Making This House a Home :: Kokeshi Display

Since we've moved to our new home, so much energy has gone into the yard and the studio that it now feels so good to start making little corners inside really feel like home.

Recently my Kokeshi collection was unpacked and hung, using ikea cutlery trays as shadow boxes.  I will put some pretty Japanese papers in the boxes sometime soon, like I did in this display, but for now it's great to see my little dolls again.  The gorgeous quilt was made by my mum, thanks mum!  

Please excuse the unhemmed curtains in the background, that's one of the next jobs to get done.  

Mum Made This

I think I could almost make this a whole series, we have many beautiful things around our home made by my mum.

I've mentioned before that my mum is a quilter and she made the most gorgeous cot quilt for our little one.  I'm certain it's from mum that I got my fabric obsession.  After many years of my raiding her stash when I was growing up, I think she's happy to have my stash to raid now when she visits.

This quilt is one of the latest pieces of hers that I have seen.  She brought it over on her last visit for us to pass onto the Leukaemia Foundation as a donation and to say thank you for the support they gave our little family.

Looking at the quilt, you'll notice that I'm not the only one in the family influenced by Japanese textiles... 

When I was taking the photos (quickly before dashing out the door to deliver it), the little one wanted to be part of the action...

I love how on this detail on the back, it almost looks like the boys are playing with the dragonflies.

For many years I've resisted the urge to quilt.  Recently though I was shopping for a new doona cover as ours is starting to look rather shabby.  I couldn't find anything in the stores that  I really wanted but started seeing in my mind all the gorgeous fabrics I have at home... I think I can see a "handmade by Melanie" quilt there in the future sometime...