starbucks x sakura

One of my favorite annual campaigns is Starbucks Japan’s Sakura Line. Around this time each year, they issue a new array of Sakura flavored drinks and desserts that are beautiful and delicately pink.

Of course, Starbucks Japan also offer sakura tumblers, mugs, gift cards, and other goods for people to collect.

I love how the cherry blossom theme has been interpreted in many different styles and evolves from year to year. Pictured below is 2014’s range. As you can see, mosaic tiles and falling petals adorn much of the drinkware.  I am not as keen on this line as I have been of other years’, but it is quite pretty. I was immediately drawn to the mugs (they look like they would feel nice to hold) and the water bottles, but I probably won’t try to hunt down any of these items this year.

These glasses, one the other hand, would be a real treat. Upon the addition of cold water, the petals turn pink! Unfortunately these sold out fast.

The sakura line has expanded to other Asian countries, but I don’t know of any plans to make it a worldwide campaign 😦 That being said, sakura season represents the promise of spring and the contemplation of beauty, and that is something to celebrate no matter where you are.

So to get in the spirit, I decided to make some cherry blossom sewing projects, bake some green tea cookies, and get out my collection of Starbucks Sakura items.

I have this gift card from last year’s line. It is one of my favorite designs.

I also kept this bag because of the falling cherry blossoms.

Here’s my tumbler collection. One aspect of the Japanese range that I appreciate is the option of smaller sized to-go mugs. The two on the right are just perfect for one cup of tea.

Speaking of tea, I recently made this little tea bag wallet. The pattern is from the book Patchwork Please by Ayumi Takahashi. I’d been hoping for this book since its release, and happily, I got it for Christmas. This is my first project from the book, but I can’t wait to make more.

I also made a sakura tea mat (just an excuse to bake tiny cookies).

Even if you can’t get a sakura latte, you can still make your own coffee sleeve out of a favorite cherry blossom fabric. I adapted the pattern found here.

I would love to try the sakura chiffon cake or sakura macaron, but like hanami, that will have to remain a dream for now.

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely day!

in a valentine’s mood

I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day. When all the Christmas lights are down and the ornaments are packed away, I comfort myself that another holiday is on the way, bringing hearts and roses, little cards and chocolate. I think of February, not as the coldest month, but as a month of sweetness and love.

In elementary school the Valentine party was always my favorite. I loved making a tiny mailbox and preparing my cards with ribbons and seals.

I also have a weakness for anything heart-shaped. And frilly, lacy things. And chocolate. (You get the idea).

I made this Heart Wreath last year for my door, following this tutorial. It’s a breezy project–you can put on your favorite romance movie and pin away. However, in retrospect, I wish I would have used a thimble or bandaids as I pricked myself many, many times.

When I’m bored I find myself making little heart softies. They’re nice to tuck into a Valentine care package or to decorate a small space.

I have a tiny collection of vintage Valentines. I use them for decoration, but I also love when I find just the right card to give to someone.

My dad’s childhood Valentine box. It is a little tattered, but it actually won a prize in his kindergarten: the Little Red Riding Hood book pictured.

Each year I make up little boxes to give to friends- nothing much just some chocolates and hair pins, and a Valentine of course!

I love to type out little notes for handmade Valentines.

I made some more heart-shaped potholders from this tutorial.

Some Valentine handkerchiefs. Some old, some new.

Found these little mail bags at Pottery Barn Kids a few years ago. I thought they were so cute, but now I might try to make one myself.

February is so cold and snowy here– you have to have lots of desserts!

Here’s a VERY simple craft- if you’re like me, and have an abundance of red and pink shopping bags.

I used a heart-shaped gift card as a template and just traced hearts onto the bags (avoiding any text or folds). Punch two dots per heart, string up, and enjoy!

Thanks for your visit! Have a lovely day!

tutu day

time for tutus by swan-odette 

Groundhog’s Day was a couple of days ago, and while that is a fine holiday, it occurred to me that February 2nd could also be “Tutu Day.” After all, we can always use an excuse to celebrate our favorite ballets, and I know I appreciate any reason to wear a tutu skirt…

I have a couple of these long tulle skirts. I love them for special occasions.

and I wear these shorter skirts practically every day with leggings and boots.

Some vintage tutu prints I have around my house.

The glorious tutus at Repetto Paris. I would love to get there one day.

Some background information on tutus and the making of Swan Lake costumes.

My tutu love pin board

I ended my Tutu Day by listening to my Coppelia record about four times and sewing little tutu costumes for Rapunzel and Elsa.

Have a lovely day!