Crochet class – Flower motifs chair mat 1 –

After maybe 6 months of absence, I had some mamas coming over and held a crochet class at home. The theme was “flower chair mat”. I love this pattern and many of those who saw the actual mat, they gave me some compliments 🙂

I usually prepare yarns that we use in a lesson, but this time, I’ve asked them to bring their favorite colors. Just as color references, I picked up photos online and showed these samplings to them. It’s interesting how the atmosphere completely changes just by colors!!

What they brought were completely different than those reference picture above, but I can’t wait to see how they will look like in the end 😀 The next lesson will be in 3 weeks and I hope everyone will finish making the flower motifs in time ♡

What I love in teaching Crochet…

I’ve been teaching crochet at home and at a craft store for quite a while now.

What I love in teaching crochet is that my students can be anyone and I get to know so many different people! My youngest students are 7 years-old, and the oldest is 84 years-old!! I have both male and female students, and they came from varieties places on the earth!! It’s so fun to get to know new people 🙂

She’s started trying a new hobby in her mid-80’s. So energetic!

Many of them, who come to my place are those who never crocheted before but always wanted to give it a try. So, I teach from the very basic, starting from how to hold tools, make basic stitches, read patterns and symbols (sometimes both in English and Japanese)…

 

The very first stitch we’ll have to master is “chain stitch” and kids really have fun making a long chain!!

Girls in 3rd-4th grades can make their own hair accessories with this crafting. We’ve made scrunchy and hair bows. I love it 🙂

 

One new grand-mom has recently finished making her first crochet work for her new-born grand-son!! I was so happy to spend pleasant time with her 🙂

 

The most popular projects so far is this flower mat.

 

Now, 3 of my students are working one the same flower mat project, (and there are so many who want to try later) and I can’t wait to see the finished work! 😀

 

Maybe it’s your turn to try crocheting? If you want to join us, please let me know 🙂

Summer is almost over and the yarn season is coming…!! 😀

1st Birthday!!! Love gifts.

My best friend’s baby boy turned 1 recently, and my friend held a big birthday party for him.

I wanted to give something special, and so I prepared several handmade gifts to him.

1st item is a photo panel. I love this photo!! A while ago, he was so little, even smaller than my dolls. He’s much bigger than them now… so, looking at this photo reminds me how fast he has been growing up!!

2nd item is a name pin. Oops, I don’t have a good picture of the item…

3rd item is a bow tie. I made one for him and another bigger one with pins at the back for his mom.

His outfit was matching well with the bow tie! I was so happy to see that 🙂

Seeing him growing so fast just next to my friend, it’s a joy for me! Thanks always for making me smile 🙂

Then, it’s my friend’s birthday!! Wish you will have a wonderful year ahead and explore a lot of new things and new world with me 🙂 ♡

 

Ready for “Trick or Treat”? Here is the last minute easy Halloween project!

Are you ready for this year’s Halloween??

If you have kids and haven’t gotten the idea yet, you must be thinking what to do for them. Even if you don’t have kids, you might be thinking what to prepare at your house for the kids!!

It’s going to be my first Halloween to stay at home in California. Last year, I was back in Japan at that time of the year.
So, I’m excited to see how kids are dressed when they come to my house 🙂 I should get ready for the day, getting hundreds of candies!!

 

Today, I want to share my “within 1 hour Halloween project”. They are little cute pumpkin earrings.

If you wear them on Halloween, people will look at you and definitely notice that you’re in the mood and ready for the event!!
If you make them for your kids, your pumpkins will look brilliant with the pumpkins!!

You can also use this pumpkin as an applique. It’s only an idea but decorating a simple T-shirt with lots of these pumpkins will be really cute!! Using this pumpkin as a zipper charm is also a good idea 🙂

As usual, I’ve put many step-by-step photos in the pattern, so I hope lots of you will enjoy making them 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

Something blue. Blue brings happiness!

On the wedding day, people say it’s good to have something blue. So, how do you think about asking ring bearers to have this blue backpack?

It’s my fourth animal backpack series, an elephant!

This is originally made upon a request of my friend. I hope she will like it!!

It’s a perfect size to carry 4 diapers and baby wipes, so I think it’ll be a perfect DIY/handmade baby shower gift 🙂
It can also carry toys or snacks, so it’ll also be a great DIY/handmade birthday gift 🙂

If you feel like making one for your cuties, please visit my shops below 🙂

Happy crocheting ♥♥♥

Eco-friendly bag for summer??

