Japan Report: fabric purchased

The wonderful thing about sharing the same hobby as your mom is that she will walk all day in and out of fabric stores with you, tell you all about the different fabric and give you suggestions for projects, pay for all the fabric, and thank you at the end for the fun day.  I have the best mom.  We had so much fun!

Here is the Japanese fat quarters I got.  My mom got the same selection, so I can't wait to see what she makes with her stack.    

We didn't forget the backing fabric either.  Can you tell we love strawberries?
Some fabric for clothes.  The brown on top is a fine cotton for a dress, the purple is a liberty for a blouse, the cream is a double gauze for night gown, and the bottom is a denim-like knit.  
I have seen many Japanese sewing blog moms sew skinny jeans for their girls with this knit, so that is what I am going to try.  

Scott pointed out that my mom is one step ahead of me in the repentance process of the fabric addiction.  She has admitted.  She also has about four times as much fabric... after my mom and I did a "clean sweep (TLC)" of her work space that is.  Tomorrow I will show you what I inherited from her after the sweep.     

Back from Paradise

We flew back very late last night from my brother's place in Hawaii.  We thought it would be really hot there, but my brother lives up on a hill and the breeze kept us nice and cool.  Beach, water park, late night visits to the Flowrider, hiking, Polynesian Cultural Center, running, cousin camp, and fun shopping kept us busy and happy.  When we were home, the kids were busy preparing for the talent show.  Erika, my brother's oldest, led her siblings and our kids and came up with a fun program.  I'm looking forward to the next reunion just for that.  It was so good.  Scott was spoiled by an unlimited food budget from my Mom, and barbecued some great dishes on my brother's new charcoal grill.  The highlight for me was the scallops wrapped in proscuitto.  He also made his apple pie (pictures here, scroll down a bit) three times upon request.  We finally got to meet my sister's fiancee, Daisuke, and were impressed!  We can't wait to have him join our family.               

Here is some fabric my Mom got me in Hawaii.  I never get tired of the beautiful prints.   

This is our first harvest from our garden.  

We worked on it tonight.  The pumpkins were trying to take over.  

Kai is still our garden lover.

Japan report

Don't expect much.  This is the ONLY picture I took.  I was too busy having fun with my family to remember to pull out my camera.  My mom snapped this one with her cell.  It is of a square watermelon Japanese farmers are trying to market (square ones are apparently easier to ship and store in little Japanese refrigerators).  My mom thinks being squeezed in a plexiglass cube makes them sad, and not taste so sweet.  I was interested in trying a piece, but there was only one for display. 

Scott and I are off to another trip tomorrow, this time with the kids.  Blue ocean, water park, hikes, and lots of cousin time awaits.  

I will post the fabric and books I got in Japan when I get back.     

I am off to Japan!

Be good while I am gone :)