Sunday, August 24, 2008

I'm back!

Things from Japan
Hello, friends! Thanks so much again for lots of
comments and e-mails while I was on vacation.
Joe and I got back from Japan on 8/21.
We're fighting with heavy jet lug we've got.
Waking up at 2 am is not surprising and
going back to sleep at 2 pm isn't surprising neither!
Things from Japan
Today I want to show fabrics I got on the third
trip to Nippori Textile Town in Japan and give
chances for you to get some of it as omiyage
(Souvenirs). Yup, my first ever giveaways! woo hoo!
Things from Japan

Did I just say it was my third time in Nippori?
Why did I go there so many times during the
short trip? Well, I thought Nippori doesn't like me.
The first time I went there, they gave me
only an hour to shop, which was absolutely no time.
Things from Japan

So I went back there again one day, getting ready
to spend a whole day there shopping, but unfortunately
it was holiday! Oh my goodness! Almost all the fabric
stores were closed!!! I knew I didn't want to give up,

Things from Japan

so I made it again a few days before leaving Japan.
I felt like in heaven. Stores all open, plenty of
time until they would close... what a pleasure!
I knew the next time I could visit Japan would
be another 2 or 3 years if it's not longer.

Things from Japan

Knowing that, I surely knew I had to take advantage
of the opportunity to buy beautiful rare fabrics
for inexpensive prices.

Things from Japan

While shopping there, I thought it would be nice
to live in Nippori. Yeah, being able to obtain
fabrics/supplies right away would be a great part,
but also it is somehow not that urban area
considering it's located in Tokyo.

Things from Japan

If I ever have chance to go back to live in
Japan, I would really like living in Tokyo.
People say Tokyo isn't a place for living.
Too busy for that. But I like it. I have many
friends living near Nippori too!

Things from Japan

I made bruise on my right fore arm carrying
too much fabric on the way back to my home
in Gunma, but I was even happy seeing it.
"Proof that I got enough fabrics!!"

Things from Japan
This Japan trip overall was good!
I spent a lot of time seeing friends who
I get to see very infrequently. Some of
them I saw on this trip were like ones
I hadn't seen for 5 years,, no! Some
are like even 10 years!!!

Things from Japan
Time spent with my families was nice too.
They never change, so it was hard to believe
it had been 2 years since the last time I saw
them, but it was sure nice seeing them and
knowing how they had been.

Things from Japan

Joe's Japanese skills increased too on this trip.
He gained more familiarity around my home and
was even able to ride a bike to go to a sushi
restaurant and stop by hot spring by himself!
He could come back from Fukui by himself using a
fast train (shinkansen) too, which took him 6 hours!

Things from Japan

We were literally busy everyday doing something
fun for 25 days in Japan. Now back to America,
time to get realistic. Work, school..ugh..
that's life, isn't it?

Things from Japan

Every time I come back from Japan, I have tough
time in many ways. Jet lug is one of them but mostly
I miss my families, friends, and everything about
Japan so much. I have to ask myself if this is
really what I am supposed to do.

Things from Japan

Lots of questions come to my head and I become
uncertain about my life. I don't like this period.
I feel so emotional, indecisive, nonindependent...

Things from Japan
I should be feeling more positive soon.

Oh! I almost forgot to talk about giveaways!
Oops! That's what you want to hear about the most, right?!

Ok, so here is my idea.
I pick random four kinds of fabric for you and you
choose one. You can look at here, here, and here
besides this entry to see if you like those Japanese
fabrics I've got and you tell me which one is your
favorite so that I can include that fabric as your
fifth kind of fabric. Count on me about the size of
fabrics! There will be 3 winners!

But if the winners happen to choose fabric that I
can't share for some reasons, I would have to choose
other fabric for the fifth for you. And I want this
to be an opportunity for someone who loves Japanese
fabrics but don't have a chance to obtain them.

Is this clear? Leave me a comment on this entry by
the midnight of this Saturday, August 30th, 2008
(Pacific time). One entry for each person, please.
I'll choose random 3 winners...

