My Mum's Works! (1)

Not my stitching post yet, though some photos related to handcraft!

My mum also loves handcrafts, she has have tried and done so many arts, like patchwork, quilt, French embroidery, canework, papier-mache (like fimo), ceramic art (with my dad), sewing, knitting, etc...
And recently she has started cross stitch as I asked her to try!
And when I backed her home in the last Dec., she decorated this on the wall!

She said she miscalculated to cut the fabric, so she arranged the original design, though I can't see where it is, it seems perfect!
And if I was I wouldn't choose this colour's frame for red work, though isn't it beautiful?
She told me that she found it at craft shop and she thought it would be nice for it! Well done, mum!
(I forgot to ask what designer's chart this is...)
*Editid---Marianne told me in the comment that this is "Quaker Floral" by Midnight Stitching

But she says, sadly it's quite hard to do cross stitch for her as she has bad sight...
Now she has a piece of Prairie Schooler design as WIP or is already UFO??? :)

Anyways, I think I have told you before, though I can't knit at all...
And also can't do tennis, LOL
But my mum likes knitting, so I always ask her to knit something for me when the winter has come!

And the last year, I asked her to knit these pair of knit beret and scarf in indigo blue yarn.
And here they are (a photo below...), I'm wearing them in this photo!
They are quite lovely and they very suit for jeans style!

And this year, I asked her to make them... :)
One is neck warmer (photo below)!
Isn't this lovely??? I found this when I went to craft shop with mum in my birth town.
She made this in only two days!! I think for people who can knit well, it would be a piece of cake, but for me it's unbelievable!

And another one is this cape! (photo below)

The model in the book was knitted by orange tone yarn, but I choose this red base yarn as my lucky colour is red!
Isn't this also beautiful??? I wore this on the New year's day to feel mum being with me to cheer me up!

This is very warm and so it's so good for me as I have poor circulation!!
Actually she is knitting a lovely vest for me at the moment, she told me it will be ready soon so she will send it to me soon!!

When it arrived, I will show you the photo of it!

I really envy ladies who can knit so well, I really want to do knit, but I can't somehow...

My mum is so sweet, I have never met someone who is so kind and a warm-hearted person like her!
Thank you mum always helping me and sending me lots of love!!

I will visit you with Tass again soon!

New Year's Holiday : Day 3 - Shonan Beach in Winter

Thank god, the weather is very lovely during our New year's holiday this year!
Today we went out for driving aimlessly, and I just asked to stop at the beach nearby, it's very famous beach in Japan, Shonan Kaigan (beach) where is a mecca for surfers!

In the summer there are so many surfers, wind-surfers, etc... and very crowded, but in this season there are some surfers and wind-surfers there when the weather is fine.

A lady is ready to surf!

Today's wave was a ripple, so it was good for beginners, I think.
While they were waiting for wave coming, they were like crows on the line... :0

Here is a little boy who has gone down into a beach for the first time...
"Oh it's the beach and it's the sea, isn't it?"
We were living in the big city when he was a baby, and the last house was placed on the mountain side, so we had not so many chances to come to the beach until now!

And playing with a ripple with his daddy...
He seemed very happy playing with waves!

Here we are! This is my small family. The shadow of my hubby, sweetie and me.

After beach playing, we went to a big shopping mall where there is a craft shop.
I looked around the frame counter, but I didn't have finished piece with me (actually I have not many of finished pieces at all!), so next time!

My husband is not "stay at home" type at all, so when he is on holiday, I become busy... ;0
Actually I want to stitch all day long, though sweetie always wants me to go with, so my (small) dream is to stitch whole day alone with milk tea, at the moment! :)

Sorry for no stitching post at all.
Actually I have no photos to share about stitching at the moment at all.
Although I haven't been sharing stitching issues, thank you so much for your visit to my blog and lovely comments!

I really appreciate for them all.

P.S. Sorry for my friends, I haven't been able to reply to your e-mails, comments, at all.
I will organize them and will write you back a little by little.
Thanks for your patience!

