Crafty-ness

Move over, Derrick, a new Japanese obsession is in town. I have recently discovered the world of Japanese craft books through other crafty blogs I read and have drooled over them for quite some time. The pictures alone make you want to be a seamstress? sower? (the sower went out to sow?)??? Whatever it's called I decided to be one even though I have very few of what they call "the sewing skills".

I know my mother tried to teach me some but I don't think I was listening. I do remember being obsessed with making pillows at an early age. Pillows for any and all, whether they wanted them or not. I remember I made a red pillow for my father for his birthday or some important event with a rather primitive image of a sailboat on it and somehow stitched the word "Coronet" on it. Later I found out I had spelled Coronet wrong and was deeply ashamed. (Corenet, I think) Whoops! Can't fix that spelling error.

My dear husband indulged me with a shake of his head and ordered me one for Valentine's Day from this great site.


















It's written in Japanese so there's a bit of guesswork involved but each pattern has clear illustrations and is pretty straightforward, even for one as unschooled as I.

My first attempt was a small,simple duck which I think is very cute in it's own, scary way but needs a little work. But I was also drawn to this rather bizarre giraffe pattern. Here are some pictures of my goofy giraffe in all it's GLORY! Had to take it outside for natural light since there is very little of that in our house.

























And one of Ethan with the giraffe, wearing his precious Star Wars shirt, which I honestly thought said, "stormtroopers" until I started loading these pictures!