Knit Set Up 2

I shared a knit set up in my last post. I loved it so much so that (and I have more fabric that I can use!) I decided to make a similar knit set up; I changed the skirt pattern and made it to a flare skirt with this one.

I can say that 90% of my wardrobe is skirts or dresses. Things like this is very comfortable to wear, washable and instantly looks put together. What's not to love? I made this just before I went in to get my procedure and I haven't sewn any clothing after that, but I am recovering and started doing some hand stitching. I have been looking at my fabric piles and thinking about what to make next. I think that is one of the fun parts of sewing... imagining the potential of the fabric.

It is a bit cold to wear this without a jacket where I live but I am going to wear this all the time this summer!

Anthro inspired ~ Canvas Flower Wall Art

I did a guest post at Flamingo Toes a few weeks ago with this project. I am posting the whole tutorial on my blog today in case you missed it.

You might have noticed by looking at my blog... I have many interests; You know what that means? I have lots and lots of things in my studio; fabrics, laces, ribbons, papers, beads... etc. you name it. I do not like to waste things and have a hard time parting with beautiful items that I think can be incorporated into future projects. If you are like me and keep tiny pieces of fabrics, this might be the perfect project for you!

A long time ago, I saw this on the Anthropology website and I fell in love with it...

Because of the cost ($88 a pillow? No way!) I never purchased it, but this was on my list of "things to make".

When I was asked to join Scrap Busting Extravaganza, the pillow came to my mind, but then... I thought "hey, what if I make wall art instead!" So, that is what I am going to share with you today.

{You will need} 24" x 24" canvas Fabric scraps Thin fusible interfacing (1 yard+) Mod Podge Sponge brush Scissors, pencil

{How to}

1. Lay down the fusible interfacing on the ironing board fusible side up. Lay out the fabric scraps wrong side down on top of the interfacing. Place them close to minimize the gap between the scraps. This way when you are pressing it with the iron, the sticky thing doesn't ruin your iron. There are a couple reasons to do this step; stiffing the fabric, so they become easier to cut into shapes and also to prevent the edges from fraying.

2. Cut a circle for the center of the flower. Mine is about 3" in diameter.

3. Cut fabrics for second layer and third layer. I found that it is easier to cut several petals then paste them with Mod Podge. There are 1/8" to 1/4" space between each petals.

4. The trick to have nicely curved edges to fit with the previous petal is to trace the edge lightly with pencil...

Then cut! When you lay down the fabric on top of the previous one, you can feel a slight bump. just lightly trace it. See, what I mean? Repeat the process to make the flower to your desired size.

5. Now, you are ready to seal it. For this step, I recommend to use a wider sponge brush. Apply generous amount of Mod Podge and spread it all over the canvas. You want minimal contact with the petals and brush so you don't start fraying the edges.

6. It looks a little "milky", but don't worry it will dry clear.

Once it is dry, time to display!

I love how it turned out! I walked around my house to see possible placement of this new wall art. I haven't decided exactly where, but I will show you a few candidates...

On my mantle?

On my cabinet in the formal living room?

Or by the window in the family room?

The last few weeks, it was on my living room wall, but now I moved it to my newly painted laundry room. I had a couple different things for the wall in mind and I asked my kids which one they liked. They love the vibe this wall art gives to the room.

Riley Blake Knit Love Blog Tour

Did you know Riley Blake Designs offers a great collection of knit fabric as well as other fabrics too? They are hosting a fun blog hop tour this month until April 2nd and it is all about sewing with knit!

To tell you the truth, I usually avoid sewing with knit... just because I don't really know how. But when I saw the beautiful knit fabric designed by Amanda of Quilted fish, my desire to just jump in and join the fun went sky high! Here are the fabrics I am playing with...

Aren't they gorgeous? I will post what I made on March 11th and I am so excited to share them with you all! Be sure to stop by! :)

A Christmas Package from Japan

Just before Christmas, I received a package from my mom in Japan. Among many goodies for the whole family, there were two wrapped gifts just for me... do you want to guess what they were?

Ta-da!(followed by a scream of joy)



If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I have a thing for fabrics from Liberty of London. There is a fabric store in the area I used to live and they sell fabrics by "Liberty Japan". There are original designs from Liberty of London, but printed in Japan. Oh how I LOVED going to that store... While my friends spent their money on clothing or for clubbing, I spend mine on sewing books and fabrics after payday. I was one of their loyal customers. :)

Here are some of my favorites...



Most of them are 50 cm long. Right now I am just in the looking and touching stage and haven't decided what I am going to do with them. They are such precious pieces of fabrics, I have to be sure before I cut them. I had this greedy thought that I wish I had more yardage for the ones that I absolutely LOVE, so I could make some dresses or tops for this summer. (bad Sachiko, bad)

I am going to have another procedure on the 29th, so while I am recovering I will have plenty of time to think of what to do with those fabrics. When I called my mom to thank her for the package, she started crying and apologizing for not being here to help me after the procedures. I have to say it was totally her fault that I started crying too, I guess it is contagious even over the phone...

