...and yet more goodies from Japan

Every shop in Tokyo seemed to be full of things I suddenly couldn't live without but I did have to show some restraint (sigh). Here's a few more little things: a felted, giraffe pencil warmer, tape measure trim, mini Blythe, cake eraser set, buttons and tiny tiles!

The Haul from Japan ...part one...

Here are some of the craftbooks/interior magazines I happily lugged back from Japan.

Japan Part Three

I really loved all the haiku moments when we travelled. The Japanese seem to have this innate sense of style that can be simple or wildly over the top. A few random things:

I love the way people had tiny pot plants outside their gates and even on the footpath.

Lots of shops had their wares on the street. Love the baskest full of cats.

Umbrellas - for rain and shine. They were gorgeous and sold all over the place; rich colours, pale, ruffled, tinted, large print, the tiniest flowers, frogs, dots, bold stripes.

Food trolley on the shinkanzen (bullet train) - fantastic bento boxes; chicken, rice, pickled vegetable.

Kimonos, flashes of colour; butterflies, cranes, falling leaves. Just lovely.

Shoes: seriously; kids, old people and everyone in between had brilliant shoes in Tokyo; expressive, high, flats, laced - all colours, lengths and styles.

Japan Part Two

Day Three:

Was Em's 40th! We all left early to catch a train and then a bus to Nikko to see the Toshogu Shrine to Tokugawa leyasu - founder of the shogunate & warlord who ruled Japan for 250 yrs. This place is incredible; the temples and shrines (there are five, from memory) are ornate and lavish with steps leading up and up into the brilliant green of the trees in the mountains. Even though there were lots of tourists, we still found plenty of moments for peace and quiet. Hundreds of stone lanterns line the exit path - they would look spectacular lit up at night. One temple in particular features lavish wood-carvings of animals and the three monkeys; hear, see, speak no evil. So much detail to take in. Afterwards, we all walked part of the way back to town and caught the train back to Tokyo. That night we had a birthday Dinner for Em - then some of us booked a karaoke room. Thank god we didn't end up on You Tube - couldn't stand the humiliation. But it was a great night.

Day Four: Up early (again!) - caught quaint tram to Nakasando. No tourists (just us) and a mile long flea market that sold everything from Kokeshi dolls to sardines. I think the market is only once a month - Em's Mum wanted us to get an idea of where/how the locals shop. It was a great experience to see suburban Tokyoites doing their shopping. We had some fantastic street food; pancakes with shrimp and ginger with hot tea and I picked up a kimono for 5000 yen (about $5.) plus about five kokeshi dolls like the above.

Later we got the subway to Akihabara; the place if you want anything electronic. Didn't buy a thing but loved wandering around and checking it all out. Loads of people and the most mobile phones I've ever seen at one time...a chorus of constantly beeping.

Later.... we caught a Sky Bus for a trip around the Imperial Palace. Surrounded by a high wall and motes, we couldn't see much - it's only open to visitors a couple of times a year, but got a sense of its massive size. Getting close to dusk, we got a train to the Ginza. Wow. Chanel, Dior, Tiffany, Gucci.- big names, big money. I just liked the lights - huge blinking buildings, biggest bill-boards I've ever seen; glamour, heels, money, money, money. We ended up having the best Sushi at a sushi train place near a railway station; hmm.

Day Five:

Robyn left to return to Beijing. Miss her heaps. Rest of us caught a monorail near Tokyo Harbour, then a walk through a surreal shopping centre called Venus Fort. This place was strange - called a "Shopping theme park for women"...decorated in a very (okay, I hated it) over the top, European (18th century) style; huge fountains, domed ceilings, white pillars... with hundreds of shops and a casino. There were hardly any people the day we went...the shops where okay but it was like a vacuum sealed experience.

Speaking of surreal...later that day, Em, Shayne (Em's niece) and Em's aunt, Peta and I took the subway to Tokyo Disneyland. Okay. I should admit now that I have spent a very long time looking forward to the Disney experience. I was one of those kids who spent Sunday nights glued to the tv singing "When you wish upon a star..... ". I had to get it out of my system.

