2013 the year of Snake, Eto (Chinese zodiac)

Do you know your own Eto (Chinese zodiac)?
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey,  Rooster, Dog, Pig (or Boar in Japan)
This year is snake! It is my year!! :D
If you are born in … 1923, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
You are a snake too :)

Your own zodiac animal is your lucky charm, so you should have one of your animals!!
This page explain about the zodiac very very well.
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-zodiac.shtml 

< 2013 Year of Snake, Japanese talisman pottery bell >

 I got this lovely snake ornament from Japan and now it's available in my shop Zakka81!!
This ornamental talisman pottery bell has a "uchide no kozuchi"under the snake.
"Uchide no kozuchi" A small mallet.  It is said that one can attain anything if one shakes it saying whatever you want.　
Japanese folktail from "Issun boushi"  
(Wiki -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issun-b%C5%8Dshi )

 This double lucky charm ceramic bell surely bring good luck to you!!

http://www.zakka81.com.au
* Japanese online gift shop *

Children's Day - Musya ningyo & Kabuto

 I wrote about Children's day last time, but let me explain again for new visitor's :)

Children's Day is a Japanese holiday which takes place annually on May 5th, It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
But also known as "Tango no sekku", Families with young boys put up "Koi-nobori" (carp stream) in their yard and display dolls called "Musya ningyo" patterned after historical warriors and heroes to pray for their health and success in life.

Today, I show you little bit about more "Musya ningyo"

Musha ningyo (武者人形：Warrior dolls) also called "Gogatsu ningyo" (五月人形：May doll).

A set of Armour, helmet and other things the samurai warrior of old carried during wartime are displayed.

Parents display the dolls wishing for their boys to grow into strong and powerful man like a samurai!!

But, whole "Musha ningyo" is pretty big, we just display samurai warrior helmet instead of whole doll these days.

Now, we have an another doll, called "Kintaro" , Kintarō is the childhood name of "Sakata no Kintoki" who was a hero in the Heian period. He having been famous for his strength when he was a child. It is said that Kintarō rode a bear, instead of a horse(!!) and played with animals in the mountains when he was a young boy. So, that's why we display "Kintaro" it represents strength and  healthy boy!

Why not make Samurai helmet by news paper?? 

Here is how... 

http://samuraikids.com.au/funstuff%20samurai%20hat.html

Don't forget to cut the news paper into the square!

I found a geeky one, it's Darth Vader Musha doll!!!!!! also Storm trooper!!!! OMG really?!

It's in Japanese, but you can buy these at here...

http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/musha_ningyou.html
http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/index.html
http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/S_trooper.html

I have small "Kintaro" decoration in my shop★

Kintaro and carp stream and origami helmet! All in one, very cute set!!

http://www.zakka81.com.au/?p=1237&preview=true

Children's Day - Koi nobori

Children's Day is a Japanese holiday which takes place annually on May 5th, It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
But also known as "Tango no sekku", Families with young boys put up "Koi-nobori" (carp stream) in their yard and display dolls called "Musya ningyo" patterned after historical warriors and heroes to pray for their health and success in life.The Koi-nobori is a legend that carp swim up waterfalls and become dragons! This represents the successful career. That's why we put up Koi-nobori :)These days we don't have any big space to put up Koi-nobori, so we made a little one☆
The biggest koi-nobori(for home) around 10m long!! Wow... (size image bottom right)
I have brother but we didn't have koi-nobori. Our school put up the many big koi-nobori for all the kids :)Also many cake shops selling a koi-nobori cake♥ If you visit Japan now, you can see many kind of koi-nobori!!

Koi-nobori printed, decorative Japanese hand towel at Zakka81☆
http://www.zakka81.com.au/?p=1134

Easter Ideas! 2

Now, let's talking about food!
I found lot's of yummy, funny Easter foods!!

((Click the title or images to jump original pages))

*Spring chick Cupcakes ( From Martha Stewart)Baby chicks with their coconut feathers, nutty beaks, and confectionery details.... So adorable!!

*Easter Cupcake Baked in Real Eggshells (From Cupcake project)

Do you want to make "WOW!" to your families or friends? This is the one!! How cool is that!

*Hidden Surprise Easter Egg treats (From Kellogg's Rice Krispies)

Kids will love these crisp eggs!!

*Rainbow jello Easter egg ( From Thrive )Wow!! This is sooo fantastic! I wounder I can use real eggshell to make this... unnnn...
Don't worry, if you can't make this super rainbow egg you can make this...

* Easter Creamy Jell-o Jigglers (From kraft foods)This is mixing Jell-o and Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding! Easy!!

*Baa Baa Black and White Sheep Treat (From Southern Living)
Many smart people out there!! This is not cooking, just stuck together! Awesome!!
Here is another no bake treat...

*Un-Baked Cookie Nests (From Kitchen Simplicity) I think I will make this... What a nice little nest to fill up the joy!!

*Caramel Marzipan Easter Egg (From Baker's Corner )It's no baking as well. This is a great decorations for the cake!!
For the last....

