tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87820446191236633602024-03-19T15:53:49.701-07:00Gaijin Creationssewing, quilting and playing around in JapanLeanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-24040807412647529592019-09-15T05:32:00.002-07:002019-09-15T05:32:46.345-07:00Kudzu Creations 葛の花<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most powerful and effective Japanese medicinal
plants is perhaps the most prodigious and fast growing plants found in the
mountains of Amakusa- Kudzu. The vines grow all over our paragliding takeoff
and I am forever losing the battle trying to exterminate them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The root of the plant is often used to make an immune
stimulant called Kakkonto. I often take this in a drink form if I feel like I
might be catching a cold- similar to Echinacea. Apparently it is effective for
treating hangovers as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the fall the plant has pretty purple blossoms that have a
sweet and fruity aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The other day as I was waiting for the wind to improve to
paraglide, an older Japanese woman came and started collecting these flowers.
Heh, this is cool, what is she doing?! I tried to engage her in a conversation
and pick her brain about what she was doing, but after a quick rather short
explanation she moved on looking for more purple flowers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No big deal, nowadays with the internet, it’s simple to look
things up and try and make something delicious. Of course, it wasn’t so simple.
In the end I found various different ideas, but ended up improvising a bit (for
better or worse, we shall see).<o:p></o:p></div>
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First, I picked blossoms off the plentiful vines. The blossoms
came off easily with my fingers. When picking it’s important to watch your feet
because this is the most dangerous season for the mamushi- Amakusa’s only
poisonous snake and the suzumebachi- a giant hornet that is potentially lethal
(especially since I have already been stung twice). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once I collected a bag full of blossoms, I spread them out
in a colander and inspected for insects, leaves, rotten blossoms etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I didn’t wash the blossoms before processing them because I
read that this decreases their medical potency. I suppose if you collect the
blossoms near a busy road, you might want to wash them well before you more on.</div>
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Next I filled 2 plastic bottles with the blossoms.</div>
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And then, filled
the bottles with 500 cc of water and 500 cc of sugar. In one of the bottles I
also added a bit of honey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tadaaa! There you have it. Now I just have to put the
bottles in a relatively cool place, release the lid a little every day to
release the carbonation, then wait and see what happens!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Apparently the flowers have a natural yeast which when mixed
with sugar and left to gradually ferment will first become a refreshing drink, then
a tasty alcoholic drink and finally a fragrant vinegar.</div>
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So, now we have to wait and see! Apparently the color is supposed to be quite change and be quite lovely once the fermentation starts.</div>
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<br />Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-79382235735477092712011-09-21T06:40:00.000-07:002011-09-21T06:40:48.510-07:00Introducing the lovely Payton with her new handmade bag <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqctIxWyjo3kphyf0iOV8x_kBSajGMvipzg7Mw6ZM1VSTBaCvN5HDJT-chKXxVm-TcgmDC8HpAb0WPBEqp_Gayoo1E3p8Z3Snl_8tSLOXbJIxsGQDks8WjfauR6v_5FYSYvabK1EBQSw/s1600/payton_buttshot_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqctIxWyjo3kphyf0iOV8x_kBSajGMvipzg7Mw6ZM1VSTBaCvN5HDJT-chKXxVm-TcgmDC8HpAb0WPBEqp_Gayoo1E3p8Z3Snl_8tSLOXbJIxsGQDks8WjfauR6v_5FYSYvabK1EBQSw/s200/payton_buttshot_Web.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsKXbLFpBF9vNBAuz9yKhK4XGZ4XXySr71d395HTpw0kqgXeCG09o7K80kC4r7CMbMmM4w-yb9wA7baE-Ms4GiIAxC0Z4uJTeTM6Cpf0suIk-JhszsCiJl6kya6TYbpCXr6nZ_5CETtE/s1600/payton_bag_side_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsKXbLFpBF9vNBAuz9yKhK4XGZ4XXySr71d395HTpw0kqgXeCG09o7K80kC4r7CMbMmM4w-yb9wA7baE-Ms4GiIAxC0Z4uJTeTM6Cpf0suIk-JhszsCiJl6kya6TYbpCXr6nZ_5CETtE/s200/payton_bag_side_Web.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the back side of the bag was made with upcycled jeans previously owned and loved by my boss, the sides were made using antique kimono material and some denim was thrown in there for some extra strength on the bottom. The leather handle was attached using those cute little leather flower snaps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCww2klDFwz_W7QSG_S1HTQillL1do_ehgguQgiaG0lCzXvoEncBAKKPqYk9CugkK3JghuaRQkH62EL0iYk7ORkzswCDMytYlMZMpWF22Rs2lKj4bzJUKyvvHrL43zuS2TDSPkUNSzY0/s1600/payton_bag_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCww2klDFwz_W7QSG_S1HTQillL1do_ehgguQgiaG0lCzXvoEncBAKKPqYk9CugkK3JghuaRQkH62EL0iYk7ORkzswCDMytYlMZMpWF22Rs2lKj4bzJUKyvvHrL43zuS2TDSPkUNSzY0/s200/payton_bag_web.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a crazy quilt inspired design using all kinds of cute leftover goodies from various projects with lots of beads, trimmings, embroidery added for extra pizzazz. my favorite part is the pretty girl wearing a kimono!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs6GaqeFPobi2dKjnaD21zDNzBlIi0luo8vgeY16AMeIimFil5DjdAYpp1ArSRqwFap2EDvw9IHgSxthwBlgeI2Wca7JC59ITEaeq0HFKNkA0tPqRgL_sIBZzbYvbwJT3nXOctB-03A8/s1600/payton_beach_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs6GaqeFPobi2dKjnaD21zDNzBlIi0luo8vgeY16AMeIimFil5DjdAYpp1ArSRqwFap2EDvw9IHgSxthwBlgeI2Wca7JC59ITEaeq0HFKNkA0tPqRgL_sIBZzbYvbwJT3nXOctB-03A8/s320/payton_beach_Web.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the banks of the lake where we stayed this summer, Payton poses for a picture with her new handbag. work it for the camera girl!<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-11481469735502744572011-09-21T06:19:00.000-07:002011-09-21T07:00:32.969-07:00A bag for Morgan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOenOuTIi8k2Yc8eaLTuQcxodq6eelwLesFv6kKoNMzrn8Fs4gsg4ihpW44jrDFKki6ULyGymzgmlVKXRH15NJYeDCU_QAPeF4U4em91-JBuo24n8m6rpFDgaQ8HN-3YnmPT7zZMm-q4/s1600/morgan_model_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOenOuTIi8k2Yc8eaLTuQcxodq6eelwLesFv6kKoNMzrn8Fs4gsg4ihpW44jrDFKki6ULyGymzgmlVKXRH15NJYeDCU_QAPeF4U4em91-JBuo24n8m6rpFDgaQ8HN-3YnmPT7zZMm-q4/s200/morgan_model_Web.