Do What You Love

A few weeks back I shared a peek into my time at Kawashima Textile School. The school was set up by Kawashima, one of the most respected textile companies in Japan. For decades Kawashima has been entrusted with creating some of the country’s most precious fabrics, including the interior of the Emperor’s train carriage. As aread more >>

Really. What ARE you waiting for?

(image and cake courtesy of Kao Sosa) Some of my lovely old work colleagues in Tokyo had this cake made for me – thoughtful AND delicious!

I just had to introduce you to this little gem… Infinity Café is tucked away down a leafy lane off a residential street not too far from Sanjo Market. Just a few minutes from a very busy road, it is like you step into some kind of bubble as you enter through the wooden slidingread more >>

  I took this picture on a UNICEF field visit to Trinidad & Tobago back in 2008, when we were in the early stages of planning the London 2012 legacy programme.  Next to the court a young boy was knelt down sharpening a massive knife. Today sees the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games inread more >>

A few days ago, my man and I decided to go to the cinema to watch a lovely new cartoon from Disney Pixar. In Japanese it is called “Merida to osoroshi no mori”. We picked it because we generally love everything Pixar does. We had a couple of spare hours before the film began, so we went to a caferead more >>

Tucked away down a quiet street in the trendy Tokyo district of Shimokitazawa is a shop that might just take your breath away. Its rough concrete walls and wire shelves sit alongside old wooden furniture and quirky lampshades, all playing host to the beautiful products offered by fog linen. Carefully curated to offer delight at everyread more >>

Trade Shows come in all shapes and sizes, and cover every industry you can imagine. What is your dream show? I always thought mine would be a stationery trade show, where you can see what is on the horizon, meet suppliers directly, get ideas and inspiration and generally spend hours walking around a massive hallread more >>

‘Transform’ acrylic on canvas by Flora Bowley If you want to join a course like no other, joining others from all around the world in a shared journey of painting and discovery, then don’t miss out on the next Bloom True class, featuring Flora Bowley.  Flora is an extraordinary teacher and the course is an opportunityread more >>

The other day I packed myself onto the super-fast shinkansen (bullet train) and whizzed up to Tokyo for the International Stationery & Office Products Show (more on that later).

This is your last chance to join The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap! Registration is free but it closes at midnight GMT on Thursday! Join over 200 others around the globe, make a stitched postcard and receive some gorgeous stitched loveliness in the post from somewhere else in the world! What’s not to love?  Seeread more >>

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern designer, getting your work out into the world and thriving as a designer on your own terms. Our alumni have seen some astounding success already – more than twenty have been chosen to feature in pattern design books,read more >>

Every Monday this space becomes a place where brave and inspiring souls share their stories about doing what they love – whether they are doing it now, or whether they are still striving to do it. It’s like we are sat around drinking tea and sharing our experiences – except we are spread out allread more >>

Layered organic shapes in ‘Summerville’ by Suzie Tremel The last of our Module 1 showcase…

So here it is – the culmination of many months of preparation, and many centuries of tradition. The Gion Matsuri Grand Parade on a gloriously sunny day in Kyoto…

Do What You Love is growing fast, and we are delighted to work with a team of brilliant people based on three continents to bring tools and inspiration to you. I thought I’d introduce our newest team members to you:

If you like the sound of a city centre closed to traffic, ancient wooden festival floats lit up with hundreds of traditional lanterns, street stalls selling fried noodles and other delicious offerings, and tens of thousands of people strolling in beautiful summer kimonos, then you want to take yourself to Kyoto for the Gion Matsuri.read more >>

Final preparations are made on this boat-shaped float, just before the parade begins The Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. It is over a month long, and on the three nights leading up to the main parade, the main streets are closed to traffic, allowing tens of thousands of peopleread more >>

*** Today’s *shared story* comes from Rachelle Panagarry who lives in the UK with her husband and children, teaches full time, creates art and loves life. ***

  July is Gion Matsuri festival time in Kyoto. As the city gears up for the biggest parade of the year on Tuesday, the streets downtown are all closed off to cars, and are lined with street food stalls and people peddling all sorts of festival goodies.