Giveaway Time!

Guess What ladies... I have a surprise giveaway! I was given the oppotunity by living room furniture to do this. I went to their site and handpicked an item for my beloved readers!! I posted it on my sponsor's page, so head over there and check it out. You won't be disappointed.

By the way I am working on a project right now and I am going to post it on Friday. So, be sure to come back to see what I have been up to. :)

Good Things Happen to Those Who Wait

This is Monday morning and I am still in my pajamas sitting in front of the computer. This doesn't usually happen because, I have things I have to do or places I need to be. Today, not so much and I am loving it.

The kids are playing with the toys they got for Christmas, everone is happy... so, I decided to update my bloy post now, instead of waiting till tonight.

Sometime before Christmas, I did my usual stop and look at a thrift store and guess what I found...


A book by Martha Stewart! To tell you the truth I didn't even know about this book, but I was really excited! The book is in perfect condition, and when I looked through the pages, there were so many great tips and advice for what to look for when you are looking for collectable items (like glass jars, Milk glasses, plates... and so on) at a flea market; how to clean and take care of them and ideas for decorating the house with those finds. The book is just perfect for someone like me, who loves thrift stores and yard sales!

The second item that I found was this:



Actually, I have been wanting to buy these molds for several months, I have kind of gotten back in to baking, so I wanted to make beautiful tarts. At William Sonoma, of course, they were expensive, so I have decided to wait a while.

I decided to check the silverware and bakingware section just in case, and this little red box was sitting right on top of everything!! What are the odds? In my mind, I was thinking to myself, "Is that what I think it is? No, I don't believe it. Don't get your hopes up so high Sachiko...". Isn't that funny I was several steps away but I was thinking all that. Also, I was acting calmly, so other people wouldn't see me acting unusual or the direction in which I was looking and find the box before I could grab it. It is a total rush to those who shop at thrift stores.

The box was a little dusty, but everything was in perfect mint condition. It had a little sticker saying $2.oo! Each of the molds were sparkly clean and I can tell they were never used. Finding something is nice, but finding something you have been looking for is DESTINY! I felt like angels were floating around me and making holy sounds, ahhhhh. Look what happens when you try to live each day honestly and work hard. Good things happen! :) (However, I still haven't quite figured out humility.)

I am looking forward to using them for the first time and making mini tarts.

That is why I can't stop going to those stores. My curiousity "what if..." or "just in case" has helped me to find some pretty nice stuff in the past. If you never have shopped at thrift stores, you might want to try it, you never know what you will find.

By the way, I am participating in these link parties today, there are many wonderful posts, I highly recommend visiting them! Have a fabulous day everyone.

Christmas Day

How was your Christmas? It is almost 11:00 P.M where I live, my youngest is asleep, and my boys... I can still hear them playing with the legos they got for Christmas in thier room. I will let it slide, I figuerd they can stay up late.

We had a wonderful time with our family. We opened our presents, ate until we all got full, watched "A Christmas Story" and laughed. Good times.

I hope you all had a wonderful time too. I just wanted to say thank you to those who sent personal emails to me and my family to wish us a Merry Christmas. I really appriciate that you took the time to do so. Thank you.

Well, like I promised, I have a winner for the burlap + blue giveaway! I posted that on my giveaway page, so head over and check to see who the lucky winner is!

I hope you are all well, I will see you at my next post!

One Shirt --- Three Projects

I found this very pretty top at a thrift store a few weeks ago. Originally I was going to wear it. Then after I came home, I tried it on and the top was shorter than I like. So, I have decided to make a few things out of it.

I love the embroidery on this, so I wanted to showcase that. I cut it up into 4 pieces...


Project one: Red Pom Pom Pillow


I made this pillow from the top portions of the shirt. I love how it turned out. I saw something similer to this at a gift shop one time and believe me, it was pricey! I paired it with the tea towel pillow to make my house look more Christmasy.

Project two: Patchwork Pillow



The embroidery parts came from the sleeves. I just couldn't throw them away, so I went through my stash and made more pillows! I love red and white with some tan.

Project three: Apron Skirt




I had a hard time deciding whether to make this bottom part into a handbag or into a skirt for Rachel. In the end I am so glad I made a skirt for her! Not only is the color red perfect for this season, she looked so pretty in it. Eventhough she is half Japanese, she looked almost like a Russian doll. I know this will go with the jeans too.

I used up pretty much the entire top, and had no buyer's remorse. I love projets that are inexpensive and where I have tons of freedom. If you ever see clothes (at thrift stores) with details like embroidery or beads work don't pass it up. It has the potential of becoming something unique and beautiful!

I can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I hope you all will have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones... Oh, Rachel wanted to say something to you all...

Oh, Count Down to Christmas!

How are you all doing? Christmas is just a few days away; are you ready for the big day? I am almost ready... I have some gift wrapping and pot sticker wrapping left to do. I am going to do a big pot sticker making party on the 24th so I can take them up to my in-laws. Just like the family in the "Christmas Story", we are going to eat Chinese food on Christmas, Fa, ra, ra, ra, ra-, ra, ra, ra, ra... (if you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend that you do).

