Quilted wall hanging for the river house

I have a bad habit of working on a lot of different projects at the same time. Lately, my choices have been huge and time consuming! I guess I just get bored with one thing and pick up something else for a while. So while I have not completed my little crazy quilt (the embroidery is all done - I just need to assemble it now) and I have not completed writing for the next online temari class (Desert Spirit), I started something else. Using up stash fabric is part of my New Year's resolution so the timing feels right.

Three panel walling hanging

I love the tile on the island on my kitchen for pressing large projects!

For many, many years (more than I like to count), I've collected fabric from Japan. We've got this new (to us) little house down on the Pamlico River and the walls are bare and bleak. So I'm making a wall hanging to go above the sofa. The three panels are nice "cheater" cloths - printed scroll-shaped panels from Japan. The sashing is from a wedding kimono and just glows against the dark blue of the panels. I added just a pop of red batik in the 1/2" border to echo the red in the panels. The outside border is an upholstery fabric with fantastic texture to contrast with the other textures in the quilt.

Yes, there is temari here! Just a little block in each corner.

Just a touch of temari on the quilt - a block in each corner.

I can always see improvements and things that I'd like to do for the next project. Next time, I'll add hand embroidery to the panels before I assemble the quilt. Wouldn't that moon look great with reverse applique using the same wedding kimono fabric?!! I'd I would continue the wheat onto the moon with embroidery. The center panel has infinite opportunities for embellishment. While the crane panel doesn't need much (I do love its simplicity), some sashiko quilting would really set it off. Just a touch here and there.

Back to pinning.....

Temari Addict Australia celebrates 4 years!

It's hard for me to believe that Rebecca has been blogging for four years now. Congratulations on making such a cheerful and interesting place to visit, Rebecca. May you have many, many more years on the web!

Rebecca is holding a contest. Visit her blog and leave a comment. You'll be entered in a drawing for some Kyo thread from Japan!

Here is the link to Temari Addict Australia

Interlocking Pentagons Temari

This temari caught my eye the very first time I looked through the Japanese temari book Flower Temari from the Kaga Region of Kyoto (Kaga Hana Temari) by Takahara, published in 1992 by Macaw. I finally got around to stitching it last week and am really pleased with the result. Now, I'm off to buy some variegated perle cotton to make another.

Here is what you do:

Stitch around the outside of one of the pentagons marked on a C10. Keep going until the corners meet the centers of the 4-part diamonds. Then stitch the same pentagon around the other centers on the C10, interlocking them as you go. Fill in the remaining space with solid pentagon stitching in a contrasting color.

There are so many temari in this book that I want to try!

Stitch along on TemariChallenge

Joan Z. is leading us in a stitch along for a temari that has wrapped bands that are woven! I love this design. It was quite challenging and totally worth the time for the weaving. Thanks Joan!

Here is a link to our group. If you are not already a member, please join us for sharing and learning temari.

I've gone "crazy"

Such fun! Crazy quilting with Judith Baker Montano

Getting ready for class with Judith Baker Montano

I got into the class at Campbell Folk School!

Judith Baker Montano is one of my idols in the fiber arts field. Her diagrams inspired me when I began drawing for temari. When we went to Japan in the fall of 2011, I collected bits of fabric from the temple markets and we dyed some indigo pieces during the workshops on the tour. They have been waiting patiently for me to find time and inspiration to create a wall hanging to remember that trip and the years that I lived in Japan in the late 1980s. So, last fall when I saw her class listed at Campbell, I signed up right away to get her expert help in creating a wall hanging full of wonderful memories. I was first on the waiting list and found out in early January that I got in. Yay!

Going out on a limb and risking true embarrassment, I'll share how I've prepared and later, I'll share what I learned.

