i owe you some craft books

Last week I promised a peek into some purchased Japanese crafts books with some ISBNs. From the top image:

**Girls Clothing** ISBN978-4-529-04437-0
**Unsure of book title** ISBN978-4-529-04526-1
**Kids: Happy homemade vol.2** ISBN978-4-579-11243-2
**My Style my Apron** ISBN978-4-579-11179-4
**Souleiado** ISBN978-4-579-11151-0
**Unsure of book title** ISBN978-4-529-04526-1

feels alot like winter

Feels alot like winter when your heater decides to stop working! Eeek! A good excuse to buy some new gloves and eat out in inspiring and warm cafes. I've been learning some crochet moves, the granny square and some tricky treble countin moves, the beginnings of my attempt to learn amigurumi!

clever nettle

Clever Nettle has the most amazing backdrop to her vintage clothes photo shoots. She is clever indeed! And not to mention she finds some amazing vintage wears too!

Photo credits: 1. 70's Lace Ruffle Dress, 2. 50's Easter Dress, 3. 70's Floral Ruffle Dress, 4. 60's Sky Blue Dress, 5. 1940's Green Plaid Skirt, 6. Polka Dot Ascot Dress, 7. 60's Violet Velvet Dress, 8. Embroidered Dirndl Dress, 9. Early 50's Junior's Dress

happy tape

Look at all these Japanese Happy Tape here! Or read about them here!

I found Happy Tape via Gini Helie's blog, she has some pretty cute photos!

mati rose

Newly discovered Mati Rose McDonough, you can visit here blog here!

Image Credits: Suspect Shoppe Etsy.

unexpected mail

I received an unexpected surprise in the mail this week, a postcard sent from Japan!

It reads...

Thank you very much for coming to the exhibition of "mori no kekkonshiki" at niji gallery in kichijoji, Japan.

Noguchi Mine.

my kind of day

On the weekend I meet with Brooke and Victoria at Kappaya for lunch to begin our day with the camera. With Brooke as our beautiful model, I played the part of photographer, Victoria as the stylist and Brooke got to play dress ups.

A selection of the photos taken will be displayed on Victoria's stand at Design:Made:Trade to showcase her very amazing jewellery label. Don't miss it!

Why can't every day be Kappaya, stylist, photographer and dress up day!!

roddy and ginger's

Today on twitter I followed a tweet from Anna to Blomma Finds blog who wrote about the very talented duo Able & Game, from Blomma Finds blog I went on to discover a link to Roddy and Ginger's who are the creators to the very lovable work above.

And I guess that's why they call it the inter-web!


My current favourite Able & Game card above!!

i used to lurk

This is a post for those readers who have been contemplating starting a blog of their own.

You would often find me lurking here or over here, filling with inspiration and motivation to perhaps one day start a blog of my own. But what would I write about? Nobody would be interested in what I do, self doubt would be one of the first hurdles to overcome before I could begin my blogging adventure.

I eased myself into the blogging world by feeling comfortable with the fact that nobody knew I entered blogland, I was anonymous. My only reason to start my blog was to set myself the challenge of improving my photography skills so that maybe one day I could take photos just like those I admired on the blogs I read and to keep a visual journal.

I'm not much of a writer, infact I struggle with almost every post! But with my challenge of keeping a blog I'm sure along the way my writing has become a little easier and hopefully a little easier to understand.

Throughout my blogging journey I have meet some amazing friends and not to mention I've been given some amazing opportunities too. So, what I am really wanting to say is why not make the start of this financial year the time to start a blog and experience the joys of blogging! And when you do start your new blog be sure to drop by and say hello so I can come to visit and welcome you to blogland : )

Image credits: Marni Monteany

paddle pop sticks

It was only yesterday at the local supermarket that a bag of craft paddle pop sticks caught my attention. I questioned outloud if anybody indulges in the art and craft of paddle pop sticks these days? It was then by chance that today I stumbled upon these images on Cosas Mínimas blog. Question answered!

Note: The questioning outloud was for story telling effects only, I only put the question to myself... quietly :)

craft stash

Here is a small peek to what crafty goodness came home with me!

Fabric fat-quarters from Yuzawaya
Buttons from a beautiful sewing shop called Nimes Cloth House
Gingham Bias Binding from Tomato

amigurumi

I'm going to set myself a new challenge and that is to learn the art of amigurumi! I would love to make these little guys as gifts but then again surely it would be difficult to let them go!

I know of one talented lady who has this art down packed!! Lucky girl!

Handmade Knit: Amigurumi was one of the many craft books I purchased on my trip, I hope to give you peek into them over the week. I'll also include the ISBN number incase you would like to pick up a copy for yourself!

Handmade Knit: Amigurumi IBSN978-4-277-17224-0

made with love

Today my copy of Peppermint magazine arrived in the mail. In the past I've unfortunately lucked out on getting my hands on a copy as they sell like hotcakes from the newsagents stands. Avoiding the same fate for this issue I went online and subscribed.

And what a beautiful magazine Peppermint is!!!

In this issue, myself and 14 other crafters and designers contributed to the article Made With Love: the world of DIY. Tess Curran pieced together a beautifully written article that brings together the thoughts on cyber community, sustainability and crafting with conscience. It's a great read!

Here is a list of those who were featured in the article

One Red Robin
Rourke & Henry
Red Seed Studio
Anna Laura
Betty & Hamish
Love, Janie Lou
Jellygnite
Lark
Betty Jo
Dear Fii
Two Cheese Please
Tabitha Emma
Old Yarns: reclaimed linens
Philos-o-face

Justine Telfer also gives a great interview about the role Mixtape has had in raising the profile of the DIY craft movement. Another great read!!

postcard collection

Postcards collected from Colobockle.

marble sud

Marble Sud was a beautiful shop I found in the back streets of Jiyugaoke. They pride themselves on selling original handmade items, supporting both designers and crafters alike.



I ended up purchasing this patchwork purse made by local crafters The Teachers.

tiny sqaure cakes recipe book

Tiny sqaure cakes recipe book: isbn978-4-391-62541-7
Tiny cheesecakes recipe book: isbn978-4-391-62160-0

prêt à voyager

Prêt à voyager is a sweet travel blog written by avid traveller, designer and photographer Anne. I'm particularly fond of her post on French patisseries!

tiny cheesecakes recipe book

Along my travels in Tokyo I bought the most beautiful tiny cheesecake recipe book, the styling and images are amazing! Wait till I show you the Tiny square cakes recipe book!

lili scratchy

Lili scratchy, a visually delicious blog! I like it, alot!