…make me happy!

Even the selvages are cute:

Leaves

Skulls

Butterflies

Ladybugs

Jenn : )

He followed me home….

…should I keep him?

Jenn ; )

No longer a wip – these three hotpads/trivets are finished!

Machine quilted with hand sewn binding.

Washed and pressed.

With a twill tab on the back.

Now to get some really good photos,

and then they’ll be in the shop.

Jenn : )

So, what’s been going on with those Japanese fabric scraps I blogged about awhile ago?

Well….

I got out my favorite Clover pins.

(Technically these are for light/sheer fabrics,

but I’ve used them for many fabric weights.

You can buy them on Superbuzzy, but I’ve also found them at Joann’s.)

Did a little chain sewing…

…see how you can save thread if you’re

sewing lots of pieces together at once?

Gave them a good ironing with my Clover Iron.

(Also purchased at Joann’s.)

Stitched them all together with a bit of linen in the center.

Ironed on a little teapot sketch.

Got out my smallest embroidery hoop.

And embroidered this steamy little fella.

Time for a tea break!

Be back soon with the finished piece!

Cheers!

Jenn : )

I recently did some shopping at JapanKawaiiYa on Etsy.

I’ve purchased from this shop before and *loved* what I received.

Everything arrives quickly, nicely packaged, and with a handwritten note of thanks.

Want to see my little treasures?

A memo pad and three little clippies.

A super cute letter set.

Very thought provoking!

A bit of flannel fabric – complete with tiny bunnies and squirrels.

And another memo pad that I couldn’t resist.

Why?……

…Because “I Am Rabbit, Love It”!

I imagine the rabbit is saying that with ALOT of attitude.

I like a rabbit with attitude.

Peace out!

Jenn : )

Well, readers, if you haven’t already figured it out,

our regularly scheduled Two Spoonfuls post has been delayed this week.

My foodie partner is neck deep in boxes, so we’ll skip this week and will post again on the 22nd.

Now unpack those pots and pans, Ginny!

______________________________

We’re enjoying a lovely sunny day here.

Josh is out for a bike ride with the guys and I’m going back and forth between the kitchen and my studio.  Yesterday I was inspired to start a new project for my shop, after receiving the latest issue of my favorite Japanese craft magazine: Cotton Time. (I’ve been stalking Superbuzzy like crazy waiting for the new issue to arrive!)

I had to get just a bit of this Matryoshka linen blend, too.

Last night I collected my scraps of Japanese linen and canvas fabrics,

gave them a good wash and ironing, and started cutting.

I’ll have more photos of what I’ve got in mind for them as I get more done.

In the meantime – here are some photos from Cotton Time that might inspire you:

The little sheep pouch…..*sigh*.

Isn’t this purse pretty?  I’d be afraid to spoil it by using it.

Have a great day!

Jenn : )

I don’t know why, but lately I really like squirrels.

So, this unusual button caught my eye at a button sale that I went to this past Friday.

Isn’t he cute?

I believe that this is vintage, and hand carved.

Can you see the teeny, tiny hatch marks that the artist used?

I think I’m going to frame this button and hang it in my studio, as a little work of art.

Jenn : )

Hello everyone!

I’ve had a busy time over here – getting out Issue #1 of my newsletter, shopping for birthday gifts for friends and family over the weekend (now I’ve got to box them up to take to the post office tomorrow) and yesterday I made cupcakes for Josh to take to work with him (Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Ina’s “The Barefoot Contessa Parties!”)

All this time I’ve been working on a secret embroidery project. I’ve been so excited to share it with you, but I’ve been waiting until I had them all finished. So, without further ado, here is my latest project: hand embroidered bookmarks!

Ginger Kitten,

Cinnamon Kitten,

Sugar Kitten,

Pepper Kitten,

& Nutmeg Kitten.

Word-Bot,

Page-Bot,

Type-Bot,

Ink-Bot,

& Chapter-Bot.

I’ve just finished a *huge shop update* – you can check them out in more detail there.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a terrific day!

Best, Jenn : )

Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve posted!

There’s lots going on over here at the Maruska house… I keep meaning to do a blog post.

I now have a list of things to remember to share with you guys.

So.

Let’s get this party started!

Here are a couple of sewing projects I’ve been working on.

I have 22 of these little flower needlebooks that I’ve been creating.

I’ve made so many of these books in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

I hope that folks like them as much as I do. : )

Right now I’m a bit obsessed with these wee tiny flower buttons – aren’t they cute?

You’ll see those in many of my new embroidery designs.

Here is a WIP that I’ve had for ages: these bunny embroideries.

These will eventually be needlebooks for my select sewing sets.

There will be a needlebook with matching tasket and pincushion.

I’ve very happy with how these came out. : )

______________________________________________________________________________________

Conversation in our kitchen yesterday afternoon:

Josh: “Hey, have I shown you this computer game that I’ve been playing?”

Me: “No.”

Josh: “It’s pretty fun. And really cute. I bet you’d like it.”

Me: “OMG! I HAVE to put this on the blog!!!!!!”

This game was created by the California Milk Processor Board (the “Got Milk” people) as a cute way to promote… milk. The graphics are fantastic. The story is fantastic. And I am completely head-over-heels in love with this game.

It’s been out since 2007, so maybe many of you have already heard about it.

But for those of you who haven’t, I introduce to you:

“Get The Glass”

Simply click on the dice to roll them.

Keep your wits about you.

Try not to get sent to Milkatraz!

And enjoy!

I’ll see you again soon!

Jenn : )

Hello -

Josh and I have had a fun Saturday so far. We slept in (ummmmm) and then took a trip to Uwajimaya this morning. Uwajimaya is an Asian market located in downtown Seattle in the international district.

As we drove into the parking lot we noticed that the market validates parking for up to two hours. “Ha!” I laughed, “We won’t be here anywhere near two hours.”

As we left – the parking attendant was kind enough to overlook the fact that we had been there for 2 hours and 3 minutes…

I can’t help it – when I go there I just want to look at every single thing in the store. And before you know it – 2 hours have flown by. The front of the market is a grocery store – filled with beautiful produce and meats and seafoods, etc. Then there are shelves of non-perishables, a bakery, a bookstore, a Hello Kitty section and more. Then there is the sushi counter and the food court. We had a tasty lunch of chicken and rice and a little salad.

I wish I had taken my camera with me. I don’t have any photos of the market itself – but I can show you some of the goodies that I brought home:

I bought three new sewing/embroidery books and these two little pads of cute paper.

This book is filled with plush animal projects and is titled “The Cute Book“. Now, how could I pass that up?!? (This book is the only one that I bought that is in English – the other two are in Japanese.)

These are some of the foods that we brought home – some Pocky, bread and papaya cakes. I also found these little plastic containers that I’ll use in my studio. I can always use containers for buttons and little bits and doodads.

And this is a gift for my brother. Each April (when we remember to do it) we send each other something that we think will make the other person laugh. This package is filled with dried little fish and shrimp – heads, eyes and all, and it says “Let’s Party” on the package. It will go nicely with the belly-dancing instruction tape I got him a couple years ago.

Have a great weekend everyone!

: ) Jenn