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A playful Asian inspired cotton print by Junko Onishi paired with a baby pink antique shibori japanese kimono material and some solid blue kimono material make for a cute handbag for a beautiful girl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXdPS_Bq4tLW8_W3BDDRU1RZoTqmPG6SBgQCwTI8-3SU2fmlZqy5o0_XmqTdHb7tvvCw4kYl4uWoPDXNNbIPkd6DbZq7WzvTMXWeSkYMxo-fg-AhZNQaSaPx41LwxZKRRyeM8MxELk9s/s1600/bag_morgan_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXdPS_Bq4tLW8_W3BDDRU1RZoTqmPG6SBgQCwTI8-3SU2fmlZqy5o0_XmqTdHb7tvvCw4kYl4uWoPDXNNbIPkd6DbZq7WzvTMXWeSkYMxo-fg-AhZNQaSaPx41LwxZKRRyeM8MxELk9s/s200/bag_morgan_Web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bag is lined with a solid light purple cotton material with a pocket for the all important cellphone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpjCQ-lzEhcl-em5p5VI0QFA99Rj60UsmadcA2xpn7CfnFWsraqjo9e4fF6sAxzPtQWKEOdcAM-_2Qy6tNmoRdNS3jmCwZ53kzHCLmHHRVMQpThGbK8-jz-ravc0e9DMVqbkZpy9JHTY/s1600/handle_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpjCQ-lzEhcl-em5p5VI0QFA99Rj60UsmadcA2xpn7CfnFWsraqjo9e4fF6sAxzPtQWKEOdcAM-_2Qy6tNmoRdNS3jmCwZ53kzHCLmHHRVMQpThGbK8-jz-ravc0e9DMVqbkZpy9JHTY/s200/handle_Web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">The otherwise boring handles were given some life by sewing around them with coral silk thread.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQQ2L6_Tz_sD6Z5CsyVpgmpNf3NDBNHp2kxZsTADIUOskvzylPube4BmRlj1WtpzZ5VRGoBORSH1BAuPW5tUkr1V4FM81jAqhDLgNPLgVOUpFNT4hO1FFdO7Aw3Ag0Met_G9nhUUzXOY/s1600/detail_morgan_bag_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQQ2L6_Tz_sD6Z5CsyVpgmpNf3NDBNHp2kxZsTADIUOskvzylPube4BmRlj1WtpzZ5VRGoBORSH1BAuPW5tUkr1V4FM81jAqhDLgNPLgVOUpFNT4hO1FFdO7Aw3Ag0Met_G9nhUUzXOY/s200/detail_morgan_bag_Web.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teeny weeny details were embroidered and beads and sparkles were added at every chance</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDRpCfqzIPwl6BuQN-HJsMb6TyioMz1cOKWkZV7nDdyprZuL_8sUDa5LeilxMC6LiDIjEl5p02nGiO9batTMfW3VWnCluvsPSzrCsn8fPJuMku8VrGAi8eW9PJgkSYId0uuklH-WMpUU/s1600/morgan_model_bag_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDRpCfqzIPwl6BuQN-HJsMb6TyioMz1cOKWkZV7nDdyprZuL_8sUDa5LeilxMC6LiDIjEl5p02nGiO9batTMfW3VWnCluvsPSzrCsn8fPJuMku8VrGAi8eW9PJgkSYId0uuklH-WMpUU/s320/morgan_model_bag_Web.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute!可愛い!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-9887531685532800342010-03-22T22:39:00.001-07:002010-03-22T22:45:59.814-07:00Interesting video about Boro textiles<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1875340&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1875340&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/1875340">Wada on Boro: Japanese Rag Textiles Go from Shabby to Chic</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gallifilms">Andrew Galli</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
"In Japan, mended and patched textiles are referred to as 'boro', or rags. For some time within Japan boro was regarded with shame because these utilitarian textiles are strong evidence of rural Japan's impoverished past. Nonetheless, boro has begun to attract considerable interest outside Japan."Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-81733793700281841372010-03-15T02:31:00.000-07:002010-03-15T02:34:57.623-07:00Scrap Buster Pencil Case<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4434273773/" title="pencil_case on hay_polaroid by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="pencil_case on hay_polaroid" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4434273773_9c1794230b.jpg" width="276" /></a><br />
<br />
My much loved scraps have now been reborn into a pencil case. <br />
At first my <a href="http://gaijincreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/scrap-buster-mini-quilt.html">scrap project</a> was going to be yet another <a href="http://gaijincreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/oilcloth-bookcover.html">book cover</a>, but the finished size turned out to be a little smaller than anticipated (measure twice cut once). In the end I made a pencil case. The zipper was really hard for me to put in, and after wrestling with my sewing machine, in the end I did it all by hand. I had to rip out the zipper no fewer than 4 times, until I finally got it right. How is that for perseverance!<br />
捨てられない残り布が再生しました。可愛いペンケースになりました。ファスナーがどうしても奇麗に出来ませんでしたが、4回目の試み、やっと成功しました。頑張りました。Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-46447859057066788362010-03-11T20:11:00.000-08:002010-03-12T04:42:39.250-08:00Scrap Buster mini quilt ミニキルトI have the hardest time throwing away little scraps of beautiful material, especially antique japanese cloth and material from past projects.<br />
<br />
素敵なハギレを捨てるのが苦手です。もったいないと感じます。特に昔の絣や藍染、前の作品で使った物を捨てられない。そう言う問題はありますか。<br />
Following a <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=1398">great tutorial</a> from sewmamasew.com , I set out to get rid of all my bits and pieces of leftover material by making a scrap buster mini quilt. <br />
捨てられない小さな残り布を使って、分かりやすい<a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=1398">チュートリアル</a>(個人指導)を受けてミニキルトを作りました。英語分からなくても絵が分かりやすいから見てください。<br />
<br />
First I trimmed all my beautiful scraps into perfect square, then carefully arranged them into a pleasing design. <br />
先ずは正方形に布を奇麗に揃って、接着芯に配色を考えながらアレンジしました。<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4418280833/" title="gridwork_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="gridwork_small" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4418280833_1616b5770b_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
With the iron, I bonded the fabric to the interfacing, and now I was committed. <br />
アイロンで張ります。<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4419046218/" title="complete-sewing-time_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="complete-sewing-time_small" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4419046218_09a7d95774_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
With the final arrangement complete, I now dusted off the sewing machine, and started sewing. <br />
完成しました。 今から縫います。<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4419046288/" title="accordian_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="accordian_small" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4419046288_67cfde7d85_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
What a simple method to get perfectly straight rows of squares with perfectly matched corners!<br />
先ず、縦の列を一つずつ縫います。縫い代を少し切って、縫い代を割ってアイロンをかけます。<br />
縦の列を出来上がれば今度横の列を同じように縫います。過度が簡単に奇麗に揃います。<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4418281067/" title="voila_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="voila_small" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4418281067_49261e2632_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
素敵。wow!<br />
What should I make, a book cover, a pencil case, a bag, a wall hanging? <br />
何でもに合いそうな布を出来上がりました。何を作ろうかな? やってみませんか。<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4419046396/" title="spring-detail_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="spring-detail_small" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4419046396_89423f3f23_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-37725735654316592522010-03-08T19:12:00.000-08:002010-03-09T08:39:25.795-08:00Oilcloth Bookcover オイルクロスのブックカバー<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4418885122/" title="oilcloth-bookcover_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="oilcloth-bookcover_small" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4418885122_0d2e41d153_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Carry your book everywhere and anywhere with an oilcloth piecework book cover!<br />