I think the ticket price was $65, but that got you in and all the rides. The first thing I noticed was how clean it was - I mean - really, really clean. Everything, including the ground, had a sparkle to it. We walked through the shopping avenue and headed straight out into the guts of Disney, stopping only to buy a pair of mandatory ears! Loads of people turned up to D'land dressed up as Mickey or Minnie - thousands of kids dressed up as Snow White - all looking adorable. We hardly went on any rides - more than a two hour wait for all of them...except the terrifyingly saccharine It's A Small World After all...which had to be done....so we jumped in the little candy coloured boat ("No photos please") and sailed off around the world in 20 minutes, surrounded by tiny mechanical robots dressed in national costume to the bleating whine of, well, you know the song, in Japanese. Lots of laughs. I don't know how many D'land employs but there seemed to be heaps of staff just standing around, waiting for you to catch their eye so they could give you a big D'land greeting. Halloween loomed and the whole park was covered with pumpkins, witches and ghouls, which looked fantastic. Later we started to spot Disney characters roaming the park and I must admit, I got pretty excited when Em said, "Fran...there's Woody!". I didn't exactly break into a run (or did I?) but I was chuffed to get my photo with him. I look, I really do - like a total grinning idiot, but there you go. Later Em got a pic with Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming! Then we located the Snow White who really, really looked like Snow White - problem is, she looked totally creepy because despite the fact that she was human...she didn't actually blink...there's was lots of "My oh my, what's your name?" but no blinking. Un-nerving to say the least because I'm pretty sure I've read something about a connection between non-blinkers and psychopaths....

Five hours later, we walked out with a whole lot of stuff I didn't need: mickey/minnie magnets and some stickers and our wilting, furry ears...caught the train back to Ikebukuro for some udon noodles and bed. But hey. It was a hoot.

We're leaving .... on a jet plane...

Em and I leave for Japan on Friday afternoon. Crazy excited. Going to Junie Moon, Tokyo Fish Market, this place to stock up on craft-books , the bar in Lost In Translation, Harujuku Girls and that's just the first two days. After that we're going to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka. Can hardly wait...stay tuned for a million photos.

A new dress for Blythe...

Not made by me - but a good friend. Thanks Lindy. Isn't it cute?

I'm a Square

This is a long term project....a big blanket for next winter but I'm on a roll and can't seem to stop. These haven't been blocked yet...hence the wonky curl...

Once Upon A Time...

I spotted this cute Lori Mitchell reproduction figurine and couldn't help myself. I love the way she's clutching the little wolf and I'm a sucker for fairytale anything - especially Brothers Grimm ... and striped red and and white socks, too.

A walk in the woods...

Em and I went to the Grampians a few weeks ago. So beautiful. Most of this area was burnt out early this year when fierce fires raged for weeks and weeks. But the bush is coming back, soft greens and still lots of black but so lovley. Some crafting got done - more crochet squares!

I used to love these little toy machines; I remember jamming 20c pieces down the slot, hoping for a diamond ring or something sparkly - cranking the dial and listening to the toy drop down. These rubber balls were always fun, too. Bounce a mile high.

I've seen this book everywhere; on the web, in bookstores and I finally succumbed and bought it.
There's nothing flea market about the price - but it's one of those books the fire off heaps of ideas, for me, anyway.

It made me want to tear off to Camberwell market or white-wash all our walls or get hold of some distressed wooden cabinets. It also reminded me of a few buys I've missed over the years. Why oh why didn't I buy that huge, rusty wire circle with about 80 old fashioned keys hanging off it....for $15?

As expected, the photographs are pretty stunning, full of detail and colour. I know I'll return to this one again and again.

I don't usually take photos of people but the chain-link fence and the animal print made me feel as if I was taking a snap of wild beasty. Grrr.

If you've been dropping by you'll notice I've been experimenting with banners...only taken me over two years to work them out...Lime Green...that picture was of Emma, last year in New Zealand on Orepuki Gemstone beach where you can find: ''hydro grossular garnet, orbicular jasper, garnet sands, rodinguite quartz, simi nephrite, fossil worm casts, oil shale and elusive sapphire'' washed up on the sand. The rocks were amazing - perfectly round and speckled.

This weekend was so much fun. Friday night we saw Gwen Stefani - great concert. Half way through she ran off the stage - right down the middle of the crowd and sat up on one of the guard rails...way, way, way up the back and sang a song. She was surrounded by about four security guys but the crowd was so amazed to find her...right there, that everyone kind of gave her space. She was amazing. How often to performers get off the stage and mingle with the cheap seats?