I was on holiday in Hawaii in early June and after that, I’ve been lazy…!! And now, June is almost over… !!!

I made a new pattern a while ago but forgot to introduce it here, so I’m uploading some photos of my new pattern!! It’s a bag pattern, simple but cute, made with jute strings.

You can carry your wallet, books, phone, towels and some other things in this bag. The handles are long enough to carry comfortably on your shoulder.

When I went out to Jo-Ann with this bag, the person from the shop was really interested in my bag and was asking about the pattern! I was so flattered!!

If you feel like making one for yourself, please visit my shops below 🙂

We haven’t had rain in California for quite a while now. I wonder how it is like in the other areas in the US. I’ve heard that we will have a lot of rain in winter though. I prefer sunny days, but if we have too much rain this winter, I guess I need to stay at home and think about more and more new patterns!!

Happy crocheting ♡

Flowers bring smile :)

A while ago, I joined in volunteering at Random Acts of Flowers, and I made beautiful flower bouquets. Those flowers were donated from Whole foods/Costco/ some others places and we arranged them nicely to be delivered to senior’s care homes or hospitals.

Recycling and repurposing flowers… how good it is!! While I was doing flower arrangement, I was amazed how happy we could be with beautiful flowers.

Then, I made a new crochet pattern with flowers. It’s a head band/ flower wreath.

This is how it looks like on my head. You can easily adjust the size 🙂

If you feel like making one for your cuties or for yourself, please visit my shops below 🙂

I hope these flower wreath will brighten up people’s faces and bring lots of happiness 🙂

Hope I will make more of beautiful flower bouquets as well as flower related patterns!

Happy crocheting ♡

Gifts to my friends' babies :)

A lot of my close friends are now getting to be moms. A week ago, three of us decided to meet for lunch and the other two were new moms. Then, I wanted to give them something I made. After considering a while, I looked for a  baby shoes pattern on Etsy and I’ve bought a pattern on TwoGirlsPatterns shop.

I followed the instruction and then, I’ve got two pairs of cute booties!! One is for my friend’s baby girl and the other is for my friend’s baby boy 😀

It was my first experience to make pairs of baby shoes!! I was really happy that the moms liked them when I gave these 🙂

For these two pairs, I followed the instruction for 0-6month’s baby. But 4 month baby’s feet were bigger than I thought and I think I should have tried for 7-12month’s baby pattern for her. Babies grow up really fast!!

This is how it looks on a 2 month baby. Cute! But it’s easily slipped off from the feet, so I think I should probably add straps for him 🙂

Thanks Kris and Lorin for a cute pattern!! They have lots of cute baby shoes’ pattern, so if some of you are interested in those, please check their website and shop 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

The third animal on my backpack series…

April has come today!! April usually is the start of a new year for schools and companies in Japan. With the cherry blossoms blooming everywhere, I’ve always felt fresh and really special on this day. But now being in California, the cherry blossoms bloomed a month ago and nothing has a fresh start today… so I thought of making a new pattern on my web shop 🙂

Here, I’ve added my third animal on my crochet backpack pattern series!!

Yes, it’s a lion!! I love the bright orange color on it 🙂

The backpack on a newborn baby… how small the baby is!!! Oops… he hasn’t really carried the backpack… :p

Diapers and the baby wipes, or snacks can be carried in the backpack 🙂

I hope this backpack will be like a Hermes’s or Louis Vuitton’s bag for someone small!!

If you feel like making one for your cuties, please visit my shops below 🙂

I hope the new year ahead will be a productive one for me and for all of you who visited here to read my posts 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

Bear Backpack for your little one

Today, I’ve added my second backpack pattern on my crochet pattern shop 🙂 After a bunny, there comes a bear 😀

There are two types of faces you can make, following my instructions. I personally prefer the bear with darker color and with mouth part on it.

Here is how it looks like on a small gentleman’s back.

I love it…

Really really adorable!! Oh, I wish I had a baby for myself already!! 🙂

You can put baby’s/toddler’s diapers and wipes, or snacks 🙂 They can carry it by themselves, so I believe you will have less things to carry!!

If you feel like making one for your cuties, please visit my shops below 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

Bunny Backpack for the little ones!!