Good luck!!!

Thanks for reading!


119 comments:

  1. Oh my God! How much I would love to have any of those fabrics, lol...
    Here's the one I like most! But believe me I like all!
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJftpfwB3WI/AAAAAAAAAp0/RI7fpch4Xhg/s1600/a14.jpg

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  2. Good Gravy- you got so many cute fabrics! I love the fabric that has the squirrels, and trains, and trees- a little bit of everything. BTW- I am going to make one of your fabric baskets tonight- they look so cute!

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  3. Hope you get over your jet lag soon and don't feel too homesick! Love all the fabrics and trims you have bought -they are all just beautiful!

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  4. I love them all, specially the ones with flower motives... If by any chance you pick me, I think I would choose the one in blue with white motives...

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  5. Welcome back! Love the fabrics! sounds like you had a wonderful trip!! if i am lucky - i would choose the train print on this post...but they are all lovely and any would be fabulous!!

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  7. Hello PP! I'm new to blogging and was just about to post a comment on how cute the Penguin braid is when I read further down and saw your competition! My favorite fabric is this one: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2794061592_d3964bbcbe.jpg

    Happy sewing, I love the drawstring bag you made!

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  8. I have been visiting your blog for a while and I even made your fabric basket recently! It turned out really cute and made me happy!!
    (sorry I don't have a blog so I cannot show it to you...)
    I just wanted to let you know that I really understand how you feel about coming back to the States and missing your family, friends, and Japan. I have experienced something similar feeling before.
    But I am sure that you will do great in the States, so Ganbatte!
    Hope to see your new creation soon!!

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  9. Three time's the charm. Aren't you glad you were persistent?

    Can't pick a favorite so will leave it all up to you. Thanks also for the tutes.

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  10. Love your fabrics! Decisions are difficult when you're suffering from jet lag; time to relax. I love the matroyshka dolls and the coupon fabric but it's all wonderful!

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  11. I love the way you illustrated your entry using fabrics with the appropiate motif designs. How clever. I hope you are able to bounce back quickly from the time change. Great giveaway. I really like the vintage kitchen motif fabrics, but they're all winners!

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  12. I've been lurking for a while and I love your blog! Nothing like a give-way to get me out of the woodworks! I love ALL of these fabrics but I have to say, the penguins are my fav!! Sounds like you had a great time in Japan! Hope you settle back in to being home ok.

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  13. I'm always drooling over your fabrics. They are all just so wonderful. My favorites are anything with the little house scenes on them. But they are all great! Thanks for a chance to win some of this beautiful fabric!

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  14. Welcome back. Pick me! Pick me! I love the one in the first link that says "cookies custards" ... I am a total cookie monster, so that would be so fun to have!

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  15. Wow! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I love the pictures you have shared with us since you left and I'm glad you're back and sharing more! You are so generous!! I love all of the fabric you have brought back with you! So many adorable patterns!

    Good luck with school this semester!
    -Katherine M. of Portland, Texas

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  16. I really enjoy reading your blog - so much eye candy and inspiration! The Japanese fabrics are fabulous - one of my favourites is the Babooshka dolls (as seen in your 2 Aug Blog post). Tina D (Melbourne)

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  17. wow! what an amazing trip - I am quite envious of all of the fabric! My brother & wife lived in Japan for a year and I kept putting in requests for fabric & pattern books but all to no avail ;(....I think he was too intimidated to go into the store! I love everything you found but having lived in Poland myself I have a special feeling for the babushka doll fabric! Have fun with all of your finds!

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  18. Oh my, way too many to choose from! They are all so cute. I think I would take anything. BTW, I've made 2 of your fabric bags and plan on making more for fun gifts. Thank you!

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  19. ayumi, thank you for being so generous with us! i am so glad you are back safely... i noticed you had stopped posting but i figured you were busy visiting family and friends -- and of course that is the most important :)

    i love so many of the fabrics... they remind me of my childhood/visits to malaysia... here is one of my favorites: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayumills/2794061592/

    good luck getting through the jet lag!

