♥Sew Illustrated Blog Tour and Book Giveaway♥ アメリカの手芸本 Sew Illustrated のご紹介とプレゼント企画 ♥

I'm so happy to be part of the Sew Illustrated blog tour today! 

Sew Illustrated: 35 Charming Fabric & Thread Designs: 16 Zakka Projects is a book packed with sweetly designed projects and useful techniques and tips, written by Minki Kim and Kristin Esser. I had been a huge admirer of the beautifully stitched sewing illustration projects by the ladies, so it's so exciting to be part of their blog tour today.

アメリカ在住の手芸家 Minki Kimさんと Kristin Esserさんがこのたび著書 Sew Illustrated を出版されました。→☆今日はそのブログツアーの一環でお二人の最新著書をご紹介させていただきますね。

From this book you will learn the methods of free motion stitching and machine applique techniques to create beautiful projects or to embellish your original handmade projects and gifts 💕 Once you get the hang of "sewing illustration" methods, design possibilities are endless - e.g. , sewing your children's drawings, stamped images, or even a traced photo to zakka items - will add special touch to your handmade projects and gifts.

本では、主にミシンステッチを使ったフリーモーション刺しゅうやアップリケの技法をふんだんに取り入れた作品を紹介されています。作品はどれも本当に可愛いくて見ているだけで楽しいのです❣　全編英語ですが写真も多く、とてもわかりやすく技法を説明されています。本で紹介されている技法をもとにオリジナル作品を作るのもいいですね。

So here's what I chose to make from the book - House Zipper Pouch❣ In the book, Minki stitched her daughter's name above the door (as you can see from the front cover of the book), but I skipped that process and instead added a small door knob (a light blue button) to embellish the exterior panel.

今回私が作ったのはこちら↑　おうちのポーチです。本の掲載作品ではポーチのドア上部分に著者Minkiさんのお嬢さんのお名前をフリーモーションステッチされていますが（表紙作品参照）私はその代わりにドアノブ用に水色のボタンを縫い付けてみました。

The book comes with clear step-by-step instructions with lots of beautiful photos and diagrams to follow.  It was especially fun to fussy cut the little girl, a dog, and birds from scraps to create windows and to attach them with fusible web!

ポーチ作りで一番楽しかった過程がこちら。　おうちの窓部分に使う女の子、わんちゃん、鳥さんなどを手持ちのハギレ布から切り取ってアイロン両面接着シートで指定の位置に接着しました。その後ミシンでアップリケしました。

Installing zipper was a snap❣

ファスナーもミシンで縫い付けるので作業は一気に進みます～

Although it wasn't indicated on the book, I decided to add straps to the "roof" of the house.  If you decide to add straps to the pouch as I did, I highly recommend that you stitch them before installing the zipper. (I added straps after installing the zipper). 

本の作り方では指定されていませんでしたが、今回私はおうちポーチに持ち手を2本付けてみました。今回は急に思い立ってファスナー付けをした後に持ち手を付けたのですが、次回からはファスナー前に持ち手を付けるようにしたいと思います。

For interior I used solid yellow - so happy and bright!

内布には明るいイエローを使いました。

I love how my house pouch turned out. 

Every time I peek through each window it makes me smile ^^

ポーチの窓部分を覗くたびにほっこり笑顔になります～

You may want to check out this exciting video by visiting Minki and Kristin's YouTube channel for a sneak peek inside the book!

YouTubeでもお二人のご本の紹介が見られますので要チェックです➡☆

Check out the other blog hop stops hosted by a set of talented designers/bloggers/artists!

今回のブログツアーに参加されているブロガーさんは下記の通りです。まだまだブログツアーは続くのでぜひ他のブロガーさんのブログもチェックしてみてくださいね。

August 15: C&T Publications

August 16: nanaCompany

August 17: zakkaArt

August 18: Down Grapevine Lane

August 19: A Spoonful of Sugar

August 20: chick chick sewing ←You're here!　今日はここ♥

August 21: Stacy Olson

August 22: happy little cottage

August 23: GenerationQ Magazine

August 24: Sarana Ave

August 25: cafenohut

August 26: Oh,how sweet

August 27: Tied with a Ribbon

August 28: VividFelicity

August 29: Lilabelle Lane Creations

August 30: ellis & higgs

August 31: pretty by hand

September 1: Elnora Chambers on Instagram

September 2: Cloverand Violet

September 3: Auribuzz

September 4: Minki at Minki’s Work Table and Kristin at They Grow Up Too Fast

C&T Publishing has offered to giveaway a copy of the book at every stop!

