28 May 2006
I've had a nice day. This morning, I made this:
I wanted to try using felt to pad out a pouch, like I did with the child's tote a few posts ago. I originally meant to make it to sell it, but it turned out fairly wonky (turns out measuring, etc is actually helpful!), so I'll keep this one for myself. I really like this stripey patchwork with embellishments; I think I'll stick with this style for a while, and I hope I'll have things for to buy in the not too distant future.
I went searching on the internet today to a Japanese book shop in London. I mean, it is ridiculous if there isn't one, isn't it? I didn't find anything astounding, but I did come across a place called 'Oriental City' in NW London. It's a mall, if not a particularly glamorous one, which houses an Asian supermarket and a handful of shops stocking bits and bobs from Japan. There's also a food hall and a couple of restaurants. We drove there today and I bought these:
There were a few things that caught my eye, but in the end I only came away with these green tea biscuits (yum), and a couple of biscuit-and-charm sets. I can't help it; I'm still a sucker for a 'free' toy. Especially when they're extra mini and have cat faces attached.
I also bought two cans of root beer from the supermarket, because I've never seen root beer sold in the UK. Rob thinks it tastes like medicine; I think he hasn't had it with the proper amount of ice cream yet.
P.S. -- There's actually a second-hand Japanese book shop across the street from 'Oriental City,' and though I managed to find the craft section, almost all the books were knitting patterns. I dunno. . . I can hardly suss out English-language knitting patterns!
i live in the US, and my brother has been studying in edinburgh for the last two years, and my boyfriend has been getting his masters in amsterdam this year. both of them share the same complaint about not being able to find root beer - it may be the worst culture shock they've experienced.
when i went to visit them both last november, my brother threw me a mini-birthday party, including one bottle of root beer he found. it was the worst root beer any of us have ever had. the three of us split the small bottle and instantly agreed it tasted of apple juice mixed with cough syrup. horrible.
posted by katie e. at May 28, 2006 11:06 PM
to clarify, i am a HUGE root beer fan under normal circumstances!
posted by katie e. at May 28, 2006 11:06 PM
When I lived in London I used to haunt the Japan Centre in Piccadilly - http://www.japancentre.com/ - they have a great grocery store and a cute little restaurant and bookstore. That was before my Japanese craft book fixation took hold, though, so I can't remember if they stocked them or not.
posted by suzy at May 29, 2006 04:29 AM
this pouch is so beautiful! love these patchwork items you are making lately!
posted by Gisela at May 30, 2006 05:16 PM
My other half loves rootbeer, too, and the only supermarket found to sell this (in the UK) is ASDA :)
posted by at May 30, 2006 06:34 PM