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  20. Welcome back Ayumi! Traveling always provides a time for introspection and evaluation, huh? Love that blue/green floral fabric (the tenth photo in your blog entry). Hope you're well.

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  21. Oh, man, I know what you mean about coming back to US and having all these emotions. I went home to visit (Russia) 3 years ago, and it was hard to go back, to know that next homecoming wouldn't happen for another couple of years.
    I really can't choose a favorite one, so I'll let you make a choice, if I'm lucky )))

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  22. What a great time you had!! I am so jealous. I would love to be entered in your drawing and I wouldnt care what you sent me. It's all good.

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  23. Okay a delurk You certainly did have some fabulous finds!!! It has been nearly 16 years since I was last in Nippori going on fabric forages. :D This year I am finally going to call into Tokyo and would love to hear from you about your FAVOURITE stores there. So I WILL NOT BE ENTERING IN YOUR GIVEAWAY. But am collecting as many testimonals about Nippori as possible as I will be going with a nearly 22 month old. She is already a fabric fiend but there is only so much a toddler can bear (some are not known for their patience) and I won't have so much time as I only have a day or so in transit (before I visit the inlaws in Hokkaido). So any help or information is much appreciated. :D One may or may not going into lurker mode.

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  24. love your fabrics and i have already made up a basket from your tutorial.i found it really easy to understand and lots of fun.
    i love all of your lettered fabric like the "ticket one" and so love any paris-french ones to.
    can't wait to see more pics they are all great...

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  25. Welcome BACK!!! Glad you made it home safely! You certainly sound like you were enjoying yourself with shopping, eating & visiting family & friends. You have made me wish to go visit my family who live in Takashimadaira. I have decided to go September next year! Maybe I can get the opportunity to do as much shopping as you, especially for fabric. Love the text on fabric! Will definitely visit Nippori! Hope you get over your jetlag soon!

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  26. wow ... you are so lucky! (and generous) I dream of being let loose to buy fabrics in Japan (sigh)

    Like you i have been searching for some fabric with b/w text ... if I win I love some also these two are among my favorites ... but they are all so great.

    http://bp2.blogger.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJUgGTmKL5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/wCokPYAw368/s1600-h/bb8.jpg

    http://bp1.blogger.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJfkX-A13pI/AAAAAAAAApE/Re4nyk55Wn4/s1600-h/a6.jpg

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  27. Welcome 'home' - it's been so much fun travelling around Tokyo with you, I am very envious of your amazing fabric finds! Especially the chocolate background trees/mushrooms/birds/squirrels on your 4th August post, and the chicken-on-cat-on-dog-on-horse print from the 10th August. You're a very talented artist, and I always look forward to reading you latest posts on Bloglines! Crossing my fingers for the fabric goodies! Tala

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  28. Hi, glad you are back safely and that you had such a wonderful time even if you are a little sad to have left Japan.
    All the fabrics are so beautiful, I especially love the penguins and I noticed some matching ribbon there too! Can't wait to see what you are going to make with them all.
    Daisie xxx

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  29. Nippori must be just an amazing place! I wish I could go there! I've been reading your blog for sometime now and it is always a fun read. I love your tutorials, too. I learn a lot from you blog.

    Welcome home,
    Kathleen

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  30. If I should be so lucky, I like many of your fabrics but the one with blue and gold flower motifs caught my eye.

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  31. I follow your blog a little while and I loved to see all the GORGEOUS fabric you got {truth to be told, I got sligthly green *lol*}.
    I hope you'll feel home again soon - it's just too bad when you're missing your family.
    Thank you for this giveaway, I'd love to win ;o).
    Although it's hard to choose between all these beauties, I think I liked the 'Bremer Stadtmusikanten' print most {the animals building a tower...http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJ-vZ9pCZ8I/AAAAAAAAArk/c6W1ffRkHVw/s1600-h/aa7.jpg} But I'd be fine with any fabric.
    Hugs, Julia

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  32. I think I am going to have to stop lurking, and come out of the shadows to comment!
    I always love your blog so much.
    My absolute favourite is the newsprint fabric, because I am having the hardest time finding some like that, for a quilt for my daughter's christmas present...so that newsprint would make my year!