I’m so happy to finally share this lovely bunny backpack crochet pattern with you!! I’ve originally made this backpack for one of my friends’ kids. The little backpack looked really cute on their back, and a lot of others admired the work. So, I’d been thinking it would be nice to make a pattern so that more people can make one for their loving little one!!

I know babies and toddlers are very cute, and they look really cute even from the back with a puffy butt, which I think makes babies look like babies. Now with this backpack on their back, don’t you think they look super cute?

So, this is the bunny backpack. You can put your babies’ diapers or snacks and they can carry them by themselves, which gives you less things to carry when you go out!! 🙂 It’s not just cute but also really useful!!

It took me quite a lot of time and effort to make the pattern, but the easy-to-follow crochet pattern for the bunny backpack is now available on Craftsy and Etsy!! If you are interested in, please come visit my shop below 🙂

The Easter is just around the corner, so maybe it’s a good time to crochet bunny at this time of the year! Happy crocheting ♡

My FAVORITE Feminine Pearl Earrings

Today, I’ve added a new pattern on my pattern shop. This is how they look like 🙂 I think with those pearls and those elegant colors of tiny threads, they add an elegant atmosphere on you.

This is how it looks like on me. I love the beige color, so I pick up that color for myself.

I’ve made some other colors of earrings to one of my best friend and her mom ♡

I’ve poured a lot of efforts and love in making the 9 pages of PDF pattern files, so I’ll be happy if they will brings lots of smily faces on beautiful ladies all over the world!! I’ve explained every details of the crocheting part as well as the beading part with many photos, so I think this project is suitable for everybody 🙂 ♡

With just a little portion of threads and pearls and within a few hours of creative work, you will get a gorgeous earrings 😀

The easy-to-follow crochet pattern for the feminine pearl earrings is now available on Craftsy and Etsy!! If you are interested in, please come visit my shop below 🙂

Happy crocheting ♡

Decorating Louis Vuitton Bag

One of my friends asked me if I can make her a set of handle covers for her Louis Vuitton bag. She told me that  the leather absorbed the sweat/oil and other things and the handle parts got darker as she always used that. So, she was looking for handle covers which were removable and washable.

According to her request, I’ve started making a handle cover for her gorgeous bag. We went to a yarn shop together to get ideal colors of yarns.

Now I’d like to share with you how I’ve decorated those handles. This is the original bag.

I’ve made those handle covers as how my friend has ordered to me. After I’ve crocheted the covers and sewed the pink pearls, I and my friend sewed the zippers together, one for each.

She wanted to put flowers to decorate one side of the handle, so I’ve made them 🙂

Finally, we’ve got those covers.

She decided to make the flowers removable as well. This is how the bag looks like without the flowers.

Then, this is how it looks like with the flowers!!

I’m happy since my client is very happy with them 😀
The best thing about handmade is you can get what you want!!

I’m super satisfied with the outcome!! Happy crocheting ♡

Happy New Year 2015 :D

It’s been a week since the new year, 2015, has started!!! But, better late than never!! So, here I say, “Happy new year!! Hope everyone who visit my blog will have a wonderful and adventurous year in 2015!”

I am so glad to share this with you… On the very end of 2014, one of my free patterns got ranked in “Top 20 Free Crocheting Pattern” on Craftsy!!

This is a small achievement, but I hope I will achieve something more in 2015 😀

Happy creating something cute for your loving people ♡

My memorable first customer for bow earrings ♡

I’m super happy to announce that I’ve delivered a set of earrings to my first customer ♡

She saw me wearing the same earrings sometime ago, and asked me to make the same one for her!! She is really an active person and busy with her private life as well as with her business, so we couldn’t find time to meet over a cup of coffee almost for one month… and finally!! TADA!!! They are in her hands now ♡

 

We talked about so many things and it was really fun 🙂

She’s working as a personal color advisor, so if you’re interested in knowing yours, just be brave to contact her 🙂 Here is her blog ♡

 

Let me put some pictures of the earrings…

 

I crocheted a gold color wire into a bow 🙂 It’s really hard to crochet a wire… but I get really excited when the outcome gets really cute!!

 

If you are also interested in the earrings, please have a look on my shop ♡

My love for bows, pearls and something feminine ♡

I love something feminine!! I love flower prints or bows ♡

I think these hair bows are one of my favorite kind 🙂 Those shapes and the center pearls are so good!!