This is just one book cover in a series, this one using <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">Anna Maria Horner</a>`s <a href="http://freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=176&sw_id=2016">oilcloth material</a>. <br />
For directions and inspiration, I googled "book cover, tutorial" and came up with many helpful suggestions and ideas. Don`t you love that red velvet rickrack. I`m such a sucker for trimmings.<br />
What`s beneath the beautiful exterior? A gaijin friendly, large print with furigana version of Natsume Soseki`s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botchan">Botchan</a>.<br />
米デザイナーの<a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">アンナ マリア ホーナー</a>のオイルクロスを使って頑丈なブックカバーを作りました。今度読んでみよう本は外国人と子供に読みやすくしている夏目漱石の<a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4098375818/ref=ox_ya_oh_product">坊ちゃん</a>です。<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">Spring is very rainy and windy this year in Amakusa. I love the<span style="color: #f1c232;"> yellows</span> and<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> light greens</span> you can find dotting the mountainside.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #660000;">天草では今年の春は雨が多いです。それなのに山の新緑が美しい。</span></em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4418119795/" title="yellow-spokes_small by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="yellow-spokes_small" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4418119795_8f93e7e622_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-45256858798765693532010-02-16T20:25:00.000-08:002010-02-17T20:47:34.224-08:00Gumdrops on my bag<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4363690543/" title="bamboo by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="bamboo" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4363690543_92119066a9_o.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
It all started with a beautiful cut of <a href="http://www.marimekko.fi/ENG/interior/fabric/erjahirvi/continuingcollection/purnukka_460.htm">Marimekko material</a> given to me by a friend. The pattern was too beautiful to cut into, so I decided to leave it as it is, and just quilt it. By basting some scrap material around the edges, I was able to make the canvas large enough to fit into my quilting frame, and then came the hours and hours of teeny weeny stitches.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4364472570/" title="close up of sewing by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="close up of sewing" height="283" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4364472570_d605da6148.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Of course I got carried away, who wouldn`t with this fun pattern. I ended up quilting around each separate circle, and even doing some decorative stitches to make the circles into delicious candies.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4364498942/" title="closeup of strap by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="closeup of strap" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4364498942_1ab290d014.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
To compliment this material, I needed something plain and sturdy, so I decided to upcycle some old jeans. The denim was all machine quilted in simple straight lines using navy blue thread and rainbow colored thread.<br />
The denim shoulder straps (perhaps the best part) were inlayed with little rectangular scraps of material. I initially cut rectangles into the denim and then basted the scraps on the inside. It ended up being something like reverse applique, although I left the cut denim with raw edges for a fun and playful look. One of the rectangle scraps is a piece of material with my inkan (japanese name stamp) stamped on a piece of cream colored material. Now there will be no mistaking whose bag this is. (tee hee)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4364491868/" title="Picnik collage by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="Picnik collage" height="237" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4364491868_6066559172.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The inside of the bag was made using a beehive fabric by<a href="http://www.f-echino.com/tex.html"> Echino</a> in pink and turquoise green. This material is darling with bumble bees scattered throughout. The pink fabric was the main material with the turquoise green used for making accented pockets. I also went wild with some pretty purple velvet trim here and there and everywhere. I even covered the raw edge of the zipper with the velvet trim.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the lining there is a general pocket, a cellphone pocket (with elastic to gather the top), a pen holder (for 2 pens) and the much needed and loved key fob. On the outside there is also a zippered pocket with the turquoise green beehive material used for the inner pocket material.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4363794969/" title="Picnik collage by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="Picnik collage" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4363794969_2e4f37d46f.jpg" width="227" /></a><br />
Problems with the bag:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">urgh, really it is basically perfect, but if I had to be picky.....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I should have been more careful when sewing it all together. The bottom of the bag is a little puckered. The style of the bag makes it very difficult to open while it is around my shoulder. I basically have to take it off to get into it. Slightly inconvenient for a lazy butt like me. The top of the bag is closed with a zipper, but since it is rounded the zipper doesn`t lie super flat. Oh yes, and the pen holder on the inside of the bag was placed too high up and is difficult to access. It was a great idea, but would be better a little lower.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I should have machine quilted the little patches on the strap BEFORE I sewed everything together. For some reason it didn`t strike me as necessary until later.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other then that, it is great, perhaps too great to use!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4364507198/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Gumdrop bag by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="Gumdrop bag" height="253" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4364507198_ca2a75afc8_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4366487057/" title="tenbo1 by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="tenbo1" height="224" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4366487057_e8153b7c93_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-12939467207990545722010-02-02T21:57:00.000-08:002010-02-02T22:00:15.808-08:00House Collage<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4326574733/" title="house collage by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="house collage" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4326574733_d6d163450b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
My latest inspirational collage. Guess what I`m thinking about these days.<br />
