This is the month to report on a new project. I worked on and finished this new project - a cross stitch baby afghan this month.
You can check out who is joining in on 6 & 6 in 2018 on Meredith's blog here.
The stitch group tried out bargello this month by stitching a small bell, using this free pattern. I stitched two bells and finished them with the same backing fabric as the February ornament. I made the twisted cording from #5 perle cotton and stitched it to the ornament with invisible thread. I can't wait to see how my stitching friends decide to finish their little bells.
This SAL is hosted by Heather at Stitching Lotus.
As of April 1st, the members of the Ground Self-Defence Force will have new uniforms. This is the first design change since 1991. About 150,000 GSDF members will wear the new uniforms at a cost of about 33 billion yen. I don't know what the old uniforms looked like, but these look very smart.
In Japan, many (most?) people wear uniforms, from school children to adult workers to martial arts participants. Even people who wear suits have a sort of uniform because they are all plain black or navy suits, nothing bright or flashy. Where I work, they wear a company jacket/shirt over their regular clothes. I think it identifies everyone as team, no matter what their jobs are. The only uniform I can remember wearing is my girl scout uniform. I never had a job that required wearing a uniform.
What about where you live? Are uniforms the norm?
I went to Naha and was gone for six days. I'm back and will soon post about the trip. As always, I took three projects on vacation with me. Here's what I stitched while away.
I finished these six felt snowman ornaments. (I cut out all the shapes before I left.)
I basted just seven hexagons.
I worked a little on some new fobs with a pretty Anchor floss.
It was a relaxing trip and I was able to do stitch here and there while I was gone.
I never tire of looking at Mt. Fuji.
I am already thinking about climbing it in the summer (the climbing season is July 10th - September 10th). I tried last summer, but had to turn back. Maybe this is the year to get to the top. I walk quite a bit, but I know that walking on the flat isn't the same as walking up hill (up mountain?), so my weekend training includes walking to the station and going up and down the train station steps.
I took these pictures below when I was walking by and think this route will be in my future for training too.
I'm away and don't have a temperature block to show today, but I'll have two next week! Instead I'll just post a few of my favorite finished EPP projects.
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| Apron |
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| Travel Jewelry Holder |
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| Sewing Machine Cover |
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| IPad Holder |
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| Bed Quilt |
These two are on the Odawara Castle grounds. I wasn't so impressed with them and would skip them, if I were to go back. What do you think?
Samarai Gallery
Castle Museum
After visiting the shrine, the castle, these two museums and watching the yabusame competition, it was time to head for home.
