I used to share little batches of links on my Patreon from time to time so I’m archiving a big list of them here from 2018-2020, mostly for myself! They’re all cute and interesting things from around the web though so bookmark it for next time you’re bored. New ones will be shared monthly in my Favourites posts.
- A visitor’s guide to Tokyo’s new jaw-dropping interactive light museum – I definitely want to visit this on my next trip.
- Kaila visits the Gudetama 5th Anniversary Gallery – so kawaii.
- Konmari: 3 years later – does it still work (for me, yes!)
- 17 Real-Life Would-You-Rathers I, A Woman, Have Had to Ask Myself is hilarious, and yet also depressing.
- Passive income vs. passion income is a great overview – I’m lucky that a lot of my income is from these two sources.
- A Seller’s Guide to Making Money on Spoonflower – great intro if you’ve been thinking about designing fabric.
- Utterly buttery – butteries are the major delicacy of my home area of the North East Scotland. I miss them a lot.
- A day in the life of a British beach
- Pin Theft is a great new website aiming to build awareness about copyright theft of enamel pin designs and help designers. Have a read of how you can help avoid counterfeits.
- This Twitter thread by emseeitch about her attempts to have a Plastic Free July is also very inspiring with some good tips.
- I am so in love with this crocheted AB Sea Blanket by Pony McTate. Look at all the details!
- I’ve been working my way through The 10 Most-Read Mysteries We’ve Ever Published at Outside and they are all a bit 😮
- How to Make a Japanese Breakfast at Serious Eats looks like a lot of work but I still kind of want to try it. I miss that salmon.
- My sister and I are fascinated by this animal candy floss (cotton candy) from a shop in Harajuku. How do they do it? We must go and find out.
- I know nothing about American Girl dolls but my favourite read this week is the cook-off at Serious Eats, trying a recipe from each of the doll’s books.
- How to Design a Seamless Repeat with Procreate is a very clever idea – perfect if you’ve got an iPad and have been wanting to try fabric design. I might try it myself.
- How to print fabric with a parsnip at Tilly & The Buttons. I have caved and bought this dress/tunic pattern. One day I will manage to make a wearable item of clothing!
- How To Make Money Blogging About Books is a helpful guide for anyone running a blog about any subject.
- Robot Dance Battle’s cactus homes doodles are so cute and funny.
- Chichi’s illustrations of Japanese conbini food are really making me miss Japan. Lawson is always my top choice, but I like 7-11 too.
- An all-you-can-eat conveyor belt sweets cafe has opened in Harajuku! There is (was?) something similar at Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh but it was too expensive to try.
- How to survive on $5 a day and millions of dollars of inherited wealth made me laugh a lot.
- If you missed it, these Sanrio character bios created by AI predictive text, and then illustrated are so great.
- I’m excited to see what Kaila does with her new project, kawaiijournaling.com
- Manhattan Nest is forever my favourite home renovation blog because he can write a lengthy post about hauling dirt into his garden and make it entertaining.
- Sea otter mascot Shinjokun is giving me a lot of amusement on Instagram. So many silly videos.
- Mollie’s vintage craft tool finds are a total joy – I quite want a Weave-It now.
- If you’ve thought about having your own enamel pins made, Becky (AKA the Pink Samurai) has a great series of videos on YouTube explaining the whole process. Or just enjoy her cute pin mail unboxings.
- Related: one of my tasks recently was updating the Super Cute Kawaii YouTube page so now there are playlists full of our favourite kawaii videos for you to watch.
- These photos of Tokyo taken with a fractal lens are very cool.
- I’m extra sad that my Nintendo 3DS is not really recovering from water damage because there’s a new Wario Ware game. This is one of the stupidest, most hilarious and fun games ever invented.
- Some of this year’s Sumikko & Rilakkuma Halloween plushies have been revealed and the cuteness is too much. I love Halloween and can’t believe I’ll be in Japan to shop in person!
- I’ve always wanted to visit Kagoshima in Japan where there’s an active volcano. I’m glad Amy from Cakes With Faces went and made a video. It looks just as awesome as I imagined.
- Also on the Japan bucket list: the Pikachu Outbreak! This year’s photos and videos are as incredible as always.
- I don’t often pledge to Kickstarters but I need the next Gamercat comic book.
- Just bunnies!
- There’s another interactive digital art museum open in Tokyo and this one looks even more fun with water elements.