Saturday we saw Irina Palm at the Melb International Film Festival starring Marianne Faithfull....loved it...moving, funny, brave. It's about a middle aged woman who gets a part time job so she can save money to help her dying grandson.

Yesterday we went back into town to see Spooks: Haunted Melbourne exhib...lots of fun and the perfect, wintry, Melbourne day to do it. Fabric, chocolate from KoKo Black, pumpkin soup in the laneway, and mooching around bookshops...perfect Sunday.

Also took some snaps. A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to go to the opening of the Pixar: 20th Anniversary Exhib at ACMI but I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the wonderful statues out front; ball and Luxo Jr lamp...very cute.

Going to do my best to get a little crafting down this week; something - anything - we'll see.

Chicken Normandy

Chicken Normandy, recipe from Luscious Affair Cooking School.


Free range chicken divided into 12 pieces or
as many pieces as you like.

2 finely chopped onions

100g butter

30ml olive oil

250g mushrooms

five sprigs of thyme

100ml of calvados (apple brandy)

5 granny smith apples, cored, peeled and cut into bit size pieces

300 mls cream

METHOD
CHICKEN:
Pre heat oven to 180 C

Cut chicken or have pieces pre cut and ready

Place in a large fying pan - on a medium heat - add butter, oil. When it begins to foam, add chicken but do not crowd the pan - you may have to do two lots. Sear chicken pieces on both sides (skin down first) until golden brown.

Place apple on the bottom of a large oven proof dish (like a glass lasagna dish - with quite high sides).

Once chicken is sealed well, remove and places pieces on top of the apple in the baking dish. Put in oven.

Return to you pan - keep on a low heat and add onion, mushrooms - cook gently, stir and add thyme and *calvados and reduce by half. Add cream and allow to come to the boil.

Then pour contents of pan all over chicken and put back into the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Smell that thyme! Brilliant.

Serve with crusty bread (a piece on each plate to soak up the sauce) and crispy green beans and a we had a bottle of dry white, too!

* I didn't have calvados - so just skipped that bit. One day I'll make this recipe with the calvados because it really does add extra flavour to the dish.

Enjoy!

Super Craft

I think I might be a super-craft hero and not know it. I think maybe some evil, craft oriented mastermind has hidden the crafty equivalent of kryptonite somewhere in my craft-room and that's why, not matter how many times I march in there and decide to make something, I end up backing out because it's too cold, too messy, the planets are'nt aligned - I don't know. I see sparks of inspiration fly around the room...then fizzle softly on the floor and suddenly my great idea feels limp.

I think I need to start with something small. I've dragged out my sewing machine, I even bought a lamp so I could sew at night - but what to do? I saw some lovely pear-pincushions on craftster - they look like fun. I'm loving Theresa's new bears - just so sweet. Makes me want to get some mohair and have a go at making a tiny, scruffy bear. I'm often inspired by what I see over at Sweet Nellie - her little creations have such dignity - they all look so well read!

Tonight I (might) go to the first of four classes to learn how to crochet - so maybe that will help my malaise? Something small, warm and fuzzy to begin with. I like the look of this daffodil.

Chicken Normandy coming tomorrow.

I really enjoy cooking on the weekend - not as hectic as week day meals. Saturday I made Chicken Normandy for Em's folks, Uncle and Aunty - perfect for a wintry lunch - especially with a good drop. I was lucky enough to do a one night French Cookery class a few weeks ago and I really loved it. The chef made it, so this was my chance to replicate it. I didn't add the calvados (apple brandy) only because I knew I'd buy a bottle, use it twice a year and chuck it out. As the chicken cooked, the kitchen smelt devine. If anyone wants the recipe... just let me know. It tasted great and I was so pleased. Made me feel terribly sophisticated, cooking French cuisine and all!

These little birds? They sit in the spout of our pink tea-pot.

It was a rainy day but this tiny Geisha looked like apple tea and fans. Only problem is...she is one of 20 little dolls for sale! I think one will do but I spotted a sister over at Craftapalooz's flickr site. Have a lovely weeked.

Doing My Block

I've been collecting tatty, torn, scribbled on vintage kid's books for awhile now and then I came across some old wooden building blocks and DING! I've started recovering blocks with images that take my fancy. These are from the first batch...the second lot sort of tell a story about all sorts of things: Polar exploration, grand houses, maps, bodies of water, the Brontes, botanicals, fairytales, birds, clouds are coming soon. Thanks for looking.