Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Upcyling Projects: DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Another Great Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box.

DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton


I love upcyling!  When I found this book, I fell in love immediately.  What a brilliant ideas!!  Turn your empty Milk Carton Boxes into beautiful Fabric-Covered Boxes.

This book has 52 projects.

Patterns included:
Round Boxes
Square Boxes
Oval Shaped Boxes/Containers
Sewing Boxes
Kitchen Boxes
Napkin Stand
Drawers
name tag
business card holder
etc


Now I can't wait to make my fabric-covered boxes from Milk Carton Box.  I think I can probably use "ice-cream" container as well.   

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Japanese Craft Book - DIY Fabric-Covered Boxes from Milk Carton Box

Thursday, July 25, 2013

New Sewing Project: Shoulder Bag with Japanese Fabrics

I actually sewed this shoulder bag couple weeks ago, I keep forgetting to blog about it. 

Shoulder Bag with Japanese Fabrics

I bought the Japanese Fabrics like 2-3 years ago.  I haven't had time to sew anything with it, I am so glad that I finally have a use of it, not just sitting in my Fabrics Cabinet.

I enjoy sewing this bag, because I learn some new sewing techniques.  I never sew bag with interfacing.  For some reason, I am a little bit intimated by them.  Each time I look at the interfacing section at JoAnn, I am lost!  But this time I really want to make a bag look "Professional", so I read a lot about interfacing online, I am glad that I did.  My Shoulder Bag with Japanese Fabrics looks Beautiful and Professional.  My hubby is very impressed.

And the button I found one vintage button from my vintage button collection.  I think it adds a special touch.

The bag is available at my Etsy Store.
 

Shoulder Bag with Japanese Fabrics

Shoulder Bag with Japanese Fabrics

Vintage Button

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Best Kids (and Mom) Craft!! Hand Stamped Fabrics!

 
Best Kid Craft - Hand Stamped Fabrics

 
My 3-year old son loves craft!! I always look for some fun and easy craft projects for him (possible for both of us can do together).

Last couple weeks, I read a lot of Japanese Craft Books and Magazines, I found a few sewing projects which they hand stamped the fabrics for decoration.  Since I saw that, I am so fascinated about hand stamped fabrics.  I didn't know what kind of ink pad required for the fabrics, I was worried that it may be some expensive ink pad.  So I did more research and found this website, she tested several ink pads in her blog.  And I found out my local JoAnn has clearance for few of the ink pads that mentioned on her blog.  Of course, I bought one set to test out.

I used my Muslim fabrics that sitting in my fabric drawers for years.  Then I gave my son a lot of stamps and different colors of ink pad.  He had so much fun to stamping on the fabrics.

After he is done with stamping, I let it dry overnight.  The next day, I set the fabric with the hot iron.  The fabrics looks very nice and it has an earthy feel.  Then I used this hand stamped fabrics to sew a little bag for him, so he can put his toys.

Hand Stamped Fabrics Bag

I think my 3-year old son did a great job!



I used different fabrics for the lining.




The bag came out nicely!  My son was very excited and very proud of himself (and me)!  lol 

I also enjoy doing it with my son!  We both have fun!  And now I am so addicted to hand stamped fabrics, I ended up go went to JoAnn and got more Memento Ink Pad Sets (different colors, they are less than $3) and a lot of stamps!!    I just made a hand stamped fabric container.  I will post pictures soon.



Monday, July 22, 2013

Another Cute Japanese Felt Doll Animal Book - Japanese Felt Book by Tabatha Naomi

Another cute Japanese Felt Doll Book, when I receive it, I fall in love with this book immediately, so as my 3-year old son!  He keeps asking me to make him the duckie!! hehe

You can purchase this book at my Etsy Store.

Japanese Felt Doll Animal Book by Tabatha Namoi








Fabric-Covered Box - Lovely Decorated Boxes from Europe

I really love the idea of fabric-covered boxes, I have too many fabrics at home, I am addicted to buying fabrics!  lol  Now I got this book, I am going to make some fabric-covered boxes and organize my sewing area.  (it is a MESS) 

I have an extra copy for sale at my Etsy Store.

Here is the preview of the book:

Lovely Decorated Boxes from Europe











Thursday, July 18, 2013

My First Sewing Pattern is in process!

I am very excited to design my first Sewing Pattern.  It is shoe-shaped coin purse.  I am about half way done.  Just testing and testing the pattern and test with different fabrics and interfacing. 

Here is the preview of my first sewing pattern:
Shoe-shaped Coin Purse

Shoe-shaped Coin Purse

are they cute?

I am really proud of myself right now!  I think they look super cute.  Pattern itself should be ready by the end of next week.  After that I will work for the tutorial.  Hopefully, it will be ready by the end of July.


Japanese Tatting Book

I always want to try Tatting, but I have been too busy.  Even though I can't know how to tatting, I still enjoy reading Japanese Tatting Book, the Japanese Tatting Books are so elegant and beautiful.  Hopefully one day I would have time to learn.

Here is the book I just listed on my Etsy.

Japanese Tatting Book






Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Kawaii One Week Baby Crochet Book - Japanese Crochet Book

This Kawaii One Week Baby Crochet Book is very cute, it included 28 projects for boys and girls from 0-24 months.  It supposed a 1 week project, so it won't take too long to finish.

Book is available at my Etsy Store

One Week Kawaii Baby Crochet Book


Pattern includes:
dress
mittens
cardigans
poncho/ cape
shoes
hats
vest
blanket
baby bottle holder...












Monday, July 15, 2013

Color Fun Japanese Crochet Book

I just ordered 21 different Japanese Craft Books from distributor in Hong Kong.  I will list a couple books a day at my Etsy store.  Here is my Etsy store.  They are in Chinese, but it is licensed by Japanese Publisher, it is exactly as same as Japanese Version.

This is one of my favorite crochet books, it called Color Fun Crochet Knit, it is so colorful, cheerful, cute and stylish.  Total 27 projects. (include both crochet and knitting projects)





Color Fun Crochet and Knit - Japanese Crochet Knit Book

Projects:
Afghan
purses
scalf
shawl
hat
cushion
hanger cover
shoes
socks
coaster
hair accessories
doggie sweater
pot holder
coaster
jar cover
lamp shade.... 


Granny Square/ motif Afghan


Purse

Coin Purse and Scalf

Shawl 

I really love this book.  All patterns are in Japanese Crochet Chart, very easy to follow.  I love to read chart, it is hard for me to read written instruction.  

I will upload more books soon.