New 500 Yen Coin

 

The Finance Ministry announced that Japan will begin issuing the newly redesigned 500 yen coin in November.  The original April release date was postponed due delayed updates to ticket and automated teller machines, caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The new 500 yen coins feature two colors to prevent counterfeiting and are the first redesign since 2000. Around 200 million new coins will be minted this year. The five billion coins currently in circulation will still be usable. 

New bank notes will be released in Japan in 2024. 

How often are new coins or banknotes released where you live?

Work In Progress Wednesday

Sneek Sampler -Still working on the left side, mistake still on the right side.

Bunny Afghan

Scarf 

I started a new project -  a miniature rug, and have been working on it quite a bit.  This is a Janet Granger kit.

Sunday Stitch Group - More Mola and Some Fobs

The stitch group met on Sunday.  One person made some tulip fobs and the rest of us worked on our molas. 

Here are photos of the progress on their projects.

Until next time...

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 53

Year four of the temperature quilt 

Week 53 - Yes, this year has an extra week

April 25 - May 1 

72, 64, 66, 73, 68, 77, 73

I have the blocks together and a thin border.  I'm still thinking about other borders and backing.

I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Four temperature/color scheme remains the same as previous years: 

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 

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.

Be On The Lookout in Yokohama

A three and a half meter, 13 kilogram, pet python escaped from a second floor apartment in Yokohama Thursday evening.  The owner notified the police about 9:30 pm when he returned home and his pet was missing. This species is considered one of the largest snakes in the world, and while not venomous, the python is able to constrict and suffocate its prey. The owners of these pets must get government permission to keep the reptiles. Police think the snake escaped through an open window to a mountain area behind the apartment building. Of course they would say that!  

Yikes! Do you think big snakes like this should be allowed to be kept in apartments? I understand having a cat or a dog for a pet, but I don't get having a big snake.

The Panda Mailbox

I saw this photo on Japan Today.  The cute mailbox is located near Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.  I wish there was a Panda Mailbox in my neighborhood.

Friday Finish - Ski Children Ornament

 This little design came from the Danish Handcraft Guild Book, Counted Cross-Stitch Designs for Christmas. It measures about 4" x 6".

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

 

When I was in high school, I was a flag carrier with the marching band.  The band played a lot of songs by the band Chicago. I haven't thought of the marching band or those songs in many years.

I saw this clock in the stream when I was out for a walk and the song "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" has been in my head ever since. If you don't know it, check out this short YouTube video.

Work In Progress Wednesday

I picked up this scarf project this week and put some new stitches in it. This was the first post in 2015. I think it was lost for a long time.

The afghan is coming along. It's starting to look like a couple of rabbits.

I made a little cross stitch. Another little freebie from this site.

After unstitching a lot, the Sneek Sampler still has a mistake on the right side. I unstitched quite a bit, but it still isn't right.  I decided to stitch on the left side until I can figure it out.

I did just a bit more on the mola fish.

WIP/UFO Report

I last posted about my WIP/UFO's here.  This is my latest update. I've taken out the finished projects and added the new ones. Bold titles show the ones I have worked on in 2021. In case you are wondering, I did finish a few things - and they can be seen here.

Mola

Year 2 of the Temperature Quilt 

Year 3 of the Temperature Quilt 

Year 4 of the Temperature Quilt 

The House Quilt

The Midnight Mystery Quilt 

Flower Applique Wall Hanging

Hexagon Block Wall Quilt

The Hexie Tree Wall Quilt 

Ribbon Album Wall Quilt

Mary Queen of Scots  

Bess of Hardwick 

Paisley Purse

RSN Knot Garden 

RSN Rice Fields

The Miniature Rug 

Miniature Footstool

Miniature Chair Cushion 

Silk Gauze Cat 

EGA Drawn Thread GCC

Blue Hardanger 

White Hardanger - Linda Driscoll

Kogin

Bunny Afghan

Dogwood Afghan 

Winter Banner

New Year's Eve Mystery

Sneek Sampler

Ski Children Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch Tree Ornament 

Cross Stitch Heart 

Cross Stitch Little Toolie Set

Little Cross Stitch Piece

Cross Stitch Ornament 

Sashiko Table Runner

Temari

Fashionable Ladies 

Scarf

Little Dragonfly Stumpwork Project

Sardinian Filet

I think visiting this list from time to time is helpful.  It reminds me what I have that is still unfinished (and also how many things are still unfinished).