One sock, two socks, no just one!

OK, I am the slowest knitter in the world it seems but I finally finished knitting and sewing this norwegian slipper together,only one mind you. I didn't want to start the other until I knew the size was okay. This is it pre-felted. I couldn't put it together because I had no cable or internet service for three days at home, our whole building was out. Turns out some of the wires were fried outside our building. Ok! now let's start the second one, maybe it will be for the official start of winter!

Robogurumi at Gallery Hanahou!!!!! Freakin Awesome!

"Before and After"@Gallery Hanahou, NYC

Ok today's craft workshop at Gallery Hanahou was hands down the best craft day ever! It was so much fun and the artists and staff at the gallery were so helpful and nice. "Before and After" with Ossu! Shugeibu (Yo! Crafting Club) is a wonderful truly creative craft-art show. Shoichi Ishizawa the craft groups ring leader was our host and teacher at the workshop along with one of his crafting partners Makiko Miyata, they showed us how to make a robogurumi by using a battery operated toy dog that we skinned alive and then made our own franken-doggies! Some people were even a bit more creative, although never even having sewn a button, they made some crazy creatures. For 30 bucks the workshop provided us with all the materials the toy dog, batteries, fabric, buttons, scissors, socks, gloves, mens boxers (yes mens' boxers), thread, needles, pom pom's, hot glue and of course a leash to walk are new robogurumis out on Broadway one of the busiest streets in SOHO, NYC! IT WAS AWESOME! Some more info on the artists and show at Bust mag online plus an interview on Shearyadi's world and an article on the group at Make's Craft section. Here is my robogurumi in stages and some other pics including pics of the artists and some of their work if you like to see more check out my flickr.


Shoichi Ishizawa and Makiko Miyata


Supplies


The VICTIM!


AHHHHH! Skinned! my Blythe is waiting for her coat *giggle*


The crafting begins


My Robogurumi in the works


Here comes the body


oh no eyes!


Ah Voila! complete!


Here's Circus Yuki hanging with some of the big guys at the show.




Kiss me I'm beautiful!


Time to annoy my fellow New Yorkers! Many of the folks in the group weren't getting that this maybe cute and fun for us and the tourists but not to the natives, we some angry people, but it was really fun none-the-less.

Dress me!

After scouring over all my Japanese sewing pattern books(mooks), I finally decided what's my next sewing project. This lovely quarter sleeve yoke style dress seems like the perfect fall/winter garment and can sorta be casual and dressy too. Now the fabric! No idea what I should even start with.

This is the book the pattern is from ISBN ISBN978-4579-11226-5

Crafting books A-Plenty!

I took a long lunch today to run up (well take the train to) to Kinokuniya Bookstore in Midtown, and I got so many books and goodies. I can't help it, I'm always afraid that if I don't buy the ones I like they won't be there the next time. I got a bounty of sewing pattern books and one each of crochet, knitting, and felting. I was so disappointed to find out they aren't carrying Fumi's new crochet book, it just came out in Japan so I will have to wait I could have it special ordered but it would be more expensive if than I would patiently wait until the store gets them in, dagnabit! Regardless I have many new additions to my expanding collection of amazing Japanese pattern books.


Sweet Dress Recipe ISBN978-4-579-11198-5

Sewing patterns, really modern and girly.


"Sweet Dress Recipe" ISBN978-4-579-11198-5 (one of the patterns)


"Small Animals" ISBN978-4-529-04757-9
Felting Patterns and color step by step instruction


"Small Animals" ISBN978-4-529-04757-9



"Romantic Knit" ISBN978-4-579-11251-7
Beautiful modern "Mori Girls", Marie Antoinette style crochet patterns


"Romantic Knit" ISBN978-4-579-11251-7


"Nordic Knitting, Seven Miraculous Techniques" by Kirja Kongsbak ISBN978-4-579-11162-6

As the name sort of implies these are modern Scandinavian patterns and techniques.


"Nordic Knitting, Seven Miraculous Techniques" by Kirja Kongsbak ISBN978-4-579-11162-6



Girls Fashion Clothing Patterns (not sure of title)ISBN978-4-529-04526-1

Get this book just for the little girl that's the model might be the cutest thing the world, she actually makes me want to "get one" ;)


Girls Fashion Clothing Patterns (not of title)ISBN978-4-529-04526-1




"Happy Homemade vol.2" Kids Fashion Sewing Patterns ISBN978-4-579-11243-2



"Happy Homemade vol.2" Kids Fashion Sewing Patterns ISBN978-4-579-11243-2



unsure of title ISBN978-4-8347-2767-8, womens' sewing patterns, one piece and tunics, layering clothing.



This is my Kino stash of cute stationery stuff, new pencil case, notebook, letter stationery (two sets!), a tiny memo notebook to throw in my bag for jotting down reminders and shopping lists, and a tiny fine pen!

Marché , Spoon and Mori Girls

Last week I finally received my copies of the new Marché and Spoon. Spoon has a great fashion shoot from Syrup brand in Estonia, Scandinavian, and they revisited "Mori Girls"which they also introduced in their last issue using the beautiful model Aoi Yu, she graces this month's issue also, plus an interview with her if you can read Japanese."Mori in Japanese means "forest" and a Mori Girl (森ガール) is a girl who looks like she lives amongst cedar and pine trees. She's part Little Red Ridinghood (although she prefers dark blue, dark green or bordeaux brown to bright red), part Marie Antoinette pastoral fantasy, part Alice in Wonderland". A Mori Girl wears soft shapes, layered clothing, vintage, handmade, rounded toe shoes(clogs anyone? ME!!!!)has crafting skills like crocheting, knitting, sewing (obviously or she would out of a wardrobe ;)). When not making their own clothing they shop Syrup and Fur Fur brands.







Then there's Marché, it's a wonderful Mook covering crocheting and knitting, they also feature crafts artists' studios and new books. There are lots of patterns included and they are usually really beautiful and easy to understand without any knowledge of Japanese.

RIP Little Lamb

Yesterday was one of the hardest days in Debra's and my life, our sweet little girl Lambchop passed. She was proud and dignified to the end.

More Saturday treats!

Yesterday Debra (my partner) and I went out for a late lunch after cleaning and we went into this new comic book store in the neighborhood Bergen Street Comics to leave our promotional cards for mt paintings and her illustrations,BUT of course we both got sucked into the world of James Jean. They carried both his new sketchbook collection "PR3" and "Kindling", also a collection of some of his paintings from the Jonathan Levine Gallery show that can be pulled out and framed. I bought "Kindling"and Debra bought "PR3".


I got my October copy of Giant Robot in the mail chock full of goodness AND I finally got my merino wool and needles from Knit Picks for my Norwegian slipper project, so I'm starting those beauties today!

Voigtlander Bessa I! Yay lost Battle won the War!

Look at this beauty! I had bid on another one and lost just about half an hour ago, but then another one was posted on Ebay for about $40 less, 14 day money back guarantee, better condition, super clear lens and FREE SHIPPING, me rikey a lot. I'm so excited! Can't wait to get this fine camera.