What's on my desk?

This is! It's Elvie... lucky i wasn't actually there as he would've been shoved off.... photo courtesy of Miss R.
Oh yes i've been meaning to get back to my desk - and can just about smell the summer break around the corner.. This bit of japanese loveliness was also on my desk..

as are some little wooden items.. while in Tokyo and looking for 'city in a bag'

(which i now realise is only sold prior to Christmas) i came across London Transport in a bag.. too cute!


After a quick burst of Christmas shopping + wrapping, I made it to my desk at the end of the weekend to belatedly work on a Christmas card. Inspired by the simplicity of Japanese design and the whimsical nature of the way they use English i sent this off to get printed.. fingers crossed it arrives in time..

Take a breath and sniff the air ... holidays are on the way folks!

Shameless self promo

You know how i like stamping? And how basically no surface is safe from my hand carved bits of rubber... well, I thought you could do the same! Look what i found in Japan, lovely little desk bits..

A little assortment of goodies that i selected 'specially.. The best bit is that they are blank. They could be yours to embellish, stamp on, paint or decorate.. then wrap up and give to a friend.. i thought it seemed like a good idea.. what do you think? I also have the bookmark + little calendar in black.. it also comes with a natural blank postcard in a gift bag..

this set can be found here or here..

As time goes by..

Great colour combos. Great style, loose sketchy but engaging. Not mine. Snapped while walking around Design Festa, Tokyo (see previous posts). Shame the weekend whipped past before i got chance to get out the inks, paints or fabric. Sigh. But i did add a wire to a pendant i also picked up while at the same design show..
How cool is this?

I was feeling a little fragile, and a teeny bit suspended in time when i bought it (having just been made redundant) but i still love it! ... here are the awesome artists: Tamunade

Zooming in..
more of their work..


Brilliant.

Wandering the streets of Tokyo

Last month armed with my Little Tokyo shops zine from Angela i found myself wandering the streets of Kichijoji looking for the Yokocho gallery since I'd read about it on three buttons blog... lots of tiny alley ways we came across the entrance..


Tiny but gorgeous..

we met the artist who created these soft caryon/pencil colourful delights..


I also had to buy this beautiful ceramic button, (about 2cm high) I love the texture and simplicity.. last weekend i added a brooch back.. which is about the only crafty thing I've done for weeks!
Last weekend was unbelievably hot with scorching 40 degree heat.. so alas i could not face doing anything too much at all.. I'm really hoping to do something soon... sewing? stamping? don't mention Christmas cards!