Simple finish for the Tenugui Quilt... and Boston ladies visit NC

The Tenugui Quilt is finished, with a bubblegum pink binding, which I think is fun and works well with the pops of red in the quilt.   The backing is over 20 years old;).  I just had a lot of it and never could get rid of it! 

I made quick work of this quilt.  I just wanted to get it done, and I'm pretty happy with it.  I stitched in the ditch, and quilted a square in the middle of each star block, and just anything in the plain tenugui blocks. 

The true blues photograph well in the shade. 

Memories of Japan, again, in a very usable utilitarian quilt.  It was this time last year that I started our transition to North Carolina.  I guess after a year it's time to accept that we live here, lol.  A "55 degrees and sunny" day like today helps a lot! 

I think I will keep this quilt in the sewing/guest room upstairs for now. 

It can travel between that room and "the dorm":

Last weekend, I had a "Boston ladies" visit from three dear old friends, who came here from far and wide to  hold babies, and stay up into the wee hours talking.  So much catching up, all the emotions,  such a gift to have each one of them here.

Left to right, Natasha (Texas), Emily (Massachusetts), Alyson (Utah) and yours truly (ok ok, North Carolina it is!).    

I started tacking back the pink binding while they were here so the quilt will also remind me of that special weekend.  

We all share some sort of Japan connection.  Natasha, Alyson and I had lived there years apart from each other; and Emily just welcomed her daughter home from missionary service there.  It's just such a small world. 

xo

Cynthia 

Making needle books for Blue and White - bliss!

In the past few months I've been working on a special project, designing and making little needle books.  It is so fun and satisfying.

Amy Katoh, owner of the iconic Blue and White shop in Azabu Juban, liked my samples and we made a plan.  She asked to specify the fabric, giving me a bag of vintage indigo scraps to sort through, as well as beautiful washi buttons to use.  You KNOW this made my heart go pitter patter.  I liked the challenge of working with the quirky and limited palette she gave me.

So, I set out to work, washing the fabric, sorting it into usable/not usable (stained).... and made more samples to show Amy...

Then upon approval, piecing piecing piecing, in full production mode the past couple weeks:

The pages are woolen and felt, and the ties vary from French ribbon to organic Japanese cording, to flax.

When I brought them in to Blue and White, Yoshiura-sensei patiently taught me how to finger knit my own cording...... which could be a great possibility for future books (time allowing).

The theme is mottainai - nothing wasted.  For me, nothing could be better than playing with fabric, piecing and creating one little panel after another, and sew them into something practical, and pretty.   I'm pleased as punch that they will be offered at Blue and White, a shop I admire so much. 

And speaking of shops, my buddy Kazuko K (she blogs at cocolog-nifty here) took me to the cutest embroidery/fabric shop, in Jiyugaoka.  She's a delight to spend time with - a really remarkable person.  Anyway the shop is called Hobbyra Hobbyre and there are branches here and there - so special. 

Kazuko also showed me to a little indoor mall also near the train station - a very eclectic mix of specialty shops all lined up.  Tiny shops - stalls really.  You name it - clothing, birds (!), bags, kimonos, office supplies, a deli....

and yes, a little fabric shop called Pico.  Only in Japan!

That's all for now.... looking forward to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival next week.  Bracing myself for the crowds, and anticipating lots of inspiration. 

xo
Cynthia

sashiko, typhoon, Asakusa Ufufu

It was a strange week here.  We were hit with the biggest storm in decades.  For most of us, all was and is well, but for some, the big typhoon brought flooding, landslides, evacuation, even tragic loss of life.

David and I were grateful to be in our sturdy building, on the 5th of 8 floors, with no loss of power or water.  We were prepared with plenty of food, flashlights, and all devices fully charged.  We kept our heavy outer curtains closed, and hunkered down.  (I just looked up the literal definition of "hunker down" and came across this funny definition from urban dictionary.  No, we did not play this game - but we ate plenty of junk food). 

