I am still working on the wool door hanger. I am having a hard time unraveling to create the fringe. The thread breaks off in quarter inch fuzz as I try to unravel so it takes about 15 minutes for each thread across. I've put it aside for now.
I made a sample needle book for the stitch group, which uses the running stitch and the blanket stitch, and isn't too complicated. They will choose their own colors of felt and trim to decorate it. I hope they will like it.
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| Museum Entrance |
My friends invited me to go to the Serizawa Museum with them on Saturday and I was delighted to join them.
Serizawa Keisuke (1895-1984) was acknowledged as a "Living National Treasure" in 1956 for his stencil dyeing technique called "Kataezome". This technique uses stencils (katagami) to dye the original artistic patterns on cloth material or Japanese paper. His creations include Kimono, Obi (sash), Noren (doorway curtains), Kabekake (wall drapes), and Byobu (folding screens). The Kataezome technique improves various traditional techniques including Bingata from Okinawa. He was the first to use the stenciling techniqes on paper as well as fabric.
The museum was created to house his works and personal collection. He donated them himself to the city of Shizuoka, where he was born, in 1981. Photos were not allowed in the museum, which is too bad for this blog becuase there were many gorgeous pieces. The museum offered a free hands on event and we did get to try making a book cover.
Apart from the museum is his actual work space, a small wooden house near the museum.
After we left the museum, we walked to a little Japanese restaurant for a "snack". I had an ice cream cone and they shared this Shizuoka special dessert - the sweet beans and mochi are hot and the macha ice cream in the center is frozen.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the company of my friends!
I like my paper hexagons so much that I have to share it with others! (They had all finished their cross stitch bookmarks from last time!) When we met this time, the project was a pin cushion made from eight hexagons. This is an example of one I made --
Each person chose her own fabrics and button and made very good progress. They will finish them at home to show next time. I think the next project will be a needlebook. Every stitcher needs little toolie things.
Last week I saw these seven scouts in full uniforms at the train station. I talked with them a little bit. They told me they were traveling alone (no adults) to Gotemba. I didn't understand what exactly they were doing. I told them I had been a scout in the US when I was young. In Japan it is common to see children walking to school or traveling by train on their own. I like living where it is so safe.
I'm still trying to catch up. This time the letter is "J" and the Japanese jibun de (自分で), meaning by oneself. I'm posting photos of things I made up by myself (no pattern or instructions, just my own ideas).
Linking up with Chiara at the Grey Tail. Check out the posts of other Alphabet Club members!
I did not get one of these soft ice cream cones with oreos in it, but it made me wonder if all of Japan has these macha flavored oreos or just this area, where there are many green tea growing areas.
Yes, another fob. To me, fobs are perfect for the Smalls Stitch A Long, because they are just so small! This is a pattern from Sheepish Designs in Huntersville, NC.
Linking up with Heather at Stitching Lotus, the hostess of this SAL.
All I have left to do is unravel up to the stitching line to make the fringe. It is really hard to unravel! Maybe I'll have it done by next week.
(This post tells about the first part of the day).
After spending the morning at the shrine and the waterfalls, we had lunch at the Dairy Farm. We saw the Jersey cows taking it easy in the barn before going to the pizza restaurant, where they serve cheese from these cows. We ate blackberry ice cream cones for dessert.
From this farm area, we had a great view of Mt. Fuji in the clouds.
After lunch we visited a temple, where there are many lotus plants.
In Fuji City, we visited a unique park, where many historical buildings have been moved.
What a great day! I'm thankful to have been included on this tour!
