Japan Part 1

I was in Tokyo last week. It was a real eye opener. There were lots of subtle cultural things to pick up on as well as some downright insane things. For instance - they stand on the left on escalators!!!

How mental is that?!? But actually it was really good. It was a fact finding mission with the odd touristy thing thrown in. One beautiful escapade was to a fairly minor garden in the general scale of things but still a pretty decent size - say two football pitches? 

It was extremely odd to be in so beautiful a place with all these sky scrapers and traffic around you. You could zone it out though, and it certainly was very soothing. And soooo Japanese. 

It was a very useful trip for me. I took in as much as I could and made quite a few observations that will help me prepare for a potential move there. One is the weather. We were on the edge of a cyclone for two days and it POURED with rain. 

Umbrellas are a key part of everyone's outfits and are carried everywhere. Then there is clothing. Pretty much any style of dress goes but it always seemed to be demure and neat. Cleavage is a no no and it's not like I wave my potatoes around the whole time but a number of my tops I happily wear to work will not be suitable for general wear. Then there is the humidity. It was hot for the second two days and when it is warm it is amazingly humid so lots of cotton is called for. The outfits in which I can rock the what's-that-in-the-distance-pose in are currently limited. 

Then there is the food. Sushi I'm down with. Choosing which fish will become that sushi...

Er nooo. Wimpy I know but we all have limits. Ice cream? Yes please! Sweet potato ice cream?

Er nooo. Pooch loved it though. And it is best not to develop a melon craving. 

Melons are very expensive - watermelon especially. I'm talking about £12 for one of those pictured. They are commonly gift wrapped and taken as a gift when you are invited to someone's house for dinner. 

Tokyo is an exceptionally noisy city. London doesn't come close. It has all the neon and videos of Piccadilly Circus but they all have audio attached. 

Then there are trucks driving around advertising boy bands with their latest single blaring out. 

Then the tube stations all play jingles when doors are opening, closing, trains are arriving, leaving and so on. 

That is a lot of competing noise. Fortunately though I am not bothered by any of this so it is all looking good for the future. 

Part 2 of this will include what I expect you will find least interesting - a small matter of craft shops..!

Swap Sign Ups

I am somewhat bleh with jetlag after getting back from Tokyo yesterday but before I post properly about that I have news of two sewing swaps you can sign up for.

1. Super Swaps: A surprise item made with embellishments such as buttons...
Buttons? I'm in. This is done through the Flickr Group Super Swaps. Sign ups open until 30th June. This is my inspiration mosaic for it.

2. Modern Scrappy Bits: Mug Rug, Coasters or Cup Warmer
Sign ups close on Thursday. My views on cup warmers are not as well known as those on guerilla knitting and have never generated any death threats but I have indicated a preference for one of the other two. You also send a FQ worth of quality scraps. No inspiration mosaic for this one but a cat picture instead.

Finishes

When I found out the Japan was possible I made a list of projects I wanted to finish before I left. I can now cross two more off that list.

Back in early September I had sewn the pieces together from a jelly roll. Today I got them out again and decided that instead of strips, I needed squares.

A little cutting and sewing and there you have it! I kept it really simple because I want it to be used and the fussier a quilt is that more in awe people seem to be of using it. I just used a simple cotton polka dot on the back. No quilting. All done. 

Before I sewed the pieces together I did take the opportunity to take the kind of photo I have admire on other blogs.

Isn't that beautiful? I think unbacked patchwork would make a lovely alternative to a net curtain.

My other finish is a project where I wanted to make 'something' with the selvages I'd been hoarding. At the same time I started lining them up I found out...I am going to Tokyo on Tuesday! So I decided on a project bag. 

This is a close up of the back. There were a few fabrics where I used an inch or so of the pattern as well as the selvage and I'm really glad I did that with this spool fabric. 

This side is not exactly centred. Ahem. 

The frame is a 6" or so one and I will add a wrist strap but I need to find the right thing to use. 

