Tokyo Dome Quilt Festival ...3

With this post, I run out of names in English, so any more pictures will take time for getting help.

Over many years I have developed a friendship with Ueno-san through shows at Yokohama as well as Tokyo Dome. For years she was part of a group of international quilters that made a show on certain themes in small wall quilts. She teaches quilted handbags and enters bags or framed quilts or, this year, this large quilt names "Garden Birds".  I was interested to see that the bird print she has used is the same one I am using to applique birds in the tree of my new granddaughter's quilt. I am working by hand but in awe of how beautiful a job she could do by machine.

Here is a close-up.

And another one.

It seems she found this print fabric in a larger size.

The background is perfect to show them off.

This year she also entered the framed category with this colorful giraffe.

I have not translated the names in this category, but included the title cards with the names in Japanese and the description.

The needlework embellishments on this are outstanding. The quilter is "Tanaka"

This quilter put a lot of detail into this Christmas scene.

This colorful bird was made in Mola style by a quilter named Yamamoto.

This piece of work called "Memory" seems to be looking back at school days.

Many of the lovely large quilts with so much detail seem to spend more time folded up waiting for a show. I think these framed quilts make more sense, as they could be hung in someone's house. I am impressed as to how much detail quilters manage to get into such a compact space.

Prize-winners were given credit for their work.

This one made by Kazuko Fujimura won the prize for Original Design.

The second prize overall went to this quilt made by Kyoko Takeda

"Golden Tokyo Tower 2020" by Ritsuko Kuramitsu won third prize in the "traditional" category. 

I wonder what makes this a "traditional" quit.

This is the second prize winner fir the "traditional" quilts.

Made by Noriko Kido

And the first prize for traditional goes to Teruko Uchiya

Titled, "Hamorebi"

"Life IV" by Noriko Misawa took the prize for "Machine Making"

This quilt made by Mayumi Mochizuki won a second prize. I'm not certain the category or if it is overall. 

And the grand winner was this quilt made by Hitomi Mishima.

Honestly, I don't know how the winners were selected. There were so many fine  quilts, and compaed with when the Dome show had its beginnings, creative and original designs with fine quilting and embellishments.  

In addition to these selected for prizes, each category also displayed the top three picks.

A baseball stadium is not a small place and the center display area is surrounded by assorted rows of shops or stalls selling all kinds of quilt-related items. There is a lot of walking to do and a lot of waiting for people to get out of the way so a picture can be taken. In the early days, pictures were not allowed and there was a large book on sale if you wanted pictures, so the times have changed in more ways than one. One thing that never changes is that the end, one has to walk up a long flight of steps to the very top of the stadium to exit, and after hours of walking, that might just be the biggest challenge of all.

I hope I will get some translation so I can show a few more of my favorites.

Thursday morning walk

Throughout Tokyo there is a very specific schedule of trash collection. Since items need to be carried to the spot for each particular area, one cannot just carry anything to that spot except on the correct day.

Bags that contain items that do not meet requirements for the day are left behind with a sticker stating why.

Because I live on the edge of our area, I sometimes take the option of crossing the road and leaving items to the park pickup across the street.

Only one day is the same for both areas, and that is glass, metal, and pet-bottles.

I frequently walk Nikko down the dividing street and through the park. In the warmer seasons, I pull weeds in the park along the way, and have gotten to know many living in the area.

I may have mentioned before, that that "Koyama Cho" area is the high class section. Whereas my side of the street is getting many small apartments, the Koyama area is made up of single dwellings with large gardens. The higher class is also reflected in their "trash".  On some occasions they get large tins of snacks or treats. I'm not sure what they contain ... the one I picked up today says "Gateau Rusk"

I have been collecting these large tins, as they are perfect for sorting small fabric scraps.

They are all the same size, so stack nicely.
Oh, there may be a few smaller ones, but those are useful too.

Long ago, I brought home a tin with a lid that didn't quite fit. I was using that tin with the lid set on crooked and wondering why it was a bit off.

Well, in early December, while checking the disposal basket, I found a lid and container that didn't match up.I pulled them out and brought them home, and surprise! That lid fit the old tin perfectly.

Now, I had a spare container with no lid to cover it.
But luckily, I didn't toss it out. This morning, Nikko and I strolled through the park and checked the bin.

I found two lids and one tin. Clearly the pale yellow tin had a lid to match and I cheered to find that the single lid fit perfectly on the uncovered one.

