Christmas Shopping @ Art & Design Market Wollongong

Really looking forward to meeting the locals in Wollongong for the Christmas Market and  checking out the other designers too.  Sunday Dec 5th should be an exciting day out. Check out the market Facebook page

Time for Christmas Cards

I'm launching these cute fabric christmas cards in both my on-line shops

but they're also available at my markets.

Get in early, so there's time to post them. Especially overseas.

Tokyo to Paris

Mmmm blogging whilst on holiday was more of a chore than i thought it would be.... but there's so many great pics, now that i'm back in Sydney i still want to share it. 

Meeting some locals, who wanted to show off their art.

The train system was a challenge, but quick, efficient and surprisingly simple to work out. We used it a lot to maximise our short stopover. 

Tokyo seems like dozens of little cities rather than suburbs around one main city area, vast! It's easier to catch the train somewhere then let the walking begin. We had a lovely walk from Harajuku to Shibuya. Constantly surrounded by hundreds of people you are never short of something or someone interesting to look at.

Best noodle bar in Shibuya

 Tokyo went by too fast, and can't wait to go back and do it properly. 

Travelling in Tokyo Tip # Beware of walking round train stations in peak hour! My husband and i got separated at Tokyo Station on the way to our plane. There was a flood of people exiting platforms, and when you are pulling luggage, a stroller and a 5 yr old - there's no room for error. Brad on his own, and me with Remi; we then discovered there's 3 different trains to the Airport, all varying in speed. We managed to meet up at the Airport train station an hour and half later after Remi and I quickly got on a slow train to the airport, and Brad managed to accidentally travel to the other side of Tokyo in the opposite direction from the airport, but then with the help of an American GI living in Tokyo he got on a super speedy train that arrived 10 minutes after me! We got to our plane as they were boarding, thanks Air France for being so helpful and escorting us to our gate. 

The Bastille in Paris was a welcome sight after an 11 hour flight. Arriving as the sun set, walking up 5 flights of stairs to our apartment was a pleasure and a gorgeous view awaited us from our balcony. 

 We booked this great apartment (Appartement Folie Mericourt) through Cross Pollinate who have apartments and B&Bs all over europe. Travelling with kids Tip# stretch the budget to get kids their own bedroom, Remi slept like a dream when she had her own room. I think it seemed more like home.

We arrived in Tokyo on the Hottest Day in 100 years!

I finally made it to Tokyo, and with only a two day stopover before heading off to Paris I had to hit Fabric Town. Yes, there is actually a place called that in Tokyo - Nippori Fabric Town.  (click this link for a great map.)

When you get there just follow the signs, you can't miss it.

But it's a sleepy town old Tokyo and the shops didn't start opening until about 10am. And as we arrived in Tokyo on the hottest day in 100 years, seriously.... this fabulous cafe was a welcome haven, Cafe Bird. Especially since my husband Brad and I had our 5 year old Remi as a traveling companion. Best iced coffee i've ever had and it really gave me the zing i needed to tackle the fabric. 

With limited time i headed straight for the mother of Tokyo fabric - Tomato. There's actually 4 Tomato shops all on the same street  specialising in accessories, interiors and variety fabrics.  

So i spent about 2-3 hours running around about 5 different levels of the main variety fabric store and the notions/accessories next door. They only take CASH, and minimum cut is 1 metre so be prepared. I had Brad and Remi helping me to start with, but they saw my eyes glaze over and left me to it. There was much to keep them occupied in the area. 

There were amazing japanese fabrics in traditional and contemporary designs, as well as lots international favourites from america. It just went on forever........

Another handy helper i had was a zine i bought from www.askingfortrouble.org

It's an amazing shopping guide for Tokyo and has directions on how to get to Nippori Fabric Town, it was only £1 and was great as Tokyo can be quite overwhelming. 

A lovely blog to read for hints and inspirations is Japan Craft Journal

(i'm actually in Paris, it's taken me a while to get around to blogging - too much strolling, eating and just soaking up the parisienne atmosphere, so stay tuned for more from tokyo and paris. We're off to the Loire Valley and Dordogne tomorrow...)

Off on Holiday

France and Tokyo here I come. 

I'm off in 9 days so the next blogging will be from

the streets of Tokyo. Then onto Paris and south into

the countryside and a taste of Spain. I couldn't go to

the south of France without a visit to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim.

On the hunt for new and fabulous fabrics and anything else i can find.

I'll be back in Sydneyland early October.

Where to find cool Lamp Bases - Top 5

When i display my lampshades at markets, i have a few on lamp bases but alas these are just to show off my shades and not for sale. My idea is that you buy a great new shade and recycle an old base you already have. Or hunt down a cool second hand one. 

