Return Journey

It has been a long journey to return! and the first sentence is the hardest to type out. I know it has been over a year and longer, but...

Hello!!

There was never a time in this past year that I could have sit down and get few hours to myself to write. Life has taken me into different directions and I have tried to find my way slowly back to where I feel comfort and content.

The year went quick yet slow in someway. I've travelled oversea a few times and long stay for each visit. I was exhausted each time after I came back to my little space and trying to decompress all in a short time. I looked at the studio space and wish that I could sit and sew for a day or maybe a few hours, but the time was so limited. I unpacked the luggages and put away winter clothes then I packed again for the summer clothes then packed for winter gears again.  It was a year that I grew few string of gray hair, learn to put on a wiser hat, put myself beneath the ground, so I can really absorb all the positive energy and look at myself closely.

{Lucky, the pup}
Grieving added on to the long calendar year. We loss our dearest Lucky boy. It was hard and shocking! He was a family to us and carried such sweet characters in him. Eight years ago, S took him home and we didn't think that this tiny chihuahua mixed breed pup would stole all our hearts. Lucky loved to get on the scooter ride with us. He got his own little spot in front of the foot stand where his four little legs could hold on on his ride. He always tipped his head out the scooter board and get that wind blow over his head.   When he saw the other pups, he barked like no one would, we think he was just trying to say Hello!

There still no words really to explain the feeling of pain and the grieve that we have contained in, especially for my sister, it still is an uneasy process for her to walk through. It will need some time to heal and we hope to make that memories into a good healing medicines. We love our Lucky boy!

I took the the lovely cushion I made for my sister to cuddle on my recent trip oversea. I knew it was a small gesture that I can do for my sister on her grieving journey. It means a lot for her and me, too! I knew Lucky would have lay on top of this cushion if he is there. Much love, my sis!

{Patchwork Updates}
I didn't have a productive patchwork year. I needed the time to embrace what was going on in life, work and all! I have gotten myself into a lot in my own plate and felt really stretch out and yes, I did burn down at some point. Then, I had to pull myself out and go on a slower process and taking solid movement and moving thoughtful decisions when I can. It was a much need time after all.

There are patchwork pieces that I made before taking the time off and really would love to showcase them soon. Lots tiny patchwork and hand quilting added on! I am feeling energized about the new year that just arrived and have layout a few things to finish.  I would love you to stay turn for the updates!

{More writing}
It would be my goal that I do more writing now! Words are important and it might have connect to some of you in someway! So let me keep on writing... It might require some time to get myself on the routine, but I am working on it.

Thank you for all the supportive words that you have sent to my inbox! It might be nothing to you, but it does mean a lot to me and thank you for thinking of me and my family!

xxc

Penny Square Patchwork Pouch

Another Patchwork Pouch? Indeed, this is my favorite sewing pouch style! For some reason, I've enjoy working with tiny squares and making tiny stitching process a lot more than quick projects. Big part of that is probably related to my personality and the way how I function daily; detail, think twice, take time, but I am really not slow!

I've been really miss sewing with penny squares and it seems like a process that I haven't been working on for awhile.  These days, I've always find ways and time to myself.  Sitting down for a quiet afternoon without distracting and concentrate on a single project and try to achieve and meet the end of what it might be?  It always takes few extra hours for me to finish because in between time, I have second thoughts and that might take some pauses.

This Penny Square Patchwork pouch is hand-quilted on the exterior of the pouch. Hand bind off the top raw edge, and hand sewn the zipper. I do love how this pouch turn out, versatile and lots of favorite prints. Best to that is I am so pleased how beautifully it zips up and fit quite a bit of sewing tools, knitting needles.

for
Hand Quilting tutorial
Hand Sewn zipper method used from {A Sidewalk Pouch PDF sewing pattern} 

I keep on cutting few more Penny Squares and store them in a small box that I found from 99 cents store (very popular store here). I love how the box opens and the size of the box is just perfect for me to "tuck" away. I'll show you  how I store my tiny scraps in the future post and also I plan on writing a hand-appliqué tutorial; tools I use, how I stitch and how I frame it! It will be another future post to look forward to.

{Shop Talk}
A few {A Sidewalk Pouch sewing kits} are available in the shop. After July 22 (next Saturday) will be discontinued and remove from the shop.   
All {A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Kits are SOLD OUT}
You will still be able to purchase the {PDF sewing pattern} .

more later,
xxc

Patchwork kin-cha-ku

{kin-cha-ku} is pronounces in Japanese. It means traditional Japanese purses or handbags. Likely a small bag, typically with a drawstring. When I first search out a special name for {drawstring bag}, there were lots great myths and movements for the handbags and history of making purses. I discovered the usage of {kin-cha-ku} is so much closer to what I grew up with. 

