Bookcase Tour Tuesday - Japanese Sashiko Inspirations

"'Traditional' Japanese sashiko conjures up images of white running stitches on indigo, often in intricate traditional patterns."  While Susan Briscoe's book Japanese Sashiko Inspirations uses traditional techniques and designs, the 25 projects she presents have a bit more of a modern feel to them.

 

She does however begin the book by briefly talking about the history of the craft and the way it has developed and changed through time...

The next chapter, "Getting Started" is the one I really need, it explains the equipment and materials needed, talks about transferring the designs onto the fabric and goes into the stitching technique.  The photos and instructions are clear and easy to follow.

One concept that I really like in this book, is that for each main project it gives a "Technique Taster" - a way to play with the stitches before jumping in with a larger piece of work.

The circular "marumon" designs are some of my favourite...

And at the end of each project she shows where the inspiration for the work has come from.

The "Sensu Tablemat" is really pretty, but I could never imagine using it as a placemat... I'd spill something on it for sure... It could look really pretty hanging somewhere I think...

Throughout the book there are quite a few designs to play with...

These greeting cards are just lovely!  It's something that I would frame if I was ever given one...

The author, Susan Briscoe, is a quilter so at the end of the book we are treated to delicious eye candy of some of her gorgeous, much more ambitious work.

Japanese Sashiko Inspirations: ISBN-13: 978-07153-2641-1

And for any Brisbane locals that are interested, I have heard whisperings that Susan Briscoe is coming our way in early 2011 to teach workshops... I'll keep you up to date if I hear anything.

***Update - Susan was kind enough to leave a comment to say that she'll be here in March 2011 - mark your calendars! ***

Lastly, I couldn't finish this post without telling you where my own sashiko inspirations came from.  While I was living in Japan and was seeing beautiful work around me, it was actually Sharon of Handmaiden fame that inspired and encouraged me to give it a go.  While my fabrics, threads, samplers and patterns are still waiting to be taken out and used, I look forward to playing with them one day.  You can see some of Sharon's beautiful work and tutorials here.

Hidden Treasures

Last night, sitting in front of some trash TV, I was carefully taking apart a gorgeous Taisho period (1912 - 1926) Meisen Silk (ikat) kimono.  The main colour was a rich, deep purple with a floral crest and geometric pattern woven in lighter colours.  It has a beautiful crisp old silk feel to the touch and as I gently removed the hand stitching I tried to imagine who it had belonged to and what occasions it had seen.

And then I came to the lining...

Inside the kimono was this vibrant teal fabric, what feels like a silk-wool blend, quite raw, I suspect it was older that the outer kimono fabric.    At some point a little bug had taken a liking to the lining fabric and had munched through areas.

Rather than just throw the fabric out it had been patched up by what appears to be scraps on hand, pieces with bright red flowers and green leaves.  But what got me is the stitching, neat little rows of sashiko stitching in the boro tradition of mending old textiles.

At the time, this would have been hidden away, maybe for the embarrassment of not being able to afford new lining, or maybe not.  There is also a real sense of thriftiness in Japan, so I hope it was appreciated for the resourcefulness and fine handiwork that it really was.

Even some of the patches have been patched...

Round holes have been sewn around before the larger fabric has been stitched into place...

I'm not sure what I'll do with this treasured piece of fabric yet, but I think it's time that the fine handiwork saw some light.

My First Attempt at something Ikebana-esque

A couple of years ago I was given a beautiful Ikebana bowl for my birthday.  It was such a treat because I was not only given the beautiful handcrafted ceramic piece and the "kenzan" (the spiky base the stems are placed into), but she also showed me how to do an arrangement.

Now I'm not the best student and didn't remember the measurements and angles that she told me are often used in ikebana, so please forgive my slap dash attempt at arranging... while I was setting the flowers in the base I told The Man that I was trying to channel my inner Natsuki (the lovely Ikebana arranging friend)...

... that being said I had a lot of fun doing it and really like how it looks sitting under some of my photos from Japan.

You can see Natsuki at work with her arrangement here.  And you know what, the following year she gave me two stunning sado (tea ceremony) bowls and the bamboo whisk and showed me the correct way to make matcha tea!  I have always been so spoilt by her!

And if you're wanting more Ikebana goodness.... 

Here you can see a lovely Ikebana book that Meanie of Momiji to Mitsukoshi showed us...

... and this Ikebana Flickr group has some stunning pieces for me to aspire to!

... and lastly... this video shows the very basics of Ikebana principals... 

...maybe I should have watched that before I attacked the flowers!  Well, that just gives me an excuse to buy some more flowers later and try again!