I am so grateful that she is my mother, and it is such a nice feeling to know that I have someone that loves me and cares about me even though we are thousands of miles apart from each other.

Thanks mom for the Christmas packages and so much more.

Liberty of London

Some of you may know that there were pretty items by Liberty of London at Target a while ago... old news? No, not to me, I was especially eyeing the fabric items, such as scarfs, evening wear and men's trunks(?!). They finally came down on the prices and I bought several items.

I have been such a big fan of Liberty for a long long time, ever since I can remember. Where I lived in Japan, there was a fabric store that specialized in high quality import fabrics and such. I would save up my allowance and buy fat quarters and sewing books made by Liberty. Yeah, I haven't changed much when it comes to the love of fabrics and sewing.

I couldn't decide what I was going to do with those fabrics, but a couple days ago, I finally cut into them. Ahhhhh! For many of my sewing projects, if I don't have patterns, I will make up my own thing as I go along. For me that is the fun of it.

I am going to make several different items out of them, and share the pictures with you all. Wish me luck! ;)

Tutorial ~How to make Yo-yos~

A couple of link parties ago, I shared my yo-yos. I received many comments and emails asking for a tutorial to show you how to make them.

You asked, you shall receive... :)

{How to}

1. Get a cup and an empty cereal box. I traced the top and bottom of the cup on the cereal box to make two different sizes of yo-yos. The large one is 2 5/8" in diameter(the finished size is 1 1/8" in diameter), the small one is 2" in diameter and the finished size is 7/8" in diameter). I hope you can get some idea about the sizes from those examples.


2. Place the template onto the fabric and trace it with pencil. Cut out the circles.


3. Fold a little less than 1/4" for the seam and stitch all around it.


4. Pull the thread to gather the fabric. Tie a knot and hide it.


5. Now you have yo-yos that you can use to accessorize or make something with!

There are several reasons why I love yo-yos.

1. You can use even your tiniest scraps to make yo-yos

2. It is so easy to do, and transportable. I keep the cut out circles, thread, and needles in a zip-lock bag in my purse. I make a few here and a few there, before I realize, I have tons of yo-yo's.

3. You can use yo-yos in so many different projects.

I have been busy with other projcts, and haven't done much with my yo-yo's but when I do, I will share some of the ideas with you.

I hope everyone will enjoy your weekend, perhaps, you can start making some yo-yos!

Vintage Fabric Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much for entering the vintage fabric giveaway. I know what it's like to see fabric you like, and start thinking about what you are going to make...

I would love to cut the fabric in to 83 pieces (that's how many of you entered to this giveaway) and give one to everyone... but then each piece will be so tiny, it would be useless!

So, I have a winner. The winner of the vintage fabric is:

peckett

Congratulations! I would love to see what you do with the fabric (no pressure), if you do something with it, please share the project with us! :)

Please email me your shipping info, I will ship the fabric to you soon.

Those of you who didn't win, don't be discouraged! I have been think about somthing special for Mother's day...

This week I have been busier than normal. I won't go in to details, but I am pretty worn out. Consequently, progress on my projects has been very slow. I don't have a picture of the finished item, but I will share the pictures of the fabrics I am using on this project.

Light blue


creamy green and pink


...and some roses?


Are they all in a same project or separate ones? I will share the results sometime next week. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Unexpected Finds and a Little Announcement

Hi everyone, how was your Monday? I always try to spread out my obligations, commitments, and things that I absolutely want to do (I will sqeeze in the last one any way I can). That way I won't get stressed out... Well, at least I tried. I know I am going to be very busy this week too. Oh well.

I want to share my latest unexpected finds. On my ususal trip to Wal-mart, my curiousity got the better of me and I had to peek in the fabric section. I usually don't buy fabrics there, but I was talking to myself "you never know... just in case."


Well, well, well, Look what they had there. I found these really cute 100% cotton fabrics for $1.50 a yard!!

The flower print one is like gauze, I would love to make a summer dress for Rachel.
This is why, when I feel like I need to go somewhere, I can't say no to myself. I have run in to some pretty nice things in the past. I wish you could see me grinning big.:)

If you guys felt like not much is going on at Tea Rose Home in the last few posts, hold that thought... I am working on a tutorial for the next post AND... I am doing a blog swap with someone this Friday!! I can say no more... you just have to come back and see who is going to be visiting Tea Rose Home. I have to log off before I accidently type the person's name... I am super excited!

Have a nice week blogging friends, see you at the next post!