For six years in elementary school, my siblings and I brought our own lunch to school. The lunch is prepared in the {metal lunch box} and wrapped with a big piece of cloth and tied with a metal plate engraved our name that dad made.  Ma always fixed extra rice for dinner and prepared extra veggies and meat for the dinner because part of that is for to our next day lunch. She filled the lunch box with rice on the bottom then veggies on one side then meat on the other side and sometimes special sausage that uncle made for us. The lunch boxes always sat on the dinning table till cool off in late night then mom add the lids up and store them in fridge.  The next morning, likely before 6 a.m. mom would be in kitchen getting fried eggs for each lunch box to complete the lunch meal for us.  

There is always some fruit in the separated sack and water bottle as well. Each of us has a {kin-cha-ku} to put our lunch box in. Our {kin-cha-ku} were made from old cloth that my aunt made up for us.    There's just one layer of cloth with open seams inside. 

When we arrived classroom, we put our lunch box into a large metal basket then the daily helpers in the classroom will bring the metal basket to school kitchen and they will get steam after the first period of class.  The {kin-cha-ku} likely hung by the chair till lunch time.  I remember, I always made little complains on how un-pretty my {kin-cha-ku} looks and wished that aunt could make some pretty ones for me.  Then it might be the year I turned 10 or 11, mom got me a store bought {kin-cha-ku} with all the pretty prints on {actually it was a Hello Kitty}, and it was made with poly material. I was so happy with the cute and pretty of it for the few days, but it didn't hold up too long before the bottom seam loose up. 

A few years back, when I first making the kin-cha-ku, I sewn the same style of kin-cha-ku from the memory; it wasn't lined with any batting to start with, so it is quiet lightweight. Then I tried on hand-quilting them on the batting and was so satisfied with such nice outcome {soft, nice hold up look, elegant of it}. I made few more samples and adjustments after that. There are so many possibilities for one pattern and turn into so many different patchwork possibilities...  

Here are seven new {kin-cha-ku} for today's preview and each one of them is possible the most unique kin-cha-ku! Enjoy 

{Daffodils Joy} 

It is possible the best daffodil yellows that I could find and have been collected! This is such a sweet and special kin-cha-ku to my heart. The contrast of text prints and the similar hues give a such nice spring and joyful look. All the yellows are elegant and special in a way that I consider it is such a signature of my little Daffodils Joy.  This piece is hand-quilted throughout front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax.

{Pink Lady} 

Featured the lovely pinks within some small scale prints and text prints.  This is such a sweet and cute kin-cha-ku! Each print coordinated well together and the contrast between two side stands out its own characters.  This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Spring Bee}

Lots spring themes in Spring Bee kin-cha-ku. Perfect for a day out with little one. Bring their little toys or maybe hand sewing projects. I have my mind for a little one while making this kin-cha-ku. Perhaps a special lunch date somewhere special? This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Wonderland} 

Blues, yellows, and whites are three of most useage colors around quarter inch mark. Wonderland kin-cha-ku has purposely using the linear prints on the white print, so it leads the other prints stand out! This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Blue Tango} 

There is a piano piece called Blue Tango if you look it up. It is so a nice tango music! I always enjoy and inspired by some of the surrounding and happening here! Somehow these little prints and that music piece come to me while I was upstair in the studio. These little floral prints are sweet and indeed the light blue one has been one of my tiny print fabric!  This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Joy} 

Nothing like little patchwork pieces that contain with all the fabric love the maker carries! It is hard not to create another Daffolidal Joy style kin-cha-ku. I called this piece is labor of love kin-cha-ku as well. All the tiny hand-quilting stitches and tiny patchwork work surely is the true patchwork to me and the joy to create/make. This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax.

{Sea of Star} 

It has been fun working with dark to light scale of the patchwork. Sea of Star kin-cha-ku is the inspiration after made S' 11th birthday quilt. I wanted something small, but contain the similar colors approach. There are some additional prints that pull out from the stash and add on, but the color scheme stay very close by.  This also another labor of love piece. Tiny patchwork and small hand quilted stitches! As a patchwork maker, I like to stay true about the meaning of it  and stay the original concept of patchworking! This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax.


You'll be able to find all these special of {kin-cha-ku} in the {shop} now. There is also a popular step by step {kin-cha-ku pdf pattern} in the shop to make your own kin-cha-ku and add on your own signatures, stories, and so on!

So, this is the last bit making for selling for me! The compassion of making will keep growing in me and maybe might stay a little quiet from time to time. There are many of  this and that I would like to explore and learn.  Taking time to be a beginning learner is always the best way to start learning or relearning.  

