Fave Accessory, Babushka Doll & More

Posted Sunday 24 February 2008 and filed under: Just Sharing, Other Crafty Bits, Softies

I must admit that the theme I picked for “This Is . . .” this week was a challenge for me too. I’m not into posting up pictures of myself on this blog much, but since I told myself that this year was about stepping more and more out of my comfort zone, I decided to go with it - and even managed not to hide behind the camera :-)

So that’s me and my favourite accessory at the moment - a Shinzi Katoh bag with mushrooms and a deer. I tend to wear a lot of dark colours so this bag provides some nice splashes of happy colours.

I don’t get to wear the bag often (e.g. not to work, or times when I need a bigger bag when I’m out with the girls), but I think that’s why it always feels more of a special treat when I do get a chance to bring it with me. I’m looking forward to seeing what all the other participants post up - I hope they had fun with the theme!

In crafty news, this Babushka-style softie was completed this week, and the pattern and instructions will be available in an Aussie craft magazine in a few months time:

She was heaps of fun to work on and the trickiest bit was getting the base right so she could stand on her own.

And I’m sure you will pick up on a little bit of “Kokeshi” in her look since that’s where my inspiration seems to be coming from at the moment :-) Speaking of which, this one is not exactly a Kokeshi but she is a vintage doll from Japan and I just couldn’t help adding her to my collection (from eBay).

I’m currently working on what should be in the next shop update. I seem to receive a lot of requests to make some of the pictures I take of my softies into artsy prints. I’ve been playing with a few images and these three will most likely make it into the update (printed on 285 g/m2 fine art paper):

Larger images of the prints will be in my Flickr soon.

But the little ones have just woken from their naps so must rush off for now! Have a lovely week!

40 Comments »

  1. Comment by CurlyPops — February 24, 2008 @ 6:52 pm

    Thats a lovely bag. I really like the shape along the top. It’s very pretty.

  2. Comment by Katy — February 24, 2008 @ 7:41 pm

    I like to hide behind the camera too - so well done for being brave!
    I love the russian doll - so cute! And the prints look great.

  3. Comment by Tracey — February 24, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

    The bag is lovely. I am not often in front of the camera. I feel so much more comfortable taking the shots.

  4. Comment by Bec — February 24, 2008 @ 9:07 pm

    Ooh, what a cute and quirky bag! I really like the softies as artsy prints too. They look great :)

  5. Comment by Melanie — February 24, 2008 @ 11:12 pm

    Love the bag! I just adore Shinzi Katoh’s work. And… to make it even more exciting, I recently discovered that his home/gallery/store is the next city over from me! I hope to go there next month.

    I just love your softie, and the babushka trim on her makes her even more special!

  6. Comment by Lori — February 25, 2008 @ 2:50 am

    love that bag!

  7. Comment by Net — February 25, 2008 @ 3:55 am

    Such a nice bag - I’m not surprised it’s your favourite accessory. The Babushka doll is very cute too!

  8. Comment by kris — February 25, 2008 @ 6:26 am

    I’m absolutely in love with the new softie you made for the magazine! She is adorable, colorful and so fab!

  9. Comment by Annie — February 25, 2008 @ 7:12 am

    I love those little bears and the doll. I am working up courage to face the mirror … ARGHHHHHH

  10. Comment by Anastasia — February 25, 2008 @ 7:29 am

    how cute are you??? love the bag - great colours and cute deer….

  11. Comment by fiona — February 25, 2008 @ 9:48 am

    cant wait to make one of my own!how exciting to be in a magazine.love you little bag too!

  12. Comment by Angela — February 25, 2008 @ 10:02 am

    How cute is your Babushka doll!! I recently submitted a Babushka inspired doll pattern to an Australian craft magazine also to be published in a couple of months… I wonder if it is the same magazine!!!

    Thank you for your great ‘this is’ theme!! Love your bag and mirror photo too!

  13. Comment by Starashan — February 25, 2008 @ 10:16 am

    love your bag! and those prints are great- I really like them.
    -Sherrin

  14. Comment by Kyla — February 25, 2008 @ 10:45 am

    What a cute bag. There are sooo many of us bag lovers for this weeks this is. All are soo fab. have a super day
    Kyla

  15. Comment by JANE — February 25, 2008 @ 11:08 am

    i LOVE the babushka,will you be selling any in your etsy shop, or just the pattern??

