Mama Kuma Craft

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Thanks and have a great day~~~~~~~~

I've been gone forevers!
Oh well I've been makin' stuff.

Vocabulary Word of the Day
Zakka (zah-kah) --- "In Japan, all the 'small, various products used in everyday life' are commonly called 'zakka,' a term which encompasses household goods, daily necessities and sundries. However, zakka has also come to represent a style of art and craft that is simple, charming, and of Japanese esthetic. Most items in the zakka style are handmade, but there are commercial companies that mass produce items using the style. The Japanese dictionary describes zakka as "general merchandise", "miscellaneous goods", "sundries", "sundry goods" including interior goods, kitchen goods or even cosmetic product." - squidoo.com

Website of the Day
Kitty-Craft - random japanese craft cuteness

Random Updates
I'll be leaving to Michigan....again XD This Saturday actually. Seems that there has been an extreme lack of posting on my part. So sorry! I haven't been inspired recently, even though I set up my sewing area all nice so it is ready to go whenever I have to do some quick work...but...Yes no updates for another week or so. It is spring break for me and I am off to see my Shawny boy! Anywho. Hope you all have a good easter!

 

My little pansy-in-an-eggshell finally has the tiniest little sprout! 
Also, I made something for Shawn for our 1 year anniversary (next month!)

 Wee! So I've been gone for over a week haven't I? Well I have good reasons. Trust me. [super smash bros brawl for the nintendo wii, shawn coming to visit, school...]
So anyway, I decided to do some embroidery after a long while of not doing it.

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Yey I went to Michaels and got some cheap fake flowers and little fake birdies! I have always liked those little colorful birds since I was little. Now it is decorating my bay window. (my cat kept trying to eat the birds though...so now they are inside the bowl ><)


No updates for a while...Sorry for anyone who may be reading this T_T) I might be able to do some community lurking but that's about it. Anyway...happy crafting people!

Sites of the Day
Craftzine - blog
Cuteable - random cute finds
PinkLemonadeBoutique - nice bags
Lucky Kaeru Fabric- an etsy fabric shop
Pixel Tutorial - how to make retro 8-bit style things out of perler beads
Snugglemuffin's Blog - maybe not so crafty, but lots of pretty things to look at and inspire you!

Updates
I wasn't able to post yesterday. I'm really trying to post something every day you know? Even if it is just a little something. But, life gets in the way as always ^^ I'm also going on a 10 day hiatus starting this friday. I doubt I'll be able to update. But, after that I'll get right back on it. So anyway...here are some things to read and look at!

Things I'm working on:
*A Blue and White Lolita Bonnet (almost done, just needs the embellishments on either side. No ears or anything like that)

*An Elephant Plushie (got the idea from someone in a plush community I'm in. She was needing some dolls for her new baby-to-be's room...and the reference picture she posted had adorable chubby animals, including an elephant! Right when my mom saw me working on it, she asked why I was sewing the republican symbol >< I suppose that really isn't the first thing I think of when I see a chubby little elephant.)

Things I want to Make:
*Fish Bowl Decoration (as explained in a previous post...here is a picture I made of ideas. Unfortunately, I can't do anything with water because my cats fight all the time and would knock it over for sure) The first one has a big leaf hanging out of it, with a lotus blossom at the bottom, and the second one has a fake frog and crab. woo!


*Embroidered Pillow Covers (I was looking at a pottery barn magazine [mainly because we are going to be moving, so that means we get a whole new house to decorate] and I saw some embroidered pillows. They look simple enough to do...a big giant square, maybe a zipper on the side...and some embroidery! The thread they used here looks massive...but I think I could get the point accross with smaller thread. Looks like they did a bullion/french knot on the leafy one. Can you tell I like nature themes yet? ><
 
 

Zipper Purse Tutorial
Twelve 22 - Lined Zipper Purse Tutorial
This is the tutorial I found that taught me how to make little zipper purses ^^ I figured out how to add the little wristlet style handle myself...It isn't too hard. Just take a strip of fabric and fold it over a few times, then sew it all the way down...Does that make sense? XD I'll have to make my own version of this tutorial with instructions for lined pockets and the wristlet strap.

What Should I Do With This?

My boyfriend sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Valentines day ^_^. Unfortunately, they started to wilt, and the water in the vase smelt of something most foul. So, I saved a few flowers and leaves by pressing them, and threw away the rest. I am left with this fish bowl style glass vase that I don't want to throw away!(yes, I am a pack rat. Now you know my dark secret) At first, I thought of painting the outside, or making a miniature fake garden with tiny animals(sort of like Brian Burkhardt's work). Any ideas? Suggestions?