{Thank you from the bottom of my heart}! Thank you for taking time to check in on us, emails, and encourages! Spending your time reading and sending encouragements to a stranger that behind this blog. All these Good Lucks are being collected in my little kin-cha-ku and I'll take it with us on our long road trip this summer, only 1200 miles! We can use that and possibility need more! {smile}


Enjoy

xxc

Spring patchwork and so on!

It feels so unreal that I stepped away almost a month! I've had been busy for all the musical drives and extra hours at work, but all is settle till the end of the May. Spring break was fabulous; road trips were so needed! Just getting fresh air and seeing different part of this county was a blessing break for me! Of course, everything was still in different shade of browns and more brown! My imperfect vision said, there are some "greens" on the tree tops on that I-35 South direction; believe me, I really see a bit of tiny green waved to me...! Oh, maybe just an imagination! The weather was unbeatable; in the 70's! Then all last week it went back to gloomy, rainy, and in cold 30's again. Oh! I was just down and with a spring cold! It felt that fully charged battery went so-long again! It is hard to get back, but I am slowly making my way back!

So Hello, my friends!

I could only said that Spring is a hard season for me! It feels like riding in a roller coaster with all the sunshine weather in a day then all the sudden back to the cold and dark ally! Oh, maybe enough talk about this weather! I am a little cranky about this weather lately! Please, excuse me for this, not so me!

It feels great that I finally decided on a new patchwork tote for myself! It would be a tote for all must to take while waiting in the musical lessons; such as books to read, all the sewing tools, extra chocolate cookies and patchwork pieces.  I simply couldn't decided if I should hand-quilted this tote the other day! It is a slower process, but the outcome is one-of-a-kind! I must say I knew I would go for hand-quilting, but needed a little extra encouragement from friends! So, my IG friends really supported me on the hand-quilting! This time, I added a lightweight muslin in the back, so that is three layers cloth for hand-quilting! It is hard on the fingers, but I use a leather thimble to help me to get through the thick seams. After years of hand-quilting experiences, I have gotten comfortable with hand-quilting heavier materials. My new favorite hand-quilting needle is Clover #12. It is the shortest needle for hand-quilting, but it does a magic job!  It really held the stitch nicely especially with thick cloths.   If you are interesting in hand-quilting here is the {About Hand-quilting tutorial} that I have post.

Each time, when I see the back of the hand-quilting stitches on the white cloth my heart always skip a beat of two! Yes, someday, I want to hand-quilt a whole cloth quilt! I actually have been searching the patterns, but just can't find the one that speaks to me! Something really traditional and lots feathers for sure! I like to find some original patterns from the 50's. Oh, would be nice if they are printed on the cloth! Yes, printed!

There are a few projects have been bring back on the table again! My small goal is finish them before start anything new, but it is a hard one to keep; but I am trying! S' birthday quilt is not ready to show and tell, so does my half-sandwhich quilt. It needs more fabrics to be cut! My another small goal is get up to the speed again, but it is a hard one to get going; but I'd say I am keeping my chin up and hope soon this self-talk would go away soon!

I have not forget that promised you all with a cloth organizing post! I did take a lot of photos, but I am not satisfy with any of them! It would be so Blah if I do show you! So, I plan on retake photos and get them all nice and edit! I hope soon to show and tell! I promise it would be a good one because after taken the first round photos, I have no idea I have so many fabrics!
                                                                                                                   Yes, we quilters all say that! 

xxc

Patchwork delight!

The patchwork delight title should be patchwork delight and with a oopsy! 

I know, lots tiny squares going on and more to come! These hand-quilting pieces are just nice to have around. I can make a few stitches between this and that. Yesterday, as a day off from work. I was able to spend a great afternoon with a cup of tea and enjoy the hand-quilting time. By 7p.m. I had all the 5 pieces done and it felt so great.  Since the assembling part will not take too long to finish up I though I'd have Miss Maggie's patchwork coat done in no time.

Then each patchwork piece got traced with the pattern used erase water marks on then I  sewn the baste line around the marking lines; quickly I cut off the patterns as it is getting close to the end.... Then there's a big SCREAMING! OH MY GOODNESS!! Little did I know I should know better!!!! The right side of the front coat needed to be reversed! I always done that! I always forget to reverse the pattern! Then I tried to fix the right side coat with the crazy idea of patch on more pieces.. it didn't work 't. So I will rework on the right panel of the patchwork coat with a bit self-talking!! It should be good if I start the patchworking tonight and work on the hand-quilting tomorrow. Maybe I will have a patchwork coat to show you next week?

fingers crossed!

xxc

A mini birthday quilt!

Before I start writing this post, I filled in a box of animal crackers and a cup of hot tea by me. I am not sure how long is this post going to be, but I know for sure I will want to pause and think if there's anything that I miss in the writing.

This mini quilt finished in October and has been shipped and received! It is a mini quilt to my dearest friend, Elnora aka {elnorac} on IG or Flickr. She has a birthday in November and I planned to make a mini quilt for her since her last birthday.