  16. Comment by Violet & Rose — February 25, 2008 @ 2:32 pm

    Your babushka is lovely. Very sweet.

  17. Comment by virginie — February 25, 2008 @ 4:11 pm

    i love your bag and your little doll so cute!!!!!

  18. Comment by rhelynn — February 25, 2008 @ 6:42 pm

    Nice theme and I’ve seen it elsewhere now so now I know what the ‘this is’ is that is going on ;) Very cute bag and the blue is an uncommon color for the picture that is on it, which makes it even more interesting.

    Ahh little one naps — I’m getting to really appreciate those even more lately :)

  19. Comment by Jenny — February 25, 2008 @ 8:03 pm

    Hello to you and thanks for this week’s theme-lovely bag and doll

  20. Comment by Tiel — February 25, 2008 @ 8:37 pm

    hello, loving the photo and babushka too.

  21. Comment by Bianca — February 25, 2008 @ 9:30 pm

    Gorgeous bag!

    Love the softie you made, it’s just fantastic! So much detail.

    Have a great eve.

  22. Comment by stephanie peachey — February 25, 2008 @ 10:36 pm

    the babushka softie is adorable!! unfortunately i havent seen any aussie mags in the UK :(

  23. Comment by Laurie — February 26, 2008 @ 3:34 am

    wait!!! what if I’m not in Australia???? How do I get the pattern for the babushka??????

  24. Comment by Abby — February 26, 2008 @ 8:31 am

    ohhhh what a gorgeous bag…. and that babushka is divine well done.
    luv Abby

  25. Comment by Kate — February 26, 2008 @ 10:27 am

    Great job with the doll! Love the bag.

  26. Comment by corrie sebire — February 26, 2008 @ 1:09 pm

    oh wow I don’t know which I love more the doll or the bag! can’t wait till the mag is out and please make sure you tell us when its released! I loooooove everything russian dolls!

  27. Comment by Louise — February 26, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

    Great bag! And I love the doll. Hopefully the pattern will be in a magazine that we can get in NZ too…

  28. Comment by melissa — February 26, 2008 @ 5:19 pm

    I don’t like the camera either! I simply love the doll! Which mag will it be in… love it!
    xx Melissa

  29. Comment by Diane — February 26, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

    I like your bag! The colours are great and the little deer is so cute! The doll is also great - I can understand why you had to buy it!!

    Another craft pattern published! And a great one at that!!

  30. Comment by upstatelisa — February 27, 2008 @ 3:10 am

    the doll is sooo cute!!! I hope the magazine is one that we can find in the US! would love the pattern!!! I love babushkas!!!

  31. Comment by Selina Hayes — February 28, 2008 @ 8:13 am

    I have just found your site, what beautiful creations you have! The doll is so sweet.

  32. Comment by Net — February 28, 2008 @ 8:22 am

    Hi, me again! would you like to do the 7 Random Things meme? I tagged you on my blog :)

    Ps i love the gorgeous dolls and softies you make.

  33. Comment by Beth — February 28, 2008 @ 10:37 am

    I absolutely love your bag! I want one!!! :D

  34. Comment by robyn — February 28, 2008 @ 11:02 am

    love your blog!
    so great to see a blog from australia(am i just missing them??) you have really got me inspired to get busy.
    can you give me some advice on starting an etsy shop?
    love

  35. Comment by kirsty — February 28, 2008 @ 2:51 pm

    Your babushka is gorgeous. I’m looking forward to seeing what is on your desk next week. Thanks for playing along.

  36. Comment by Kylie — February 29, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

    Cant wait to find out what mag the pattern will be in - looks great - well done…

  37. Comment by Christy — February 29, 2008 @ 4:38 pm

    You’re cute and so is your bag! The babushka doll rocks. :)

  38. Comment by linda — March 1, 2008 @ 12:30 pm

    words cannot describe how beautiful your Babushka Doll is Jhoanna, just stunning. The prints too, brilliant!!!

  39. Comment by Matroskin — March 12, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

    I love that bag. I adore everything by Katoh, and those toadstools (aren’t mushrooms supposed to be edible?) are so cheerful, even though in reality they are poisonous. That bag is so cute. And I love matryoshkas, I collect the wooden ones and make matryoshka softies myself. My friend just gave a wonderful matryoshka brooch, I must post a photo.

  40. Comment by Matroskin — March 12, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

    PS: Did you order the bag from Japan?

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