最近感動を与える写真。 次の計画がだいたい分かるでしょう。<br />
1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/15740360@N03/4240781261/">House, inspired by fabulous Yoko Saito</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/8269788@N02/2892396014/">House stitching</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/46713773@N00/4321511762/">house quilt</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/22833158@N05/2944326959/">more neighborhoods</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34899998@N05/3571730598/">DSC01093</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69785329@N00/2539878280/">Copenhagen</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69785329@N00/446608116/">Window, Castelo Rodrigo</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/39897895@N00/4148487901/">Finished Jewel Squares top!</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69333463@N00/2809132260/">Polka Dot Estates</a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-66299248533509759322010-01-25T05:06:00.000-08:002010-01-30T00:58:31.570-08:00Check out the locals 四国の伝統的な人形<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4302403817/" title="leanne-kodomo by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="leanne-kodomo" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4302403817_3aef976731_o.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
During the winter holidays in 2009-2010 Rik and I packed up our bikes and headed for a two weeks cycling trip around Shikoku. If you are interested in reading about our trip feel free to surf our <a href="http://www.vibromama.blogspot.com/">blog entries</a>.<br />
As we were cycling in the rather remote area of the Tsurugi mountain range, we came upon these life size dolls of japanese people. First this young lad waiting perhaps for a bus.<br />
<br />
冬休み<a href="http://vibromama.blogspot.com/2010/01/shikoku-part-ii-cold-snap.html">自転車で四国を一周しました</a>。剣山地の道沿いにこんなすばらしい手作りの人形達を発見しました。先ずはこの男の子です。バスを待っている姿なのでしょうか?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4302403887/" title="kazoku by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="kazoku" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4302403887_a0cb9421e3_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
A living room scene complete with the entire extended family. Notice the middle age man drinking sake, the young boy with some sticky candy and the sandals carefully lined up at the entrance. I love all the careful attention to detail.<br />
<br />
昔話みたいな大家族は素敵で細かな所まで作られていました。<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4303152270/" title="baba-jiji by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="baba-jiji" height="341" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4303152270_d9349015cf.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
Here is a close-up of grandma and grandpa preparing some goodies on an open stove. Looks almost good enough to eat, especially in our ravenous state. <br />
<br />
祖父母が美味しい料理を作っている姿に詳細な点にも細心の注意を払っている。自転車は一日中漕いで、食べ物に飢えてきましたのでこの食べ物なんか美味しそうでした。<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4302403999/" title="taco age by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="taco age" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4302403999_2bd0c3c34a_o.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Further along the road we found this traditional new years scene complete with a playful kite flying scene.<br />
The humor and the expression in all these scenes was wonderful and left us in a jolly mood for the rest of the day. We didn`t see a single live soul in these villages, but we were assured of their kind presence through these creative scenes from traditional rural japan.<br />
<br />
伝統的な昔日本のお正月シーン。作品にはユーモアと表情があふれているように見えます。村では誰も見かけませんでしたが、このやさしい人形のせいで村のすばらしい印象が残っている。Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-89506929034190514282010-01-21T19:38:00.001-08:002010-01-21T19:39:40.425-08:00<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4294700892/" title="milo-quilt-web by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="milo-quilt-web" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4294700892_1da443fa57_o.jpg" width="394" /></a><br />
<br />
Milo sitting on his Echino Baby quilt. What a big boy! He is hardly a baby.Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-69388100744345002912009-12-24T22:35:00.000-08:002009-12-24T22:35:31.854-08:00Riandaria リアンダリア<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4206472162/" title="momma by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="momma" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4206472162_c429724dc2_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
ta dum. A flower for mom. My first completely original piece, and i love it. It was all hand appliqued, and then quilted (stitch in the ditch) as well as echo quilted. The final product looks like a modern/hawaiian/japanese/leanne invention. My friend gave it the name<strong><em> riandaria</em></strong>...combining my name Leanne (in japanese pronounced rian) with the flower dalia.Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-37850933943078176272009-12-22T07:34:00.000-08:002009-12-24T22:37:01.825-08:00Echino Baby Quilt for Milo<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4205713253/" title="milo`s quilt by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="milo`s quilt" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4205713253_0c2f05cd8b.jpg" width="282" /></a><br />
After many months of stopping and starting, sighing and groaning, loving and hating, I finally put the final touches on this baby quilt for my nephew Milo. It`s all wrapped up and in the mail, and hopefully will make it in time for the holidays. <br />
何ヶ月の作業がやっと出来上がりました。クリスマスに間に合うかな?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4205713103/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="spider detail by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="spider detail" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/4205713103_a122cdc1b7_m.jpg" width="181" /></a>The main light green material found in this quilt is a beautiful cotton linen blend designed by a japanese artist<a href="http://www.f-echino.com/tex/fab.htm"> ECHINO</a>. I found this piece on an auction and bought it for a few dollars. The prairie points around the green material are made with various scraps of material; some antique japanese <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasuri">kasuri</a>, other pieces cotton remnants from past projects. I was hoping that a baby would love to touch these little pieces of fabric that poke out from the quilt.<br />
パッチワークをする時布を切ったり縫ったりするは基本がこの緑の布はそのまま完璧だと思ったので何もせずに利用して、プレリーポイントという工夫を使って、回りは残り布で四角を二回折って飾りました。ベビーキルトだから赤ちゃんはその立体的な布を触るのが好きだろう。<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This quilt was all hand quilted and embroidered, including this little spider.<br />
このキルトは全部手でキルトラインを入れました。この小さいクモは刺繍して、可愛くなってきました。<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRduDXPmIYYNPwoXXowNYhK_oWidn1LzutUnytZmJ0-wQRGYOeIDABf1batDSLX5kqGAt1kY-q3enRLkXn4OguLj6ND7PQP0s2Y4n034Xp6E9YRqCA59a6XHBNBue7Bxem-5gaTC_IcU/s1600-h/dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRduDXPmIYYNPwoXXowNYhK_oWidn1LzutUnytZmJ0-wQRGYOeIDABf1batDSLX5kqGAt1kY-q3enRLkXn4OguLj6ND7PQP0s2Y4n034Xp6E9YRqCA59a6XHBNBue7Bxem-5gaTC_IcU/s320/dragonfly.jpg" /></a><br />
