Fish in Japan

Ted found this great 3-D map of Japan, showing fish from each area of Japan at one of the local re-sale shops for only 300 yen.

 

It is really interesting to look at both Japan and the fish.

Kindergarten Trains

 

Hokkaido Soccer Tournament

Last week, our university hosted the Hokkaido Soccer Tournament, with the championship game held on Sunday.  It was 35 degrees F and windy and snowy, so I stayed inside, but Ted, being the hardy outdoorsman he is, witnessed our school win 2-0 and he took a lot of photos.  Here are just a few.

Work In Progress Wednesday - Both Sides Now

I continued working on the one side.

 

Then, I worked on the other side, too.

 

Still a lot to do, but progress is progress.

Take a Stitch Tuesday - #15 French Knots

Using pink Impressions thread, I added some sets of three French Knots to the Whipped Wheels and I added single French Knots above the detached chain/ double Chevron seam.

You can join TAST at anytime. Check out Sharon B’s stitch instructions here.

Monday Morning Star Count - The Last Lap

From our kitchen window we saw snow on the mountains when we got up yesterday morning.  Later in the day, it snowed furiously here, but the ground was too warm for it to stick.  It's officially winter, so I have to finish this quilt!

I have the last row of flowers all the way around left to quilt.  All the inside flowers are quilted. The outside hexagons still have the paper templates inside so that I can do the flip edge, so I will be quilting the inner half of each of the outside flowers.  I’m getting closer every day.

 

Linking up with Jessica at Life Under Quilts.

Blackwork Stitch A Long - Part 8

Since my last time, I completed five more fillings.  I tried out #14, but the pattern was so busy, it was difficult to see the pattern, so I took it out.   I’ll decide on some other pattern for this one later.

 

The charts for this project allow for all different sizes and number of fillings.  If you’d like to join us, leave me a comment and link to your Box of Delights post.

Check it out for yourself:

Kim at Wisdom With Needle and Thread

Box of Delights Free Pattern at Blackwork Journey

'Tis the Season

I bought this pumpkin beer for Ted.  He wasn't impressed with it.

This pumpkin flavored tea honey was a wonderful gift!

Japan has so many delicious, cute, seasonal sweets!  Rabbits are a popular fall theme - especially rabbits in the moon.

 

Gifts That Are Appreciated

I made a small fish quilt in January 2013 (machine pieced and hand quilted) and we gave it as a baby gift.

When Ted was in the US last month, he visited with the “baby” (now 2 and a half years old) and his parents and saw the quilt hanging on the wall. 

 

Isn’t it nice when people appreciate the handmade gifts we give?

440 Kilogram Bear Shot in Hokkaido

The Japan Times recently reported that a 400 kg (880 pound) bear was shot dead last month in Monbetsu, Hokkaido.  The bear had been raiding corn fields in the area and the bear’s footprints had been found near houses in the city. A 71 year old man who belongs to the hunting club was quoted as saying he had never seen a bear this big, after being a hunter for more than 40 years.

This year Hokkaido authorities warned residents that bears might wander into towns and cities or fields in search of food due to a shortage of acorns and beech nuts.  Monbetsu is not near us, but, bears have been seen locally so parks and the forest are closed.

Work In Progress Wednesday - 21 October

Take A Stitch Tuesday - #14 Stem Stitch

I’ve added one more layer to the inside of this shape with the stem stitch, using two strands of cotton floss.

I also made a vine-like shape in the stem stitch, using green Impressions thread.  I'll add to this later.

 

You can join TAST at anytime. Check out Sharon B’s stitch instructions here.

Monday Morning Star Count - Winter Is Coming

It’s getting colder out and winter will be here before we are ready for it.  I’m working on the hand quilting every day. 

I do want to have this on the bed this winter! 

Linking up with Jessica at Life Under Quilts.

Blackwork Stitch A Long - Part 7

Since my last post, I have completed the little flower motifs between the fillings.  Next time, I hope to have another six fillings done!

 

The charts for this project allow for all different sizes and number of fillings.  If you’d like to join us, leave me a comment and link to your Box of Delights post.

Check it out for yourself:

Kim at Wisdom With Needle and Thread

Box of Delights Free Pattern at Blackwork Journey

Race Car Sushi

My friend Vicky took me to a new (to me) kaiten sushi place. There is a touch screen for ordering and the sushi is delivered to the table by race car on a little track.

 

And the sushi is only 100 yen per plate!

Craft Festival in Sapporo

My new US friend, who recently visited Hokkaido and arranged for the weaving lesson for us, told me about this large craft festival in Sapporo. 

 

Her niece was one of the vendors with her business “Enjoy Beads Life”. (If you google "Enjoy Beads Life" you will find images of her gorgeous work.) I was very happy to meet her and her daughter, as well as see her mother again.

The festival had many many types of crafts including beadwork, quilts, grapevine wreaths, wire crafts, tile, felting, and many things involving glue, to name a few.  Some of the booths also offered small classes for a fee. There was also a large area for children to make things. I didn’t think I could take photos at the festival, so I didn’t.

I made a few purchases – some cotton fabric, Some circular linen that I plan to make small bags with and some sparkly rick rack in white and blue.

 

 

 

I hope to be able to attend again next year!

Fall Afternoon Walk