P.S.S. When I chatted with my old friend online, he simply asked me about my blog "why you hide eyes on your photos?" I thought he and everyone would think so!
In Japan, people care privacy very much, and I know there are some nasty online boards where are full of gross slander.
And I have became a target once before when I was writing Japanese blog (that's why I switched over from Japanese blog to this English blog...), so I don't want to show my family or friend's face...
I don't know who is stalking my blog to set as a target for nasty board again, that's why...

Anyways, take care and I wish you and your family a wonderful year with full of happiness!

Thanks for visiting and Happy stitching!

A New Year's Day Report!

Yesterday was the day that we had to visit PIL's home.
So I was planning to wake up earlier and before we go, I was going to visit shrine to get talisman!
But silly aren't I, I had alcohol in the midnight, so I over slept and couldn't go to shrine...

Today we went to shrine nearby to first visit of the year, and prayed for our happiness and got charms.

And I normally don't do it, but this year I really wanted to get a written fortune, and!!
I've got an Excellent Luck!!! Yeah!!
Last year, uhmmm not only the last year, I have been given much trouble for these 4 years, so this Excellent Luck meant me so much, it might sound a bit silly to you, though I felt very relieved!!

After we red written fortunes, we tie the paper to the rope or the trees like this.
I took top center of the rope and tied it very tight as praying for this year's happiness!!

As for the New year's day at PIL's house, SIL (my husband's brother's wife) and her 3 daughters didn't come, because they had cold, that changed the atmosphere so much I think, because now MIL is crazy for them!

Before then, she was crazy for my son (even she hates me!), but since I haven't been taking him to see them, she isn't interested in him now.

Is it the same "Love me, love my dog." = "Hate me, hate my son." ??? LOL

She is a bit indebted to me (actually my mum), so she seemed not want to talk with me, she also kept out of me, didn't talk to me.

I also didn't talk to her as much as possible.
So nothing trouble has happened! Thanks to everyone!!

But I was surprised when we all went to restaurant and while my son and I were having dessert, my son wanted to go to bathroom, so I took him there, but just after we were back to the table, check has finished and everyone was outside... I wanted to say, "Excuse me? we were still eating, though?" ;(

And MIL asked me about my son "Does he still love toy cars??", so I said "Yes, but recently he is getting interested in reading books", then she said "So there is Ponyo's book (Hayao Miyazaki's latest anime) at home".

So my husband said "Oh, so if he interested in it, gave it to him please".

But I didn't miss her funny face, and I realised that her face means...
When we were all back to PIL's home, she showed my son that book, but just soon after she showed him the book, she took away as saying "No, you are not interested in it, are you!, this wasn't bought for you, for Riko (2nd brother's daughter)!" and she took the book away from my son and said to 2nd brother "Here you are, it's for Riko, I thought she would be happy!"... ;(

My son even didn't open the cover yet, though! LOL

Anyway, don't care about her!!

FIL seemed still like my son, so when we were preparing to go home, he seemed a bit sad and said to my son "Tass, won't you stay over here? What do you think?"

But soon MIL said, "NO, put on your shoes immediately!!"

So my son was quite poor... But he seemed that he felt the atmosphere very much, he didn't talk to his grandpa and grandma at all, and didn't come to them.
Even though I have never told him about them bad, because I'm thinking he should judge in the future, so I don't like them but I don't tell about it to my son.
But children can feel it sensitively, my son LOVEs my mum SO much!! He kisses to my mum, hugs her, talk to her so much, always talking about my mum, but not to them!!

So you see, it's their loss!!!

MIL hates me, so she doesn't like my son anymore, isn't it strange?
I thought Grandparents love their every grandchildren...

But it was good for me, she didn't talk to me much.

I hope that my husband doesn't think it's my fault...

Anyways, I've got Excellent Luck!!!

So I will try to think positive and go forward to the right way!!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Happy new year, everyone!

P.S. Thank you so much everyone for telling me about your Christmas stories!!

