Summer Project

Aghh I have just found out that I have three projects to get done over summer. Need to put my thinking cap on and decide on what themes i want my projects to be on and my colour palettes....

Time to think....

Goodies

My box of goodies...I have to get round to using these.

Practice makes perfect

I have had a very creative last couple of days. I wouldnt say anything was near the level of selling yet but, practice makes perfect, so I am happy to carry on experimenting.

All fabric om these pin cushions have been designed and printed by me.

Busy Bee

I have been trying to keep myself busy the last few days. Things have been unsettling at home and working on a sewing machine has been keeping me sane! Its been a while since i have made anything like this, I have been working a great deal with print this last year. I feel rusty...

I used letters from old piano sheets and machine embroidered them into the fabrics.

Finding Inspiration...

Green Geisha Kimono by Jane LaFazio

"One of series of three, using origami paper and rice paper, with a coffee-stained background."

Some inspiring work by Jane LaFazio, who works with mix media, paper and cloth. I love the asian influences that come into her designs.

Plain Jane Studio - Asian Gallery

Batik Organizers

Last summer i managed to make some organisers, which i have yet to try and sell. I ended up getting distracted by a summer project from uni that i was given. I have just been having a clear out of all my stuff and managed to find them! Hopefully I will be able to put them on my etsy shop soon.

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず

Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu

If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained"
...

Japanese Bunka Emboidery

"Japanese Bunka, what is called Bunka Embroidery is a form of Japanese Cultural Embroidery using a punch needle and synthetic thread. It is often known as "painting with thread" as the finished effect is one of a painting, the thread providing the texture and the colors and workmanship providing the depth.

The thread is of a stretchy nature such that it stays in without knotting when punched through a tightly woven fabric. Bunka Embroidery is an art originated in Japan, at the end of Taisho era, around 1910s.

A Bunka Embroidery picture resembles an oil painting, however, on closer inspection, you will see the beautiful art of stitchery.

The Bunka Embroidery has its large population not only in Japan but also all over the world. We are very proud to offer you our embroidery kits as worldwide-cultural crafts born in Japan. "

Toyko Bunka Art

I really want to give this technique a go! Need to purchase a Punch Needle first though!

Tell me what you saw - Flickr

Some inspirational images from Japan. Such an amazing photographer.

Geisha Of Gion. The Autobiography by Mineko Iwasaki

One of the most spellbinding books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I finished this in just over a day, and I am not a big reader. I could feel myself slipping into Mineko Iwasaki's Geiko life. Trully amazing. Her life had so many ups and downs but everything she did was for the love of the arts. Inspirational.

I love reading about the traditions and the culture of Japan especially when they come straight from those who lived their life in Japan. Things become tainted when stories are passed down through cultures and across languages. I would love to learn the Japanese language. To be able to read and speak japanese would be amazing. Hopefully I will have the time one day.

I am having difficulty getting into the spirit of things. I have finished all my work for the summer and am wanted to be inspired to do my own development work over the summer but it is not happening right now. Lets hope it does soon.

I also have my dissertation research to do this summer.

Has modern Japan lost its traditional ways?

Did the westernization of Japan lead to its cultural downfall?

I am hoping to visit quite a few museums over the summer and, once the sun decides to keep its hat on this summer i want to visit Kew gardens and walk around the Japanese Gateway and Japanese Landscape Gardens. I think this will be the highlight of my summer.