Zakka Place

Your version of hand made zakka to share...

I would like to upload more handmade zakka project photos from our readers. This Cross Tote Bag is made by Keiko T from Oakdale, CA.

Squirrel Tea Cozy by Rebecca from Lawrence Township, NJ.

These are all beautifully made! It seems that Squirrel Tea Cozy is the most popular project probably because of its simple construction. Anybody made Digital Camera Cozy or Room Shoes?? Thanks so much for those of you who emailed me the photos! I will announce the winner of the Sashiko needles & thread set very soon. More coming...

*Carissa's Bunny Wallet*

This lovely Bunny Wallet is made by Carissa! She says that she gets compliments on it every time she uses it :D Her version of Bunny Wallet doesn't have a bill-sized pocket, but has an extra row of pockets for her membership cards, gift cards, etc (so her wallet has 8 pockets total instead of 5). She also used two small magnets instead of snaps for the paw closure which I think good option. I love the way she puts brown hues on the bunny's face & his button eyes -- Thanks Carissa!

Hato Sabure

I was so happy when my friend brought me these bird-shaped biscuits from her trip to Japan! This cute looking biscuit is called "Hato Sabure" (Hato = Dove, Sabure = cookie). I was born in Kamakura, Japan where is a popular tourist destination for its many temples, shrines, and monumental statues such as the Great Buddha Statue (Daibutsu). Anyway, this Hato Sabure is one of the most popular souvenir in Kamakura-- and this reminds me of my childhood as this used to be my favorite afternoon snack.

Your version of hand made zakka to share...

Here is a Bunny Pencil Case made by Anabela from Canada. Beautiful job! Thank you Anabela :D

Your version of hand made zakka to share...

Rebecca from UK sent me these photos of her version of House Mug Mat and Squirrel Tea Cozy. They are beautifully made-- I especially love the croched detail and the fruit-shaped button she added on the Mug Mat!

Rebecca's Squirrel Tea Cozy:

Well actually she resized it so that it covers a mug rather than a teapot, which is a great idea if you don't use a teapot!

Thank you so much, Rebecca :)

Hedgehogs

There are many zakka items that use animals as motif such as bunnies, squirrels, deer, bears, birds, etc etc. My long-time favorite has been squirrel, but now I'm into hedgehogs! Here is one of my best recent discoveries: Wooden hedgehog pincushions made by a crafter / sculptor Kenta Terashita. Each hedgehogs are hand sculpted. Approx. 4" long x 2.5" wide. Love these little feet (and a rather big nose)!

This is a hedgehog water bottle cover for cold winter night. Good things about this is that the cover is made with organic cotton and the bottle is ceramic, so it keeps you warm nice and gently.

This is what's inside...

Fumi from Lammymade makes adorable hedgehog placemats.

Your version of hand made zakka to share...

*Reminder*

Time flies so fast... it's one week (actually it's less than a week) before the deadline for the Zakka photo sharing! (please see my November 10 2008 post for the details)

I have already received several zakka photos from my blog readers so far, but I'd like to announce that I'm going to extend the deadline to the end of April, because I thought I would like to see more. Please don't forget to share the words with your friends too :)

I'm going to give a way a set of Sashiko thread and needles that I purchased in Japan to one randomly picked person!

Happy sewing!

Kawaii Medical / Allergy Masks

It's the influenza season in Japan! Young and old, male and female wear masks everywhere they go. But those masks look too plain and boring! How about wearing these masks with cute patches instead??

You can find these lovely embroidered iron on patches here:

Pin cushions

I love pin cushions because you have so much freedom when you make them, just use your imagination and have fun with materials, shapes, sizes etc! It can be a simple pillow shape like these...

Front:

Back:

...or fun shapes like these!

Fog Linen Work @ DWR

I'm pretty sure that many Japanese zakka enthusiasts have already noticed, but DWR is now carrying several items from fog linen work, one of the most popular linen zakka manufacturers in Japan right now. They uses raw linen imported from Lithuania which becomes softer and and absorbent with each washing. I personally think these stamps are nice design elements, but they wash away over time...

You can view and purchase their linen collections here.