I will prepare carrots for reindeer from next year, and I won't forget to leave tooth print on the carrot! LOL (it's lovely, isn't it!)
And I spill a bit of milk on the floor!
Thanks for lovely ideas! I love to know other countries traditions or culture so much, it's so much fun!

Happy stitching!! :)

Happy New Year, 2009!!

Happy new year, everyone!
As I have been taking medicines, I shouldn't have alcohol, but tonight I had it for special occasion and now am feeling so good, ke ke ke!

The new year has already started (in Japan), but let me report about our last Christmas!
The last month, my husband was away for business trip, so only two of us, Tass my son and I spent Christmas together!

Just for two, so I didn't cook so much! lazy mum, aren't I?!
And my son seemed not understanding what the Christmas is exactly, so I didn't ask him what he wants for Christmas, because I knew his answer, it's TOY CARs!!!
He has thousands of toy cars, so we want him to change his mind a bit recently...

I have never heard of this idea before, but the last year I red at someones blog that in Western countries, they left cookies and milk (some food and drinks?) for Santa and go to bed, then next morning when children saw the dish, they have gone and children will surprise! (my memory might be at fault, is this OK??? if it's different from your tradition, please let me know!)
I thought this is so romantic and magical for children and nice idea, so from this year I decided to do the same!

Of course there is no fire place in my house, so we left cookies and milk for Santa on the console table at our entrance, and told my son "if cookies and milk have gone tomorrow morning, it means Santa really came our home!!"
I don't know he really understood what I said, but he seemed a bit excited! :)

In Japan, the Christmas present is always left beside pillow on a boxing day.
How about in your countries?? Presents are left under the tree? In the stocking??

When he found his present beside his pillow, he said "Wow, Santa really came here for me to left a present, Yahoo (Yatta-)!!", it was so sweet!

And here... Santa ate our cookies and drunk milk (of course I did, lol)!!

He was not sure about this story yet, but I told him about it and he said, "Oh, I see! (lol)".
Probably next year he will understand properly. :)

Santa presented him many books.
In his mind, there is always full of cars, so we want him to read books more and more.

I wasn't sure he would be pleasure or not, but he said he is happy to receive books from Santa, so I felt very relief! :)

Before he always asked me to read (show) toy cars picture book, but recently he is getting interested in other story books.
And after Santa presented him books, he asks me to read his favourite book before he sleep! (good thing!!)
Today he even asked me to read English books like Humpty Dumpty which Carol R. gave him before. (actually it was difficult for me, too! LOL)

Books are from Santa, and I presented him a book shelf to store them all!

It was just two of us, but we had a lovely Christmas!

In Japan, the Christmas mood has already gone and now it's totally New Year's mood!!
This morning I will put New Year's wreath on the front door.

So we soon put Christmas tree and all decorations away...

And soon have to prepare for the New year, so this time of year is always quite busy for parents!

Today I should go to PIL's house, but I will not take MIL's nasty words to my heart, I have so many wonderful friends LIKE YOU!!!

And I will buy talisman (lol) before we go there! and will wear the knit that my mum made for me, to feel mum is being with me to cheer me up!

I hope nothing the worst thing will happen on the New years day!!

Take care and thanks for visiting!

Let's talk soon! xx

PIF (Pay It Forward) FOR Elisa

I can't believe, it's the last day of the year tomorrow!!
In Japan we clean the whole house at the end of the year, but this year I didn't do anything...
I was just mentally and physically tired (is this just excuse?? lol), I haven't been able to stitch much nowadays.

By the way, I heard that the Elisa has received the PIF gift safely, so I can share some photos what I made for her.
I was quite not sure what her tastes are, but light blue flashed into my mind when I thought about Elisa, so I bought a bit antique blue basket and stitched an angel in blue.

And I trimmed the basket lid and the stitched piece with shinny light blue gathered lace.

The back of the lid is also covered the same fabric that I used for the front.

I red that Elisa liked this and some goodies that I sent her, so I now feel relieved!!

