craftjuice

new japanese crafting book...

OK, so Mr B said...sorry no camera, use your webcam!  You so smart Mr B!

So here's some pics featuring one of the most lovely books I've ever laid eyes on, so generously sent to me by the gorgeous Jacqui (BTW, how gorgeous is her Karate Kid!?). 

The book is by Emiko Takahashi - and the only English I can read on it is the ISBN - 978-4-576-07249-4.

Ah HA! I just found this!  It is called Inspired by Children's Picture Books. So there you go!

It features numerous children's books and craft projects inspired by them - including Alice in Wonderland with the most DARLING white cotton over apron...

Hansel and Gretel (with gingerbread house!)

And a sweet, sweet book about an old man, his animals and a strawberry patch with corresponding tote and strawberry embellishments...(I think these strawberries need to be a brooch for winter)

This book is so good it makes my teeth hurt.

Scuse the dark circles and bags under my eyes (although they seem to be a permanent fixture these days!) I had to concentrate a whole EIGHT hours at a training session on Employee Engagement for Business Excellence today. That was about seven hours and forty minutes longer than my personal best. It was really great. But wore me out big time.  Thank goodness for red lipstick after 2pm. And bottomless coffee.

faffing about

I was just about to rush off and start photographing some new fabric I've received recently from the fabulous and most generous Jacqui at MeeABee as well as an amazing Japanese craftbook inspired by children's story books.

But Mr B has gone to the US and taken my happy snapper with him!

This is slightly more distressing than I first thought. I love sharing my pictures and taking them too. Trying new things and 'taking a few chances' with some crazy angles!  I have found it lovely to be able to document my day and the things that make me smile. And especially to document the things I make and share them with people who like that sort of thing too.

So, you're just going to have to wait and see. Perhaps between now and then I'll squeeze in a project from the book so I've really got something to share!

But as luck would have it, I have some images of some lovely corduroy (I've been on a corduroy bender lately)  I recently bought from Leslie in her sell out sale to add to my stash...

Such good-ness.  She's emptying her shop on Tuesday (that's tomorrow) so get in quick for a 50% off bargain!

Oh dear...while I was just linking to that, I accidentally bought these...

But really, how could you not.

lusty japanese blogs

To sate some Japanophile lust, check out these lovely blogs (they are in Japanese, but a well art directed photo says a thousand words)

Rollo and Rollostock
Brocante tit. de journal
Chronik
Landschapboek


found via Leslie here and also over here

zakka 'lantern' or 'flower' tutorial

Here's a tutorial I made for these little zakka 'laterns' and 'flowers'.  I'm not sure what they are called, and I can't read Kanji to find out (maybe someone can tell me?) but they are a lovely little embellishment for just about anything and are super easy and quick to whip up.  It feels nice to make something with a few easy folds and hand stitches.

The above photo is the 'lantern' shape and below is the 'flower'...

I also found this other great tutorial for kanzashi flowers (geisha hair ornaments) which might also spark some ideas for more embellishment projects.

Enjoy!

washi fish brooch tutorial

On the weekend I made this washi fish brooch! Do you like it?  I've been wanting to make something like this for some time and inspiration finally struck.

It is made from a basic balsa wood shape, with washi paper I had bought in Japan, traced and cut to size, sealed with several coats of polyurethane lacquer and has a felt back with metal clasp. It's a little fiddly but easy to make.

I was even organised enough to make a tutorial.

I'm looking forward to wearing my new creation to work this week.

colour and movement

At the Crafty Craft Night this week I made these from my Japanese fabric stash. I made some of these to go with my handbag gifts at Christmas and I loved them.  I'm sure there is a proper name for these, but because my Zakka book is in kanji, I'm not sure what it is!  I was thinking of making these into some sort of necklace.

Although I also like this one .

(and this from Julia Loves Polkadots)

I don't feel like going to work today. I'd much rather stitch.

how to shop on amazon.jp

Jacqui over at Blooming has a fantastic tutorial for how to shop on Amazon Japan...so now there is no excuse not to have some retail therapy and add to your collection!

Japanese Crafting has also been updating a lot of new books and other crafters projects lately, so if you haven't popped in over the last month, have a look at this fantastic Japanese crafting resource for inspiration or check out a book you might want to buy for yourself!

felted pixie folk

Who is in my garden?

Well, besides the camera hoggin Boston Terrier? (Zeb always rushes to get in the photo when the camera comes out - I swear this is true)

Look in the flower basket! It's needle felted pixie folk!

Because Christmas is over, I've decided I'm suffering some mental illness as I can't relax and just sit around getting all depressed with 'nothing to do' - I've one more week of holidays and it's driving me insane already.  I need craft!

So today I thought I'd have a go at needle felting. 

I went on a needle felting spending rampage nearly a year ago and bought all the stuff needed, but then, as with all things with me, I suddenly lost interest (plus I think I stabbed myself a few times with some enthusiastic needling) and its all sat in my draw.  But when I saw this, I thought, "I can do that" and with very limited prior needle felting experience, whipped these up! It's very easy to do and takes no time at all to shape something lovely. (And it's imensely satisfying meditative therapy poking a barbed needle a zillion times into something). The shroom was fun to make too (because you can't have pixie folk without a shroom).

I was going to make the lady pixie with a scarf, but it came out looking like a large and unattractive dreadlock. So snip, snip, poke, poke, matching hat it was.

You can see they don't have faces yet, and might never have. I've tried several times and each time they come out looking like the undead and a little too freaky for my liking. So faceless they are for the time being. 

If you've ever thought of needle felting and like me, thought it would be a bit hard to do, I encourage you to give Dabbled's tutorial a go and whip up a gnome. Great pictures and instructions.

I'm thinking big at the moment and have calculated if I make one a week for the next year, I'll have a very special Christmas tree next year. 

(So that thought might last for two weeks tops, oh well. At least it kept me sane for today!)

I've just found this great looking Japanese felting book (ISBN4-8347-6330-7) and the Clover needle felting tool if anyone needs more inspiration ...

And for more crafty Japanese felting love have a look here...and here...

And for hard core needle felting try this group on Flickr

a night out and crafty too!

Last night I had an indulgent night out at the Alibi Room with several other lovely ladies to celebrate the launch of Eileen's newest exhibition - D is for Danger!

I couldn't resist purchasing 'Sigh' - what a gorgeous little indian he is!

She still has some great pieces for sale if you want to get yourself a one of a kind gorgeous thing to hang on the wall, throw over your shoulder or cuddle on your couch!  Just check out her didactic to see what's still available and email her or leave a comment on her post.

Speaking of embroidery...Creature Comforts (a fantastic blog I really enjoy) is having a giveaway with Sublime Stitching this week!  Have a look - you could win!

And for those who can't get enough Japanese craftin', check out Japan Craft Journal's post of this amazing store in Tokyo...six floors of craft!  SIX FLOORS! And if you happen to be craft shopping in Tokyo, check out these great hints and tips!  I wish I was. Like, this weekend.

And if you're still stuck for a present for Christmas, you might want to have a look at this great Christmas Shopping Guide on the Australian Indie Art and Design blog! All prices are in Aussie dollars too!

favourite online fabric stores

(this fabric by the fabulous PippiJoe)

Recently I sent a family member a list of my favourite online fabric stores...I thought you might like to know which ones I like and let me know yours too! 

I've added a list just over there on the left hand side of my blog page. I hope you enjoy browsing them!

Leave a comment and let me know your favourite online fabric stores...I would love to discover some new ones (especially Australian ones)!