My Japan trip. Thanks Graeme…

 I have had the most amazing opportunity to go to Japan for 2 weeks.

My hubby isn’t well and can’t be left by himself. My brother said I couldn’t cancel my 12 month booked holiday to Japan. It was a hard decision. I owe Graeme so much. He gave me the best opportunity to go away while he endured a challenging time booking in appointments for Tony with OT’s, Physio, drs, showering, house cleaning, lawn mowing, scans, hospital visits and many more appointments. 

I had the most amazing time and I still have not unpacked my shopping.Yes, I have done the unpacking of suitcase, washing etc. I have been busy with catching up on appointments , routine and shopping. Also, my daughter’s wedding anniversary was celebrated a week late. So be it, Tony comes first at this point. Sadly no sewing has happened. 

Here is my shopping though. I am a very happy lady.

My shopping haul.

I started unpacking so I needed a drink.

And I added a salami and cheese snack. The best I could find at 7 Eleven.

I had also shopped at Pandora to add to my collection. This was a challenge of a trip. 5 of us wanted Pandora. Our organiser took us there. It was only at the station opposite our motel.Well, what an experience finding the motel.

It took us 45 minutes to find our way out of the station. The stations are multi level shopping centres and are huge. One thing to remember when travelling anywhere is to take lots of photos. So a photo of where to exit the station was well needed. So long as you know where you are headed you will always get there with some help. Anyway, I a few of us bought this beautiful charm. Isn’t she cute… No wondering where I bought it.  Then off to duty free. Well, that was an experience….

While at a special shopping arcade I saw this unusual handbag 45 minutes later I went back and bought it. It can be used as a normal handbag, over the shoulder and around the waist. Hands free. It was designed in Japan and made in Bangladesh. With natural leather. Yes, it cost a lot, but I love it. It holds so much and I have already used it a few times.

My shopping after a day out.

Then, I started to pack my case. Oh wow look at this shopping spree.

I think I have a lot to sew along with once I get home and back to sewing. 

This is been a very treasured trip to Japan. So thanks to Janet for organising, Maxine my roomie, the other ladies that made a fun trip and most of all my brother, Graeme, for offering to care for Tony making it able for me to go. I am so grateful…

Boro, bags & Yoko Saito JAPAN

 I have been using my bag and I am loving it.

We went for a special train ride to QUILT PARTY today.

I love Yoko Saito’s quilt and bag designs. Her fabric choices are amazing.

We were not expecting Yoko to be in store but she was. I got her to sign a book for me.

While we were in the store a customer came in with the most amazing quilt she had made.

Online shop and in store.

Using my BORO stitched fabric

 While on a roll with my bag making I found a great tutorial for a crossbody bag. It was easy to make, the tutorial was easy to follow and I used the whole piece.

Watching carefully

After all that stitching now was the time to cut it into pieces.

Changing the design a bit to get more pockets. 

I had a long length of zip with multiple pulls so I used them up too.

I put 2 pulls on each zip. 

You can still see the little fish on the front.

I am loving this bag. I did make it bigger than the tutorial as I wanted to use all the fabric.

I used a strap that I bought in Japan last year.

https://youtu.be/5zQqyQvjFF0?si=EsneyZe-wHXACjym

A little travel purse.

I loved the linen I used for my backpack so much I made a little purse. 

Watching the tutorial. Working out the zipper pocket.

Hand stitching the binding down.

A pretty flower magnetic clasp I bought in Japan.

It has 2 spaces for cards and can attach a key.

fits in notes and a zippered purse for coins

YouTube is wonderful for tutorials.

https://youtu.be/VexWce4Je8E?si=jmG0DU40wWpYnUGK

Join Chooky on her Zoom Cancer fundraiser

 Everyone knows someone with cancer or has/had it themselves. Why not sew along with friends and join Chooky on Saturday 26th October to fundraiser for Cancer. 

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2024/10/zoom-cancer-fundraiser.html

Bag making

 I have been so busy settling Tony in and trying to get into a routine. We are not sleeping well at night so having a few naps during the day. Today was the first day we didn’t have to go to an appointment and no one was visiting.. I haven't sewn on the machine in about 10 weeks. So today was the day I decided to make a bag. I need a backpack for an upcoming trip so I have been searching YouTube. I found some amazing tutorials.

I only need a backpack that packs away small, fits a change of clothes or holds some shopping.

I cannot get out to shop for any extra items so I used what was on hand. 

I had some small wooden rings. They were used instead of square buckles. I found this beautiful piece of striped linen. A great weight so I didn’t need to line it with anything. I didn’t want it padded or quilted.

It can be used as a bag or backpack.

It’s a great size, lightweight and I am so happy with it.

Have a look at this tutorial if you want to give it a go. It didn’t take long to make either.

https://youtu.be/FoTfxQzEzLc?si=FCz-VkWt4mNPqVHc

Exciting news. Tony is coming home.

 Tony is coming home Wednesday. It will be a complete life change for me. I have finished work to become his full time carer. He is not to be left alone at this stage so it will be a learning curve for me. 

This will be a 24/7 job.

He is not happy in hospital, not eating well and feeling a bit depressed. Hopefully things will change once he is home.

Sashiko and Boro work

  I have really been enjoying some hand work in the last couple of months. 

I finished my Sashiko piece

I have also finished my Boro piece while sitting in the hospital with Tony.

I added a different colour, blue, where I used the masking tape dividers.

Then I put in a mustard thread in the centre of these for a bit of colour.

I circled around the fish.. Japanese pyjamas were used in this piece.

My piece is now finished. Now I must decide how to cut it up and what to use it for.

I have really enjoyed stitching this. It was so relaxing and passed away the time so easily.

Keeping busy in hospital visiting hours

 So, while sitting beside my husband's bedside I have been busy tying teabag strings together and knitting.

I have finished one scarf.

And started tying and rolling for the next one. I am tying enough to weigh 45 grams to allow for different size strings, more knots and different thicknesses. This should be plenty.

One scarf is 180 cms long.

40sts knitted on no. 4.5 mm (old no.7’s) needles.

40 grams of yarn/tea bag threads.

The last in CHOOKSHED challenge. No.8

 Well it’s the last number in the CHOOKSHED Challenge. So my No.is 8. A Christmas themed item. I’m not sure what I will do yet but I do need to make a Xmas cushion for my local quilt group Kris Kringle.

Mmmm… I think I have something in mind. Watch this space.