</div> The bottom and top of the material is covered with leaves, which I outlined with small green and white quilting stitches. The middle of the quilt was blank, so I improvised with my signature squiggles quilted in multicolor thread (my school notebooks were full of these kinds of patterns). 学生の時私のノートは全部このようなくねくねした線の模様で溢れていた。<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrr_hIrwUSe-WE0yKKM4MUwsiP71LafEuG_jkbmEiRAsFx0RybOINRSUzQUlwKO6R4Dthp6G-PdiIcgvyeKS0BgrrsOVdK6n9UyUAtKceUErGiH4vL7PMoLSzQaLEVrK_DnsbYwF1U9U/s1600-h/milo%60s+quilt.backjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrr_hIrwUSe-WE0yKKM4MUwsiP71LafEuG_jkbmEiRAsFx0RybOINRSUzQUlwKO6R4Dthp6G-PdiIcgvyeKS0BgrrsOVdK6n9UyUAtKceUErGiH4vL7PMoLSzQaLEVrK_DnsbYwF1U9U/s320/milo%60s+quilt.backjpg.jpg" /></a><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The back of the quilt is a checkerboard arrangement of some baby soft, double gauze material designed by <a href="http://heatherross.squarespace.com/far-far-away-for-kokka-of-japa/">Heather Ross</a> in her FarFar Away collection. The light blue sections are full of unicorns, and in the orange area you can find many little snails. This quilt is reversible.<br />
ベビーキルトだから後ろに<a href="http://www.so-ing.net/so-ing/09original/heahterross.html">ヘザー ロス</a>のユニコーンとカタツムリの模様の柔らかいダブルガーゼを使いました。このキルトはリバーシブルだよ。<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4206472038/" title="milo`s quilt-stone by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="milo`s quilt-stone" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4206472038_5509c64b5a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/4205712825/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="milo by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="milo" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4205712825_ec6217c97c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-36726875833638747592009-09-10T22:50:00.000-07:002009-09-10T23:12:41.804-07:00Coin Quilt Completed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3908285909/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="swing your partner round and round by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="swing your partner round and round" height="146" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3908285909_3f3f2c7857.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It’s a different world depending which window you look through. My complete coin quilt seemed to me less like a collection of scraps and more like separate little windows framed with pretty white. Do you have a favorite window?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3908285983/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="coin on a bridge by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="coin on a bridge" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3908285983_4272818d67.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3909066492/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="trapunto by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="trapunto" height="143" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3909066492_ef204ab432_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>For this quilt I used a bag of scraps that I bought from <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">Anna Marie Horner</a>, as well as other various scraps that I had floating around in my house. The white lattice work was an experiment in using trapunto- a technique where you actually insert extra filler (in my case wool) into the design. The hand quilting took forever to complete, but now that it is finished, I wish I had hand quilted all the lines. The sewing machine is great for doing the piece work, but I love the look of hand quilted lines. Sewing in the ditch with the sewing machine was not nearly as easy as I had expected. </div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3909066438/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="coin_closeup by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="coin_closeup" height="200" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3909066438_085f399e22_o.jpg" width="130" /></a>Problems:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since this was my first attempt at using a hoop, there is quite a bit of variation in my hand sewing, starting slightly irregular and becoming smaller and neater as I improved.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This quilt was designed with the purpose to hide a cubbyhole where I store various odds and ends, including garbage in my house, kind of like a curtain or in Japanese a noren. Rik (my husband) laughed at me and said that our house has the most beautiful garbage hider (ゴミ隠し)in the entire archipelago. Of course it’s true, and what he is really trying to say is that the purpose of the quilt doesn’t really match the design of the quilt.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3908285853/" title="signature by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img alt="signature" height="147" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3908285853_d20af08bf1_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Live and learn! Personally I can’t wait to install it in our home.</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-64934065113672715332009-08-26T23:45:00.001-07:002009-08-27T00:26:12.954-07:00Asian Baby Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-PUc8BVJl8xMjuOktlkaeafc1McqGbzLPW3TPfd_2_GILsQD67pTdloQlMZt037RhVRncAzpHuvuiGYzre66lf2IKUBUXZgDA-LEDZ8_bhNiayK7T1WadR369YDXo8DeW_E4vGZimiQ/s1600-h/Baby+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-PUc8BVJl8xMjuOktlkaeafc1McqGbzLPW3TPfd_2_GILsQD67pTdloQlMZt037RhVRncAzpHuvuiGYzre66lf2IKUBUXZgDA-LEDZ8_bhNiayK7T1WadR369YDXo8DeW_E4vGZimiQ/s400/Baby+Bag.jpg" /></a></div>My latest bag design is finally in the hands of my little sister. Happy Birthday <a href="http://kootenaymomanddad.blogspot.com/">Anita</a>!<br />
This bag was made using scraps from a <a href="http://gaijincreations.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html">baby quilt</a> I made last year, Japanese antique kimono material, Shikoku hand woven material and my boss’ old pair of jeans. For the front of the bag I used a pattern called “<a href="http://www.mccallsquilting.com/patterns/details.html?idx=7211">Orange Peel</a>” to put together these various scraps into pretty flower shapes. Alternating between dark colored circles and light colored circles I think the busy patterns of the fabric work well together. <br />
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Making the orange peel pattern was really tricky because of all the curves. The material I used was also not the easiest to turn into beautiful arcs, instead I struggled using a mix of a roulette to first make a curved crease, as well as appliqué glue. Where the various circles came together, most of the seams met beautifully, but I was worried with the type of material I used that there might be some fraying of the seams. I should have made a wider sewing allowance especially with the loosely woven materials. In order to reinforce these weak areas, I put covered buttons at all the junctions. In the end this helps to unite the front of the bag with the back of the bag. The front of the bag was all hand quilted with tiny stitches, echoing the curves of each petal.<br />