*** And I should mention... can you see all that lovely clear space on the dining table!!!  I had a huge tidy-up session since yesterday, motivated by family coming around for my dad's birthday dinner... I can't promise it will stay that way for long though...***

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

My Creative Space

For a few brief moments today I did consider photographing my workroom to show you the state it's currently in.  And then I came to my senses.  I don't think that you'd believe that I didn't stage the photo, I mean really, you just couldn't image that a) someone could create such a mess and b) that the same person would actually continue to work in there with it like that.

Imagine if you will, what happens when someone sorts stock to go to six different stores and for markets...  Then they realise that they are getting short on made pieces, so they go through their fabric supplies to start making some more resin pendants...  After that they remember that they really need to make some more brooches, so they had better get some fabric out for those...  And well, then some of the brooch pieces need to be painted and left out to dry... Oh, and that's right, they have a kimono fabric sale coming up really soon so kimonos and fabric pieces need to come out of storage...  And then there's the bag from the craft show that they went to last week and still haven't unpacked... And the box of beading supplies they brought up from downstairs (it usually lives on the dining table - the dining table that is always covered in craft supplies so can never actually be used for dining) so that they could be played with earlier in the week, and haven't yet been returned... Oh, and the boxes that they had to send jewellery to one store in wasn't big enough, so a different box had to come off the shelf and have its contents (wooden bag handles) emptied and they are still waiting to be put away... And then there's the pile of paperwork on the desk waiting to be attended to, but in actual fact is being ignored... Add that to the storage boxes that already live on the floor... 

By this time, there was a tiny spot on the floor where I could sit to work....

Can you understand why I decided not to take any photos?

For some neater, prettier, less manic creative spaces, Kootoyoo is the place to go.

The Happy Family Blog Break

Happy family., originally uploaded by krybot.

I'm taking a break this week from the Bookcase Tour but I think you'll forgive me when I tell you why....

Today, instead of photographing for the post, I went along with The Man to see his doctor, to get great news...

Today, eleven and a half months after it began, The Man's treatment came to a successful end. I am so immensely proud of him. All through the aggressive treatment he remained positive and the most supportive and loving husband and dad.

We are both so thankful to all the wonderful people, both near and far, who helped us over the last year, who showered us with love and support, with kind words and healing prayers. Each and every kind gesture will remain in our hearts forever.

The day he was diagnosed, his doctor told us to put life on hold for six months. That six months became almost twelve, but today, we've been able to hit that pause button once again and start back with our lives.

So tonight, instead of blogging, it's an early night to bed, a night of cuddles and of listening to my two favourite people breathe while they sleep in peace.

Making Nuno Felted Beads

Ever since I'd heard about it, I've wanted to try my hand at a bit of nuno felting.  I loved the idea of being able to combine vintage kimono silks with Australian wool to create a new textile, something I could manipulate without stitches or adhesives.

Today was officially my day off, my post-market recovery day, so this afternoon I thought I'd have a little play and see what happened.

I pulled out some sheer kimono silk lining, something with some bright patterns, some merino wool roving, hand-dyed to a glorious red and rich deep black, and a sheer red silk hankie.

On top of the hankie, I spread out a fine layer of the wool and cut out some pieces of the fabric.  I had intended just to make a piece of flat felt.

With the help of some soapy water and some bubble-wrap, I rolled the wool and silk into a piece of felt.  While I liked the resulting soft fine felt, I wasn't too exited about the kimono fabric inclusions.  So what did I do?  I screwed it all up into a ball.  I added some black wool and in the palm of my hand kept on rolling until I made some little felt balls.

I have a few ideas of what I'd like to do with these and I would like to do some more.  But mostly, it was fun to just play and to get my hands... well not dirty considering the use of soapy water... but well, to get my hands doing something different.

Did you play with anything new over the weekend?

Flickr Faves on a Friday - Shibori

Shibori in all its textural glory.

1. Shibori, 2. shibori structure suspended, 3. bomaki shibori, 4. _DSC4632, 5. Cross Pollination - shibori, 6. Shibori bubble scarf, 7. shibori, 8. Garnet Shibori Cuff No 5, 9. Shibori bubble scarf

Inspired by my new fascination, a new technique added to my things-I-really-want-to-learn list - shibori. Until recently I had always thought of shibori, a traditional Japanese dyeing technique, as being just about the pattern it created.

Yesterday I had the chance to see the amazing work by Sharyn Hall at the Craft and Quilt Fair. Her pieces have this amazing texture and once again I heard that little voice in the back of my head, telling me "don't touch, look with your eyes". I so badly wanted to feel the soft delicate fabrics treated to create permanent little puffs of air. I'm still kicking myself for not booking into one of her workshops on the day.

