My koala is finished! I started making him before I left for Japan. He is made from a lovely pattern by Storyland Amis. PHOTOS: amigurumi koala; pattern by Storyland Amis. His eucalyptus is my own touch. I used my favorite amigurumi cotton yarn, Phildar Coton 3, a French mercerized cotton, in colors Elephant and Noir.… Continue reading New amigurumi to love: Koala + bonus make
Craft Supplies: Beads from Tokyo
Before I left for my trip to Japan, I did a little online digging for the best places to find crafting supplies. One thing I needed to get for a crochet project was Miyuki beads, which are superior quality machine-made glass seed beads. I learned that there is an entire beads district ("Bead Town") in the… Continue reading Craft Supplies: Beads from Tokyo
Adventures in origami: some places to visit in Tokyo
This week in Tokyo has been a whirlwind of discovery and delight in Japanese handicrafts, particularly paper and paper folding. There are so many places to learn more about origami and find amazing materials. One of these places is Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan, in the heart of Tokyo, near the Kanda-Myojin Shrine. PHOTO: Storefront of Origami… Continue reading Adventures in origami: some places to visit in Tokyo
My foray into the world of Japanese anime dolls
"Foray" is the operative word for my brief incursion into the foreign, but fascinating (and vast) anime doll craze. My niece is into Japanese anime drawing, so I thought she would love a 3-D model from which to base her sketches. What better place to get one than in Tokyo. I am a fish out… Continue reading My foray into the world of Japanese anime dolls
First 48 in Tokyo
My first two days in Tokyo have been busy ones! I'm having a great time, and glad to have chosen to stay in the Asakusa area, as it's convenient to so many things I want to do. PHOTO: Good Morning, Tokyo! A glimpse of the Skytree from my room. One of my favorite activities so… Continue reading First 48 in Tokyo
First leg of my trip – Gyeongsan to Busan by Korail
Bags are packed, my puppy is boarded, now I’m on my way. I travel from Gyeongsan to Busan today, because my flight leaves really early from there. I had a migraine yesterday, so it’s left me with ultra-low energy today, unfortunately. One step at a time. PHOTOS: on the left, leaving home wearing my Mandala… Continue reading First leg of my trip – Gyeongsan to Busan by Korail
A couple of my current projects, and preparing for Tokyo
I leave for Tokyo early Wednesday morning (Korea time), so these next two days will be busy packing, planning, taking my dog to his sitter, and coming to a comfortable pause on some of my projects. I babysat my friend's shih tzu these last ten days. He just went home today, and I'm a little… Continue reading A couple of my current projects, and preparing for Tokyo
Filet crochet project finished and blocked
Slowly but surely, I am finishing those promised 2019 articles in my long-term WIP pile. The latest finished object is this sweet filet placemat which shows intertwined Celtic hearts. I used Lydia's #10 crochet thread in aqua, and it took an entire ball, plus a little more of a second ball. PHOTOS: placemat in progress… Continue reading Filet crochet project finished and blocked
New origami to love: Duck
Working with paper is always close to my heart, even if I sometimes get absorbed in my stitching projects and don't spend time with paper for a few weeks. You can see a few examples of my paper makes in previous posts, here, here, and here. Yesterday evening I pulled out some wonderful foil papers… Continue reading New origami to love: Duck
New Spring yarn, and shawl pattern
Just a quick update to show you some yarn (and a pattern!) from one of my recent yarn hauls. There are some bright Spring yarns in my recent acquisitions, and this is one that pops the most. I found a lovely pattern for a shawl with a pineapple motif, something that I've never crocheted before,… Continue reading New Spring yarn, and shawl pattern
