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May is coming to and end, unbelievable, and I thought I am still shopping for 2010 calendars. So how was your May? Much yaaaay-ness in May? (bad pun alert).



May is coming to and end, unbelievable, and I thought I am still shopping for 2010 calendars. So how was your May? Much yaaaay-ness in May? (bad pun alert).

Anyway, I have so much things I want to share, stories, cool things, craft tutorials, and printables..unfortunately deadlines are chasing, you know, how blog writing inspiration tend to cease on such occasion. So here I am, quickly make an appearance sharing my latest favorite hang out place in the odd (online) world.

Rakuten is Japanese shopping mall with (Thank, God) English language selection available. If you're looking for me I'll be mostly in the craft or children dept.




Meet you there!

Konnichiwa, Hipoto!

Have you ever get excited for your daughter's toy? Kokuyo, the famous stationary brand from Japan has just released a new environmental-friendly toy line. My brother, Baby G's uncle, obviously, managed to get me, eeer.. Baby G, one of its toy. It's a hippopotamus hand puppet, apparently named Hipoto and he has a lot of vegetables and other food to chop, and he need Baby G's help. Exciting, isn't it?

..last but not least, you have to know that things do not originate from Japan if they don't have a quirky catch, so let me tell you a dark little secret about Hipoto. He poops. Yes, according to the instruction leaflet, he does. We tested it last night and couldn't stop laughing. Interested?

Dozo Yoroshiku, Yuuco!

..That means "Nice to know you, Yuuco" or something like that, easily stated, it's the nice you'll say when you first meeting someone. I'd rather say "Thrilled to see your work, Yuuco!" but I can't say that in Japanese.


Yuuco is a Takamatsu (that's in Japan, folks!) based artist. I was thrilled the first time I saw her illustrations, transferred into prints and postcards which can be bought at her shop. Her lines are delicate and soft, naive and detailed. Her subjects are simple but never boring, she always put a touch of whimsical homour if you put your attention closely.

She's also super nice and chatty, letting me do a simple interview for her! She is learning English and I think she's doing great, much better than I first learn my lessons! Here's our little chitchat..

When was the first time you realized you can earn a living from drawing?
May be it's around when I graduated from university. I started selling my works around then.

(finish the sentence, please) If I didn't draw like I do now, I'd probably ...
It's difficult to imagine but I'd study foreign languages and travel all over the world. I'm interested in foreign cultures.

What is the thing(s) you continuously drew as a child?
I drew many many things though I loved to draw animals, especially horses and frogs.

What is the thing(s) you continuously draw now?
It's animals, insects and hands lately.

What is your biggest inspiration(s)?
I'm always inspired by nature. And other artists' great works do inspire me, of course.

If you were a superhero, what superpower you'd have? (she had the hardest time answering this one, but she came to a satisfying conclusion :), it's hard to not to be greedy I guess )
If I was a Superman..., I want to fly in the sky like Kiki, in 'Kiki's delivery service'. :) It may sound like a kid's dream though I really want to do that! :))

What is your current obssession(s)?
I'm obsessed with foreign language now. I'm learning English and started French recently. It's so much fun for me! I'm also addicted with chalcography and photography. I love cute toy cameras and I'm now a collector rather then a photographer though. I want to shoot many more if I can get enough time.


Can't get enough of her? Visit her blog often, don't bother to switch the translator on, Yuuco provides us a very great translation on everty post.

If you love bread...

..then you'll guaranteed to adore Bake and Break's blog. Her blog nearly put Martha Stewart's cookbook photography to shame. And though I may not know much about her, since everything's written in Japanese, I think she is a food photographer. Yes, it's a real job and they do get paid taking pictures of food.

I know that the Japanese language will prevent you to read the mouth watery recipes, and my, isn't that annoying! Not to mention the really great photographs and graphics that will keep you nagging, "Come on!! Write in English already!!" It's easy for me to enjoy because I don't cook or bake. The blog is written in Japanese, so be it. I'll just treat my eyes with those adorable photographs.

