Well, you knew that already. Seriously though, the Fall 2009 issue of Stitch magazine features Japanese textiles, crafts and textile artists here in the US, including me! The kurotomesode kimono on the article’s title page is even one of mine, currently available in my Etsy shop. How’s that for a shameless plug?
feeling the chill
Autumn is upon us here in Northern California, with fog greeting me at the door every morning as I head out for the paper. I’m currently in a scarf-making phase right now, which means new purses aren’t far behind… The sashiko project is still in process and will be updated here within the next day…
In the garden
My photo studio is generally anywhere I enough space and adequate light. These days that means the back yard, amid humming birds, wild rabbits, squirrels, scrub jays, and the occasional red tail hawk. We’ve been having a bit of early autumn rain in the Bay Area this month. While we had a bit of dry…
Introducing Blue Star Atelier
Very few people are aware that I started out 20 years ago as a jeweler, working with metal and stone instead of silk and cotton. For ten years I plied my trade on the Pacific coast from Seattle to Los Angeles as an itinerant vendor at craft shows and weekend markets. I was a regular…
Olympus sashiko kits in motion
Many of you have requested I do a tutorial with the Olympus sashiko kits I carry in my shop, so a month ago I picked one out, chose some thread and picked out a needle… then things fell apart in my life and it was relegated to the I’ll-get-to-it-later pile. Last night as I was…
musical interlude
We’re preparing for Dad’s memorial service, so everything else is a bit behind right now. I hope to be back to regular posting soon. Thanks for staying in touch, everyone.
catching up a bit
I’ve had a difficult time coming up with blog topics lately. Sales in the Etsy shop have been brisk, and I’m only just starting to restock this week. New vintage items are being listing in time for Halloween, and I am back to bundling vintage kimono silk scraps for your holiday projects. To those waiting…
Deep breath
My father passed away peacefully early Monday morning. I am grateful I could be with him in his final days. To customers waiting on orders, I thank you for your patience. To customers waiting for new items to be stocked, I hope to fulfill your desires soon! In the meantime, please understand that I am…
Hinagata doll kimono kits
After four years, numerous prototypes and much procrastination, I have finally finished a basic kit for hinagata (“miniature”) kimono. When I set out to complete a kit myself and document each step, I found it easier than I remembered to sew everything together! Maybe the fabric choice made a difference. Previously I’ve used vintage kimono…
creative people are everywhere
You amaze me. You really do. All those crazy, wonderful, beautiful projects you create out of just about anything. And if you made something special out of materials from my shop or somehow include me in your creation, then you are definitely special in my book. Barb’s Blue Willow Apron is one of those special…
here we go again
I wanted to explain why my postings have been so sporadic again. Last autumn my family and I were dealing with moving out of state and losing my mother to Pancreatic cancer. Since July we’ve been dealing once again with the very wonderful folks at our local hospice group as my father is now dealing…
And the winner is…
Congratulations to Karen of Mystic Wynd for winning the Doll Kimono Kit giveaway! More information on the kits will be forthcoming very soon. Thanks for your patience while I work the kinks out of the design. 🙂
A love for both the common fiber and the extraordinary textile @KimonoMomo 