Yoko Saito and My Japanese Fabric Stash...

These two books have been on my mind for weeks. The book on the left was a 

surprise gift from Quinn's mom, Carol. It's Yoko Saito's "Scandinavian Quilts"

in the Japanese version. It's full of photos and patterns, and I can't wait to make

something from it. Thank you, dear Carol, for gifting me with this beautiful and

generous book. I can't wait to show you (and all my friends) what I plan to make first!

The book on top is called "Strolling Along Paths of Green", and is a perfect book

for this Nature Girl! I page through both of these books and dream of long walks

through woodlands and across wide open fields of wildflowers. Paging through

them is a restful and inspiring process, and I'm anxious to start creating from them.

No. These aren't shelves in a local quilt shop. They're closeup images from my

own studio. The folded fabrics are some of the fabulous, gorgeous, glorious

fabrics I purchased in Wisconsin from Primitive Gatherings last month. I had 

 one of the books with me so that I could choose what I needed to make a few

a lot of the projects within its pages. I purchased with specific pieces in mind.

More Japanese fabrics. Same shopping trip. See the peachy fabric on the upper

right hand corner of the stacks? I was tickled to find that. I know just how I'll use it.

I do have two different shades so that I can make this lovely zippered pouch.

This is the first project I'm going to tackle from the book! (Start small and grow.)

I see so many possibilities in these stacks.

I don't intend to create an entire quilt...at this point. I'm leaving my options open.

You'll see pieces of royal purple wool here, too. That's also for a specific project.

I'm constantly awestruck by Yoko's choices in subtle color variations, combined

with her use of textured and patterned fabrics. I'm going to savor every second

handling, planning and sewing with all of them to create my finished pieces.

I see many joyful days in the studio - and stitching from my favorite chair - ahead.