So yes - Tokyo on Tuesday! Only for a few days to see how it is and Pooch is coming too which I am very happy about. But what project to take with me? I am back on with Mum's lace shawl and now have the metres of edging to add. That might well be one which comes with me but I'm also wondering about a bit of sewing. Might be handy for if I wake up with jetlag but don't feel awake enough for lace knitting. 

Quilty Deliberations

I am very lucky to have both sewing and knitting in my life. When I get stuck with one I can switch to the other. I am currently stuck on the patchwork front and so have picked up the shawl I was making for my Mum's birthday. In March. It's currently got over 600 stitches on each row so is leaving me an alarming amount of time to think about my patchwork problem. You see I have been collecting fabrics.

I have had them ready since February but I just can't make a decision about what to do with them. They do not speak to me.

Ne pas.

I have so many ideas. I think that is the problem. Goddamn Pinterest. Not really I love you. My current favourite is this:

But...it just doesn't seem right. Other times I think maybe spools.

Or should I let the fabrics speak for themselves and just go with something blockier?

Or...should I just find something else to make while I'm waiting for certainty to strike? I could make one of these.

I have a pile of selveges. But maybe more like this shape.

Oh I don't know. I do not seem to be in a decisive mood. Cue my favourite graffiti.

Say It With Flowers Bloghop - Welcome!

Many thanks to our hostess for organising this. Read on to see what I made of it and for a little giveaway!

I love seeing what people make on Flickr and noticed a group gearing up for a year of makes based around a gorgeous new(ish) book called Patchwork Please.

I also dug out some packs of 4" charm squares I got on ebay years ago in lots of flower prints. I made a baby quilt from them and always meant to do another but it sits in pieces as yet unfinished. I still had a lot left though. 

Sooooo, I allowed inspiration to dictate and with many a change of mind along the way I give you my new embroidery case. 

I used the same linen as the cushion behind it - one I made for the Dresden bloghop. I followed all the measurements from the pattern in the book but changed a few details such as the square of felt which is supposed to be more of an actual needlebook. But it's not like I use a huge number of needles in embroidery so I kept it to just the one rectangle and sewed it down flat after pinking the edges. 

The front has hand appliqued petals on it. 

Plus some really bad HST's! I used that technique when you sew two charm squares face-to-face all around the edge and then cut them into quarters. And starting with a 4" charm square you end up with very tiny HSTs! 

My other half and I are planning a move to japan for a year with his job. It means I am hugely destashing which includes rediscovering things. There are lots of bits and pieces I have stashed away waiting for a 'special project'. But now I have to get rid of so many things it is time to use or lose all of those things and it has led me to a revelation:

So when I came across this beautiful cermaic button my Mum gave me a few years ago I knew it was perfect and needed to be used. 

I am *really* happy with this project and yes, it will be coming to Japan with me!

And now for a giveaway! Leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning two 4" charm squares of each of the fabrics shown in that first photo - that's 34 squares for you to play with! You have until midnight UK time on 5th June to enter. And remember to leave your email address if you're a no-reply blogger. 

Now quick! Visit all my fellow quilters to see what special projects they have made for today's day on the bloghop. 

Marla’s Crafts

Hanging On By A Thread

Moments

Tied Up In Ribbon

Made By Me In Red

Nanny’s Nook

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Cindy’s Crafty Creations

Meadowbrook

Oo La La - Care Package from France

I picked up a parcel from the sorting office yesterday evening. I then got on the wrong bus home which takes twice as long as the other one and which in any case got held up for half an hour extra by six royal navy boats complete with saluting crew going into Canary Wharf dock through an area usually covered by a bridge which had been raised for the purpose. So imagine my delight when I grumpily slumped on the sofa and wrestled it open.

See those chocolates? Real belgian ones. I adore praline shells. So much so in fact that last night I invented a device in my head that no house should be without. Because when I have opened a box I am pretty much incapable of letting it out of my sight until it is finished. Much like a cat with a sausage. My invention is a time-lock kitchen cupboard. Or I suppose a tupperware would do. But one which you couldn't open for a set period of time after you'd closed it. That way I could force myself to wait an hour between chocolates. Or at least 10 minutes. This actually doesn't exist - I have googled and come up empty. 20 hours later and there are still 4 left. This is a new Byrne record.

