[110527] Animation Friday 2

Here's the animation of the week:) It's still simple, but I think I am learning a lot...

And guess what I will do for next week! One of my friends has given me a chance to do a short music vid for his song. Well, not short at all actually... 3 minutes. I try my best to finish up even though it's three times longer. I hope to get it done by Thursday as Sean and Ai are traveling to Texas next weekend! So excited:D

Ai

[110520] Animation Friday 1

It's been a while! I am alive... First off, I would like to thank you all for liking my Hobbes doll:D I have just moved to California last month, and I still need some yarn to work on another doll, but when I get ready, I will work on it and post here to let you know.

Anyway, what I am up to these days is this; Animation Friday Project. Last week, I decided to make a short animation a week. The rule is that it has to be at least one minute. I will do 10 seconds a day from Saturday to Thursday, and every Friday will be the review day for the week, and also brainstorming day for the next week. I am like a baby on this stuff, so please forgive the roughness... I will get better, eventually... I hope:)

Love,

Ai

[110212] My Hobbes doll No.5 is now traveling

Long time no update... been so out of any creative activities for the past few months. Thanks to this order I took last week, I really had a great time doing my stuff for the first time in a while. So here you go; the Hobbes doll No.5:)

My 5th Hobbes doll comes to live

It snowed last night, and when we got outside, there was a bit of snow remained. He is traveling to Canada now, and I hope he keeps himself warm on the way and I am wishing him a safe flight. HUGE thanks to all of you for telling me that you love my doll always. That is something that makes me keep going and it cheers me up, a lot.

Ai

[101204] Useless from Texas

I received a mail from Texas today. Opened it up with excitement as I knew there would be a drawing of Useless inside:)

The sender, Bizzlebee, first contacted me on Postcrossing and told me about her amazing idea for her daughter's birthday. Her daughter loves Japan and she wanted to collect as many Japan-related postcards as she could, and give them to her daughter as a surprise gift. What a sweet mom!!! I was in to the idea, needless to say, and I sent out a card to Texas. The envelope I got today, was supposed to be a card from her. As it was enclosed in an envelope, I thought that would have been to protect the card from any incident during transit, but it was not... She enclosed two drawings of Useless, two sets of Useless stickers, and a message card!!!!!! I was speechless to see all of the beautiful artwork she made. You are so creative Bizzlebee!;)

From the left, "Useless Astronaut", "Useless Texan", and Useless stickers. They are so beautiful, and I feel so happy to see that she even drew Neko on the stickers!! I love all of them<3 Thank you Bizzlebee!!!
Useless in space is such a great drawing... I like his ears curled up within the suit. So cute! Hahaha:D

Ai

[101129] Useless travels Russia

It's monday today, started out a new week and it is going to be a tough week; many paperworks as December's coming up, and 5 working day week this week. I was feeling a bit low and dull, until I found this card from Russia in my mail box.

This is just beautiful! I love it so much!! It sure made my day<3 Useless in this picture looks so happy and excited to be in Moscow, traveling with his scarf and glives on. How creative this is... so amazing.

I have never been to Russia, but I would love to travel if I ever get a chance. Russia in my mind is a place that is really, really cold. I love the cap he is wearing, by the way! (I <3 Moscow cap) Hehe, Useless has a heart on his cheek, I wonder where he got that from:) Thank you so much for this card, Olya!

Ai

[101109] Birthday Cards

Happy early birthday to Nikki and Mai chan! I drew Useless and made cute little cards for them:) I hope they like it...

I love birthdays in general! Because we were born, we meet and get to know each other. I can't thank enough my parents and "god" - whatever that is, for giving me the chance to live, letting me be their child, and loving me.

It's someone's birthday everyday. Happy birthday all!:)

Ai

[101104] Useless by Yoko

Yoko Iogawa is a brilliant illustrator in Japan, and one of my best friends:) (Check out her blog by clicking here!) Many thanks to her for taking time to draw Useless for me, although she's been super busy at work... and her Useless is just adorable!!! Kawaii!!!!

She always gives me inspiration every time I see her. Such a creative person! When we had lunch together in Kashiwa the other day, there was a booth that was selling some Japanese sweets and snaks, and she had Gohei-mochi there. It is rice cake coated with miso based sauce, and she loved it. In the drawing, Useless is holding the Gohei-mochi she had:) So cute! Gohei-mochi is usually formed differently, like the one on this website, but the one we saw was shaped like Dango. I had a different kind, and it was delicious as well... we need to do that again sometime! Hahaha

Thanks again for everything, Yoko!

Ai

[101025] My 4th Hobbes Doll

I took this order from a customer in the states a few months ago, and since they were not on a rush, all the other orders and work kind of took over my days, and the next thing I knew was that I needed to finish it within a couple of days. I felt horrible... and I was so sorry for my customer. I think I should have a small notebook with me all the time and keep everything on track from now on.

It's the 4th Hobbes doll of mine. I still don't have a pattern written yet. I think I should, but I don't know how to write a pattern. Hehe, gotta learn it soon;) Here is a picture of him below:

I hope they like him:) I might crochet one more, just in case I get another order in the future. Next up probably is Birdock the 3rd, and then Ah fook, and then Puni puni... Fun fun;)

Ai

[101014] Last Day of the Stay

Sean has been here in Tokyo from the 1st of October, and he is leaving today.
It's been so fast and I had a great time being with him:) Since I needed to work a few times while he is here, every minute of the time when we spend together was so precious. Even though I knew he was tired, we tried and  made it to the Ueno Antique Festival in the morning. It's so much fun at the festival because we both love antiques. He bought a Japanese print, little purses made with Japanese cloth, some old coins and bills. We also found a nice ring. The owner of the shop is a funny guy, it was one of our favorite shops at the festival. The owner said that this ring was worn by a lady who lived until her mid 90s. The gem is Topaz (I don't really trust him on this part though. And it doesn't matter anyway, because this ring is just like an empty container for us to put our beautiful memories and it's priceless!)

Photo taken on the way back home from Ueno. I am going to miss him so much. Argh...
I can't wait for the next time he is in town!!

Ai

[100928] Walk on a day of Fall

I just LOVE her work. What else can I say. This drawing of Useless is done by Heli from Finland. (Those of you who saw I once wrote she was from Sweden, I am sorry, that was my mistake:P) Useless is in her front pocket... so damn cute. She is so talented<3

The theme was 'Fall'. My favorite parts of this drawing are the colors, the clothings of the girl's, and of course, Useless!
It's amazing to see how people are creative as hell. They always give me inspirations in so many different ways and I can't thank enough for that, as I can never be creating anything without those wonderful people:)

Ai