• The giveaway is open worldwide until August 31. One winner will be chosen.
• Leave a comment on this blogpost and the winner will be announced by email and on my blogpost.
• If the winner is in the U.S., a hard copy of the book is received. If the winner resides outside of U.S., an e-book will be received.

Good luck!

＊＊＊＊＊

出版社のC&T Publishing様より今回出版された本のプレゼント企画があります❣　当選者はお一人。締め切りは8月31日です。当選者の方にはeメールでご連絡をした後、当ブログで発表させていただきます。

ご興味のある方はぜひ今日のブログ記事にコメントをお残しください（日本語でももちろんOKです）。アメリカ在住の当選者の方には本を、当選者の方がアメリカ以外に在住されている場合は電子本が送られます。是非この機会にご応募くださいね。

Giveaway is now closed. Winner will be announced shortly.

Happy stitching♪

***Amy Morinaka***

Find me on Facebook (Amy Morinaka) →☆

Follow me on Instagram @chickchicksewing →★

Zakka Handmades Giveaway Winners Announced! and the Monstera Stamp Sachet 手作り雑貨プレゼント企画当選者発表！とモンステラのラベンダーサシェ

Zakka Handmades giveaway winners are: Speckled Hen (Airmail Mug Rug), Jessica (Kotori pouches) and Frances (Flex Frame Pouch)! I will email you shortly... Thank you so much for entering!

手作り雑貨プレゼント企画の当選者発表です。当選者の方々はこちら。Speckled Henさん（エアメール・マグラグ）、Jessicaさん（小鳥ポーチ）、Francesさん（デンマーク国旗のバネポーチ）。ご応募ありがとうございました。手作り雑貨プレゼント企画の詳細はこちらから。→☆

So... Do you remember these Monstera leaf and the Hibiscus stamps that hand carved from an eraser earlier?

少し前に、けしごむはんこで彫ったモンステラとハイビスカスのスタンプを覚えていらっしゃいますか？→☆

Well I made an Eraser Stamped Lavender Sachet from one of the stamped fabrics．

今回はモンステラのスタンプを使って「消しゴムはんこで作るラベンダーサシェ」を作ってみました。

I filled up this sachet with generous amount of dried lavender, using a paper funnel I made from simply rolling up a piece of paper in a cone.

サシェには乾燥ラベンダーをたっぷりと詰めています。普通の紙をくるくるっと巻いて作ったお手軽じょうごを使うとラベンダーを簡単に詰めることができます。

Love the summery feel of this sachet! If you are interested in making your own, the project is featured in my book♪

Have a great week and hope you continue to enjoy your summer! (I mean winter, for the folks in the Southern Hemisphere, of course :D

夏らしいサシェが出来上がって満足です。この作品に興味のある方は、著書に作り方が掲載されていますのでよろしかったらそちらもご覧になって下さいね。著書はこちらから。→☆

では皆さん良い1週間を、そして引き続き楽しい夏をお過ごしくださいね♪　南半球にお住まいの方々にとっては冬の季節を満喫してください～。

***Love, Amy***

Book giveaway at sew4home! インテリア系サイトで著書のプレゼント企画♪

Book giveaway at sew4home

Hi!  I'm popping in to let you know that there is a book giveaway going on until August 5, at sew4home, a fabulous site for sewing essentials and home decor tips!  Their review of my book is stunning with lots of beautiful images!

Thanks, Sew4Home, for the awesomeness! 

Also, Just a reminder that my handmade zakka giveaway is still open until July 26, 10 p.m. PST.  Hope you have a chance to enter if you haven't yet!

Handmade zakka giveaway!

お知らせです。sew4homeというアイデア満載の手作りインテリア系サイトで、私のブックレビューと著書のプレゼント企画が行われています（8月5日締切り）。英語のサイトですが、アメリカのソーイング情報満載の楽しいサイトなので、よろしかったら是非ご覧になってみて下さいね。→☆

他にも・・・私の手作り雑貨のプレゼント企画の締切りは今週金曜日(７月２６日アメリカ西部時間10ＰＭ）なのでまだ間に合います～。詳細はこちらからです。→☆

***Love, Amy*** 

Zakka Handmades Giveaway Time! ハンドメイド雑貨のプレゼント企画です♪

Hello everyone!

As I've mentioned in my previous post, today I'm giving away three of my handmade zakka projects that I created during the Zakka Handmades Blog Tour, to show my appreciation of the recent blog hop success!

