I grew up with little touches of Asia all around our house, there was furniture, lamps, ornaments, art and special ginger jars that only appeared at Christmas time. My Grandparents (below) lived and worked throughout Asia and my father brought various treasures home with him.
Me in a Kimono thirty odd years ago!! (in front of very shiny 70's curtains!)
There were several Kimonos and they were kept in a carved camphor chest that 'wafted' a very special smell everytime the lid was lifted.
I still can't quite believe my mother actually let us wear these beautiful garments,
she still has them and they still smell just the same!
I'm slowly building up my collection of Asian themed arty bits and you can just imagine my delight at receiving this wonderful selection of papers from jenxo in Oz! We did a swap a while back and had been chatting about jounalling pens, or the lack of them in this country, so what else do you think was in the envelope??
pens!! just the bestest most fantabulous I'm going to put them under my pillow and sleep on top of them pens (other people do that right??) Oriental Blue and Beige Japanese Marvy pens, a ZIG calligraphy pen, oh swoon... Thank you, thank you Jen, you are a star!
and it doesn't end there!
I recently did a Swiss for Asian paper swap with Sandy in Singapore.
oh my, I've never seen such a glorious selection of embossed papers! these beauties are from from bestcreation, I almost couldn't cut into them they're so special!
Thank you soooo much Sandy, you really spolit me!
I used the first precious paper to cover an old book with a strip of Jen's fabric down the spine
I carved out the centre of the book
when it's finished I plan to fill it with mini Kimono dresses or ATC's
I couldn't resist making an ATC!
even though the book isn't quite done yet!
Thank you Jen and Sandy for your wonderful generosity!
14 comments:
You got great stuff! And what a cute pic of you from "way back when"!!! Can't wait to see the little kimono dress in the book you cut out! Glad you are finding some art time!
oh wow , bit of cutie hey m:)
yes i hide mine too , not quite under teh pillow tho :)
love your book , great idea !
What wonderful treasures to create with . Love the colours of the ACT.
A friend of mine has his mothers ' beautiful silk Sarees in a trunk.
Well done Margaret, swaps are the best..a surprise in every box...I am going to work on a new journal this week!
With a map I think!
ox
What a legacy, Margaret! My grandmother's sister was a professor in China and we still have beautiful Asian things in our house that she brought back. I love the pictures of you in the kimono!!!
Hugs,
Suz
Love seeing your treasures AND hearing about the Asian influence in your life from a very young age...you look so cute in the pic!
So nice you are getting a little time to play!
oxo
Oh wow. Not only did you get great art supplies, you have made a lovely ATC. I can just imagine that kimono that will fit into the niche. And speaking of niche. You did a great job on it, too.
Memories of your childhood are so wonderful, especially when they are accompanied by photos. Certain scents and smells often conjure up the most vivid memories of all the senses. I can just imagine the scent wafting from that camphor box. Not the best smell in the world, but one I can relate to.
How cute are you?!
I love the idea of a kimono in the book.
Doesn't everyone sleep on their art supplies? Though you do have to be careful of the scissor and x-acto knife points. ;)
I had no idea you grew up with Asian stuff. How cool is that? Love the photo of your grandparents and you in the kimono!
Oh wonderful! You have a lovely blog! I'm a big fan of old map pages myself. Kim
Wow, what wonderful asian inspiration...
..and what a cutie in a kimono you are M!! ;)
...aren't craft friends the best!! What fab treasures you received :)
..and loving what you have created, your book and atc are inspiring.
Jan x
Oh Margaret so wonderful stuff you have received, your book looks fantastic, love how you made the inside and the ATC so lovely, thanks for sweet comment.
Hugs Anni
you are just adorable in that kimono!
I have one from my grandma too...It is pretty fragile though.I also have some pretty funky shoes that are from the forties. The heels are carved wood that have pagoda scenes on them and the tops are some kind of beaded fabric. I have two pairs of them.
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