Why do weekends go so fast?

After going to a Beautiful Wedding on Saturday afternoon, which played some really nice songs including this one by Newton Faulkner - Dream Catch Me so nice ..... , I logged on to check some emails but as usual I got side tracked and started looking at places to visit next time I go to Victoria in August. I came across this Shizuka Ryokan website which is a traditional Ryokan, built in Daylesford - Spa Country.

On further investigation I came across this recipe on their site for Japanese Green Tea Shortbread which were absolutely delicious.


Then closer to the city in Collingwood there was a Japanese Bath House with all the traditional setup and in the same area their is a place called CIBI which I definitely have on the itinerary.

New blog a bit slow

Well now that I am up and running with my new blog I have already let it fall to the waist side after a very busy Easter break I am getting all my products ready for the Niche Market. Here is the brochure for the market - that's me on the top right hand side.

Whilst in the process of making some items for the market I got a bit distracted when I saw this site House on Hill Road and then had to make the Twirly Skirt pattern for my lovely 4 year old for a wedding we are going to on Saturday. It is very Twirly.

I also came across this classic Motown song by The Contours "First I look at the Purse" very cool and appropriate as I am in the middle of making my Kimono Purses!

Well back to it....

The land of the rising sun....my inspiration

Here are some gorgeous photographs that my hubby took on our recent trip to Japan

Nara - I could have sat here forever

Once a year the monks of the temple of 1000 lanterns in Nara go around lighting every single lantern for their festival -truly spectacular

Kiyomizu-dera - wow this temple was build on the side of a mountain, made from wood and was absolutely amazing!

So that got me thinking - after returning with a large amount of Kimonos and Obis which I could not stop buying at the fabulous markets we went to in Tokyo and having them fall out of the cupboard back home every time I opened it, I thought how can I turn these beautiful materials into something I could use. I didn't think walking down town in my Kimono and Getas would be the go so I came up with these.....

Lovely silver plated deep welled rings with a small piece of lovely silk inside - every one is different due to the Kimonos having such rich colours and unique designs - hence the name Bikkuri which means Surprise in Japanese. I currently sell these on etsy under the shop name isabellapoppi, I know your probably thinking this does not match. Unfortunately I created the name of the shop on Etsy before I found out you can't change it oops.

Then I thought what about hair slides - everyone has hair - what about earrings - everyone has ears and so it went on.

My next market will be at the Niche Designs Market Niche All Wrapped Up which is on the 2nd/3rd May 10am - 4pm at the Academy of Arts Gallery, UTAS, Inveresk - this is to raise money for St Giles .