- Also hoping we can squeeze in a visit to the Pompompurin Cafe when we arrive in Japan as the Halloween menu is too cute.
- The new collaboration between Sanrio and Kidrobot is adorable with Sanrio-fied burgers and fries.
- Lovely detailed Christmas ornaments that Laura at Bugs and Fishes has been sewing.
- Speaking of books, I am looking forward to this beautiful new book about Tokyo and Spoonflower’s new sewing book. If you want more book recs, I am pretty active on Goodreads – and accept all friend requests.
- This is a cool peek inside the bullet journal of a fantasy writer.
- All the character cafes in Japan are releasing their Halloween menus and the Pokemon Cafe‘s is so fun. We only have 2 days in Japan before Halloween is over but will be trying to fit in all the spooky cuteness.
- I am very into The Pink Samurai’s Halloween pins and had to get the glitter tree to match my Christmas one.
- I only seem to use Kickstarter for comics and I pledged immediately for my pal Neil Slorance’s new zine about Finland. If you don’t know his work, you really should check it out.
- Also very much looking forward to Rainbow Rowell’s autumn extravaganza graphic novel, Pumpkinheads. Only a year to wait…
- If you liked the look of the Totoro cream puffs in my cafe drawings, they’re from Shiro-hige’s Cream Puff Factory, who also have this adorable new Ponyo pudding.
- Princess Peachie has started posting her Japan trip vlogs and it’s getting me very excited for my own trip soon!
- Loved this video about a mascot actor training school in Japan
- I’m so gutted I missed out on these amazing resin ghosts by theforestmori but there’s lots of other cute stuff in store.
- If you’re not feeling great about the end of summer, have a browse of all the #fallthisinyourstyle drawings on Instagram.
- I am very into these space-themed quilts (via Laura’s newsletter, which is well worth subscribing to)
- Bunny with a Rilakkuma collection = 😍
- Middle-earth’s Hottest Hobbits, Ranked made me laugh.
- The greatest thing I’ve seen all week: The Tale of Terry Turnip by the amazing Kate Beaton.
- Lots of great mascots in Mondo Mascots’ post about Tourism Expo Japan 2018.
- A visit to the largest Daiso 100 yen shop in all Japan 🙀
- Emma has been sharing some fun ideas for journalling. I especially like the ‘could-do’ lists and washi lines.
- This new Miyazaki/Ghibli book looks like a must-buy.
- This list of resources for graphic designers is very useful.
- I’m very intrigued by Adobe’s new pattern repeat tool for Photoshop. Maybe even enough to deal with the tedium of Creative Cloud updates!
- Twinkie Chan’s crocheted Christmas village (with a working train!) is a thing of joy.
- Pikaole’s comic of her nightmare made me laugh so much. I have never had a dream/nightmare that was interesting enough to spend even 10 seconds illustrating.
- I started reading this post of book subscription services and had to stop because they all sound amazing and I need them.
- I love the new mugs at Starbucks Japan. Also this incredible Japanese KitKat souvenir box.
- Adorable Christmas pins I bought for myself today while writing a blog post: pigeon post (I got the pink one) and gingerbread man.
- Mondo Mascots also has a 2018 review of the world of Japanese mascots and it is great
- This Ghibli moss art is so cool. Also excited about the latest Ghibli theme park details.
- Spoonflower’s 7 Days of Design challenge looks like a great way to start the year creatively by experimenting with different materials. One a week would be a bit more realistic for me though.
- I was so happy to hear Popjustice is back as a blog and I laughed so much at this overview of the last 18 years of pop music, particularly the image captions.
- Fun diversion: Can You Identify These Mysterious Macro Images of Food?
- And an adorable little knitted Christmas trees video from Mochimochi Land that I had somehow missed originally.
- My sidekick Angel Bunny has started an Instagram. He comes on all my trips and I used to share these photos on my own account but haven’t for a while so once he catches up on the old photos, there are a few new ones no-one has seen yet.
- I’m completely fascinated by these product mockups in Paper Glitter’s portfolio. It’s so fun to see these big play sets made out of foam board.
- The Pusheen Cafe opens today and it’s so adorable I would drop everything and fly to Singapore given half a chance.
- I enjoyed this look behind the scenes at how illustrator/author Helen Stephens created her recent book, How To Hide A Lion At Christmas.
- Sad to see Design*Sponge announcing their final year but it’s a great idea to let everyone enjoy the winding down, rather than just stopping.