3 PIFs done and 3 more PIFs to go!

I should tidy up my stitching stuffs soon, and have to try to concentrate on making 3 more PIF gifts!!

I decided to visit my PIL on the new years day with my husband and son, but I asked my husband not to stay there long time... otherwise I will get sick, mentally!!
I should visit shrine near by to buy a talisman before I visit them!!

Please fingers crossed for me!
And have a Happy new year, everyone!!

Thanks for visiting, and let's talk soon in 2009!

Design : Freebie © Casamia
Fabric : 32ct Belfast Linen (Ivory)
Thread : DMC

Finished as : Basket lid

Merry Christmas! - Blessings Be Thine Framed

Just in time! I've received an ordered frame for "Blessings Be Thine" © Blackbird Designs a few days ago!
So soon after I received it, I framed it.
How is it? I think it turned out beautifully.

There is glass inside, so it was quite difficult to take good photos, though these photos show the linen colour (40ct vintage pear) justice, photos of this last post didn't show the linen colour justice, I think.

How is this frame? It's a bit different from how I imagined, but it's OK, I think it's still beautiful!
And the cost was very reasonable, so I will order another frame from this online framer again.
But my husband again found a big frame shop near my place, so I want to go there and want to see what they sell!

Here is a small Christmas decoration which I stitched about 2 years ago.

This year I couldn't decorate home for Christmas much as I was away and quite busy...

So next year I really want to decorate home very Christmassy, of course with some Christmas stitched items!

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy new year!

Take care and thanks for visiting!

Design : "Blessings Be Thine" © Blackbird Designs
Fabric : 40ct Vintage Pear
Thread : GAST

"Joyeux Noel "Free chart @ Echevette Dominique A.

Thanks A Lot, Aunt Carol!

Yesterday when we were going out, I found something big parcel in the mailbox, it was from Carol R. to my son Tass.
I guessed it's Christmas Pressie for Tass, so I hid it soon but he found it and said "I'm sure it's mine!" (lol)
I told him "No, it's only rubbish (sorry Carol!), not parcel nor present!" but he didn't accept what I said, he kept saying "It's mine, it's mine! Please open it now!!"
And he also said "If is this from Aunt Carol???"
(Yes, you are right... but how do you know? Why? You can't read alphabets nor even Japanese, though!)

I think he saw the alphabets on the parcel, and must thought "English = Aunt Carol".
He didn't give up, so I asked him to open it on the Christmas day, but he doesn't understand what the Christmas is yet, so he said "OK, so I'm going to let Christmas stop now, so let's open the parcel instead!" and he was going to turn off the switch of the Christmas tree, LOL
He thinks if the rights of tree have been turned off, the Christmas has gone! (lol)
My mum and I laughed so much, but at the same time we were surprised how he getting grow so fast!

I opened the parcel carefully and it was wrapped beautifully by pretty light blue paper.
And inside was, Radio Control BMW MINI!!! wow!
He doesn't know yet, hasn't seen Radio Control car before, so it's his first Radio Control Car, and it's his favourite MINI!!

I tried to let the car run to show him, and it was so fun!
He was extremely excited and when I saw his face, he had full of smile face and his eyes were shinning!!
My husband AJ also loves Radio Control car (he is like a child), so when I told him about this story on the phone (he is still away for business trip), he sounded exciting to play with Tass.

Thank you SO much Carol for thinking about us always!
We really appreciate for your thoughtfulness and kind heart!

Tomorrow, only two of us my son and I will cerebrate Christmas, but it will be fun!
Take care everyone, and thanks for visiting!

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2009!

p.s. Dear my friends, so sorry that I haven't been replying you yet...
And also sorry that I haven't been commenting you much recently...
I will write you a little by little, but this time of year is quite busy, so please forgive me!

Molto Grazie, Claudia!!

Yesterday was a mail day, a postman rung the door bell and said it's an express mail, but I was not sure what it is and from who... but when I opened the door, I found that the postman was holding a big puffy envelope from Italy!
It was from dear friend, Claudia!! Just look at these beautiful presents from her!
I was just overwhelmed!!

