Appliqué Pincushion

It has been far too hot this week to work in my sewing room as it doesn't have air conditioning. Perth is having the hottest and driest summer on record, and with the hot days expected to continue for at least the next week, it may be a while before I start on any big sewing projects. Last night I decided to do a little bit of appliqué in front of the TV (in air conditioned comfort).

I love my new pincushion. The little toadstool ribbon finished it off perfectly.

Marie Claire Idees and Japanese Masking Tape

As soon as I saw the front cover of the latest issue of Marie Claire Idees, I was excited! It features an inspiring section on ways to use Japanese Washi Masking Tape.

It has stationery projects.....

Projects to transform glassware and kitchen items ....

Plus loads of other ideas!

If you are after Japanese Masking tape, it is available locally in Perth at Zakka Box or you can buy it online at Cute Tape.


Marie Claire Idees also has a wonderful project to transform an Ikea Billy Bookcase and some Mackis CD storage boxes into this fabulous craft room storage unit.

Marie Claire Idees continues to be one of my favourite magazines with a lovely mix of projects from a range of media including fabric, yarn, paper and more. The styling of all the projects is lovely. I am so glad that Sarah is learning French at school - hopefully it won't be long and she will be able to help me translate more of the text so I don't have to rely solely on the pictures and the remnants of my high school French.

Fabric Gift Pouch

Here is a little fabric gift pouch - it is the perfect size to gift some jewellery or other small item. The inspiration came from a Japanese magazine.

They are really quick to make.

Materials:

• 2 squares of cotton fabric 8 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches (22 cm x 22 cm)
• 40 inches ( 1 m ) white crochet cotton or similar

Method:

1. Position the squares of fabric so that the right sides are facing. Stitch around each side using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3 inch gap on one side for turning. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press. Use a slip stitch to close the gap.

2. Mark 3 1/4 inches from each corner. Fold the corners in where marked and press. Stitch the corners down, 1/2 inch from the edge. (Refer to photo)

4. Cut the crochet cotton in half. Thread a length of cotton twine through the channels on the corners and then tie the ends together. Starting from the opposite side, thread the other length of cotton through the channels and tie. (Refer to photo)

5. Pull the ends of the cotton to gather up the pouch. Pop in your gift, tie a bow, and trim the ends of the cotton twine as desired.

Of course I couldn't resist adding a small tag - fortunately I had the perfect colour of Japanese washi tape to match :)

Edit: You can find some Christmas Pouches here.

Bedroom Makeover

Over the past couple of weeks we have been putting the finishing touches to Sarah's bedroom. The new quilt looks so fresh and pretty in her room, and the red and aqua colour scheme is perfect for a teen. I made a matching pillowcase, and am currently working on a cushion.

Sarah is making some sleep shorts in Aqua Bliss at school. I made a couple of matching mats to put on her bedside table and drawers.

We even found some red and white lanterns at Typo, our new favourite store that has recently opened in WA. I love the Eiffel Tower mirror that we found in Sportsgirl.

I gave Sarah the jewellery tree for Christmas and it is perfect for storing/displaying her long necklaces. It is a "Paint your own Apple Tree" from Red Revival, we plan on painting it white in the not too distant future.

Sarah has organised her desk with lots of red and blue accessories. She was fortunate to receive a Mac Book last week at school as part of the Government's Laptop Program for high school students. She customised her cover with red and white polka dots.

This afternoon Sarah has made up a batch of cupcakes with a chocolate ganache - I am looking forward to having one for afternoon tea.

I photographed the cupcake using my new portable light box that my husband bought me for Christmas. It is so quick to set up near a corner window for great macro shots.

Getting Organised

Our Growing Collection of Kokeshi Dolls

There hasn't been much sewing or crafting happening around these parts this week. Getting back into the work routine seemed to stifle my creativity, plus we had the added excitement of my son's Year 12 School Ball. It was a very proud moment seeing him all dressed up - I still can't believe he is in his last year of high school.

I spent some time over the weekend tidying up and reorganising my crafty space and hope to get back in there this week to work on some projects.

My rubber stamps are now housed in an old cigar box. Hopefully by having them out I might be tempted to use them - I don't do much card making these days.

Have finally labelled the rest of my supplies.

The book shelf has been tidied.

My collection of Japanese craft books is growing.  I am eagerly awaiting delivery of this Japanese book (it will be the first Japanese craft book that I have that is translated into English!)

 I have prettied up my workstation with some aqua and red supplies.

I have put my collection of Bonne Maman jars to good use. I especially love the mini jars.

Hope to get started on some new projects this week!

Doll House

One of my favourite childhood toys was a lovely Doll House that my sister and I were given one Christmas. My parents kept it, and all their grandchildren have also enjoyed playing with it over the years. The grandchildren are all past playing with dolls now so I recently asked my Mum if she still had it.

I have set it up in our craft room where it puts a smile on my face every time I walk in the room. It could probably do with a new coat of paint, but I love it just the way it is.

It is the perfect size to store some of my favourite fat quarters. My "Knitting Nancy" is quite at home here.

While I was tidying up the craft space, I also arranged some of my Japanese washi tape in an old cigar box so that it is on display. This is only half of my collection (I added to my masking tape supplies while in Japan - it really is very addictive!).

