Monday, July 15, 2013

Zakka Handmades Blog Tour and Giveaway


We were so excited when the lovely Amy Morinaka from Chick Chick Sewing asked us to be part of her blog tour for her very first book Zakka Handmades. The book is fantastic with a variety of great projects that you can use in your everyday life. We had a lot of trouble narrowing down what we wanted to make as there are such cute ideas. Amy's book is beautifully written and her instructions are very simple to follow. You will want to make lots!

I (Sarah) decided to make the Raindrops tote and couldn't narrow down one idea so decided to make two. 
 I really love the idea of using denim and linen so one bag has a denim base and the other is a red linen with white dots.  I have another plan to make one with natural linen and pastel raindrops. 
 I stuck pretty closely to the pattern except I did a running stitch for the raindrops instead of a back stitch as I wanted to see what it looked like. The bags are a handy size and fit nicely on the shoulder. The are also nice and soft as they are lined with wadding, with a pocket inside.
I think that I will use mine for my sewing when I go to my quilting classes.

I (Rachel) had strict instructions from my daughter that she wanted the Pencil Case, she even chose her fabrics! Lulu's pencil bag is the pink stripe and acqua one! I decided to do the pencil bag as zips are always a challenge for me. Amy's method of inserting zips is a revelation!! So easy! I have no advise for anyone attempting this project as the instrustions are so easy to follow. Of course I couldn't stop at one so I made two and was thinking these bags are great for us sewers to carry our notions around when travelling! 
Anyone who knows me, knows I can never stop at one and of course I had to try my hand at some other gorgeous items in Amy's book. The pencil bags didn't take long so I had time to make a few more things.

I first made the Doily and Linen pouch. Here I did cheat, as I used a handmade, hand dyed doily for the simple reason I can't crochet!!!!! I just had to make one, all the same, as I love love love them, so there is hope for those of us who can't crochet!

Then I couldn't go past the Matryoshka key holder especially considering mine broke so I needed a new one! This is super fun and easy to make. The only fiddly part is the hole at the top where the cord passes through. Make sure you leave it large enough to stitch- mine was a little small but I managed all the same! For this project I used Northern Italian linen and Tirolese trims and love the result. I did add a personal touch with the little felt flower!

As part of the blog tour we have the opportunity to give away a copy of Amy's book to one lucky person (open internationally). To be in the chance to win a copy of Zakka Handmades, simply leave a comment on this post telling us where your favourite inspiration comes from by Friday 19th July and we will randomly draw a winner on Saturday 20th July.

If you would like to purchase your own copy of Zakka Handmades you can find it at the following locations:
The blog tour consists of the following schedule so checkout what these other amazingly talented people have made. If you miss out on our giveaway you have one last chance with Anna from Noodlehead.

6/24/13 - Kerry verykerryberry (interview post)
6/26/13  Jeni In Color Order
6/28/13  Sachiko Tea Rose Home
7/1/13 – Amber One Shabby Chick
7/3/13 – Kristen Feeling Stitchy
7/5/13 – Hiromi Harujion Design
7/8/13 – Amy nanaCompany
7/10/13 – Lisa and Sarah A Spoonful of Sugar
7/12/13 – Mette Erleperle
7/15/13 – Sarah and Rachel Roxy Creations
7/17/13 - Anna Noodlehead


In summary Amy's book is fab! We want to thank her for allowing us to participate in the blog tour. It's been great fun and we wish her the best of luck in the future! Buy her book it's great, full of fun projects to make for yourself or as gifts.

62 comments:

  1. I get my inspirations from the blogs I follow :D

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  2. Great projects - I love them all!
    So much inspiration in blogland!!!

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  3. I get inspiration from blogs.
    tagelaursenpiaeriksen@gmail.com

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  4. I get a lot of inspiration from the blogs I follow and others I discover from the ones I follow. They list keeps growing.