The arrival of this care package (form my lovely cousin) coincides with the finish of the cushion cover I have been making for her since I got back from a visit in March. Inspired by this window...

...I bring you the cushion!

The front was english paper pieced and hand sewn.

A few of the fabrics were peacock-based and one had these huge peacocks on.

I fussy cut a square with one on to base the back around then wonky log-cabined it.

It will be going in the post to them next week. Aurevoir coussin!

The Bra That Got Away

Every woman should have a Rigby & Pellar moment. They are suppliers to the Queen and have a made-to-measure service as well as a special selection for single or double masectomies. But most of all they have extremely knowledgeable staff who are guaranteed to make you feel so completely special. They don't use measuring tapes because they don't need to. They are like a reputable version of the Fonz.

You have your own luxurious dressing room. A lovely woman brings you bras from special drawers in the perfect size for you and then puts them on you. She adjusts the straps and the way you are...filling...the cup and then you both inspect the result in the full length mirror. There is no pressure at all and once she knows what you like she goes and gets more beautiful bras and helps you try those on too. You make your choice and she then brings you a selection of matching knickers. Once you are all finished you are wafted back to the front desk and see your delicious purchases being carefully wrapped in crisp tissue paper. The transaction takes place and she hands over the cherry on the cake - the bag.

And then you get home and you get the pleasure of opening that bag...

...and take out the delicate parcels.

Then you get to rediscover your purchases and really examine them in detail.

It is the quality of the materials and the finishing that makes such a difference.

And the cut of course. The two bras I bought about five years ago are still in excellent condition despite much use.

So indulgant.

And yet on the other hand strictly utilitarian. Afterall - one cannot move to Japan without suitable underwear. I am built on the british scale rather than the japanese one so doubt much of the clothing there will be designed for my particular measurements.

Despite my joy with the two bras I came away with (tempered by my gulp at the total cost - this is not a cheap place to shop hence my spacing my visits out) there was one that got left behind. It was not a substantial bra. It was black with lace and this material which had sparkly bits somehow embedded in it in such a cunning way you just know it is expensive to do. It had straps with lace coming off them and on seeing myself in the mirror all I could think was "Rapunzel".

I was very struck by the story as a child as the long hair I currently sport reflects my early look. My final project at Art College was based around the idea of long hair and I've always been a huge Mucha fan.

The bra was nothing to do with hair (probably for the best) but it did make me feel like a fairytale princess! But is also cost as much as both the other bras put together. I can't justify the cost, can I. Can I? I'm quite sure I can't. Quite sure. Quite sure I can...'t.

Say It With Flowers Bloghop Has Begun

I have been quite remiss in keeping up my end of the bargain with this but I am not making an effort to catch up and have made my entry already. The bloghop started yesterday and this is the schedule:

May 27th

Just Let Me Quilt

Sew Many Yarns

Quilt Obsession

Nati’s Little Things

Stekje

Felt Free Pa Asly

Patchouli Moon Studio

Pig Tales and Quilts

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Kaydie

Linhas, Cores E Arte

Tutinella

May 28^th

Secretly Stitching

Anolisl’s Kreative Seite

I Like To Quilt Blog

Hill Valley Quilter

InGa

Coto Patchwork

Stitching & Stuff

De Quiltborch

Jatajomi’s Stoff-nadel-fadenwelt

Gingini’s Crafts & Quilts

Debby Kratovil Qults

May 29^th

Kris Loves Fabric

Teatime Creations

~De Zondagssteek~

Ridge Top Quilts

Devoted Quilter

Mrs. Pickles Garden

Life In The Scrapatch

Englating

Why Knot Kwilt

Love It Sew It

May 30^th

A Quilt Lady

The House On The Side Of The Hill

Ella & Nesta’s Little Room

CLF by Nailaa

Atelier De Handwerktuin

Life, Quilts, and A Cat Too

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Celtic Thistle

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Dreaming In Patchwork

Around The Homestead

May 31^st

Squawk That

How Art You?

