Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Stuff happening....

I must admit, I usually have a fairly quiet after-hours life, but the last few days have been quite eventful. On Saturday I went to the Rose Street Artist's Market and met the very lovely Justinamaria. It was such a highlight to see the lovely things she's made with my little-ol' fabric in person. Very flattering.

Then, on Monday (a public holiday here in Melbs) we drove up to Ballarat in our "trusty" 20yr old Skyline, and whilst traveling at 110kmph in the pouring rain one of our windscreen wipers flew off and hit another car! And not just the rubber bit, but the whole swivelly head bit! We had to drive the rest of the way leaning to the side. It was actually quite scary. We tried to drive back to Melbs that night but with the dark and rain and crappy headlights and a scary near miss with a truck, we had to turn around and wait till morning.

Last night was a free ticket to The Australian Ballet (thanks mum!), tonight is Aqualung, but by far the best thing to happen of all... we booked flights to Japan!!! I can't believe it's actually going to happen! I haven't traveled overseas in almost 10 years, and have always, always wanted to go to Japan. I'm so excited. I'd also love to hear any suggestions/recommendations of places to visit from anybody out there! Anything with an art/craft/design slant would be extra cool :)

And, because it's just plain wrong to post without a picture, here's a little wip I'm working on :)


17 comments:

paolability said...

Ooh, a trip to Japan. I'm very envious.

A designer friend of mine made a
photo diary of his trip to Japan. They went to some designery places you might find interesting (as well as some spectacular gardens).

Also try to see Creative (=modern) kokeshi dolls and maki-e pens. Sublime.

Paola

Jess (fushmush) said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Japan!

My picks:
* stay in a Capsule hotel. Definitely an adventure.
* Kiddy Land at Harajuku
* The stationery floor at Isetan in Shinjuku
* the view from the top of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku (it's free to go to the top!)
* karaoke in Roppongi! Lots of fun :D
* listen out for the astroboy theme at Takadanobaba metro station

Oh it's all so cute... love it.

Jason said...

Well I live in Japan. I when are you coming....? There is an antique market in Harajuku on the 4th sunday of each month (May need to check on the dates..) Also there is a huge temple near there too...just over the bridge going towards yoyogi park. If your at the temple on a sunday then you may get to see a Japanese wedding. Yoyogi park is cool too. And for crafts and print gocco stuff I recommend Tokyu Hands in Shibuya...it's near PARCO if that helps...Oh and if you want to know of a nice and cheap Japanese hotel with high speed net then let me know.

Melissa said...

I heart Aqualung! I hope it's a good show for you, but I'm sure it will be. :-) Can't offer any advice about Japan. I went to Korean when I was younger though, and I can't wait to go back some time. I'd love to see Japan too, so be sure to take lots of photos and post them so I can live vicariously through you!

Manda said...

hi lara,
my sister is living in japan, in tokyo. shes an amazing textile artist and i'm sure she could give you some great information for your trip. how i wish it was me going to visit my sis'....
anyway..let me know if u would like to contact her :-)
manda
www.mandamade.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

oh yeah! We are planning to go to Japan for our daughter's 8th grade graduation in a couple of years. I hope you love it.

elisabetha said...

congratulations!! i'm heading to japan in a bit over a month myself. For a crafty fanatic, I'd hit all the Tokyu Hands stores you could find (they all carry slightly different stuff, so if you find something you like, buy it cause you may not find it in the next store...spoken from experience :/), as well as MUJI - my favourite store ever. where are you planning to be? you're going to love it!!

Stacey said...

Wow, its all happening for you at the moment.
Japan looks like an amazing place - all that blossom and architecture.
You're very lucky.
I'm going to Echuca in a few weeks and am excited about that - so I can imagine how excited you must be to go Japan!

leslie said...

sooooo jealous.... aqualung. japan. *sigh*

hope you have heaps of fun though : )

Anna said...

I think my comment that I thought I left earlier has gone AWOL. I am (one) of the very envious people here! Japan would be awesome (as anyone fond of Japonism would agree) and I'm sure that you will have a fantastic time!

Unknown said...

Hi Lara
I am loving all of the updates about your fabrics they are looking amazing. I haven't been to Japan in 10 years so my tips are well out of date. I am hoping that you may be able to offer me some advice though. I am in a straight business career at the moment (mid-mgmt level) and would love to crack into the design industry. I am studying textile design at RMIT too. Do you have any tips on how to jump across or people/agencies that may be helpful to speak to for advice?
Thank you!

And, enjoy the trip to Japan and post lots of pics to make us all envious!

Heather Moore said...

ooh, Japan! That sounds like a dream come true, you lucky thing!

lupinbunny said...

Quite jealous. I'm simultaneously fascinated and terrified by Japan.

For some inspiration, Mariro B has just been on a trip:
http://marirob.blogspot.com/

And for reading to hype you up, seek out Number9Dream by David Mitchell. It's set in and around Tokyo and is my favourite book.

Anonymous said...

japan? JAPAN? are you kidding?! oh the excitement and oh I'm not coming too am I? oh well, have a nice time then!! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous and excited for you, but my custom fabric arrived today -so yeah me!

~Becky

Anonymous said...

hello got here from mikes.
wow! your fabric is absolutely great!

I went last year so here's some of my suggestions for Japan:
asakusa (if you want to look at kimono fabrics, plastic fake food), kinokuniya

I have never been (maybe next year sigh )- Nippori-Tomato (out of season fabrics and other crafty notions). Have heard good things :)

- There's a Tokyo Hands in Shinjuku too (prices are rather expensive - Nippori is probably better)

- Chirimen museums ?
- Try an onsen? (escape from winter :) )
- Washi/katazome/other jap traditional paper ? Ito-ya in Ginza! Awesome place.

I am sure you will have a lovely time :)

World Wide Alternative said...

Kyoto! Kyoto! Kyoto! 100 yen shops & if it all becomes too much come & visit us in Shimizu ;)...