Saturday, August 2, 2008

More Japan!


Thanks a lot for the comments you've left for me
recently and thank you also in advance for any
comments/e-mails you might give for me in the near future.
I really appreciate the opportunities to hear
from you and enjoy reading what I receive, but
I've been quite busy and haven't been able to
reply to each comment yet. I apologize for this, but
I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate
each and every comment from my heart of hearts!


Oh, these fabrics? Yes! I got to go to Nippori
Textile Town yesterday, so I got lots and lots of
fabrics that I'd never seen in person in America
for really inexpensive prices!


I was absolutely thrilled when I got Nippori!
"Finally! Finally! How long do you think I'd been
dreaming about this place?! I waited too long!!!"
But the sad thing was that I got there around 5pm
and most stores closed at 6pm, giving me
almost no time to shop around. I knew I could come
back soon but I was way too excited that I started
grabbing whatever that seemed cute and
unusual without much thinking.


I respect those people who have exact plans
when they pick up fabrics from stores. They know
what they need for how much for specific craft projects
every time they shop at fabric stores. Unfortunatelly
that doesn't happen to me very often. My principle of
shopping fabric is like.."I buy if I find cute ones."
Kinds of fabric? Linen? Cotton? How much of it?
Fat quarters or more? Who knows! I just want it!!


Oh trust me! I actually live pretty frugally,
and I am quite careful when I shop for other things
but fabrics. Fabric will live almost forever.
I believe owning too much fabric is a good thing.
It will one day pay for me, so it's ok to follow
my instinct if I happen to find cute fabric!


Japanese fabric is especially great one to have,
because I like to enclose a piece or more of
Japanese fabric when someone purchases my handmade
items from my shop for a little appreciation.
And also, I'm doing giveaway when I get back to
San Jose, so I can give some of them for you!


Oh how I love lettered fabrics! Why is it so hard to
find fabric with English letters printed on in the U.S.
but Kanji (Chinese characters) printed fabric is everwhere
there? It is really difficult to find Kanji fabric here
in Japan just because modern Japanese people don't
find it cute. We want English instead!!
I guess everyone wants something different
from what they are used to seeing, huh?


So glad I finally got this Embroidery book.
I was craving for embroidery ideas! I love this book!
While I was away from Japan for 2 years, a huge
Kinokuniya (book store) has opened near my home
in Gunma, Japan. It's now the biggest book store in
this prefecture! I love it!


Some pictures for Zakka fan? Sure!
Oh! I was asked what "Zakka" means.
It simply means anything that makes your
home pretty. For instance, some cute toys and
baskets to decorate your room are good examples
of Zakka, but things like dishes and towels
can be counted as Zakka, if they are cute
enough to make your space prettier.


I found these coasters at a Zakka store too.
Simply little things that makes you smile..
that's zakka! I hope I explained well, if not,
check out this wikipedia page.


And some pictures unrelated to crafting.
My sister lives in Yamanashi and we always
stay ay her apartment whenever we visit Japan.
Such a country place. I always expect about 10
mosquito bites,,but Joe enjoys this place a lot.
It was obnoxiously hot and humid!!!


We went to Hachioji festival with my sister and
her boyfriend yesterday. I ate too much food there
and couldn't anything anymore until this morning.


Japan trip has been pretty fun!
I'll post more later about this trip and
hopefully more fabric that I find on the
next trip to Nippori ;)
Thanks so much for reading this long entry!!
Have a great summer time!

23 comments:

  1. Ayumi,

    Thank you so much for sharing your pictures with us! I've never been to Japan but would love to go. If for nothing else but the FABRIC!!! I love fabric from Japan so much. I can't imagine an entire store full of it!

    You and Joe look as if you are having a great time. How awesome for you to have a life in two completely different countries. I must say I envy you a bit!

    Don't worry about returning a comment. I know how busy life gets when you are on vacation and enjoying family that lives far away. Just have a great time and enjoy all that fabric!!

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  2. I am so jealous! it has been too long since I have been back. I can't wait to see more of your fabric purchases.

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  3. Oh, I have a bit of Zakka at home then!, lol... I mean, in my little island near Africa and belonging to Spain, we can find those Kellog's plates and bowls, etc...!!!! I think they're from the Villeroy brand (I am not sure of that but think so).
    So fun to recognize anything from a so far away country!, lol...

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  4. I just posted about your blog at www.japancraftblog.blogspot.com

    I hope you don't mind I use one of your pictures. If it's a problem let me know and I'll take it down.

    Cheers,

    Belinda

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  5. Wow! Everything looks amazing, especially the fabric! I had a japanese friend bring me back some green tea chocolate from Japan and it was sooooo good!

    I would love to visit some day - such a small island with so much culture!

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  6. Hi, I found you blog via Japan Craft Journal. Have a wonderful holiday - what lovely fabric you have found.

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  7. I LOVE the fabric with the tickets on it! So fun!

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  8. Gosh, look at all that super stunning fabric!!! Sounds like you are having such a great time!

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  9. Ooh! I love the pictures of the fabric! It almost makes me want to book a trip to Japan! Thank you!

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  10. ooooh, thanks for sharing. another place to add to my list of places i will visit someday!

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  11. Japan is a dream trip! I never been there!
    Japanese fabric and zakka are so much fun and inspiration!
    Have fun!

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  12. FUN STUFF! I'm so jealous! How I would love to see and buy all that fabric! : )

    I've seen that embroidery book, and it looks so cute! Lucky you!!

    I really enjoy reading your blog!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Kim

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  13. WOW!I have just come accross your blog ia japancraftblog, Im in awe! Would you be able to post the isbn of the embroidery book? Ive been looking for it for AGES!
    Glad to add you to my rss feed : )

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  14. Oh, I LOVE all those fabrics! And also love all the Kellogg's dishes!

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  15. I'm loving reading your posts about Japan. the fabric shopping would be more than overwhelming for me if I were there. but in the best way possible, of course. have fun!

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  16. Looks like you're having a great time here! I was in Nippori a couple of weeks ago and will be there again at the end of the month (it's heavenly isn't it!).

    Actually one of my readers put me onto visit you. I'm currently writing a Fabric Lovers Guide to Tokyo :)

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  17. Your trip looks like so much fun!!!! I can't believe those fabrics...the one near the end with all the kitchen utensils on it--omgzzz KAWAIIIII<3

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  18. Tell us more, tell us more! I can see you two are having a wonderful time. And those fabrics, I love them!! I look forward to your blog entries, thank you. Have fun!

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  19. I'm loving all of your Japanese trip. Its so fun to see what you are seeing through your eyes. I will probably never get there but I'd love to have several days just to fabric shop! Everything is eye candy. Love it. I'm crossing my fingers for your giveaway.

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  20. OMG I need to visit Japan I can see by reading your blog. I love all the wonderful fabrics youve found. I love the japanese fabrics. ADORABLE!!!

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  21. I know what you mean about buying fabric- we have a tiny home but it's piled to the rafters with fabric which I can never find when I need it! A woman in a fabric shop queue once said "the one with the most fabric when they die wins"!

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  22. hachiyoji matsuri? natsukashi~i but happy memories. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

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  23. I used to live in Japan (Tokyo) and I really miss it!!!
    Even more when I see your pictures;D

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Thanks for taking the moment to leave a comment ;) I always love hearing from you!