Today's Hari-Kuyo

The days are flying past me here in Chilly Hollow, but Pamela reminded me that today is Hari-Kuyo, the Japanese day to honor our needles.

https://hokkaidokudasai.blogspot.com/2024/02/hari-kuyo.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Folding Twig Scissors for Travel

Just stumbled across these Japanese folding scissors.  They appear to be around five+ inches long, so they are bigger than most embroidery scissors.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/collections/notions/products/japanese-scissors

They are called Plus Pen Style Twiggy Scissors.  They fold into the pen shape and are locked when you put the cap on.  They are plastic and I suspect not that durable but they are a great pair of scissors to toss into your stitching bag for travel.  Note that I don't know how airport security would look at these, but they aren't very expensive if they are confiscated.

https://kawaiipenshop.com/products/plus-twiggy-pen-style-scissors

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 7, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Miniature Scissors from Japan

I find Japanese scissors to be very high quality so I was thrilled when someone on Facebook mentioned Cohana Seiko Mini Scissors.  They are said to cut very well.
https://www.connectingthreads.com/cohana-seki-mini-scissors/p/82673?media=PPCBNBT&msclkid=75b6ae003e521c5ed084f2d58c665742&utm_source=media&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=PPCBNBT

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Is Blue and White a New Trend in Needlepoint?

I just added these to the Destination Dallas 2016 tab--

Lycette Designs is partnering with Indigo Home Shop to bring some of their lovely work to needlepoint canvases.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2016/10/indigo-home-shop-lycette-designs/

Blue Dogwood Designs has a few special sachets with matching canvases. The sachets are made from Japanese indigo-dyed fabrics.
https://www.facebook.com/BlueDogwoodDesigns/photos/a.200573464851.166776.200567374851/10155635572324852/?type=3&theater

I'm starting to think blue and white is a new trend in needlepoint....

Of course, Kate Dickerson and Ehman have had blue and white classic designs for years.
http://www.katedickerson.com/the-fishnet-collection?lightbox=i41vnp

http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Products/Star-Rug__SR.aspx#.WA4oLhQldjc

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 24, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Harikuyo 2016

Sue Dulle reminds us that it is Karikuyo, the Japanese festival that honors needles that bring us so much pleasure in our lives.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/harikuyo-broken-needle-festival/

This year I will wrap my used needles in pretty wrapping paper, enclose the gift bundle in aluminum foil for protection and they will go in the trash as that's the safest way to send them to their just reward.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 8, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Temari Glory

Recently this story has made the rounds on Facebook-
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/12/11/92-year-old-grandmother-creates-gorgeous-traditional-japanese-toys/#more-109043

Basically the story is "92 year old grandmother does crafts."  There is so much more to the story!  There is more here.
http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2013/12/23/nana-akuas-grandmother/

And there are many, many more wonders here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanaakua/tags/temari/

The real story should be why more of us don't make beautiful things our whole lives?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo Sparkling Thread

Mary Corbet is always ahead of the curve when it comes to new threads. In this article, she reviews Cosmo Sparkling Thread, which seems to be a Japanese import.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/10/thread-talk-cosmo-sparkling-thread.html

Here's the direct link to an American shop that carries Cosmo.  It happens to be on sale as I write this, too.
http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/cosmosparkling.html

Have you seen or stitched with Cosmo Sparkling Thread/ What did you think?  Threadaholics want to know....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Kanzashi Fabric Flowers Again

Remember when I was talking about Japanese Kanzashi fabric flowers and had a link about how to make them?
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-make-japanese-kanzashi-fabric.html

Great minds think alike.  Peggi was already making them for her latest Day of the Dead sugar skull piece.
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-holiday-finish.html

Here are the three designs in the series unstitched, just so you can see what adding the flowers adds to the design.  Nice job, Peggi!
http://www.tapestryfair.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Make Japanese Kanzashi Fabric Flowers UPDATED

This is something quite different--how to make fabric flowers the Japanese Kanzashi Fabric way.
http://www.fabrics-store.com/blog/2011/07/21/tutorial-japanese-kanzashi-fabric-flower/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Subscribers&utm_content=01&utm_campaign=KanzashiFlowers

The technique is simple but note that the fabric used is linen, which means a fabric with some weight and body to it.  I think a thin fabric would not work as well, but I haven't tried it.

Still, for the right canvas this might be a lovely accessory.

UPDATE:  You can see the flowers used on Peggi's Sugar Skull mask.  Told you they'd be perfect on the right design!
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-holiday-finish.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.