Etsy Store of the Day
Ndeurshoes - extremely expensive, but beautiful hand painted shoes
This store had an item featured on the front page of Etsy. They have inspired me to paint my next pair of shoes that I get :D [On a side note: Who freaking agrees that we should be NOTIFIED if we are ever featured? What are the odds that you are going to actually see your item being featured? Zero! How would you KNOW?? My friend featured one of my items once (which sold really fast btw - thanks XD) and I had no idea until she told me. End rant :p]

Embroidery Site
Sublime Stitching - good pictures for learning basic embroidery

Flickr
I updated my flickr page and put on a few drawings/sketches, and a few things I made a while back.

Made Today 
I promised I would make my sister a bag...

My Monochromatic Mood
Hey! It's fabric friday! I've noticed that black and white has been pulling my insterest lately...so here we go:

Updates
I made a little something today...it's my version of a Lolita Bonnet. With bunny ears :B!
I want to make some more like this...I love the fabric colors and patterns and how nicely they go together. Tomorrow I might try making one with cat or bear ears, or maybe I'll start working on my shirt....

Updates
I went to JoAnn's fabrics today. I found some nice off white linen and some cotton plaid goodness for lining. If you check under the cut you can see the one of the linens I bought. I'm planning on recreating a style of shirt that I like...it's an old shirt my dad gave me a while back that has a big neck part, and big sleeves. I'll post a picture of that too >< But unfortunately, due to it's age, it has lots and lots of holes in it. Does that stop me from wearing it for a sleep shirt? Oh no ^^ But I do need something like it for wearing in public right? So...weekend project here I come ;D

I got myself a small embroidery hoop and some skeins today too!! Woohoo! I glanced briefly at a beginners embroidery book...but I'll either have to look online or get my self a little book so I can actually learn some techniques...in the mean time, come see what havoc I wroked!

Site of the Day
Fabric Tales - Japanese fabric
[cute fabric with lots of Japanese style patterns. A bit on the expensive side though, like most Japanese fabric unfortunately]

Livejournal Icons
I love Seiichi Hayashi! I definately want to try and sew something like one of his artworks on a bag or something...some embroidery might have to be involved... Until then, enjoy the livejournal icons~

Update: Flickr Account

I made a flickr account just for my craft things, and pictures of toys from my collection - Please come look :D

Livejournal of the Day
Dream Follow
Unfortunately it looks like she hasn't updated the journal for quite some time, but she still has some amazing things! She is an expert at embroidering. I may have to try my hand at that very soon. So go! Get inspired!

Ebay Update 


No! I didn't win that adorable bear book on ebay...*kicks ebay* >_> I'm just kidding though. I do like ebay...but...amazon! I'm comming for you next O_o!!! Although their selection may not be quite as large, I'm still going to go with them for price (once I figure out what books I want to invest in)
 

See? Some days I'll make multiple entries, and other days...well...I'll wait weeks in between entries ^^; I'll try not to! Promise!


 
I've been meaning to pick this up
It is a paperback book called "Sock and Glove - Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves" Fun eh? I tried making an animal out of an old glove...lets just say...it died a horrible death. I could use this book for a reference! I first saw this book in the Kinokunya by my school. I'll post if I ever buy it.


This is the book I'm trying to win from ebay. The title says "Easy Lesson - Little Bear"
The pictures are so cute inside and it has a pattern for you, and lots of ideas for making teddy bears ;)

Site of the Day
[Sew Mama Sew]
I found this site a couple days ago...she has a really fun blog to read, and great fabrics for sale!

Yep. I didn't think I'd start one...but...oh well! Welcome to my craft blog :D I like to make things on occasion...totes, clutches, doll clothes, stuffed animals...anything really. I'll post things here regularly, as I make them. Maybe you will be inspired to try some things too! Suggestions are always welcome, as well as comments for new craft ideas or links to other fun craft sites. Enjoy your stay!!

Newly Made
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Matching Leaf Coasters. I didn't want to make it padded, because I didn't think a cup would sit well on it. But I shall try in the future to make a padded coaster anywho. I have a few ideas for shapes - bird, skulls, cute faces, flowers - we'll see.


Today's Craft Blog
Kuky Ideas
[useful crafts, a daily comic, and an adorable little girl to top it all off]