Bella Dia

Taking a little break

I'm going to take the next week or so off from blogging. You see, my sweet five year old nephew had a brain tumor when he was two and the removal was successful but it left him legally blind because the tumor was on top of his optic nerve. He had his regular MRI last week and they discovered that the tumor has come back and he will have to have another surgery very soon. He is the youngest of my sister's four children and we are all very close. I'm not really able to focus on much, I feel like I'm coming in and out of a bad dream. I usually prefer not to share bad news but I feel I have a responsibility to the people who read my blog and I didn't want to let you down. I'll be around but just not too active. Take care, Cassi

Japanese Craft Book Library

I have finally put together my library of Japanese craft books. I made a set of them on Flickr and you can see them here. I included one page excerpt from each book and I also tried to pick a page that someone else with the same book hadn't already featured. You'll find the ISBNs in the description.

**Update** I've had several people ask where I get my Japanese craft books. Some were gifts from my sister and the others I ordered from YesAsia and Amazon Japan. Amazon Japan usually quotes about 4-6 weeks for delivery but I have always received them in about 2 weeks or less and I have found them to be faster than YesAsia, so they are my preference. Some tips for ordering from Amazon Japan: be familiar with the Amazon (U.S.) interface, view the page in English on Amazon Japan and also in a language translator like Alta Vista's Babelfish, and use a currency converter. Items in your cart are calculated in yen but the charge to your credit card is in American dollars. Hope this helps!

Halloween Embroidery

The kids did these Halloween dishtowels last year but I thought I would share anyway. I got the towels at Target and then the kids did their own drawings with a temporary marker. The older two did their own embroidery and I did the embroidery for my youngest. Super quick and easy, I know I'll love pulling them out every year to enjoy.

Also, I've made a post at Tag Sale Tales today if you'd like to take a peek!

For everything there is a season

This is my contribution to the Collective Souls journal, Believe. I based my pages on the quote from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season...". You can see the other page contributions here.

It took me awhile to get going on this project. I haven't worked with paper and collage in such a long time that it was kind of difficult getting the creative wheels in motion.

This page and the one above it face each other in the journal.

A fall version of the first page which represents spring showing how the seasons, like everything else, come full circle.
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For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Inspiration Monday

1. Crafty McGee, 2. Liquid Paper, 3. Laboratory 5, 4. The Blue Coat, 5. Little Messes, 6. Bara + Design

Three's A Collection

I've been picking up these little wood toys lately whenever I come across one at a thrift shop or among the kids old toys. I didn't really realize it but now I see I have a bit of a collection because, you know, three of anything is a collection ;)

My Busy Work

Lately, my busy work has been embroidering this twill tape. I've seen pictures of this type of thing on Japanese web sites and in my Japanese craft books but haven't had any success in locating some here in the U.S. so I thought I would make my own. Since I'm only using one color all I need is needle, thread, scissors, and the twill tape and I'm ready to go. I'm designing it on the fly so no great plans here just simple line drawings of thing I like: home, flowers, tea, kitties, sunshine, nature, etc. Just something to keep me busy while I wait for soccer, wait for karate, wait for horseback riding... :) I'm thinking I might use it for a trim on a new tote bag that I'm in need of but you could also back it with ribbon and use it for a strap of some sort.

Vintage Swap Goodies

We just completed the Vintage Swap (thanks Toni!) and I was thrilled to have Vicki as my swap partner. She totally spoiled me - just look at all these goodies! The fabric in the background is a tablecloth edged with white fringe, perfect for our backyard table. Let's see, buttons - love, pom poms - love, trimmings and recipe cards - love, love, and the sweetest little hanky in one of my favorite colors of the moment - love!

A sunshiney little apron, just perfect for pouring lemonade in :)

On the left there are all kinds of patterns and transfers that I'm excited to try, knitting guides, and a framed print. On the right is an assortment of ephemera. The little dancing kitties on the bottom are from Pattern Bee, Vicki's online shop where she sells vintage transfers that have been made new again. So cute!

And, as if that's not enough, look at
all this great vintage stationery! I have had such poor luck in finding some, so I'm thrilled to have such a fun and hip assortment.

Last, and in no way
the least, Vicki included one of her little Halloween Peeps! It smells just like autumn and it totally motivated me to get out our Halloween decorations :D

Thanks so much for such a great swap Vicki!
As much as I loved the swap, I have enjoyed getting to know you even better :)