Delicious Inspiration

I binged on many Japanese books in the decorating and crafts section of Kinokuniya bookstore in New York City this week. I can't read Japanese but am absolutely enamored by the photographs. They are creatively inspiring! Kinokuniya is a two story bookstore in Rockefeller Center that has a huge selection of books, magazines, cards, gifts, wrap, plus a bit of t-shirts, toys, and more! They have a website but it entirely in Japanese and not very graphic.

I first read about the Jeu de Paume books on the decor8 blog. There is a flickr site that she found that were photos inspired by these books. I made a mental note and found them at Kinokuniya This book is called Ateliers de filles - Ladies' artists studios. Gorgeous!
Chambres l'enfants de Paris - Childrens Rooms in Paris is another book with fabulous photos that are a riot of vibrant color. I don't even have a need to decorate a childs room anymore but see so many inspiring ideas for myself.
My son and I felt very cool munching on the delicate Japanese Pocky snacks that were sold at the counter. We opted to try the chocolate mousse and dark chocolate flavors over the more unique flavors that we couldn't read. They are addicting!

Fiesta Bear

I made this cute little stuffed bear, inspired by the motifs from the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I need to work on my embroidery skills.

Wait until you see what I bought in New York!

I'm back! I went on a shopping spree at the Japanese bookstore in New York City (twice). I was so enamored and obsessed with the books and other cool things there that I went a little crazy. I shipped the first batch home them went back a second time and bought more to bring home. I will post photos of my many treasured purchases as soon as I unpack or recieve them. There are decorating books, craft books, including zakka, amigurumi, button crafts, fabric flower , and more. It only costs me a few extra Godzilla toys for my 8 year old son to be patient while I obsessively pull out books that I can't read. He enjoyed the chocolate Pocky snacks, too. I'll be back with photos....

Off to NYC

I won't be posting for the next few days (unless my iphone wants to work faster than it currently does.) I will, however, be scouting around for cool, creative, and just plain interesting places while I am there. Stay cool (or dry, depending on your geographic location.)

Come back and visit on Thursday!

Random Thoughts of Craftiness

Summer vacation is almost over for us - time to get back to the busy schedule that we live. I intend to make the most of the last few weeks of no alarm clocks and free time. That will include a few mini trips and starting new craft projects (of course).

I just returned from the local JoAnn store with some clear vinyl to use on various projects that I intend to make. The online world has certainly filled my creative brain with more ideas and inspiration that I would have ever seen in person or magazines. This afternoon was filled with trial and error in regards to sewing vinyl (it sticks). I turned to the Craftster forums to get tips (tissue paper, teflon foot). I also picked up some yarn so I can take a crochet project on the plane and work on some cute little amigurumi. What shall I make.....

While cruising online for sewing tips I couldn't help but look at a few of my favorite blogs and sites. For those of you who have seen the crazy/cute/mean/adorable creations at Cotton Monster, there is actually one for sale. I'm thinking...I'm restraining...I'm going to NYC in 2 days...Check out this guy:

I am wearing a fabulous shirt from one of the coolest stores in Boston called Johnny Cupcakes. They have the most innovative, hip t-shirts and the store is designed like a bakery with items being packaged in bakery-style boxes. Items are displayed in bakery cases. Don't let my allegiance to the Boston Red Sox influence you.

Planning my trip to NYC with my 8 year old will be fun. We have lots of fun places on our list and fortunately he is a very cool little boy who has KidRobot high on his shopping agenda. I informed him we will be visiting Kinokuniyo, the Japanese bookstore in Rockefeller Center. Perhaps I can coax him into a few more stores that will appeal to both of us. I'll be blogging on my creative finds next week.

Finds of the Day

I haunt the craft book and magazine aisles of all local bookstores. I have mentioned my addiction to these. I love to look at the pages of the myriad of cool and beautiful crafts that others create with wishes that I would or could sit down and do it myself. Usually, though, I am content to enjoy the books.

My latest craft obsession, as I have also mentioned, is crocheting - specifically amigurumi. I have longingly looked at books and websites dedicated to these adorable crafty creatures and have purchased a few from online crafters/artists. One of my favorites is a little purple our that was created by Elisabeth Doherty of Gourmet Amigurumi. Her work is outrageous - tops in the field. She published a book on her craft and I was lucky enough to come across one in our local B&N. What a great book. Most of the amigurumi instructions are for intermediate or advanced abilities (I have a reason to practice and hone my skills!) Check out the book, called Amigurumi - Super, Happy, Crochet, Cute.

Later this evening I was sitting down with my fat free vanilla ice cream and reading the blogs that I have booked marked for daily entertainment, I came across an interesting post in one of my favorite blogs, Cuteable. It seems the folks at Cuteable started their own social networking site for indie crafters. I have never been very active on the other popular social networking sites. I wasn't technically savvy enough to use it to much advantage (hence the look of this blog - still pretty basic) or to keep creepy strangers from constantly from wanting to be my friend. There was something about this new site and it's mission that I found intriguing. It is aimed to attract more like minded individuals, yet in a broad range. Indie crafters and artists, retailers, bloggers, shoppers, etc.. And it seems that there are so many of the same people reading and creating the various craft blogs. The names of often seem familiar. So I joined. I'll start lurking around there and let you know what I find. Check it out yourself here.

Relaxed and Refreshed

No posts for the last week means I was on vacation. A relaxing week was spent in a casual, tropical setting among kind, creative people and a laid back attitude. Love that.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands on Florida's Southwest Coast is a fabulous place to visit. I almost hate to talk about it to others for fear of making it popular and crowded. It is a tourist destination, having been listed in many 'top beaches' lists in books and magazines and the Travel Channel. The islands are chosen for the reasons I mentioned and the fact that the beaches hold an incredible bounty of shells! Beach goers are constantly walking along the coastal waters bent over searching for beautiful specimens, causing islanders to name this posture 'the Sanibel stoop'.

During our trip we are treating to the typical island scenery - colorful shops and restaurants, houses painted in candy colors, many with pretty mailboxes and signs carved and painted with the creatively personal name of their home (Pair-a-dice, Sea-renity). For nature lovers, wildlife is abundant. We have spotted American Bald Eagles, who thankfully are no longer endangered and nest behind the local Dairy Queen), alligators, armadillos, dolphin, and scads of tropical birds. Local nature centers provide information and tours, by foot, kayak, or boat. Art lovers can visit many galleries, the communities' BIG arts, local theatre, and annual art and craft shows. World famous artist Robert Rauschenberg resides here.

The crafty person in me sees the shells as free craft material with unlimited potential. I share this with a large contingency of artists and crafters on the island who meet for a weekly shell crafters club meeting and crafting day and help put on a well known Shell Fair every year. There are shops around the island that sell all the supplies one needs to make shell covered boxes, mirrors, holiday ornaments, shell animals, jewelry and more. And if you don't find the shells you need or want to add different types, they sell those too. Shell crafting is a terrific family craft. While I created a mirror with both found and purchased shells, he covered a box and made shell buddies by gluing on google eyes.

I'm glad to be back (kind of), and am relaxed, refreshes, creatively inspired, and ready to start gluing shells (and more mosaics - but more of that another day).