Stash Fabrics Design Star Challenge - Round 4

16 piece fabric bundle based on wanderlust theme with text overlay Design Star Challenge Round 4 by Shannon Fraser Designs

Round 4 of Stash Fabrics Design Star Challenge is live!!

And the theme this round is super fun – all about wanderlust!
Who doesn’t love a good travel destination?!

Although it’s been awhile since I was there, I have such
fond memories of my time living in Japan. It was many moons ago, but it still
feels like yesterday.

If you don’t already know, I’m a history major. I’ve always
loved learning about different cultures, where they came from and how societies
evolved to where they are today. I spent a solid year and a half studying
Japanese history and I was fascinated. But learning about a culture in books is
one thing and actually packing your bags and heading half way around the world
is entirely another.

16 piece fabric bundle featuring wanderlust theme of travels to Japan with text overlay Stash Fabrics Design Star Challenge 2017 by Shannon Fraser Designs

I didn’t speak the language.
In fact, I spent a good part of my 12-hour flight learning the basics –
please and thank you – so I could at least be polite. Even though I was heading
there to teach English as a second language, I did want to learn some basics
and enrolled myself in private Japanese lessons while I was there. I was
never fluent, but I can at least count 😉

My experience in Japan was life changing. I learned a whole
new level of independence and the ability to just figure things out. I remember
driving back to my house after teaching my first lesson and what should have
been a 10-minute drive, turned into 45 minutes with a few moments of sheer panic
setting in. After all, I couldn’t read the road signs to even tell someone
where I was! But I finally found my way and learned to use landmarks to guide
me until I knew my surroundings (a Shell gas station was a point of reference
for months!).

What I loved most about my time there was meeting a ton of
people, both locals and foreigners. I truly appreciated getting to see the
world from different perspectives.

Plus, the surroundings are just stunning. Whether you want
to experience city life or life in the countryside, Japan has it all to offer.
I lived in a small town near the mountains and I adored living in an old style
Japanese house, complete with a Japanese style toilet! The latter took me a
minute to figure out how to use it – ha!

One of my fondest memories is the delectable food. It was SO
oishii (yummy). From my first
experience tasting sushi, to trying all the different ramens and discovering
okonomiyaki (a true fave). The food is just to die for.

Japanese Temple in Toyama surrounded by Cherry Blossoms

On top the beautiful architecture, the vistas are just stunning.
There really is something to appeal to everyone. Plus, you’re guaranteed to see
something kawaii (cute)!

Which brings me to selecting fabrics for my bundle.

It all started with the beautiful cherry blossom print.
I love flowers, and these captivated my attention. I loved cherry blossom
season and am so thankful I got to experience it first hand.

From there, I wanted to showcase the diversity of the
terrain – from cities, to mountains, to the sea – this little island has it all.
Plus, there is always a festival in full swing with lots of lanterns strewn
around to enhance the celebratory feeling.