Oh boy, let me think the first time I "met" her! I think it was back when Flickr still a popular place {2012} for  quilters and crafters upload their photos and share comments. I've noticed that Elnora always wrote the nicest comments among many others then we started to chat, exchanged emails, then last year we met in {Jamestown, ND} for real!

Elnora is just what she sounded in her comments and emails ; sweet, honest, and kind!! We spent sometimes together walking  and talking a lot! We saw "white cloud" the rare white buffalo and S had a blast running around! We have so much fabric talk and things to catch up! It was so nice to meet Elnora in person and it does feel that we have been knowing each other for years!  I had wished that we could sew together and have longer visit, but the trip down to Jamestown is a little far away from the city we were. So, we had to leave before it gets too late!

Ever since our meeting, we keep good contact throughout the time! She became a very important friend to me us! While we were oversea, Elnora sent holiday and greeting cards to S, so it made S felt  she wasn't being forgotten by friends in the states. S and Elnora have great loves for animals, so they have many comments on helping and taking care of animals. You know, it makes her feel special that mama's friend is also my friend!

I especially appreciate her extended friendship and encouragement throughout my last many months down time! She has encouraged me in many ways! We have been on the phone for many times and she always tries to cheer me up with positive aspect! Words are hard to explain the gratitude I have on her friendship and kindness!

Since we both make pouches, I thought a little mini for her sewing studio would be great as a birthday gift! Once when we were on the phone I was  picking out fabric and I'd told her that I am working on a mini quilt! Then the next time we spoke again, I would told her I am almost finished hand-quilting part. Then when the time come closer to November, I asked her if she likes some homemade caramel corns, so I can send them on her way with the birthday mini quilt.

When picking out fabrics for this mini quilt, I knew that something fresh and retro! Sometime that's about Elnora! I worked on the fabrics for a few weeks before I start the cutting. I enjoyed working on the piecing a log for this mini! As I did some math on the measurement and the mock up turned out really successful on the first-try {It never happened for me before, since I always am between 1/8"-1/4" measurement}. Finding the backing is a bit challenging for this mini quilt! Then I finally decided on the IKEA text print, so I could make a quilt label in the back to indicate the information. I am so pleased how this mini turns out! I love hanging mini quilts on the wall. I think it makes a personal and memorable space for the quilter and quilter's friendships!!

I have always feel honored to meet people in any social medial forum. It is amazing how the world got smaller with all the social medial platforms and how we get to know each other a bit more even in a different time zone and speak different native languages! I do always think that sewing isn't just a skill, but a way to give and extended a different kind of friendships! I've met so many friends here and we share a little bit of family, kids, and fabric talk! Encourage each other in different ways!

Thank you my dear friend! For all your time, encouragement, and everything!

Happy Birthday, Elnora!!  Let's plan a sewing day soon!

xxc

A mini quilt named Quilt Star

The { Quilt Star mini quilt} is completed! It was hard to decide where to stop on hand-quilting pattern; should it be allover? or should it be simple and leave some un-quilted space? I did few more line drawing with the Be-Gone pen, then let it sat for a few days. Then as the marking lines faded throughout the days I see it was unnecessary to do the overall hand-quilting.  I am pleased with the decision!

The overall star quilting pattern shows more after a few times of the water spared, {it got shrike a little}, but the texture leaves more in-depths in the mini. The un-even stars' shapes give so much dynamic. Oh, I sure love this accomplishment!

I must love Denyse Schmidt so much {actually I really do love her so much}! 10 out of 8 mini quilts I've made have used the DS fabric for the binding. I am so attract to the dottie fabrics, line fabrics, and of course picnic plaid for binding. Do you?

Remember the quilting label? Oh, yes! I went a bit extra fancy on this one! Extra embroidery touches and a 2" wonky star in the back! I simply signed with {handmade by chase} and date the month and the year. The extra effort and time on the quilting label is so worthy! Now, I could remember when I made it! I also have been thinking about, adding the location to the quilts, since we move from time to time.  Maybe add the city and the state? Um.. it would be another good question for me to think through.

The Quilting Star mini is hanging next to the {pack patch mini}.  There are also lots little things in the studio walls as well.  I still see the plenty empty space in the studio walls; more minis are what the space needs ! Do you like minis?  I am {obsess} with them!

I couldn't help myself and doodled on the image! It surely turns out a bit different and new for myself and hope for you, too!

Quick update:
- Used Coats Cotton Quilting Thread 20 wt. for hand-quilting
- Clover between needle #12
- Warm and Natural Cotton batting, it is stiff for hand quilting, but I can't resist the look and the quality of it! You'll just need to find the right fit of thimble for your finger!
- Tutorial on hand-quilting {About hand-quilting post} 
xxc