In class, we will be making four crazy quilt blocks and students will be using them in whatever project they choose. Mine will be the center focus of a wall hanging - the four squares filled with squiggles in this diagram:

Here the fabric laid out on the island in my kitchen:

Each crazy quilt block is made on a 12" square piece of muslin. The small brown squares are pieces that I purchased in Kyoto. They are resist designs dyed with kaki (persimmon) and are a lovely deep brown. The blue squares are cut from one panel, a cheater cloth of sorts also purchased in Japan.

This layout came about by trail and error - probably more errors that I know about now! Our kitchen island is just that wide and the background blue fabric is 55" wide (the length of the piece).  Maybe the whole thing should be a bit wider? I hope to get lots of help next week.

Ms. Montano asked us to bring 1/3 solids, 1/3 prints, and 1/3 textures to make the crazy quilt blocks. Most textures are also solids. She recommends 12 - 16 different fabrics to complete the four blocks. I have way more than that, especially in the prints pile. Those came from my stash and my mom's stash of quilting fabric. I've decided to work with blue and brown (on the orange side) as complementary colors. This is one of my favorite combinations and is traditional in Japan.

Retreat to the mountains!

focus fabrics

all fabrics

A new year brings a new resolution

Happy New Year!

2013

How can it be 2013 already???? It's time for my annual ritual of looking back at last year's successes and failures, good times and bad, and make a resolution for self-improvement. I really do like this time of year because it is so full of opportunity. I'm in a hallway with lots of open doors. So many possibilities. Which way should I go this year? It's never a scary thing because I can always begin again in the same place next year! And often I don't quite reach the goal I set for myself but I learn so much along the way that the effort pays off. No pressure.

I think this year I'll do nothing. 

Nothing new, that is. And I'll take more time to do it. Sally Mavor posted a link to a blog post about time and creativity. This is just what I need! My next step into the art of temari involves creating six unique designs for the top, the very top, level of certification given by the Japan Temari Association. I still have so much to learn about temari and need time to explore more temari techniques. Quiet, all-alone time to stitch and experiment.

I'll need some clear space as well as time for creativity and right now, my project pile is a mile high and my sewing room/studio is packed with jumbled up supplies and projects half-begun and ideas jotted on paper in piles around the room. First step for the new year is to finish up as much as I can and sort and clean.

We have an old denim slip cover. Here is a photo from the internet of a new one.

Ours is so worn that it really needs to be replaced. But the denim is still good enough to make one of those quilts with the seams on the outside. I've made one before and know it's easy and lots of fun.

 I had the flu over the holidays (yes, I did have a flu shot!) and while I was recovering, I tore the slip cover into long strips, 8" wide. Then I cut those into 8" squares. There are over 160 squares! I've been cleaning out my stash of blue fabric and hope to end up with another quilt soon.

First thing to finish: those denim quilts. 

Seems like a good place to start the new year. Beautiful blues.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The holiday season in the US is a bit darker, a bit sadder this year as we try to understand and cope with the tragic shooting a week ago. Whatever your faith, I'm sure your celebrations are softer and quieter. We'll all hold our loved ones a bit closer and a bit longer this year. I've been stitching a lot this week and that always brings me comfort and calm. I had planned to stitch all white temari this year and it seems fitting to continue. I find the subtle sheen of the pearl cotton and the little sparkle of thin gold metallic just charming.

2012 was another wonderful year for sharing temari. I love seeing  the temari displays, events, classes, and stitching group photos sent to me by temari friends all over the world. Thank you for your support throughout the year!

Peace on Earth, a prayer

Taking a holiday break

Happy Holidays, everyone!

My little temari shop will be closed from December 15, 2012, until January 15, 2013.

Many of the temari will be given away or sold over the break. So, please order now if you see any that you’d like to purchase. I will continue to have lots of books and supplies.

Barb

JapaneseTemari.com

Vintage Temari and Cranes

I love collecting vintage temari that I find on eBay.  Here is one that I recently purchased because I have not seen the details of the crane's body on a temari before. I know how to wrap threads to get the effect of the wings but have a look at the detail of the head, body and legs. All photos of this temari were taken by the seller.

