TAST2012 - No Reply?

There have been some wonderful examples of fly stitch posted on blogs since we all began TAST2012 last week and Sharon has celebrated her own blogiversary with an interesting post about how she started Pin Tangle in 2004 and how it has developed.  She mentioned the joy of receiving a comment on a post and I would certainly agree with that, it is wonderful to know somebody has not only read what you've written but has taken the time to write a comment.  I find it sad therefore when I have no way of contacting the commentor and thanking them, or answering their query.  I appreciate some people wish to remain anonymous but I wonder if many others know they are showing as a "noreply-comment@blogger.com", especially people who maybe new to blogging having got started when they signed up for TAST.  Jodi at Pleasant Home has written a brilliant guide to finding out, and fixing it.  Click on her red button on the right of my blog and next time you are kind enough to comment on my blog I shall be able to thank you properly.  In the meantime, thank you for all the lovely comments I received after sharing my fly stitch project and here we go with week two of TAST2012 and it's.....buttonhole stitch.

 

Autumn's Bounty

It's a beautiful, autumn day here today and I've been collecting conkers.  Not to bash against each other in the school playground but to keep the spiders away.  I don't know if this really works but it's worth a try, the spiders are massive this year!http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6255510/Spiders-v-conkers-are-arachnids-really-scared-of-horse-chestnuts.html

I'd forgotten how beautiful horsechestnuts are.  I'd read that, because of the weather and a disease affecting our trees that they were going to be small this year but I found some of very impressive size.

That prickly outer case must be a good deterrent to whichever animals would like a feast on horsechestnuts but is soon cracked open by small boys seeking a good conker.  Then the soft, velvety, "blankety bed" is revealed and there might be one, two or even three horsechestnuts nestled inside.

The patterning on the conker is like a wood grain and so shiny and intense in colour, a little miracle of creation that is revealed to whoever opens that outer shell.

This morning though the spiders' webs were sparkling with dewdrops, like diamonds in the sunshine once the early fog cleared.  If only the creatures themselves would stay in the garden.

My blog list was getting a little unmanageable and so I've tried to sort it out this morning.  All the lovely Japanese-linked blogs I read are now linked to my sashiko/Japanese textiles blog:  Sashiko Started It
and the quilting and other blogs that I find inspirational are listed to the right.  I hope I haven't accidently deleted any blogs I enjoy.  Blogs of quilting shops and other suppliers that I use are listed separately, along with those wonderful blogs full of tutorials, links and great tips - thank you for all the work that you do keeping these up.
If I've deleted you or put you in the wrong place, please shout and accept my apologies now.

Plan for the rest of the day
1.  Complete and post my registration form for the Quilters' Guild AGM in Exeter next April
2.  Buy some edible goodies for our anniversary meal tomorrow, 19 years, incredible, where does the time go?
3.  Sew.
4.  An evening of relaxing television, Merlin, Strictly....I know, I know, but why not?

Hoping you all have a good weekend too.

A Delightful Gift

Yesterday morning I received a parcel from Jenni in Australia.  I knew what it was immediately, see "blogger bearing gifts" and opened the parcel in great anticipation.  This is what I found:

As well as sending me a gorgeous kimono Jenni had included some lovely handmade items and the kimono was in its original wrapping.  This is lovely Japanese paper which has a fibrous texture and seems to have threads through it.  I want to do something with the paper but don't know just what yet.
The kimono was much more lovely than I expected.  Jenni's photo on her blog (which is actually a better photo than mine for showing the whole kimono) led me to expect a turquoise and cream or grey fabric but it is actually much more silver in colour, really lovely.

I've taken a few photos to try and show you the fabric and also the amazingly neat handstitching:

The kimono is unlined and a lightweight fabric and I'm going to wear it as a summer robe for a while and really enjoy it.  I now need to keep my side of the bargain and parcel up some goodies for Jenni in exchange for the kimono.  I'm sending some of the fabric I bought in Tokyo and some other surprises, so watch out for the postman Jenni.  Isn't blogging great?  I cannot imagine this swap happening in any other way, thanks Jenni.

I recently bought this book in my quest to learn more about Japan and Japanese culture. 

 I'll share some gems from it when I've read it but at the moment I'm catching up with my reading of Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts novels, far more suitable for a hot summer's day.