new mag

Cotton & paint

Available from kitty or here or here. Although I'm finding it hard to say go spend your hard earned dosh on this one.

There are some nice things in here..

shoes a plenty...

bags a plenty...

some lovely crochet...

and some cutie cuteness.

But really, as Hillary said a while ago ( sorry, to lazy to find the exact link), I'm starting to feel a little jaded with the newest mags. They are still lovely, but, if you have a stash of Japanese craft mags I'm not sure you'll find a lot for you here. On the other hand, if you are new to Japanese craft magazines/ books, I can't sing their praises highly enough.

I think maybe I'll post a list of my Japanese craft book favourites.., and why they are my favourites , what do you think ? I'd love to hear what other peoples favourite are too...

Comments

[raspberryfairy]

I would love a list, my dearest darling got me a Cotton Time Plus for last Christmas, so I would love to know what are the best ones to get :)

[Biscuitbear]

I know what you mean, after a while they start looking much like each other. Of course it would be very interesting to know what your favorite are as reference for future purchases. Personally as I haven't bought that many recent ones, my favorite Japanese books tend to be older ones that I bought while I was living there and that are out of print now (such as chirimen crafts books, I posted some in my blog). I must say Cotton Time changed quite a lot as a few years ago it was mostly country stuff which looked to me much less trendy than what they are doing now. I threw away all my old issues when I moved back to France however so I can't show you!

[Pam]

I'm feeling the same way about those books as you. I love my new little Square Patchworks, Star and House books, they're cute, and seemed fresh and new.

[Sarah]

I would love the list of favorites, I keep trying to buy myself a few of them, but I cannot decide where to even begin. (Although the last issue of Cotton Time was pretty awesome.)

[Melissa]

As the last crafter alive without a single Japanese craft magazine/book I've been meaning to thank you for posting photos. I made a bunny lunchbag from the photo you posted a few weeks ago. Ears are a bit long but it holds the lunch great! http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2007/03/on_putting_your.html
Looking forward to seeing your list of favorite Japanese stuff so I can buy the good ones when I get around to it!

[claudine]

I'd love to see your favourites! I'm still newish to the Japanese craft book scene, and I don't have much time to browse the lovely Japanese craft books in the book store, so snippets and people's recommendation is always good!

[Monica Andrade]

I'd love to know your list of faves. I've been tempted to order some books online, but I never get to hit the 'place your order' button. Always thinking if the book or mag is really worth it, some advice would be really helpful. :)

[Siow Chin]

The first one is always the best. Love the crochet bag from this issue, especially the big flower.

[LOutre]

yes, do it please, say to us what are your favorites patterns and why ! please !
I'm fond of your sewings
(sorry for my bad english, you may have noticed to my accent that I'm french !)

[Nicki]

A faves list would be great, please!

I am ditherer extraordinaire. I spend ages looking through all the possibilities only to come away with nothing in case it's not good enough. So yes, tried and tested versions would be fab.

[Dana]

I would love to know what your favorites are and why. What projects you liked the most. I have yet to buy one because I find it overwhelming! I guess I'll just jump in, sink or swim.

[suzanne]

I would love a list of your favorites! Thank you, Thank you.

[Alicia G.]

Japanese craft books are new to me, so I would love to read a list of your favorites. Thanks!

[Lorie]

I agree, and I'll add ANY magazine, really, I subscribe (and am letting go) several knitting and quilting mags. I will never make most of them. I think you begin to get overload, and want to make your own things. I like the new techniques (sometimes!) but I'm at max-level now.

[debra]

I adore seeing pages from others Japanese craft books. To be completely honest, I'll probably never buy one (I'd rather have the fabric!) unless I see it in person or it is just to die for. I would have never even known this whole style, asthetic existed without sharing bloggers. It is all so unlike my cluttered, chaotic, mismatched life, but I love it! ;-)

[Christine]

I'd also love to see a list of your favs. I do have a couple of Japanese craft books but would prefer to get a hint or two on which ones are really worth getting. There are a some that I'd like to have but they seem to be out of print (;.;).
I like the bip - is the face just painted on the fabric?

[IamSusie]

Yes, please! Let's discuss Japanese craft books! I started a collection this year and can't seem to get enough. I did order a zakka book from YesAsia which wasn't nearly as inspiring as I expected. My favorites are the felt mascot and felt craft books. In case you are curious, here are photos of my collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/sets/72157594420309661/

I also like how the crochet patterns are all in charts. I wish our patterns were like that more often...

[E]

This might sound like a really dumb question, but can you really make things from these patterns without being able to read the instructions? It seems like it would be hard to me to just go by the pictures, but of course I'm kind of a beginner!
E

[amanda]

De-lurking to say yes please! I am new to the whole Japanese craft book craze, and I absolutely love them. Since they're impossible for me to find in person, (and expensive to buy sight unseen) it would be very nice to read some reviews!

[AmyDe]

I'd love a list. I've been looking to pick some up, but buying them online - it's hard to tell which ones I'd really like and get the most inspirtion from.

Thanks!

[lucykatecrafts]

i haven't got any japanese craft books but did used to get marie claire idees magazine through work. a list of the good ones would be really interesting. my other half is off to singapore after easter and is going on the craft mag/book hunt for me there.

[saraeden]

just bought my first japanese mag . . now just have to wait for mr postie . . how long is three weeks !!

[michal]

i have it too! i managed to snag it out in little tokyo. hooray!

[Kate]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post a list of your faves! I'm relatively new to sewing, and I'd love to boost my lovely inspiration stash.

[Coryn]

I feel exactly like you about the magazines. My very first Japanese ones were a revelation, but after quite a lot now, and an order from Yesasia, I didn't really see any new ideas.
That being said, I'd love to see your favourites.

[Jenny]

Hi! I just got a couple Japanese craft books in the mail - my first two. Very fun! I was wondering if there are any websites that have English translations of the instructions. Most things look easy enough to figure out but I'm all for making things simpler. :)

[Tania]

I am fairly new to the whole blog world - but I will say thankyou for your great pictures on the Japanese Craft Books - I have now found yesasia and I am now waiting on some books to come in the mail - I am not the best sewer so I hope to find inspirations in the pictures.

[Conrad]

Very interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you...
;)

[Flora]

You are the best! Im glad...

[lin]

can we exchange craft books?
http://picasaweb.google.com/itsnotzero

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