People often ask me, "Where do you find your lamp bases?"

(this one came from my mum & dad, one i grew up with and now my daughter has it in her room)

1. www.ebay.com.au

It's something you either have to be lucky at or very persistent. I have bought three great lamp bases, and made sure they were within pickup distance.  All in working order, but i did get them checked by an electrician for safety and a bit of maintenance was needed. They were worth it though, all three for under $100; one carved floor lamp and two small table lamps.

    

2. South End of King St, Newtown

Boardwalk - 527 King st, great ceramic 60s and 70's style bases, & wooden standard lamps. Chat to chris who owns the store, nice guy.
531 on King - have quite a few standard floor lamps.

Towers Antiques - 539 King st, great selection from a variety of eras.

Rosebud Antiques - bit further down King st on the same side.

Wonderland on Alice - 104 Alice st, i think they are only open Saturdays. Real treasure trove.

3. Junktique - 62 Glebe Point Rd, over 3 levels.
Make sure you have lots of time, you can really get lost in there.

4. Mitchell Rd Gallery - 76 Mitchell rd, Alexandria.
You can't miss it, big yellow building and make sure you check out the auction house downstairs to try and get a bargain. But so much to look at upstairs. 

5. Street Gods *FOR FREE*

I live in the inner west of Sydney and there is nothing like walking my dogs to find a treasure left on the footpath or in a back lane. I've found three of my best this way 2 marble beauties and a gorgeous wooden standard lamp. They all needed rewiring of course, and after a bit of tender loving care stripping back old varnish and polishing them up; they look amazing (especially with the right shade).

  

But don't forget about Vinnies, they usually display lamps in the window so have a look next time you walk past one. 

If you are getting a lamp rewired, ask about having a cotton cloth covered cord. They look so much nicer than plastic and don't usually cost that much more. 

In the Press! Shop 4 Kids

This is my first time in a magazine and i'm so happy with the layout i'm part of. 

Fingers crossed this leads to bigger and better things. xx

They chose one of my favourites; Purple Cinderella fabric from Japan mixed with stripes, dots and gorgeous roses. 

 

Top 5 Online Fabric Shops

Shopping online has revolutionised my fabric world. 

There is so much choice now, but i find it does stretch me to my financial limit sometimes.

Just soooo tempting. But none the less, i wouldn't be able to create the quilts and cushions i do

with out the help of the late night shopping tool. 

So here's my top 5 online fabric shops - 

1. www.etsy.com

I can't go past etsy for variety and many sellers are so helpful with providing extra yardage, is there another colour available? or even cheaper postage options (Japan mail service can be expensive, so do enquire about SAL sea air lifted) so don't be afraid to ask questions. Sellers are based all over the world, but there are many Australian sellers too. 

2. www.reprodepot.com

Again, big variety and based in America. Great for vintage and retro inspired designs.

Make sure you check out the shipping info to get the best value out of your order,

the postage is worked out in block amounts for a certain amount of fabric.

3. www.fabrictales.com

Beautiful Japanese designs in traditional and contemporary style. Fun kiddy  and floral designs.

4. www.duckcloth.com.au

Great little Australian store, nice to order on our own shores and avoid the international postage!

Beautiful range with a handy navigation system to browse fabric by designer, colour, style and weight. 

5. www.earthgirlfabrics.com.au

Postage is FREE within Australia, what more can you ask for... oh, fabulous fabric! 

This shop has it all and beautiful ribbons and patterns too. 

here's a couple of extras....

+ www.funkyfabrix.com.au

Based in Queensland, with a retail store too, lovely range of retro and contemporary styles.

Large selection of Japanese and European designs with loads of browsing options when looking for something in particular.

+ www.quiltersstore.com.au

Big variety of old world, traditional styles and based in Queensland. 

So if you're in the area you can visit their shop in person. 

Make sure you check out the William Morris designs! I haven't seen these before.

Finders Keepers Winterland

Last night was my first night at Winterland Finders Keepers

and what a lovely venue!

Great music, yummy food and a beautiful range of stalls. 

A great night out, and of course all day saturday and into the night too.

This is the last weekend, so don't miss out!!

New Lampshades for Winterland Finders Keepers

Here's some new shades that i've been working on

and I'll have them at Winterland Finders Keepers Market

this Thursday 29th July, Friday & Saturday

at Carriage Works, Eveleigh 

Sewing Up A Storm

Getting ready for Finders Keepers Winterland Market

and trying to stock up my new Online Shop

is keeping me very busy.

Here's what i've been up to....