What next?

My sister went back to her home last week. After I dropped her off at the airport, I directly went to the fabric store and bought bunch of new materials. I still have a lot of fabric at home but I feel I need to distract myself from missing her all day. I was hoping happy colors can make me feel better.
Cutting fabrics, sew Velcro tapes on and putting labels....
Seems like distracting myself works well.

 Coffee mugs are taking space in the corner......

 

Voila! Now I have my new 2011 color Munch Boxes.

 

Yoga bags

This year, I didn't make any new year's resolution.  I know that there are so many things I would love to do but just didn't have a time to write down. But who cares? I can start one at a time! I have to admit that I was too tired to plan anything though.
One of the things I want to do this year is a practicing yoga. Practicing yoga makes me more flexible and tone my muscle. These will help me to be a better rider. I am going to ride the Cinderella classic with my daughter in April so I better start right now!
Yoga mat is hard to put in the regular gym bag. I was thinking about an easy way to carry yoga mat and made this bag years ago. Here is my problem. Again.... I have to make many of them with different colors and patterns of fabric until I get tired of making them. Lucky that I have friends who love my creations. And I also have some on my Etsy shop.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66280682/yellow-and-black-flower-yoga-pilates-mat

올해는 늘 하던 새해계획 세우기를 안하고 지나갔다.
구체적으로 일기장에 적어나갈 시간이 없었다는 핑계아닌 핑계를 대고...
요가가 그중 하나이다. 요가를 하면 마음도 다스려지고 유연성과 근육을 함께 얻을 수 있는데...
4월초에 있을 신데렐라 자전거타기를 위해서라도 얼른 시작해야 하는 요가.
매트를 넣고도 수건이나 물병까지 가지고 다닐 수 있는 넉넉한 가방을 만들어 봤다.
하나 만들고 나니 신이 나서 여러가지 다른 옷감으로 몇개를 더 만들었다.
내가 만든건 무조건 칭찬해 주는 친구들 준다는 핑계로....
그러고도 남는 건 Etsy shop에 올린다.

Wind from the Pacific Ocean

Going to Korea from west coast takes more than 12 hours but coming to west coast only takes 10 hours. 
Taking advantage of this jet streams, my sister will come tomorrow with her son.
Last week, I was busy cleaning the house, stock up the fridge and making a to-do list.
It has been a while that we spent time together so I am excited about our 2 weeks.
I might not have much time to sew, make or write but will get back with lots of memories!

이곳에서 한국을 갈때는 12 시간이 걸리지만 한국에서 미서부로 올때는 10시간이면 도착한다. 제트기류의 도움을 받아 내 언니가 조카와 함께 내일 도착한다. 지난주 내내 청소하고, 장보고, 어딜가고 무얼하나 계획을 세우느라 바빴다. 당분간 일도 바느질도 할 시간 없이 언니와 밀린 얘기하고 정을 나누며 10여년간의 빈 공간을 메우려고 한다.

Munch Box

Friends do the best part for promoting my creations. When I give a gift or sell my products, friends always carry, use or pass information to people who show interests.

I made this munch box last year to carry small things when I ride a bike. 

I was using a old, plain black box before but I like something pretty( Who would not like pretty things?)

After couple rides, many friends asked to make for them, too.

My first munch box was matching well with many bikes. Emi's blue bike, Joy's green bike and my own white bike....
친구들은 내게 가장 강력한 광고판이다. 선물이든 직접 구입한 것이든 다들 열심히 들고 다니고 사용하고 자랑해준다.
지난해 천가게에서 이  옷감을 발견하고는 당장에 내 낡은 검정 박스를 바꿔치웠다. 지난 2년간 선스크린, 스낵, 휴지를 잘 담고 다녔으니 이제 은퇴 시켜도 괜찮지 뭐 하는 마음으로.
이걸 본 친구들이 하나씩 둘씩 만들어달라고 해서 신나게  만들기 시작했다.
Emi의 파란 자전거, Joy의 녹색 자전거 그리고 내 흰 자전거 모두 다 잘 어울리는 이 옷감이 기특하다.

