so rusty

I've been wanting this print by Marimekko for some time now.

It's called Pieni Siirtolapuutarha

I think the colors are what I like about the print.

I learned about Marimekko, a Finnish brand while living in Japan

Marimekko sells a tote bag but I am not willing to pay their price for one, luckily Yuzawaya (craft shop) sells their fabrics and their main shop is nearby in Kamata.

I was able to get a 70 cm by 50 cm piece of fabric for 2178 yen (tax included)

And, luckily I kept this book too...so that I could refresh my memory on how to sew in a lining for the bag.

The design of the bag is based on this one.

So rusty but I'm glad I now have a bag with this print.
 

keeping busy

Keeping busy this rainy day....1 down and 3 more to go...

hello kitty bag

Made this shopping bag. Trying to use up the fabric I have. Will probably make several more using other fabrics.

bag insert

If you often change bags, these bag inserts are perfect. You just pick it up out of your bag and transfer all your "stuff" to the next bag. My Aunty made these, they are really pretty. Thanks Aunty!

repurpose

Repurposed my iPhone holder, the front pocket used to hold my earbuds, but now it holds my portable wi-fi.

happy new year!

Sewed this bag for my host-mom, it is her birthday next month.

Hope she likes it.

I hope your 2012 will a great year filled with lots of projects and fun.

utensil holder

I've been wanting to make a utensil holder for some time now.

Since today is very rainy and I'm stuck indoors, I decided to keep myself busy with this project.

I put two pieces of scrap fabric together and made this based on a roll-up type holder a friend had given me.

Her roll-up holder was made from a face towel.

My utensil holder holds, forks, spoons, chopsticks, butter knives & an area for tissues.

My fabric wasn't straight to begin with so when I sewed it together, it didn't come out straight either.

Anyway, I like how this turned out. I also recycled a stretchy ribbon that came with some cookies...it's like a big fabric rubber band.

iphone case & bag

Found a cute Hello Kitty print...made this iPhone holder that can also hold the earphones.

With the majority of the fabric I made this bag.

re-make

Didn't like the way the bag fell in the other post, so I took the strap and cut it in half.

I made it into a T-shirt bag (I think that is what they call it), like those shopping bags you get at the grocery, only this isn't plastic.

stuck indoors

Was stuck indoors today because of the rain, so I decided to use some scraps to make this bag.

It is a little bigger than this one.

Most shoulder bags tend to slide off when wearing heavy coats so bags like this, that go across the body are perfect for winter.

iphone case

I had seen a cute iPhone case in a Cath Kidston magazine here in Japan.

The magazine listed the measurements, so I took them down and created my own pattern (7.7 cm x 12.3 cm).

I had cut some "nicks" on the top of the pattern, but realized it would be too hard to sew, so I cut my fabric straight across.

Using some upholstery fabric that looks like a Marimekko type, I created my own iPhone case.

I think the Cath Kidson version uses velcro and oilcloth fabric, but I wanted to try making button holes for the first time, so I did just that.

What do you think?

and a pair for satoshi

A pair of sachets for Satoshi....these weren't long but are wide enough for his shoes.

more sachets

After using up my potpourri, I decided to buy some more.

Using some scrap material I made these two long sachets...for my shoes.

sachet

I recently found some potpourri tucked away in the back of my closet.

It still smelled fragrant, so I wanted to find a way to use it.

I took some scrap material and was able to fill 3 sachets.

Am putting these in our table linen and towel drawers.

keeping busy

Been keeping busy, doing some project here and there.

A skirt pin with czech beads, faux pearls and new jade.



Using tegusu like the stuff used for fishing, strung up some odds and ends to make a long necklace.





Using nylon cord wire, strung up new jade, orange avent, blue lace, rose quartz & aragonite with czech beads and faux pearls to make a necklace.



With the scraps from the legs of my chino pants, I combined them with this Marimekko print to make a reversible shoulder bag.

odds & ends

African helix stitch necklace. The pendant slides off and can be used separately.

Working on a lariat with take (ta-kay) beads. I think they call it take beads because it looks like bamboo.

I made two totes to give away for Christmas. This is the only style I can sew....straight.

thomas tote

A reversible tote bag for my cousin's son, Kellen...shhh..it's his Christmas present...

other crafts

A crocheted scarf.







A crocheted brooch with beads.







A pot holder and tea cosy for my host-sister.







Mini-bead purses.







Several bags which I sewed.