Happy 500 Giveaway!!

I am not sure how many of you "Like" my facebook Harujion Design page. If you have visited there you might already know that the page achieved the 500 Likes mile stone in the middle of September!! It sounds like a dream to me. When I started my facebook page I haven't even dreamed that I could have 500 likes. This is really a big mile stone for me and you can't tell how much this encourages me as a nameless designer. Thank you very much all the readers and fans. I really appreciate your support!

As I mentioned there in my facebook page, I am going to have "Happy 500" Giveaway today!! The item I am going to give away is this Sashiko embroidered pouch! Hope many of you are interested in to win it.

To enter, please go to the giveaway post in my facebook page and leave any of your thoughts in your comment about my creation, blog, or anything about handmade. You don't need to like my page to enter this giveaway, and if you are not a facebook user just leave a comment here in this blog post.   There is one rule. Please enter only one time per person. The entry will be closed on Saturday, October 11th at 6:00pm/EST. I will pick one lucky winner and announce that in both this blog and my facebook page sometime this weekend. Then I will ask the winner to give me some information which I will need to send the item out. If I do not get any response from the winner for a week she/he will loose her/his eligibility for receiving the giveaway item. In that case I will be picking out a new winner. So please check the blog or facebook page often so you won't miss your luck!!

I hope many of you will participate and enjoy this giveaway. I am so looking forward to hearing from you!! Again thank you so much!

A bit of detail how to stitch "Juuji Hana-zashi"

I made some new sashiko goods for consignment lately. I want to share some photos and a bit of detail of one of fabulous traditional Sashiko stitches "Juuji Hana-zashi (cross and flower stitch)" .

The combination of cotton Kasuri and simply modern Sashiko stitches. (It is a table runner.)

Asian themed batik and Sashiko cellphone cases.

This is the Sashiko stitch called "Juuji Hana-zashi" which means "crosses and flowers stitch". I would like to show the process of making this beautiful stitches. I wish I had enough time to explain that amply. I am hoping that those photos will help you to get general ideas of how the stitches are made.

This is how it looks like when it is done.

First you draw 0.5cm guiding grids on your fabric with erasable fabric marker. Using a Sashiko needle (you can use other embroidery needles but using tools exclusively made for the certain use always makes your work easier and faster) make running stitches vertically and horizontally to shape alternate crosses as shown in the photo.

Then make running stitches again but diagonally this time. These stitches shape flower petals. It is amazing this design which seems pretty complicated on first sight is made with only "running stitches" that is the most simple one.

That's it!

I hope you all have a lovely Friday. Happy stitching!

French/Asian Fusion Style @ JE!

It's March! It is March, everyone! I yell that just in case you have not realized that. ;-) Well, hearing the word "March" usually makes me feel the approach of Spring, but this year I do not have any of that feeling yet. At all. We just had about three inches of snow last night and there is thick ice remaining on our roof. I don't hate Winter. But I think we had more than enough "Winter" until now for longing to feel a hint of Spring.

In the meanwhile, many Spring themed events will be coming in town this month. I will be featured as a guest artist at Junk Evolution in March again. They change their theme every single month (that must be a lot of work for them. And that makes their shop so awesome!)  and this month's theme is "French/Asian Fusion Style". I will bring in many of my new work and also have a sewing workshop there on March 26th. If you are close by and interested in the workshop, please contact Junk Evolution asap because a number of seats are limited and it goes quickly. Their contact info is in their website and facebook page.

I am going to share some items I have been working on for selling at Junk Evolution this month. I made both "Spring" and "Japan" themed items.

There will be some cute jewelries which bring a sweet smell of early spring to you. I hope.

Very delicate crocheted necklace.

There are more of different kinds of crocheted motif necklaces.

So tiny motifs! I used very fine lace thread imported from Japan.

Say farewell to snowflakes. I made them in sugary pale colors. I also put tiny flowers, shamrocks and little hearts (beads) together.

In "Japan" theme, I did a bit of modern Sashiko embroidery stitching too. I have been introducing Japanese traditional handwork in modern style.

I stitched traditional "Juuji Hanazashi (cross and flower stitch)" and made iphone cases with them.

The case has a crocheted handle which is detachable on one side so you can attach the case on your bag handle! I often lose my phone in my bag. This function would rescue you form that issue if you have the same problem as mine!

These items will be available to purchase at Junk Evolution from First Friday on March 7th. You will see these pretty kiss lock purses (picture below) made with antique Kimono silk as well! There will be more of my stuff. They are all one of a kind. So please do not miss the chance if you are interested in them!

I hope you started your new month happily whatever kind of weather you have. There is no Winter which never ends. I am telling that to myself!! Happy making!!

Catching Up. Productive Month!

I had a pretty much productive month. I finished a couple of knitting projects and items for consignment, and it seems I have not gotten exhausted yet (Amazing!) Got more energy to keep going!!

I love the result of this scarf pattern! I used up all of these grey balls in my stash which has been resting for many many many years. I think there were six 50g balls. I am hoping to have a chance sharing this pattern here sometime.

Also finished another pair of leg warmers in ballet pink for Nina. They are very soft and sweet (material is acrylic yarns for babies). Perfectly fit her legs. She loves them and is using them twice a week at her ballet class. I am so glad I finished these before the weather here got insane. School already had seven snow days after the winter recess. Because of extreme low temperature. I am tired of cold weather, but meanwhile, we also are enjoying cross country skiing, building icicle sculpture (I will show the photos of it soon), sledding and so on.

I'm working on my Japan themed items for next month consignment for Junk Evolution. Also planning a sewing class as well. These are mini kiss lock bags made with antique Kimono silk. Perfect when you go out only with your cellphone, credit card and some cosmetics like lipsticks. I've been using one for a few weeks and it is very handy and convenient (and of course, beautiful!).

My new Sashiko project is in progress, too.

There are some other projects going on all at once. Not only sewing. Since it is so cold out, I think this is the time to make stuff!

Hope you have a beautiful productive day. And don't forget to check the new UK embroidery magazine Hoop-La here!

Sashiko pouches

These are the finished products. I made these Sashiko in practical pouches. These are going to be sold at Junk Evolution in April which is the month of Asia in their theme. I am still working on other Japanese themed Zakka items. And I am also planning to have a workshop for making Origami Crane and Balloon mobile in April.

My Sakura (Japanese cherry blossom tree) is in full bloom! It is so much earlier than average, but we surely are enjoying this great weather in beautiful South Bend, Indiana! I hope you all are having beautiful Spring days too!

Sneak peek / Sashiko in modern style

I am making some items in Japanese zakka style for an event in April. There are some sneak peek photos of my Sashiko in modern style. Sashiko is one of the traditional needle work techniques in Japan. It is old. But it fits in the modern life style because of it's simplicity and good design. That's why I like this embroidery. Sashiko has a huge possibility.

Photos of finished items will be coming soon. Please stay in touch. Have a great week everyone!

Felt Brooch and Sashiko Pouch

I made a embroidered felt brooch for my shop.

This brooch is available on my Etsy Shop now.

This Sashiko pouch was my older project. I just couldn't get a chance to blog about this. It was an order from my Mother in law. It is going to be her Christmas gift for somebody. I don't think I should talk much about this now. Surprising gift would be more fun for the recipient.