3/30/2006

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!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is hilarious about E's shirt! I LOVE the giraffe!
Wow! You should set up a little boutique and sell the stuff! I thought the odd fellow really was odd, but am very impressed with this...

CKS said...

I thought the giraffe was wicked cute. And I laughed ridiculously hard at Ethan's shirt...but it was silent laughter since I am, after all, in the library.

Claire said...

Great stuff! As I remember, you brought some of your famous pillows for the "haunted house" club with Nate and Christy...and when the club broke up with much bitter rancor ( as I recall, due to something about Nate and a dead bird) I remember walking home with you. Some kids threaten to take their toys and go home; you carried out your threat- and took your pillows home.

maldrich said...

Great shirt! I was very amused! Cute giraffe, too!

Booker said...

NICE! I look forward to more pix of all things japanese :-)

and about that shirt, what a riot!

Avalanche Cowpoke said...

...gotta love thet shirt---even ol' 'Lanche snickered. Don't quite know what I'd be inclined ta think if I ran into one o' them Giraffe fellers out here on the open range... ...he's right cute and perky lookin', ain't he?!

lis said...

Very cute animals! If I had kids, I'd buy one! ;O) This from a girl who got all Scotch genes there were to get. So maybe you COULD sell them, huh?

And about Ethan's shirt: I believe you...but hehehe..thanks for the laugh.

KJ said...

I loved the giraffe!! He's very cute. But the pictures of your boys are way beyond cute!! I love the pictures of them I saw at your parents in GA and Claire's when I was visiting the other day. "They will hate you for this some day." But I loved it! :)