SHIM + SONS

thank you

:: I'm in love with our local bookstore :: I find all sorts of cute things there like this red grid tape ::

:: and this rolling alphabet stamp ::

:: one of the mums at school let me borrow a stack of ku:nel + come home! magazines :: I've been in japanese magazine heaven! ::

:: and they came in this beautiful drawstring bag ::

:: I stick a handmade thank you card in the bag when I return it to her every week ::

:: and she brings me a new stack of magazines ::

:: we have a nice system going :: and it has reminds how everyone loves a good old fashioned thank you card ::

spring/summer 2009

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner which means I have new tunics + dresses on my mind. Seeing all the cute dresses Melissa has been sewing up lately has inspired me to try out a few patterns from the Stylish Dress Book I picked up in Tokyo. I have a stack of fabric waiting to be cut in to--a soft grey cotton lawn, a crisp grey + white plaid shirting and a cute grey + white gingham print I bought at Okadaya last January [as you can see I consider grey a color for all seasons].

I'm also really tempted to have a few things made by a local tailor since the cost is quite reasonable. I'm a bit of a lazy sewer so if a garment requires too many steps I tend to lose interest in making it. Oh, and in my fantasy land I would also add to my spring/summer wardrobe this jacket, this dress, and this dress, these tops, these sandals and these wedges.

Ok, back to reality now. Although I stocked up on some simple Uniqlo t-shirts and Muji shorts for the boys while in Hong Kong [all on sale!], I'm planning to make some simple capris and shorts in gingham, seersucker and linen. I also want to test out a necktie pattern in one of my Japanese craft books. I'm hoping to get some family portraits taken this summer [finally!] and I think the boys would look sweet in some gingham neckties. Ok enough talking, on to the sewing!

japanese craft book :: illustrators

:: japanese craft book featuring four illustrators :: ISBN4-7762-0213-1 ::

:: kuniko nagasaki ::

:: dick bruna ::

 

:: ryohei yanagihara ::

work in progress 07

The cooler weather around here has put me in the mood for fall. I love fall clothes--sweaters, jeans, skirts with tights, boots, boots + boots [oh, how I love boots!]. I'm hoping to make some nice fall pants for the boys using patterns from this book. Six of the twenty-six patterns are for boy's bottoms. I'm thinking corduroy, wool + denim.

ISBN4-418-06120-7 :: Everyday Bottoms

[I just love how they designate each pattern with a "letter" from the alphabet. So cute!]

More WIP here.

P.S. Thanks for all the nice comments regarding my patchwork wallpocket. Another one is in the works.

sugar + spice :: part 2

How many cute Japanese craft books can there be? Apparently there is no end to the number of cute craft books published in Japan! Now, I thought this was my favorite little girl's clothing book, but then I found these two books. [Oh, and have you seen Alison's latest acquisitions? So cute!]

ISBN4-579-11100-1

[This is my favorite book of the two, I want to make everything in here! And I love the choice of neutral fabrics!]

 

ISBN4-418-06410-9

More photographs here.

work in progress 05

Thank you for all the kind words regarding Appah's return. We are a happier family now that we are all under one roof. Big J didn't want Appah to go to work this morning, but was quickly distracted when I told him we would be meeting up with some of our favorite friends. He associates Sam + Melissa with all things good--cars, trucks, fun toys. We spent the first part of our play date at Bolt, perusing all the lovely fabric, notions and buttons. I left the store with some new additions to my growing orange + blue fabric collection.

The Quilter's Studio book [ISBN4579110390] is inspiring me to start some new patchwork projects.

I also want to make some patchwork potholders and oven mitts. Speaking of which, I received the loveliest package from Australia. Soo was so sweet and sent me a little "thank you" gift for hosting the vintage button swap. I literally tore open the package, squealed with delight [how did she know I love handmade oven mitts and Donna Hay magazines] and rushed to the computer to email her about how much I loved the gift. The Donna Hay magazine is a special kids issue and is full of beautiful photographs [you just can't beat the photo styling in her magazines!]. Thank you, Soo!

But before I begin any new projects, I must work on a few orders and a new freelance project. I am also on a self-imposed swap moratorium because I have a few outstanding swap packages to finish up and send off. Oh, and I had the brilliant idea of taking out everything from the closet and sticking it all in the middle of my studio, which somehow has spread all over the room. I really need to clean up the mess because it makes me a bit crazy in the head every time I open the door. If only I could just wiggle my nose... 

sugar + spice

Now why don't they ever talk about boys being made of "sugar + spice and everything nice..."? I think my boys are pretty darn sweet. But you already knew that, right? If you're a mama with girls or a mama with boys who loves girly things [I would fall into this category], you are going to love this book. [The kerchief/ruffled tank/skirt combination is my favorite, I must replicate this for myself!]

ISBN4-579-11054-4

 

P.S. For those of you who don't have access to a brick and mortar Japanese bookstore, check out Maitreya's Crafting Japanese site for a list of online bookstores and tutorials on how to order from Japanese sites. Yvonne also has a great tutorial here.

girly patchwork

This book [ISBN4-05-604283-7] reminds me of a little girl's version of the popular Machine Made Patchworks series. Everything is so sweet-- the coin purses, apron [the strawberry pocket is TOO cute], place setting.