Friday, July 5, 2013

Zakka Handmades Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Today, I am very happy to be the sixth stop of my dear friend Amy Morinaka's Zakka Handmades Blog Tour!

Amy is a master of her wonderful blog Chick Chick Sewing and she recently published her first book "Zakka Handmades". This blog tour is for sharing her fabulous work in this book with you. There are ten other super talented bloggers participating. Also, each of the stops is holding giveaway. There is the schedule of the tour you can find in Amy's blog here. Enjoy reading the book reviews by all the participants, and get a chance to have your own copy of "Zakka Handmades" (and other goodies!)

Amy and I became friends through our blogs in 2010. We have a lot in common (Japanese women living in the US, have daughter(s), love craft etc.....!) I think that made both of us feel kinship with each other. She is a brilliant hard working woman, a loving Mom, and a very talented creator. I love her work inspired by both cultures of Japanese and American. This book is featuring 24 modern sewing projects in Japanese Kawaii Zakka style. There are very easy to follow instructions with clear illustrations. (Illustrations are also by Amy!) All the items are very cute and practical. So it would be hard for you to pick one project to start with!

I tried one project from the book to share with you today. It was very hard for me to decide which item I should make and share in this post as well. But finally I picked these adorable pouches. The element I love about this project is that it is a combination of two different techniques, sewing and crocheting. Amy is showing some more sewing projects in this book combined with embroidery, crochet, applique, hand-carved eraser stamping, and Sashiko. That is a kind I really like to do. I rarely make things with only one technique. I like to mix a several kinds together.


Anyways, I picked Japanese print fabrics for this project since the book is presenting Japanese Zakka making style. For crochet part, I used the same yarn as Amy used, but I picked two denim colors instead of Ecru.

Crocheted flap and fabric button closure gives the pouch a unique, one-of-a-kind look.

Lining fabric is DSQ quilting cotton.

The basic polka dot pouch has a white vintage look button. I wanted to make this one look neat and clean.

This red/grey Dalahäst print is my favorite. I have been waiting and waiting to find a perfect first project for this fabric. With tiny white flowers on the button, the horse looks happy on the pouch.


Good size for carrying your cards, coins, and something small.

Giving away a copy of Zaaka Handmades is a part of this event. This book giveaway entry is only for the US residents. But do not be disappointed! I will give away those two pouches I made for this post. And this (the pouch giveaway) is open to international readers too. To enter the giveaways, please leave your comment mentioning what item you want to win. One entry per person. If you are a US resident you pick one item from the book, the horse pouch and the polka dot pouch. If you live in other country, you pick one from those two pouches. Please do not forget leave your email address in your comment so I can send a notification when you win! The entry will close on Monday at 8:00pm. If you didn't win the book, you can always purchase it here! Good luck everyone, and Happy Zakka Making!

The entry closed Monday 8:00 pm. Thank you all who left comments. The winners will be announced in a few days! Again, thank you so much!

39 comments:

  1. Oh my those pouches are so pretty! I'd like to win the book though so I can get the directions for them and the other projects.

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  2. I love your pouches, but I prefer the book. I enjoy making things myself.

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  3. I love both yours and Amy's work and have purchased many items from both of your Etsy shops. I bought Amy's book as soon as it was available in the U.K.
    I would love to win a pouch - they both look so beautiful!

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  4. I love your pouches but I'll leave those to the international readers. I'd love to win the book.

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  5. The pouches are just adorable. I would love to win the book so I could have the change to make so many of the wonderful projects it has.

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  6. I'd love to win the polkadot pouch:D very lovely!

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  7. SO ( or should I say sew) cute! I love the horse one especially. What a cute purse idea. I'd like to make one for my niece.

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  8. The purses are so cute. I'd like to make some of these for gifts for my friends and the females in my family. They would love to have purses made with their colors and styles of fabric that they love.

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  9. The pouches are absolutely adorable! I'd love to win the book.

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  10. i would love the book. thank you! love your pouches!

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  11. I would really love the horse pouch as I am already a very happy owner of the book and an enjoying all the projects on the blog.

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  12. This looks a great book - as I'm in the UK I'm not eligible to win the book but I'd love to win a pouch! The blue is my favourite!

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  13. I love both your purses. I think I'd chose the polka dot version. I'm in Italy!

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  14. Thank you for this fun and generous giveaway! I'm in the US and I'd love to win the book. Your purses are gorgeous.

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  15. There are so many cute projects that everyone has been sharing. I love the little coin purses; the crochet adds a sweet touch.

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  16. As bolsas são muito fofas! Adoraria ganhar qualquer uma das duas mas a do cavalinho ganhou meu coração.
    Um abraço!
    Egléa
    eglea.senna@uol.com.br

    The bags are very cute! Would love to win any of the two but the horse won my heart.
    Hugs!
    Egléa
    eglea.senna @ uol.com.br

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  17. I love all the things you make and winning either the of the coin purses or the book would be so great!

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  18. I love your red fabric choice for the pouch! I would love a copy of this book, as I too, enjoy creating zakka style!

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  19. I'd love to win the book for the patterns!

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  20. I would love to win the book so I can make these sweet items for myself and as gifts to some sweet people who deserve them.

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  21. I would love to win the book so I could make some Zakka things! Thanks for the chance.

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  22. What adorable pouches!! I love the little horse pouch! Thanks!

    orr20004(at)msn(dot)com

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  23. This book looks great...I'd love to win a copy!
    joy(dot)kelley(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. Hiromi,

    As always your work is always so well done, and I'm crazy about these adorable pouches (the poka dot :)

    Char

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  25. these are so cute I would love to win for DD

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  26. I would like this book. The pouches are very cute.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. The polka dot pouch is gorgeous! Thanks for including us internationals in your giveaway.
    Ruth x
    ruthtapp(at)me(dot)com

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  28. May I have the red and grey pouch please? It is lovely! :) I hope to be the lucky international reader. :D
    deviline.akanishi@gmail.com

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  29. I'll leave the pouches for your international readers... ;) I'd love to win a copy of this book!

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  30. I have left a comment earlier but it was not displayed. I like your red & grey pouch. :)

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  31. Hello! This crafty book is really very nice and I believe, that the projects are very cute!

    So, because I´m not US resident... :) I would like to win the pouch with horse. It is not easy decision, because the polka dot pouch is very cute too!

    Thank you, for this lovely giveaway :) Have a wonderful time, Jolana

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  32. This book looks great! I would love to win it.
    vkoh159 (at) mchsi (dot) com

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  33. I am so happy to find your blog! I love either pouch but would be excited to win the book. Thanks for your great review and a chance to win.

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  34. Your pouches are so cute - I would love to win the book to make my own, and let the internationals win yours. Thanks for the give away!

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  35. These pouches are adorable! But I would love to try to make one myself. I'll take the book pretty please! :)

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  36. Your pouches are adorable...I would like to win the book so I can make one (or ten!!!) Thank you for the give away.
    sew4you57(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Thanks , I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I have found out till now.

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