A Japanese eye for Chinese silks.

Hong Kong is a vibrant cosmopolitan city and so I get to meet many people from different countries and backgrounds. Another inspirational person I met by chance was Makiyo from Japan. I was selling bracelets to raise money for the Cambodian Children’s Fund and she was one of my first supporters.

Over time as we got to know one another better Makiyo told me of her passion for Japanese kimono and fabrics.

By chance she came across a teddy bear pattern and that was the start of HANNA Design. Her nimble fingers didn’t stop there of course and she moved on to extend her collection from teddies to scarves, coasters and cards. Makiyo, her husband and adorable son Leo, moved to Hong Kong in 2005 and she says that the Chinese silks found here will be featured greatly in her upcoming collection of goodies.

Beauty and inspiration to Makiyo: vibrant fabric, jazz dance (she’s an ex-dancer herself), her family and Buddha.

Seeing that we are inching closer to the Festive Season Makiyo is sharing a tutorial on how to make your very own special cards.

Be inspired!

Notes from a self declared Francophile

I am madly in love with the French language – so in love with it that I’ve never actually tried to learn the language. Afraid that the mystery and enchantment will disappear the moment I grasp that “vous avez fait un pas dans le poo de chien” means “you stepped in dog poo” and NOT “I love the way you move”…
(Anyway, seems I'm not the only one in love with the French. This photo was taken by my dear friend Adele in a Parisian style bar here in Hong Kong. Adele has gone one step further - she can seductively whisper a range of French one-liners!)

What I truly adore is how expressive the French are. Watching a French movie with English subtitles is an absolute blast. It is a multi-sensory feast of hand movements, pouting lips, facial expressions changing at the speed of light and then of course the moodiness of the characters. I love it.

Recently I did a travel-writing course through the YWCA. During the sessions I was seated opposite this woman who appeared to be quite shy, even timid. As we got to know one another we learned that both of us write in our second language. It was during our second session that each of us had to read out a few paragraphs from our homework assignment. When Sophie started reading I felt myself drawn into her words. She was describing a castle that she went to while traveling in Japan and her French accent combined with her movingly descriptive prose gave me goose bumps.

Since then, we try to meet up every now and then to discuss writing. This determined woman’s first children’s book got published earlier this month. My guess is that being married to an Englishman and having to bring up their two children in this “mixed” environment inspired her tremendously while writing and illustrating her book. On each vividly coloured page the story is told in both English and French.

In December I will be having a chat with Sophie about what inspires her. Not only do I hope to post a picture of Sophie in her studio; but also get her to share a short tutorial.

In the meantime if you can’t contain your excitement about this inspirational woman and her book please visit Sophie Paine here

“Are you my mummy? / Es-tu mon papa?”
By Sophie Paine

Be inspired!

First things first!

My favourite eleven lettered word: INSPIRATION.
Personally I experience inspired moments as fabulous albeit frantic flashes of light and clarity. I live for those moments. Unfortunately in today’s world it isn't always easy to recognize the divine and inspired in everyday situations.

I am trying my darnest to be inspired at least once a day. Thus, enticing (sometimes forcing) me to be more aware as I walk in this world.
A recent trip to Cambodia inspired me to create a line of jewellery I simply call "Khmer". The stunning colours of Angkor Wat in the early morning sun are enough to inspire anyone.
However, as is the case with all definitions and perceptions - one gal’s inspiration is not going to cut it for the next. So, let's get this dialogue going....

A few things that inspire me:
- Bougainvillea bursting with colour.
- Sunny, clear days in Hong Kong.
- Those glorious days that I fit perfectly into my skinny jeans.
- Looking into my lover's eyes and realising his in the moment (with me).
- Chasing my cats through the house.
- That first life-saving sip of coffee in the morning.
- A Yoga session with Monika.
- Receiving an e-card from a dear friend.
- The excitement of the first visit to a foreign country.
- Sitting on the Star Ferry crossing the Harbour.
- Matisse paintings.
- Dali sketches.
- Unexpected kindness from a stranger.
- Being around people who strive for innovation (not imitation).

What inspires you? Please share; it might open a whole new avenue of inspiration for others and me.

Have an inspired day.