Empty shelves at our neighborhood "conbini" (convenience store):

It was a time for ... Netflix, reading, stitching.  I'm working on a new, small sashiko project -

We had 30+ hours of continuous heavy rain.  Some strong winds, and even a small earthquake in the middle of it all.

The next morning we were happy to see this old soul still standing strong in our nearby park:

A couple days before the storm, I was at sashiko class at Blue and White, where all the talk was on storm prep.  I finished sewing up this little pouch - for keeping my sashiko things tidy and portable.  Design is by our sensei, Kazuko Yoshiura.

The motif is scissors or thread snips -  hasami (はさみ) -

I prefer using small scissors on a lanyard when I stitch:

Meanwhile, I've started to introduce sashiko to some ladies here from my church, in small groups now and then, casual and simple - but I keep forgetting to take photos!  Small groups are ideal for learning just about anything!

In other news, last week a few of us went to the nearby neighborhood of Asakusa.  It has an old Japan feel -- well, with a touristy veneer.  Just off the beaten path is this charming gift shop, Ufufu, where we saw so many treasures - bags and wonderful furoshiki (風呂敷) wrapping cloths.  Corrie and I had met the owner, Ito-san, at a class we took together.

Not *everything* in my life needs to be indigo! ;)

Julie W, Corrie, Ito-san, me, Aya

Here's another group of friends - hope they enjoyed their photo shoot.  

They stood stock still for so long - good little doggies.  You never know what you might see on the streets of Tokyo. ;) . 

Thanks for reading - til next time -

xo
Cynthia

Tokyo Quilt and Stitch Show, ladies getting together

I randomly bought this magazine and I'm so glad I did, because it alerted me to a terrific quilt show at "Sunshine City" here in Tokyo.   

Just a few of my favorites from the show: 

I was on the lookout for a Yumiko Higuchi embroidery piece - look at this beauty:  

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower detail 

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower detail 

A terrific quilt from Keiko Goke: 

Keiko Goke Heart Series II

Keiko Goke, detail 

Keiko Goke, detail 

Julie W and Tammy were with me.  It's nice to wander a show together and apart, together and apart... 

 We all loved this one, by, (I think - according to Google translate), Akiko Hirata: 

Izumo Beauty, by Akiko Hirata 

detail, Izumo Beauty, Akiko Hirata

When I heard someone speaking in a microphone (of course I didn't understand a word), and saw this crowd, and that quilt, I asked a guard... "Chuck Nohara?" and he nodded.  Yes, THE quilt icon, in the house!  Too bad I couldn't understand a word she was saying!  It sounded like a Q&A session. 

She was there promoting her new book, a collection of her antique American quilts. 

If you are unfamiliar, read this fabulous post by Elizabeth of OPQuilt.   All I can say is.... tempted, so tempted.  

And on our way out, a little silliness (only in Japan): 

Last week I also got together with Kazuko K (she has a "Nifty" blog here.  I can't seem to subscribe to it or add it to my sidebar).  I know Kazuko from when we studied sashiko together at Blue and White with Kazuko Yoshiura-sensei.

 Kazuko gave me some precious pieces of indigo left over from her long ago sashiko projects:

And, bonus!  She went with me to the grocery store to show me her favorite curry mix, and just the right pickles to serve with curry.  It means so much to have a Japanese friend share these tips for living!

And then yesterday, Julie (My Quilt Diary) and I met up (yes, I am selfie-challenged):

Julie brought along her trademark handwork, which she carries everywhere.  She sews everything by hand, so beautifully.

More indigo from a friend's stash - thank you Julie!

When we left Japan in 2013, after our two years here, I didn't know we would ever be back.  It's so nice to see both of these remarkable wise women and start again where we left off!

Not a lot of quilting this week but one day I had to be available 9:00 - 3:00 to wait for a fire alarm inspection,

so it was a good window of time for piecing log cabins:   

xo
Cynthia