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I used the bum side of the jeans for the back of the bag. I figured that the pockets would be fun to use for the bag. First, the jeans had to be taken apart, and resewn so that the pockets were straight and functional. Using a pair of well-used jeans gives the bag a very soft feel, and drapes comfortably on your body when you wear the bag. The appliquéd butterflies were made from scraps from the front of the bag to cover some thin areas in the material of the jeans. Also, I thought that Rowan (my sister's daughter) would like to look at some butterflies on her mama’s bag.<br />
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I quilted the denim using my handy dandy sewing machine. Sounds easy, but since the material is so thick and bulky the machine revolted and often bunched up. My teacher recommended that I use her free motion machine to quilt the top of the denim, so I jumped on the idea and sat down at her machine only to produce a mess of neither straight nor curved lines of sewing. What a disaster! I took it all out and hand stitched little flowers instead at the top of the bag. Putting the bag together was also a real pain. The thick layers of denim, batting, and scrap material were way to thick and awkward to sew together by machine. Instead I had to painfully sew the bag together one stitch at a time using a thick needle and brute force. I promised myself that I would never make another bag using denim. <br />
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I made a matching cell phone/glasses case that attaches to the bag in a clever way using the belt loops from the waistband of the jeans. The material I used for the case was a scrap of beautiful antique material called <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%97%8D%E6%9F%93%E3%82%81">Aizome</a>, which is a blue indigo dyed material made in Japan. I love this little scrap of material, and cutting into it was really hard. Since the material was a little thin and worn, I first reinforced the material with an iron-on material especially made for reinforcing thin material, and then hand quilted the case following the pattern of the material. I love this little pouch, although it makes the bag not fully reversible, as you most likely want this accessory to appear at the front of your body as opposed to along your back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCn-AAG4u1hkySYCPwR-7jcbKaVR5j1YuszqZ8AVEMr0vraqhpfu1QLPsv1ljNjg8luKTsY6qe9ZeGerhoAsRFbBQf7hJCLM31RaX6oWxpZn6KK6nRI2b6ig2lcJuxMamHvXu9QibfMg/s1600-h/IMG_5712.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374534217752148162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCn-AAG4u1hkySYCPwR-7jcbKaVR5j1YuszqZ8AVEMr0vraqhpfu1QLPsv1ljNjg8luKTsY6qe9ZeGerhoAsRFbBQf7hJCLM31RaX6oWxpZn6KK6nRI2b6ig2lcJuxMamHvXu9QibfMg/s320/IMG_5712.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a>The inside of the bag is lined with a deep scarlet red cotton material. My sewing teacher was not very fond of my choice, but I think it’s great. I love how when you open the bag it seems like you are entering the body cavity of the bag. The outside of the bag is so busy that I think that a solid color works best. In the lining I put a zippered pocket and a convenient key fob to make finding your keys a little easier (I personally think this is the best part of the bag).<br />
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There you have it, a handy dandy bag made from beautiful scraps. Happy Birthday Anita!Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-38697248416573943252009-06-29T09:28:00.000-07:002009-06-29T09:59:00.016-07:00I've got the rainy season blues<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KXqdJUr6DJYEL0UemfqKo2Huxo6E_0_cF2eDXCZ9p3AI48PSxFbH9Wxb5DXSpTKPHGFGn19cwCx1cLBKWLr3u2cnCDM7sY1xUc0BP8AAhvtIjgiriWp6MxqQGYV8eV6t2-jdJ0fI3eM/s1600-h/flower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352790424117619586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KXqdJUr6DJYEL0UemfqKo2Huxo6E_0_cF2eDXCZ9p3AI48PSxFbH9Wxb5DXSpTKPHGFGn19cwCx1cLBKWLr3u2cnCDM7sY1xUc0BP8AAhvtIjgiriWp6MxqQGYV8eV6t2-jdJ0fI3eM/s200/flower.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is what <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happens</span> when it rains all weekend and I have too much free time on my hands.<br /><br />I'm thinking it will become a pillow, any ideas?<br /><p>The design was inspired by a beautiful pillow that I saw on <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">Anna Maria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Horner's</span></a> website. I put together a basic design of the flower on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Photoshop</span>, and then made stencils to make each appliqued petal. I'm in the process of hand stitching around each petal.<br /></p><p>Most of the material I used to make this flower was scraps from my coin quilt project, which is almost finished. </p>For all those wondering whether I would ever finish the coin quilt, fear not, the end is in sight. Since I mostly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hand quilted</span> the entire quilt, it has taken forever to complete. I'm just putting the binding on the quilt, and am feeling a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">anti climatic</span> about the whole process. I should feel happy about the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imminent">imminent</a></span> completion, but instead I feel a little disappointed. Perhaps after awhile when I have time to step back and appreciate the final product, I will like it better. I'll post a picture of it as soon as it stops raining, and I can hang it up outside to take a nice picture.Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-67188011680890206482009-04-27T19:15:00.000-07:002009-04-27T19:17:03.565-07:00My latest favorite color<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3482107370/" title="daidai mini by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3482107370_9d1ebb2c98_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="daidai mini" /></a><br />The Japanese language has made words for the subtle difference in the red spectrum. Recently I learned a new color "daidai", this color is for a warm saturated orange color. The word “daidai” is actually the name of a citrus fruit. This orange is quite sour and is generally used more for decoration than for its juice. For those familiar with the Japanese New Year celebration, you might recall the daidai orange as the crowning touch on a stack of round mochi cakes. <br />The other day I received a bag full of these “daidai” oranges. Upon recommendation I used them to squeeze on freshly boiled seaweed, and also as a salad dressing. <br />On the Amakusa islands, many varieties of citrus grow in abundance. The taste, shape and color variations all make for non-stop delights for my taste buds. The only problem with a lot of these varieties is the over abundant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals all wash into the rivers and eventually the sea leaving an environmental disaster. <br />The daidai variety is actually a type that does not require any special care. Although these varieties are not prized for their taste, and as such do not fetch a dear price at the markets, the fact that they are a sustainable crop should increase their value.Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-72777690153427029812009-04-21T07:44:00.000-07:002009-04-21T07:48:19.694-07:00Kanreki Journal Cover<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3462090357/" title="happy b-day johnny by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3462090357_36d510a12a_m.jpg" width="181" height="240" alt="happy b-day johnny" /></a><br />In Japan, turning sixty is a big occasion known as “kanreki”.“Kanreki” is a big event in Asia for people who have completed 5 revolutions of the Chinese Zodiac calendar. In Japan, this monumental event is celebrated by giving the honored person anything in the color red. <br /><br />In celebration of my boss turning sixty, I decided to make him an agenda book using the colors red. I used various scraps from red and black traditional kimono material. I tried to make the book cover simple, functional yet something that my boss could carry around without feeling embarrassed. <br /><br />I used a quilting pattern called “Drunkards Path”. This pattern can be put together in various different forms to make many different shapes, but for this project I decided to make simple circles. When using antique kimono material I found it beneficial to first fuse on some thin material, which then made the material more stable and easier to sew.<br /><br />The book cover was then put together with some plain black cotton material. For some reason I didn’t really like putting the silk material of the antique kimonos together with a basic cotton material. In accordance with my quilting teachers guidance I used this material. In retrospect, although this material is very strong and simple to quilt, perhaps a coarser material such as linen or hemp would have matched my vision and the rugged use that my boss needed for his journal cover. What do you think?<br /><br />It’s been over a year since I made this project, and I’m happy to report that my boss still uses this book cover. That is really the best compliment you can give a quilter, isn’t it! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3462090395/" title="happy b-day johnny inside by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3462090395_1b6e34fd32_m.jpg" width="240" height="170" alt="happy b-day johnny inside" /></a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-40986258870604705562009-04-06T18:39:00.000-07:002009-04-09T22:02:36.919-07:00Coin QuiltThese days my life has become closely intertwined with the Internet. For sewing ideas and inspirations I love to look at people's blogs and flicker photos. Recently in cyberspace, <a href="http://orangeflowersketchbook.blogspot.com/2009/02/want-to-make-quilt.html">coin quilts </a>seem to be all the rage. Using a handy tutorial by <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html">Moda Fabrics</a> and some inspiration from a Coin quilt flicker group, I started on my latest creation. <br />This easy to make quilt is basic but quite attractive using up odd and end scraps of material. I used mainly various scraps from material designed by <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">Anna Maria Horner</a>. With my recent purchase of a sewing machine, I was looking for a project that I could do with my new acquisition. This quilt with its straight sewing lines seems like the perfect project. <br /><br />After cutting tons of rectangles of scrap material with my rotary cutter, I spread them out on the floor of our living room arranging them first by color, then finally settling on a gradation of color, starting with darker red colors on the bottom gradually changing to light greens on top. Since I used brightly patterned material for my coins, I found that alternating colored material with white material made the quilt look less busy. <br /><br />Next I pieced it all together using my new sewing machine, chain stitching heaps of pairs of colored material and white material. I then sewed these coupled fabrics into groups of 4, then groups of 8 etc. Before I knew it I was done, quick and simple. Next I chose a pretty, soft pink material by Moda for the borders and the backing. After I attached the borders, I was ready to put the quilt together. Using a process that I found on the<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2007/09/one-way-to-baste-quilt.html"> net (crazymomquilts)</a>, I taped down my backing material to the floor, layered on my batting and finally my completed top layer. Instead of pining it all together, I hand basted through all the layers, starting in the middle and working my way out in a grid. This took forever and killed my back, but alas if you want your end product to lie straight and beautifully this is a crucial step.<br /><br />Now that my sandwiched quilt was ready to be quilted, I turned to my sewing teacher, for advice. We agreed on using a combination of both sewing machine and hand quilting to finish the quilt. I'm interested in learning how to use a frame to hand quilt, so I figured this quilt would be as good a time as ever to learn this technique. Since the quilt has large areas of plain white material, I decided on some intricate hand stitching using a technique known as trapunto. So far, I've chosen the pattern, and begun the long process of hand sewing. After about 10 hours of using a frame and two thimbles to hand quilt my creation, I'm finally getting faster and my stitches are getting more regular, even and shorter. Perhaps I should have practiced this new skill first on a scrap quilt. As it is, my quilt in the end will be a little irregular, changing slightly as my workmanship improved. I'm hoping by the end of this quilt, I will have mastered this technique!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3419279379/" title="coin quilt on hoop by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3419279379_dee93bc154_m.jpg" width="240" height="220" alt="coin quilt on hoop" /></a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-54191225982661428062009-04-01T19:30:00.000-07:002009-04-01T19:50:29.043-07:00Messenger Bag<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3406143284/" title="computer bag close by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3406143284_5b3469e377_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="computer bag close" /></a><br />My first big sewing project was a shoulder/messenger style bag. Rik, my husband, helped me with the design of this bag, combining functionality with style. For me, it’s all about the colors and patterns, for Rik, it’s all about making something that is useful and serves a purpose. Since this bag was to be used during my commutes to work by bicycle, Rik thought that it was important to make the cover of the bag in a pattern similar to a road sign, something that is easy to see from far away. We decided on a diagonal design using a gradation of bright reds to white on one side, and a gradation of dark colors to light colors on the other. With the sudden switch from bright red to dark blue, this effectively created a design that would stand out from far away.