I really like the way these tins stack up and the size is just right for my smaller scraps. Now, what I really need is more space to stack those handy tins. I have larger buckle boxes sorted by color stacked in the upstairs hallway. Soon walking space will be at a premium. Ah, but the benefits of a Thursday morning walk! A tin for goodies, empty of calories.

Tokyo Dome Quilt Festival (well known teacher's quilts)

I have hesitated to post many pictures taken at the quilt show because I wish to give credit to those quilters who have not only come up with creative designs, but must have spent very many hours of work on the details. Following here are quilts made by well-known quilters, probably most of them teachers ... or "sensei". Other than a few foreign quilters, the names on the majority of posted information are still written only in Japanese. I have seen a number of posts on blogs or Facebook that just show pictures without any other data. My friends who can read the names have dutifully included them in their posts.

These cute Song Sparrows seem to be having a party. 

Yoshiko Katagiri os the creator of this gathering.

"Kokeshis' Stories" by Megumi Mizuno

"For You" by Toshiko Imai has a lot of beautiful detail in both the quilting and the applique.

"Combinations" by Sachiko Yoshida  Even with a limited pallet, the arrangement was quite striking.

"In the Afterglow" by Misaki Okabe  I have never seen a sunset like this!

"The Summer Town" by Noriko Fujisawa. 

"The Red Mountain" by Fumiko Nakayama.

Known for her "Mola" quilts, this mola is done in a more modern style.

"Fallen Leaves" by Chiyoko Takayama

Not only a creative arrangement, but amazing detail ...

I didn't get the name of this quilt with an interesting arrangement of black and white mixed with color. It was created by Miki Murakami

"A Quilt of Sky-Blue" by Hiroko Nakazawa

This made nice use of the graded blue background and fine details.

Misako Imamura put a lot of fine detail into this lovely bouquet.

"What Autumn Forest Tells Me" by Reiko Naganuma

Trees over autumn colors ... and the multi-colored border is a fine finish.

As usual, Emiko Toda Loeb has created a two-sided 

hanging, and as is usually the case, a two-sided hanging space has been made for it's display.

And shown here is the reverse side.

"Ancestral Resemblance"

is the title.

"A Chocolate Factory" by Osami Gonohe

One can spend a lot  of time enjoying the details in this quilt,

not just the busy figures, but the teacups and cookies tied within that border .

"Dignified - the Tree of Ressurection" by Noriko Inafune

"Flowers Survived over a Thousand Years" by Hiroko Takita

Tokiko Yanazawa made this elegant Peafowl. What a lot of work!

"An Hommage for DOUSHOKUSAIE" by Reiko Nakahara.

I seem to have started and ended this part of the show with birds. 

Along with the name and title, the posted sign gives some explanation of what the quilter was thinking or intending or representing in her quilt. There were many times I wished I could read the explanations that went along with this fine work.

I hope you enjoyed a small glimpse of the inspiration I enjoy year-by-year.

Tokyo Dome Quilt Festival 2019 (partnership quilts)

 The Tokyo Quilt Festival is having its last day today, having begun last Thursday, January 24th. Even attending two days, it was difficult to get many pictures with so many people filling the aisles between.

The theme for partnership quilts this year was "Houses", and as happens each year at the start when the theme is announced, the teacher who is taking on the assembly that year, will be shown on NHK TV talking about the subject and offering a number of suggested patterns.

There may be classes as well. 


Other than the variety of fabrics used ,
there is little variety in the blocks shown on this quilt.

 This composition seems to have picked out red houses. One seems to have used the idea shown in the first picture and there are a number of traditional "Little Red School-house" houses in the center.
The upper and lower row of blocks may have been made in a workshop where the teacher supplied both the pattern and the fabric, as they look almost identical.

 This assembly seems to have been organized by houses at night. There is also a block shown in the first quilt, only with a dark background. In general, this quilt seems to have more variety of houses.

 This quilt has a few more night time blocks and a more wintery look. The blocks in the center area seem to have been made by a group using the same fabrics.

 And many of these houses appear to represent country style thatched-roof houses ... kind of a more Japanese touch to the subject. I am thinking the majority of these participants came up with their own patterns.

I attended the show on Saturday with my friends and here is "Queenie" (Carin) with her contribution containing a Swedish flag. Many of the houses on this quilt were mushrooms.

And, here is Tanya with her block among a pastel village.

For the past few years, after learning that Carin always added her country flag, I decided to add the Ohio State bird, a cardinal,  to my blocks.


He has appeared in earlier years with a songbook, a nest in a tree, and planting a seed in a garden.