 

   Some people wanted to have a exactly matching color with their bikes.
어떤이들은 자기 자전거랑 꼭 맞는 색을 원해서 난 또 즐거운 옷감 사냥(?)을 나갔다.

 Sherry likes this black and white one, matching with her bike.
Sherry는 자전거랑 딱 맞는 흑백 무늬로.

 Sondra's red bike was well embellished with this one.
Sondra의 빨간 자전거도 치장을 시키고.

 And this yellow and black munch box reminds me of Lance Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong을 연상케 하는 이 노랑도 있고.

 My daughter's mountain bike got a pouch for her munch!
딸아이 자전거도 간식거리를 담고 다닐 수 있게 되었다!

 And this is my 2011 new color!
자 이건 2011년 신제품!

In 2011, I will ride more and make more munch boxes!
2011년 새해에도 더 자주 자전거를 타고 더 많은 먼치 박스를 만들며 건강하게 살고 싶다!

Grace's bag

Two weeks ago, I decided to take a break from sewing until the new year.
But I got tired of not making anything in just a week and a half.
Grace came over and chose this clutch the other day. She wanted to have a little longer strap.
I made a strap using gajibangsuk(eggplant cushion) knots and garakji(ring) knots.
This year has been very busy but productive for me.
One thing at a time and keep positive! This was my motto this year.
In new year, I will keep trying things that I love and hopefully my happiness passes to others with my creations.
Happy New Year!

2주전 새해까지 일을 쉬기로 마음먹고 바느질방 문을 굳게 닫았다.
하지만 한주반만에 아무것도 안만드는 시간이 너무 길고 지루해져 버렸다.
그레이스가 고른 작은 손지갑에 끈을 달아 달래서 그 핑계김에 바느질방 문을 열고 잠시 즐거운 시간을 보냈다. 가지방석과 가락지 매듭을 이용해 끈을 달아 보았다.
지난 한해는 한번에 한가지씩, 긍정적으로 살자는 마음으로 열심히 바쁘게 지내왔다. 새해에도 좋아하는 일을 하면서 남들에게도 행복을 나누어 주면서 살고 싶다.
새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Moshi bojagi bag

Combining two of my favorite things turned quite nice.
Bojagi techniques and a bag making.
When I had an open house, I displayed this bag but not intended to sell it. But many people liked it and keep asking about it. So took orders and made 3 more bags. Fun!
First, I made long strips of moshi bojagi using ssamsol technique.
And added solid moshi fabric then made it into a big tote bag. Great chance to learn about what people like. I might try more projects with bojagi techniques.

Life is Good

December always makes me feel anxious. As soon as December starts( even before it starts actually), I change my mode into holiday and busy decorating, buying presents, planning for holidays. I start to making to-do list everyday and it help me calm down every time I feel in a hurry. Last week, I was saving my whole day for a special person and savored the time with her.

Her name is Lucy, she came from Mexico city to meet me!( I know she has other plans in her mind, too. But she saved one day especially for me as I did :)
Couple months ago I got an email from her that she wants to learn about Bojagi.
I've done this distance class with Kim in Seattle years ago so we started Bojagi class via mail.
I sent her materials and the instructions and she sent me back the project that she has done.
Sending and receiving mails took longer that we anticipated since we are eager to hear from each other. She is a patchwork teacher in Mexico and recently taught a course about the patchworks around the world. I was thrilled when she asked me about teaching Bojagi as a part of the course.
When she came to my house last week, I felt that I've known her long time.
We talked about Bojagi, sewing, culture and Bojagi again.
She surprised me with her own creations. She brought me a handmade wallet wrapped in a blue linen Bojagi! She understood so well about the meaning and use of Bojagi.We went to Korean restaurant for lunch and after trying 2 places(funny they both closed on Monday) we finally has soon du bu( spicy tofu soup) and grilled mackerel at the third restaurant.
After the lunch we started our 3rd project, flower shape pin cushion. Time went too fast so we couldn't finish the project. But Lucy got an idea of making it so she will finish it at home.
I wish we had more time just sewing but it got dark already so I drove her back to her friend's place. We had so many things in common and sewing was just one thing out of them. On the way home I felt so happy to have a friend who shares passion of Bojagi. Now I dream the day I visit her studio in Mexico city. Some day!