 

Examples of how to wear them 🙂

Half up hair styles 🙂 The color of the bow gives you a different impression!

 

You may use it on top of the ponytail!! All you need is just a plain rubber band to tie your hair and add this barrette ♡

 

I think it’s also nice to have them with your best friends  in their favorite colors 😀

 

The backside of the bow is attached to a french barrette. Barrette itself measures 1.9″ (4.8cm) and the bow measures 4″ (10cm x 4.7cm).

 

I’ve been making these barrettes for my friends as gifts… My friends smily face made me so happy!!

 

Now, I’ve started selling them on my shop!! I’ll be happy if you could take a look there ♡

Fringe! Tassel! Something long!!

I can’t believe it’s already September now!!

Now, something called fringes or tassels is in fashion for me.

I’ve made earrings with them.

I’ve also added a fringe charm to my bag.

***BEFORE***

 

***AFTER***

 

How do you like it? 🙂

I’ve started Instagram recently, and I’ll be very happy to know people there!!
If you take a look at my “natsulog” page, please don’t be afraid to say hi ♡ I think I can spend the whole week with smiling if you do so 🙂

New accessories – hoop earrings :)

Again, I was a little while away from blogging… I was thinking of something new lately…

I’ve wanted to make accessories by combining my crochet skills. I’ve tried so many… and now I came up with these designs!! I love hoop earrings 🙂 They are on my Etsy shop, so if you are interested in them, please visit my shop 🙂

Every pair will be made by me with a decent care and lots of love ♡

 

♡Sunny sunflower hoop earrings♡

I think those bright yellow colors will make your face color brighter!!

♡French tricolor hoop earrings♡

I love French style. They are so cute! Don’t these earrings make you feel like visiting Paris? 🙂

♡Pure water blue hoop earrings♡

If you are going somewhere near the ocean, these are the color to wear 🙂

♡Elegant peacock green and turquoise blue hoop earrings♡

Aren’t those color combinations of peacock green and turquoise blue just so gorgeous? 🙂

♡Turquoise blue hoop earrings♡

I like combining some colors, but I also like going simple!! 🙂

♡Exotic Asian hoop earrings♡

I’ve recently seen so many girls wearing printed pants. Most of them wear black based one. I’m sure this set of earrings will just go well with those style!!

 

Overall, I think those designs are really unique, so you won’t find so many people wearing the same style of earrings. Those color combinations of the strings and beads will definitely add you an extra expression on your face and style!!! The style itself is simple, so I’m sure these earrings will match with any kind of fashions and in many occasions ♡

I will be really happy to hear your feedbacks how you like them!! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. If you are looking for some particular colors, please let me know!!

Let's make a bigger anchor with crochet :)

I spent quite some time to create this bigger anchor crochet pattern. If you like a smaller and simpler pattern, you can try to follow the pattern I uploaded in another article earlier. Today, I can finally share the pattern with you and I’m quite happy with that 🙂

I’ve decided to make this pattern because I’ve got a request to make a bigger anchor pattern which fits on a baby blanket. (I’m so happy to get some feedbacks, so I was really happy to receive a request ♡ ) If you follow the instruction below and use size H hook (5mm) and medium weight yarn, the size of the finished work would be around 17cm x 17cm (6.7 inch x 7.6 inch). Of course, you can use whatever crochet hook you have and whatever yarn you would like to use! 🙂

This is how I use the applique. It looks good on my crochet bag 🙂 ♡

 

This time, the instruction will look slightly complicated (but not so difficult to follow), so I made a diagram to explain the pattern. I also wrote how to proceed the pattern in the picture just next to the diagram. For those who don’t like reading symbols, I will also explain in words. My tutorial “step” numbers are synchronized with the numbers written in the picture below. Well, let’s get started 😀

◆Anchor pattern in a crochet diagram◆

 

 

◆Abbreviations◆

• ch(s): chain(s)
• ss: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tc: treble crochet
• dt: double treble

 

Step 1. Make a double magic ring. Ch 2. (1 hdc in the magic ring, 1 ch) three times. Close the loop of the magic ring. Ss to the 1st hdc.

 

Step 2. Ch 12. 1 dc in the 4th st from the hook. 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

 

Step 3. Ss to the point A (shown in the picture below). (1 sc, ch 1 and 1 sc) in the next st.

