Down Memory Lane / Pieced Bag

When I first started patchwork & quilting, there was nobody around me who did those types of things. Also, it was before the internet existed, I don't think the phrase "Google it" existed. After I got paid for my first job at 16 (seriously, I didn't make much but to me it was a lot of money...). I went to a book store and bought several books about quilt making. Slowly, I mean project by project I taught myself how to cut, piece, baste, quilt and bind to complete a quilt.

Since then, my quilt making skill hasn't progressed much, but the list of quilts I want to make is growing so much faster than I can do! Living in the capital of quilt making, I mean, you might have different opinions, but I am just saying, because Utah has so many amazing quilt shops, and it is so hard not to go in.

I think this bag was my third or fourth project. At the time I liked it a lot, but over time my style has changed, I don't care for it as much. Although, whenever I look at the bag with unmatched corners and seams with uneven quilt stitches, it humbles me and brings me back to where I started.

I think I would pick totally different fabrics for this if I were to make this now.


This hexagon was not paper pieced, I kind of like it though...



The bottom of the bag is even pieced and quilted...


There are two things that come to my mind while looking at this bag...

One, I had lots of patience before the kids wore it THIN.

Two, I LOVE LOVE doing hand quilting, but there are so many quilts that I want to make. If I were to hand quilt all of them, I wouldn’t be able to make them all before I die! I really need to get better at machine quilting. :)

Hershey's Pom-Pom Pillow

It is February already, if I were to send you lovely friends a card, it might be something like this... hehehe ;)


Well, also, I want to share a little Valentine decoration tutorial that I did.


This project is super simple and quick, I whipped this one up in 30 minute start to finish. I found this little girl's t-shirt at a thrift store last summer for a dollar...


I don't go over board to decorate my house for every occasion, but I enjoy doing some. I thought it would be fun to have a Hershey's pillow. I don't expect that everyone has the same t-shirt, but if you have any t-shirts with fun and interesting prints this should work. :)

{How to}

1. Cut the t-shirt. I am not even going to write the measurements, because every shirt is different. Just cut the shirt according to where you want the print when you make that into a pillow, and decide on the measurements.


2. Lay the t-shirt fabric right sides together with pom-poms.


3. Secure them with pins all around.


4. leaving a 3"opening, sew around it using 1/4" seam. Using the zipper foot makes it easier.


5. Snip the corners for a clean finish.


6. Turn the fabric inside out and stuff. Slip stich closed.


It is time for you to enjoy the pillow!


Easy peasy huh? For some reason my kids got a kick out of the pillow and love it.

Whatever you do for this season, I wish you will share & feel lots of love and be happy (and eat some chocolate):)

Tutorial~ Kitchen Towel Bag

I picked up a kitchen towel at Target a while ago. I loved the look, but I also had the intention of making something out of it.

My youngest sister who lives in Japan graduated from high school last year and moved out of my parents’ house. Now she is working at a pretty big construction company in the area and working/studying construction management.

She is about a couple hours away from my parents, every now and then, my mom and my other sister will go check up on her to see if she is ok. Sounds like she is doing well and since she is only 10 min away from where she works, she will go back to her apartment for lunch to save money, and quickly clean her room, then she will do some preparation for dinner. According to my other sister, she will even buy meat in bulk and separate it into one person portion sizes and freeze them. Wow, I didn't know my baby sister is that resourceful at age 19, good for her!

I want to send her a small package soon. So, I decided to make a grocery bag out of the kitchen towel. This is a rather small grocery bag, but it's perfect for someone like her. You can keep a bag like this in the car for unexpected needs; it happens to me sometimes. :)

Here is what I did:

1. Cut the kitchen towel and lining.


From the kitchen towel: 2 - 13 1/2" X 13 3/4" (main part of the bag), 2 - 1 1/2" x 22"(handle).

From lining: 2 - 13 1/2" x 13 3/4" (main part of the bag), 2 - 1 1/2" x 22 (handle), 1 - 8" x 6 1/2" (pocket).
2. Lay the main fabric right sides together. Sew both the sides and the bottom. Pinch the bottom corners and sew to make a boxed bottom. Cut the excess, press seams with the iron.


3. Make a pocket for lining.

a. Sew the three sides of the pocket fabric with zigzag stitches (sides and bottom).


b. Fold bottom corners then fold sides and bottom by 1/4" seam. You will have miter corners.


c. Fold the top twice and sew with straight stitches.


4. Sew the pocket onto one of the lining fabric. I just drew a line randomly on the pocket and sewed to make two separate spaces.


5. Sew lining. Just repeat step 2.

6. Make handles. Combine one main fabric, one lining right sides together and sew. Turn the fabric inside out than press with the iron.


7. Put the main bag and lining together with right sides together. Make sure that both sides of the seams match up and pin them to secure. Before you will pin all around the top, slide in the handles then pin the whole top. Leaving a 4" opening, sew all around it.