*Devilish Chiks! (From Savoring time in the kitchen)Look these little peeps!! OMG it's so funny!!


★I got a lot's of new products from Japan!! Please pop into...
http://www.zakka81.com.au

Easter Ideas!

Easter is coming soon, 8th of April!! (from Good Friday 6th) Did you know that?
Are you going to do something? I'm not sure what we going to do. BUT I'll share some Easter decoration, food, craft ideas!!

Today I gonna show you great craft, decoration ideas.

((click title or image to jump original pages))

*Flower arrangement in eggshells (from Martha Stewart)It's very pretty!! Hollowed-out eggshells make naturally beautiful vases for tiny flower arrangements.

*Natural dye Easter eggs (From Creative Living)
Decorating eggs by attaching leaves before dipping them in dye from berries, herbs, onions and veggies... Beautiful!!

*Mosaic Easter Eggs (From Specialty Art Glass)This is very creative!! I really want to try this!

*Bunny Napkins (from Good housekeeping)
Wow!! How clever and cute!!! I do Origami(folding paper) but this is just great!

*Embroidery floss Easter eggs (From Crafts for all season)This one using water balloons but you can also use normal, big balloons!
What a fun!!

*Easter egg candy pouch ( From Simple as that)
If you are very busy, how about this? Great idea for busy mom!!

★Don't forget to get some presents!!
http://www.zakka81.com.au

Japanese Valentine

I picked few of Japanese Valentine's day chocolates!
Do you know, in Japan is basically the day for women to give men chocolates or gifts. It's not fair?? Don't worry, we have a "White day" on March 14th, exactly one month after Valentine's Day, men who were lucky enough to receive gifts of chocolate have the chance to return the favor by giving the women who gave them gifts of some sweets or gifts, now this is little tricky, if you love her you HAVE TO buy her a more expensive gifts than what you got! Now it's fair enough !! lol

Delicate design!! yes, this is chocolate!!
Left : Matsue - Soft chocolate in Japanese sweets
Right : Beppin dou - Hana karuta (Japanese traditional card game)

Green tea chocolate...
Left : Daisan - Green tea cream chocolate
Right : Decadence du chocolat - Love kiss ♥ Surprise me Yes, something in this lip!

Beautiful ...
Left : Anniversaire omotesando - parterre au chocolat
Right : Chocolat boutique L'eclat - Planetary Chocolates

Sorry, all links is in Japanese.

Valentine's day ideas ♥ 2

Photo from Belle the magazine

Did you already decided what to do Valentine's Day?
Here is an another ideas for Valentine's day!!

Budget food ideas
1. Bacon of Hearts - the paper mama If your love's one doesn't like a sweet things. Why not to give him a bacons!!

2. Delicious Roasted Potatoes - from Haniela's food & photography This is so cute idea! Roast any meats with this cute potatoes, perfect Valentine's dinner! so easy!!

3. Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Hearts - from Martha Stewart
Don't worry if you can't cook, lovely idea is still there!! thank you for Martha Stewart :)

4. Weaving Danish Heart Baskets - from radmegan in words and picturesWonderful no sewing project. This is a little baskets, so you can put some chocolates in here!

5. 3D card - from duitangThis website is in Chinese but you can get the template from there. Easy to make!!

6. Heart bookmark - from Martha StewartAnother idea from Martha. Isn't it cute?! Idea for your favorite bookworm ;)

Good luck everyone!!

Wall decoration challenge !!

February's wall decoration " infinity love " - hand stitched art

This year I try to express the seasonal event ... actually I try to NOT forget them and try to keep me creative!

Christmas to January's wall decoration " Celebration " - recycled paper art

I found this from some crafty youtube. I used old yellow page and artificial flowers and gold ribbon. Simply roll the yellow pages and stick on the cardboard base. I sprayed gold paint for bit more Chrismasy taste.





And now, I made February's wall decoration. I've seen this design at the Pinterest and I fell in love with it. Originally someone made this for tatoo, very special I think!
I love hand stitches but not embroidery person, if I could do more embroidery stitches it will be more "WOW" art, that's sure lol.

Valentine's day ideas♥

DIY Sugar Heart

Do yo celebrate Valentine's day?
I picked up few Valentine's day ideas from everywhere and want to share with you ♥

At first, decorations!
1: Crayon heart - from Martha Stewart You can find more Valentine's day craft from her site. This is my favorite and I'll definitely try this!

2:Paper rose - from Mon carnet blogLook at this!! One gorgeous HUGE paper rose!! This will surprised your partner, sure it will!

3: V'day nailVery cute! I have to try this!!

Now, Valentine's food!!
4: French toast with stewed berriesSeriously cute!! Great idea for breakfast in bed. Very simple but very effective!

5: Sweet heart cupcakes - from Glorious TreatsThis is an another pretty idea!! You can make your favorite cupcake and fill with the pink cherry frosting!

6: Cherry chocolate kisses - from The curvy CarrotThe combination of cherry and chocolate are always my favorite! It's not heart shape but lovely pink!! it use maraschino cherries to make pink, very clever!!