 

Step 4. Ch 12. 1 dc in the 4th stitch from the hook. 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts.

 

Step 5. Ss to the point B (shown in the picture below). Ss in each st for the following 10 sts.

 

Step 6. Ch 3. 1 sc in the 2nd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next st. 1 dc in the next st. 1 tc in the next st. 1 dt in the next st. Ch 1.

 

Step 7. Ss in each st to get to the point A. (for 12 ss)

 

Step 8. Ch 1. Ss in the following 3 sts. Ch 1.

 

Step 9. Ss for the following 8 sts.

 

Step 10-1. Ch 5. 1 tc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st.

 

Step 10-2. Ch 3. 1 sc in the 2nd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next st. Ss to the bottom.

 

Step 11. Skip the next st. Ss to the following 8 sts. (You are now back in the point B.)

 

Step 12. Ch 14. 1 hdc in the 3rd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next 3 sts.

 

Step 13. Ch 6. 1 dc in the 4th st from the hook. 1 dc in the next 2 sts.

 

Step 14. Ch 6. 1 hdc in the 3rd st from the hook. 1 hdc in the next 3 sts.

 

Step 15. 3 hdc in the next space. Ss to the next st.

 

Step 16. Turn the work and ss for the next 3 sts.

 

Step 17. 1 dc in the following 8 sts.

 

Step 18. Ss to the point C (shown in the picture below).  Cut the yarn and trim the end. The bottom part is done 🙂

 

Step 19. Ch 10. Ss to the 1st st.

 

Step 20. Ch 2. 1 hdc in the bottom st. 2 hdc in each st of the row. (19 hdc)

 

Step 21. Ss to the 1st st of the row. Cut the yarn, leaving some length for the sewing purpose. Attach the top part to the bottom part of the anchor motif with the left yarn.

Now, this is done 😀

 

Thank you if you are with me till here 🙂

Enjoy decorating things around you!! 😀

If you have a blog, I’ll be definitely happy when you write about this pattern and your achievements. At that time, I can never be happier if it would have a link to my blog ♡♡♡

*** Added on November 2015 ***

I have opened a jewelry shop on Etsy. I try to make jewelry that I also can use in any occasions. Please have a look there by clicking the photo below.

Add colors in your fashion ♡

I like summer because everyone wears more colors than in winter!! I love colorful fashions, but I also like a simple style, wearing beige, black, navy, gray and white. But still, I try to adopt at least just one bright color as an accent to my fashion 🙂

These flower colors are my favorite kinds 🙂 Just by seeing them, I feel like getting energy. Bright colors cheer me up!!

 

A while ago when I went shopping with my friend, I’ve bought a pretty makeup bag. It was “a love at a first sight” kind of thing… 🙂 Then, I’ve realized something… It really goes well with my summer hat!!! I think I really love flower prints and colors!! (If you also have the same kind of taste, here is a little bit of information about the makeup bag. I bought it at COACH in Premium Outlets. I think it costed me just around $30, so it was really reasonable!!)

 

One of my suggestions to add a color easily in your style is to put a hair accessory with colors!! I quite like a bow for it.

 

I often tie my hair in a ponytail. Sometimes, people tell me that they like my hair bow and they ask me if I’ve bought it at a department store in Japan. I always feel flattered although they are probably just trying to be nice to me… But in most of the cases, I take it as a compliment, and I make more for those friends 🙂

 

I think putting a color bow is much better than putting a plain hair band. If you have a similar kind of color in your clothes with the hair bow, it will look more natural. Let’s see which hair bow looks more natural on the little cow??

A pink bow?

Or a yellow bow?

Because of the red bow he wears around his neck, I think a pink bow looks better than the yellow one 🙂 So, it will be nice if you can use the similar kind of color in your fashion with the hair bow. It can be just a tiny print of the clothes, a belt, a scarf, a pair of shoes, a handbag or pretty much everything! Just think about the color coordinates 🙂

 

I also tried to mix more than one color!! This is cute on my chinchilla cap!! My friend likes it, so she sometimes uses it to make a ponytail and I feel super happy whenever I see that!!

 

Now, a different combination of colors. Hmmm… this reminds me of a baseball ball…? :p

 

I think I personally prefer putting a lace in the center! Sometimes I give those hair bows as one of the gifts to my friends.

 

Color yourself and color your life!!! Enjoy the summer ♡