Obi for sale

After my little triumphant making of my first tsuke obi I thought wouldn't it be a good idea to make another one for someone else to enjoy!

Well here it is!

Like before it is reversible so you can alternate how you wish to wear the colours and at the front you can twist your obi to create interesting contrasts.

As it is a tsuke obi, it has been designed for the single fold otaiko.

However I have made it long enough so you actually create a double fold otaiko as well.

And if that is not enough, you can even tie tsunodashi musubi for a more casual look.

You can even create otaiko variations if you like.  As I have only used a heavy weight interface to line the obi, you can tuck the tesaki part towards to back and create a different otaiko musubi look.

This wonderful handmade obi can be yours for £30 (not including postage).

I hope to find other materials to make more obi because they are a lot of fun to make.

Custom kanzashi order.

There is nothing better then creating a kanzashi for a bride and last week a bride contacted me to ask me to create a kanzashi for her special day!

Cherry Blossom was her chosen kanzashi however she wanted it completely white!

I couldn't disappoint her so here is the same kanzashi in white.

I have to say it is lovely but I'm bias ;)

First attempt on Red Velvet Cake.

Everyone talks about them and since my partner has to organise seminars for his maths department, he normally volunteers to make the first batch of cakes for the tea and coffee afterwards.

By volunteering, this normally means me making something that 20 people can eat and survive therefore this time I made red velvet fairy cakes.

I had to try 5 of them to make sure they were nice enough but then most cake taste nice when they are warm.

But you can not have red velvet cupcakes with frosting and taking my friend's advice I made butter roux frosting.  This frosting is a lot lighter then the standard cream cheese frosting and because you mix in a roux mixture to bulk out the butter and sugar frosting, it is marginally healthier!  

Now to combine the two together.

Kimono Challenge Tag #12

1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.


The evolution of your kitsuke.


Lets see the first time I wore kimono was for MCM Expo.

I look stupid posing, don't I!

And here is the latest outfit.

Still rubbish at posing as you can see but I would say my style has evolved to be a bit more quirky these days because I am always breaking the rules when it comes to motifs and styles.  In the end of the day so long as the colours go together then I'm happy and my motto for kimono co-ordination is always "It will do!".

Well that is all 12 questions answered, if you want any more questions answered then let me know in your comments.

Kimono Challenge Tag #11

1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.


Your kimono collection. 


I don't have an up to date picture of my collection but this was my collection a year ago.

and since I moved to Sheffield my kimono have been living in 4 large (50cm x 30cm x 23cm) and 2 small (34cm x 27cm x 23cm) plastic boxes.  

I am not going to start counting how many items I got because I might faint.

Kimono Challenge Tag #10

1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.


Your biggest kimono inspiration.


I love the work of Yamamoto Yumi!

She makes kimono, obi and zori from modern print fabric which means her kimono look really funky.

Don't you just love this outfit?  It is just perfect for the seaside.

Even her more traditional looking kimono outfits still have a modern feel to them.

However I do like to experiment and I love combine boots with kimono because zori/geta are not warm enough for the UK winters.  I have my trusty tan boots which are great for kimono!

Kimono Challenge Tag #9

1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.


Your biggest kimono fears. 


When it comes to clothes, my ethos is if you buy it then you must wear it.  Which I apply to my kimono collection as well but my biggest fear would be destroying a kimono that I love while wearing it out.


Either through staining it with makeup or food I would be heartbroken if I made a kimono unwearable because I am one of those fools who gets sentimental about inanimate object.  Fortunately however I have not encountered this problem yet.