- The year in band names is always good for a few laughs.
- Emma’s handmade tiny travel kit for anxious minds is so cute – and uses my fabric.
- I’m usually game to try all the limited edition Fanta flavours in Japan but banana yogurt….nope.
- Japanese manhole covers washi tape! So niche. (via @stamp_sui26, a great Instagram account that shares Japanese souvenir stamps)
- I’m filing away 6 Must-Watch Netflix Shows To Learn About Japan and Best Japanese shojo movies on Netflix for next time I restart my account.
- Interesting piece on brand names and how to choose a good one.
- Layla’s end of year music list always gets me fired up to listen to some new stuff, and this year is no different.
- How to draw a haggis :)
- If you liked the manhole cover washi tape, I hope you’re following @manholecovers on Instagram. The coloured ones are so beautiful – look at this fire engine.
- Laura shared her Favourite Pens (and Pencils) and we got into a (very good-natured) disagreement so I need to write a rebuttal.
- I love Usagohan, the rice bowl bunny mascot.
- Valentine’s DIYs I love – pom pom lovebirds at Pom Maker and Jam of the Month printables at Wild Olive
- Pokemon wedding anyone? This official wedding plan is actually pretty adorable, especially if a Pikachu mascot does actually turn up.
- And some photos from the Sapporo Snow Festival. Maybe one day – my book designer lives there so I have an open invitation to meet up.
- Loved Kaila’s post on How I Get Things Done. Mine would be fairly similar but we have some big differences so maybe I will write one too along with my usual schedule.
- I need everything from the new Sumikko Gurashi Re-ment desktop figures. They’re cute but also useful!
- Forever here for photos of peoples’ book shelves so I enjoyed How do you organize your books? at the AV Club. Mine still mostly look like this.
- This animation for the new Rilakkuma with rabbits collection made me actual cry from the cuteness. I just love bunnies!! All the products are adorable too.
- I also loved the behind the scenes photos from the stop-motion Rilakkuma TV show coming to Netflix in April
- And…the first trailer for the long-awaited His Dark Materials TV show. I am so into this.
- Oh no – basically my whole month summed up
- If you’re not a patron of pikaole, you should get on that this month as even $1 patrons get free postcards and higher tiers get washi tape and enamel pins.
- I enjoyed this article by V&A Dundee about building exhibitions and taking them apart. I really must organise a visit.
- Whenever I read about Heather Moore’s Making Fridays, I feel like I should give it a go sometime. A whole day a week just for non-business creating sounds great and she gets up to so many fun things.
- I saw the next batch of Rilakkuma outfits today and literally went OH NO and emailed my sister. They’re going to look so cute in bunny ears and flower crowns.
- The Pokemon Cafe turns 1 next week and I’m very into Sakura Afro Pikachu. Please please please let them make a mascot.
- My friend Alan got on a sea bream-themed train in Japan!
- I just pre-ordered this enamel pin by Coco Glez because it’s so me – a bunny artist!
- There’s a new branch of Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory with a Catbus theme. Why have I not had a Totoro cream puff yet?!
- Daffodils are my favourite flower and Laura’s new embroidery patterns are so lovely, and free!
- Actually freaking out about the cover and synopsis reveal for Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On sequel. I am 1000% here for Simon, Baz & Penny trapped in a car bickering their way across the USA.
- I laughed so hard at mis0happy’s Bad Apple sticker pack and Ellen Stubbings’ radgy cats tote bag.
- The new Rilakkuma Netflix trailer is quite possibly the cutest thing ever
- I neeeed all these new bunny gachapon figures at Kawaii Panda
- Kim-Joy from Bake Off is writing recipes for The Guardian and they’re as cute as you might expect
- Also enjoyed this long read about shipping priceless artworks for exhibitions
- I don’t know why I find Tofu Cute’s Alpacasso video so funny but let’s blame it on Brexit hysteria
- I am forever crying over adorable new San-X collections but look at the new Sumikko Gurashi undersea characters!
- Love the new Pusheen website, especially the quizzes which are very fun. I am Fancy Pusheen, of course.
- Patrick St. Michel who writes for The Japan Times has a very cool tinyletter. He interviewed me about Rilakkuma recently so hoping that article appears soon.
- Scout Editions are in Japan and are sharing some very different photos to most visitors.
- My constant hope is that favourite blogs of yore will return from hiatus so it was lovely to discover Door Sixteen posting again. Check it out if you like design and interiors.