Here he is checking out a birdhouse...
though I don't think cardinals are likely to nest in a house.

This quilt did have a large selection of birds and birdhouses.






There were 66 partnership quilts exhibited. From last year, the required block size became smaller but the number of quilts does not seem to have decreased.

The show was quite crowded and taking pictures without elbows, shoulders, and heads in front was rather a challenge. Though the mob tended to thin out around 4:pm, the body was wearing out as well.

This was the 18th year of the show. Each year I fill out a questionaire before leaving, recommending they put the quilter's name in English. Many viewers were taking pictures and I have seen a few on Facebook with no recognition given to the quilters who must have spent the better part of a year producing a one-of-a-kind quilt.
Other than the teachers' category, only foreign entries had names other than in Japanese. One year I even brought home the questionaire to get help writing it in Japanese, thinking maybe they could not read requests in English. I am now thinking those forms are not even read other than to be used to send out advertisements to those who respond.

Please check out Tanya's and Queenie's blogs for good pictures and better information. I hope to show more later.

Back to work

Last year the Women's Conference theme was the seasons of our lives. I put together this tree surrounded by strips of fabric representing fall, winter, spring, and summer, thinking it might be fun to have members add leaves. As can be seen, it was not a popular free-time activity.

Though it was suggested I bring it back this year and make another try, I decided to re-purpose the tree and make an I-Spy quilt for my new granddaughter. Daughter of two naturalists (and one an avid birder) I have selected kid-friendly prints that are nature related. Well, there are lots of animals.

I am now working on the last three rows of blocks. Then I will add birds to the tree and maybe a few animals or flying critters? Maybe a variety of leaves? Then a bit of borders to tie it all together.
The prints are all 4"x4" with 1" sashing and small 1' cornerstones. 

Phoebe's big brother is a good talker and I think he can play I-Spy to teach his baby sister new words.

This was his baby quilt.

And I heard that his first word was "owl".

I still have work to do on the piecing, but the blocks are measured, cut, and arranged in baggies for take-along work so should go fairly quickly.

Appliquéing critters in the center will be a bit of a challenge. I have some good bird prints and am thinking of cutting them more simply and hanging them in the tree like ornaments instead of trying to sew around tiny feathers and beaks.

I have yet to search my stash for a border. I wonder if there is any left of that bamboo print on Ryden's quilt border. Also maybe a narrow sashing of the same dark green that borders the tree block.

Nothing like planning step-by-step!

I hope all my blogging friends are off to a fine new year.

DONE!

As I was putting the last stitches in the binding, my grandfather clock began ringing in the new year.

Now, I wonder, do I count this as the last quilt of 2018, or the first finish of 2019?

Today Nikko and I went for a long walk to find a fence tall enough for taking a picture. Even sideways, this still sticks out over the concrete base but I think it will have to do. Soon it will be flying out across the pond to Kaiea's waiting bed.

Kai's choice was black and white and I was rather amazed at the number of fabrics in my collection that were ready for use. The only one I had to buy was for the border, and since Kai's name means "rising wave", I just had to get this when I saw it ... though I wasn't really shopping at the time, but meeting a friend.

Next in the line will be my new granddaughter's baby quilt ... plus some long overdue promises that need to be filled.

Best wishes to my blogging friends for a happy and productive new year.

One month gone!

Where has time gone?
There was lots of practice for music events. Our "Choir Sunday"(where the choir presents music in place of the regular sermon for two services) was followed a week later with a "Charity Concert" where both our choir and some small group pieces were part of the program.

Tossed in between was school, Scouts, and assorted meetings, snatching up bits of travel time and participation.

Finally this week I was able to finish off the last of the big-stitch quilting on all 80 blocks, and quilt one border. Getting those stitches relatively even was a challenge and some of the blocks seemed to be like stitching through canvass. Many were stab-stitched and my fingers have never been so sore.

Now I am chugging along on the border and hoping to get this out of the way and into the mail.

My newest granddaughter, Phoebe Mae, arrived on December first and her baby quilt is still sitting in a long list of work needing to be done. I am hoping to find a bit of time to do prep-work that can be carried along. 

Meanwhile the whole house is the messiest it has ever been. Just about the time I get one part organized, it gets all stirred up while looking for something I had right in front of me the day before.

