it goes both ways

i've noticed lately that a lot of american crafters are really into japanese craft books. even if they can't read the instructions and the books are pricey they seem to flock to these books, and they're quite successful in creating wonderful items. i don't sew but i must admit i own a few japanese craft books because the projects are so cute. and, more importantly, the aesthetic is different so it helps get the creative juices flowing.

well, today, i found some links to japanese scrapbooking sites and i got totally obsessed with looking around. (i followed so many links today i forgot where it all started from, but i think i was originally looking at the ki memories site's international store finder page and saw the link to memorabiliart, a division of sakura craypas, a japanese art supply company.)

scrapbooking was just getting popular in japan when i left tokyo back in 1999. the japanese love their paper products, and stamping and stickers were always big there. so, naturally, scrapbooking has become quite popular. the last time i was in japan (two years ago) they had a few american scrapbooking supplies for sale, but it's really taken off since then.

i found some great scrapbookers and their blogs ... and lo and behold, a few of them actually live in southern california and they're married to whities ... just like me! no wonder their scrapbooking styles are so similar to the stuff i see in american sbing magazines! (and speaking of magazines, who knew there was a japanese edition of creating keepsakes and simple scrapbooks? it was news to me!)

as i was reading some of the blogs, there were a couple of people who documented their experiences going to scrapbooking expos/conventions and cku (creating keepsake university). it was really interesting reading a japanese scrapper's perspective on these american events. they appreciated american hospitality and the energy surrounding this hobby. and i think they're in awe with how artistic sbing is and how far american scrappers are pushing it. (one particular post talked about how much she and her husband liked ali edwards's class. apparently her husband was there to translate for her and he became more of a fan of ali's than she did!)

it's been really cool to see how different cultures embrace each other's arts and crafts.