My Creative Space

Brooches, brooches, working on and with lots of brooches....

...painting faces...

... and trying to find the right prop to photograph them with...

For more creative spaces, drop by Kootoyoo.

Bookcase Tour Tuesday-ish - Pochibukuro

Every year in Japan, on New Year's Day many lucky children all over the country are given presents of cash known as otoshidama. The (usually) crisp new bills are folded into thirds and placed into sweet little envelopes known as "Pochibukuro".

Shin Hinagata Pochibukuro is a book filled with sweet envelope designs, I'm assuming by a designer called Shin Hinagata.

( ***Update... Thanks to Clare Maree, translator extraordinaire, I now know that "Shin Hinagata" is not in fact the designers name - but rather means "new templates"... as I say later in this post... I really should have studied more... *** )

It appears that the book is intended to be cut up as all the envelope patterns are printed on templates and the other side of the page has a co-ordinating pattern. There is no way I could bring myself to put a pair of scissors to this book though!

The designs have been inspired by a range of traditional Japanese motifs. There are simple elegant ones with Kamon family crest designs...

...some of my favourite are inspired by kimono ensembles...

...there are old-style patterns

...and it's not all girly, there are plenty of funky masculine designs as well, some from kabuki...

...some from ukiyo-e artwork...

...I love the skulk of foxes in this old print and the woman appears to be running outdoors without her shoes... I'd love to know more about this artwork and if I could read Japanese, I believe that the facing page would tell me its story... maybe I should have studied harder...

...a number of designs have been inspired by kabuki costumes...

... the simplicity of this one just makes my heart sing. I think I would be equally excited about the envelope as I would the money inside...

... and I couldn't get through this post without showing a pattern taken from kimono fabric could I...

This is one of my many books I bought in Japan, but with a bit of a hunt, I was able to find it for sale online here. There are a couple of other books on the market about Pochibukuro, neither of which I've seen inside, but in case you're interested, I found this one and this one.

Shin Hinagata Pochibukuro: ISBN4-8373-0629-2

If you're like me and would love to make some pretty little envelopes to put tiny treasures in for friends, but couldn't bare the thought of cutting up such a gorgeous book, then you're in luck, visit this site, it has a super cute selection of designs ready for you to print out for free!

Kimono and Fabric Sale

It's on again! My giant kimono and kimono fabric sale! I had a ball last time watching people choose fabrics for exciting new projects, seeing people try on kimonos that then found new homes.

It's all part of BrisStyle's Eco Market, the place to go to get all your ecologically and socially sound Christmas presents and to have fun doing it! I'll also have my Eco range of jewellery, pieces made from vintage fabrics and bamboo brooches.

Mark your calendar - I hope you can come and join in the fun!

Bookcase Tour Tuesday will be Back Tomorrow

52/365|210210: The Book of love, originally uploaded by wilbert pot.

Blogger isn't playing nice tonight... it won't let me upload all the photos for today's post... so I'll try again tomorrow.

The New Week and the Winner

Isn't it great that we get so many chances to symbolically make a fresh start, to put yucky-ness behind us. We don't even have to wait for a new year, the beginning of a fresh new week is enough. There is much of last week that I'd like to erase from my memory and am so glad that now I can say that it's all in the past, it was all so last week.

In the midst of the week of bugs, both of the sickness and the technical kind, there were a few lovely moments I do want to hold on to. Nothing huge, just those simple little pleasures, a lovely mummy and daughter play date in the park and watching the little one develop new skills. This week it was learning how to use a spoon.

Practicing her spoon skills, originally uploaded by melanie gray augustin.

And then, onto the exciting bit, time to belatedly announce the winner of the Bookcase Tour giveaway. When I set up the survey, I was a little remiss in asking for a user name to announce with, so I'll be using part of the person's email address and will email the winner for their snail mail address....

With 71 entries, the Random Number Generator picked.... number 55! That makes it "Galleria..."! I'll be in touch. And thank you so much to everyone who took the time to enter and for all the lovely words. I've enjoyed each and every one of them! And will be back with the Bookcase Tour with a gusto!

Now, to get onto my new week. I wonder what it will bring... Does your new week have anything exciting to reveal?

Unplugged

Unplugged, originally uploaded by mindmapinspiration.

We're unplugged. Or disconnected at least. We've lost phone and internet connection. I'll be back soon, but in the meantime, maybe it's not the worst thing to happen from time to time (that's what I'm telling myself...).

Oni wa soto!

