Festival of Broken Needles 2013 UPDATED

This morning we are gathered here to celebrate Hari Kuyo, Japan's Festival of Broken Needles. If we were in Japan, this is what we would be doing.
http://www.designbyaika.com/hari-kuyou-memorial-service-for-needles/

But we are not, so we are going to take our little colorfully wrapped packets of needles to an imaginary Japanese garden.
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/38223935@N00/pool/interesting/

Does everyone have their little packets of needles?  Good.  Go to the link above and pick your favorite image of water, and toss in your packet, thinking grateful thoughts about those tools that have served you so well.  I climbed the stone stairs, stopping occasionally to look at the flowering trees, and put my packet in the Purge Water Dragon pool, where it swirled around a bit, then floated away out of the pool and down the big waterfall to disappear into the stream.

Thank you, needles!

UPDATE:  If you had a ceremony on your site, please let Susan know.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-harikuyo.html

Here's a second update with food for thought.
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2013/02/hari-kuyo.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Winter Color

You know how finishing really changes the look of a piece?  Even the same design worked by the same stitch guide will turn out differently when you turn two finishers loose on it. Exhibit No. One--what Ruth Schmuff did framing Zecca's lotus piece.  This is a perfect jolt of color for the depths of winter!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/02/fun-frames.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

The Mathematician in Stitches

Janet Perry just spotted this fascinating use of math to create a design. First, read her explanation of Pascal's Triangle, then head to the original site to enjoy!
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/mathematics-in-needlepoint-creating-pascals-triangle/

http://curvebank.calstatela.edu/ptriangle/ptriangle.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Reminder

Just a reminder, the Japanese Festival of Broken Needles (Hari Kyuo) is tomorrow, February 8th.  I do not practice Shinto, but I do believe in honoring the tools that have served me so well, so I when I discard all my needles before starting a new project with brand new needles, the old go into a little box to await the next Hari Kuyo.  Tomorrow I will take them out, wrap them carefully in aluminum foil for safety's sake, then wrap the little packet in fancy wrapping paper with a bow.  Then they will ceremoniously put away in the trash can, for removal.  I certainly am grateful for all the work they have done over the last twelve months and for all the fun they have brought into my life.

Susan is collecting links and comments about how stitchers are marking this day.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2013/02/growing-up-with-tea.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

iPhone Cases to Stitch

Needle in a Haystack shows off the new stitchable iPhone cases. Looks like they are going to be available in two sizes (the latest iPhone is larger than the old ones) and there are charts to work from if you don't want to stitch or bead your own design.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/02/new-stitchable-iphone-case-coming.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com