    Japan looks amazing, my husband and I are saving up to go, but I think it will be a while - he loves the fashion and Vinyl toys, I love the fabric - we need a LOT of spending money to take!!!

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  33. I have been loving seeing all the Japanese fabric you have been buying, but noe I really want to go to Japan. Love the alphabet fabric from this post, the one with bunnies & foxes on it, but you have bought so much amazing fabric!

    Can't wait to see what you make with the fabric!

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  34. Welcome back to the States! I'm so glad you had such an awesome trip back home! I hope you and Joe get over your jet lag soon. =) I love all of the fabrics you found! I really love the fabric with the fish...that is too cute!

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  35. Hi! I was reading and thinking apparently all of us who live in another country go through this readjustment periods after we get home... how weird that even after years of living abroad, we still have doubts and fears and get so emotional. Im argentinean and Ive been living in The Netherlands for the past 6 years... and every year, when i come back from vacations at home, every year I go through a month or two or feelign out of place. Weird.

    I've recently decided to teach myself to sew and Im in love with the peculiar, colorful and detailed japanesse fabrics. That is how I got here a few weeks or so ago... searching. Im super newbie so Ive kept my mouth shut mostly.

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  36. Hi, I am full of envy with your lovely trip to Tokyo. The fabrics are all so lovely!! Good taste ! I like them all, and really don't mind any piece you wish to spare.

    Happy sewing !!
    Lay Ngoh
    Singappre

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  37. You came back with quite a wonderful treasure of fabrics. I LOVE Japanese fabrics and they're certainly are not easy to find in the US. Hearing of your wonderful trip makes me want to go back to Japan again. One of my favorite place I discovered was Yuzawaya in Tachikawa. I just Love all of your fabrics but I must admit I'm in love the anything kitchen or fabrics with words. Thanks for sharing your trip.

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  38. I can tell from the way your write, that you've got a good good heart and may God bless you with much peace even though you feel homesick. I know how that feels because i currently live so far away from home, too. Thanks so much for sharing with us your tutorials. I love all the fabrics you bought, if I do win, surprise me!

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  39. Heh, with the amount of people who have already left comments I stand no chance of winning. :)

    But I shall try anyway. They're much too cute not to try!

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  40. I've been checking your blog on and off since I purchased one of your wonderful pouches on etsy! Love all your crafted items, and I hope to see more of it on etsy :)

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  41. The fabrics are all so beautiful and so very different than what you find here in the states. I love them all and all of your ideas. My favorite is the black and white one with the words and eifel tower and other things on it! Thanks for all your ideas.

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  42. Oops I left my comment on the wrong post, but your fabrics are just so gorgeous it's easy to comment again! I love the doll fabric - just so cute. All of them are lovely! How wonderful to have access to all the shops. Japan is on my must-visit list for sure! Welcome home!!!!

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  43. Welcome back! I understand so much of how you feel leaving your friends and family. Although my loved ones live in the states, I seldom get to see them. And when I do, leaving gets harder every time.

    I love the fabrics you bought. I can only image how much FUN you had shopping for them!!! I love the "hunt" as much as the creating! Maybe all those lovely fabrics will soon make you feel better. Just remember...when our bodies are really tired and exhausted, our emotions go totally out of control. You are such a fantastic young woman and have one of the most tender and unselfish hearts I've ever seen. I feel extremely blessed to have gotten to know you just the little bit that blogs allow.

    As for my favorite fabric...they are ALL wonderful! Here's my single favorite. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayumills/2794061592/

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  44. Aah! Are you kidding?! I LOVE the fabrics almost enough to fly to Japan myself! My favorite is the one with the patchwork looking alphabet letters with the little fox by the F and the rabbit jumping over the R. It is so cute.

