Lately, in the Studio

Lately, I've been having lots of fun playing with new work in the studio, tinkering around with bits of silver and dashes of colour, just the way I like things.

I've started playing with a new range inspired by the scales on Japanese Koinobori banners.  I want the pieces stackable with variations in colours that will blend together, these are some of my results so far....

I've also started extending my "Rock Pool" range.  My scarlet Rock Pool drop earrings are my go-to earrings, they go with most things in my wardrobe and I feel instantly more glamourous just by slipping them on.  I'm now working on some stacking rings to add to the range in a variety of different hues.

And of course, the main purpose of my recent trip to Japan was to source new fabric and handmade papers for the Kimono Reincarnate signature ranges.  I really love the treasures I found and how they're turning out.

And pssst... there are some new "Quilted" designs being added to my Kyoto Collection.

Recently I took an online drawing class with Lisa Congdon on Creativebug.  Even though I have a degree in Visual Arts, I realised that other than quick not-good-enough-to-show-anyone sketches of jewellery design ideas, I haven't done any pen sketching since my second year of university, which was a very long time ago.  While I'm still feeling rather rusty, it's been great to get pen back on paper and to doodle away.

I have plans for some of those doodles too.... and have been getting a few prototypes made which hopefully I can show you in the next couple of months...

This week the work in the studio is all about getting ready for the GoMA Winter Design Market.  It's on this Saturday, 19th July at the entrance to the Queensland GoMA gallery, South Brisbane.

Then, for a couple of weeks after the market I'll be working on a big update of my website to include the new designs.

The Patchwork Clock - Ikea Hack

The first ever patchwork that I did was helping my mum out with a hexagon quilt, back in the days when she was starting to learn too.  Ever since then, I have a special place in my heart for the six-sided shape, especially when combined with pretty fabrics.

So on my latest trip to Ikea, when I saw this clock, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with it.

Each of the hexagons come separate and can be clipped on so that you can choose your own final shape.

With a bit of Mod Podge glue, I covered each shape with quilting fabric.  Initially I folded the fabric around the edge but found that the didn't fit so well together by doing this.

I then trimmed the edges with a sharp pair of scissors and spread another layer of Mod Podge over the top, making sure I got the edges to stop the fabric from fraying.

It was then simply a matter of clipping the bits together and hanging on the wall.

I still have some pieces left over.  I found I didn't like how the dark grey and black showed through the fabrics.  Once we get a fine day again, I'm going to spray paint those pieces white, cover them in some more fabric and make the clock bigger.

I'm really pleased with the result, especially for a single evenings' work.

My Creative Space

Sorting fabrics for the baby quilt today. Mum and I are still debating about the background colour, she's wanting to do it in a lime green, but I'd really like an azure blue-ish colour, inspired by the colours of this gorgeous doll by Ravenhill. What do you think?

Check out Kootoyoo for more creative spaces.

The Owl and the Pussycat...

...and the robot and the geisha....

Finally, a store update! They're all on sale too! Still lots more to list, but I'm getting there slowly... There's still time to enter my giveaway for a voucher to the store before I move.

The Move, the Sale and the Giveaway

The fact that I have only six and a half weeks left until I leave Japan is becoming more and more real. Our packing boxes from the shipping company arrived on the weekend, so stand as a reminder every time I go into the living room. As the living room is in the centre of the small apartment, that is a lot of the time.

For months now, I've been reflecting on where I want to take my business. I've had a few great years playing with ideas, exploring different product ranges and working out where my heart really lies. I've found that I've been spending too much time buying, sorting and photographing fabric supplies, that it has left little time for my real love, creating. As a result, once I move back to Australia, I'm going to be focusing on creating more jewellery, more bags and other things that for now remain in my sketchbook. I'll continue to sell kimono fabric, partly as an excuse to play with the gorgeous textiles.

As a result, I'm hoping to clear as much of the gorgeous Japanese cotton fabrics that I have in store and in stock waiting to list. Soooo... that means, it's time for a sale! A moving, leaving Japan, sale!

For the month of February, there is, and will be of all the new stock I list, 25 to 50% off everything. I hope to list new things every few days.

Mmmm... so that's the move, and the sale. How about the giveaway? I always love a good giveaway.

I'm giving away a US$30 voucher for my store. I'll draw the winner on February 18th, but need to ask that you use the voucher by February 28th. After that, our apartment is in serious, need-to-pack-everything-in-sight mode.

To win? Please visit my Etsy store, then comment on this blog which item is your favourite and if it's a fabric, what you think you might create with it. If you'd like two entries, mention the giveaway on your own blog and tell me in the comments also.

Good luck! I'm back to my packing now.

The Never-ending WIP

I hope to one day finish this dress, but for now, it continues to be a work in progress. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking, attempting to sew a dress without a pattern. I had a wrap dress that I based it on, but don't really know what I'm doing. The bodice and shoulders are too big and my seam ripper and I have been spending lots of time together.

It's turned out much busier than I'd planned, but I do love the floral fabric I've used and am hoping it might distract people from all the mistakes.

For now, here's where it's at. I still have to make the ties for the waist, hem all of the skirt and try to fix the bodice. One day it will be finished....

A Little Updating

I'm slowly getting stock in my store......

1. Shinzi Katoh Alice In Wonderland, 2. Maneki Neko on Blue Fabric, 3. Hedgehogs and Squirrels, 4. Kokeshi on Red Fabric, 5. Shinzi Katoh's Little Red Riding Hood, 6. Sausage Dog Fabric, 7. Teacups on Grey Fabric, 8. Forest Friends Fabric, 9. Native American Bunnies Fabric

One More Before Bed

Not sure if this one works, but it's almost 4am, I probably should go to bed now...

