My Makes

Crane origami + WP daily prompt: “If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?”

My first thought on today's WP question is that if I ruled the world and had linguistic omnipotence, I would never presume to ban any words from general usage, even if they are words that I don't like or that have the potential to offend someone (in English or another language). Banning a word leads… Continue reading Crane origami + WP daily prompt: “If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?”

Travel · Treasures

Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)

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)

Expat in Korea · My Makes · Travel

Thoughts on masks + Japan travel

The Covid era is slowly drawing to a close in the Far East (but its not over, yet). Almost two weeks ago, South Korea lifted its indoor mask mandate in most public places. That includes shops, restaurants, and gyms, but masks on public transportation are still required. Korea has been one of the last holdouts… Continue reading Thoughts on masks + Japan travel

Free Patterns · My Makes

Flowers two ways: gift embellishments in fabric and paper

I've been hunting for ways to add something extra to gifts I plan to wrap soon, and I found a couple of nice ideas on YouTube. The first gift decor is a classic baby sock rose, made with tiny cotton socks, floral wire, floral tape, and paper leaves (I used green crepe paper since it… Continue reading Flowers two ways: gift embellishments in fabric and paper

Free Patterns · My Makes

16-pointed Tico Star – pattern and pix

I spent a little time on this rainy afternoon playing with some paper from my copious stash. On my many trips to Japan, I've collected reams of washi, origami paper, and various scraps, so today I had plenty of creative material to help me make a simple star from a free, dowloadable PDF pattern by… Continue reading 16-pointed Tico Star – pattern and pix

My Makes

New paper cut floral art from Japan

Now that I've finished painting my kitchen and living room area, it's time to think about organizing pictures I want to hang. Just today, I completed a wonderful little paper cut-out floral kit that I got on my trip to Tokyo last February, at one of my favorite paper shops and galleries, Ozu Washi. The… Continue reading New paper cut floral art from Japan

Expat in Korea · My Makes

A bit of “housekeeping” and a sneak-peek at my test garment

I have been so absorbed with work and my crochet projects that I think I've lost a bit of my paper mojo (pojo?). I want to get inspired again, because I have a lot of beautiful ideas on the back burner, including a cut-out paper flower kit I bought in Tokyo that would be perfect… Continue reading A bit of “housekeeping” and a sneak-peek at my test garment

Expat in Korea · My Makes

Spring, social distancing, and an origami cocker spaniel

Just a quick post to check in. I'm still teaching online classes at my university, and we'll be doing them for an additional week. I've actually thought all along that we might have to do them online for the entire semester; let's wait and see. Spring is coming quickly to South Korea and people are… Continue reading Spring, social distancing, and an origami cocker spaniel

My Makes · My Neighborhood

More progress with the Spice Market project and doll

Just checking in to share where I'm at with a few of my long-term projects. I have been crafting a bit more slowly recently, since I am officially back to work. Because of the Covid-19 issue, I've had to revamp all my lessons to go online for the foreseeable future - so I am plenty… Continue reading More progress with the Spice Market project and doll