Japanese-inspired artwork

Over the past few months I've been working on ideas for digital downloads for my store. These are not physical items that are sent out, but are instant downloads which means that, once purchased the customer can download the file and print it at home. It could also be taken to a high street printer or printed via an online print company. These bright, fresh prints were inspired by the kimonos I have in my collection and would make a great addition to any room in the home.

Japanese blossom design

Japanese blossom design

Japanese maple design

Japanese maple design

Japanese floral design

Japanese floral design

Fave fabric Friday

This Friday's fabric is quite a contrast to the vibrant purple of the last fave fabric. It's made of cotton and is a Japanese kimono in muted shades of blue, yellow and red on a grey ground. It has quite a contemporary feel to it, but I'm pretty sure it's an antique. And I love the slightly blurred ikat technique used on the traditional blossom motif.

This would make a beautiful summer handbag, now I just have to make it. Watch this space!

Fave fabric Friday

This fabric is one that I have loved for ages and used it to make a clutch bag a while ago. I was loathe to cut it up and use it as I only had a small amount, but when I was in Tokyo in November, I found some more of it at my favourite kimono shop! I was so happy. I love the retro pink, the silky feel and the dramatic painterly print with hints of gold. Now I just have to decide whether to use it or save it!

 This is the clutch bag I made with the first kimono piece. It sold at the Selvedge Fair in March '13.

Fave fabric Friday

This Friday's fabric is a beautiful silk kimono piece I have in my stash. It's an orange and peach blossom print that has an ombre effect. It's difficult to sum it up in one photo as the print runs the length of the fabric, which is what makes it so stunning. The blossom runs from cream to peach to a deep orange colour. Juicy!

Another giveaway!

Cheeky Leopard has teamed up with Simply Mad once again to bring you another perfect giveaway!
Follow this link to enter.......ends Thursday!

www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8639145/

Purple blossom

I recently added this rather juicy purple clutch to my Etsy store. The outside is made from a pretty printed blossom kimono fabric and the lining is a vibrant green fabric that I bought on a trip to Vietnam.

You can find it in my store here.

Gift set

It's been a busy month since we moved back from Tokyo to London. There have been some ups and downs, but it's been a lot of fun and we are enjoying setting up our new home. The bag-making has waned slightly during that time, but I am now getting back on track and am loving rediscovering my varied selection of Japanese fabrics.

These three little gems are my latest creations. They are small clutch bags, each made from kimono fabrics that I collected whilst living in Tokyo. They can be bought individually on my Etsy store, or I can offer a 10% discount if they are bought as a set of three! If you are interested in buying the set, please contact me through my Etsy store and I can arrange the discount for you.

Vintage Pink

I have just added this clutch bag to my Etsy store. It's made from a kimono I bought in Kyoto a while ago and one which I have been meaning to make up for some time. It's a beautifully simple, classic blossom print on a pretty pink ground. I call it 'vintage pink' as it's only really the kind of pink you find on vintage items nowadays. I decided to give it a rich terracotta lining as a contrast to the outside.

Like most of my items, the bag is not stiffened so that it keeps the softness and integrity of the silk. You can find it on my Etsy store here.