You really get the full effect of a crane with its wings spread. I experienced this close-up when we visited the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin last month. I was wearing dark grey pants and a black jacket with a red turtle neck shirt peeking out (that's me on the right). One of the cranes strutted over to the fence where I stood and went into a full display squawking like crazy with wings spread up and out. He thought I was a crane. Before we entered, a staff member told us not to interact with the cranes so I stood still and just giggled. Couldn't help that!

This temari feels very hard and has small indentations at the poles so I'm fairly certain it was wrapped by machine. I've got some smaller ones made the same way. The body details are glued in place and are made of thin cord.

The body itself seems to be a piece of fuzzy fabric.

The addition of a formal knot and 8 inch long red and white tassels make for a stunning work of fiber art.

Moments of zen working on a new online class

Night fades to a calm, glassy river in the morning.

Beginner to intermediate class coming in 2013.

Desert Spirit with adaptations for Christmas Spirit and Water Spirit.

Need thread?

I need more metallic thread. Do you?

This is an opportunity for you to get your hands on 300 yard spools of thread from Rainbow Gallery. I need thread ASAP and will place the order on Monday morning at 9AM Eastern time, November 19. If you would like me to order cones for you, please contact me (barb@japanesetemari.com) and let me know what you would like. I will figure the postage and send you an invoice. I am not ordering individual cards at this time.

Prices:
Nordic Gold (any color) $19.50 per 300 yard spool
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?ID=70

Treasure Braid Petite (any color) $23.75
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?ID=372
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?ID=992

Note that Treasure Braid Petite shimmer colors and white pearl are slightly higher in price.

If you see any other thread on their website that you'd like to order in the bulk size, let me know and I will ask them about the price.

Etsy gift cards now available

I love etsy.com! It's so easy to set up a shop and they are constantly improving and adding new features.

Here is a link to my temari shop there:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JapaneseTemari

To purchase a gift card:
http://www.etsy.com/giftcards

I've cleaned out and tuned up the listings. They have a feature now so you can pay for your item directly through the etsy.com site. No need to go through PayPal any more although you can if you'd prefer. The new feature that I love is the ability to create a gift card when you check out. I hope you'll check it out!

I've stitched many temari for books.
Now they are for sale in the shop.

Kimekomi hand ball by Barbara B. Suess

If you missed the class, you can purchase the DVD.

We've come a long way baby!

Yes, we've come a long way! Last weekend, one of the best temari stitchers in the US (I say this with prejudice since she's a "bestie" and I promise that it's SO TRUE) participated in Whidbey Weavers Guild Annual Show and Sale.

Kathy Hewitt of Tacoma and Whidbey Island, Washington, spent weeks gathering her temari, packaging and pricing them for the sale. It was a lot of hard work and since this was the first show of this sort for her, she was a bit worried about it going well.

She was highly successful! Who wouldn't want one of her gorgeous creations? Sales were fantastic and she was excited to be able to introduce temari to so many like-minded artists. One of the best things about a show like this is being able to share your passion with so many interested people. Kathy said she talked so much, her voice was strained and her mouth dry. She made a lot of contacts for the future and I bet her classes will be filled with happy students. She is, after all, certified by the Japan Temari Association in Tokyo as Shihan (Master Instructor).

The idea for the display boxes came from Rebecca from Perth, another "temari addict".  We found them in the US at ClearBags.com. They have lots and lots of styles. What a gorgeous presentation!

In case you missed the event, Kathy shared lots of pictures with me to pass on to everyone interested in temari and fiber arts. We love the way the guild displayed her temari along with other items for sale. They made color-coordinated and eye-popping displays.

Kathy Hewitt's temari stacked and ready to transport to the sale.

OT Painting furniture fun

Saving money...finding old furniture in the attic, under the house, at garage sales. Paint! Uh, oh, this could be addictive!