Quick post

Just to let you know that I'm at the Carolina Fiber Fest for three full days. Friday, I met lots of "internet" friends face-to-face. It means so much to make that connection! Groups came from New Bern, Wilmington, Richmond (Va), Cary, and of course Raleigh. This is SO much fun. Honestly, I'm having a ball :)

Book news: Yes, it finally arrived! I managed to send out 50 copies before Fiber Fest and I'll get back to the rest next week. If you ordered through PayPal, you will get a notice of shipping. Please be patient. I'm working like a dog here trying to get everything done. It's it weird how everything happens at once!

Friends Meg and Richard gave me flowers and champagne for my 60th birthday. Aren't these lilies beautiful!

Kokeshi Collection

Here they are - all the girls and boys with their temari. New ones, old ones. Paper one in the middle made of washi instead of wood. Some in the back demurely peeking around the others. Some hidden by the taller folk.

Treasures from Japan - dolls, dolls, and more dolls

I've never been much of a collector. No coins or stamps. No big fabric or thread stash. But over the last few years, it seems that I just can't resist the darling, wooden kokeshi dolls from Japan. Not all of them. Just the ones with temari, especially the older vintage dolls. Here are a few of my favorites. Don't they just make you smile?

Happy as this little guy

My life is super busy right now. I hope to be back to blogging about temari in a week or so. In the meantime, I hope you are feeling the smile!

More from the Nishijin Textile Center in Kyoto

Our first stop on a Sunday morning was to this colorful textile center in Kyoto. The second floor was filled with thousands of goodies to purchase and demonstrations in spinning, weaving, painting on fabric, embroidery and other textile arts. Of course, the temari grabbed my eye right away!

Temari at the Nishijin Center

Cool sites for playing

WeaveSilk

When I have time on my hands (like, NOT now!), I go to Stumbleupon for inspiration. I'm looking for sites that are artistic, fun, and just plain feel good. Here are just a few of the coolest places on the web. I saved them for you, just for this day.....

Weddings and a Prom

Not much temari for me right now. We are celebrating a couple of weddings in our family so I'll be traveling. This weekend my daughter attended her senior prom. There is so much to do with her during these last couple of months in high school. Exciting but busy, busy, busy! Here she is - all dressed and ready to join her friends...