    I also get ideas from Pinterest, magazines, old pattern catalogs, books, etc. I just wish I had as much time to sew as I do ideas. But grateful for every opportunity.

    Thanks for the giveaway =

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  5. I get my inspiration from magazines and the blogs I read. However, most of my actual sewing is related to my children so I have a huge wish list and not much on the actual table.

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  6. a friend & I have started taking a "photo inspiration day" outing once a month... to museums, the local arboretum, parks, the farmers market.... so much inspiration out there!

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  7. Thanks for sharing Ellyn. I love that idea.

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  8. Being lost in a kikokuniya bookstore or crafts store helps pass summertime when not inspired by blog reading. Thanks for the giveaway offer.

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  9. For many years I would pour over magazines then blogs now my go to for inspiration is my pinterest boards.

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  10. (Please don't enter me in the giveaway - I already have the book {thanks bookdepository!} so someone else can be lucky enough to win a copy)

    Love your projects - especially the pencil cases - I'm having fun making those as well :) I'm particularly fond of your doily pouch as I don't crochet either, and was thinking of using a vintage doily and dyeing it - yours is sweet!

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  11. Your projects are so cute! I need to make a pencil case for some of my art tools. :)

    My favorite inspirations come from things I loved during childhood. It's fun to go back and remember the things that I was nuts over and use them to help me come with ideas for things to make for my son or cross stitch patterns for my shop.

    Thanks for the chance to win this book!

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  12. Debbie
    I get my ideas from sewing and crafting websites,magazines and catalogs.I see cute things that I can make cheaper,than buying them. I hope I win this book,because I would love to make the "fabric bucket".

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  13. Love this book! Lately my favorite inspirations have been coming from Flickr, Pinterest and crafts blogs I follow.

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  14. Dawn Castro/wolfmom2acJuly 16, 2013 at 12:41 AM

    I get lots of my ideas from Pinterest and from some of the groups on Facebook!! Would love to win this book! It looks like it has lots of fun goodies to make!!

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  15. My inspiration comes from nature, photos, things I see in daily life, friends, Pinterest, and blogs. This book looks awesome! Thank you for the opportunity to win it!

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  16. MY INSPIRATION COMES FROM THE FLOWER GARDEN>LOVE FLOWER IMAGES FOR STITCHING! THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  17. Adorable projects! I'd love to win this book. Most of my inspiration comes from crafting and decorating sites in the blogosphere. Thanks for the chance to win! Please pick me!! :D

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  18. I'm inspired by other crafty bloggers. Thanks for the chance to win! :)

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  19. I get lots from blogs that I follow

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  20. I'm inspired by lots of things...my daughter, other crafters, swappers, my family, magazines, quilt shops...just to name a few :)

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  21. Most of my inspiration comes from books and magazines. I save them and refer to them frequently.

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  22. Inspiration is Everywhere ;) pintetest other Blogs and magazines ...sometimes it just comes to my mind

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  23. I am inspired by blogs because they show how to do projects. I love it!

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  24. I am addicted to blogs and books - I love to see how others interpret their designs and fabric and thread. The world is full of amazingly talented crafters and blogs help bring like minded people together and offer endless inspiration.

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  25. I am inspired by so many sources - nature, my daughters, blogs, Pinterest, Flickr, Etsy....to name a few.

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  26. I tend to have a lot of fun inspirational ideas while I'm trying to stay asleep through my "snooze button war" in the mornings. I end up with crazy graphic half-dreams.

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  27. My favorite inspiration is from books.

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  28. My favorite inspiration is from blogs!

    Denise E.

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  29. My favorite inspiration comes from browsing pinterest!

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  30. Wonderful projects. I love the little crocheted doily purse and the key holder. My inspirations come from many directions but lately, the blogs I read are full of fabulous ideas and inspiration.

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  31. Oh my gosh, I am so exited to find your blog!! I find inspiration from wandering through antique shops and flea markets. That, mixed with blogs, of course :)
    Karen

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  32. It comes from my surroundings.


