Dot Mania

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Hello Sandwiches!


Dot Mania is a new book from Editions de Paris featuring crafts made using products from the new Mark's Dot Mania collection.

It's a really cute book featuring some of my favourite craft artists such as Wool, Cube, Wool! and Sophie et Chocolat. And I was lucky to be one of the five craft artists asked to make some craft items using the collection!

Below are some of the projects I made.

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The book is really sweet and has pages of polka dot stickers in the back section. And the Dot Mania collection has some lovely products, too. My favourite is the Dot Mania stamp set! If you like polka dots, you might like to check this out.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo



March in Tokyo, 2013

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Hello Sandwiches,

How was your weekend?

I can't believe March has come to an end already. So many changes have taken place this month. Shimokitazawa station has gone underground, the Sakura have pretty much come and gone, Gmail has changed, Google Next button will soon be gone...All constant reminders that nothing stays the same forever. I'll miss a lot of things. But we only have the memories to hold on to.

March in Tokyo, 2013 has been incredible as usual. Here are a few memories.



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How awesome is Instagram? One day I am commenting 'Wow! I want a goodie bag!' on one of Minimega's photo's and the next day I open my door to Japan post who is delivering the cutest said goodie bag to my mini me Tokyo apartment! Thank you so much Minimega for sending me such a lovely surprise!

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A sunny afternoon lunch. Miso soup with carrot, kale, leek and enoki. Onigiri with edamame and shiso kombu. Quinoa and kale pattie. Sprouts, carrot, cucumber, coriander, tomato, cheese, avocado and raddish.

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Getting my nails painted with Hiki-chan.
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My new Tokyo Guide Zines arrived and were dispatched on 21st March. If you ordered one please check your mail box and enjoy! There are less than 1/2 of the total zines left so please place your order to receive your copy if you're thinking of visiting Tokyo in the future.

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My deeply loved mamachari on location at Yoyogi koen sakura. I bought this mamachari almost three years ago when I first moved to Tokyo and it's now developing a lovely aged squeak. In a way it makes me happy to have such an authentic sounding mamachari although I should probably pop some kind of grease in it to stop this squeak!

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Visiting an exhibition of my favourite artist ever! I feel so happy to live in Tokyo to be able to have access to amazing shows like this!

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Bike riding sunset.

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Bike riding view.

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Rainy days from inside my apartment. This is a blurry sakura tree in the background.
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A Drawing-A-Day in March. This one is a stack of books.

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Not much room in this teeny Tokyo apartment to display the Drawing-A-Day collection.
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Super cute packages arriving via courier from my new company!

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My scrapbooks for my interview with 101 Woonideeen magazine.
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Wrapping for my friend Mami-chan.

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Along the nature walk in Daizawa.

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Ohanami parties.

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Sakura Sunsets in Inokashira koen.
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Making free booklets for my new company. Come along to the Martha Stewart Crafts Japan booth at the Japan Hobby Show and pick up your copy.
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Well designed girlie alcoholic drinks.

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Pop up accessories shop in Shibuya.


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The sakura for this year is almost gone. It's too fleeting.

We can only hold on to the memories.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Ueno koen Sakura

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I visited a gallery near Akihabara the other day and thought I might pop on over to Ueno koen to see the sakura while I was in the area. Wow, I'm so glad I did. That pink tree was breathtakingly beautiful.

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I walked around for a little while stopping to take photos, and then ate an onigiri and combini sandwich on side path ledge. Sometimes it's nice and relaxing to have a mini picnic by yourself in the park isn't it.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Kandagawa and Inokashira Koen Ohanami

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I can't tell you how much I love bike riding along Kandawaga, especially when the Sakura are in full bloom. Today's ride to Inokashira Koen was breathtaking.

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Cruising along with this view for about an hours ride was such a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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The Sakura were in full bloom today so finding space to place your leisure sheets can be a little tricky.

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Ohanami bento from Shimanekoken. So so delicious.

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I love seeing other peoples picnics...what food they bring...how they set up camp. These guys above even packed a sort of drum kit!

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BYO furniture.

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So incredibly beautiful!

You can also see last years hanami video here.

Love you Japan.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

The last train at Shimokitazawa

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Sandwiches, there will be no more above ground Odakyu-sen trains at Shimokitazawa station ever again. It's so sad. The Odakyu-sen at Shimokitazawa went underground from today. They are calling it 'Shimo-chika'. ('Chika' means basement.)

We went and watched the last train pull into Shimokitazawa station at 1:03am this morning and recorded it in this little video below. This video even made me cry - and I made it! The music in the video is by the incredible Priscilla Ahn (if you have headphones please plug them in before watching this little movie).



I'll cherish the memories of the fumikiri and above ground Odakyu-sen trains at Shimokitazawa.

If you have any interest, you can see more videos of the final train on the Shimo-chika facebook page.


Love Love
Hello Sanwich
xoxo

Obento Furoshiki

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Hello Sandwiches!

I just finished making this obento furoshiki using the Martha Stewart adhesive stencils. Perfect for taking to hanami picnics!

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I will be hosting a workshop where you can make your own obento furoshiki like this at the Japan Hobby Show next month! I hope you can come along! Remember last years?



Happy Hanami Sandwiches!

I'm trying to get all of my work done super fast so I can ride my bike to Yoyogi koen and take photos of the cherry blossoms! がんばります〜!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo