Travelling Bunnies - Big Heads, Lecien, & Shoes (Day 2)

Japan is one of those places where there is so much happening you don't quite know where to look. Today we had an appointment to view fabrics at Lecien (one of our suppliers) late in the afternoon so we decided to walk around Osaka before then.

Leaving the hotel we got our first good look at the statues outside the front door. They are smaller than they looked on the website and they are also hollow fibreglass. Have to admit to being a little disappointed that they weren't carved out of stone. The rooms here are small (they always are in Japan) but the amenities are fantastic - free WiFi, free bottles of water each day, free bicycle hire, right next to the main shopping arcade in Osaka and lovely front desk staff. Add in the comfy bed, doona & pillows and you get two very happy bunnies!

Shops here don't seem to open much before 10.30 / 11.00 am (very civilised) so we got to take pictures of near empty streets - a rarity in Japanese cities. First up we needed to hunt down a breakfast of champions. We found it at McDonald's (don't judge us) in the form of McGriddle. Maple syrup flavoured pancakes with sausage, cheese & egg for Cloud, with bacon & egg for Ky. Deeeeeeliciously odd combinations.

Here's some more pictures from this morning's walk. Notice the octopus / tentacle sculptures on some the buildings? It's because Osaka is famous for takoyaki - deep fried octopus balls. Cloud can't eat them / smell them without feeling a bit ill (she loathes fish & seafood) but loves the signs all the same.

Lady dressed for the theatre in kimono

Random street art

It's tentacular

One of the most famous signs in Osaka

It came from the deep

Cutest fire truck ever

Glico Man sign, another famous Osaka landmark

A quick detour to Tokyu Hands lead us to finding this hilarious fabric. Read the words and you will see what made us giggle then buy it! There is so much crafty goodness in there it was a miracle we managed to leave.

LOL

Next up - Lecien! We checked out the new ranges that were just released at the recent Salt Lake Quilt Show & place orders. There are now kawaii Panda's coming to us sometime in mid-July / August.

At Lecien we were also given a sample of their brand spanking new metallic embroidery threads to take for a test drive. We will give them a go and then write up a separate blog post about them soon. The black / silver threads look like they are made for stitching space invaders so can't wait to get some linen to try them out on!

To round out a perfect day, Cloud then found women's shoes in her size! This NEVER happens in Japan because her feet are huge (27cm).

These babies have strawberry bells on them. They were also reduced from $115 (Australian) to $16. Can't wait for these to be worn to the day job ^_^

Tomorrow we will be hiring bicycles and heading off in search of more fabric ^_^

~ Cloud & Ky

Travelling Bunnies - The Journey (Day 1)

We set off to Japan from the Gold Coast - for some reason Jetstar doesn't seem to fly to Japan from Brisbane. We drove over the NSW border and then turned around and came back into Queensland, we found this quite amusing. Then again after waking up at 4.30am just about anything seems funny.

We were worried about being late and missing the flight. We shouldn't have - we were 2 hours early for a plane that was over 1 hour late. At Cooly airport you get to wander out to the plane via the tarmac. Apparently this means 'take a photo of the plane'. So we did ^_^

Finally on the plane and ready to go! Blurriness totally due to excitement - not poor photography skills. We didn't look quite as perky 9 hours later when we disembarked though! Cloud was tempted to do a Gaga and put Coke cans in her hair for the arrival but the flight squashed all ideas of fun out of her. It also squashed all feeling out of our legs :P

First can of coffe from a vending machine :)

Today we are off to have a look around and go to the Lecien showroom this afternoon.

- Ky and Cloud

Bunnies In Japan

We are headed to Osaka, Japan on May 18 to visit suppliers and hunt down new craft supplies and goodies for you! We will be updating our blog / Facebook page with our adventures while we are away.


During this time our stores will remain open but any orders received from lunchtime Tuesday 17th May onwards will not be posted until Friday 27th May.

We are staying at this hotel, mainly cause we thought that the statues were cool:)

- Ky and Cloud

My Creative Space

I made a cushion cover for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. It uses a crazy patchwork quilt as you go technique on the front which is a great way to use up larger sized fabric scraps.

Front made from fabric scraps of Ephemeral Antiquity, Send in the Crowns and Quatrefoils by Michael Miller.
As well as Leathergrain by Windham Fabrics

Back made from Leathergrain by Windham Fabrics

For more creative spaces pop over to Kootoyoo.

- Ky

Toy Making Workshop - May 14th 2011

Calling all Brisbane Bunnies!

Voodoo Rabbit, in conjunction with Pauline from Funky Friends Factory and Linda from Urban Sewing Lounge, will be running our very first toymaking workshop. During the class you will learn basic toy making techniques while making a Plattie Platypus. We will be offering this first workshop at a special discounted rate of $25 + Kit Cost.

There are only 6 spots available so contact us at sales@voodoorabbit.com.au before May 10th if you wish to attend the workshop.

Where: Urban Sewing Lounge, 5 Longlands Street, East Brisbane

Date: Saturday 14th May 2011

Time: 12 - 4pm

Cost:
Workshop - $25 ($15 discount)
Kit - $17.50 (includes pattern, fabric and recycled PET Toy Fill)

Requirements:
Students must have basic sewing experience on a sewing machine.
Sewing machine hire is available for $5.00 (limited number of machines available) otherwise you will have to bring your own machine.

We are very excited to be running our first workshop and hope it is the start of many more to come:)

- Ky and Cloud