    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. I get a lot of inspiration from my surroundings, from blogs and lately I found pinterest is an endless source for so many nice things.

    Thank you for the giveaway, Claudia

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  34. Lately I find a lot of inspiration online through blogs and fabric shopping sites. Love your projects, thanks for the chance to win!

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  35. My inspiration comes from the blogs I read. Now, if I could just get off the computer and actually do some sewing, that would be great! Thanks so much for your review and a chance at the giveaway!

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  36. These are all such cute projects. The major source of inspiration for me comes from blogs and of course Pinterest (so I don't forget which blog I saw my inspiration on). Thanks for participating in the tour.

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  37. My inspiration mostly comes from quilting blogs that I follow, or Pinterest (which usually links to blogs!!)
    This blog hop has been fun and I love all the projects that have been showcased!! Crossing my fingers once again!!

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  38. My inspiration comes from reading blogs like yours, magazines, and Pinterest. Love all the brilliant ideas out there!

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  39. I find ideas from blogs and books. Love your site!

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  40. I get my inspiration from books and all you ladies and men on these blogs thank you.

    (smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

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  41. Hmm, I would have to say blogs give the biggest inspiration, especially once I start clicking on links within links! I also went to Camp Stitchalot - hanging out with very creative people for 3-4 days was incredibly inspiring!

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  42. Blogs always inspire me as well as seeing things in museums or books. Thank you for the chance!
    lorepuckett at verizon dot net

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  43. Blogs and books:D i love your fabric choice!!

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  44. Book! I love books and I love sewing pretty things. Pick me!

    bookie1510(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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  45. my inspirations: books, blogs, pinterest, my amazing daughter-she is a wonderful blogger, quilter, all around awesome sewer.
    thanks for the opportunity

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  46. My favourite source of inspiration: books! They are also a really good way to get motivated. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  47. Favorite sources of inspiration: definitely books and magazines. Thanks for the giveaway, I would really like the book!

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  48. I love to get inspiration from Pinterest or blogs when I'm online. In real life, much of my inspiration comes from the fabrics I buy, plus memories from the past.

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  49. I get inspiration from craft blogs and browsing fabric stores. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  50. I get my inspiration from Pinterest mainly.
    Moejgreer@gmail.com

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  51. I love the doily and linen pouch. You did a great job - even if you didn't make the doily yourself :)

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  52. My craft inspiration comes mainly from books,craft magazines and Internet. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  53. My favorite inspiration comes from my own stack of fabrics. I love color and I love projects that combine more than one fabric. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely book. spinninglight (at) gmail (dot) com

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  54. My inspiration comes for seeing the work of artists!

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  55. Mine comes from pinterest and blogs that I follow, thanks for the giveaway.

    (smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

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  56. The Zakka books are always inspiring, but I love photographs of all sorts. These could be an art reproduction found on a note card, snapshots, quilting or knitting photos on Flickr ... it's all a great source for seeing the possibility of how colors and shapes play together. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway! ldpaulson [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  57. I get lots of my inspiration from vintage clothes. i would love a copy of the booki. First thing I would do is the little pouch with a doiley flap....so cute

    laurakam at iowatelecom dot net

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  58. My inspiration comes from vintage clothes and blogs like this one. Thakns for a chance to win the book. That doiley pouch is the first thing i would make
    laurakam at iowatelecom dot net

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  59. I get a lot of inspiration from photographs, pintrest, and the fabric.

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  60. I'm an absolute fan of zakka projects. Made all the projects from the zakka style book. So inspiring, so much fun!
    Love your pouch with the crochet flap. The linen comes out so well too.
    Thank you for the chance, winning this book.

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  62. Nice, The Zakka Handmades Blog Tour and Giveaway is here, and it's a crafting enthusiast's dream come true.
    This giveaway is also useful for Gift shopping just a transaction; it's an opportunity to express thoughtfulness, appreciation, and love

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