Freestyle Painting

I like to work without a plan. Just me, my music, and a paint brush. I never know what's going to happen next....going with the flow. A work in progress.....

Off To Hawaii!

We are off to Hawaii for a couple of weeks to enjoy family and friends, the ocean and the sun, and local food of course!

"Aloha from Hawaii" by Derek Yaniger



Animal Footprint Sandals

I immediately fell in love with these Ashiato Animal Footprint Sandals for kids the minute I saw them! In Japanese, 'Ashiato' means footprint. They look like a cross between traditional Japanese wooden geta footwear and flip flops. A lover of wooden shoes and flip flops myself, I wish they made them in adult sizes! Available in pink, turquoise, and orange, they come in footprints of cats, dinosaurs, and monkeys. By Kiko and founding designer Kaz Shiomi.

You can purchase them here at the A + R Store . I may have to get some for my little ones!

Hawaiian Quilt Love.

image via Purlbee

image via Sew Mama Sew

Hawaiian quilt on Jaxon's bed

Water Blob Fun!

I was reading this neat tutorial by Clumsy Crafter on how to make water blobs yesterday, and thought the kids would enjoy it, so I immediately gave it a try with what I had on hand. I used a couple commercial grade trash bags instead and taped the edges, leaving a small hole just enough to fit a hose. Once they were filled up with water, I taped it up and voila! instant water blobs!

add some water to the surface for slippery fun!

Since they had so much fun, I think I'll head over to the store to purchase the plastic sheeting (about $10) that is required to make an actual 'genuine' water blob! Be careful, however and make sure to clear out a large area around the blobs since the surface can get pretty slippery!
Go here to learn more about water blobs. Happy Blobbing and have a nice weekend! 

Playing With Paper

 I was always in love with "washi", ever since I was a child.  Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Our family would receive gifts from Japan, wrapped in this thin but sturdy paper in an array of natural colors. I use to save the papers and make collages, paper dolls, and cover boxes with them. I love the feel and texture, the rich colors, beautiful patterns, and the resilience of washi.

"Chiyogami papers" are characteristically small dense patterns that were originally wood block prints but are now typically silkscreened on washi. Japanese decorative papers reflect the superb craftsmanship, design sensibilities and rich variety of the Edo Period (1630 - 1868).

As you can see, I still LOVE to work with Japanese papers : )




"A NEW MAN" - mens bracelet made with Chiyogami paper and Hematite stones.

 



"CHRYSANTHEMUM" - handmade Chiyogami paper chain necklace.

"H2O" - custom mens bracelet made with Chiyogami paper, Hematite stone, vintage Japanese textile, and beach stone.

If you are interested in starting your own project using Japanese papers, there are a number of great resources online. My favorites are Paper Source and Hiromi Paper. If you want to touch and feel the papers in person, they also have storefronts too.

A Somen Salad Recipe

Sōmen are very thin--less than 1.3 mm in diameter--white Japanese noodles made of wheat flour.  Sōmen are usually served cold with a light flavored dipping sauce or tsuyu. In the summer, sōmen chilled with ice is a popular meal to help stay cool. In Hawaii, they make what they call a "somen salad". Here is my version of a somen salad.

Note: Feel free to double the dressing recipe as needed. Add water to dressing for desired strength.