- I’m really not a fan of April Fools but Serious Eats went to so much effort, especially this ‘new format’ recipe with excruciating levels of detail.
- Have you seen The Tiny Chef Show? So charming!
- The new Japanese yen designs are very pretty. I might just prefer Schinako’s bunny yen idea though!
- I enjoyed this tour of the new Muji hotel in Tokyo and would definitely consider staying for a night just for the experience.
- The Moomins theme park also looks like a really sweet day out.
- I’ve been struggling a bit with to-do lists and journaling lately so laughingbear’s journal setup post arrived at the perfect moment. There’s some great ideas in this that I’m going to think about adding to my routine.
- I need to pick up a copy of this cool kids book about zines.
- Definitely putting a return visit to Miyajima on the list for my next Japan trip (no actual plans but always thinking about it!) so I can visit the new Rilakkuma teahouse – the food is adorable.
- I’m enjoying illustrator Linzie Hunter’s Q&A on Instagram today. Lots of great advice!
- Quite tempted to get the new sleeper train back from London in July since it stops in my town. Much fancier than the old cabins and there’s still something exciting about a sleeper train.
- Interesting piece on the secrets of making audiobooks, which reminded me of this great post by The Everywhereist about recording the audiobook of her own memoir.
- I am somehow resisting the urge to buy all the new ARTBOX x Pusheen enamel pins but you should totally get them.
- I’m Zazzle’s Featured Designer this month so you can read an interview with me (that I wrote last summer so is quite out of date!)
- My shop is also in this nice National Stationery Week blog post
- This tutorial for wrapping paper photo mats is so simple but looks so good.
- I also love Mollie’s DIY kawaii juice box power bank case.
- Great Twitter thread from Shelley/inki-Drop about the realities of artists selling at cons.
- The new Money issue of Good Company magazine looks super good. I’m still making my way through the Fear issue – there’s always so much good stuff to read.
- My friend Melanie is in Japan just now and posting some incredible photos, especially of all the pretty flowers.
- Nice little guide to Covent Garden art shops
- Loved the Serious Eats writers sharing their unpopular food opinions. Mine are that I don’t like trifle (I don’t think this is a big deal but my friends and family are aghast) and I’m not that into ice cream (I like it but I can easily go without and I would never want to eat a whole tub, sad movie cliche style). Also all American chocolate is inedible. Tell me yours!
- I’m very excited about the upcoming UK Pusheen Cafe and really hope it coincides with my visit to London so I can take a detour and go
- How pretty are these new bouquet necklaces by Bonbi Forest?
- Also on my wish list – these amazing button up shirts by Liliuhms
- I don’t think I’ve mentioned this Sumikko Gurashi fan twitter before. It’s one of my favourites, mostly featuring the adventures of a little Obake plush with a camera and other cute handmade accessories.
- I can’t get enough of the Pusheen mascot photos and videos from ARTBOX this weekend – check their stories too.
- I just finished a book about the Voyager mission’s grand tour of the solar system and had to go look up some of their best photos. Still incredible, especially the moons.
- Very into these new worried Rilakkuma plushies
- The 5-Step Guide to Being Vegetarian/Vegan in Tokyo is one of the best I’ve come across for explaining why this is so hard and how to make it a little less so.
- I read any and all author advice posts but this is a good one.
- These Japanese thread cards at Present + Correct are so similar to the matchboxes in my book I showed you last month – and equally lovely.
- Have you seen meguislearning? It’s an adorable Instagram account that explains Japanese food with kawaii illustrations.
- I am quite excited about the upcoming Studio Ghibli theme park in Japan.
- This PokeCafe art book with recipes looks so cool (but £20 shipping to the UK – why do you hate us, America?)
- These Sumikko Gurashi Tapioca face bags and t-shirts are just perfect.
- mis0happy’s tempura girl – and tempura cats! – is my favourite thing this week.
- I love this Airbnb that is also a secondhand bookshop you have to run in Wigtown (Scotland’s book town) but where the locals will chase you out to have fun instead of selling rubbish books. I really must visit Wigtown.
- Adorable (and very complicated) bread from Japan
- Five Really Cool Things I Learned at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab – that’s the ginormous swimming pool with a full scale model of the ISS inside for astronaut training.
- This year’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist is as incredible as always.
- This Rilakkuma & Kaoru fan art by Nemu is so dreamy. I want to step inside and live in it.