I always have several projects going on at the same time, and the last few weeks have not been an exception. I am still working on a few projects that I can't share with you all yet, but I have completed some of them.

I found this kitchen towel at the dollar store a few weeks ago...


and made a pillow with some cross stitches on it.



Also, I made a tag blanket for a friend of mine, who just had a baby.


and, I have been baking a LOT lately... I love to cook and bake. My kids have been having a blast "helping" me in the kitchen.



Before I got married, my mother wanted to open a cafe with me, I thought it was not a bad idea, and to practice and try out new recipes I baked almost everyday.

After baking and munching so many cookies lately I rememberd why I stop baking so much...I was 20 lb heavier back then...

It is so hard to keep from eating holiday goodies isn't it?

Well, I better go and do some gift wrapping. I will do it with Christmas music on, that will make the job even more fun!

Sponsor Giveaway!

I started accepting sponsors (or you could say advatisements who are a good match with Tea Rose Home). I hope I know what I am doing...

Well ladies, I have great news!! My FIRST SPONSOR GIVEAWAY!!

Please visit here on my sponsors' page to view the giveaway and the rules.

Another Basket Makeover

I posted about how much I love baskets before. I love them in many diffrent colors and shapes. They are wonderful just sitting on the floor, or organizing stuff around the house. I espesialy LOVE the handbag style baskets. If you have been reading my blog, you would know how much I love going to the thrift stores too.

when I find a handbag style baskets at garage sales or thrift stores, and if it is in a nearly new condition I have a hard time not taking them home with me.
As soon as I see the right one, all sorts of ideas pop into my head about how to make them look prettier.

Well, I sold some of them over the last few months, but there are several more waiting for thier turn. (I have to sell them before I find more baskets!) The busyness of the holiday season and being sick and all, I feel like I have been behind in a lot of other projects, but I just had to do this one.

Before...


After...



It is a small change, but to me, adding few thing make the basket unique and special. Everythig is removeable, I like things that are versatile. So for the summer, I can take the fur off and just put on a flower or somthing.

There are two other baskets that are sitting on my sewing table and waiting patiently for thier turn. When I finish them I will share the pictures with you all.

Meanwhile, Christmas is nine more days away. With all the shopping, making, baking, writing, sewing, attending, wrapping, cooking, and gathering, our life gets crazy, but whatever you do I wish you all to have holiday cheer in your hearts!

Down Memory Lane---Quilts for Rachel---

I have talked about the quilts I have made for Christpher and Michael. Today I will do the same with some quilts I made for Rachel.

I made this one long before I had Rachel. My friend saw a quilt like this at a quilt shop and described it to me. I used my imagination and designed it on paper, and kind of made it my own. My favorite part of this quilt is the muted colors I chose, instead of going with pastels. It makes it a unique baby quilt that way. I was hoping that, someday I would be able to have a little girl so that I could give this quilt to her.



I call this quilt "Seaside Rose Quilt". I was pregnant with Rachel at the time, and went to a local quilt shop. When I saw the beautiful line of Seaside Rose fabrics by Moda, I seriously got goose bumps!

I decided to name the quilt after the fabric line. I love this one.


The next one is a blanket more than a quilt. I used very soft minky; I just had to make a blanket out of it for her! I added pom-poms to add extra character to it. This is also one of my favorite blankets in the house. I love to cuddle in this blanket when I read fairy tales to Rachel; I feel extra girly.


The last quilt... yeah, I can't call it a quilt yet, because it is not done. I finished all the applique in the middle part and added borders. Then, I was supposed to do more applique around the borders. I don't know what happened. I have to confess that I haven't touched this quilt top for about 7 years. I started making this when I was pregnant with my second child, I was secretly hoping for a girl and kept calling it "Ashly quilt". I wanted to name my little girl Ashly for a long time.



Well, we found out that I was having another boy. So, I started working on some boys quilts after that. I thought I was putting away the Ashly quilt forever. Then, I was blessed with another baby. Funny thing is, after I found out that I was finally having a girl, the name Ashly started to fade away.

My husband and I felt strongly that we should name her "Rachel".

Rachel means "beautiful favored one" and her Japanese middle name is "Kokomi" which means "beautiful heart". We wanted her to be a beautiful person on the inside and out. So far, she is living up to her name. I can say this because I am her mom!

I love designing the quilts and it gives me so much joy, but the biggest reason why I keep doing this (I mean all the quilting and crafting) is I want my children to know how much I love them. When they use the quilts I made; it's just like I am giving them a big hug. Also, I want them to realize that having something they enjoy and are passionate about, will bless thier lives so much more than just going aimlessly through life.

I really hope that I can be there to help them to find their wings.

Tutorial ~Scrappy Corsage ~

Ok, I was sitting and working on a project the other day. It was a project that I kind of made up as I went along, then I had a mental block. So, I kept sitting there trying to figure out how to finish and still, nothing came. I decided to work on something else, that's when I spotted those little pieces of fabrics on my table. That's how this scrappy corsage was born.

I will share a quick tutorial.

You will need;

Three different fabric scraps

A metal botton to cover it up

One silk flower

Alligater pin or clothes pin, whichever you prefer.