Thanks for the lovely comments on my heart shaped pot holder. I return to work tomorrow so don't have time to write up a tutorial. Sarah put her Eiffel tower cookie cutter to good use and made some delicious cookies. They were c'est magnifique!

Valentine Pot Holder

With three weeks away from my sewing machine, I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms. Yesterday I made up this little Valentines inspired pot holder out of a fat 1/8th of heart fabric I found in my stash. I teamed it with some natural osnaburg.

Do you see the cute Eiffel Tower cookie cutter? Sarah spotted this last week in Tokyu Hands and it had to come home with us. She currently has a batch of Eiffel Tower cookies in the oven - can't wait to see how she decorates them! 

I spotted the little treat boxes in Daiso, the 100 Yen Shop. 

I quilted hearts on the back of the pot holder.

Et Voila!

Edit Feb 2013: We have now prepared a step by step photo tutorial on how to make our Heart Pot Holder pattern. You can find all the details here

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Book Review: Sew Step by Step

We recently received a review copy of Sew Step by Step by Alison Smith from Penguin and its arrival was perfectly timed. Sarah had her first lesson in Textiles at school this week and will be making a number of projects over the term. She will be learning how to attach a zip; make buttonholes; and a number of other techniques. I am so excited that she will be building on her basic skills and starting to make garments. This book will be an excellent resource for her as it covers all the basic techniques needed to make clothing, soft furnishings and more.

If you are after projects, this book is not for you. It is more of an encyclopedia of techniques that covers all the basics such as: how to master seams, hems, edges; how to attach fasteners such as buttons and zips; how to add shape to your clothes with gathers, darts, and pleats. You can get a peak inside the book here.

What I love most about the book is that all the techniques are photographed step by step to guide you through the process. It is the sort of book that will give you the confidence to try new techniques and will be referred to again and again.

It is published by Penguin (RRP $29.95). It is also available from the Book Depository.

Do you have a favourite sewing resource?

"Left My Heart in Tokyo" Part 2

Left My Heart in Tokyo has become the theme song for our holiday. We visited different parts of Japan this time round, and spent more time exploring Tokyo (apart from just shopping). We have had some requests for more photos/details of our wonderful trip so here is a run down of our holiday.

In Tokyo we saw the following attractions, many of which are in the beautiful Tokyo Bay area:

Statue of Liberty, Tokyo Bay

• Visited Sega Joypolis, a three floor indoor amusement centre featuring lots of virtual reality rides. This was a big hit with the teens! 
• Panasonic Centre, a showroom of the latest products and technologies from the Panasonic Corporation. We are a family of science geeks and love all the latest gadgets etc.
• Sunshine City Mall (this had great shopping including Loft, Shinzi Katoh, Daiso) and visited the Sky Deck on the 60th Floor which has a 360 degree view of Tokyo City Centre. 
• Revisited the Tokyo Disney Sea, a fabulous Disney Park that is centre around different themed ports each with a selection of attractions including rides and shows. This is our favourite Disney Park and visiting in winter was great with no queuing.
• National Museum of Emerging Science a great science museum which also has demonstrations of the Asimo robot.
• Tokyo Tower and Wax Museum
• Plus shopping in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku. 

We visited the town of Nikko which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for Shrines and Temples. 

Sacred Bridge, Nikko

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil,  Nikko

We also spent a day at the nearby Edo Wonderland, a amusement park set up in the Edo period complete with Ninja's popping up when you least expect it. All the staff wore costume and there were some great shows going on. Being in the middle of winter, in some of the performances we were the only people in the audience.

Magician, Edo Wonderland

Next we went to Shiga Kogen , the largest ski resort in Japan. It had been 15 years since I last skied (in Colorado) and I am pleased to say it is like riding a bike. It was Sarah's first time skiing but she picked it up well and was able to snow plough down the beginner slope with ease:)

From there we went to Matsumoto famous for matsumotojo built in 1592, and also explored the Nakamachi district which is famous for its handicrafts. 

Matsumoto Castle, Mastsumoto

Then it was back to Tokyo for some last minute shopping before heading home.We had a brilliant trip and it was relatively easy to navigate the train system to get around.  I would love to go back one day, preferably in spring to see the cherry blossoms. 

"Left My Heart in Tokyo"

It is hard to believe that it is February already and school is back in session. My teens are in Years 9 and 12 this year. It is hard to believe that this is my son's last year of school- their school years certainly fly by!

We have recently returned from a 2 week family holiday to Japan. After our wonderful trip there last year, we couldn't wait to go back and see more of this beautiful country and experience more of the Japanese culture.

Japan really has it all - breath taking scenery; fascinating shrines and temples; beautiful old castles; theme parks; great skiing; amazing shopping; the latest technology; food - there was something for everyone!

It was a trip of a life time and wonderful to spend 2 weeks together as a family away from the distractions of everyday life. Travelling in winter was a novelty and a relief from our long hot summer. 

I hope to catch up on my emails and blog reading over the next few days (sorry if you are waiting for an email from me!). We are now feeling really refreshed and have loads of inspiration and ideas of A Spoonful of Sugar in 2011.