Sakura - means Cherry Blossom

I have been sewing with lots of lovely Japanese cottons that I purchased recently in Kuala Lumpur. Something else from Japan that I adore is the Sakura, or Cherry Blossom. I simply love Cherry Blossom. In fact, I love any kind of blossom. I want to go to Japan and experience what it is like to walk down a street like this one in the picture. Or to sit on that lonely looking park bench and just absorb the sight and sweetness of the Cherry Blossom. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful. Sakura. Maybe one day.........

My Little China Doll

I had to bribe Lucy today to let me take photos of her for my shop.

The Pararasols from Singapore helped a bit as they made it fun. I also told her that if she wore the three new skirts for me for some pics then the very next skirt I made would be for her. Her face lit up.

She is always asking "Mum - is this for me or the shop" when she sees me making something. She never makes a big deal of it but I do think she is overdue for something new from eva mei & me.

She did a fine job today, it's just a shame my camera is not working and my new phone which is meant to have a great camera in it is about to be sent back to the technicians for the second time - aaarrrrgghhhhhh!

Biscuit & Poppet

How cute is this stuff from Biscuit & Poppet. Designed by the talented Tina Givens, her fabrics and her models are just too beautiful for words.

Pop over to her website and have a look at the slideshow at this address : http://biscuitandpoppet.com/Home_Page.php

YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED

Giveaway Prize

I did my first giveaway recently and Helena was the winner. I initially offered the prize of a scarf. Then I decided to make it a "winners choice" of anything in the shop. So Helena has made her choice and this is what will be coming her way. I hope you enjoy the dress Helena, congratulations. Keep checking in on my blog as I will be doing another giveaway in the near future. The prize will be something made from my new stash of Japanese cottons from my recent trip to Asia. STAY TUNED TO BE A WINNER !!!!!

New Dress from Japanese Cottons

I think this dress looks like it belongs in Cuddly Kids, which is one of my favourite kids boutiques. I am sure if it was in their shop it would be for sale for about $60 or more like most of the Tea Princess garments are http://teaprincess.com.au It is available in my Madeit shop for just $35. I will be listing matching pants and possibly a headband very soon. I love it love it love it.

Welcome My One Brown Mouse

MyOneBrownMouse on madeit Welcome Kerry from MY ONE BROWN MOUSE - Kerry is another shop owner from Madeit.com.au. She is famous for her "Livvies Kinder Dress", you should pop over and check it out. Kerry joins Vanessa from The Clip Cafe, who is also a Madeit shop owner.

Japanese cotton pants for little Japanese girl

These pants are my first creation using two of my new fabrics purchased from Malaysia. A beautiful soft eggshell blue cotton which features a lovely floral pattern in a mixture of greens, pinks, mauves and creamy white. The waistband, cuffs and back pocket feature a fabric from the same story but in a khaki type green with similar flower pattern - they contrast beautifully. They were going to be for my Madeit shop, however my neighbour has her beautiful little neice from Japan staying with her at the moment. She is about to turn two and Ming Lee thought these little pants would make a great gift. So I finished them off and they will be wrapped and presented to Youie (not sure how to spell her name sorry). I thought that was so appropriate that my first garment made from Japanese cotton be worn by a Japanese girl. She is a beautiful little thing and I wish I could have her here permanently for a little model. I am hoping to post photos of Youie wearing her pants in another week or so so keep watching this space.

Asian Fling

I have been wanting to share some photos of our recent trip to Malaysia / Singapore. It takes time to go through the photos so I will do it in stages. One of the highlights on this trip was shopping at Kamdar - a textiles store in Mid Valley Mall in Kuala Lumpur. I managed to get myself lots of nice Japanese cotton fabrics for my eva mei & me shop. Can't wait to get sewing but I still have unpacking to do and also I need to pre-wash all the fabrics before I can get started. I took this photo in Chinatown, Singapore. Chinatown is full of places to eat and some lovely old buildings that are so brightly painted as well as a museum that has reproduced the cramped living conditions experienced by a lot of the Chinese that lived and worked in their shops. Another street scene in Chinatown, I love this type of architecture. This is a shot of the back of the Hotel Capella on Sentosa Island, Singapore. I borrowed this photo from the internet as my camera was playing up and we were here at night so it was difficult to get a good shot. My husbands cousin took us here for an amazing dinner. I will add more about the meal on my next blog This is one of the famous black and white British Colonial style houses in Ipoh, Malaysia - my husbands home town. It has been converted into a restaurant/guest house type establishment called "Indulgence" and according to my mother-in-law (who WAS lucky enough to eat here - TWICE !!!) it sounds exactly just that, one huge INDULGENCE of amazing food, with most of the ingredients flown in from around the world. I was not fortunate enough to eat here however we did drive past and I must say I wanted to bring the house back to Australia for my very own. Sadly it was not a very good photo opportunity as we were travelling in convoy on our way to an 80th birthday dinner for dear Aunt Lillian. So I borrowed this photo off the net as the British Colonial buildings in Malaysia and Singapore are a favourite of mine.

Quick Pics of fabrics

Firstly welcome Lareina - thanks for joining in on my blog. Oliver and Lucy are still talking about our trip and dearly wanted to bring you and Benny home to Australia to keep. So sorry girls that this took so long - camera decided to fail half way through our trip so I have had to resort to using my new phone camera. Took me three hours today to try and work out how to do it. Hence, here are some very rushed pictures of my recent purchases in Asia. Some lovely Japanese floral cottons were there for the picking, so I have 55 metres in total. Struggling to get to the sewing room with so much washing and catching up on other stuff to do. Will post more pics and stories of our holiday as soon as I can.

