Back again,  only a 4 month break.  Still not in the routine of Blogging.  Will be better this year with a renewed vision and focus. 

I have so many ideas to share,  talking of ideas I am often asked "where do they come from?"
Really I don't know but I think I just see the world through different eyes, so I am going to start a new little segment called "Where in the World"  it will help show you where the ideas have come from.

To start off this week I finally cut into some fabric that I purchased with my sister Michelle in Japan nearly 2 years ago.   Yes it has been in the stash for that long,  I have had the idea just not the courage to cut it as it is a long way to buy more.  

This fabric came from the most wonderful store in Takayama  a very heritage village where the air was clear and the traditions strong.   

To set the scene, we arrived at our accommodation, greeted by an elderly couple (70+) who made us feel very welcome and showed us to our room.  Upon getting settled we were given our Kimino to put on and relax whilst our tea was made.

Me proudly all tied in.

After being taught how to take tea we set off on our first adventure.

 

 It was in the street along the river that we found a beautiful little fabric shop,  the lady inside so polite and smiley  (universal language).  We made our selections and to our delight she wrote down out measurements and made the calculations, on a wooden abacus!  No cash registers here.  We finalized our purchase and went off giggling like little girls.

The fabric selection, pre quilted double sided traditional navy & cream.

 

From there we wandered along in wonder waiting for the next experience, they were everywhere, the small, the graceful, the simple.......delight everywhere we looked.

 

So from the simplicity and elegance of taking tea, to shopping with abacus and the graceful gardens and surrounds that were Takayama this beautiful clutch was born. 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the journey of an idea,   I will share more of these as the months pass.

Have a beautiful day xo Sydel

Morning All,

For my very first post I thought I would share with you a pair of pants I have just finished making.

It always amazes me how easy it is to find information on the web and how easy it is to connect with others from all over the world.  Todays shorts pattern was found with a quick google and there it was My Growing Home ( http://www.mygrowinghome.com/ ) from across the world offering a free pattern for little boys.

So off I went with no hesitation (should have had a little in hindsight ) and cut my pattern and fabric and started to stitch away.

I have done a slight adaptation of this pattern by recycling some old cargo pants and using the button tabs on the side seam so that the shorts can be rolled up for day and rolled down at night to stop the mozzies.  The Mummy wanted long pants for this reason so I just thought this would be great for the little fella.

A computer in ones sewing room these days seems to be as valuable as the sewing machine itself.

So after a few hicups and a little adjusting we have a pair of pants.  Not sure if they are going to fit though as the crotch seems a little short but as I have nothing but a Little Possum to try them on we are just going to say they are a success for now..........(will update after tomorrows try one)

So here they are one pair of Cookie Monster pants for Ari. 

Off to make a matching t-shirt and cookie pouch now just for fun !
Sydel