Link Party Time!

After giving much thought, I decided to try hosting a link party regularly. It will be every Wednesday, and next time I will make sure that you can start linking from Tuesday night. I can't say that I will do a giveaway every time, but if I have something, I might, so who knows... I think it will be fun to see what everyone is up to and to get to know more of you.

Before I start the party, I will share my latest project first... I have been working on this baby blanket for the last couple of days. Christopher's teacher is going to have her first baby soon, she has been such a wonderful teacher for him; I wanted to do something nice.

I love making baby blankets like this. They are quick projects, I get to play around coordinating fabrics, and I looove the feel of minky while I am working on it.

For the back, I used the same minky shown in the picture. There are zig-zag stitches on the edges.


I hope she and her baby boy will like it...


Ok everyone, it is your turn! The rules are simple:

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it!

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


4. One more thing, please DO NOT link anything inappropriate or any kind of advertisement.

Go visit people on the list and say hi! I can't wait to see your projects!

A Story of Statement Jewelry

A few weeks ago, I was watching a short documentary on the Japanese channel. It was about jewelry artists living in NY. They introduced a few designers, all of them had a common ground. They make "Statement Jewelries".

Usually, statement Jewelries are big, bold,and most of the times inexpensive compared to its size (Think of a diamond, people pay how much for a tiny stone?). In the documentary, the reporter also said that statement jewly become popular when the economy is not doing so great. During the Great Depression era, statement jewelry was a big trend. I guess people were after the "Wow" effect and something to cheer them up for a price they still could afford.

I thought about our economy now... hmm... that make sense. Those statement jewelries are everywhere. I usually perfer small real jewelry. BUT, I see so many pretty necklaces, earrings, and rings to drool over. They sure make a plain outfit shine.

I particularly liked one desinger who collects antique parts and pieces to make her original jewelry. She showed some of her collection. My eyes went wide, while hold a dust rag in my hand (I was dusting the furniture). Wow, they were truly a piece of history.

I have been itching to find my own statement jewelry pieces. I am no expert with antiques. Nor, can I tell the difference when I find something; what is "old" and what is "vintage". They sure sound sooo different. Although, when I see something I can immideately tell if I love it or not. If I think it's beautiful, that's good enough for me.

The other day, I found two jewelry pieces that I fell in love with at a local thrift store. They are unique and my style. Above all, they were $2.99 each!

A pair of earrings with rose print...


Then, this gorgeous pendant head with dainty detailes.


Lucky me! I found a chain that would match with the pendant in my jewelry making box! I can start wearing it right away:) Next time when you go visit a thrift store, or yard sale, look around a bit carefully, you might find a piece of history too.

Tutorial ~Fabric Flower~

Just as I promised, I am going to show you how I made some flowers from the top portion of the dress. The top part had lining (it was also gauze) that is a very pretty light blue. When I separated them, I thought to myself, "I have to use this too! :)"

{You will need}

Light weight fabric
Matching Thread

{How to}

1. I cut out 8- 2 1/2" squares from each color.


2. Fold a square in half, then fold it again to make a smaller square.


3. Cut the outer edges(not the folded edges). It will almost look like a heart shape.


When you open it up... it will look like this. Repeat the process for the rest of the squares.


4. Pinch in the middle and stitch 2-3 times. Keep adding the rest of the pieces to it.


5. Then you will have a flower like these...



For the floral print flower, after you fold the squares into fourths, cut opposite corners to make it look like a leaf. When you unfold it, it will look like a four leaf clover with pointed leaves. (Sorry, I didn't take a picture of that.)

I loved the frayed look. I am very curious about using different types of fabric; I wonder how the flowers will turn out. I haven't decided what I am going to do with them, but I have a weekend to think about it.

Meanwhile I made this too... all I can say is you can never have too many flowers.

A Scarf for Spring ~Tea Rose Home Style~

I found this dress at a thrift store a few month ago. Although, the style of the dress is a little 80's ish, I fell in love with the gauze material and the romantic floral print. I have been looking for gauze material, but they are really hard to find.



I bought the dress, so I could make something out of it. I had lots of ideas, but it was very difficult to decide what to make. Once the dress is cut, that's it! It's not like I can go back to a fabric store and buy more.

Then, I started seeing beautiful scarfs for Spring at the stores. I had to make one with the fabric!

I separated the top and the bottom...


Actually, the skirt portion was made out of four large panels. I only needed to make my scarf.

1. I cut the panel in half, and sewed them together to make a long piece. Then, I just used a zig-zag stitch for both sides to prevent fraying.


2. Then, I pulled threads using a pin.


3. When I pulled about 2 1/2" worth of threads, I took sections of threads and twisted them together to make fringe.


4. Now I have a airy and romantic scarf for Spring!


I love it!! I still have three panels left. I am debating whether to make a blouse or camisol. Are you wondering what I did with the top portion of the dress? (I have a hard time throwing beautiful fabrics away).

