Flickr Faves on a Friday

I missed doing the Bookcase Tour this week, so in the meantime, here's some craft book eye candy to check out.

1. Wlc2, 2. For inspiration ~ 'Cotton Friend' magazine (6), 3. Beeper Bebe Plushies Book--Cover, 4. Beautiful Kirigami - Inside, 5. five minute stationery, 6. Simetrías (Interior 6), 7. amigurumi crochet - japanese craft book 1, 8. family_sewing_3, 9. My Kids with My Crafts

Bookcase Tour Tuesday - Mixed Media Jewellery

Mixed Media Jewellery was a Christmas present last year from the Man. It's another piece that I love for the images as well as the technical advice it offers.

Before it leaps into projects, this book starts off with chapters on materials, some basic jewellery techniques and of the design process. While I'm not a follow-a-project type of gal, I do really appreciate the very clear and beautifully photographed instructions that each project chapter gives. The projects cover a wide range of materials, many recycled, as well as techniques. It's then followed by an eye-candy filled, "Gallery" double page spread. The book ends with interviews with all the artist contributors, an interesting read. It's an enjoyable book that makes the mind tick and helps ideas flow.

1. Gallery, 2. Materials, 3. Journals, 4. Gallery, 5. Instructions, 6. Instructions, 7. Image Transfer Brooch, 8. Blue Bird Brooch, 9. Gallery

And finally for today, the winner of the papercuts book is Megan who flipped through the pages of a stunning Japanese Maple book for us.

**Update... Oops, I forgot to add Mr Linky so that you can either add your own post, or check out other tours. Here it is...

Dilemma

I'm not earning money at the moment. I should be saving. I shouldn't be spending. Do I hit "add to cart" or not?

One Yard Wonders

Got a single yard (or metre for us metric speakers) of precious piece of fabric that you've been saving for a very special project, but you just don't know what that project is yet? If you're like me, you have many of such pieces in your stash waiting to tell you what they want to be turned into.

Thanks to an exciting project by the amazing Rebecca and Trish, help is soon at hand. They are currently working on a book called 101 One-Yard Wonders.

They are currently calling for submissions and the deadline is August 31st. To find out more about how to be involved in the fabulous opportunity go here.



I already know what design I'm submitting. It's been floating around in my head, and a metre is just perfect for it....

Today's Shopping

Ahh what a fabulous day! I'm feeling so indulgent this weekend and treating myself to things I haven't done in a while. Wayne and I had another late lie-in this morning, which I have to admit is getting easier in this cold weather and then we were off to Starbucks for a treat.

When Iiving in Australia, I never go to Starbucks. I believe in spending my money on local businesses and let's face it, we have so many great coffee shops of our own. Living in Japan however, Starbucks is a haven. It's one of the few places I can get an Earl Grey tea and certainly the only place I've found scones, and their cinnamon rolls keep me coming back.

This morning, I thought I'd try something new. I had a Chocolate Mint Mocha. Yum! I'm not a coffee drinker but I think I could get hooked on this. Wayne had a Gingerbread Late.

Then, for me it was time for a spot of shopping. The local craft shop was having a 20% off everything sale. The catch is, they send their members (which I am one) a postcard, which essentially acts as a once-only voucher for the sale. I was caught out in the past thinking I could buy things over the two weeks of the sale and wasted my one chance on only a few little things.

This time I was much more careful. I only picked up a couple of fabrics. It was hard but I restrained myself. This gorgeous green fabric with the owls I'm going to use to make a reading pillow as a Christmas present for my Grandma. She just loves owls. I also found these gorgeous little owls that I thought would go fabulously on the pillow somewhere.

I don't have a plan for the other fabric yet, I just loved it and I'm sure I'll find something fun to do with it over my upcoming holidays.

The book you see, is of all bags made from recycled kimono and obi fabrics. I've been drooling over it for ages and now it's all mine! I also picked up some wooden bag handles, stocked up on black cotton, bought some fabric covered button makers, a chenilling tool and a thing to make flower shaped yo-yos.

You can also see my new CD in the picture, Volume 2 of Beautiful Songs, a great mellow compilation, perfect to create by. The fuzzy, spotted blue things are the most luxurious warm socks, and KitKats great new flavour, Cookies and Milk. I did also venture into the supermarket and picked up the ingredients for my favourite Eggplant dish which my wonderful husband just cooked up for dinner. All in all, a great day!

I'll leave you with some pages of my new book.