No Christmas decorations this year .. no place to put them ... but I will have to clear a space to greet the cookie fairy who will come and do her magic on Friday night and Saturday morning. The end of the year will see church events filling plenty of time Sunday choir, Onigiri delivery on Monday morning and choir participation in two Christmas eve services, then another service on Christmas followed by a lunch. At least school for me is out for the rest of the year. Most of the leaves in my garden have been swept from the street and it is too cold to be pulling weeds... so, quilting and cleaning will finish up my year. Will Kai's Big-boy quilt be added to my year's total? Only time will tell...

Finally

Finally, a bit of fall color!

This little Japanese maple was rescued from a friend who had to move to an apartment with no outside space to keep it.

While neighborhood trees have been dropping dried green and brown leaves, this tree has been patiently waiting for a hint of fall.
This week it's waiting time was over.

The lace-leaf maple took a clue and has changed colors too.

A gardner stopped by and trimmed the vine-leaf maple, third in the row, and though there are few leaves left, it decided to add a bit of color to the equation.

The enkianthus in the shade of the plum tree has added some color too

Though fall has finally arrived, this little potted Hosta that had already begun to lose leaves for fall, has tossed up a flower bud. I hope I will get to see it bloom before winter arrives.

None of my hostas bloomed during the hot summer so this will be a treat if it lasts long enough to open.

With much cooler days, it has been nice to sit under the hoop containing the big-boy quilt.
Today the in-the-ditch quilting is done in all the 80 blocks and I will get to begin the sashiko big-stitching.

Wednesday I went shopping for more of the black and white thread. Hopefully I have enough because I cleaned out those two drawers of thread at my little friendly shop.

Each day, Nikko and I walk down to the parking area and I run my hands over all four tires of my van. So far, I have found no screws, but If I do, I will call the police while the evidence is there. Hopefully that will not happen. Our church prayer-chain is blasting the unknown guy with prayers for peace.

Sunday will be our "Choir-Sunday" where we will give music in place of a sermon at two services. It has been fun preparing throughout the fall months. Last dress rehearsal was last night and even though I was the only tenor to make it, I felt confident with holding my part, so I am looking forward to the real thing.

Fall?

Well, maybe ....

This morning's sweeping gleaned a few red leaves,
but that doesn't mean the whole tree got the message.

One colorful persimmon leaf from the neighbor's tree, and a few red bits from my vine-leafed maple...

The lace-leaf maple in the top left corner has a wee bit of pink tint in the top leaves, but hardly the showcase of former years.

The corner plum has contributed a few yellow leaves and the neighbor-to-the-south's Japanese maple is only dropping shrivelled brown leaves.

At least the sauna weather has been replaced by cooler days and cold nights.




Thanksgiving brought talks by facetime or phone with all my darling kids and grandkids. Norie and I had a nice lunch together to celebrate the day. Then we made a trip to the ward-office to gather up a few of the papers needed to claim what small social security payments might be available.

The week has been spent trying to solve the problem of someone putting screws into my back tires on my van. I at first thought it might have been an accident of driving over a nail. Then, on Saturday, at a scouting event, my tire went flat for a second time. My Scouting friends leapt to my aid and repaired my tire, and I was surprised to see that the object they removed was not a tack or nail, but a hardboard construction screw ... the kind put into walls with a power tool.

When I returned home and told my daughter, I learned that that was the same thing that had happened to the other back tire a few weeks before. The screws were both stuck in the center of the back tire, pushing in as the car drove along. I had been having some problems with the car being damaged while parked in the lot, and began to think about my former parking space.

That lot was owned by the owner of a construction company. At one point, they had called the police saying I had damaged their fence. Well, it was a very battered fence and none of the damage lined up with anything on my car, though I had a scrape on the bumper from a time at camp when the car slid on snow up against the curb. For that, I had statements from the two Scouters that pushed my car back on the road. The insurance company stepped in and the construction guy gave up ... but then the car was keyed. Pee and poop was put on my doors, and the fee was raised so we looked for a new spot a bit farther from home but cheaper.
It has been probably 8 years at our "new" spot with no problems. Then, the lot across the street from the parking lot gate became a construction site. Ever since that work began, there have been small issues of keying the doors, breaking the mirror cover, paint sanded off the fender, and now the second flat tire.

I talked to the police. They said they would check on patrol. Yeah, once a day check ....
Norie called the parking garage. No cameras ... too expensive, and no open spaces to move to....
The insurance company (a new one) can't do anything without increasing my insurance to above the price of the tires....
I wonder is the former guy has discovered my car ... not hard to identify, as it is a camping van, and within sight of the construction across the street. The workers do not seem to come to work by car, so may be local or even part of the former problem. Meanwhile, I am looking for a place to park until the problem is over. I talked with other drivers in my area and they have had no problems. I talked with the owner of the lot where the construction is being done, and told him what was going on.  I really don't need a problem to interfere with my sleep at night, so hopefully I will find a solution.