I actually made some flowers, I can either make it in to hair accessories, make corsage, or use them to dress up my t-shirt.

In my next post I will show you how I made the flowers. Don't miss it! ;)

Post Link Party and Giveaway Winner!

First of all, I want to give a big "THANK YOU" to all of you who linked or left comments on my Link party!! I was a little bit nervous about doing that, fearing what if no one wanted to do this... well, because of you sweet ladies, I think it was a success!

I was really busy the last few days, so I could not leave comments on everyone of your blogs, but I visited all of them, and was really amazed with your creativity! Isn't it fun to see what everybody is up to? I will give it a little more thought and decide if I will host link parties regularly.

Well, I will share a baby blanket I finished last week, then, announce the Giveaway winner!(Hey, who is trying to skip this part to see the winner? Just be patient...)


I am hosting a baby shower for a really good friend of mine in April. I borrowed a window treatment from the babies room so I would know the theme color.

I was going through my fabric stash and found flannel strips and minky... I had to make this blanket for her baby!! The red, green, and blue are a perfect match with the window treatment, what are the odds? It was meant to be...

Ok, I am ready to announce the winner of the stretchy bracelet, the winner is...

Koshy

Congratulations! Please email me your choice of color (choose between black, brown or white), measurement of your wrist and your mailing address. I will send the item as soon as possible! :)

I hope everyone had a good start to their week. I will see you at the next post!

Do You Want It? ~Recipe for Honey Bun Cake~

I am so happy to see that many of you participated in my first link party! Thank you so much for your readership and your support for of my new adventure. I am thinking about hosting either a weekly or a monthly link party. What do you think? I couldn't leave a comment on each one of your posts, but I visited everyone of your lovely blogs. I am marveled by all of the projects! The link party will be open until Sunday night at midnight.


Two post ago, I posted our Sunday dinner, and I recieved many comments and emails for the "Honey Bun Cake" recipe. I found this recipe in the local paper and it is originally from www.bettycrocker.com. Yes, this is a cake that uses a cake mix! Super easy and good. I love baking from scratch, but when I don't have time, a recipe like this is definately a life saver.

{Honey Bun Cake}

1 Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix
2/3 cup vegetable oil (I used canola)
4 eggs
1 8 ounce container sour cream (1cup)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 350. Lightly flour and grease 13 x 9 inch pan, or spray with baking spray with flour.

2. Beat cake mix. oil, eggs and sour cream on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Spread HALF of the batter in pan.

3. In samll bowl, stir together brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon: sprinkle over batter in pan. Carefully spread remaining batter evenly over pecan mixture.

4. Bake 44 to 48 minutes or until deep golden brown. In another bowl, stir powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until thin enough to spread. Prick surface of warm cake several times with fork. Spread powderd sugar mixture over cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Store covered at room temperature.

I actually had this cake warm with vanilla ice cream on top. It was sooo good! (This explains why I haven't lost the last 10 lbs. of my pregnancy fat yet. I love food too much!) My whole family loved it. It was all gone by the next day. Enjoy!

My First Link Party and Giveaway!

Hi everyone! Like I said in the last post... I will host my first link party here at Tea Rose Home!! I thought the link party would be more fun and exciting, if I do a giveaway at the same time. You wanna know what the prize is? Last week I did a tutorial for Blue Cricket Design where I showed you how to make a bracelet. I am giving away the same style of bracelet, but I'm going have the winner specify the size and the color!

You don't have anything to show off this time? Don't worry! If you leave a comment and participate, you will be entered to the giveaway too.

I know it will be extremely difficult for me to pick just one person as a winner based on the project, so the winner will be chosen randomly.






Here are the rules for the link party:

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it!

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention about the party on your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off thier creation and enter the giveaway.


4. One more thing, please DO NOT link anything inappropriate or any kind of advertisement. Don't be a party pooper!

Go visit people on the list and say hi, see what people are up to. Have fun!

Well, I am little anxious, but hope to see many of you there!!

Sunday Dinner and More

Our family is casual. We certainly do not have a traditional Sunday dinner evey week. If I felt like it I would make a big dinner, but if I have something after church or am too tired to cook... our Sunday dinner would be "leftover special".

For some reasons, I WANTED to cook yesterday, so we had:

Green salad with carmelized almonds (this has been our favorite lately, thanks to Heather)


Jambalaya, this was my first time making it, but it turned out pretty good,


then, Honey Bun Cake. My family loooved this cake! After I packed what was left for lunch this mornig, the only thing left in the cake pan were crumbs.