  You have a chance to win one of the following zakka projects handmade by me: (1) Airmail mug rug  (2) Kotori (little bird) zipper pouches (a set of two) or (3) Flex frame pouch with three brand new sets of flex frames (4" or 10 cm width)!  All of these zakka projects are featured in my book, and I created these exclusively for this blog hop. 

Zakka Handmades Blog Tour: 6/24/13 - 7/17/13

皆さんこんにちは！私の著書「雑貨ハンドメイド」のブックレビューを総勢11組の有名ブロガーさんにしていただくブログツアー企画が先日無事に終了しました。皆さんに感謝の気持ちをこめて、今日はブログツアー中に私がハンドメイドした作品をプレゼントしたいと思います♪

今回プレゼントさせていただくのは本の掲載作品から私が手作りした雑貨3点です。（１）エアメール・マグラグ（ミニマット）、（２）小鳥ポーチ（2つで一組）（３）バネポーチ（10センチ幅の3つのバネ付き）。この中から1点お好きな雑貨を選んでプレゼント企画に応募してくださいね。

Choice # (1) Airmail Mug Rug. You can find details of this mug rug here.

（１）エアメール・マグラグ。この作品の詳細はこちらから→☆

Choice # (2) Kotori (little bird) zipper pouches (a set of two) - Details are here.

（２）小鳥ポーチ（２つで一組）。小鳥ポーチの詳細はこちらです→☆

Choice # (3) Flex frame pouch with 3 sets of flex frames (4" or 10 cm width) that can be used to create your own flex frame pouches! Details of this flex frame pouch can be found here. 

（３）デンマーク国旗のクロスステッチ入りバネポーチ。3組のバネも一緒にプレゼント。このバネポーチの詳細はこちらへ→☆

Here are the rules...

• The giveaway is open internationally. 
• Leave a comment on this post telling me which zakka would you like to win: (1) the Airmail Mug Rug,  (2) Kotori zipper pouches (a set of two) or (3) Flex Frame Pouch with three sets of flex frames.
• Don't forget to include your email address in your comment, unless your email is listed in your blogger profile. You can leave your email address like this: amymorinaka[at]yahoo[dot]com if you prefer.
• One entry per person, please.  
• The giveaway will close at 10 pm PST of Friday, July 26, and I will announce the winner shortly.  

Remember, even if you don't win, you can still create these zakka projects from my book  that comes with step-by-step instructions with easy to follow diagrams!

Good luck to you!

Zakka Handmades

プレゼント企画に参加ご希望の方は：

• ご希望の雑貨（１）（２）（３）のうち一点をお選びいただき、メールアドレスとともにコメント欄にお残し下さい。メールアドレスは、セキュリティの問題上、[ ]などを使ってこのように記してもＯＫです。amymorinaka[at]yahoo[dot]com
• ご応募はお一人につき1点のみ。
• アメリカ国外の方も是非ご応募くださいね。
• 締切りはアメリカ西部時間7月26日（金）午後10時とさせていただきます。

・・・もしも今回のプレゼント企画でハズれてしまっても、これらの作品の詳しい作り方は著書に掲載されていますので是非ご自身でも作ってみてくださいね♪　（本は英語ですが・・・イラストもふんだんに盛り込まれています～。）

Giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering!

*** Love, Amy***

Note by author: Zakka（雑貨） in Japanese refers to small household goods used in everyday life. Handmade zakka adds charming and meaningful touch to our daily tasks!

Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much for entering this year's Sew Mama Sew giveaway!  I really enjoyed reading your comments about what handmade zakka item you are interested in making!

Of 269 entries, I let the random number generator pick the winner number...

The winner is #88 Barbara of Nahtante Quilts  who said: "I like to make bags, pouches, baskets and small toy animals. If I have the chance to get an autographed book, I'm in for it! Thanks for the chance! "

Barbara, congratulations! You won the autographed copy of my book: Zakka Handmades!  I will send you an email shortly to ask for your shipping address. 

Thanks everyone for joining the fun and hope you have a gorgeous weekend!

***Love, Amy***

Giveaway Day! プレゼント企画♪

I'm excited to announce that I am participating in this year's Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway!

こちらで人気のソーイングサイト Sew Mama Sew! が主宰する、一斉プレゼント企画に参加することになりました。抽選で１名の方に、発売されたばかりの私のサイン入り著作本を差し上げます。（サインが必要ない場合はお知らせください～）。

And I'm giving away a signed copy of my book, Zakka Handmades! 

(Let me know if you rather receive a copy without my autograph ;)

The book's release date is June 1st, but it's starting to ship out this week from online retailers, including Amazon.com.

