Where do I start?

It's been so long since I've posted it's hard to know where to begin. I had an amazing trip to Japan with son #2. We started in Tokyo where I spotted this patchwork quilt of Mt Fuji and the joys of Fabric Town and the renowned Tomato stores in Nippori.

I made this little coin purse for myself by adding the felt cherry blossoms.

We then travelled north to Nagano and walked through beautiful cedar forest to see the snow monkeys.

Then we headed south to Shizuoka to stay with friends. We were so lucky with the weather as we left the snow of the north to experience beautiful warm spring days and the glory of cherry and plum blossoms in full bloom. Something that I have wanted to experience for years.

I also saw a display of these amazing flowers - botan (Japanese Tree Peony) that I had only ever seen in paintings or printed on fabric. The petals were like paper feathers.

We then went across to Kyoto to experience the contrast between the modern and the ancient. 

Kyoto Station

Kinkakuji Temple

On this visit there seemed to be so many young people dressed in traditional kimono.

Our last destination was Osaka where thanks to blogger Betty Stitchup I found this amazing 5 floor fabric store Otsukaya that had everything from Liberty, Marimekko, traditional indigo prints, taupes and Japan Moda. I posted back my purchases so I'll have to show you these when they arrive by ship in the weeks to come.

Otsukaya fabric store

Since coming home I have been to the Castlemaine Applique Exhibition and I have been doing lots of sewing. I think I'll cover these in separate posts.

Sayonara

Carole