February already and more sashiko in the works

In January I finished Noelle's sashiko throw (no batting)... here are a couple of close ups and I will get photos of the whole thing this week when I give it to her! 

My niece Alyssa is making an improv "row by row" quilt for her sister and I'm helping with a couple of the rows - scrappy waves: 

And messy log cabin blocks - on my sewing/guest room "design bed" below - 

Another niece, Stephanie, had a baby shower and the food was set up so cute with a "book" theme... 

I forgot to get a photo of the simple baby quilt I made her!  It's nice to live 2 hours drive away now that we are in North Carolina.  I can't believe I've lived here three years already! 

Meanwhile our little local grand daughter Chloe sweet as can be here with one of the quilts I made her -  

Last week I basted another sashiko throw - this one for my brother and sister in law - here's the backing - and this time I'm experimenting using very thin batting in between the indigo layers. 

Basting went fast, easy with Netflix on my laptop - 

Per Susan Briscoe's instructions, I hemmed the throw right after basting.  Tougher to do with batting, however thin the batting is (Cream Rose). 

Two weeks ago Tommy and Camille went to Tokyo, and this week David was in Tokyo.  We tried hard to coordinate timing but it didn't work out so I stayed home.  

Here's Camille barely visible in a dish shop in Kappabashi (kitchen district).  

In other news...  after debating for a couple of years, it looks like we have decided to get a golden-doodle puppy (medium sized) in the spring (I put down a deposit).... Very exciting except for when I'm having second thoughts.  It is so nice to be able to leave the house without a care in the world.  And yet, I do miss having a dog! 

Hope all of you my far-flung quilty buddies are having a good start to February... 

xo

Cynthia 

Tokyo trip - days 11 and 12

 Tokyo trip, continued. 

On Saturday and Sunday, we packed in as much fun, food, shopping with Kaela and Liz as we could.  What a whirlwind with Kaela in town for only two nights, just for the concert really, before getting back to Charlotte and the twins.  

The girls LOVED the concert as well - 

We met them afterwards - 

And taxied to get some sushi - and debrief the greatest concert any of us has ever seen. 

And the next afternoon, we all flew home.  At the airport Kaela needed David's help packing in souvenirs;). 

One last sushi lunch at the airport - 

Tired and happy Kaela.  And grateful parents.  We loved seeing her and we were very touched that she made it possible for us to see Taylor Swift in concert.  

Sayonara Tokyo.  We love you. 

xo

Cynthia 

Tokyo trip - Taylor Swift Eras Concert!

 

Well, now you know, one of the big reasons for me going to Tokyo with David on this business trip - I am a confirmed Swiftie.  So is Kaela.  She had gotten tickets for Indianapolis this November (and surprised me by saying "you are going, Mom";))...  but the date turned out to be in conflict with a family wedding.  

So, Kaela got tickets for Tokyo (!), and David already had a business trip planned for that time, so it was meant to be and it got me onto a plane back to Japan.  

Two of the four tickets turned out to be fraudulent (STRESS), and after a lot of phone calls over multiple days with Stub Hub, and a few other false starts, we were able to secure two tickets, for a different night.  So David and I went to the concert Friday, and Kaela and Liz went on Saturday. 

All I can say, is that it was absolutely wonderful, totally worth it, and unforgettable, for all four of us.  

The last time I was at Tokyo Dome, David and I were getting COVID vaccines.  Before that, I would come to Tokyo Dome for the Quilt Festival.  Never could I have imagined a date night with David at Tokyo Dome to see Taylor Swift.  

Cute and random Japanese snack - strawberry icecream, with one single tortilla chip.  Don't ask, just enjoy!  lol. 

David's t-shirt - iykyk 

Our row number - lucky 13 - 

Believe it or not, we got happy meals after the concert.  lol. 

Thank you for indulging me on these Tokyo posts.  One more to go.  

xo

Cynthia 

Tokyo trip - days 9-10

Tokyo trip continued... 

Day 9 - On Thursday I spent the day with Kaela's sister in law Liz.  She is so fun and this was her first trip to Tokyo.  Liz is a nurse practitioner with a heart of gold and a penchant for high-end shopping.  So, Omotesando shopping street was her happy place.  First up, we met David during his lunch hour for gyoza. 

We then headed to Midtown, another shopping place that is near where I used to live.  Here, Liz ran into a gal from Singapore with two Pomeranians in a double stroller and I couldn't pull her away! 

Everything is so fresh and beautiful in Japan.  They value seasonality.  This salad of burrata cheese, olive oil, basil, and seasonal fruits, was just delectable. 

And the best pizza we've ever had at PST (Pizza Studio Tamaki).  We have known Tamaki since 2011, and we always enjoy his pizza whenever we are in Tokyo. 

Tamaki is from Okinawa and is about to open another branch of the restaurant there. 

Day 10 - Afuri Ramen for lunch with Liz, and some walking around Azabu Juban, our first neighhorhood when we lived in in Japan 2011-2013.  

I will post next about Friday night... hint... yes, I am a confirmed SWIFTIE. 

Tokyo trip Days 6-8 - Nippori, Costume Museum

 

My Tokyo trip, continued.

Day 6 - a snowy Monday on my own.  

This was the day I planned for nothing at all, as a buffer.  As it turns out, it was a rainy, then snowy, cozy day.  I took the hotel shuttle bus a short way up the hill, to Meguro station, just to explore around there a little bit. 

There was a little mall area with multiple floors, with food stalls, a grocery store, a Uniqlo, a MUJI, and a neat little office supplies shop. 

Strawberry season.  I mean, just so good. 

Lots of pre-packaged Valentines Day gifts everywhere. 

Food stalls - 

Back at the hotel, I stopped in to the lounge for a little complimentary snack and to enjoy the nice garden view.  Hot cocoa and rice crackers with peanuts, and candied pineapple.  

 

Day 7 - meet-up in Nippori 

On a cold and rainy Tuesday I took the train to Nippori station and met Christina Y for a little fabric shopping and lunch.  First stop, the little shop that sells Liberty fabrics.  I only had one agenda item and that was to find some backing fabric for my Flower Garden quilt. 

You can get 10 cm cuts.  I just love coming here when I'm in Nippori.  The exchange rate was in my favor this time too. 

We took a little stroll around Yanaka, enjoying the quiet aftermath of Monday's snowstorm. 

Weather report - complete with outerwear suggestions;). 

Day 8 - meet-up with Carin and Julie! 

On Wednesday David and I switched hotels.  The new one was close to his work, much smaller room, but really nice view. 

And then I met Carin (QueeniePatch) and Julie (My Quilt Diary) for a fun outing to see an exhibit of costumes at the "Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum" in Shinjuku.  

So fun getting together at long last, post-Covid. 

Unfortunately, no photos allowed beyond this point. 

Afterwards we stopped into a little cafe for a snack and leisurely chat.  What a gift to be able to meet up with good friends in Tokyo.  My heart felt so full. 

xo

Cynthia