Time is ticking by and it is now just a few days until Christmas. However you spend your days at the end of December and the start of January, please enjoy time to relax, eat, drink and spend time with family and friends. I am certainly planning on doing all of those! I will be back online in the second week of January. See you then! Bis dann, またね!

As much as I am enjoying the wonderful festive feeling in Regensburg at the moment, there has not been a huge amount of sunshine and blue skies. I thought I’d take a look back at my photos from my trip to Japan in October. Below you will see the contrast between city (もとまち - Motomachi), coast (すま - Suma) and park (あかし - Akashi), all within a 15 mile train ride along the JR Kobe train line. All beautiful in their own way. It is so amazing that this much variety in landscape exists in such close proximity.

It’s done and is up on the front door! I had to keep opening the door last night to look at it. Maybe I should put it on the inside?!
Have you seen these little gadgets? https://www.amazon.com/Clover-Kanzashi-Flower-Maker-Pointed/dp/B004ZKPY1G I bought a couple while I was in Japan but have only just used them. There are many  sizes and shapes to create various petal forms. You then stitch them together and decorate them to create delicate flowers. The process is great as it uses up small pieces of fabric that would otherwise be wasted. I can see myself ordering more… some of the creations I have seen in books and online are stunning. Everthing from a hair decoration to a full bouquet.

Last week I held my first craft class in Germany,  following the same idea that I started in Japan. I am not a teacher or indeed Japanese, but I am aware that the skills and crafts I have experienced in Japan (along with my love for crafts from the UK and other countries too) are so precious, they need to be shared. My friends in Japan gave me great confidence while I shared my British-inspired craft and baking ideas. Now I am lucky enough to have supportive friends here in Germany who have given me the energy to begin again. Watch this space - I plan to create a page dedicated purely to my craft classes -  for my thoughts, sign up and catch up.
   The first class was gift-wrapping for Christmas with a Japanese-inspired twist. The simplicity of the paper-folding and fabric knotting techniques used in wrapping Japanese gifts is intriguing. Recreating the look takes a little practice, but with accurate measuring, preparation and patience, myself and my two good friends who joined class mastered five wrapping techniques. The options  are endless once you succeed and understand the theory. We had a great three hours together, I felt very special to share time, craft, chat and food  with new friends. We all agreed that language barriers are broken down (and language skills gradually improved) with the help of craft and cake. In this instance, my version of a Japanese Strawberry Shortcake! Dankeschön meine Freunde x

Have you ever visited a German-style Christmas market? I have been to some in London and also Osaka, but now we live in Regensburg, the genuine thing is just outside our front door. From the middle of November until Christmas, the streets are full of lights, market stalls and people wandering with a warm drink in their hand. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. The range of food and items for sale is wonderful - very helpful when planning Christmas gifts for friends and family.
   Last weekend my husband and I went out to choose our Christmas tree from a local seller in the main square, Haidplatz. The man and his son were very kind, despite our limited German language skills. We said thank you many times and came away with a very smart looking tree that is now fully decorated and standing proudly in the lounge.
http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/regensburg_christmas_market.php

It always amazes me to see these wonderful creations appear over night. During a recent trip home to the UK, I spotted this very intricately decorated bicycle parked up on Chesham high street. The detail is incredible and it makes me happy to think that somebody spends the time to create something so heart-warming. It is a refreshing change to see additions to public spaces that are not vandalism or damage. Keep up the good work!

I love my autumn wreath that is currently on our front door, but with Christmas creeping up, it is time to create a new one for the season. I have only just started and have used a very clever gadget to create the tiny but perfectly formed fabric flower below (actual size is about 2cm across.) Watch this space to see how the project continues!

Autumn is certainly here to stay and it felt like a good time to decorate the entrance to our home. I am very pleased with how well my autumn wreath (made last year with friends in my craft class) suits our wooden front door!