Blending Ideas

I have always felt that a great craft book isn’t just about instructions, it is about connection. That is exactly what happened when I opened Kazuko Aoki’s "Garden Stitch Life". Rather than a step-by-step guide, it felt like a quiet invitation to reflect, remember, and create from the heart. As I browsed through the pages of the book, I found it hard to settle on just one project, mostly because I prefer to sew freely, following my own ideas rather than a set pattern. I was also drawn to so many lovely details throughout the pages and wanted to bring them into my work.

What first caught my eye was the photo arrangement of four small embroideries. I love pansies and violets, and Kazuko’s approach to embroidering pansies felt special - she focused not only on the flowers, but on the seed pod too, which inspired me right away. I also enjoy embroidering bees, and her unique stitching method felt like a wonderful chance to learn something new.

Click here to look inside Kazuko Aoki’s "Garden Stitch Life" book

Stitching the pod

Once the embroidery was finished, I began searching for the right project in the book and was drawn to the little Seed Packet Bag. This book is more than just a collection of patterns - it is like a personal journal, filled with glimpses of Kazuko’s life as she crafts and tends to her garden. Reading it reminded me of my own childhood, watching my parents and grandparents prepare seeds and bulbs for spring, writing notes, and readying plant labels. Planting seeds, watering them and watching them grow. Just like in Kazuko’s pages. It made me imagine having a garden and a shed with baskets, vintage boxes, and little bags filled with packets of seeds hanging from hooks.

I have been stamping words and small designs onto fabric for years, but I am always fascinated to see how others incorporate it into their work. When I saw Kazuko’s stamping on her pincushion and needle book, I knew I wanted to add a simple “SEED” label to the top of my bag.

Blending all of these elements together has been such a pleasure - a gentle, happy play with fabric, thread, and stamps. When you pick up a craft book, you do not have to follow a pattern step-by-step. Instead, you can look for inspiration, seek what speaks to you, and find what makes your heart sing. Kazuko’s book "Garden Stitch Life" is filled with exactly that kind of inspiration. If you are looking to refresh your creativity, I warmly recommend exploring its pages. I have no doubt you will find plenty of beautiful ideas to keep your hands and heart happily busy.

Thank you @zakkaworkshop for sending me a copy of this lovely book to play with! ❤️

Happy crafting! Larisa xo