Friday Finish - Two Coasters

I made these two hexagon coasters as a thank you gift. They measure about 7” x 7”, so big enough for a mug and a snack.

Throwback Thursday

From time to time, I like to look back on what I posted about on a certain date. These are the things I wrote about on April 17th.  Click on the year to read the full post.

2024 This was a Work in Progress Wednesday report with a lot of cross stitch and one candlewicking project.

2023  Monday Morning Star Count with two projects, including the chair cushion.

2022 That day’s post was about Sumpu Castle excavation.

2021 The post was about the cost of owning a pet in Japan.

2020 Friday Finish

2019 I was hand quilting Year 1 of the temperature quilts.

2018 This was a post about Mibaru Beach in Okinawa.

2017 On this date, I was working on the Christmas hexagon quilt.

2016 I received a cute card from my 4 year old English student.

2015 I started a new Hardanger project.

2014 I made a kimono into a sewing set.

2013  This was my 500th post and a Take A Stitch Tuesday post.

 

2012  On this date, I thought winter was over in Hokkaido.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Dogwood Afghan - progress on the fifth square

The Dressing Gown Squares - sixty squares cut

Hawaiian project

Japanese Pattern 41

Black Cats at the Verkehr Museum

This is one of my favorite museums and it is walking distance from my apartment. Adult admission is only 400 yen. It has two floors, the permanent first floor exhibit about ships and the history of Shimizu Port, and the changing exhibit on the second floor. The current upstairs exhibit is “The Black Cat Kitan Kohnosuke Sakazaki Collection”. 

Kohnosuke Sakazaki is the singer and guitarist of the Japanese rock band Alfee, which was formed in Tokyo in 1973. I don’t know the story of how this collection began, and photos are not allowed on the second floor.  I’m guessing there are thousands of cats in this collection. They were made in Japan from the Taisha to the Showa eras and distributed domestically and abroad. Black cats were seen as symbols of good luck and prosperity. The cats on display are small, some are tiny. The cats are in every shape, and form all kinds of decorative purposes. There are post cards, advertisements, toys, vases and tiny boxes, every kind of cute adornment you can think of. There is fabric printed with the cats, cats made of metal and ceramic, and other materials. There are little mother cats attached to tiny kittens with tinier chains. There are dancing cats and sitting cats, sleeping cats and flat cats. 

The exhibit is through May 11th.  I might have to go again.

The picture above is from the museum website. 

The photo above is from the instagram account of Kohnosuke Sakazaki‘s instagram account.

I crossed the street from the museum to see the cruise ship that was in the port. Before the pandemic, it seemed like there were more frequent cruise ships in port. Maybe the cruise ships are coming back again.

Monday Morning Star Count

I continue working on this pretty much all the time. I’m quilting the borders at two inch intervals.

Suijinja in Springtime

Don’t you love seeing cherry blossoms at the shrines? I saw this when I was out for a walk.

Stitch Group Thursday

We met Thursday afternoon and worked on our Hawaiian projects. I hadn’t worked on mine since the last time we met. We had two special guests - the hostess stitcher’s daughter and two month old grandbaby. I love getting together with my stitching friends!

Friday Finish - Little Red Riding Hood Box

This will be a gift for a young ballerina who will be dancing the part of Little Red Riding Hood next month.

In The Neighborhood

 I love where I live.

Work In Progress Wednesday

New Start - Little Red Riding Hood

The Scarf Progress - both sides, then a closer look at each side.

Dressing Gown - I cut more squares.  I now have 41.

Dogwood Afghan progress - starting square five

Japanese Pattern 40