Meet the Mind Behind Hello Kitty

I don't know about how regular designers or artists work, but I am such a scatterbrain and easily bored that when I work, it is not always on schedule, say like in 1 month I definitely finish 2 illustrations. Sometimes I am very productive, and sometimes ideas don't seem to come by my side. And sometimes, in the middle of a project, I get bored and my work is simply awful for the rest of the project. I know. I am irresponsible and unprofessional. But I'll learn.

In my disgust of myself, I'd like to introduce a woman who has been designing the same project from 1980's. Well, the project is nothing ordinary, since it's Hello Kitty brand from Sanrio. Meet Yuko Yamaguchi sensei, Hello Kitty brand designer for everything Kitty related stuff you can buy. Imagine that you have to come up with new design every year/occasion about the same expression-less cat. Imagine that! And she always surprises us for almost 3 decades! Her design is nothing ordinary or lame, though, I think Kitty herself is boring, but Yamaguchi sensei has been the ultimate stylish for Ms. Kitty. Check her latest Kitty makeover for 2009. It's Hello Kitty, the side silhouette! How stylish is that! For sale now on Japan!




You can check Yamaguchi sensei's blog here, it's in Japanese though.

By the way I just knew that Kitty's last name is White. Kitty White. Hello, Kitty White. Umm..It's strangely familiar.

Thanks to Takako.

This year I will...

...hang out with friends.

my gallery.

...hang out with the elderly.

serious seniors at Advanced Style.

...keep up with the latest fashion trends.

the fashionista bunny Fifi Lapin.

...adopt at least one pet.

shop here.

...learn how to sew.

Japanese handmade how to books.

...Happy New Year, everyone.

Zakka Designer : Shinzi Katoh

What is "zakka"? You hear the word everywhere, especially when you buy a DIY Japan books in sewing adn crafting. Why do they call it Zakka style? Zakka design? What is zakka?

Wikipedia describe "zakka" as a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin. Kitsch, eh? You know what kitsch mean, right?

I like the version of Shinzi Katoh's description in his website, though; "It's the things that make people happy and exist like a comfortable air. That is why we always keep in our heart when we create new design." Oh, how lovely! Don't you think? Now you know what zakka means, who is Sinzi Katoh?


Shinzi Katoh is an artist, designer, and illustrator. He had 3 children books published in Japanese and 3 more to come. As a zakka designer, it's obvious that his mediums of artsitry are not far from everday life. His tote bags, stationary, and kitchen utensils are among the popular ones. He has now products for sale, to name at least one, at the MoMA shop in San Fransisco. Of course you can find his products in Zakka shop everywhere. He also has done oil paintings which are currently exhibited in New York City.

Now, here's to you art elite! When you think only gruesome, self torturing, undeniably pervert paintings and performances can make it to the art galleries and museums, what do you say about a "zakka" designer like Shinzi Katoh? Art and design should make you smile, even in the form of everyday life items. Heck, they work best in everyday life items, not untouchable expensive paintings!

Last Minute Christmas Treats

I know I am not much of a baker or a pastry maker, I am actually would set a kitchen on fire in an attempt to make a batch of simplest cookie. But I am sharing this idea with all of you who have love cooking and baking, and this idea seems not too hard to try, I guess, even for me. Or for those who just need an inspiration in decorating and/or packaging treats they made. Or just for the rest of us trying to impress our holiday guests.

Simply follow this link. It's in Japanese, but the pictures have told us much about everything.

Even More Japanese Stuff!

Can't get enough of them. Why can I think of these when I'm working?

More Japanese Stuff!

Did I mention that I am soooo envious with the Japanese kids? Not only they seem to be born with this draw-anything-it'll-some-up-cute-and/or-look good, they are also blessed with good to be true products! Wanna enjoy some of Japanese design goodies?




I'm not sure about shopping here, though, I can't even read the price.
ooo I'm in love with the stool box! You can actually sit on something cute!

Japanese Christmas Children Book

Oh how I love vintage Christmas books. Especially when it's in Japan. Not that I speak the language, I just adore how Japanese illustrate and design their stuff. I don't know how they do that but everything they design and illustrate always come out beautiful.

I have been a children book illustrator for 5 years and I am far beyond the Japanese's level in illustrating. Sigh.

Just see for yourself and enjoy.




You can find and buy these book here.