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  45. Oh my goodness there are just so many great fabrics! I am so happy to hear you made it back safely. I was really missing your entries! Although my sewing machine just broke so it's probably good that I didn't have your blog posts inspiring me to want to sew only to remember my machine was broke.
    :(

    I just can't decide between the newsprint looking ones or the green/blue one on the bottom here:

    http://bp3.blogger.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJftpfwB3WI/AAAAAAAAAp0/RI7fpch4Xhg/s1600-h/a14.jpg

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  46. Distance from our home place is hard to deal with. Changes are good and bad, right? But strenght and faith in you will get you one. I loved all the fabrics but the two I liked most were the newspaper fabric and the green and brown one, with small flowers, stripes and squares.

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  47. I love LOVE the material that has the sewing machine covers. I'm going to Taiwan in Oct with a 4 hour layover in Tokyo - alas, not enough time to get to a fabric store. Thanks for sharing.

    By the way, the trims you brought home are just adorable.

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  48. What a generous giveaway! I have thoroughly enjoyed 'living' with you in Japan this past month. I adore the little kitchen print on this post. The one with the little aqua tea kettle on it. The colors are wonderful. I would be ever so happy with ANYTHING from Japan. Thanks so much for the chance!!

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  49. i've also loved experiencing your trip through your posts. i love the brown fish and those cute penguins, but it's all fabulous. thanks for doing this...i wish, i wish...

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  50. WOW this is an awesome giveaway. I love all your beautiful fabrics. I could not decide which I liked best. They are all so cute. If I win you can choose the fabric for me because its too hard to decide. If I ever go to Japan I'm going to spend all my money on fabric!!

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  51. my favourite is the white/blue print one with the vintage sewing machines! oh! i'm so jealous you got to go fabric shopping in japan! i'm so mad at myself for not doing much craft shopping when i lived there! xo

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  52. my favorite of all is the one with the animals on top of each other with the windmills and music instruments, I also LOVE the ones with mushrooms and forest animals...but if I win, I'll take whatever you could part with! you are so generous to have this fabric giveaway. I love your blog, and your tut on cropping pictures was so helpful. and I'm planning to make some of your bag very soon. Thank you!!! Missy

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  53. Oh my goodness!!

    I love the big matrioshkas the most... I think!

    I think I understnd what you say about revising your life and your decisions after being in Japan... It usually happens to me after the holidays, when I have time to slow down and think... it gets worse when you are away rom home. But I'm sure will be fine :) It's a privilege to get to know a different culture, don't you think?

    Good luck and thanks for the amazing giveaway!

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  54. Glad you had a good trip! The jet lag is the worst, isn't it? For some reason, I have more trouble with 2 hour time differences than 12 hours. Maybe I'm just strange that way :)

    My favorite fabric, I think, is the one in this post with the letters on it. So cute and perfect for my little guy! They're all lovely, though, and I'd be thrilled with any of them! Thanks for putting together such a great giveaway!

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  55. Ooh, jet lag! Hope you are over it now! I must visit Nippori - it sounds so amazing and the fabrics, well what can I say, they are truly amazing!!! My fave is the ABC fabric with little flowers on it - it's sooooo gorgeous! Welcome back!!

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  56. They are all so gorgeous!!! I absolutely love the penguin fabric... I'm so jealous. Penguins are my absolute favorite animal. I also love the fabrics with the text on it. It's so neat. The French ones especially.

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  57. Welcome back! I can understand why you would have a hard time coming back looking at all that gorgeous fabric!! Wow! It will be hard to choose if I luckily get picked! :-)

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  58. So sweet of you to offer a giveaway! I haven't worked with Japanese fabrics before, but I'm quickly falling in love with them as I see more and more prints on craft blogs. So tough to pick one favorite! The one I picked was at loads-of-japanese-fabrics.html (the second "here" link). I picked one of the fabrics shown in the 9th picture (counting the first as one) that is a teal color with white print. The white print has birds, flowers, and snowflake looking designs.

