In Japan, there are three big holiday (travel) times - New Year's, Golden Week, and Obon. Everyone has the same holidays so it is very crowded and expensive all over the country.
Golden Week is made up of four national holidays in a seven day period. Adding in the weekend days, this makes for a nine day holiday period.
Today (April 29th) is Showa Day, the birthday of the former Emperor Showa, who died in 1989. Because this falls on a Sunday this year, it is observed on Monday.
Constitution Day is May 3rd. The postwar constitution went into effect on this day in 1947.
Greenery Day is May 4th and is dedicated to the environment and nature.
Children's Day (Boy's Day) is celebrated on May 5th. Families hang up carp streamers and display samurai dolls to pray for the future success of their sons. Girl's Day is celebrated on March 3rd.
I am taking a little trip this week and I'll post all about it when I return! Have a great week.
This month's ornament was designed by Carole Rodgers and called Hardanger Poinsettia on White. I did not use the called for fabric or threads. I finished the ornament with cording I made from #5 perle, a store bought tassel, and moire fabric for the backing.
I'm linking up with Heather, at Stitching Lotus, the hostess of this stitch a long.
I finished the chicken scratch into a dresser scarf or runner, not sure what to call it. (I guess I should have given it a press before taking the picture.)
I did not line it and just turned the edges under and stitched by hand.