I have a passion for craft books, maybe even an addiction. When I’m traveling or visiting a city, I can’t rest before I have bought at least one craft book from the local bookstore. This book, ‘Japon au point de croix’ I bought in Paris last October. My eye caught it because of the style of pictures, the subject is Japan and because I love French cross stitch and embroidery books in general.  (Please reference my other blog posts, here, here and here)

I haven’t started a project yet, I only take the time to stitch when I have a long vacation. For me stitching is a ’slow’ craft, so only do-able when I’m relaxed and have a lot of time available. Other times I’m more opting for the little-time-great-result projects, like sewing and crocheting flowers.

I can show show you my favorites from the book though, I think this summer I will sure start one of those. Like the carp or maybe a lucky charm cat.

There’s also a Japanese stitching technique, sashiko. In may 2008 I traveled trough Japan with M. In the open air museum near Takayama, this lady was patiently working on her sashiko stitching. She reminded me of my grandmother, she looked like her, and my grandmother loved the domestic arts as well.

(Picture by Maarten Boerma, please see his blog for more Japan photo’s)