DIY with Kei

I’ve always loved craft work but I’m not the most patient person and things don’t always look the way I imagined them. That’s always been like that and I don’t think that’s going to change.

Especially with our new home I wished I could make things myself and add a more personal touch to it. I have so many ideas and unfortunately they often just stay ideas, simply because I don’t know HOW. 

And then, a few months ago, Kei happened.

I love hanging out with her - not only because I enjoy our conversations and love her mindset, her creativity, and her kind heart - but also because she shares my passion for DIY. You have no idea how hard it is to find someone like that in this corner of the world. Unlike me though she knows HOW and ideas do turn into real things with her. 

I still can’t believe my luck because in addition to having DIY in common with her, I also love her taste, and we seem to understand what works and doesn’t work for the other. 

What (mostly) Kei and I have made so far for my apartment are: 

- A tray for our coffee table in the living room with kimono fabric in it 

- A wooden box to hide cable clutter 

- A tumbler decorated with kimono fabric 

- A wooden board with wheels I put the microwave on, so that I don’t have to bend down so far when I use it. Plus, I can move the board when I need to vacuum the floor under the microwave

- We also decorated one part of the dining room wall with different sized frames 

All beautiful and functional items. 

In the next few weeks I’m hoping to finish our WIC and decorate one wall with yet another  vintage kimono fabric, and also to get some advice from Kei on how to arrange my own room. 

She really has an eye for things and currently she is playing with the thought of giving professional advice on interior solutions. If you are intrigued and want to know more about how Kei might help you, contact me and I'll pass your questions on to her. 

P.S. In the set of photos above you can see Kei ... from behind. :-) 

LOHAS Festa

The other day I went to Banpaku Park in Osaka, where an event called LOHAS Festa, which stands for Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability, was held.

We were lucky with the weather - It was a beautiful autumn day with a blue sky, which made the leaves that had already changed colour look even prettier.

I didn't know what to expect but I was thrilled to see lots and lots of tents on a wide field functioning as shops and beautiful, creative handmade items or old goods, just like at flea markets. Around the shops people were picnicking and enjoying all kinds of different dishes from various food stands. 

We had a fantastic time, wandering from shop to shop and admiring knit-, wood-, pottery work and all kinds of accessories as well as antique glass work and so on. At some point we were overwhelmed by the amount of shops, up to the point we didn't know anymore what we liked and what we wanted to buy. 

One thing I DID buy was a balloon dog at a shop that sold all kinds of balloon animals. It was so cute I thought I had a new pet. I named him Luke and thought my little 2-year-old nephew might enjoy playing with him. After the event I went to their house and he was indeed very happy about his new friend.

 I visited my nephew and Luke just yesterday - it looked like poor Luke had lost some … air. 

Anyways, if you decide to go to the next LOHAS Festa event then I recommend to bring your own picnic blanket, plates, cups, and cutlery so that you don't have to pay for that when you visit the food stands. 

LOHAS takes place twice a year (in autumn and spring) at Banpaku Park in Osaka. 

Here is the link: (only in Japanese though)

Luke and I on the train.