cinq

I was happy to accidentally stumble across Cinq when walking the streets of Kichijōji when in Tokyo, it houses so many cute treasures!

Once I find that spare time I've been looking for I hope to put together a PDF with maps of the special places I discovered.

Top image credit: Cinq.

salt and pepper

Salt and pepper shakers discovered here and purchased from here!

balancing act

I've always noticed the balancing of quirking objects on the head of models in Japanese crafts books so seeing the same in Japanese illustrations was a nice surprise!

Whenever Brooke and I get out with a camera you will often see us influenced by this style of portraiture!



P.S. (Apologies for my Japan-centric posts! I still have so much Japanese goodness to share)!!

tokyo snapshots

murphs morphs to mindy

There is no doubt I have caught the amigurumi bug!! I can't believe how easy I've found it, I've even gone as far as making my second attempt a bit free stylin', morphing some techniques learnt from Murphy. So, please let me introduce you to Mindy!! I've modeled her from a soft toy I bought in Japan : )

Murphs & Mindy are baby gifts for two of my friends, both have had little bundles of joys very recently!!

design:made:trade

Here is a glimpse at what I saw at the Design:Made:Trade show this week!

1. Wrapped by housemouse.
2. Foundry.
3. Lox + Savvy.
4. Makedo.
5. Boniko.

Enjoy!

P.S. (Murphs said a BIG thank you for all the lovely comments he received : )
P.P.S. (I'm very sorry that my Open blog hasn't been updated in a while, I'm fighting a crochet addiction. I hope to be posting over there again soon)!!

introducing murphy

Hello my name is Murphy! I was born today, lovingly crafted from my mumma's new crocheting skills. She said she made a few mistakes along the way like using the wrong sized crochet hook so I have large holes but I forgive her as that is what makes me, ME!

Signing off,
Murphs

Pattern Credits: Jess from the Meet me at Mikes book.
Warning: Amigurumi is highly addictive.

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