After three years of being away from Japan, I'm back for a week of good eating and cultural appreciation in the amazing capital city. Much of my fun in Tokyo will center around some of Japan's signature arts and crafts, including many forms of creativity that use paper. One of my favorite ways to use… Continue reading Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)
Category: Treasures
Dad’s 2022 Christmas ornament + year-end bits
Before the Christmas season is over, let me share with you my Dad's adorable tree ornament for this year. It's a miniature Starbucks specialty drink, inspired by the off-menu, best-kept holiday secret: the Santa Claus Frappuccino. If you want to know more about how to order one of these scrumptious strawberry latte creations at Starbucks,… Continue reading Dad’s 2022 Christmas ornament + year-end bits
Ukranian crochet hook + Etsy artists
The devastating news from Ukraine is uppermost in many people's minds these days. A couple of years ago on Etsy (my favorite craft hub), I discovered Letto Workshop, a wonderful wood-working enterprise that's run by Stanislav and Julie, a sweet Ukrainian couple who live in Melitopol. Their business started with making children's furniture, and later… Continue reading Ukranian crochet hook + Etsy artists
Free market bag crochet pattern + beautiful Japanese crafts
A couple of my bigger crochet projects are on hold (supply issues), so I finished another wonderful cotton market bag as an in-between task. This bag uses Paintbox Cotton DK in Eggplant. It was such fun to make that I might crank out a few more for friends. If you are keen to try making… Continue reading Free market bag crochet pattern + beautiful Japanese crafts
New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book
Just a couple of crafty updates to share. I recently ordered some exquisite coloring books by the Japanese artist Kanoko Egusa. They were shipped to me from Pomadour, an Etsy seller in Niigata, Japan. Below are a few sample pages with adorable, fanciful animal figures and floral themes. I think my mom will like this… Continue reading New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book
New WIP with yak yarn; Forest mushrooms
Two completely unrelated tidbits to share today. The first is a new hooded cardigan project, using beautiful Tibetan yak yarn that I've been saving since January. The pattern is by Mon Petit Violin. PHOTOS: Cardigan yoke is finished; now on to the rest. I'm using DK-weight 100% yak yarn in lavender, and a 4.5mm hook.… Continue reading New WIP with yak yarn; Forest mushrooms
Yarn swift and ball winder in action
I've unboxed and tried out one of my early birthday presents - a yarn swift and ball winder sent from the United States. Believe it or not, I've been balling up yarn the old-fashioned way for years, and I recently thought it was high time I joined the 20th century (give me more time to… Continue reading Yarn swift and ball winder in action
Happy Nowruz and cookies recipe
I am not Iranian but have dear friends from Iran who got me started celebrating the Spring equinox holiday known as "Nowruz,” or "New Day" translated from Persian. My contact with the culture includes a love for the food, and I've learned to cook several dishes from the wonderful Iranian cuisine over the years. I'll… Continue reading Happy Nowruz and cookies recipe
2014 Travel memory: lovely handicrafts of Laos
I've found some simple ways to experience joy during this past year of being grounded by the pandemic, many of which are just outside my door in the beautiful Korean countryside. Some other sources of comfort have come from my substantial cache of travel memories I frequently access, as I regard the mementos that surround… Continue reading 2014 Travel memory: lovely handicrafts of Laos
Daegu oriental medicine market area; new yarn and WIP
During my semester break I've been painting, but do make time to get out of the house as much as I can to enjoy my neighborhood in the recent mild temperatures. The other day I ran some errands downtown, and passed through one of Daegu's treasures, the Oriental Medicine Market. The market encompasses a few… Continue reading Daegu oriental medicine market area; new yarn and WIP
The Frill Seeker 