Meanwhile, the blocks on the big quilt are almost finished with the in-the-ditch quilting.

Choir practice for our "Choir Sunday" presentation is winding down with two more big practices left before our delivery. (And a big beautiful electric keyboard arrived from Ken for my birthday so I can check my pitch in the home practice.)

School goes on. Scouting goes on. And I am giving great thanks for my wonderful family and friends. 

The test piece is begun

Today I finished in-the-ditch quilting around all the blocks. This is the single quilt I intend to give to our Pastor, and I thought I would try big-stitch quilting in the blocks ... black on white and white on black.

I had intended to quilt within the curved center too, but looking at these results, I think this might be enough. I rather like the puffiness of those curved pieces.

I am using sashiko thread and anything larger than that half square would have been even more difficult with the number of times that thread has to be pulled along. I rather think I could have done regular quilting in all four blocks in the time it takes to do just one, even if the stitches are larger.

I will be interested in any comments or advice. This is my first attempt of big-stitch quilting.

Now I see this post was never published.

I have begun quilting in the ditch on the second quilt ...

this time a bigger one for my #3 Grandson. 

If he approves, I will quilt it the same way.

It's in the hoop!

After making yesterday's post, I decided to just get on with the next thing on the list.

I took the big quilt to the empty apartment and tried laying it out on the floor.

Nope! Not enough room to spread it out. Well, then I decided to try the loft. First I had to wrestle down the two heavy futons. Then I spread the quilt out face-down on the floor. It just fit with no extra space to walk, but I crawled over it and made sure all the seams were lying flat.

Then, I went back to my closet and pulled out the rolls of thinsulate. There was plenty left on the #60 which I had used on the test quilt. My grandson is living in Colorado, where they already have snow. so I think the #80 might be more useful ... though, in the end I don't know if this quilt will serve as a warm cover or a top spread.

Well, there was surely not enough batting left on the #80 roll, so I would need more anyway. The last batting rolls were bought at Yuzawaya and there are no branches in my area. The last one I used in Shinjuku closed over a year ago. I did not want to set out without knowing whether or not my goal would be met, so I pushed my "phone-phobia" aside, and made a call to the main store in Kamata.
Actually, I had to call a number of times to get through. Then, after apologising for my poor Japanese, I asked if they had thinsulate #80, and that I wanted to buy a whole roll. Yes, they did, and they would hold it with my name on it for pick-up in the afternoon.

I quickly went back to the loft and folded up the finished top ... trying not to mess up the seam allowances. Then loaded that and the backing, my basting thread, sewing kit, big scissors, and just in case, my box of basting pins.

The finished quilt went neatly into another bag, along with a note, and after stuffing Nikko's kong with multiple treats, and making sure I had enough yen to cover trains and batting, I set off with my purse on one shoulder, the big bag on the other shoulder, and the finished quilt on my arm... and the train route notes in hand.

No matter how many times one goes to the same station, those areas are always changing. It was less than a year since I had been there with my friend, Cynthia, at wabisabiquilts.blogspot.jp, and it was still a struggle to find the right building. I think I ended up asking at least three different people.

When I finally found the right place. there was a long line at the cutting counter and only two people doing the cutting. I finally stepped up, because I could see the roll of batting standing in the corner behind one of the women, and asked if that was the thinsulate saved for me. Whew, after checking my name on the note, it was passed over and I could move to the checkout on the first floor.

The guy tying up the bolt for carrying was frustrated with the size and the fact it couldn't be folded, but I was happy to tuck it under my spare arm and pay the reduced price using my members card.
By 2:00pm I was at the church. I passed the bag containing the finished quilt to the office secretary, and asked if it would be OK to use the floor of the fellowship hall to do the basting.

I am so happy it worked out! by the time my meeting was beginning at 6:30, I was just putting in the last of the basting stitches. The pins were not needed and the basting thread still lasted. Both the Pastor and his wife came down while I was working to thank me for the finished quilt. I was happy those left-over blocks had made a hit ... and of course they both had noticed the print in Afrikaans donated by my friend, Ester.

In all, though lugging all that stuff two ways on the sardine can trains, it was well worth the effort. I can do my sitting at home on the sofa ... much more comfortable than a train seat should one be offered ... And Tuesday was the day of the super-aggressive shovers needing seats at any cost ...