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  59. Oh, goodness! I couldn't possibly pick a favourite - they're all great! Thanks for the incredibly generous giveaway :)

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  61. Thanks for being so generous!

    I love the set on the top of the page, since I love florals!

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  62. ooh i'm' lovin the bingo ticket fabric!! And how can I get my hands on some of those "boo-boo" inserts for toys? I'm googling now.

    I've always wanted to buy Japanese fabric, but I have a hard time picking and it is always so expensive online! Thanks for the great givaway!

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  63. I have never seen Japenese fabrics before. I am loving them and your blog!

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  64. I'm glad you had a safe trip! I hope that your jet lag and your homesickness goes away soon.

    I wouldn't know which fabric to choose...you got so many wonderful ones to choose from! I bet it was absolutely overwhelming to shop for so many wonderful fabrics.

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  65. I just discovered your blog today while I was blog hopping -- I'm hooked! Can't wait to try making that basket! It's hard to pick a favorite fabric - but I'll say the red and white with lettering. They're all fabulous.

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  66. Oh I'm so jealous! You've gotten quite the beautiful stash of Japanese fabrics. I love the stacked farm animals on the third link. They make my day! you are so generous to share your fabrics. I need to do a drawing too, going to have to think a good one up. Best wishes with school and life and keep your chin up and try not to be too home sick! :)

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  67. Welcome back! We have missed you! I would be thrilled with any of your fabrics, but am just glad to have you posting again.

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  68. Hi Ayumi, would you mind letting me have the address to that heavenly fabric area in Tokyo? I might be making a trip there with my hubby and kids soon, so it wouldn't hurt to have the address on hand! Thanks so much! Bernie

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  69. I too could not pick a favorite although I like the fabrics that have a "scandinavian" look to them, I really enjoy your blog and would be thrilled with any of the fabrics you have, I like your taste!

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  70. Wow, I truly love all of the fabrics you have shown and would be thrilled to win! Thank you for your generosity.

    Cindy Keery

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  71. Wow, how much of fabric! My favorite is the 'newspaper' one. It is rather unusual and I think a basket made out of it would look just great! :)

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  72. I have to say - lucky, lucky, so very lucky you! I wouldn't even be able to start deciding on my favourite fabric, they're all so gorgeous!

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  73. Just found your lovely blog through sew mama sew! Loving all of the eye candy! and love seeing pics from your trip! Hope you are over your jet lag soon!

    My favorite fabric is from the last link...sunday the 10th...it has flowers and kitchen stuff on it! Sooo sweet....love the colors. I see it being part of an apron!

    Live laugh LOVE,
    Heather

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  74. Oo, I adore Japanese fabrics and I love reading your blog entries with photos of them! This one here on the top is my favorite one: http://bp2.blogger.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJfjENCJwxI/AAAAAAAAAo8/gLcfrlcvzIQ/s1600-h/a10.jpg

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  75. What beautiful fabrics and a generous giveaway. My favourite fabric is the penguins.

    Love an dhugs Gina xxx

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  76. WELCOME HOME, AYUMI!!!!!

    I'm so glad your trip was wonderful and that you've arrived safely back to the states!

    Your fabrics are so lovely and I can't wait to see what you make out of them<3

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  77. Omgoodness, all of those fabrics are wonderful! What fun you are going to have with them! Thanks for the fun giveaway ;-) For some reason I like the kitchen ones best.

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  78. Oh my! I love them all. Fabulous...just fabulous!

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  79. I would love any of them. They are so unique and fabulous! I'd be happy with whatever you wanted to part with. Thanks ever so much, I love your site.

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  80. You are a very lucky girl to have all this gooness! I love it all.

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  81. Your fabrics are so cute. I intend to make a camera case for my daughter right away. Thank you for the informative tutorial!

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  82. Your blog it's fantastic! and those fabrics, beautiful! and of course the penguin fabric it's one of my favorites!