Playing Around With Images From My Fabric Folder

Can't sleep, so playing on Photoshop with images of fabric that I have.


I started playing with this one for an image I want to transfer onto a silver jewellery piece. The silver came out a bit wavy, so I thought I'd go with the flow (sorry about the pun) with the image for it.

I have no idea what this one is for, but had fun doing it. I just loved these retro kokeshi dolls.

Not much has been happening behind the sewing machine lately. I seem to need to sleep most of the day and then am awake all night. In this thin-walled Japanese apartment, I don't think my neighbours would like me much using the sewing machine at 3am.

Well, I'm off to play some more!

Maiocchi and Kokka

I recently noticed that Maiocchi, one of my favourite designers is using one of my favourite Kokka fabrics. Bet you can't tell how much I want to go shopping there now!

The Not Secret Anymore Squirell Business Giveaway

I really can't thank everyone enough for all the lovely comments, advice and cuddles on my last post. It meant more to me than you'll ever know!

I'm happy to say that I'm now super excited about my Fabric Lovers Guide to Tokyo again, busily working away on it and planning where to go and what to do on my next trip.

As a token of my appreciation, and to get just a little more clarity of what people want, I'm doing a giveaway but asking for a little more help.

The prize? A $50 gift voucher to use in either my Etsy store, my eBay store or a combination of both. Don't worry about postage costs, they aren't taken out of the voucher, but will be included in the prize as long as everything is sent together.

Now, I have to confess, my Etsy store is still looking a little bare, but I hope to get it stocked up next week, here's just some of the fabric waiting to go in there...

How can you win? Easy, just leave me a comment (with your name and an email contact if you're signing in anonymously) telling me what you'd like in such a Tokyo/Japan Fabric/Craft Shopping guide book.

If you're one of the fabulous people who has already given me advice on it, please just leave a comment on this post and say something like "See my cuddles comment".

Leave the comment by Sunday August 24th, I'll draw the winner using a random number generator on the 25th.

Good luck!

Still time

A couple of people have commented that they thought they'd missed out on the Tokyo Trip Giveaway , but it's not so, there's still time.

The confusion is my bad, I just wrote "next week" and not the date. That's what can happen when you're blogging past your bedtime. I'll be drawing the winner on Wednesday night (my time) 11 June.

I've loved reading everyone's thoughts so far on achieving balance in life. There has been some great advice and well as support. Thank you so much! I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to the comments, but I really have loved reading them all.

So, for now, good luck on the giveaway!

News and a Giveaway

Today, my horoscope told me;

"Although you may attempt to keep your work schedule simple today, it will still probably grow out of control. Forget about fitting everything into your calendar for a while, for you are likely biting off more than you can control."

Seriously, I felt like it could have been talking about the last few months.

So, news! No, it's not that I'm pregnant. I just thought I should clear that up. One of my Japanese friends gets very excited every time I tell her I have "news". "You're pregnant!" she blurts out. I feel bad for disappointing her each time.

No, instead, a new baby of sorts. I finally got the Kimono Reincarnate Etsy store opened! I really wanted to have more listed in there for it's big "Hey world, I'm here" announcement, but well, see the above in this post.... I have so much more to list, some gorgeous fabrics and papers I've been collecting for months as well as lots of little crafty things I've been working on, but that will get done gradually.

Drop by and check me out sometime, I'm over at Kimono Reincarnate.

So, to celebrate, I'm giving away some of my Tokyo trip goodies.

Firstly in the package is a collection of artists' cards from the Design Festa. Some postcard size, some smaller.

Then there's also this little kokeshi strap made from antique kimono fabric and leather. She's another Design Festa find.

And.. there's ten not-so-fat not-quite-quarters of new Japanese cotton and cotton blends.

But wait, that's not all! I'll also throw in some surprise goodies. Some of my new Etsy-like products that haven't been listed yet.

So, how do you get your hands on this stash? Easy. To go into the win, do one, (or both) of two things.

1) Comment on this post. I WAS going to ask you what Japanese craft stuff you'd like to play with and what you'd do with it, BUT, as I'm trying to fit more into the hours of my days, I'd love to hear what you do to find balance in your life.

2) Who said money can't buy love? Well, I'm going to bribe you. You can get an entry into the giveaway by "heart"ing my Etsy store.

If you do both, you get two entries!

If you're a non-blogger, feel free to enter, but don't forget to put your name on the entry somewhere!

I'll draw the winner next week on Wednesday night-ish.

Good luck!

Drumroll Please

Oh! That was fun! I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments for their Fabric Giveaway entry. There was lots of sleeping in, lots of things that involved water whether it be swimming, soaking in a bath or listening to waves and of course lots of crafting. I'm really going to have to free myself up some more days do some of those things myself.

So... you're probably wishing I would stop rambling on and announce the winner already. Well, there were a total of 60 comments, a few of those were doubles and a couple of anonymous but with no names at all (some of the nameless "anonymous" people emailed me with their names so that was no problem). In the end, there were 52 entries and the random number picker picked number 44.

So that means the winner is.....

Zenzhey who wrote

"If a had a free day I would sew all day! I have been dreaming of it..I have so many ideas of bags and things I would like to make but never anytime to just play around with the fabric. Not an extraordinary thing but honestly that's all I want!"

Ahh... she sounds like a kindred spirit. Don't you just love the term "kindred spirit", it always makes me think of Anne of Green Gables.

Zenzhey, please email me with your address so that I can send your little package onto you.

Thanks to everyone that entered, sorry you didn't win this time. I'm going to try to do a giveaway on a somewhat regular basis so please keep your eyes out for them. Better luck next time.

And for some shameless self advertisings.... After a longer-than-planned break to sort out stock, I've finally begun auctions again. Here's a sneak peak of what is going this week.