How to:

1, Fold the scrap pieces right sides together, then cut six sets of peddles for the outer peddles and six sets for the inner peddles. I just eyeballed it, my outer peddles are 2 1/2" tall X 2" wide in the bottom. The inner peddles are 1 3/4" tall X 1 3/4" wide in the bottom.

2, To make the peddles...the order is cut, sew, turn, and fold the bottom.


3, I cut out a circular piece of wool then, sewed the outer peddles on to it. Make inner peddles same way as step 2, except, the way to fold the bottom is little different. Use the picture as a guide.


4, For the middle part I chose to use a silk flower. Cover the metal button then, sew it to the flower.

5, Put eiter alligater clip or clothes pin. Ready to wear!


After I was finihed with this, I was able to come up with the design for the other project. Isn't it interesting how our minds work? Sometimes we need a little detour to figure something out.

As soon as Rachel saw this corsage, Rachel was asking me if that was hers...
"Well", I said, "I will share it with you but it's mine." ;)

My Newest Favorites

I went out with my friends tonight, that was sort of our Christmas get together. We did a gift exchange, ate a lot, and of course, talked a lot. I am very blessed to have friends like them.

I just wanted to share my newest favorites. I have MANY favorites, I mean, big or small, people and things. I think it is nice to have "favorites" to make my everyday life happier.

The cup and saucer...


My friend gave it to me for my birthday. All the designs are hand drawn. How unique and pretty. I love the lace like design. It has been my take a break with style mug.

The Ring...


I found this ring at Beehive Bazaar. There was a booth filled with pretty jeweleries and there were so many of them that wanted to come home with me, but I decided to take only this one home. I have been looking for a ring like this for a long time and it was perfect. The flower matches my skin well and I love how the ring has an antique look. She has an etsy shop, I am definately going to visit her shop in the near future.

Do you have "favorites" that make your life happier?

Tutorial ~ Corduroy Skirt for Little Girl ~

Today was very snowy where I live. Too wet and cold to go outside...but there is always an up-side to a day like this. Stay home and work on the projects I have been wanting to do for a while.

Several months ago, I found some ivory colored corduroy fabric at the sale section. I guess it was the end of the bolt and I paid around $3 for 22" of fabric. I wanted to make a skirt for Rachel.

Here is what I did:

1. Cut 2 pieces of 16" X 22" of fabrics. This will be the main skirt.

2. Cut 4 pieces of 3 1/2" diameter circles, 4 pieces of 3" diameter circles, and 4pieces of 1 3/4" diameter circles. I traced the circles using the drinking glasses in my kitchen. This is a personal preference, so, you can change the size as you want. Be creative! For the leaves you will need 12 of them. I just eye-balled it and cut them out.

3. If you have a serger that would be great, if not, you can use the zig zag setting on your sewing machine to sew the edges of the circles to prevent flaying.

4. Put together three different sizes of circles. To make it look interesting, I alternated the right side of the fabrics and wrong side of the fabrics. You should have four sets of flowers. For the leaves, put fusable interfacing then do the same.



5. Lay the flowers and leaves out on the skirt fabrics. Use the pictures as your guide. Leave about 2 1/2" on the bottom for the hem line. I used matching colored DMC floss to hand sew the flowers and leaves. Use the up close picture as your guide.


6. Take care of the edges to prevent flaying, put the skirt fabric right sides together then sew both sides. On the top of the one side, leave some opening for the
elastic.


I did 1/2" seam line. Open and Iron.

7. For the bottom, I folded twice(first 1/4", second 1") and sewed. For the top, I did the same thing, put 1/2" elastic through. You can measure your little ones tummy to know how much elastic you need.

8. Enjoy!


I got carried away and did some bead work on the flower too.


Also, I used some left over corduroy to make matching flower clip! Rachel loved her new skirt and she was very happy wearing it all day long.

See, there is some benefit to the bad weather :)

Memory Making and a Little Announcement

Well, it is past midnight, so technically, yesterday was one very busy day. I had a lot going on since I woke up, then many places to go to.

In the afternoon, we droped the kids off at my sister-in-law's house so we could go on the real date for my birthday. Bless her heart, she has her three little ones to take care of but she was willing to watch our three too. Thank you so much!

I have a good friend whose birthday is two days early than mine. We have been going to this sushi restaurant to celebrate both our birthdays for three years. We didn't intend to do so every year, but we had so much fun it is became our little tradition.

After that, Aaron took me to see New Moon. I have been dying to see that movie. I loved it, and it is so nice to have "us" time. Oh, after seeing that movie, I still have to say I am team Edward.

By the way, I have a little favor to ask all of you... I was wondering, if you have done any projcts based off my tutorials? Would you send me a link, not to your blog, but to that particular post? I want to do a party by posting your Tea Rose Home inspired projects sometime around the end of this month! What do you think? Doesn't that sound fun?

I know some of you already sent a link to me, but it was a while ago, and I am having a hard time finding them, so if you can send them to me again, I would really appreciate it!

Well, I am relly tired, I need to get to bed... I will see you all on Monday.
Have a lovely Sunday!