To enter, please leave a comment letting me know what handmade zakka item you are interested in making! (It doesn't need to be from the images from my book ;)  Added note: Zakka in Japanese refers to any household or personal necessity that improves your life. Many handmade zakka are made of natural fibers of 100 percent linen, cotton, and wool. It's a broad term that include accessory, stationery, fashion items, toys, home goods, kitchen items, various containers, small furniture and more!

The giveaway will be open until Friday, May 10, 5:00 p.m. PST and the winner will be selected  randomly. (I will ship internationally).  If you're an anonymous commenter , please be sure to include your email address in your comment so that I am able to contact you when you win!

Don't forget to check back with Sew Mama Sew! for more chances to win other exciting giveaways!

Good luck !

Zakka Handmades

参加ご希望の方は当ブログのコメント欄に短いコメントをお残し下さい。その際にはご自身で「作ってみたい手作り雑貨」についてもひと言、添えてください。ブログ名、メールアドレスなど、ご連絡先もお忘れなく。

プレゼント企画は今週金曜日（５月１０日）アメリカ西部時間午後５時に締切りとさせていただきます。

他にも、Sew Mama Sew! では数々の楽しいプレゼント企画がリストアップされていますので要チェックですよ！→☆

では世界各地の（！）皆さんからのご参加をお待ちしています♪

Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for participating!

Fabrics, and more!

Look what I've got over the weekend... yes, more fabrics!  Our local fabric store was having a fabric remnants sale and I got these fabrics for $1 each.  I think that most, if not all, of these fabrics are imported from Japan.  Some of these remnants are in fat quarter sizes, and some are smaller in size.   I washed and pressed all fabrics (which is my favorite part) and they're ready to be sewn!

And let me show you what I got from a generous and talented crafter from Singapore, Wynn, of zakkaart...

Yes! I won her giveaway (for the first time in my life)!

She sent me all of these goodies to me (in Southern California) all the way from Singapore... Thanks, Wynn, for the postage!

Beautiful fabrics.  I especially love the floral print on the top.

Buttons, ribbons, and more

Pastel colored yarns

Thanks, Wynn, for your generosity.  I can't wait to make use of all the goodies you sent me :)

And... last but not least, I have another exciting news to share with you.  
My previous eraser carving post (below) was introduced in the "5 Great Finds" by Meeks of Juggling Motherhood blog!!   Her blog is very informative and fun, so please go visit her blog if you have a chance.  Domo arigato, Meeks, for having me in your post! You made my day ;)

My Hand carved eraser post that was featured

Well, thanks for reading, and hope you have a great week!

And the winners are...

Thanks so much for all of you who participated in my giveaway!  I enjoyed reading each and every one of your happy and exciting comments :)     And congratulations to the three lucky winners below...

1.  Reversible linen tote bag - Jessica of justenoughstyle.blogspot.com in UT (commenter # 78)

2.  Matryoshka lavender sachet -  Shirley of shirleyssalad.blogspot.com in Finland (commenter # 233)            

3. Matryoshka lavender sachet -  Jenny of  Fort Wayne, IN (commenter # 161)

Note: The numbers are randomly chosen by the Random Generator. 

For the three lucky winners, please look for my e-mails so that you can let me know your shipping address.   I will be shipping out the giveaway gifts by Monday, May 24th, to work by the rules of the Sew Mama Sew May giveaway guidelines.

Thanks again for playing, and happy crafting!!

100th post and giveaway time!

Yay! This is my 100th post on this blog! Woo hoo!  I've been thinking about having a giveaway  on my 100th post for a long time, and right now, Sew Mama Sew! is hosting a May Giveaway Day blog event !  What a perfect timing! 

I will therefore participate in the Sew! Mama! Sew! giveaway event for the first time ever...  How exciting!!

And my giveaway item is... this reversible linen tote bag that is handmade by me :)

More images here.  The handles are made of sturdy canvas webbing.

And the reversible side looks like this.

I used this discontinued reproduction fabric to make this tote... which is one of my favorites.  These are the images of birds and flowers by the window.  Aren't they lovely?

It's a perfect size to store a letter pad (8 1/2 inches x 11 inches) or your daily belongings to carry everyday.

Side view

If you are interested in participating, simply leave a comment on this post.   I'd appreciate it if you could tell me know a little about yourself on the comment, so that we can get to know each other : )

I will ship internationally, and this giveaway will be open until May 20, 2010 midnight (U.S. Pacific Time).

One lucky winner will get this tote, and even if you're not the luckiest one, I will also giveaway this handmade matryoshka lavender sachet to 2 more individuals!!  (That's a total of 3 winners!)

Good luck and I'll be waiting for your comments!