}... 

xxC

Random: captures

 { negative nights ; moon is brighter and clear}

 {only if you built it, you get to eat it, too}

 { hot coco making, just the right kind of drink }

 { S, shifts}

 { First time we made classical gingerbread cookies}

 { best card of the year}

 { last minutes treat baking}

 {second scarf in action:  knit 3; purl 3.. repeat.}

 {pillow cases making for friends; 

did you know they received 4,000 pillow cases for Sandy Hook Elementary school}

 { last recital of the year; she did great!}

 { S, dish helper}

 { Jack Frost was indoor.. brrr}

 { best French Toast}

 { oven toasty }

 { from smitten kitchen book; I claimed myself # 1 fan}

 { packages arrived crazy within last two weeks}

 { S, the baker}

 { C, the photographer}

 { run, run, run, as fast as you can..they are the gingerbread men}

 { next year, we plan to make a gingerbread house}

 {

 { new books to read}

 { resting Christmas morning; healthy and unhealthy morning booster}

 { New toys to play}

 { shortbread cake for dinner}

 { pinnie for S}

 { S, the new sewer}

 { took months to decided on purchase. waited weeks to find the right price. Hid it weeks away from S and mission has accomplished}

 { the quilt that I received when graduated from college}

 { only cutting}

 {test drive; good}

{roasted potatoes}

still holiday season at {1/4" mark house}........  to be continue 

xxC