Moon Dragon Finish

I really enjoyed working on the Sun Dragon and the DragonMaster, but the Moon Dragon… well, not so much.  Near the end, it’s been a real chore to work on it.  I’m glad it is finished!

 

Next on my big project list to work on, and hopefully finish, is the Queen. 

 

I’m linking up with SharonB’s Work in Progress Wednesday.  You can join in to be encouraged to work on (and finish) your big projects or take a look at the projects of others.

Take a Stitch Tuesday - 108 Rice and 109 Square Boss

The rice stitch is a favorite of mine.  I recently used the diagonal rice stitch to make this box top. 

 

I also used the rice stitch as part of my RSN Knot Garden, with knots and beads on top of the rice stitch base.

 

The square boss is new to me, but very similar to the rice stitch, so it wasn’t difficult. I tried it out with perle #8 (ecru) and perle #5 (blue).

 

 

Check out Take a Stitch Tuesday at Pintangle.

Monday Morning Star Count - 314

Eight more flowers this week for a total of 314.

 

I’m linking up with Jessica at Life Under Quilts. 

Fleas and Snow White

What a great day we had yesterday!  We headed out of the house at 9 am so that we could get the 9:25 am bus to Sapporo.  Once in Sapporo, we went to the subway and bought the Donichika tickets for 500 yen each.  It’s available on weekends and holidays and good for as many subway rides as you can make in a day. We more than got our money’s worth. Our first destination was the Hokkaido International School’s Spring Bazaar and flea market.   I went to this event last year by myself.  Ted must have been on a field trip that day because he loves to go to flea markets. We had a little walk from the subway station, but it wasn’t too far.

 

It was held in the school gymnasium and there was also a food area with the senior class selling Thai curry and Indian curry meals for 400 yen.  Both had meat so I passed them up, but Ted enjoyed the Thai curry.  Proceeds from the curry sales were for the benefit of an orphanage in Thailand.

 

Ted found quite a few fleas – some books, a Japanese print, a hammock, some brass bell things, a tool set, and maybe some other things.  I bought a mola for 500 yen, two beautiful saris for 500 yen for both, and some Japanese looking cotton print fabric – three for 300 yen.  We were both happy with our purchases.

 

Then we went back to Odori Park to see flowers – the snow is gone in Sapporo.

 

Our next destination was Hokusei Girls’ High School to see the play, Snow White in English! I have attended Tea Ceremony and Kanji workshops at this school in the past. Some of the tea ceremony girls recognized me and waved from across the auditorium.

 

It was fantastic! The girls were adorable and their English excellent. They sang and danced – it was amazing! The costumes were perfect.  I thought there would be many English speaking foreigners in the audience, but I was wrong. The audience was mostly other students in their sailor uniforms.

 

Before leaving Sapporo, we had dinner at a soba restaurant.

 

 

Walking home from the bus stop, we saw this life size Marilyn on someone's porch.  It must be spring.

Stitching with Friends

I stitch with two little groups each week.  On Friday afternoons I stitch with another English teacher from the university.  We compare notes on our classes and students while we stitch.  Sometimes we work on hexagon paper pieced flowers and I was happy to hear she is teaching this to her neighbor. This week, she worked on a cross stitch fob and I worked on my moon dragon. 

 

There are four of us in the other group, but one had a baby recently and is taking a little break from stitching.  We are all working on canvas knot gardens.

 

It’s not the same as my stitch groups in the US were, but nothing here in Japan is the same.   I am happy to have stitching friends.

Coca-cola at our Door

We often have people knock on our door, usually missionaries or newspaper salespeople.  I think most of them are surprised to see Americans when we answer the door.  This week, a woman trying to sell coca-cola subscriptions came to our door.  Who knew you could get coke products delivered to your home?  In the US, there are many different coke sodas.  Here, there is regular coke and many kinds of coffee and tea drinks and bottled water.  She gave us these free samples, even though we didn’t order anything.

 

The snow keeps melting, we are happy to report.  Jizo is free from the snow, but still wearing his winter clothes.  I don’t know, why but I am fascinated by the gifts people leave.

 

We’ve been feeding the Tsugumi birds on our balcony all winter, but now the spring birds are making their appearances.

The university put up a new sign at the entrance.  Ted wants everyone to see they’ve added the name in English!

Repurposing a Kimono

I purchased this silk kimono at the second hand store. An elderly Japanese woman would fit into this garment, but it was too small for me! The lining was a little worn but the outside still beautiful. I forgot to take a photo before I started cutting into it, but here are some photos of some smaller areas.  The flowers seem to be painted on.  The white flowers are much thicker than the other areas.

I made a circular bag with drawstrings, and little toolies for the inside.  I made all of the cording for this project from #5 perle cotton.

Pin wheel – front and back

 

Scissor fob

 

Three sided thimble holder (pinch to open)

Needlebook

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Rhoda!