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

Hana Patchwork Cushion

Would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me? That would be really special; especially in the early afternoon and I'd have some delicious shortbread cookies around and scones,too. Gosh, I ran out of homemade jams and maybe you can bring yours to share.  I will have patchwork cushions made for each chair and probably make all the placemats for each. I'll bring out precious tea set that Julie got me two Christmas ago, Fine hand-painted China tea pot and cups.  Sounds good?

I have this Hana patchwork Cushion made last week and waited for the pillow insert to arrive this week. If you followed me over Instagram Story last week {the last few photos that I snapped from the phone}, you know that I was pretty excited about putting this patchwork piece together.

I planned on making the cushion in a scrappy style and though simple tiny patchwork would be perfect. I particularly love earthy tone lately, so decided to go with more brown and wood colors for the patchwork piece. As I went through the scrap boxes I picked out mostly browns, dirt black, yellows, greens and just few blue tones to give some fun factors to the patchwork.  Each tiny patchwork is cut in 1" strips then 2" wide.

I didn't second myself to hand quilt this patchwork piece, as I think the recipient would treasure  these tiny stitches.  Since, I have a piece of unbleached muslin in the back for the patchwork it got a little thicker and bulky to hand quilt on. I tried to give even stitches so it has consistency look and nice texture!

For the cushion backing, I used a chestnut brown linen for the backing. I love how linen gives a nice and elegant finish look and touch for the cushion. Also it is very soft and just match the patchwork top nicely! It finished a little larger than 16"x16". I used a 18"x18" pillow insert to make it puffy look.

You can find Hana Patchwork tutorial {here}. The only modification that I made was I kept the tiny patchwork pieces in rows and didn't turn it in a diagonal direction. For hand quilting tutorial, you can find {here}.

I love rainy days for making tiny patchworks now. The rain seriously pour hard on the thunderstorm days.  It is not the best kind of afternoon for quick grocery run, but guess what? I made the quick run for grocery that afternoon, betweens rains. I had a large umbrella accompanied me, and totally think a pair of rain boots would really help out in the places that got flooded.

These days, it is just beautiful in Big Apple City! Today is the last day of school for my S, so late! I see her is ready for school break and getting ready for some sleep in time.

More later...

xxc