17 in 2017 - November Report

Not a lot of progress this month, and only one more month until the end of the year.  

I did work on the kogin piece and like how it is coming along.  

I also stitched the November cat.

To see all of my 17 in 2017 projects, check out this page.  To see the progress other participants have made, check it out here.

Work In Progress Wednesday - Cross Stitch Lingerie Bag Finish

I stitched this Lizzie Kate piece in 2014 and set it aside.  I pulled it out this week and stitched it by hand into another bag, using kimono fabrics.

The Beauty Saloon

Is this where you go to get beautiful while drinking some sake?  

Even pets can get beautiful in Japan, but probably not have any alcohol to drink. 

 I love living in Japan! (Even if I don't understand what is going on - in Japanese or English!)

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 30

Week 30 of the temperature quilt
November 19 - 25
52, 50, 52, 48, 61, 55, 57

Sarah at Sarah Did It!  is hosting a link up on Wednesdays for those making a temperature hexagon quilt.  Check it out and think about joining in.  You can start at any time. 

This is my temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black

Kogin Toolie Things

I finished the kogin needlebook and scissors fob, using a small piece of peach kimono silk for the lining. 

You can never have too many little toolie things.

Holiday Stitching

Thursday was a national holiday in Japan, Labor Day. I met with three members of the stitch group that day to work on kogin projects.  I think they really like kogin!  They like the bag I made with my little kogin panel and think it would be good for a travel lingerie bag. 

Look for some finished lingerie bags next time! 

Here's another finished crazy quilt bag.

2017 Smalls Stitch A Long - November

This year I plan to stitch the calendar cats (free charts at Happiness is Cross Stitching).  One small ornament per month, so this month is November.  I will wait to finish them all at the same time in December so that they will be the same size and somehow coordinate.  

I'm linking up with Heather, at Stitching Lotus, the hostess of this stitch a long.

Doctor Blake Mysteries

I watch programs in English on Youtube and like when I can find a series that I can follow.  My most recent find is the Doctor Blake Mysteries.  It is set in the late 1950's in Australia and is about Doctor Lucien Blake who takes over his late father's general medical practice and role as the police doctor after being gone from his home town for about thirty years.  He is a bit mysterious about his own past as he solves the murder mysteries in his town.  

I am currently watching the second season and I think there are five seasons. Does anyone else watch this series?  Are there any mystery series you can recommend for when I finish this one?

Work In Progress Wednesday - Kogin Progress

I worked on the kogin project quite a bit this week, although it's hard to tell.  It looks like it did the last time I posted.  

This is one of my 17 in 2017 projects.

Shibori - Kogin Bag Finish

I stitched this kogin panel a couple of weeks ago.  

I decided to make it into a draw string bag with shibori fabric I had for the outside and red wool kimono fabric for the lining. 

I stitched it all by hand and am very pleased with how it turned out.

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 29

Week 29 of the temperature quilt
November 12 - 18
59, 61, 59, 61, 59, 55, 50

Sarah at Sarah Did It!  is hosting a link up on Wednesdays for those making a temperature hexagon quilt.  Check it out and think about joining in.  You can start at any time. 

This is my temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black 

My view of Mt. Fuji yesterday

How Much is a Cup of Coffee in Japan?

I recently read a post on SoraNews24 about how much coffee is at various coffee spots in Japan.  Here's the list from most to least expensive.

Translated:

Renoir（ルノアール）580 yen
Ko:Hi:Kan (珈琲館) 510 yen
Hoshino Coffee (星乃珈琲) 410 yen
Komeda Coffee (コメダ珈琲) 420 yen
Ueshima Coffee House (上島喫茶) 360 yen
Tully’s Coffee（タリーズ）310 yen
Starbucks（スターバックス）302 yen
Excelsior (エクセルシオール) 300 yen
Mister Donut （ミスタードーナツ）270 yen
Café de Crié（カフェドクリエ）260 yen
Pronto (プロント) 240 yen
Beck’s Coffee（ベックスコーヒー）230 yen
Doutor（ドトール）220 yen
St Marc (サンマルク) 216 yen
Veloce (カフェ・ベローチェ) 190 yen

I think getting a cup of coffee is expensive in Japan.  I sometimes get a cup at Mister Donut because they give you a refill at no extra charge. I have on occassion bought a cup of coffee at Starbuck's or Tully's when I am traveling. I once ate at Cafe de Crie in Sapporo, but I didn't get coffee. The others I don't know.  A few times I have purchased a 100 yen cup of coffee at the Lawson's convenience store that was pretty good. Usually I just drink my coffee at home and drink water when I am out. 

What about you? How much is too much for a cup of coffee?  If you drink coffee out, what coffee shop do you prefer?  If you don't drink coffee, what do you drink when you go out?  Inquiring minds want to know.  

PS  I like my coffee with milk, no sugar.

Giant Pear Gift

I am the recipient of so much generosity.  I received this gorgeous Kumamoto gigantic pear from my friends here in Shizuoka. I have never seen or tasted such a delicious perfect pear.  

Thank you!

Two Paper and Bead Ornaments

I felt like doing something small and beady so I stitched up these two little bead on perforated paper ornaments.  I think they turned out rather cute.

Vending Machine Wisdom

Work In Progress Wednesday - Stitch Group Kogin

First - a finished crazy quilt bag:

Two continued with finishing the crazy quilt bags and the rest of us worked on kogin.  For the kogin they had to choose which pattern and what color thread.  For this first kogin project, they are using #5 perle cotton because it behaves better than the kogin thread.

The first line of kogin must be counted correctly and the other rows follow.  I told them the first row might seem difficult but it would be easy after that.  It took over an hour to count out the first row and I was afraid they would want to give up.  After that first row, they found out I was right!  

Another finished crazy quilt bag - this one round, with a drawstring.  

Two more kogin starts.  

Here is a kogin toolie set (needlebook and fob) I am working on.

Leonore who blogs at Needle, Pen & Sword is joining us remotely. She stitched this with ecru thread and wants to try it again with white because the ecru didn't show up well on this fabric.

A great Kogin resource is Carolyn Foley's blog.

Until we meet again.......