Raggy flower

I used the tutorial on Molly Chicken to make this flower from the few remaining scraps of two of my favourite fabrics. I used the second method as I didn't have any hessian.

Charity shop finds

Bought these in some charity shops recently. Duvet covers and pillowcases for sewing projects (I love the retro yellow one), a pink Coca Cola glass to use as a vase in my bedroom, and some lovely Japanese plates (which only cost £1 for the three of them).

Origami cranes

The latest display on my Ikea tree. These took longer to make than I thought they would!

Zakka baskets

I based these on the design in Zakka Sewing, but with only one handle since I will be hanging them up. The linen I used was from an old skirt, which is why it is cut on the bias. With some of the leftover material I made a matching coaster.

Birthday cards for Mum

Birdies from me, deer from Dad.

Laptop bag for Mum

I made this for Mum's birthday, after she admired the laptop bag I made for myself. I made a few changes to the design. This time there is a removable inner sleeve, so that either the bag or the sleeve can be used on its own. Instead of the zip that caused me such problems the last time, there is a flap that can either be left on the outside or tucked in. There are large pockets on the front and back, and the straps have been backed with the same cotton used for the inner sleeve.

A quick transformation

It didn't take long to decoupage these Ikea drawers that I've had for ages, using papers to match the colours of my bedroom. I didn't have any paper big enough to cover the two large drawers, so I covered each with three pieces of paper to match the three small drawers at the top.

I made a little cloth to go on the top of the unit using some scrap material. I painted the little green paper suitcase, which was a more vivid green, and added some matching paper on the top. I also painted the mirror frame.


The little shelf was picked up for 20p from a car boot sale many years ago. It was blue at first, but it's been painted white for a while. I used to hang jewellery from it, but for a change I decided to hang the tin bird I got in Durham and a couple of tin hearts from Tim's in Falkland. I added my collection of cherry blossom perfume bottles to the shelf.

Incense holders

I decided to make some little incense holders for my cute little new incense sticks. It was a quick easy project.

A day in Durham

Yesterday I spent the day in Durham. I've been meaning to go and visit the Oriental Museum for a few years, and I finally got round to it. I got up at 6am and caught the train just after 7, arriving in Durham at about 10. It was the first time that I had travelled first class on the train! The journey was really interesting, and I saw things like Holy Island and the Tyne bridges along the way. The approach to Durham was quite spectacular with the view of the cathedral.

It didn't take long to walk to the Oriental Museum, and there were lovely views of the cathedral and the river along the way. When I arrived at the museum, the woman at the desk was very helpful and explained the layout of the collections. The Chinese collection was amazing. It was spread out over two floors. I particularly liked the traditional Chinese bed, which was more like a whole room. The display downstairs of all the different types of Chinese ceramics through the ages was very interesting. The Japanese collection was not as large, but the objects they had were very interesting and beautiful, in particular a large screen showing the Toshogu Shrine at Nikko in detailed embroidery. There were also some spectacular painted kites. The gift shop was good, and I bought three types of Japanese incense in beautiful paper boxes. I really wish that there had been a book of the museum's collections, because I would certainly have bought it. There were so many beautiful artifacts, and not enough time to draw them all (especially not the embroidered screen) and photography is not allowed.

After leaving the museum I wandered back towards the city centre, and found myself heading towards the cathedral. I discovered that it is a spectacular, awe-inspiring building, especially inside. It has a wonderful atmosphere.

I then had lunch at the continental market, including my first taste of baklava and another lovely pastry called boukage, before having a look at the indoor market. I then wandered round the shops. There is a wonderful Oxfam bookshop over three floors which has lots of comfy chairs to sit and read in. A few doors away is the first Oxfam Boutique, which has vintage and designer clothes, but it was a bit expensive for me! I also discovered a lovely shop called The Renovation Store which had beautiful home accessories spread over three floors. Durham is a really interesting place, full of bridges and steep narrow cobbled streets.

I caught the train home, and discovered I was at the wrong end of a very packed train. I had to clamber over people and luggage to get to my seat. I got back just after 7, just in time to meet some friends at the pub.

Fabric birdie

A little fabric bird, made from a roughly sketched out paper pattern, in a cage that was a cheap Christmas ornament. If I make some slightly larger ones I might add wings.

Japanese fans

The latest entry in my little book about Japan.

My new cherry tree

Thank you Dad for all the help with the garden!

Asakusa Kannon Temple

This is a reduction lino print I've been working on over the past few days. It's based on a woodblock print by Hiroshige.

Cherry blossom egg

I'd been meaning to paint my three wooden eggs before Easter - but I only managed one (and that was this morning!). Maybe I'll get the other two done by next easter! The design was based on my memory of an egg I painted in primary school, which I won a prize for.

A Japanese style room

The latest page in my little encyclopaedia of Japan. I used gold ink on this, but it didn't scan very well. I found it difficult to decide what angle to draw this from, so that I could fit in all the essential elements, but once I decided on this perspective it all fell into place. There's tiny writing on this, so click on it to see it big.

Cats in Japan

Another entry in my Moleskine sketchbook about Japan. While researching this, I found a very interesting website, Sushi Cat, which gives information about the lucky beckoning cat.

Harajuku Lovers

My Harajuku girl now has a friend - thank you P & C!