When I warmed the cake and put some vanilla ice cream on top(somebody stop meeee! It is more calories!)...ohhh... it was exceptionally good. I wanted to share the recipe, but I am too lazy to go downstairs and look for the recipe, so maybe some other time.

By the way... I have been getting more emails lately from my lovely readers, and they are sweet enough to share their creations with me. Most of them are "Tea Rose Home inspired" creations. I meant to post all these projects in my posts, but I misplaced some of them. I am so sorry!! I have been thinking...
What if I started hosting a linking party? That way you laidies out there who are creative and want to share your creations can have a place here at Tea Rose Home!

I always get nervous when I try something new, but if some of you are interested, I certainly want to give it a try. Let me know what you think. If I can figure out how to install Mclinky on my blog, I might do it some time in the next few posts.

What do you think? Would you like to come to a party at Tea Rose Home?

Blog Swap ~ Blue Cricket Design~

Hi there! As I mentioned before, I am doing the blog swap today. It was so hard for me to not to spoil the surprise. I am very thrilled to have Becca from Blue Cricket Design here today! Her blog is one of the cutest blogs out there. If you haven't met her yet, here is your chance to get to know her.

I will be over at Blue Cricket Design to share my tutorial today. Come check it out if you are wondering what I am up to. Ok Becca, take it away!!

Hi Tea Rose Home Fans! I'm Becca From Blue Cricket Design and I could not be more excited to be here on Sachikos' beautiful blog! I have to say that I simply adore Sachiko! I think her talent is easily seen here and I am so honored to be here on her happy blog!

I'm a mother and wife and lover of Mint Oreos! I am a self taught sewer and could spend hours at Home Depot in the paint department if I had hours to spare! I am addicted to fabric and can't go anywhere without looking at the world around me in "Tutorial Mode!" Everything has become a step by step possibility and I have to say I LOVE IT!

I've created a simple and easy St. Patrick's Day project for you to enjoy! I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of this holiday! I think it has to do with the fact that it has limited projects. I'm not exactly into commercial decorations for any holiday so this one becomes even more limited if I'm not in the mood for Leprechauns and pots of gold on my walls!

Here's an easy way to get into the spirit of the holiday without going too commercial! Spice up your kitchen with a simple Green Tea Towel and consider yourself good!

I bought these towels at the dollar store! Never under estimate the power of your local Dollar Store! Don't limit yourselves to the holiday selection. These green towels were in the housewares section!

And all we'll do is add some green Ric Rack and Ruffles! It really it that easy!

Pin them in place...

And straight stitch them on!






It's the tiny little details that add just the right amount of personal touch! For less then $2 You too can create a St. Patty's day Accent!

I'd love for you to come and see what else keeps me busy! Blue Cricket Design is my collection of all thing creative! I have a weekly linking party every Wednesday that allows you to show off your own amazing creations! Come join in on the fun!

Thanks again Sachiko! You are as charming as they come!

Mmmm...what a cute towel! This tutorial is transformable to any holidays, you just need to change the color theme. Wouldn't you agree?

Thank you so much for the great tutorial Becca! Oh, Becca one last thing, I have never tried mint oreos before, you got me interested!

Tutorial~Ruffle shirt~ Why Not Vertical

I found these t-shirts at Target the other day, they were $5 each. When I tried them on, they fit perfectly and I loved the color! I just wanted to add some personal touches to my spring wardrobe. I was thinking about all the other options, then one of my previous posts crossed my mind. I love the shirt and I wear it ALL THE TIME! It is perfect underneath a cardigan. I wanted to do something different this time though... well, why not a vertical ruffle shirt!


{How To}

1. Cut one of the t-shirts along the seam line. To have longer strips, I used the back of the shirt for the ruffles.


2. cut 3 - 2 1/2" strips and 3 - 1 3/4" strips. My shirt was xs, if you are working with a larger shirt, you can cut the strips wider or make more rows.


3. Lay 1 3/4" strips on top of the 2 1/2" strips. Make sure that the top strips are in the middle.


4. Cut several inches off of two of the strip sets, these will be your side ruffles. (I cut 6" off, you may want to do more or less.) You will have 2 - 18" long strip sets and 1 - 24" long strip.


5. Using your largest stitch, sew in the middle of the strips. Pull on one of the thread to gather the fabric to make ruffles. Remember, there are other methods to make ruffles, do whatever method you are comfortable with.



6. Fold the t-shirt in half and make a crease in the middle. Pin the longest ruffle set in the middle of the shirt. Sew the ruffle by using a regular stitch.


7. Do the same with the two other ruffle strips. Lay them right next to the middle ruffle. Once you wash the shirt, there will be more space in between the ruffles.


It was little chilly outside, but I enjoyed the shirt. I can't wait for Spring to come!