Day 5 - Visiting Kokka in Osaka

This is what the trip is all about - fabric, fabric and more fabric.  Today we visited the Kokka offices in Osaka.  The fabric is not manufactured here but is designed in Osaka.  The offices were very casual and the designers very colourful - much what you would expect of any creative environment.  Mr Sukuki who assisted us was lovely.

Day 4 - Kyoto Kamigamo Shrine Flea Market

We were lucky that there was a fabulous flea market on in Kyoto on the Sunday we were there at the Kamigamo Shrine (catch the number 4 bus from the city).  The 45 minute bus trip was well worth it and at ¥220 very cheap.  There were clothing stalls, bags and purses, hand carved stamps (I bought a few), jewellery, food and lots more.

Beware this post contains lots of photos!  

These whisks had cacti growing in them.

The skeleton kewpie doll is coming home with Anne.

The shrine itself was beautiful.

Day 3 - Kyoto and the Nishiki Food Market

Kyoto is very relaxed and more colourful than Tokyo, there is also seems to be a more visible blend of the old and new.  Today we visited the Nishiki market, a traditional Japanese food market in the centre of the city.  Very colourful and lots of interesting foods that we could not identify.

We had the best lunch at the market at Genzo.  A local food place on the corner of the second to last block of the market.  The service was great and the food was fantastic.  I had the Roast Pork and Green Onion Salted Hot Noodles ¥880 Yen and Anne had the Roast Chicken.  We also shared some fries ¥350.  Soft drinks were ¥200 so very reasonable and delicious.  

After some less than brilliant experiences eating out in Japan it was fantastic.

Day 2 - Tokyo and the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival

We are near the end of Day 2 in Japan (counting full days here) and are on the Shinkansen train to Kyoto for the weekend. 

This morning was spent in Nippori (fabric town), most of the time in Tomato (a fabric shop).  There are 5 different Tomato stores within 1 minute walk of each other.  The main one we visited has 4 floors of fabric.  We will be going back again - it was amazing!

The afternoon was spent at the Quilt Festival.  Many of the quilts and fabrics are beige based.  I have never seen so many shades of beige!  The quilts were beautiful, but being a lover of colour not really my cup of tea.  

One of the stand out quilts for me is this quilt with the hearts.  The name of the quilter is not supplied in roman lettering so I am unable to attribute the quilt to the quilter here.  If any one knows who it is by I would love to know.

And a close up:

As well as the quilts there are also lots of stall selling fabrics and related goodies.  This photo is of a stall that specialised in vintage fabrics and sewing goods and Kawaii.  Be still my heart!  I lusted after many of the items in this stall!

Just ordered a bag of macadamia nuts on the train and they came with crunchy cheese - note to self - crunchy cheese is not nice!!

Tuesday Stack - Planes and a Very Busy Long Weekend

This week's Tuesday stack is inspired by my plane trip tomorrow.  One more sleep!

Brush Strokes Multi on Black

Gingham and Spot Black from Kokka

Camelot Grey and White Deco Fans

Cycling Hot Pink from Echino

Cameras Charcoal from Echino

Airplane Black from Echino

Rhino Pink from Echino  I love Rhinos, and as Miss M said just recently - "I just realised that Rhinos are pretty much big, grey Unicorns that live in Africa!" 

 My response was - "Just like I am really a super model living in suburbia."

And lastly a photo from my garden.  We spent most of the weekend gardening and as result we are winning the battle with the triffids.  The docket from the rubbish dump said 340 kgs of weeds and garden rubbish.  Phew!

I hope you had a great weekend too.

Tuesday Stack - Pantone Radiant Orchid and The Pantone Quilt Challenge

This week's Tuesday stack is based on Radiant Orchid, the Pantone Colour for 2014.

I have teamed Radiant Orchid toned fabrics with greys for contrast.

Lottie Da Butterfly Orchid by Heather Bailey

Frames Grey by V & Co

Blythe Leaves Fuchsia

Bold Blossom Grey by V & Co

Kona Cerise

Plaid and Dot Lilac by Denyse Schmidt

Peppered Cottons Fuchsia from Moda

Ditsy Floral Grey from Camelot

Here is the official swatch of Radiant Orchid.

Adrianne from On the Windy Side and Anne from Play Crafts are co-hosting the  2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid.  Stitchbird is happy to be providing one of the prizes.  There are three categories Minis, Quilt and Just the Top.  You can find out more about the competition and the great prizes over at Adrianne's or Anne's blogs.

Tuesday Stack - A Bright Outlook for 2014

Happy New Year!  

I was feeling a bright stack this week so you may need to put on your sunglasses, before reading further.

This week's stack was based around Owl's Nest.

From top to bottom:

Camelot Blue Hexagons

Tie Dye Coral By Benartex

Kona Water

Dotty Rings Lime from Stof

Handpicked Raspberry Scrolls by Jacqueline Savage McFee

Knit Flower Chain Orange from Kanvas Fabrics

Owl's Nest 

Leaf Vine Turquoise

I hope you are enjoying your sewing.

Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival 2014 - A Big Fabric/Quilt Adventure

I am so excited!  Later this month Anne (a fellow quilter and friend) and I are travelling to Japan to go to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival (a bit of a tongue twister as the Great seems to be in the wrong place).

As well as attending the show we will be meeting with suppliers and generally doing all things fabric and crafting related.

We would love to get your input on places to go and things to see.  We are visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.  We intend to visit one of the flea markets in Osaka.

What would you recommend?  Also is anyone else going to the festival?  Would you like to meet for a coffee?  We are always keen to meet up with fellow fabric fanatics.  We will be staying at the Tokyo Dome where the festival is being held. 

I can't wait - 16 more sleeps to go....