- I’m also dying over the exclusive Netflix merchandise at the Rilakkuma & Kaoru exhibition in Japan, which also has some of the models and a recreation of their home to take photos in. I want to go!
- The Guardian’s Tokyo Week had some really interesting articles, and very little of the usual media nonsense about Japan.
- Nice article on people still playing Pokemon Go too (though the headline is awful – no-one is ashamed of playing, I’m Pokefriends with actual cool rock stars)
- The new Sumikko Gurashi collection is themed around a bakery with a new kawaii baguette character and I need everything.
- My friend Stu has a very cool sound art project called Cities and Memory – the newest collection is based around space travel and is definitely worth your time.
- I am very into these photos of the Moon’s shadow on Earth and need to search up the bigger images for a new desktop wallpaper.
- I always love an illustrated travel diary and Susanne’s trip to Paris to see BTS is lovely.
- This new illustrated zine by Coco Glez is going on my wishlist.
- There’s an exhibition of artists who all have the surname Smith! Why wasn’t I invited?
- Nice blog posts about my book from contributors Lynsay and Georgie.
- Emma wrote a blog post about visiting Cowden Garden with me and my family.
- This is a great article about how authors don’t get to choose their book covers. I also got the ‘here’s your cover! I hope you love it’ email. I didn’t immediately love it but I think it’s perfect now.
- I’m putting together some lists of my favourite space media and this is a perfect article about one of my favourite TV shows ever, From the Earth to the Moon. I agree with it 100% and you should totally watch it.
- I need this cat gachapon enamel pin by Giraffalope.
- DJ Suica Penguin! This video is hilarious – keep watching.
- I’m forever sad that I will never see the Pikachu Outbreak because summer in Japan = NOPE. This year’s popsicles and drinks are the cutest!
- There’s a package from me – and my book! – in Kaila’s new Happy mail time video.
- I need these Hardworking Ghosties stickers by Coco Glez.
- If you love Japan, Maki of Just Hungry/Just Bento now has a Patreon. She’s so good at explaining Japanese customs, news events, food and culture.
- I really enjoyed this Apollo post by Anne of Pret a Voyager, whose grandfather was involved.
- Interesting theory – Why you should tackle one goal at a time. I’m a big multi-tasker (out of necessity!) but I do also try to only do one big thing at a time (e.g. my website just now and Japan guides next month)
- The winners of the the 2019 Siena drone photography awards are all very cool
- Also very cool – the TWA Hotel at JFK, a hotel in the original 1960s airport terminal that looks straight out of Mad Men
- The Pokemon Center in Japan has a recruitment quiz that tells you which Pokemon you’re most like. I got Meowth, because apparently I’m passionate and capricious. Here’s a translated guide to taking the quiz.
- Love these new Pokemon manhole covers in Japan too.
- Chichi’s post about What your pledges are really worth is so good and important.
- Aaahhhh, the Pikachu Outbreak is so cute this year. The light-up cheeks are my favourite addition this year.
- Love these Sanrio plushies wrapped in crepes. I also want all these new Loungefly x Hello Kitty fruit-themed bags.
- My sister did a big post on SCK about her visit to the Pusheen x ARTBOX Cafe if you missed it.
- This Girl Maker avatar site is quite fun – the one I made doesn’t look that much like me though, because there are so few options for glasses :(
- An interesting history of Pocky at Just My Japan
- Nice overview of the pros and cons of licensing your artwork at Oh Joy.
- I was pleased to discover my old pal Conrad Keely on Patreon and enjoyed this post about the creative process and distractions (it’s public). My general thing with Patreon is just to follow everyone who looks to be doing something interesting and if I like their Patreon content, I’ll try and chip in for rewards later.
- Have you taken The Pusheen Career Aptitude Test (C.A.T.)? I got writer so I guess I already have my dream job!
- I felt quite jealous reading about Belle and Sebastian’s Boaty Weekender. So many of my old Glasgow band/label friends were sharing photos on Facebook and it looked like a lot of fun. I don’t think I could really handle a cruise though.
- Illustrated London shop fronts and scale-model miniatures of New York City storefronts.
- How I am only now hearing about Actual Size magazine, which looks awesome? I need to pick up a copy.
- Syd Weiler’s piece about what happened when her Trash Doves stickers went viral is such a horrifying tale and could really happen to anyone. No one deserves this sort of harassment but certainly not small artists trying to make the world a little happier.