She added so many goodies for me and for my son Tass as well, they all are very beautifully wrapped, so I hesitated to open them for a while!

Please look at this fabulously beautiful mini pillow made by her...
I was just speechless... and was so touched by her stunning finish...

Colours are so soft and so beautiful, and she added pearls and ribbon at four corners.
And it smells so nice as well!!
I have never seen such a beautiful finished work, when the first time I've saw her work, I was speechless I remember, and this time again!

Her works are always so perfect!!! Thank you SO SO much Claudia for such a wonderful Christmas present!!

She added some toys and scissors which is for kids for my son!
It's the first time for him to have scissors, and he wanted to try to use them so much.
He soon learnt how to use them and here is a photo!
He so enjoyed to cut papers!!

Claudia also included a piece of paper which her daughter (I call her "little princess"!) drew herself, her mum and me!
It's so sweet and well drew! Thanks little princess Melissa! xx
And molto grazie mille per Claudia, I really appreciate for your thoughtfullness!!

We also have got another parcel, it was from Fiona, and the parcel was to my son!

My son was so excited to open his parcel, he loves parcels!! (lol)

It was an album of our memory photos in Karuizawa, and they were so nice!

Thank you so much, Fiona!
We are looking forward to seeing you more in 2009!

My mum is going back to her home tomorrow, My son and I will miss her so much...
He LOVEs his grand mother (my mum) SO much, so I'm so worried and I'm sure that he will cry a lot to say good bye to her...
We are telling him that grand-ma is going to work tomorrow, so he is thinking that she will be back soon.
I hope he still believes it, and won't cry when she leaves...

Take care and thanks for visiting!

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

I'm Back! AND Birthday Present FOR Carol R.

Hi everyone! I'm finally back from mum's home, and I brought back my mum with us to our home for 1 week! :)
I had very cozy and relax 2 weeks at mum's home, it was so nice chance to have unexpected holiday with her!
I realized again that I like country side... I don't like crowded place, much...
I will report my country side life with some photos later, today I share stitching photos which I made for Carol R.'s Birthday!

I know that Carol loves Quaker, so I found CHS's chart (one of Sampler House) in my stash and took them to my mum's home with me.
Here it is, I made a flat fold for her.

I stitched on 40ct newcasthle linen (flax) and used DMC.
I changed the Initials to her's and mine in navy, and added 08, too.
All Initials were stitched on 1 over 1 on 40ct, it was soooo hard to stitch!!

I added dark brown braid around the edge, and added organza(?) ribbon on left top with wooden button.
I also added dark brown thin ribbon which shaped leaves at the support on the back.

I used grey rose fabric for the back.
I forgot to take a photo of backing fabric, though Carol has some photos of this on her blog, if you would like to see. :)

Actually this wooden button was my son's favourite (he likes small spherical things), so when he saw that I added this button on the ribbon, he was going to take it back!! (lol)

He was almost going to cry, so I gave him another wooden button :D

By the way, Thank you so much Dovile, Sally for the sweet Christmas cards!
I wish you all will have very merry Christmas!

Thanks for visiting and Happy stitching!

A Corsage

Nothing special about stitching, I still have been suffering from backache (I went to see a doctor!) and have been very tired somehow, so haven't been stitching at all these days...

Before I left for our trip, I've just made this corsage to put on my shawl or bag.
Not good photos, though! It was very easy to made!

My husband is away for business trip for one month, so my son and I am going back to my mum's home for about two weeks!
I'm yet not sure if I take this lap top to her house, because mum said that her Internet connection doesn't work well...

So I might not be around for about two weeks, if I didn't take this PC there.
If I didn't, I won't be able to "see" you all for a while, so until then take care and have a lovely days!

and... Happy Stitching!

(edited) --- I decided not to take this lap top to my mum's home, so I won't be able to reply to your e-mails, post here etc... so see you 2 weeks later!