Ooops

I know I haven't updated this blog in a while. I've been really busy sewing, ripping out stitches, and re-sewing all over again! At the moment I am working on a really cute dark denim tote bag with bright yellow gingham lining, with loads of pockets of course. I also recently finished a really large tote bag using lovely Irish linen and some Japanese fabric I bought from Matatabi at etsy. I've been trying to take photos of everything to put up here but my evil camera is really acting up, I hate it, so I haven't been able to photograph anything I've been working on.
I've also discovered the joy of making tissue covers, you know the little pouches to put mini handbag sized tissues into? I've made a few so far using Japanese fabrics and some linen leftovers. They're so pretty and of course functional as we prepare for autumn colds and flus. One of my aunts saw one I made for my mam and asked if I would make her one two, so I'm thrilled. I have 2 to give her, but I want to photo them before I lose them forever, but I can't photo them because of the evil camera....
It would be so great if I didn't have to work, then I could stay at home in front of the fire completing my sewing and embroidery projects as I listen to audio books, pure bliss. oh well.

Funky Brollies

As part of the whole 'summer rain' theme I've got going on here, I thought I'd mention the online umbrella boutique that is Umbrella Art. Umbrella Art is an English website that sells really pretty and unusual brollies. I'm so bored of looking around and seeing an ocean of black umbrellas held aloft by people dressed head to toe in black. Who says boring colours are the price we must pay for function? I truly believe functional objects can also be beautiful (think zakka). Anyway back to the brollies, Umbrella Art can supply you with a brolly printed in just about any image you care to mention, whether you're in to fine art, Elvis, chocolate, roses, butterflies, frogs, cars, or any combination! I think my favourite is the umbrella with the chocolates. Prices start at around € 24 for a mini umbrella and around € 30 for a large umbrella, surely a small price to pay to 'find sunshine for your rainy days'!

PataPri Prints

I'm really liking these bold graphic prints from PataPri at etsy. PataPri is graphic designer turned silk-screen printer Yuko Uemura originally from Tokyo, Japan, now living in Chicago. Yuko says she gets her inspiration for her print designs from the shapes and colours found in nature. Indeed many of her print designs feature trees, fruit, penguins and butterflies, as these photos here show. Yuko's shop mainly stocks tea towels, because as she says herself, 'everybody has a kitchen'. I particularly love the bright crispness of this bed linen set printed on high quality cotton.

Prices for Yuko's designs start at $ 14 for a tea towel and go up to $ 180 for the duvet set.

Blue Umbrella

This is a lovely painting by the artist Joe Russell called 'Blue Umbrella'. It shows a little girl in lovely orange shoes and summer frock holding/struggling with a huge blue umbrella. I think after the summer we've just had, this is an image everyone can relate to. This painting recently sold in the Blue Leaf Gallery in Fairview, but they have a few more of Joe's excellent paintings in stock. Prices start at € 650, nab one quick!

Zakkattack

How fabulous are these pictures? These images are taken from a book called 'School Bags and Zakka Goods' it's a Japanese craft book I have recently ordered from Chocolateswirl on etsy. Apparently it has been shipped and I cannot wait to receive it! According to Chocolateswirl it has 57 patterns for the cutest 'drawstring bags, bags, shoe bags, lunch bags, place mats, bottle bags, tote bags, pouches, towels, tissue cases, and more! Some extra patterns such as a smock, apron, backpack, towel dress, pool cap, and pen cases as well.'

I already have a small collection of fab Japanese fabrics that I've blogged about before, and I've been wondering what to do with them, I think this book will provide the answer. I intend to make all manner of tote bags, mini purses, and even tissue cases. I'm really loving all things zakka at the moment. Zakka, if you dont know is a type of crafting from Japan. According to Wikipedia, Zakka goods must be ultra cute, and commonly feature unusual fabrics perhaps sporting animal motifs, such as elephants, hedghogs, ladybugs, bunnies and (prefarably cycling) polar bears, or even mushrooms. French motifs are also popular, displaying images of the Eiffel Tower, and cups of coffee, or pastries. However for a good to be considered Zakka, it is not enough to be incredibly cute, oh no, it must also be practical and easy to use. You must be able to fit a decent amount of groceries and personal junk into your tote, your wallet must be able to contain all of your credit cards, coins and train tickets, your tissues must be encased for their protection, and your lunch bag should be compartmentalised to keep napkins and drinks and food all separate.

It is this marriage of aesthetic beauty, enhanced functionality and striking individuality (Believe me you will never meet anyone with the same customized cheque-book cover as you!), that makes Zakka so endearing and guarantees that this Japanese craft is here to stay. Needless to say etsy (I know, I know, I'm obsessed) is crawling with Zakka style crafters, like the fabulous Florspace, as well as sellers who trade in Zakka supplies, like Chocolateswirl who sells pattern books and Matatabi who sells fabulous Japanese fabrics, so go on, Zakka up your life!

Ha'penny Bridge

A photo of the Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin that I recently took. Not a cloud in the sky, and the Liffey is so still.

matatabi at etsy

How did I survive without etsy? Here are pictures of two pieces of fabric I recently purchased from Matatabi over at etsy ($6.50 for a fat quarter). Matatabi has a fantastic selection of fabulous Japanese fabric with the cutest prints you've ever seen, as well as sewing tape, which is also ultra cute, but is something we don't really have here. Sewing tape is usually printed with a repeat design or motif and can be sewn onto bags, purses, just about anything you make really and is a lovely finighing touch for your crafts.

I am thinking of making a simple denim tote and using a strip of the elephant print across the top, with a matching coin purse for inside. Swit swoo. I'll post up pictures when I get them made.