A Little Bit of Lorene

Handmade By Mama

Blooming Where I Am Planted

Jane’s Quilting

Just Quilt It

busybeequilts

Lisa In Port Hope

Les Quilts

Quilts My way

June 3^rd

Marla’s Crafts

Hanging On By A Thread

Moments

Lixie Makes It

Tied Up In Ribbon

Made By Me In Red

Nanny’s Nook

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Cindy’s Crafty Creations

Meadowbrook

June 4^th

Seaside Sewing

Kwilty Pleasures

CeLynn’s Sunflower Patch

Words & Stitches

Cherry’s Prairie Primitive

MooseStash Quilting

Bumbleberry Stitches

Just Keep Swimming

Quilter In The Closet

Les passions de cliodana

Timolily

Sew We Quilt

Click on each one to visit their blog to see what they made!

Neko Ga Imaska?

A few weeks ago I wrote about how I might be moving to Japan for a year. Back then it was 70% likely. Now I'd say it is 98% likely. Pooch has taught me my first phrase - the title of this post - which means "Do you have a cat?". I have even started a notebook.

We're talking serious lists. Did you know that storage units the size of a small shed cost about £25 a week? That's £1300 for a year. I do not have £1300. I could manage more like £13. So that means a major destash which throws my buying habits into sharp relief. Take this box of ribbon.

That's one of those deep A3 IKEA cardboard boxes. I very rarely use ribbon. Yet I do buy it when it is on sale on the off chance I will. Things bought on sale which you then don't use are not the bargain they seem. I now need to destash this ribbon on ebay and I'm not going to get half what I paid. Multiply that up to a yarn stash, fabric stash and umpteen bits of other crafting fantasia and I'm looking at having spent a lot subsidising a stranger's craft habit.

We tell ourselves that we're buying for the future or even that all this stuff is our pension, but then you never know what is going to happen next. I will certainly be taking this on board as a valuable lesson and only buying when I need something in future. I may not be waiting for the sales but then in the long-term I'll be making a saving.

Another good thing and all this is that all those things I was saving for something special I now get to use before I have to get rid of them completely. Those polka dot letters on the front of my Japan notebook? Last time I used them was when Pooch and I got engaged. So I've had that part-pack of letter stickers for more than 6 years and have moved house with them 3 times all because I was saving them for some mystical occasion. Likewise this button:

It is a porcelain one my Mum gave me that I was 'saving'. Now I've used it so will actually see it more often. It is on a project I made this weekend which is for a bloghop in two weeks time.

If you want to see what I'm currently destashing have a look on ebay here. There are a lot of craft books going on in stages as well as ribbon and other bits.

Lovely Post

I got something wonderful in the post today! My pouch from my Pretty Little Pouch Swap.

The front is paper pieced and hand stitched, and the back has an extra pocket on it. I love the colours and the fabric - polka dots! And my lovely sender included four beautiful fabrics with these chairs and armchairs on. I love the colours!

It didn't take long for it to be put to use. I just started picking fabric scraps for my mental paper pieced quilt. It is perfect! The scraps go in the big pouch and the neat stitched and plain pieces go in the smaller one. It really couldn't have been any more perfect if I'd designed it for this purpose!

Thank you Guilty Quilter!

The Weekend is A Distant Place

Work continues manic. Combine that with a delightful weekend with my new niece and I haven't been home much recently. Here she is:

That is her Mum holding her. This is her with Dad.

She sleeps pretty much 23 hours a day. Clearly related to me since that is my natural inclination. My offering was this:

The pattern is Norwood Monkey and so clearly written anyone can make it. I knitted many of the bits in the round rather than seam them afterwards. The banana skin isn't attached and I am half way through a banana that will be velcro'd into it for play once she is slightly more mobile.

Thank goodness this next weekend is a bank holiday one here in the UK. I haven't had a chance to do any sewing for a week now and have only done a small amount of vanilla knitting.