8. Turn the bag inside out. Press the top with the iron. Top stitch closed.


Now it is ready to ship to my sister!


Perhaps, she can use both sides too...


I hope she will like it. :)

2011 Projects Top 10

I can't believe the year is ending. I feel like each year is going by faster and faster (don't tell me it's that I am getting old, I blame the busy schedule...).

I went through my posts from this year and picked my favorite top 10 projects to share with you. Which one was your favorite? Is there anything you want to see at Tea Rose Home in year 2012? Tell me what you think. :)

No. 10 Scrap book embellishment rings

This is such an easy project, but I love the uniqueness of these rings!


No.9 Anthoro Inspired Necklace

I used various buttons, beads and such to create this one of a kind necklace. statement necklace such as this is great to dress up a simple top.


No.8 Quilt for raising money for Japanese earthquake victims

After the terrible earthquake in Japan, I witnessed so many wonderful people come together to do something for the people in Japan. I created this quilt to donate for a fund raiser at a huge garage sale organized by Japanese people who live around here. They were able to raise about five thousand dollars in one day!


No.7 Same Quilts, Different Personalities Quilts

I finished these quilt tops for my boys YEARS ago, and this year I finally finished them! It is such a good feeling to complete things like these. The great part is that the boys love the quilts and they both use them every single day. :)


No.6 Five Kitchen Towels Dress

When I found those kitchen towels I had a flash of an idea in my head and I had to give it a try. It is such an easy project, light and absorbent fabric is perfect for the summer time.


No.5 Neapolitan Dress

I wanted to create a simple dress for a girl. With babushka and the belt, there are several ways to dress up this dress.


No.4 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Food

I get asked all the time if I sell these on Etsy... I only made them for my little girl, and they are not for sale, but perhaps, I might come up with a tutorial in the future?


No.3 JCrew Inspired Dress

I love this dress, it turned out pretty close to what I planned. I was inspired by a dress by JCrew, but put my own spin on it.


No.2 She Carries Flowers

Near the end of summer, I was making a bunch of yo-yo's and fabric folded flowers for this project. I just had to get busy to give real shape to an idea I had in my head. I use the bag all the time, it is just the perfect size to carry it all, not to mention, all the flowers make me smile.


Can you guess what my most favorite project is? (drum roll.....)
No.1 is She Wears Flowers

Have you guessed it? Is this also your favorite? I must say, I just LOVE how this cardigan turned out. Every time I wear it, I don't mind the cold weather so much. It is simply a very cheerful feminine top.


I hope you have enjoyed visiting me this year, and continue to do so in the coming year. Because of all the procedures I'm going to have, the frequency of my tutorials might slow down. My wish is that I will be able to create things that are true to my style, yet learn something new and reflect that in whatever I make.

I hope you all to have a happy new year... Be happy everyone! :)

Tutorial~ She Carries Flowers (key holder)

I thought I posted this tutorial on my blog, but now I don't remember if I did or not. I have been getting requests for a tutorial from the people who saw the pictures of the finished key holder on line (probably Sew Mama Sew or Pinterest) but couldn't find the tutorial for it. So, I am sorry if you are tired of seeing this, but if you have been trying to find the tutorial, here you go. :)

I will also list this on my side bar along with my other tutorials.

I have been obsessed with folded fabric flowers and wool flowers lately. I have created a bag and refashioned one of my old cardigans by using the flowers and I LOVE how they turned out.

The love of those flowers didn't end there and I still have a bunch of ideas for them. I am sharing a tutorial for a key holder today and of course it is decorated by fabric folded flower... The key holder is easy to make and you can make a whole bunch of them inexpensively. It is a perfect stocking stuffer, or for a gift exchange with the girlfriends you hang out with.

I hope you will enjoy the tutorial!


{You will need} --- For one key holder


1 --- 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" fabric
1 --- 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" fusible fleece
Matching thread
1 Ring

6 --- 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" fabric squares for making a flower
Buttons and beads to decorate

{How to}

1. Fuse the fusible fleece to the fabric. Follow the instructions that came with the fusible fleece. Fold the fabric at the edge of the fusible fleece. Measure and mark the fleece, according to the picture. If you are making more than one, it will be quicker to make a pattern with a piece of paper and trace it.


2. Sew inside of the line, using 1/4" seam. Cut off the excess and cut small triangles around the corners for a nicer finish.



3. Turn the fabric inside out. It is easier to use scissors or a chopstick to push the fabric out. Fold the top in thirds, and press the whole thing with an iron. Stitch around the edge with 1/8" seam.


4. Fold 1/4" from the top, and put a ring on the fabric and fold the fabric over the ring and sew the ring into the key holder.


5. Sew fabric folded flower, beads, and buttons to the key holder. I did it so that the stitches are not showing on the other side. You can see what I did to make the flower here .


I enjoyed coming up with combinations of fabrics, buttons and beads. It is so funny that a slight change can give each key holder a whole new look.







I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial today. Happy sewing!