Fall in Japan

Hello again.  What's up?  It's turning cold here in Japan.  Chilly really, not super cold.  But, I'm finicky.  We are heading to Kansas City over the Christmas holidays.  It's suppose to be arctic cold while we're visiting.  I hope Kansas City lives up to it's reputation and vacillates back and forth between cold and mild when we arrive.  What have I been doing you ask?  I know you've been wondering.

Well, the days do seem to be flying by.  Can you believe we have lived here almost 16 months? When we return from Christmas we will have about 8 months left of our stay here.  Therefore, I'm trying to take advantage of everything I can.  My youngest daughter came to visit in late October.  We crammed as much as possible into those two weeks.  We did glass blowing, pottery and indigo dyeing.  We visited Kyoto and Tokyo along with sites around Nagoya.  It went fast!

I've done some more pottery since then and think I might make several more trips there before I leave.  I pretty much love everything I make.  Here are the pieces I made from this trip. 

I've been doing a lot of knitting.  I have several friends that knit.  We meet often and hang out at a coffee shop or a friend's home.  I have a shawl that I need to finish asap as it will be nice to have this winter.  I know you can't really tell, but its a beautiful chunky Noro yarn that should be nice and warm.  I've got two scarves in process and just added two different shawls to my queue.  Although I haven't bought yarn yet.  I definitely have enough to keep me busy.  Here are the new possibilities, The Parlour and Find Your Fade.

I was also able to explore some new areas and take Fall pictures.  Fall and Spring are very big in Japan.  They take it seriously.  Japan illuminates the beautiful fall trees and it's a site to behold.  First of all, I'll show you some trees from a Shrine out in the country on a rainy day.  

Last night I went to an Illumination and took some fun pictures.  

Fall is now all over and winter is upon us.  I don't have plans to travel to Sapporo for the Ice Festival. I hear everyone in Japan goes to the Ice Festival.  It's too late to get flights and reservations, etc.  So you may just get more photos of knitting.  Sending you lots of love and wishing you all a 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  

Christmas Prep Already?

A couple of friends and I are newly responsible for the church Christmas decorations this year. There is some updating that needs to take place and always on a minimal budget. We decided to add some natural elements and therefore, the reason for painted pinecones. Some are dipped, which are my favorite.  Others are brushed with foam brushes.  I really like how they turned out.  

I also decided to make banners for one tree with the names of Jesus. Now, what was going to be the easiest and fastest way to transfer the words onto the burlap ribbon, you ask? I tried the old trace-it-on-the-window technique with a Sharpie marker and I think it turned out great. Now I have several more to make.  Sometime.

I had to run errands today and do some clothes shopping.  Hate that.  I had to because we're going somewhere fun on a business trip in a week. Anyway, first I was at World Market to buy some coffee.  Ended up with some cute Christmas ornaments as well. I saw this fun kit while trying to find the coffee.  If you have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, these would be a great addition.  A friend of mine sells baking supplies and cookie cutters at Sweet Art Factory. I know there are a couple of shirt cutters that would work for this idea. I sent her a picture of this kit, so maybe she'll start carrying a sweater cutter.  

 Then on to Pottery Barn to buy a gift certificate for a wedding gift.  All their pretty Christmas decorations are out. Believe it or not, I didn't leave with any!

I really love this big red knitted cable pillow cover, though.  I think I already have red yarn to make something similar.  I found three different free knitting patterns for cabled pillows here, here, and here. Too bad Christmas is so close, I'm not sure I can finish one before December.  I can always start it though.  I'm pretty good at starting things. . . 

Stuff and Nonsense

Things have been getting a little busier lately around here. I'm sure I'm not alone in that they are going to get downright crazy very soon. Along with the Holidays fast approaching and all that comes with them, I am going on a fun trip as well. You can be sure that I'll take my camera. Maybe I'll even be able to post "on the road". Here is a little bit from a shopping trip from this past week. 

I stumbled upon a new-to-me knitting store last week. Literally stumbled.

I was investigating a new bead store to find supplies to make some bracelets. I had some extra time on the parking meter so decided to walk around a little. One block away was a knitting store that, of course, drew me in.

It was difficult to take many pictures because of the lighting.  This particular scarf drew me in and I bought the colorway below to make it.  It is Merino Mia in Thunderclap by Prism Yarn. The yarn is dyed to change color in this beautiful way.

The store is L'Atelier in Riveria Village, Redondo Beach, CA.  The staff, particularly Robin, was very friendly and helpful. They have seating for customers to come and knit whenever they want. I like that.

On my way home I stopped by IKEA to check out their desk chairs. I'm tired of sitting on my little, hard thrift store chair in my craft room. I found a comfy, twirling, roll around chair.

They have their Christmas store open and I thought these mushrooms were adorable. 

This kitchen cart would be very handy in my craft room.  I may have to revisit that idea.

I absolutely could not resist this great thermos. I love the colors! So just from this little shopping trip I have three projects to finish! However, unbelievable as it may seem, I have already made the bracelets. I've made pretty good progress on the scarf and the last project is to decorate the desk chair. I think it needs some artistic embellishment. I'll keep you posted.  How many projects have you added to your list this week? Come on, tell the truth!! 

Stitching

Source: marthastewart.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I've actually knitted something recently.  

I know, shocker, isn't it?  I found this fun cowl pattern and decided to "frog" an unfinished afghan and use the yarn.  I started with the green for DD2 and am going to make the blue for DD1.  Funny that each will match their eyes.  That wasn't planned. 

It's nice to work on knitting again.

Here are some other pretty cowls for your viewing pleasure.

Source: ravelry.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: quinceandco.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: purlbee.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: purlbee.com via Karen on Pinterest

Hmm, how many cowl's does a girl need?  Especially in Southern California?

A Little This and A Little That

I have some randomness for you today. Last week I was at the apartment and visited Twist Yarns of Intrigue in Manhattan Beach at the recommendation of my friend, Cheryl. She visited Twist on a yarn hop to L.A. Cheryl blogs at Acorn to Oak and she loves to knit, crochet and hike. Sometimes she knits while she hikes. She's made a several beautiful shawls. I, however, am still working on "THE NEVER ENDING SHAWL" project that I started years ago. Even in this original post in 2009, I was thinking about quitting the project. It seems I'm not cut out for lace. I get tired of it and put it down. Then, months later, will pick it up again. Therefore, it's taking me forever.  

Well, I try to stay away from yarn stores since I have so much yarn and am not accomplishing much these days. But, on Cheryl's recommendation (yes, I'm blaming her) I visited Twist. I think it was the most beautiful yarn store I have seen. I have been to LYS's all over the country. Every single skein of yarn was gorgeous!  Yes, I did buy something, two skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino.  The pattern is Cat Bordhi's Moebius shawl.  I like to try new things with each project and have never made a Moebius shawl or scarf. I even purposefully put down the blue yarns that I am always drawn to and bought a lavender color.  I only took one photo while there, basically because I was too busy petting the yarn.  

I will definitely be going back.  Maybe weekly, in spite of my STASH.

Then on our date night, my HH found this fun book for me. It's really great and goes through the history, society, style, interiors and clothing of Downton Abbey.  Check it out, if you're a fan of DA, you'll love it!

Last Wednesday I went on another hike and took pictures again.  I hope they don't bore you too much.  It was such a beautiful morning.  We saw a rainbow come right into the field next to us, but it wasn't in color.  I've never seen anything like it.  Here's a peek.

 Incredible, isn't it? Here's another picture of the fog. If you look closely, you can see all the spider webs in the grass that have still have dew on them.

We finished off Saturday at a free concert in the park with some Classic Rock music.  

We had a lovely time with friends on a gorgeous evening.  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I hope you had a lovely weekend too!

Warm and Cozy

Today is rainy and chilly here. It makes me want to get out my knitting and eat soup or grilled cheese. It's this a beautiful sweater? Too bad it would take me FOREVER to knit it. Maybe I could finish it by next Winter.

Source: ravelry.com via Karen on Pinterest

I also love this cozy wrap.  Perfect for a day like today.

Source: musingsinfemininity.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Isn't this lucious?

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Who doesn't love warm soup on a chilly day? I definitely want to try to make this soup. I had Avegolemono soup years and years ago and it was so memorable that I've always wanted to try it.  It is a lemon chicken and rice soup.  So, so good.  

Source: spectrumartphotography.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: smells-like-home.com via Karen on Pinterest

Since time is of the essence and I can't get all these made right now, I am going to do the next best thing and head to the panini press and make a grilled cheese sandwich.  That should hit the spot.  What do you crave on a rainy day? This is all so ironic since I'm waiting around for the Air Conditioning repair man to show up, don't you think?

Try, Try Again

I found this old, very old, ancient photo of me knitting at my Grandparents house probably about 4th grade or so.  I wish I had kept this up all these years.  I again took a knitting class in about 1986 when we lived for one year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Now that was a place to take up knitting!  Way back then, the knitting shop was so fabulous.  Which was unusual.  I was enthralled with fibers even then. I'll have to pull out the "lovely" fushia colored vest I made.  I know I have it somewhere.  Then I stopped knitting again.  Until about 2000, when skinny scarves came back with a vengeance.  I knew my girls would again, wear something I had made.  Since then I have been fairly consistent with my knitting.  Although, it has taken a back seat to moving and blogging.  Just think how amazing my talents would be if I had kept it up all the way from the 4th grade!  It's never too late to try, try again.