My First Craft Fair

I attended as a vendor at a craft fair in early October. Since it was my first time doing this, I had to guess what to bring for set up, and how many items I should make to sell. I didn't want to end up sitting empty table in the middle of hours, so I brought a lot. The table setting was simple with banners, hoping that will pop up the items.

Overall, the fair went okay. I think the event day wasn't close enough for people to have holiday shopping feel. A lot of people came, but most were window shopping. If I do it again, I'll try to pick the date in November.

Hand Knitted Pumpkins

Original Sock Monkey & Mustache Sock Monkey

At the table

Stitching, Stitching, Stitching.

There was a "Topflappen" challenge at the Redwork group I go to. Topflappen means "pot holder" in German. I wanted to design my stitching with a touch of vintage feel, so I did swirl pattern, and found a font has a little bit vintage-ish. I love the way it came out. Now I need to make a pair to go with!

I bought this "sashiko" kit in Japan a few years ago. ("sashiko" is a decorative reinforcement stitching from Japan.) The stitching & design is simple, so I thought I can make it in no time. Wrong was I!! It's so simple that actually boring me to keep it going. It took me forever to finish it. I have a few more sashiko kits I bought at the same time. (Thinking sashiko would be quick projects!) I need to work on them too...somedays.

There's a cute cross stitch store in old St. Charles. I found this pattern last year around Halloween time. I'd only made one cross stitch at that time, so I thought that pattern and the size was way out of my league. Since then I made a couple of cross stitch, so I decided to try this pattern. The finish size is about 9"x16". My goal is finish it by next Halloween since it's gigantic!

Modern Quilt Challenge

It's been so long since last time I wrote. I thought it'll be slow summer since we didn't have any vacation plan, but I ended up busy sewing.

Last time, I mentioned about St. Louis Modern Quilt Challenge. I decided to choose "Alice in Wonderland" for my inspiration, and made a throw. "Alice in Wonderland" is strange weird place, so I choose to make a quilt with many different size of wonky squares. I liked the idea of this, but it was such a pain to piece them together since I decided to make bunch of squares first, then sew them together. It was like a life size jigsaw puzzle. What a nightmare. I regretted not to choose the quilt with a pattern. I'll be wiser next time!

Modern Quilt

 I officially joined St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild (STLMG) this month. I love the colors, fabrics and patterns of modern quilts. I only made one modern quilt so far, and I'm about to make a second one.

 There's an inspiration challenge at the guild in August. I would like to make a quilt with a lot of white space, but I'm afraid to use white fabrics for throw. There are many modern quilts made with white fabrics, and I wonder how they take care of it. Aren't they afraid that someone might spill drinks or food on it? What if they don't come out after wash? Does people think that will give a charm/character on the quilt? Without making a decision of weather I should use white as my background or not, I can't start making a quilt. The time is ticking, so I have to come up with decision.

　Meanwhile, here's my first modern quilt I made.

My First Blog!!

 Hi, I'm Yuko. This is my first time making a blog! I would love to share my passion for creating things by sewing, paper crafting, knitting, crocheting, beading...etc. I'm just one of those people whose hands are always working on projects while watching T.V., reading sewing magazines while eating, and thinking of new pattern to sew while I'm in bed. 


 The newest project I just finished yesterday is this embroidery hoop art. I just love the combinations of free motion stitch applique, and hand embroidery outline stitch in one hoop. It'll be hanging on my sewing room door. Hopefully kids will notice it, and not to bother me too much while I'm sewing!