<br /><br />The choice of material was left to me. I love a variety of materials. This time, I used a red stripe of soft and furry Minky as the centerpiece. On the red half, I used some material by <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php">Amy Butler</a>, some Japanese silk kimono materials, and others. These were all hand pieced together in a pattern known as Drunkard's Path, a tricky piecing technique that consists of mostly curves sewn together. The blue side of the bag was made almost entirely with antique “<a href="http://www.saberdesigns.cc/kasuri.htm">kasuri</a>”, a Japanese material that was used to make everyday kimonos in the past. The “kasuri” I used was made of wool, although often “kasuri” is cotton. <br /><br />After the piecework was finished, I basted the creation to some batting and used a scrap piece of material for the backside. I now hand quilted all the various lines. After I finished this, it was time for the really tricky part – putting the bag together into a functional shape. <br /><br />Using my second hand sewing machine, somehow I managed to put things together into a bag like shape, although I was left slightly unsatisfied with the result. The size was right, but the front panel was too big and bulky and difficult to open and close in a jiffy. If I were to make it again, I would make it with the opening at the top. This would be more convenient, plus the front design would be better positioned.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3405332247/" title="computer bag by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3405332247_bf3873a9a8_m.jpg" width="198" height="240" alt="computer bag" /></a><br />Throughout the process of making this bag, I had the invaluable advice of my sewing teacher. Although she was baffled by my combination of materials and colors, she was able to help me put the whole thing together. In Japan, “kasuri” is generally material favored by the elderly. I think young people look at “kasuri” and immediately think of their grandmothers. For me, a “gaijin” or foreigner living in Japan, I have none of these preconceptions about the material. I love the indigo color which comes from a natural dye, as well as the simple weaves and patterns of the fabric. <br /><br />Initially I made this bag with the intention of using it for transporting my laptop computer. Although I occasionally use it for this purpose, generally, I simply use it as my work bag. It is roomy enough for carrying my lunch, some books and the other junk that seems to collect in people’s bags.<br /><br />Some of my friends have remarked that I could have sold this creation. Considering all the time and effort that went in to making this bag, I can’t imagine an appropriate price. One of my junior high school students complimented me by saying that she would even pay $50 for it. I sighed and wondered about the futility of living in a world where handmade products are so undervalued. After all in Japan, as in most of the developed world, almost everything is made in China, where labor is cheap, working conditions are abominable, standards are low and production is high. In this present economic situation making things by hand does not seem to make any sense. Still, I think there is a point to it. Rik also thinks it is great to learn new skills and to exercise ones creative mind. After all, we just can’t attach a price to everything.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3405373515/" title="comp by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3405373515_d9ebd0010e_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="comp" /></a>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782044619123663360.post-34691812578765467762009-03-24T08:08:00.001-07:002009-04-18T06:26:58.050-07:00Gaijin Creations- my favorite quiltAs a Canadian living abroad in Japan for over 10 years, I find my inspirations to be quite eclectic and diverse. Whether it's the local grocery store, the children I teach, my family and friends or the environment I live in, my mind is always racing with new ideas. Over the past few years I have been trying to express these ideas through various sewing projects. In this blog I will try and showcase some of these creations. Some were miserable failures but others were wonderfully beautiful. <br /><br />Last year, my sister <a href="http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/junko19650115">Anita</a> had a beautiful baby girl. In celebration of this miracle I set off to make my first quilt, a baby quilt. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3381785973/" title="rowan's quilt by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3381785973_2c41c3cd27_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="rowan's quilt" /></a><br />Basic Instructions<br /><br />Cutting: Create 2 templates out of clear plastic sheets(by using a clear template you can choose ideal and suitable sections of your material). One of the templates is of a hexagon and another template in the shape that somewhat looks like a flower; your hexagon shape plus curved petals. The latter is best made with a compass. Be very careful and as accurate as possible as this will later influence the beauty of your finished product. <br /><br />Next using the hexagon template, cut one shape from batting and one shape from your chosen top fabric (you do not need to have a seam allowance). <br /><br />Next using the flower shaped template cut one shape, plus a 1cm seam allowance from your chosen backing fabric.<br /><br />Using a "<a href="http://www.clover.co.jp/search/index.shtml">hera roulette</a>" wheel like tool, trace over the flower template shape so that you create easy to fold beautiful curves. I used some special fabric glue to paste the seam allowance.<br /><br />Place the backing hexagon with the curved petals wrong side up and centre the batting and then the hexagon on top, right side up. Fold down all the curves(from the backing) on top of the hexagon. Pin all three layers and baste.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3382698668/" title="hexagon by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3382698668_5b9244e3f4_m.jpg" width="240" height="219" alt="hexagon" /></a><br /><br />I then stitched the curves using an applique stitch. <br /><br />Quilting was all done by hand using the pretty material as a guide for sewing lines.<br />I also added some embroidery to make the flower shape really jump out.<br /><br />For this quilt I made 23 full sized squares, plus 4 half sized squares. I bought this material which is no longer in stock on an online auction. This beautiful <a href="http://www.needleworkmarble.jp/onlineshop_enplusde2006.html">plum blossom cotton material </a>was created by a Japanese designer, Junko Onishi. I love the rich blue color, the placement of the flowers and the texture of the material.<br /><br />Once you are finished the quilting, to join the framed hexagons together, place two right sides together and ladder stitch the edge. Because they are backed and quilted already, you are done!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21812746@N00/3382698582/" title="quilt from Tante Leanne by amakusaleanne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3382698582_98e951cb21_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="quilt from Tante Leanne" /></a><br /><br />I might feel bias, but isn't Rowan just the most beautiful baby. I love how she makes the quilt look so wonderful!Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com19