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  83. Glad you are back and I am glad I was able to find your blog again. For some reason I was having problems getting to it. Love all the fabric and my favorite is on the Aug 10. entry, 9th picture down, the fabric with the kitchen utensils, scales,etc. I have made 10 of those little baskets. They are so fun. Thanks for sharing.

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  84. Love all the pretty fabrics from Japan. I just started a blog and am trying to figure things out.

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  85. they are all so great. this was hard. i felt like a kid in a candy store. i really like the abc material from this blog entry. i can envision lots of cute things for my little girl with that. :)

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  86. So happy to see you back. Love your bag which I will one day make.

    All your fabrics are cute! I like the bird and snowflakes design, white on light teal.

    This will be fun.

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  87. Welcome back, I can't wait to see what you make from these lovely fabrics. I have been checking your blog ten times a day checking for new fabric pics since I saw your blog on Japan Craft Journal. I am so jealous. I am dreaming of a trip to Tokyo next year. I hope I can find as many lovely fabrics as you did!

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  88. Hi Ayumi,
    Thanks for your prompt reply on my blog! Yes, I've joined the land of the bloggin' !! LOL. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up though! Thank you for the directions to Nippori.....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I WILL visit it!

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  89. Welcome home Ayumi,
    hope you are feeling better now.
    Thank-you for showing us all the wonderful Japanese fabrics. If I was lucky enough to win, I would pick the teal and white fabric with the snowflakes and the birds.
    Cheers,
    Sandi xx

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  90. I am sooo! jealous. I was in Osaka for 1 day in March before we went on a cruise and was so overwhelmed by the crafting choices and no luggage space. Love your choices and dying to get back there soon.

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  91. I love all the fabric. I am not picky. Any will do. But I do think I really like the ones with writing on them. I have never had fabric with writing on it before. I am glad you had such a good time in Japan. I know how it is to be far away from your family and miss them. Although I have never been as far away as you are from yours.
    Blessings,
    Diane

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  92. I love all the fabrics that you bought especially the newspaper print ones! If I ever get the chance to go to Japan I'll probably spend all my time buying fabric!

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  93. Oh,what great fabrics! I love all of them, I think my fave is http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayumills/2793208137/, but I would be delighted with any if I should be the lucky winner. It was fun to read about your travels, I hope some day I'll be able to go to Japan. It's my new dream vacation.

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  94. Sounds like you had a great trip! Wow, you found so much lovely fabric and it's hard to choose just one. My favorite, though, would have to be the newspaper print fabric in this post.

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  95. Thank you for a chance to win some fabric! I love all of them!!! I do a lot of sewing for kids, so I like the ones with kid friendly images. Thank you for sharing your trip to Japan, it looked wonderful! I hope you both get over your jet lag quickly and that you don't get too homesick!

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  96. Wowza...you were quite successful at Nippori!! So fun, I would love to go to Japan! I think my favorite fabrics are the vintage floral ones...or the folklore ones - from this post: Glad you had such a wonderful time - I know it is hard to be away from family.

    http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/08/loads-of-japanese-fabrics.html

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  97. Welcome back! Sounds like you really enjoyed your trip. Thank you for sharing images of all the beautiful fabric. I really love the pieces with writing or type on them. Lovely!

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  98. What gorgeous fabrics! I wish I'd had time to for fabric shopping when I was in Japan. Guess I'll just have to go back =). Hmm, I'd really love any of them, but I guess if I happen to win I'd especially like anything with animals or matryoshka dolls.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  99. I cannot imagine the weight of the suitcase that held all this fabric! I think I would have been paralyzed with all the choices! The tape measure print is sssoooo fun---or would the French print be more so?

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  100. lucky lucky you to 1) visit Japan and 2) get to shop for such fabrics and ribbons!! I taught English in Japan and loved it - such an amazing place.

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  101. WOW! I would love some of that beautiful fabric! My favourite is the fabric with the tulips :-) Or the ABC's....or the train....penguins? They are all so beautiful! We don't really have the japanese prints in Denmark, and the cost of the prints I can get here is ridiculous, app $20-$25 pr yard!

