so... what about the fabric?!

Good question! What about the fabric?!

Well, for me personally I found that the majority of fabric was already available to me in the patchwork shops in Melbourne. Although cheaper, I do buy my fabric wholesale here in Australia for my own business Sew Your Own.

After visiting quite a few fabric department stores I decided that I would only buy fabric that was extremely new to me and desperately worth having. That said the few places that did sell exquisite fabric were expensive by the metre and would only sell by the metre. Again, another agonising decision was made to buy or just enjoy the inspiration rather than paying the big bucks to ship it home. I decided to take the inspiration!

So, what I did find were some very beautiful and off the beaten track fabric stores all of which were very happy for me to take photos to show you!

So, the first gem of a fabric/craft stores that I discovered was Merceria Pulcina in Daikanyama.





And this is what I bought... some beautiful contact paper!



Stay tuned for some more fabric store gems!

sneak peek

more kawaii

How adorable are these postcard photos from Dudley Redhead!

so much to share

I arrived back from Tokyo today, I was sad to leave but arrived back full of inspiration and sore feet. I discovered so many beautifully styled interiors which I hope to share both photos and details over the next couple of weeks.

My only regret is that I never visited Tokyo earlier in life! Damn flying phobia!

P.S. (The kids program flyer above from the tokyu department store has to be framed)! **Kawaii**

more card collecting

yokocho gallery

Today I hoped on a train and headed for Kichijoji and found after a little exploring of the lane ways and back streets some beautiful little independent shops and galleries.

One such hidden treasure was Yokocho Gallery, it was the tiniest little shop full of beautiful handmade work and artwork. The lady who served me was very friendly and she recommended I go to the shop gallery cafe which was in the same district but hard for her to describe where but as luck would have it I ended up finding it by chance.

logos gallery

Another discovery hidden in the Parco 1 basement level was the Logos Gallery, where I happily stumbled upon a Marini Monteany exhibition!

mint designs

I discovered Mint Designs on the basement level of Parco 1 in Shibuya, the whole basement level is definitely worth visiting. I'll be posting more of what I discovered there tomorrow!

orange you lucky

I've just noticed that sweet and talented Helen Dardik from Orange You Lucky has kindly offered some 'free for you' bookplates for her readers! Ahhh, they are so good!!

Image credit: Orange You Lucky

bowerbird

Here's a glimpse of some of the free brochures and pamphlets I've been picking up along the way!

kokeshi

This morning I went to a Japanese Salvation Army store, it's only open on Saturdays from 9-1. It was much bigger than I expected in fact it was like a mini version of the Camberwell markets. There was a big selection of ceramics, kimonos and bric brac.

This is what I walked out with (*^-^*)

Wooden Kokeshi Doll $3.75
Thermometer ('cause even one needs one of those)! $3.75
1 x very large blanket (shall be posted back by sea) $12.50




I will be posting directions and tips to all my favourite hot spots when I return!

holiday snapshots

reminiscent

The first photo above was snapped while out and about today, it reminded me of a photo I took when I was in Copenhagen with Allison. The little one in the basket was very patiently waiting for his owner to return, not fussed at all.

cinq

Another shop to visit on my itinerary!

colobockle

Today I hit the streets of Naka Meguro in search of Colobockle and amazingly I found it! I was very lucky to be able to take some photos to share with you!

So far I've been doing well and finding myself around to all the places I've been wanting to visit, mind you I do stop and ask as many people along the way (a travel secret to success)!

first purchase

My first store to visit today was Kinokuniya, a major book and magazine department store. My first task was to purchase a copy of the Come Home Shop & Cafe book to help prepare myself for seeking some beautiful independent shops and cafes around Tokyo. I spent a good hour in Kinokuniya, drooling!!

konnichiwa

I'm in Japan!! I arrived last night and headed out today to see the sights of Shinjuku, where my hotel is based. There have been a few phrases I've uttered today and lets just say they go something like this, Oh My, Oh Dear, No Way, all said with pure delight on my face! : )

more loveliness

Jamcover
Mina Perhonen

found on the street

I can't help myself!! I'm heart obsessed!

online goodness

Yesterday I spent time browsing through some Japanese magazines I have picked up along the way from our Melbourne Japanese magazine shop Kanga Kanga. Here is a short list of what I discovered.

nico
native works
damasquina
kicca
momo natural

The photography and styling found on these sites are just beautiful!

brown owls

Not long ago, I designed some very special online badges for an excellent craft group, Brown Owls!

I started the initial Brown Owls illustration in Illustrator and then applied some fancy artwork in Photoshop. The brushes I used in Photoshop are from this very excellent free brush library! May I suggest you download a free 30 day trial of Photoshop and try some of these great brushes for yourself!!! I promise it will revolutionize your life... if not your party invites!!

You can find the stitch brush I used here!

P.S. (I receive no sponsorships from Adobe but I receive an abundance of joy from sharing : ) Enjoy!!!!

hello environment day

Lets support Hello Sandwich in spreading her message of green living today, World Environment Day!! Ebony recently made a pledge to make a difference to our lovely planet through a workplace initiative. Pop over to Hello Sandwich's blog to read more and to learn how you can sign up to 1 Million Women Cutting Carbon Action!

Hello Sandwich is also having an Eco giveaway to help spread some Eco action!

You can view more of Ebony's eco tips on her eco blog One Degree of Difference!!!

Photo Credits: Hello Sandwich

my creative space

I've been excitedly waiting for 'my creative' space this week as Kirsty has set a heart finding challenge! I do have a couple of hearts in this photo, although I might be pushing what one would consider a heart shape! If you can't spot my hearts take a peek over here to find out where they are, also feel free to join my 'fortuitous heart' group on flickr!!

My creative space today is a cafe tabletop, you can see my favourite purse from Cottage Industry and the beginnings of creating my own font. Did you know it's so easy to make your own handwriting fonts?!! I discovered how to do this via YourFonts.com. It will cost you around $12AUD and it's very easy to use.

You can download my font for free here! I made it just for you : )

clicking around

Tonight, I've been clicking around the internet and came across some great illustrations found on this Japanese website!