On February 3rd, all across Japan you'll hear cries of "Oni wa soto.  Fuku wa uchi", or "Demons out, good luck in".  It's part of the yearly Setsubun festival and is believed to "drive away disease bringing evil spirits for the year to come." (taken from Wikipedia)

Today I've been doing my own "Oni wa soto" chants.

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!, originally uploaded by hippoPAPA +mum (Bento~Life).

Ironically, just hours after my last post about all the food I wanted to eat, The Man and I were struck down with a nasty stomach bug.  The little one had come down with it the day before and was still suffering so we had the three of us very ill at the same time.  Most of the last 36 hours is a blur, but there is a moment that just seems surreal.  I'd called the after hours doctor's service, concerned what the bug was doing to The post-transplant Man, and so found myself letting a complete stranger into the house at 3am because he was going stab us with needles.

Today we're all starting to feel human again and I'm in my post-sickness washing frenzy.  The moment I start feeling the tiniest bit better, I need to strip all the beds, gather all the towels, load up any clothes that have been worn during the state of unwellness and wash.  I know that all the germs have most likely gone but it's physical need I have to clean, no cleaning of bathrooms or kitchen, no vacuuming, just washing.  No matter the weather, all windows and doors also need to be opened and today I've been almost trying to push the air out while calling "Oni wa soto!".

How about you?  Is there something you feel the need to do to expel the "evil spirits"?


***Update - I've just realised that in my sick haze, I completely missed yesterday's Bookcase Tour and to announce the winner of the giveaway!  I will try to do that either tonight or tomorrow.  I'm so sorry! ***

My Month of Gluten, My Week of Sandwiches

For the last month, I've been indulging.  Unashamedly indulging.

You see earlier this year, under the supervision of a dietician, I went off gluten.  It initially started off as a short trial to see how I'd feel and as I very quickly noticed a dramatic difference to daily stomach aches and energy levels, I stuck with it.  At the time The Man was still in the middle of treatment so neither my doctor nor dietician wanted to put me through proper testing then.

Well, the time for tests is almost nigh.  To get accurate results however I needed to be back on gluten for a month.

Then and there I decided that if I was going to have to eat food that was potentially going to make me feel unwell, then I was going to really enjoy the eating part.  I was going to have a joyous farewell party for all the foods that I may not eat for either a while, or ever again, depending on test results.

Photo borrowed from Myrtle and Eunice

Somehow I don't think that it was quite what my doctor had in mind, but I confess, somedays I've been eating my gluten quota in biscuits.  Well, biscuits, pasta, scones, waffles and a not-so-healthy breakfast cereal.  I've enjoyed the freedom of eating at a restaurants without having  to search out a little "gf" notation.  I've loved being able to just order fish and chips from any takeaway shop.  It's been great being able to catch up with a friend for a bite to eat without having to worry about food restrictions.  Grocery shopping has been fun, not having to read every label.

I now have only a few days left of my "free" diet and I realised, that for the most part, I forgot the sandwiches!  So this week is all about the sandwiches, delicious fillings loaded on freshly baked bread.  Be it a gourmet lamb and haloumi or a simple vegemite sandwich, I'm going to enjoy every single bite.

***Update - alas, it was indeed my last week of gluten eating.  Tests revealed that I was coeliac so it's now onto a gluten free diet and hopefully I should be feeling better soon ***

Flickr Faves on a Friday

Today's post is brought to you by the colour pink.

1. Dreamy Pink Balloons, 2. 14th Feb: Happy Birthday to me, 3. 100:365 {pretty pink pinkiefly, will you come fly away with me?}, 4. proserpina returns, 5. Pink + Nature + Amazing Photography = Naturally Delightful, 6. Setaria pink, 7. 02.12.10 : tickle me pink, 8. Standing on a Pink stool, wearing pink shoes, pink socks, a pink tutu, in front of a pink house... This is a true story! HBM, 9. Tie Me a Pink Ribbon

It's all about the pink this month as it's Breast Cancer Awareness month in Australia.

Last weekend I had the chance to meet with this lovely blogger who at 31 years old and with an eight month old baby was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Her story had me in tears, especially when she talks about cancer being "A ghost.  A thief." as it's a feeling my husband and I really relate to.  Amanda's story has a happy ending but serves as a reminder that this can affect people young and not-as-young.

In support of this cause, Brisbane is having quite the pink weekend.  Tomorrow (Saturday), the BrisStyle's Mother and Child market will be going pink and helping to raise money for the Chicks in Pink charity.  On Sunday, the Boutique Market will be doing their part as well.  Both markets are on, rain or shine, so grab that umbrella and get pinked up!

My Creative Space

I'm working in miniature today.  I'm preparing pieces for a resin pour tomorrow, mostly hairpins and tiny stud earrings.  It still amazes me to find the fine details in these fabrics.