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  102. How fortunate for you to be able to go to Japan for a vacation. My sister and her family were in Okinawa for 5 years and she sent me the cutest things. She wasn't into fabric, but I wish I would have know about the beautiful fabrics they have. Have a great day.

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  103. Love the fabrics! Bit jealous.. ;)
    I can imagine you feel a bit weird.. And you're gonna ask yourself questions about your life.. Just keep in mind.. you're gonna have your life for a long time so you have lots of time to do what you want and live where you wanna live.. Good luck!

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  104. Love your blog and thanks for such great tutorials! I'm so jealous of your fabric collection. This one is my favorite
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayumills/2794062612/

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  105. as a huge fan of squirrels i love this fabric:

    http://bp3.blogger.com/_n9fvmmjs-O8/SJftpfwB3WI/AAAAAAAAAp0/RI7fpch4Xhg/s1600-h/a14.jpg

    there are little squirrels in it! i am on the perpetual hunt for cute animal prints, especially with squirrels and other forest animals. the entire lot is great, and i love all that you picked out!

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  106. It's a long shot, but I thought I'd try anyway. I love your recent posts about Japan. I lived on Yokota air base when I was 11-13 years old, and loved it dearly.
    Anyway, I love the chickens! So adorable!

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  107. Oh they are all so wonderful. So hard to choose. I absolutely love the newsprint fabric. Oh who am I kidding? I love them all!!

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  108. Welcome back! I love all of the fabrics of course...but the alphabet letter fabric with the animals is too adorable! I think it would look lovely in a quilt.

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  109. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip to Japan! I would love to visit there one day. I love the fabric with the kitchen scales and different types of cookies and custards!

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  110. oooo....you lucky girl!!! Where will you start first?????

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  111. I was fortunate enough to go to Tokyo earlier in the year and I loved reading of your trip. Nippori was the highlight of my trip! Was just too hard to choose what to bring back to New Zealand with me. Hope your Jet Lag is better soon.
    Fiona.

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  112. Wow! Thanks for this opportunity. I really like your tutorials and the fabric basket is on my to do list. I love all the fabrics but if I had to pick one it would be the newspaper print. I can only imagine what a fantastic time you had on your trip, welcome back.

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  113. Welcome back! I bet it was hard to leave. That's a really funny story about bruising your arm from carrying fabric! I've never heard of such a thing :) I love all the fabric you chose; you have such good taste!

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  114. Not sure how I came across your blog, but I absolutely love japanese fabrics so I have to enter the giveaway ;-)

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  115. Probably last in line, but I'll write anyway!

    I love so many of the fabrics. Of course the penguins, but how cruel to take then away from you! I like the ones with things on them, rather than just flowers, we can get flowers here easily, but fabrics with household things/dolls/trains/newspaper things not so easy. And I don't think I've ever seen Japanese fabrics for sale in Scotland! I actually really love the plain linen, it sets off the colours so nicely. I have some wonderful friends here who are French so the things written in French are cool too. And the polka dots! Ok, I'd better stop gushing now!

    Cheers,
    AJ

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  116. I love ALL of the fabrics! Thanks for sharing your fun finds!
    As for a favorite; I'm not sure if I could pick!!!! Probably one of the vintage kitchen prints... Or the trains! But I would take any of them! : )

    Love your blog!!!
    kim
    kimberleycarlson@mac.com

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  117. I'm back from Japan a month ago but never made it to Nippori, sadly. That trim!!! I love it. I absolutely adore ALL of it--the one with the animals standing on each other's backs is too much, as is the little train with the animals riding in it (and I also see a squirrel in that print too). Thanks for the giveaway! Domo arigato!

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  118. Im sorry you are homesick after coming back from Japan, I am sure you will bounce back as soon as the jet lag lets you.....such beautiful fabric and vibrant colours its all just gorgeous and I couldnt pick at all.....they are all wonderful and different than what is available in the back of beyond in NZ LOL

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  119. WOW! They are all so cute! You are super sweet to give away some of your finds!

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