Weaving a lil Wall Hanging

A dear friend introduced me to the art of Wall Hangings and I became obsessed. I ran out, got myself a couple of stretchers and some warp thread. Then I rummaged through my giant yarn stash and pulled out all my ends and some favorites. I got to weaving my little heart out in minutes. I can't stop its so addictive. Its super relaxing and great for the meticulous and anal retentive like myself. I highly recommend it, here's a great tutorial. Here are my darlings.

New Mini Houses in the Shop!

I've started posting my mini house pins/brooches in my shop, Usagi Por Moi. I will continue making them as long as there's interest. You too can learn to make them in my Art of Sewing zine also available in the shop.

The Art of Sewing Zine! Available Now!

Hi Folks. Here's my new zine, The Art of Sewing, Usagi Por Moi, 10 Projects. I worked 3 months on just designing this zine that's not counting on making all the projects and I'm truly pleased on how it came out.
This is a Japanese crafts inspired, patterns and sewing zine. Sweet and easy how-to sewing book, with lots of illustrations and photographs. Make a bike seat cover, a cover for your kindle, a little stuffed rabbit, and many other projects. Patterns included. you can pre-order it here, they'll be in about two weeks.
Here are a couple of shots of the zine.

Zine Update! Andrew Bird! and Afternoon Tea!

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been a little busy working on my new zine. Here are a few bits from the zine, hope you like it.

I made another little house pin, I will start making them to add to my shop soon.
Had afternoon tea with Sewon and Debra at Tea and Sympathy in the West Village. Super cute tea shop with charming decor. Lots of tea pots and knick knacks from jolly'ol. The food and desserts are always amazing. They drown all their desserts in hot vanilla custard, yum! Scones and clotted cream are must too!

Monday night we had a euphoric experience at the Riverside Church when we heard Andrew Bird in concert, absolutely divine.

Tissue Case-à la Americaine

I love all the lovely tissue cases in the Japanese craft books and other crafty friends' blogs, but unfortunately these pretty cases aren't made for the bulkier and top opening American tissue packs. Fall arrived and my allergies went hay wire (no pun intended). I started carrying my little packs of tissues and the packs always start to fall apart at the last two tissues so I said enough! I drafted a little pattern to make my own pretty cases and now my tissues have a lovely hidey home of their own. The how-to will be in my next zine which I mentioned in my last post. The zine will be mostly simple sewing projects.

Art papers for crafting

I've been working on these prints for gift wrap/art papers in between my design work this past week. I will be putting up a set for sale in my etsy store shortly keep an eye out. You'll get 6 pieces 2 of each design, Ditzy Dots, Pastel Trifecta, and Auntie Em's pink gingham. Plus a sheet of labels to cut and paste on to your gifts, notebooks, sketchbooks or turn them into tags like I did here in the pics. I'm considering adding a mini zine with how-to's on making the flower pom, trifecta poms and accordion bow. Stay tuned in the next couple of days and I will let you know when its up in my etsy store.

Paper Goods from Japan

I received my awesome package from Hiki-chan's store Uguisu, yesterday. I was so excited! Some of the prettiest paper goods I've ever laid my eyes on, and it got here soooo fast! I love that Hiki has a total no-hassle store that ships to the U.S., I will absolutely order from her again. I can't even say which is my favorite they're all so pretty. I definitely will be covering some sketchbooks and make some paper crafts with these. Hiki-cahn also included here lovely black & white photo zine of indoor gardens it's beautiful and a wonderful addition to my zine collection. Thanks Hiki!
 

MT Tape Box

My growing collection of MT tapes and other washi tapes needed a home from the start, so I used a really nice box from a pair a Tretorn sneakers I purchased. The lid is connected on one side so it's a flip top. As much as I love a kraft box I wanted to cover my box in exciting MT tapes so this morning I set to it and made this....