from prints into journals

I'm thinking about trying this tutorial - I'll show the results when done!

At the local thrift store, I found two different types of buttons to cover with your own fabric. One from some company I have never heard of and another set was made by Dritz. One of the packages was horrible and one of the packages worked really well.

Horrible results front:



Horrible results back:



This is an odd shot of the horrible package:



the sole reason these sucked is because no matter how hard I tried, I could never get the backing piece to snap in (see the back of the purple failed button). It didn't seem to matter how thick or thin my fabric was -the back piece would not snap. Even attacking the button with pliers didn't do anything but smash the button. I tried a different way to use them, essentially disposing of the wire that made it a button.

Good results Front:



DRITZ Wins! I forgot to take a picture of the back, but since I have more - I'll post another shot later.
I really love vintage buttons and findings for sewing, but sometimes it's not what you bargain for :)

I think I might be using craft pudding's tutorial from now on though - seems like a lot less fuss than the kits.

Saying I was mildly obsessed with trains and buses on my last trip to Japan is a big understatement. I took a TON of pictures and below are some of my favorites:

Random tracks


Cute bus company mascot


Random station


floor direction mascots in Akihabara JR train station



Yodabashi bus mascots



Another random station



I'll see if I can dig up some more shots, but I think these were the best.

On my last business trip to Japan, I was heading to work one morning and at the Meguro JR station, girls in cute crisp white shirts and black skirts were handing out little black packets to all the women leaving the train station. It's unusual for the hawkers to hand out stuff to us Gaijin - they tend to assume that we can't read or understand what ever it is they are handing out (in my case this is true - I can't read Kanji or speak Japanese) .

The girls were handing out shampoo and conditioner samples. I am truly a sucker for anything packaged in Japan. The colors are better, the layout is generally better and the overall packaging is generally more innovative. In this case - it's a modern take on more traditional Japanese design in a nice little package...

Front cover



Inside Flap



Behind the sample



Full interior



The pictures are not the greatest because I took them at my temporary desk at the office. I might still have the package in all the rubble piled up in my living room from the trip.

I know, I know - I got back two weeks ago, why isn't everything sorted out? Because I'm a nerd /geek/lazy - Metal Gear Solid 4 came out and I've been watching my husband play it and I've been catching up on my anime.

one of my great finds on the last trip to Japan was something that I couldn't buy!

On my way from the office to the Meguro JR train station I noticed this lady's bag:



Take a closer look:



It's printed with sewing patterns!!

I'm sure she thought I was a total nut job because I stayed in step right behind her with my camera out waiting to stop at a cross walk.

Her skirt is kinda rockin' as well :)

I made this pendant a few months ago and thought I should share:



The keys are scrapbooking charms I received in a wish list swap on craftster. the gears are watch parts that I have had in my crafting stash for years. I used sterling silver chain and jump rings to join them all together.

I currently wear this on a ball chain necklace.

It's had some favorable reviews from co-workers - they all know I'm crafty and always ask if I made the jewelry I'm wearing.

Oh and I crocheted the red thing in the background - it's the start of an ipod cozy for one of my buddies.

EDITED TO ADD: I forgot I was wearing this necklace in the ONE good picture of me that currently exists on Lee's Site

I made my mom a scarflette this weekend! I packed it up with all the goodies I got my family while on trips. (Niece got Hello Kitty PJ's, Nephew got toy cars, mom got a compact & magnet from Meiji shrine as well as a magnet from Harrod's, Dad and Bro got key chains from Tokyo Tower, and Sis in law got a cute little doll from Meiji shrine as well).

Here are photos of the scarflette (sorry that they are kinda blurry):








I didn't get pictures of the family gifts, like and idiot, but I'm hoping Mom will send over a few shots.

I just got a call from my husband - he was shoved off/kept from getting on the the train!!! some huge family shoved in front of him & his bike and stood right in front of the door until it closed saying "sucks to be you."

He said the train wasn't even crowded, but he didn't have time to go to another door because they all pushed in front of him right before the doors closed.

Now, my husband is not a small man - he's 6'4" tall and while not football player big, he's big.

You can force the doors back open if you have free hands, but NOT when you're holding a bike!

ARGH!

I just have to complain about public transport in LA.

I take the subway to work every day here in LA (yes, there is a subway in LA).
I ride my bike part of the way so it joins me on my daily subway trips.
We cyclists are supposed to take the elevator to leave the escalators free for the pedestrians. I do this, I take the elevator

1) because I'm supposed to and
2) the bike is unwieldy going up the escalator because it's HEAVY


I usually end up waiting for at least one batch of people to go up after getting off the train

1) to be polite and let the people who REALLY need it, use it first
2) it's ungodly crowded
3) I don't want to get yelled at for getting someone dirty with my tires, chain, etc.

I cannot believe how rude people are about getting on and off the train and getting in the elevator. Maybe I'm spoiled by how polite people are in other parts of the world about subway use or maybe public transportation users in LA just kinda suck.

Things I want to yell at people everyday:

1) There is no need to crowd in front of the door to get on - other people need to get off the train so that you can have a seat. (I have actually yelled this at people before)
2) If you can run to get the elevator, you DON'T need to use it!
3) the elevator is in a fixed position, it always comes back to the floor you're on - there is no need to turn it into a clown car
4) You don't have to push the call button AGAIN, it's already lit up.
5) There were people waiting before you got to the elevator - let them on first!
6) Don't push people out the door, if you're in that big a hurry, leave home earlier
7) the trains come every 10 minutes - you do not need to run to catch one in a reasonable amount of time.

major culprits that illict the above reactions:

little old ladies
teenagers
construction workers


ARGGGHHHH!!!!! I love how easy public transportation is her ein LA -it's just the little things.

....and no, I don't own a car. My husband and I were contemplating buying a car after many many years without, then decided to buy bicycles instead.

melissa moss!



I snagged the image above from her site (only so I wouldn't steal her bandwidth). Her paintings are BEAUTIFUL!! I really really want one of these prints.

Her shop is located here.