-Letter From Japan-

My first letter from Natsuko my snail mail pen friend came today much to my excitement.... I think I stared at the envelope for about 2 minutes before I even opened it.... WOW I was soooo anxious to see what was inside...
 Soo excited as I was opening it I had my legs curled up underneath myself while sitting on the couch and tearing at the sticky tape and turning it upside down on my lap until all the contents came out. I didn't know what to look at first but I knew I had to read the letter first its just a rule you have to abide by, just like when you get a birthday present you open the card first before the present...
After reading Natsuko's letter it filled me up with much happiness it's just great to share your life and life's stories with another... Then came the goodies some very yummy chocolate and I must admit it didn't take me long to eat it, some beautiful postcards, cute little sticky memo's and this really amazing magnet that she made it's called "Kimekomi" ....I have seen similar crafts before done on polystyrene balls but this is really great and I would love to try this sometime....
I cant wait to write my reply now and I'm full of inspiration again and to get back to crafting!

- Happy New Year-

 I'm Back from holidays!!!
I had such a lovely break from work, I spent my time at home and was able to catch up on all the gardening and caught up on loads of movies!!

It's a new year and I'm totally focused on Tokyo Ties  and getting myself out there. I have many projects in the making and I will be sharing my ideas and will be posting more tutorials and creations with you.

I spent a bit of my time of on making a few things.... I was mainly making felt brooches and sketching new designs and ideas.....

This is one of the brooches I made a red hooded pixie.....

Make It - Deco Tape Ideas

...........I love using deco tape to decorate items in my craft studio here are just a few things I have made......

I have purchased most of my deco tapes from diaso I love this shop everything is $2.80AUD so here a a few pics of my recent purchases...

This tape has cats, bird cages, balloons, balls of yarn

and arm chairs on it a real cute french theme

This one is a lace tape with love heart and flower cut outs this one tends to go a bit see through so not so good for putting on dark colours

Japanese fabric tape I might use this one for some book binding great to put down the spine of your books before binding

 Japanese cheery blossom paper tape, this one can be torn and you can use punch stamps to make your own stickers 

Here I have used the lace deco tape around a coffee jar

Around a tea light glass holder

 and around a wood pencil

Make It- Kawaii Wooden Ruler

This is a very quick tutorial on how to make a plain wooden ruler into a very cute ruler......

Materials

- Wooden Ruler

- Fabric Glue

- Ribbon/lace

- Nail polish remover (only if your ribbon is see through)

Step 1 

Cut your ribbon to the length of your ruler

Step 2

 If your ruler has any text or brand on it and you are using ribbon or lace that you can see through do this step..... Using nail polish remover (I used the wipes) rub off the text/brand this might take some rubbing... you could also use some sand paper to rub it back....

Step 3

Put some fabric glue down the length of your ruler then

stick down the ribbon clean up any glue that comes out the sides....let it dry and now you have a cute ruler to add

to your stationary collection

Review- My new clover tools

I have just purchased two new clover tools and added them to my ever growing collection. 

Where have these tools been all my life........WOW they have made many projects easier 

So what are they you ask....drum roll please............

Clover- Easy Loop Turner

This has made turning fabric tubes right side out a whole lot easier no more using chopsticks safety pins 

and no more screaming......... 

This is great for making bag straps and small piping you can even turn fabric right side out and 

add cording or elastic at the same time 

Clover- Chacopen Pink With Eraser

I'm in love with this pen you can draw on fabric 

it comes out pink and in a few days

it has disappeared........ 

Or if you want it to go away instantly you can change ends and 

use the eraser..... 

This is much easier than using chalk pencils that need sharpening all the time...... 

I have found it to be great for marking out embroidery and to mark the spot to sew button holes........

The instructions say that it can stain some fabrics but I haven't come across this yet and if it does you can wash the fabric and it will come out.......

I recommend this pen a fantastic investment for any crafter....

Zakka Craft Bill Pocket File

This is one of my latest creations......a bill file pocket for my pantry door.....

The top pocket is for bills to be paid and a little pen and holder....the bottom pocket is for bills that have been paid and a little hanger with pegs to stick things like stamps and other items

 It is made from scrap fabric and Japanese handkerchief linen

What did I buy today ?

Today I went to a nearby town to some thrift shops and antique shops and managed to find a few things I couldn't resist........

I love this blue Ric-rac and its cardboard holder I don't think I could ever have enough Ric-rac...
and as for the puppy and the squirrel well I saw them and had to have them soooo cute.......they have a nice new home on my crafting desk......