- Super cute free Molang printable labels
- Fifteen minutes of audio recorded each day, while on long walks in Japan.
- Design*Sponge closed this week with some really good posts. I’ve been following the blog since near the beginning so it’s been quite nostalgic.
- Super excited about the new collection for our dress-up Rilakkuma plushies. Can’t wait to get mine some dungarees and a camera.
- Also very excited to see more of the new Animal Crossing. It’s very kind of them to release it just before my birthday next year.
- This book about Tokyo’s vending machines looks really cool – shame it sold out already.
- This insiders’ guide to Japan’s Rugby World Cup cities has some good suggestions, especially outside Tokyo.
- This guide to Making Merch is full of great advice for anyone starting out with making their designs into products.
- Cute wildlife comics by Claire Hubbard (emseeitch) from her recent art residency.
- I love this easy DIY pumpkin garland – a very good use of googly eyes!
- Chibird has a Patreon with a very cute and positive pin club.
- I finally read Tavi’s piece about her struggles with Instagram and it is very good
- Paperchase’s stationery advent calendar is quite something. I really think I’ll have to order one so I can write about it.
- These cat mugs are too cute!
- I love Mary Robinette Kowal’s Lady Astronaut books, but she’s also great on Twitter, live-tweeting spacewalks and explaining what’s going on with fun facts. She did one today if you want to have a read.
- Wild Olive has two cute Christmas ornament stitching clubs happening this year if you like hand sewing.
- Kind of glad I’m not going to Japan this year as I would buy ALLL the new Ghibli winter accessories. Not happening online as hats and gloves so rarely fit me.
- I am sad not to see Miki Takei’s bunny-themed pop up store though as all the artwork is adorable. It’s at the same bunny shop where I saw Schinako’s pop up.
- I am a bit obsessed with this Hello Kitty polaroid camera – such a cute retro design.
- So nice to read about the woman who designed all the early Mac OS icons. That happy Mac Classic is one of my forever faves.
- I’m obsessed with all the photos of empty Tokyo streets from around the recent Typhoon. They look so unreal. Here’s Harajuku and Shinjuku.
- I also can’t get over this post by Maki about a TV news show in Japan where everyone is replaced with puppets. Why has this format not spread overseas?
- I identify too much with this Rilakkuma video – I have that exact Rilakkuma dress-up plush with that outfit, and a bigger plush that sits on an armchair. Watch to the end – its adorable!
- The animal cartoons at Webcomic Name (of ‘Oh no’ fame) get funnier every time I look at them.
- Some creative bullet journal ideas for tracking and recording outfits from Emma
- My friend Deth made a printable version of his awesome magic dice and it’s free. I made one straight away and I’m going to try and make a bigger one with coloured card soon. It looks cool on my Halloween mantelpiece display.
- I follow Usagito Cafe on Facebook (the bunny cafe I visited in Nagoya) as they do seasonal photos with the bunnies and it’s always adorable. Check out the Halloween pics.
- San-X made a page of all the Always With Rilakkuma outfits and it’s incredible (and I own too many of them)
- The new Nintendo shop in Tokyo looks like it will be worth a visit.
- Someone please send me a Suica penguin Christmas cake! Or at least make me a Boo-meringue Cake.
- Interesting interview with traditional Japanese stationery brand Classiky at Cute Things From Japan.
- The Japan Times is doing some great articles about the last decade including Japanese books, mascots and animals.
- This ask about how much to gift for a trip to Japan has some great tips for pricing a trip.
- More Suica Penguin Christmas cakes
- Love the Pokemon/Mario crossover merch at the new Nintendo Store.
- Enjoyed this article about artists trading work. I used to do a lot of that at art school and the early days of Etsy but not so much any more.
- I’m definitely buying Tilly’s new clothes sewing book, Make It Simple. Even beginner patterns feel too time-consuming and intimidating for me so I love that these are all super easy and fast so I can hopefully get some sewing machine practice and build my confidence.
- Nice overview of Why Glasgow is Britain’s best city for music lovers. So glad I got to be a part of that scene and I will look out for the book.
- A profile of women with rainbow hair that isn’t patronising!
- Always fascinated by the process of recording audiobooks, even though I don’t use them myself.
- I’m glad someone else has discovered the joys of a tiny whisk. I am always going on about my tiny whisk and everyone ignores me.
- Highlight of the month: someone noticed I am quoted on the Sumikko Gurashi Wikipedia page! I really am a kawaii expert. The whole page is worth a read as well – I learned a few things about the characters.