For more creative spaces, drop by Kootoyoo, there's always such an abundance of talent.

My Maiocchi 2010 Spring Collection Wishlist

My Maiocchi 2010 Spring Collection Wishlist by kimonoreincarnate on Polyvore.com


Images from Maiocchi

You can check out more of Maiocchi's Spring collection here.  Anything there on your wishlist?

Bookcase Tour Tuesday - Fruits

Do you have a book that you've owned for years, have paged through countless times and each and every time you do, you find something new that you hadn't noticed before?  Fruits is one of those books for me.

This book is jammed packed with funky Tokyo street fashion portraits by photographer Shoichi Aoki.  All the models are people he has found on the street, and photographed in their chosen outfits for the day, especially in areas like Harajuku.  On the weekend, the streets of Harajuku are rich with colour and I've been know to snap a fashion photo or two of my own there.

I've had this copy for years, and have recently pulled it out for inspiration for my next jewellery range.  I'm feeling the need for something fun, colourful and quirky in my life.

On the bottom of each page it gives the name and age of the person as well as the source of the clothes.  While there are numerous designers listed, there are also many handmade and second hand clothes that were photographed.

The photographer has also asked the model two questions; "Point of fashion" and "Current Obsession".  

Some of my favourite responses to "Point of fashion?" are; "fluffy alien", "explosively cheap", "being selfish", "harmony and unity", "space hunter", "jingling socks", "image of a milkman", "a weird nurse", "the monkey on my back", "flaming pink" .... oh who am I kidding, that's only answers from the first part of the book!

"Current obsessions" listed include; "eating nikuman dumplings until I fall over", "chocolate banana and dyeing fabric", "hemming by hand" and many people said "making clothes".

The book is actually a compilation of images from the Japanese fanzines of the same name.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on a few second hand copies when I was in Tokyo last.

There has also been a sequel of this book published, Fresh Fruits.  That one's on my wish list!

Fruits: ISBN 0714840831

There is one more week left to enter my Bookcase Tour giveaway.  Thanks so much for the responses so far!  I've really enjoyed reading them and getting a little direction on the direction of these posts.

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...

Can I ask for your advice...?

I'm starting to take the plunge and advertise in a couple of magazines.  You would think that I would have actually put more stuff in my store first but maybe these ads will motivate me.

The first magazine, Yen,  has a lot of young, fresh with a bit of fun fashion in it.  I'm trying to decide between these two photos...

The second one is an eco fashion magazine, Peppermint.  For this one, I want some pieces from my "Eco range" - and my vintage kimono bamboo teapots have been the most popular to date.  Again though, I can't decide which photo to use...

Any thoughts?

Polli

Polli.  Pretty, pretty Polli.  If you drop by Creature Comforts, you could be lucky enough to win a Polli Eco Deco Garland kit.

I have been lucky this week already, I won this fabulous jewellery tree by Red Revival.  Can't you just see it painted up to join my other market trees!

Flick Faves on a Friday - Little Red

When I was little I remember going to stay with my cousins down south.  To be honest, I don't remember much about the trip.  I remember the stickers that my sister and I wore on our dresses so that the air hostesses knew to look after us as we were flying down without our parents.  I vaguely remember the corduroy dress that I wore that my  mum had made.  It was purple I think. And I remember one of my cousin's dolls.  I thought it was the best doll I had ever seen and still search for one just like it to this day.

It was a Red Riding Hood doll and she was wearing a long skirt, or maybe it was her red cloak that was long.  When you flipped the skirt up and put it over little Red's head, there was the wolf.

1. Red Riding Hood, 2. Little Red Riding Hood Dress KIT, 3. ♥Little Red Cap Girl♥, 4. Bento 05/19/09 Little Red Riding Hood, 5. Illustration Friday: Contained, 6. Red Riding Hood Papercut :), 7. Carved Little Red Riding Hood Stamp {explored}, 8. Good Morning Friday, 9. close up

I thought it was just fantastic, and to this day still do.  For years I looked for one, but of course, then didn't have google at my finger tips.  I found out today that they are called "topsy turvy" dolls.  In my hunt, I came across a number of vintage ones, but to be honest, a lot of the wolves were pretty scary.  However...  If I could knit, I wouldn't mind making this one... I found that Soule Mama had one with a similar idea.... and was tempted to get  this vintage pattern.


But really, all these cute Red Riding Hood and Wolf designs make me think... maybe I should design a softie version of my own.  If I could actually get myself organised in time, it could be my Softies for Mirabel contribution.  What about you, was there a toy in your childhood whose memory has stayed with you?