Fabric purchases in Asia

Hi girls Just a quick update - I was fortunate enough to get to a big fabric store a couple of days ago and purchased 50 metres of cotton fabrics. Some lovely florals, in particular a lot of japanese floral prints. I have about 20 different patterns so will post photos when I return to Australia. Have to fly. We are having a great time here - lots of fab food. The kids have settled in like true Asians. Love to all Karyn

OFF FOR SOME GREAT FOOD & FINE FABRIC

(Pictured above is some Jim Thompson silk) We are off tomorrow for our big trip to Malaysia & Singapore. We are taking Oliver and Lucy to meet their extended family and see where their Daddy grew up. I have decided to leave my shop open, but please note any purchases made from now (Tuesday 13th July 10.15pm) will not be posted until I return (Sunday 8th August) I am looking forward to lots of yummy Malaysian food and fabric shopping amongst many other exciting things that I am sure will happen on the way. We are staying a few nights at the HardRock Hotel, Singapore. We will be able to visit Universal Studios and Sentosa Island We will definitely eat Nasi Lemak - above And Ice Kecang (pronounced Ka chung) will be on the top of the list for the kids no doubt. Yum Yum - can't wait. I will try and post from over there if I get a chance to get onto a computer.

Christmas in July

Cherries on the table Strawberry bouquet Christmas tree A halo on my head ( almost ) On Saturday night my little craft group got together for a Christmas in July dinner. There was no crafting done that night, just lots of chatter, nibbling on lovely nibblies, and a fabulous meal and lots of red wine. We enjoyed the best baked ham, basted with maple syrup - it was so yummy. We also had lovely meatballs with cranberry sauce and loads of roast vegetables and salad. To finish off we had pecan pie, cheesecake and brownies. Leannes little cottage was decorated so beautifully for the occasion, we had a kris kringle and it was a really fabulous night. It was my first, and hopefully not my last, ever, Christmas in July - it is so much nicer to eat hot Christmas type food in winter rather than summer. I think we should change Christmas to July !!

Flower and Seed Shop

(note the two little piles of kindling in the background) a transaction taking place !!! (Aidans and Lucys seed shop - seeds for sale $1) Today I was sewing away madly when my lovely neighbour came to the window calling me. My children were over at her house playing and my daughter and her son had decided to set up a shop and make some money (they are 5 years old - very entrepenurial). So out I come to investigate, it was the cutest thing ever, took me back to my childhood. There they were set up in the driveway, relaxed as ever in their seats, with camellia flowers and seeds for sale, and some kindling (twigs tied with twine) for firewood. They had a sign, and a money box they had made from a cardboard box. Their only customers unfortunately were the lovely mailman who bought a flower for 20cents (it was all he had in his pocket) and myself and my neighbour. So if anyone needs twigs for their fireplace or some seeds (of any kind) or some old bruised camellia flowers (picked off the ground) then you better rush down to my street and don't forget your dollar coin, there is a bargain to be had.

DRUMROLL PLEASE .......AND THE WINNER IS

Hi Everyone I was too excited to wait until tomorrow to announce the lucky winner of my giveaway. ...................The lucky winner is Helena............................. Helena you just need to let me know what item you would like to choose from my shop and I will post it off to you immediately. In fact I have decided to increase the prize from $20 to $27 which means you can choose any item at all as there is nothing over the cost of $27 in the shop at present. So go hard. I will have another give away when I return from Malaysia to celebrate all my fabric purchases (hopefully) so don't forget to check back in after the 8th of August for an update and hopefully some photos of some lovely fabrics. Until then Happy crafting !!!!!

Time is running out

We have a couple of new followers who qualify for entries into the giveaway - welcome Leebee and Yvette (alias Steve) - good luck. Cut off is 9pm tonight.

HURRY - GIVEAWAY CLOSES SOON

Time is almost up if you want to enter my giveaway - I will finalise the draw Sunday evening at 9pm - The winner will be drawn out of a hat by my daughter Lucy on Monday morning and I will post the winners name by 10am Monday morning. Tell a friend and get them to follow my blog and you will get another entry - just make sure you let me know if your friend joins - Good Luck !! (Scroll down to an earlier post to see how to enter)

THANKS TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS

Just thought I would let everyone know I am currently sitting at the top of page 2 in the TOP SELLERS list in Madeit and I need to thank all my lovely supporters for helping me to achieve this. There are over 90 pages of sellers on the site so this is quite an achievement considering I have only had the shop since April this year. Thanks so much everyone for all the lovely feedback and emails telling me that you love what I do, it really is what keeps me inspired to keep sewing. Hip Hip Hooray to you all !!!!!!!!!!

Meet Cherry

Don't you just love this beautiful drawing I purchased from a lovely little shop on Madeit last week. Her name is Cherry - the lady who created her is called Liselle. She arrived so beautifully packaged, complete with a little gift card and also a matching Cherry badge - just absolutely beautiful. You should check out Liselles store on Madeit.com.au/lisellekate. There are so many talented crafty people on this site it is incredible.

OppShopping and Vintage Shoes

I went oppshopping with a girlfriend and her 13 year old daughter yesterday. My friends daughter found the best pair of old shoes for $8. I just had to share these with you because I thought they were beautiful.

Marshmallows & Damper

The kids wanted to go camping last weekend. My husband isn't in to camping and we don't have a tent. So the next best thing was to build a campfire (well, we cheated and used a brazier) and toast marshmallows and make damper. We invited the neighbours to make it more fun. It was a lovely cold afternoon so it was nice to be by the fire eating yummy stuff and drinking red wine. The kids played under lots of blankets, ran around like crazy and had a pretty good time. WE on the other hand were kind of glad when it was all over. I think everyone present will agree we were all happy to tuck the little campers in to bed that night !!!!!!!!!!!! THE FIRE TOASTING HOMEMADE DAMPER on bamboo poles cut from our lower garden TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS