From a week ago, Sweetie is going to Kindergarten!
In Japan a new term starts from April, Sweetie was going to another Kindergarten in my area, but as my physical condition was very bad and weak in Feb and May, we came back to my mum's home.
I payed all money for the Kindergarten, but they couldn't refund it, well c'est la vie...

By the way, recently most of kids go to Kindergarten from 3 years old, so even we went to parks nobody is playing... so Sweetie wanted to have friends.
So I asked the most nearest Kindergarten from my mum's home, soon the director accepted him to go there!
They are very kind and nursery cost is very cheaper than the city one where I lived!

City Kindergarten where Sweetie was going to was very strict, let mums make bags etc and everything and all the size was decided, etc... but this Kindergarten where now Sweetie goes is very free, so we very like it so much.
Teachers are so nice and kind, gentle, everything is great!

This Kindergarten doesn't need any handmade bags, etc... but I wanted to make something for Sweetie, so as Sweetie loves rabbit, I choose this pattern from gazette94 and stitched to make a bag!
Actually I just stitched, and mum made it into a tote bag! :D

Here is a photo of us go to Kindergarten by walk, the Kindergarten is placed only 5 minutes by walk!
Sweetie is a very good boy to exchange greetings, his voice is very cheerful and loud and so teachers always praise Sweetie, and so I'm very proud of him!

At the moment, he comes back at noon as trial, but from August he will stay there until 3 pm!
It means my stitching time will be secured!! Woo Hoo!
But Sweetie hates veges and fruits and to take a nap, so I'm worried about school lunch and nap time...

I hope he will do the same as other children do! :D

Design : Freebie © gazette94
Fabric : 32ct Belfast Linen (White)
Thread : DMC

Labels: Bags, Freebie

This is the back side of the Biscornu.

I added my favourite light milk pink button on the center on this side.

I thought this is a bit quiet, so I used over dyed thread to sew two pieces together, I hope it got to make it bit more cheerful!
Thank you Miya for this wonderful exchange.

And thank you for your visit and comments!
I really appreciate for them all!

Take care and happy stitching!

Design : © sablaise.over-blog.com (freebie)
Fabric : 32ct Belfast Linen (White)
Thread : DMC

Labels: Biscornu, Exchanges

There was a big ring which was made by thatch (It is called "Chi no wa" in Japanese), and it is said that you went through this ring as like write "8" three times, you can drive evil sprites out!

This is the signboard of how to go through "Chi no wa"
And we went through like the signboard and went to the center of the shrine to pray!

The most biggest event for us were this and that (photo below)!

The first scooping goldfish for Sweetie!!
He couldn't scoop any goldfishes and me either (shame...).
But neighbours gave us 4 goldfishes, thank you an old man (Ojisan)!

Here is catch yo-yoes! Sweetie could get 4 yo-yoes!
Well done!!

Actually neighbors tried to let him catch easily, that's why!
Thank you again!!
Sweetie seemed so happy to do these kind of games!

And when we were going back, fire engine was there in front of the shrine to train!

He was so happy to see fire engine so close.

A member of fire fighters told Sweetie to board!
Sweetie was a bit nervous, and when I said him to pause to take a photo, he did "4" with his fingers, it means 4 years old, why? Was he very confused?? (lol)

When we were going back home there was a flower field which was made by townsfolk, I liked this Hydrangea, isn't it beautiful??

And just in front of our house, we found a beautiful blue dragonfly!
As you may know that I hate insects or bugs, but this time I thought it's beautiful, and I wanted to give Sweetie chances to catch it!
This dragonfly didn't escape from us at all, he flied around but soon he came back to us.
So I told Sweetie that he wants to play with us! I thought so, and so does Sweetie!

Sweetie touched him, and seemed SO happy!!!

Sweetie was talking to him, "Mr. Dragonfly (Tombo-san), Let's play together tomorrow, too, OK? and please come to my garden, too!"
It was so sweet to hear! :D

Finally we came back home, whew the weather was too fine, I was quite tired.
Here are 4 goldfishes, I put them in the water plant as it is (in the plastic bag) which is our old and big goldfish's home, then 2 hours later we let them in the water.
I thought if the old big goldfish try to attac them?, but she/he didn't! Good girl/boy!

Japanese humid and hot summer will last long, whew!
I wrote we are livint without air-con on the last post, though today we switched on!!!
In the hot summer, I become to like Tatami or Igusa-mat (which is Sweetie is lying down in the photo) that is quite cool!

Thanks for your visit!

And have a lovely weekend!!

Labels: Misc., Summer

She told me in the e-mail that this orange one she made was too big than she thought, so she made another one for me, how kind of her!
She used over dyed threads for both Biscornues, how beautiful they are!!

This is stitched by one over one, ohh I can imagine how tough it was, but she told me it was fun to stitch as thinking of a partner!
It's stunning, I'm speechless!!

This photo is a backside of them! As same as the face side, they are so beautiful!!
She also added some lovely ornaments for me!

Thank you so much, Miya!

She also stitched my initial and made it into a tiny pincushion!
How lovely this is!

Thank you so much Miya for these wonderful presents and exchange!
I really appreciate for them and you!
She hasn't received mine yet, though I'm so blamed myself because my Biscornu is so poor...

I so hesitate, if it's possible I don't want her to receive mine, lol

Take care and have a lovely weekend!
I will edit some photos of today and will post them later!

Bye for now,

Labels: Biscornu, Exchanges

やっと、Mary Wighamの経過をお見せできる段階まできました。
日本のSALに参加しているので、Mary Wighamの記事の時には、日本語も併記することにしました。

First of all, I had recommended fabric (some counts of Lambswools) in my stash, but I want finished piece to be look antiquity, so I tried to dye with weak coffee (I just soaked, not boiled this time) and baked in the oven.

まず、布ですが、手持ちに指定布は持っていたのですが、今回は綺麗なすっきりした仕上りよりも、もうちょっと古臭いアンティークな感じを出してみたくて、Lambswoolを薄めのコーヒーに浸して（今回は浸すだけで煮ていません）、そしてぐちゃぐちゃにしてオーブンで焼き色を付けてみました。

Here is the result of the fabric, some parts were almost burned, but most of parts are edges, so I felt relief when I saw the result.
It was quite thrilled to check how it is while I was baking the fabric!!

これが布の出来上がりの写真です。所々焼け焦げる寸前みたいな部分もありますが（笑）、殆どが余白部分だったのでホッとしました。
この間、すずらんのピンキープの布をオーブントースターで焼いた時はすぐに焼き色が付いたのに、オーブンではなかなか焼き色が付くまでに時間がかかり、何度もドアを開けてはチェックし、冷や冷やしながらの作業でした。
実際の布の色は写真よりもう少し濃いと思います。

Here is my progress of Mary Wigham SAL at the moment.
I'm working on 40ct Lambswool (self dyed and baked) and I changed some colours to become looking like a sample photo.
I think the linen colour is a little more darker than the photo in the real life.

こちらが現在の進み具合です。
布は40ctのLambswoolで、DMCで刺しています。糸の色は出来るだけ見本の写真に近い色を選ぼうと思っているのですが、DMCを全色持っているわけではないので、なかなか思うようにはいかず、結構苦難しています。
あとは、自分の好きな色や、他の方の作品を見せていただいて素敵と思った色を真似させて頂いたりしながら刺し進めているところです。


I was quite looking forward to start this, but a slight misstep made my feel very tired, as i'm stitching on 40ct, I can't see where I made miss stitch at all...
As you may know or see some parts are still blank, yes, the top left motif, I don't know why but I made miss stitch this motif so many times, and I ended up that I give up and decided not to stitch this motif for a while.
Most of people are stitching this symmetry, so I will frog and will stitch it to be symmetry again.

SALは今迄ことごとく挫折してきた私ですが、このSALだけは！！と、かなり楽しみにしていました。
でも、まだ刺していない途中の部分があるように、最初からつまづいてしまって・・・
それからなかなか進まなくなってしまっています。
最初の左上のモチーフは、ミスチャートだったのですね、てっきりMaryさんがわざとアシンメトリー（というか、こういうデザイン）にしているのかと思っていたので、途中までそのまま刺してしまっています。
でも、それ以前に、このモチーフは失敗の連続で嫌気が差して、只今ちょっと休憩中。

And... white flower that was recommended to stitch "White", I changed thread colour a bit grayish, but it doesn't show up at all, so I'm now thinking to frog it and change the colour.

そして、白い花の部分。指定の白ではなくて、少しグレーっぽい色を選んだのですが、1本取りなのでボビンに巻いている色で決めていざ刺してみると、色が凄く弱く、想像していた印象とは全く違ってしまいました。

全然色が映えていないので、多分また刺し直すかと思います。

Here are some of my WIPs. One is "Joyful Summer" © CCN.
I'm stitching on 28ct recommended linen and overdyed threads and DMC.
I'm thinking how to finish this (too early to think about, though! lol), in the frame or a banner?


And here is another WIP. "Seashore" © Lanarte. It's quite rare for me to stitch Kit, but it's so summer-ish and so fresh, so I couldn't resist to buy it.
I also like the painted fabric!







And here is Tomato Diary again!
Now they are growing so nice and big!!
They have more than 10 tomatoes now!

I think the biggest one is about 8cm width.
I hope they will grow and be bigger more and more!




Here is another photo, one tomato has red colour finally!
We were so happy to see it and of course we wanted to leave it more, but sweetie couldn't resist to pick it!

But even after we picked it, it turned into red day by day, and we ate it tonight!

It was not sour at all and it tasted quite good!!

Can I make another silly billy diary?? lol
Today sweetie and I made mud pies (mud balls?) together in the garden, and here they are!
We are going to make them more harder than now and shinny.


So I will take photos of them and will report how it will be, huh don't want to know? (lol)
Forgive my silly billy reports! :D


Take care and have a lovely day!
I have lots to post and share, so write soon!

Happy Stitching!

Labels: Mary Wigham SAL, Mud Pies Diary, Tomato Diary, WIP

This was patterned by jojo, she kindly gave me a chart and now we are e-mailing.
jojo sometimes left me comments here!
Thank you, jojo for this lovely pattern and comments! :)

It was so fun to stitch this tiny rabbit, once I saw the pattern, I wanted the stitched piece in this dark rich brown frame, and when I counted the linen that I wanted to stitch on, it was perfect for this frame, so I was very happy and couldn't resist to start to stitch!

I didn't have (actually I couldn't find) some recommended threads, so I changed a bit, but it's still lovely, isn't it?!
I stitched on 28ct DMC lavender linen, and added lace ribbon around the edge.

Actually this lace is velveteen ribbon, but velveteen parts were hided back on the frame, shame...
I showed this finished piece to Sweetie, he loved it so much and hugged it! :) lovely boy!

Now I'm working on Biscornu for Biscornu Exchange (Japanese group), Mary Wigham SAL, "Summer Joy" © CCN and "The Three Pigs" © Prairie Schooler for Sweetie.
Sweetie is very looking forward to see the finished piece of "The Three Pigs", but sorry Sweetie, it will take time until I finish it!

I will do my best for it! :)
Oh! I shouldn't forget to stitch for my dearest friend's baby sampler...

I should organize my WIPs and my mind!!
I will write down my WIPs and UFOs here and organize them next time!

Thanks for visiting, and take care!

Happy Stitching!

Design : "The Velveteen Rabbit" © jojo
Fabric : 28ct DMC lavender linen
Thread : DMC

Labels: Cross Stitch

The last time I stitched this design for my friend's Birthday, I choose different frame and pale green mat, though this time I choose lavender mat and very simple frame.

I think this frame is much better than the last one, simple is the best???
What do you think?
I will stitch this design three more times (lol), for my mum, another cousin, and for myself!
I have already bought frames and mats for this design, and mum's and mine are the same as the frame that I presented for my friend.
But I might change if this simple frame looks better than the last one!

Here is some close up photo of stitching and frame and mat.

I really like this design, so I'll never think it's tiring!

This design is so lovely and so I can't wait to hang it on the wall in my room!

I will stitch a bit and iron my WIPs and will show my progress of them.

Take care and thanks for your visit!

Happy stitching!

Design : "Lavender Hill" © Little House Needleworks
Fabric : 32ct Belfast Linen (Platinum)
Thread : DMC

Labels: Birthdays, Gifts, LHN

Here are what we bought, includes mum's T-shirts at Uniqro.

Here is a Beige one, I also like this! A photo is a bit lighter, IRL it's a bit more darker and nice and chic!

This one, I printed French postcard and added lace and button! lovely, isn't it?!

And this one... I printed Lilly of the valley, though it didn't show up much, I think.
I don't know if they will be fine once I washed, will see!

I also sew on lace and some buttons.

Here are for mum. My mum does Hula Dance, so they are for her lesson clothes!
Mum's class mate asked me to print some for her, too. hahaha
I thought this would probably happen!

Of course, I asked my husband to send me SUMMER clothes!! LOL

I think I will show you some progress of my WIP on the next post!

Take care and happy stitching!

Labels: Iron Print, Misc.

These photos was taken in the last month, now we can't bear in long sleeves!!!


Take care and Happy Stitching!

Labels: Family, Misc.

Then I remembered that Staci has red and white things in her bedroom, so I decided to make something redwork!
This design is from Renato Parolin, and I fell in love with this design, actually this design has three motifs, one is "Peace" and one is "Love", and the last one is "Joy".

Here is a photo of backing fabric which I choose for this ornament.
I want to make three of them for myself, too!

Here are some close up photos...

And...

Recently Sweetie has interests in taking photos, too, and when I was taking this Staci's ornament, he brought these toys to add to, as I always add some objects for the photo! lol
Sweetie, I think you don't need a hammer!!! hahaha


Oh I was almost forgetting to put this photo on!
Here is another "Peace"!

She is a 2 months old Labrador that my neighbour has decided to have recently!
Her name is "Peace", she is so lovely and they often let us cuddle her! :D
Oh I miss my dog... how cute these eyes! So innocent!


Take care and have a lovely weekend!
Happy Stitching!

Design : "Peace, Love, Joy" © Renato Parolin
Fabric : 32ct Belfast Linen (white)
Thread : DMC

Labels: Ornaments, PIF, Renato Parolin

This real pink roses are from my mum's garden, actually they were blooming beautifully at neighbours garden.
Last year we were talking about them, and then an old man who own these floweres in his garden gave us some sprays of this rose!
This year they bloomed in my mum's garden, beautiful, aren't they?!

The ground area, there was written to double cross stitch, but I didn't get it, so I just have done normal cross stitch!






Thank you so much for joining my Giveaway, and thanks for lovely comments for winners!
Margaret, Rowyn, I will send your pinkeeps in a few days!

Take care and have a lovely day!
Happy stitching.

Design : Book "バラと暮らす" ("Bara to kurasu") by Kazuko Aoki
Fabric : 12B Fremme Linen
Thread : DMC

Labels: Kazuko Aoki

The brown one with coffee baked Lilly of the valley's winner is No. 44

A Samler Of Stitches : Margaret

And, Pink Lille of the valley's winner is, No. 29

Stitching under the Southern Cross : Rowyn

Congratulations, both winners!!
I will e-mail you and let you know that you won!

Sorry for the other partisipants, but it was fun for me, too!

I hope you enjoyed this game as well.

Take care and have a lovely weekend!

Happy stitching!

Labels: Giveaway, Pinkeeps

Finally I could manage stitching and finishing Nina's Exchange, whew...

We had been talking about our private exchange since the last year, and she sent me wonderful exchange in April, but I couldn't make anything nice, I have never failed such many times before, then took time until send it out recently...

As you know, Nina is so talented and I've received wonderful works of hers first, so I was very hesitating to stitch and make something for her... you know what I mean?!
I was going to stitch sewing case by Lavender Lace, but there were so many specialty stitches, and also one over one, and I failed so many times, so I gave up!

Next time, I decided to stitch and make sewing sets by French designers, but the almost whole stitches were one over one, and I gave up again, as I can't do it...
Then decided to make this tin designed by LHN for her, but you know, again I made careless mistake on it, and so I decided to stitch one more piece...
I have never failed so many times like this time before!!
There must be BIG frog still on my shoulders!!

So here are two tins for her and for myself because I decided to complete mistaken one for myself.
I know Nina likes pink, but the design is based on light blue, so I added light blue flowery ribbon around the stitched pieces, and added pearl beads on four corners.

I also made a fob and pincushion for her.

Uhmmmm, it was too much, too fussy?
I was a bit worried about this, but I received a sweet mail from her, and she told me that she loves everything, so I'm so happy and feel relief now!

Here is mine, I will post how I failed and made mistake on hers and mine, though I added small ribbon charm on the mistaken spot to hide it.

This exchange had also another highlight, we exchanged our countries spices!
Her fiancee Tamas wants to try Japanese spices, so I sent her many of spices of our country and also instant miso soup, etc...!
I hope Tamas and Nina will love them!!

Thank you so much Nina for this lovely exchange!!

Here is a Strawberry Diary, we (actually sweetie) picked 5 pieces of strawberries this time!
This photo was taken on 5th of June, now strawberries are taking nap (lol), there seem not so many left to grow up...
Hope they will grow up more and more and let us taste again! :D

There is only one day left two days left for GIVEAWAY!
I changed the deadline to 14, June (Sunday) Japanese time.
So please join in this drawing!

Anybody can join in, who has no blog, quiet follower, friends, 日本の方（日本語読めます！）, first visitor, etc... everybody can join in!If you join in this GIVEAWAY drawing, please leave your comment or message to their posts!

If you'd like to be entered for this pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing!If you would, leave your comments for both, please.

If you'd like to be entered for this pink pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing!
If you would, leave your comments for both, please.

Thank you SO much for participating for this GIVEAWAY drawing!
There are so many people is joining this GIVEAWAY and I'm so happy and having fun to read your comments!!
It's always so much fun to read comments especially from first visitor or quiet followers!

Take care and Thank you for your visit!!!
Happy Stitching.

Design : "Loving and Faithful" © Little House Needleworks
Fabric : 35ct Wichelt linen (Cream / Ivory)

Thread : Crescent Colours (silk / thread pack)

Labels: Exchanges, Giveaway, LHN, Strawberry Diary, Tin-Can

I bought Kazuko Aoki's book and had been stitching a design for two, one is for myself, and another one is... as you probably might know, for my mum (lol)
This is very beautiful design and I fell in love, as well as my mum.


When I gathered threads, there were almost no threads in my stash, so I went out for buying threads.
Her design is very natural and so beautiful, so I like it!
I'm going to stitch other designs from her book later.







Here is a tomato diary.
The left one was taken on 28, May and the right one was taken on 5th of June!
It's so fun to observe them. There are about 5 tomatoes on the tree!
Hope they grow more and more and will turn in red!

There is still some days left for the GIVEAWAY!
I changed the deadline to 14, June (Sunday) Japanese time.
So please join in this drawing!
Anybody can join in, who has no blog, quiet follower, friends, 日本の方（日本語読めます！）, first visitor, etc... everybody can join in!

If you join in this GIVEAWAY drawing, please leave your comment or message to their posts!

If you'd like to be entered for this pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing!
If you would, leave your comments for both, please.

If you'd like to be entered for this pink pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing!
If you would, leave your comments for both, please.


Thank you SO much for participating for this GIVEAWAY drawing!
It's always so much fun!!
Especially to read comments from first visitor or quiet followers!

Take care and Thank you for your visit!!!
Happy Stitching.

Labels: Giveaway, Kazuko Aoki, Tomato Diary

There is still one more week for the GIVEAWAY!
I changed the deadline to 14, June (Sunday) Japanese time.
So please join in this drawing!Anybody can join in, who has no blog, quiet follower, friends, 日本の方（日本語読めます！）, first visitor, etc... everybody can join in!

If you join in this GIVEAWAY drawing, please leave your comment or message to their posts!

If you'd like to be entered for this pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing!If you would, leave your comments for both, please.


If you'd like to be entered for this pink pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing! If you would, leave your comments for both, please.


Thank you SO much for participating for this GIVEAWAY drawing!
It's always so much fun!!
Especially to read comments from first visitor or quiet followers!

Take care and Thank you for your visit!!!
Happy Stitching.

Labels: Flowers, Giveaway, Photographs

This week the weather here is dull and gloomy... so I don't feel much well, and seems like big frog is still on my shoulder...
Whatever I stitch, I make miss, and am frogging so many times...

Here is some photos that Sweetie is playing at the small park.
At first he couldn't do anything (he is a bit clumsy type, lol), but recently he daring climbs playground equipments, sometimes I feel fear seeing him, but boy should be like this!

Go Sweetie!! Be strong and brave, boy!!

What I like about him is, he always say "Hello" with big voice!
And then go into a circle and make friends!

Here is carefree mum, stitching while he is playing.
Recently Sweetie is interested in taking photos, as he is seeing me taking photos a lot.
So guess, who took this photo? Yes, my Sweetie took this photo of me stitching!
He is a good camera man for me! :D

) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing! If you would, leave your comments for both, please.


Thank you SO much for participating for this GIVEAWAY drawing!
It's always so much fun!!
Especially to read comments from first visitor or quiet followers!

Take care and Thank you for your visit!!!
Happy Stitching.

Labels: Family, Giveaway, Misc.

I so really love this, if you don't mind me saying, I think it's perfect to me!
I attached organza ribbon to tie bunch of the flowers, and also added wood button for the pocket.

Here are some photos...

I normally make triangle part (pocket, I mean) on the back, though this time I wanted it to be a pocket on the stitched side, and added wood button!
So I can put scissors in it, etc...

I really love this, thanks dany for this beautiful pattern!!!

By the way, there is still one more week for the GIVEAWAY!
I changed the deadline to 14, June (Sunday) Japanese time.

So please join in this drawing!

Anybody can join in, who has no blog, quiet follower, friends, 日本の方（日本語読めます！）, first visitor, etc... everybody can join in!
If you join in this GIVEAWAY drawing, please leave your comment or message to their posts!


If you'd like to be entered for this pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing! If you would, leave your comments for both, please.

If you'd like to be entered for this pink pinkeep, please click (here) or photo to leave your comment or message!

Of course you can join in for both drawing! If you would, leave your comments for both, please.


Thank you SO much for participating for this GIVEAWAY drawing!
It's always so much fun!!
Especially to read comments from first visitor or quiet followers!

Take care and Thank you for your visit!!!
Happy Stitching.

Design : "The lilly of the valley" (Freebie) © Danybrod
Fabric : 30ct Linen band
Thread : DMC
Finished as : Tapestry

Labels: Danybrod, Freebie, Tapestry

Here are some close up photos...

I put rose (again?? lol) , what do you say? a little ornament (?) on the top of this pinkeep.
This time I didn't add tied ribbon, leaving this aside quite simple and nice, I think...

If you would like to join in this Give Away, it's just simple, just leave a comment ON THIS POST ONLY for this Pinkeep, and please post about my Give Away on your blog.
I will also draw the winner 14, June (Sunday) in Japanese time, so you have more than 1 week!

This Give Away is for everone who even doesn't leave comment regulary, first visitors, 日本の方, friends, not cross stitcher, everybody can join in!
Please feel free to leave your comment here!
ご応募は、この日の投稿にコメントを残してくださいね！

Of course you can enter both GIVEAWAY!!
Have fun!

Take care.
Thanks for your visit!




Design : Pinkeep Mai (Freebie) © Les grilles de Maryse
Fabric : 28ct Stoney Creek Dyed Fabrics (Antique Pink)
Thread : DMC

Finished as : Pinkeep

Labels: Freebie, Giveaway, Pinkeeps

So, I backstitched with light gray thread for these flowers look like shadow, but yet it didn't show up much...

So the next, I dyed (?), putted on (?) coffee with puffy sponge.

And BAKEed! uhmmm, it doesn't match well with innocent Lilly of the valley?
I shouldn't have baked??

But, if I finished it into something, it would go well, I hope!
I soon post next one!

Write soon!

Thanks for your visit!

Design : Freebie © Les chroniques de Frimousse
Fabric : 36ct Wichelt (sand)
Thread : DMC

Labels: Freebie, Hand Dyed

has done.

I liked her heart shape so much, so I copied it, I hope she doesn't mind about this...
And tied Lilly of the valley with dark green organza ribbon, also used for hanging.

I sewed this by hand so the shape looks not so good, though it's still beautiful with this design, I think!

Can you see the canework which is placed back of this ornament with artificial flowers?
This is my mum's work. She has done so many beautiful and wonderful canework for several years ago, though she's got tenosynovitis, so she quit it...

Anyway, here is a back side, I used light green flower motif fabric for the back.
A close up photo is below...

I made another piece into... secret yet!
I will show you on the next post, actually I like an another one very much, so I gave this heart shaped ornament to my mum, as I knew she would love this!

Please look forward to see an another one on the next post!
I don't know which one you might like, though!

Take care + Thank you for your visit!

Happy stitching!

Design : "The lilly of the valley" (Freebie) © Danybrod
Fabric : 40ct newcastle flax linen
Thread : DMC

Finished as : Heart Ornament

Labels: Danybrod, Freebie, Hearts, Ornaments

Strawberries, it's been only 3 days or less since I saw green berries, it suddenly turned to red like this!!



Today Sweetie picked them (only 3 though!) up, I think it must be a very great experience for him!

My mum put empty pet bottles in the planter and let strawberries up to be bathe in the sun, so suddenly they started turning into red!

First home raised strawberries!!

Sweetie : Yay! here it is, but I don't like fruits and veges, actually...

It's fun to raise veges and fruits at home, I always wanted Sweetie to have such experiences, so I'm so happy that we could!
More strawberries are growing and Tomatoes!
We are very looking forward to see them every day!

How was the taste??? mmm... (lol) it was quite sour, not sweet at all, haha!



Here is my WIP that I can show here at the moment.
I have been working secret project at the same time, so here it is, Blackbird Designs Freebie!
I didn't see the chart (thread colour) and went to the room where I store threads and picked up "Antique Rose" (GAST), as I thought it would be nice for this design.

And after I saw the chart, it was stitched by the same thread, "Antique Rose"! wow!
So I was very happy that I picked up same colour with a designer, as thinking it would be nice!

The white clover ("Shirotsumekusa" in Japanese) you can see above photo and below was from Sweetie for me!
When he took a walk with his grand-ma (my mum), he always brought back wild flowers for me.
Mum told me he always says "Do you think mummy will be happy if I gave this?"

How sweet boy he is! Sometimes too naughty and I'm fed up with it, though he has very sweet heart!!

Thank you so much, my dearest Sweetie Tass! I love you, too!

Sweetie has started his "English Rhythmic" class from today, and he was so happy and seemed he had very much fun!
So at home we did the same thing like "head, shoulders, knees and toes~" and played, it's fun for mums, too!
I hope he will continue this class and will be able to speak English fluently in the future, and want him to meet and talk with my dear friends abroad, especially with Auntie Carol!

Take care and have a lovely day!

Thanks for your visit!

Labels: Misc., Photographs, Strawberry Diary

My friend doesn't do cross stitch nor embroidery.

This is designed as pincushion, though I added lavender in this mini and long pillow to let her sleep well, as I heard that she couldn't sleep well as she was thinking a lot about something when the last time we chatted.

I was very in hurry, so photos are not good, the below one is blury... sorry!
I added tassells on four conors of this sachet.

Just a quick post, I must take bath with Sweetie, and mum is nagging me to stop
playing with PC as always! lol

Strawberries are getting bigger a little by little.
And getting a bit red, now!

These were taken on 20th, so still green, though!











Must go!!!!
So, bye for now,

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stitching!

Pattern Name : Love Notes
Designed by : Paulette Stewart
Company : Plum Street Samplers
Fabric : 35/36ct unknown white linen
Thread : DMC
Finished as : Pincushion / Sachet

Labels: Pincushions, Plum Street Samplers, Sachet

Today, my brother's kids were here to see their grand-ma and play with my son!
They were running around in the house as screaming, it sounded so funny!
Kids are so sweet!

Here is a photo of my Sweetie's cousins!
They are so sweet, they are 8 and 6, and Sweetie is 4. I think 8 years old boy doesn't care about a little kid much, but this lovely nephew is so sweet and he always care and look for Tass so much!
Boys are running around everywhere, jumping on the bed, etc...! So active!

But 6 years old girl doesn't join them much, she was drawing princess, etc... so I played with her to be a model.
I passed her Tass's toy glasses and let her wear my scarf and what do you say? Hair-band?
I let her wear it on her head, and told her to pose for a picture like a model!
How is she? Isn't she cute?! She was poisoned by lacquer, so her cheeks were red and swollen yet, poor niece... Get well soon!

Here is a silly auntie Yuko... (lol)
My niece asked me to do the same, and she took this photo, haha!

Silly me, but I'm always like this, I love to amuse children so much, so when I always take photos of kids, I make noise like pig grunt to make them smile!

Oh... here... Now I'm addicted to this, Yes, Kiri!!!
Why is this such delicious???

I can't stop eating Kiri, when one of near supermarket did sale on Kiri, we bought 20 boxes!!!
Crazy, aren't we?!

I'm dreaming to sleep on the bed which was made by Kiri... lol

Tomato's stems are growing so much, but not much flowers yet...
And here is a flower, it's very small though, is this really be a tomato after the flower finished???
I hope it will go well!!

Thank you so much for your lovely comments always.

I'm so behind, actually no time to read everyone's blog at the moment, so I haven't been visiting your blogs for a long time, either leaving comments, though please forgive me!

Take care and have a lovely weekend!

Thank you for your visit!

Labels: Misc.

There was no nice wall in this house (lol, I mean they are old!), so I took photos on the piano, therefore not so good to see the entire piece, sorry.

I sewed linen picot lace both sides of the stitched piece, and added lavender colour lace on the bottom of it and also the fabric which I used for the background.

On the pole of tapestry, I put organza ribbon flower, too.
I gave this to my mum and now it's hanging on the wall of hall way.

Here is a photo which was taken with candle light...

Actually "Mum's the word..." is now in a WIP box and I don't feel like stitching it as I have to undo and re-stitch whole tree in the chart...
So mum, "Mum's the word..." will be for the next year, lol

Oh, a father's day is waiting for me in the next month, but it's OK, he can wait for me for a long long time as he is now in the heaven.
But dad, I will stitch for you, too! Wait for me, please! :D

Take care and thanks for your visit!

And happy stitching!!

Pattern Name : "Happy day for you" (Freebie) © Plum Street Samplers
Fabric : 28ct DMC linen (#3743)
Thread : DMC
Finished as : Tapestry

Labels: Freebie, Plum Street Samplers, Tapestry

First, we opened Present for Tass.
He was so excited to see what's inside, there were Thomas's English books, Jelly beans (Auntie Carol knows how much he loves jelly beans!) and some miniature toys!!

Look at them!! How sweet of her, she bought them for my son when she went to London with her grand daughter Kirby!
They are too cute!!! Tass was crazy about them soon he saw them, but I also fell in love with these tiny sets!!

Look at this sweet pink Mini!! I love this photo, so I will make postcard with this photo, later!
I asked Tass "Can you give me this Pink Mini???", he immediately said "No~!!!", lol
I just teased him! :D
Now he makes a town and there is London city, but he is thinking London is a country, lol
It's difficult to understand for 4 years old boy yet... but he knows American, Japanese, Canadian, England's flags already!

And she kindly sent him some British coins to play!!
How thoughtful lady she is! Now he is playing with them! Thanks Carol!
His real PIL didn't send him anything for his Birthday, but he is so lucky boy who is always thought by many friends of mine!!
Thank you so much for your constant consideration, Carol and also my friends!!

AND!!! Here they are!!! What sweet Carol sent me!
She isn't pinky type, though she knows that I like pink, so she sent me pinky stuffs!

Thank you so much, Carol!!

HERE!!! I was just speechless, not WAS still NOW, I'm speechless of seeing her perfect work!
This is what I was always seeing as drooling every time she made and posted on her blog.

My mum was also speechless to see her stunning work!!
I took many of this pincushion (how can I use this as pincushion!!), so please look at this her perfect work for a while...

Can you see my name YUKO at the corner?

And also can you see CAROL's name, too?

I'm sure you all are seeing this as drooling like me!

She knew that I love this pincushion so much, so she was secretly making this for me, I heard!
I'm so lucky enough to be a recipient of this her work, thank you so much Carol!!

Here is another her beautiful work, scissor fob!
Lovely, isn't it?! She added a charm which was written "Made with Love".
Yes, definitely this was made with her love, I felt!

Thank you SO SO much, Carol as always!
You made our day, indeed!
I really appreciate for you!

Here is an additional silly billy photo of me, lol
I was cooling my forehead with ice, and tied it by handkerchief, not I was dancing (lol)

I said I have been feeling better than before maybe on the last post, but still have been suffering from fever...
It's not piggie flu, so don't worry everybody, but it's side effect of medicine.
And it's getting higher and higher nowadays.
But I think my body has got used to it, so I don't feel ill much even though I had high fever.
Just feel hot and thirsty very much...

In Japan piggie flu is spreading, new patients was found in Tokyo area...
Actually the prefecture where I am present now is most popular for piggie flu, but if it's spread in Tokyo area, it would be awful!
It will soon spread around Tokyo area as there are so many people.

My hubby's company is in the center of Tokyo, and he goes to company by crowded train everyday, so he should be very careful for it...
I hope it won't spread much...

Take care + Thanks for visiting

And happy stitching!

Labels: Gifts

"Oh No!", "Oh No!"
This is what I have been kept saying nowadays... (lol)
It seems that there is a big frog on my back or somewhere very close to me!
I have been frogging so many times, oh how tiring this is!

Here is a "Mum's the word..." for my mum. I was thinking nothing wrong with this, BUT!
I found a big big mistake!
The tree has to be four linen threads right, so I have to frog the whole tree later... (sigh)

And here is another new project that I started today, this has started with specialty stitches and so it was quite hard for me to go forward...
When I get used it, I found that I shouldn't stitch it first, I stitched too much... oh no...

And after I frogged, another new specialty stitch has appeared, and when I finished it I found a big mistake and so I should frog this specialty stitch, yes everything... (big sigh...)

Please go away, a big FROG from me!! from here!!!

As for my health, as I knew that it's the side effect of medicine, I'm thinking I should get used it and face to this condition.
I still have fever everyday, but I got used it and so not like before...
So now I can stitch, only a little by little, though I'm happy with it!

Thank you so much everyone for thinking about my health always.

Everyone lefts comments with warm words which is concerning of my health.
I'm so touched by them everyday, but sorry that I can't reply to your comment at all...

Sweetie (my son) is getting more active than before, so I have to look after him with mum, so no time to read your blogs, no time to reply to e-mails, comments, etc... nowadays.
SO sorry, but when I have time, I will try to do my best for them!!

Here is a snap of his new bicycle from my mum as his 4th Birthday present!
He choose Micky Mouse's helmet, I knew that you will chose it! :D

Take care and have a lovely week!

Happy Stitching!

Labels: WIP

Thank you so much for her from here again!
Oh she is the one who made me a lovely tote bag before.

And here is a cupboard which my grand parents were used.
I found this in the garage and immediately decided to bring back this, too!

I think it's nice to store the magazines or books of cross stitch, and also charts!!

My mum's home is actually my grand parents' home, so there are so many old things in this house. So I'm quite exciting to find something old!
I have found some lovely antique things already, and so I'm asking mum if I could bring back them, too.
But mum is worried about where I place them, as my home is small...

And also she is sure that my hubby wouldn't be happy if I brought them back (lol)
Don't worry, mum!

Finally piggie flu has come into my city... sigh
Schools are closed for some weeks, I heard.
I do really hope everyone is fine.

Take great care and Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Antiques

I added "2009" , as this is for my dear friend's birthday present!
It's a bit hardly to see, but this was stitched with two colours, deep red and pink.

Here is the finished piece, I hope I could finish this nicely...
Now it's on its way, it should be there where the recipient is, but I have no sound yet...
I'm a bit worried now, it is taking so much time to get there!!!

Anyway, Thank you Paulette for this lovely design!

Take care and have a lovely weekend!
Happy Stitching!




Design : "Love Note" © Plum Street Samplers
Fabric : unknown 36ct linen
Thread : DMC

Labels: Plum Street Samplers

We all don't like cakes that much, so we can't eat whole circle cake, so we always buy short cakes.
When he grew up and he could eat a lot, I would definitely buy a whole circle cake for him!!
We went to Sushi restaurant for lunch as he loves Sushi! :D

And also today we were no appetite as we are having cold, so just these short cakes to cerebrate!
Shop staff forgot to add candles for the cake, so we used our heart shaped candle.

My mum bought a bicycle and helmet for his 4th birthday!
I wanted BMW Mini's bicycle, but there wasn't the suitable size (inch) for him, so we resigned...
And I bought him this LEGO and new cap for summer!

Now he is playing with this and seems so fun!!
He is quite good to make something with blocks, so he is looking at booklet and making town!

And also his auntie presented him these lovely clothes, Thanks auntie!






Not so much differents at all...

A little bit bigger than before???

Sweetie, I do hope your new year will be full of happiness and I love you always!! ((hugs))

Thanks for visiting and Happy stitching!

Labels: Birthdays, Family

Why "Surrogate MIL" ??
If you read my blog regularly, you might know about my real MIL, so Carol R. offered me to be my SMIL!
I can't explain well as my English ability is not good enough, so please visit her blog (here) and please read the reason why, lol

Anyways, here are some photos of framed piece of "Mum's the word..."

Isn't this beautiful?! I love this and also my mum fell in love again as always (lol)
There was another antiqued beautiful frame, and I was going to choose that one, but when the mat was made and set the stitched piece, this frame was more beautiful than the antiqued one!

Just simply beautiful, I thought and decided!

Here is a close up photo of the frame.
Now I still have been stitching for my mum this design, but she also will choose this mat and frame for this design!
So my SMIL and mum would have the same piece, how nice!

Here is another present for Mother's day from my hubby and me for my mum.
This is preserved flower, and so these flowers keeps their beauty for about 2-3 years.
Every year we send flower, in Japan carnation is the symbol of mother's day, so this also has carnation in the vase.

Isn't this beautiful?! I fell in love with this and decided to send this to my mum.
I also sent the flower for my real MIL... just token of ... what? LOL

I chatted with Carol R. last night and it was SO fun!! We chatted for a long time and she made me happy with her warm and thoughtful words, thanks SMIL!

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day for all mum in the world!!

Take care + have a lovely weekend!
Happy Stitching!

Design : "Mum's the word... (Chrysanthemums)" © Primrose Needleworks
Fabric : 32ct Witchelt Linen (Sandstone)
Thread : GAST, CC, and DMC (I changed some colours)

Labels: Gifts, Mother's Day

I have been working on spinning threads on bobbin as how I organized threads were not good idea for a lazy person like me, I was putting threads them in plastic bags like small ZipLock, and put them in the boxes.
But this idea wasn't really good TO me, I couldn't find what I want to find and so bought threads and at the end so many same colours were found in the box... silly me!

So now I can't find the recommended threads easily as I have been working on it and messing around with threads!
So recent work of mine, I changed colours a lot, but it doesn't mean that I don't like the recommended threads, just couldn't find them, lol

Anyways, so I changed colours for this pattern, too.
"Chrysanthemums" in #746 wasn't show up well, shame...
I didn't know "Chrysanthemums (菊）" and checked dictionary, and then the dictionary said it's used for funeral as well...　so I asked Su if this pattern would be for dead person???
But Su told me, in England it's also the symbol of mum or mother's day!
In Japan also "Chrysanthemums" is used for funeral, so when Su told me about that I felt OK! go and start stitching! :D
Thank you, Su!

I added "2009 YUKO" above the word "Chrysanthemums", but I stitched it with one strand and so it was shown quite weak, but it's OK, I'm a modest, lol

Here is a humming bird, the chart was written to do backstitch, but I couldn't do beautifully, so I did long stitch. I think it's fine and beautifully done, though what do you think???

I framed this with beautiful mat, and presented to my "Surrogate Mum" in England.
I have been stitching the same design for my mum, too, as she loved this as well!
I heard that my "Surrogate Mum" received it safely, so I will share some photos of framed piece tomorrow!

Back to stitching, until tomorrow I would like to finish my mum's one!






Here is another diary "Tomato Diary" lol
Now we have been growing strawberries and tomatoes in the planter.

This is so nice experience for little kid to see and know how they grow up!

Here is a tomato's flower.
I didn't know that tomato's flower is yellow like this until now.

My mum is always thinking about my son Tass, thinking how she makes him happy, smile and make him excited!

I really appreciate for her, she doesn't do anything to me, she says "just relax now", but she is old so seems quite tough to nursing him all day.
Thank you, Mum!



P.S. To Bonnie who has left a comment on my last post, could you please tell me your e-mail address? Thanks.

Take care + Have a lovely weekend!
Thanks for visiting!!

Design : "Mum's the word... (Chrysanthemums)" © Primrose Needleworks
Fabric : 32ct Witchelt Linen (Sandstone)
Thread : GAST, CC, and DMC (I changed some colours)

Labels: Mother's Day

What a sweet day! That's why I saw so many Lily of the valley's images or photos, etc... on the French blogs on 1st of May...

I stitched twice, one is on 40ct linen, and another one is on 30ct linen band.
Now I'm thinking how to finish them! :D

[ Lily of the Valley ]
Code for flowers : Pure, Happiness returns


I hope finishing work will go well, I will do maybe tomorrow if I didn't go out.
From today, I will try to write "Strawberry Diary", about strawberries that we planted!
We also planted tomatos, so will probably write "Tomato Diary", too (lol)

Photos were taken 4th of May, 2009.

This hand is my son's (nearly 4 years old) hand, so you can maybe imagine how small the strawberry is.

Strawberries white lovely floweres are still blooming, so we will probably pick them a lot than we expected!


It's so fun to observe them, when floweres finished, fruits are appear a little by little...
My son is also observating them together, and he is very expecting to pick them (but he doesn't eat fruits and veges... he is a very picky boy!)

I will try to take photos of them later and post them sometime!

Labels: Freebie, Strawberry Diary

But we don't like crowded place and traffic jam, so we have no plan to go anywhere special in this holiday, so we are having just normal life!

Yesterday, we all went to church as my mum had something to do, so sweetie and I were playing together while she was working, as there is an extensive garden in the site of church, it's so great place for sweetie to play and running around!

Look at this beautiful photo above!! He looks feel so fine and peace!
I love this photo the best!!

He doesn't get used to play around outside as you may know about Japanese crowded cities... There are some parks near mum's house, but it's very small and nobody is playing outside... and also he couldn't enter to Kindergarten because I became ill...
So he doesn't have little friends around...
Sweetie, from next year, you can make so many friends, I'm sure!

Most of photos, he just followed my instructions, I asked him to lay down on the grass, take dandelion, etc... then he fed up with me asking him to pause from the middle way of taking photos, lol

I am very famous that I HATE insects, BUT, BUT!!!!
I'm getting used to touch or catch them (only little one, though!) a little by little.
So yesterday, I caught ladybugs and attelabidae insects for my sweetie!
CAN'T BELIEVE, that I caught them!!! Mum is tough!!

Hello there, from sweetie! This place is so beautiful and feel so peace!
He was running around, I was so happy to see him running as laughing!!

And again he is playing with CAR, lol... Yesterday my brother's family and we went out for shopping to buy my niece's Birthday Present (she asked grand-ma to buy new bicycle!).
And then my brother bought my son a shelf box for toy cars' which can also be a car park, because my brother saw that my sweetie mess up very much! lol

Thanks, brother T!

Look at this, lovely photo, isn't it! It's the first time he laid down on the grass!
I think he was feeling very good, and think it was very good experience for him!
That's why I like country side!!

I realized green makes people's heart so fresh and peaceful.
The scene is from the park to the river.

I found a very old bicycle trailer in the park, of course it's the first time for him to see this, so I told him about this that when we were child old people were using this to carry things.
He knew about this image as he loves to watch "My Neighbor Totoro"!

There were so many split woods, sweetie said "I'm pixie!" and playing to step up onto them.
After then he started pretend to be pixie, and so I called his name, he correct it and said to me "Mama, call me pixie" lol

Everyday like this, he becomes Micky, Minny, Tinker Bell, Daddy, etc... and also he asks my mum + I to be someone else... before I became TV! why??? lol
Kids are so funny!

This nice picture, do you think who took it?
3 years old sweetie took some nice photos of me!!
I think he is seeing that I'm taking photos almost everyday, he knew how to take photos, so he measured the distance, etc... and checked preview and said "uhmmm it was a bit small, so I take mama's photo again" , I was very surprised!

Here is our feet (shoes)! I took this photo when we sat down on the bench.
I love this kind of photos, too! :D

Just before we going back, we met Welsh Corgi named "Kotatsu", he was very gentle and we played with him a bit! He was so lovely!!

This Clover (Trefoil?) is present from Sweetie!
Thank you Sweetie! I'm so happy to receive sweet present from you!!

My mum told me when they are taking walk, Sweetie always say "If I gave Mama, Mama will be happy and cheerful?? What do you think, grand-ma??" and took field flowers.

How sweet of him, and I'm so touched by his warm heart.
Thank you Sweetie!

Sorry all, I'm preparing to send secret projects out now, so yet no stitching photos to share...
But thank you so much for your visit comments!

I appreciate for you all!

Take care + Happy Stitching!

Labels: Family, Misc.