- Interesting post about accessible stationery including square glue sticks.
- If you missed the hilarious – and successful! – attempts to get artwork-stealing Twitter bots to sell copyright infringement notices on t-shirts, this is a good round-up.
- Aww, it’s my Postbox sticker in Kaila’s kawaii journaling video
- Mondo Mascots visits the World Character Summit 2019 with bonus rainy weather costumes.
- Twinkie Chan’s Little Santa ornament crochet pattern is too cute – and free until later today.
- My friend Katy of Girl Industries will upcycle your non-recyclable glittery Christmas cards for free.
- The ArtistResolutions2020 hashtag is worth a browse if you need some motivation
- The Great Big How To Shop on Japanese Online Sites Guide by Maki
- I want to go to the Pokemon Go store!
- This electric bike tour of Tokyo sounds really fun too.
- Easy Felt Gingerbread Men Christmas Ornaments at Bugs & Fishes
- Cakes With Faces is doing a really fun Japanuary photo challenge for people who love Japan. I’m too busy this week but I’ll be doing it as a zine later.
- As well as an Uberlist (thanks Susie!) I think I’ll have to try a Make 9 List for craft projects. I also liked this format for a 2019 recap and might borrow a few ideas for my zine.
- At the bottom of my saved blog posts were some great articles from Collectors Weekly – I really loved the Soviet space dogs and do not disturb signs.
- Also old and great, a little piece about neighbourhood restaurants in Japan by Matthew Amster-Burton who has written some really good food travelogue books – google them!
- Popjustice’s Top 45 Singles of 2019 is sure to be worth a listen.
- Lucy Knisley’s Condiment Raccoon comics on Instagram are my new favourite thing.
- Closely followed by the new Sumikko Gurashi strawberry cafe theme. Obake ghost in a strawberry hat and apron is too much.
- I’ve been enjoying all the #Japanuary posts and looking forward to doing mine in zine form. My favourites have been Princess Peachie and Hannah Zakari but it’s well worth browsing the hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.
- This Beginner’s Guide to Procreate has lots of great tips.
- Wild Olive has a free embroidery and cross stitch pattern series this year with an adorable Kawaii Crossing theme of cute shops.
- I almost wish I had a PC so I could play Bunny Farm. I hope it comes to the Switch!
- My good friend Simon is writing about his extensive record collection via random number generator and one of my band’s records popped up today (though I don’t actually play on this one). Such good times! There’s a video too if you want to see little 2005 me. I’ve never seen that before and it’s kind of embarrassing. Why do I look so bored? I was probably terrified, it must be one of our first gigs as my flatmate ran that club night.
- Olga Ortiz has some great illustrated Procreate tips. Every time I see one of these, there’s something that makes me go WHAAT? really?!
- The upcoming Pusheen baking book looks extremely cute.
- I made my sister do a post about shoelace styling for SCK – it’s so fun!
- Cool feature and gallery of film props made by artist Annie Atkins
- Enjoyed this History of Limited Edition Animal Crossing Consoles.
- I’m definitely breaking my spending freeze soon to order some stickers from Chichi’s new Whimsicute shop.
- Do any of you play Animal Crossing? I am so excited for New Horizons after seeing the latest video. I literally gasped and shouted WHAT?! an embarrassing amount of times.
- Incredible list of 75 Excellent But Neglected Books at the always-great Caustic Cover Critic. I kind of want to read at least 50% of them.
- Jo Walton’s reading list posts at Tor always have some good stuff too.
- David Lebovitz wrote a really detailed post about the making of his latest book for all of us fascinated by behind the scenes book publishing stories.
- 38 albums of Ghibli music now streaming for free!
- And li.st is being closed down properly next week. Have a read of my old lists if you like. I saved them all to Tumblr a couple of years ago but it’s nice to read them in the original formatting. Given the current global situation, I’m slightly concerned that I only gave myself a 50% chance of surviving a pandemic in Likelihood of me surviving various apocalyptic events. I REALLY need to start writing stupid lists again.
- There’s been some great posts on SCK by everyone else recently too: Nicolette visited Gudetama’s Lazy Lounge and Andi shared an on-the-go stationery notebook tutorial that I want to try.
- Rainbow Rowell shared this article about Tumblr which is so good it made me want to reactivate my Tumblr. I still check out the site regularly and it is such an awesomely weird place now that everyone left.