The in-the-ditch quilting is well on the way, and I await feedback from Kai as to the big-stitch results.
At least I have something to do while at home. Maybe time to start prepping pieces for the new grandchild on the way....

The test is over

Sunday evening I finished turning the binding on the single black and white quilt. I was hoping for a bit of sunshine for taking a picture, as I plan to give this to my friend and pastor this evening.
Alas, Monday was on and off rain, and rain is predicted for today too. I decided to take quilt and camera to the park while on Nikko's morning walk and see if I could get at least one picture before the rain begins again.

This was my first test of sashiko "big stitch" on a quilt. The batting is #60 thinsulate but it looks as puffy as the #80. I decided to go with puffy rather than quilt inside the larger areas. Thinsulate is good in that it will not shift, even when loosely quilted and with much use.  The border is just quilted in diagonal rows on the white. All the blocks are quilted in the ditch first. The rather busy prints didn't show the big stitches so much but I think I am satisfied with the all-over effect.

Now, the next task will be to lay out Kai's big-boy quilt and get it basted so I can begin quilting that.
It is 8 blocks by 10 blocks with a larger wave print in the border. Getting the seam allowances to lie in the right direction and line up the backing in a small space is going to be the first challenge. If only I didn't have to travel to church in such a crowded train, I could take it there and use the floor in the fellowship hall... since I have to go there anyway tonight.

Anyway, time to stop dithering and come up with a plan... At least the test worked out and I found a purpose for the extra blocks caused by my poor math.

A new challenge

A while ago, my good quilting friend, Kuraishi-sensei, Told me she would be holding a quilt show at a garden gallery in the town of Ichikawa, where she lives.

She said the gallery was large and asked if she could hang my "Lucy Boston" quilts there.

I quickly added a hanging sleeve and sent the quilts off to her. Her next request was for me to give a gallery talk.  Hmmmm. I'm not very fond of talking in front of groups, but I agreed to take on the challenge.

This past weekend, Friday and Saturday afternoons, I went to this lovely place. I was joined by lovely people, and the talk was far from scary. After all, quilters are a class above.

This is a view from the lobby with friends arriving.

Isn't that a beautiful garden!

Though early Saturday morning I was awakened by the sound of rain, (and a scout hike had been cancelled because of a forecast of rain), by the time I arrived around lunch time, the sun was out and the day was not too hot or humid.

The trees are not yet in autumn color, but I think with a year of strange weather, they are a bit confused. Maple leaves are dropping without bothering to turn color.

My talk was about my quilting history...

How I first met up with the Lucy Boston "Patchwork of Crosses" at the Festival UK '98
while piping to attract customers, and sketched notes on the pattern, wanting to try it out.

At Saturday's show, I was honored to meet the quilt reporter who had gone to the UK, and met with Lucy Boston in her Manor house, and arranged for the quilts in that show.

I talked about my first meetings of Lucy Boston through her children's books, as a children's librarian. Then details I had learned since about her life.

I could talk about the pattern and the way hexagons can be fussy-cut without having to worry about the grain of the fabric... and the variety that can be used when cutting stripes. I had some left-over blocks I could pass around for them to see and I could show the tenugui on the back of the small quilt.

On Saturday, I was joined by my daughter, Norie, and Leia, plus Leia's other grandmother and a lovely neighbor.

We are standing next to a display of some vintage quilts that Kuraishi-sensei had brought back from her time in the states.

I am wearing a coat I had made at one of my friend's classes.
It is reversible black with a brown owl on the inside and Ainu pattern on the brown side.

With family in front of the vintage quilts....

Here with Kurishi-sensei, who also put my talk into more understandable Japanese...
standing to the right, and two of her friends.

and here I am with my little cameraman, standing outside the garden gates.

It was quite a busy week, and finished off with visitors to our church ... the participants of Asian Rural Institute, who spent the weekend and shared their life of training with us on Sunday, ending in a pot-luck lunch.

The evening held a birthday party at a charming Indian restaurant in my neighborhood with my wonderful SIL and a "Son on loan" added to the family.

Monday am: rolled around as usual with onigiri delivery and school. A lovely orange canary is now getting used to the old cage in the window. 

And, as of today, the super busy month of October has reached an end ... and I am now celebrating my 18th birthday. Going back to my childhood from 50, this time I'm going to get it right!
The first of the black and white quilts is in the hoop and testing the pattern for quilting. The November calendar page is beginning to fill up ... but not so crazy as October, so the quilt may make progress. (and I might have something to show).