Lifestyle

I recently took part in my very first craft fair. My mum makes amazing bags and accessories from vintage kimonos (her shop Umi Umi has a new Facebook page), so…

For the longest time, DIY Christmas gifts has been the norm in our family. For birthdays, we buy each other presents. But for Christmas, there’s something extra festive about creating…

It’s just hit one year since we left San Francisco to move our little family back to Australia. We had a newborn baby, Dave started his own software company and…

A weekend at a spa or a beach getaway aren’t bad, but I’ve just experienced the ULTIMATE weekend away. Jamboree South Coast was a 3 day event, jam-packed with craft classes, delicious meals,…

I hosted the #ilovemystash photo-a-day challenge last month, and wow, it was so much fun! If you posted one of the 800+ photos of your fabric stash, thank you so…

I love scrolling through Instagram, but my account has been looking rather sad of late. I was lying in bed the other night thinking, “Damn,  I forgot to post something on…

Barcelona shopping is not famous for fabric, but when on vacation, I love seeking out local textiles. It’s so much fun to explore traders markets and fabric stores, looking for artisan…

We all wish we had more time to do the things we love, like sewing, right?  Since becoming a mother, I seem to have less and less time for myself.…

There’s lots of cute and funny Valentines Day cards out there, but nothing beats handmade! I’ve made this free printable card so you can say “I love you” in a…

December is one of my favourite times of the year; holiday season, yummy food, and long beach days (if you live in Australia). This slower pace of life is the…

Every time we return to Japan, it’s absolutely mandatory that I visit Nippori Textile Town in Tokyo. In one day trip, you can completely satisfy your fabric and craft shopping…

After a life-changing, mind altering three years in San Francisco, our little family is moving back home to Australia. I’ll miss the foggy city that celebrates individualism and creativity. And…

Happy new year! Are you setting new year’s resolutions for 2014? To aid my resolution to learn new skills, I’ve got five sewing and craft goals to achieve this year.…

On my last trip to Japan, I was inspired by a daytime cooking show to start making bento box lunches for my husband. I’ve eased myself into it by making…

We joined our Aussie friends to visit Treasure Island Flea on the weekend. Treasure Island is a man-made island located between San Francisco and Oakland. Once owned by the US…

I just had the most wonderful 10 days in Japan with my parents, shopping in Tokyo, relaxing with my grandma in Yamagata and catching up with friends in Chiba. 十日間の日本旅行を両親と一緒に楽しんできました。東京で買い物して、山形のおばあちゃんとくつろいで、千葉の友達とも会ってきました。…

I’m very excited to tell you that I am off to a spontaneous trip to Japan next week! なんと、急に日本へ行くことになりました！ My parents who live in Australia, and me, who now lives…

Streatfood Park in Soma, San Francisco is where you can eat from many different food trucks, seven days a week. ストリートフードパークはサンフランシスコのソーマにあり一か所でたくさんのフードトラックから食べられます。 You eat at the outdoor dining tables. There was…

One sunny day in San Francisco, I decided to take my new (secondhand) bike for a ride to Japantown. Just over 10 minutes downhill, I found myself  transported back in…

Our wedding was held on 5 May 2012 in Sydney at the scout hall where Dave did scouts as a young boy. This unconventional venue was just perfect for decorating…