- I haven’t tried it myself yet but everyone is going crazy over this adorable Mayor Maker.
- The cutest animation for Pokemon Day
- Interesting comparison of UK vs US cookbook covers. Nice to see my own publisher is responsible for so many of the good ones.
- What I’ve learned in five years of working from home at Door Sixteen is great, if you’re adjusting
- Free paper craft and colouring printables from Japanese artists.
- The new Positivity Kawaii Journaling Challenge from Kaila & friends is just what we all need!
- I’m loving everyone’s Animal Crossing clothing designs – Claire Belton (of Pusheen fame) is on another level.
- Why does Instant Ramen Fried Rice sound SO GOOD right now?
- Susie at boygirlparty is sharing free colouring pages on Instagram every day. I requested a night sky theme and/or bunnies and got both together!
- Book Riot also shared big round-up of colouring pages by artists.
- Love these daily food paintings by a Japanese artist. He’s been doing it for 32 years!
- Really enjoyed these Maps of Life Under Lockdown with peoples’ homes and neighbourhoods. If I ever get my drawing mojo back, I will do one too.
- If you like Japan and books, Tokyo Cheapo are doing a Lockdown Library series with their writers’ recommendations.
- I’m endlessly fascinated by how other creative people are spending their lockdowns. Here’s 2 from Paris: Pret A Voyager and David Lebovitz’s assistant (who has tips for kids)
- Practical Ways To Support Small Businesses at Oh Joy.
- Tyler Feder’s great new graphic novel about her mum’s death from cancer (that sounds like the worst pandemic reading choice but honestly it is so heartwarming and even funny) came out last week – her First 48 Hours as a Published Author BINGO made me laugh.
- I keep meaning to say that quite a few links I share are via the daily email from The Morning News, who I have been pals with since the diskant days. I really recommend signing up for interesting things to read.
- My current Instagram obsession: the most adorable cakes and treats by kokomacake.
- Dying over this Mamegoma hot air balloon plush.
- Draw a cat in 6 easy steps with Linzie Hunter.
- how I stock the smitten kitchen is as in-depth as you would hope.
- I had been idly wondering if any bands I know are in lockdown together and then The Guardian did an article on just that. OF COURSE one of them is in Glasgow – being in a band with your flatmates is practically a law there.
- The Ghibli Museum doesn’t allow photography inside but they’ve started a Youtube channel so you can get a look.
- One of Japan’s cutest animal donut shops is delivering DIY donut decorating kits and I wish I could have a go.
- If you’re running out of things to watch, here’s how to Experience Japan via Netflix
- Most bizarre thing on Instagram lately: apparently Dua Lipa has my vegetables chart in her kitchen! This did not lead to any sales as far as I know but was very cool.
- Lucy Knisley’s Anti-Racist Cats are so good, especially the font! I’ve got a post on SCK this week with more kawaii BLM products you can support.
- If you can’t travel yourself, you can send your favourite plush toy on a holiday to Okinawa with this Japanese tour guide! There’s a video too…
- Twinkie Chan’s crocheted patisserie installation is even more cute and amazing than I had expected. Wish I could see it in real life.
- Pikaole drew all the Animal Crossing villagers and NPCs as real animals.
- Tumblr is still good btw, especially for Animal Crossing custom designs. Bidoof Crossing is a good place to start.
- Wild Olive’s Summer Reading Stitching Club looks very cute.
- Great tips on looking after your wrists if you draw/crochet etc. a lot. RSI is no joke – my arm has finally stopped hurting after a month of rest.
- I liked this article about Whisper of the Heart, one of the more underrated Ghibli films.
- I’ve long been a little obsessed with watching people make Whipple kits (basically decorating plastic cakes with fake cream). I know I would be hopeless at it, and I don’t even think the finished items are that cute, but I still want this new Sumikko Gurashi kit.
- Aggretsuko is coming back for season 3 on Netflix next month! I also just bought the comic books and they’re really cute.
- The cutest little frog ita bag on Kickstarter by Blushsprout.
- TADO’s latest installation is also too cute!
- The Fuku Fuku Nyanko cats are on Twitter and it’s very cute
- Hilariously good tips from bands that have always worn masks on stage
- Daniel Kanter’s attempt at KonMari explains how it works so well and is also entertaining. I still want to do this properly one day.
- I wish these star fragment trees in Animal Crossing were a real thing
- Great detailed article on The UX of LEGO interface panels
