Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Progressive Temari Project 2010 - Free Pattern

One of the activities I imagined up for ITAD was a progressive stitch along project.  The goal was to add one step at a time, with a different person adding each new step. I put the call out for participants on the Temari Challenge list and we had 7 participants sign up: Rod B, Kristy S, Laura B, Rebecca from Perth, Kat from IL, Barb S and Debi A. We decided to keep the project cheap and cheerful by describing the colours as well as giving the product codes, doing this allowed everyone to choose the best option from their own stash.

Here is the pattern for the temari we designed together.

Debi's completed temari

Step 1: Rod suggested:
Base size: 30cm  Mari colour: off-white/cream

Step 2: Kristy suggested:
C8 division, marked in pale gold. Nordic Gold ND1

Step 3: Laura suggested:
Using 2 colors of green 240 and 859 Anchor Perle #5 (the colors are a medium olive color and a lighter mint julep-y color), locate the 6 part triangles and stitch a sakasa uwagake triangle. To do this begin stitching 1/2 way point (between the side and the center) on the short lines. You will stitch 6 rows beginning with the darker green and alternating colours with each row, ending with the lighter green. This will give a corner border to each of the squares. If you are unfamiliar with this stitch you can read about how to stitch it on
temarikai.

Step 4: Rebecca suggested:
Using a puplish blue 791 DMC Perle #5 stitch two interlocking rows of Uwagake Chidori Kagari around the six 8-part squares to form a 4 petal shape. The outer points are stitched on the short lines just outside the square (at the 4part diamond) and inner points are stitched 1.25cm from the center on the long lines. Make the first row with slightly loose tension. On the second row drop the inner points down by stitching at 1.75cm from the pole. This will result in a 5mm straight stitch at the center. If you are unfamiliar with this stitch you can read about how to stitch it on temarikai. I recommend numbering each of the six centers so they are stitched in the same sequence on each row.

Step 5: Kat suggested:
Add another 3 rounds, this time in maroon, on the Uwagake Chidori Kagari, previously started in dark blue. In this case, I did one round around each center, noting the order as I went, then the second round in the same order as the first, the third round same way.

Step 6: Barb suggested:
Add one more row to the 4 petal Kiku herringbone design in medium blue, Anchor 129.

Step 7: Debi suggested:

 Add a starburst in the negative space of the four petaled flowers. Use the bluish/purple color that Rebecca suggested to make a starburst with long stitches that fill up the space and follow the contours created by the point overlaps. I kept mine rather sparse with only 8 stitches (or 16 points to the starburst). To tie the colors together add a small X stitch over the center using the blue from Barb's row.
 
 
I must say a huge thank you to everyone who joined in on this project. The temari we made together is gorgeous. It was really fun... maybe we can do this again sometime.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Rosa's 10 year service call

Ten years ago Rosa fromBundaberg, Australia, spent 9 weeks in Scotland when her mother had an accident while holidaying there.  Almost every day she made a temari and gave it away. The temari pictured above was given to the lady in the bed opposite her mother’s while she was in a ward and not in Intensive Care. The lady lived in Leichester (England) was also on holidays in Scotland when she hurt her back.  In September this year Rosa and her husband called to see the lady in Leichester and she bought out the ball.  The hanging cord had come loose and she had not hung it up for some years. Rosa mended it for her and back it went on her lounge door handle.   Rosa said "It was lovely to be able to make a house call to repair it after 10 years."

Temari can be an amazing gift of friendship (and also an excellent way to make new friends).

Thanks for sharing this story Rosa.

Update from Tiny's Exhibition in The Netherlands

This photo is from my exhibition which opened on 22 October. This is Mrs Tegelberg, who is a representative from the Japanese garden in Den Helder. After the opening She received a temari in the ITAD design.

This is a small overview of a nice corner and 3 you see to small boxes decorating with temari on a background. I used 30 black boxes decorated with different extra decoration, like a picture, some nuts and beans and also some with origami . See Tiny's website for more information and photographs.

Thanks Tiny for making this wonderful exhibition for temari to celebrate ITAD.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Today is International Temari Appreciation Day!!

Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!! Happy International Temari Appreciation Day!!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A spotlight on Temari in Queensland

Kristy from Queensland, Australia, works in a museum, and has kindly organised a small display for ITAD. Part of this museum showcases fading heritage trades like blacksmithing, leadlighting, silversmithing, felting etc...  At one time the art of Temari making almost faded away too but thanks to the support of a growing number of temari makers around the world, those old skills are being learned by new generations of people everywhere.

Kristy has also provided her local craft shop some temari leaflets, started writing her own blog, and will also help three ladies try out temari. Kristy told me "ITAD was a great idea and really gave me the ooomph to push the temari out there in ways I hadn't thought of before".


Go to the Flickr site to see Kristy's photos.
 
Congratulations Kristy and thank you for sharing temari making.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Temari Exhibition in The Netherlands

Tiny has made an exhibition of temari making at a gallery near Den Helder. It opens on October 22 and includes Tiny's own temari and those of students from Tiny's hometown.  The name of the gallery is called Galerie-Potterie 't Tiende Kind. Look a this beautiful poster Tiny has to promote the show.


Tiny will take some photos of the exhibition when it commences. They will be at Tiny's website, here is the link.  Thank you to Tiny and your students for making such a wonderful event for International Temari Appreciation Day.

Gifted Hands Shares the Art of Temari

This photo shows the Temari display that our local EGA chapter, Gifted Hands of Cary, set up for one of our local libraries in North Carolina, USA. We will be giving a Temari demonstration, actually showing how to create a Temari, at the same library on Oct. 30th. Our group is Gifted Hands of Cary which is a chapter of Embroidery Guild of America.

Thank you to Jeannie's group for sharing the love of temari making for International Temari Appreciation Day.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

ITAD is just 2 weeks away... here is a cool competition to celebrate.

Goodness where did the entire month of August go? For that matter what happened to September?? I just don't know where the last 6 weeks have gone! Today I am announcing a giveaway competition for everyone celebrating ITAD 2010. We want to know how you celebrate ITAD.


Here are the entry guidelines:
General: Take a photo of whatever temari celebration you do on (or during the week of) ITAD. Upload your photo and a caption description just a few sentences long to the flickr group or email it directly to me at this place [intl.temari.day(at)gmail.com] The entries will be added to the ITAD blog so by entering you grant the International Temari Appreciation Day coordinator permission to use the image and text in your entry.
Time: Competition will commence on October 15 2010 and close at Midnight October 31st 2010 local time. I live in Western Australia so the time here is GMT+8. Note I have opened this competition a bit earlier than the date originally specified (22nd Oct). So if your plans are already in place please send your entry now.
Photography: Please ensure you have permission of any individuals in your photograph as they will be published on this blog. Ensure your photo is named in an identifiable way. This will ensure you get all the credit for it.
Caption: Please tell us what you did and where you were. No long essays needed just a few sentences, no more than 100 words. This can be in English or your own language if you would prefer. I can always translate your text if necessary.
Prize: A little parcel of 7 DMC perle 5 and 3 Kreinick braid threads, one card of 3 needles and a JTA V-ruler will be posted to the winner. Here is a picture of the giveaway.
Draw: One winner will be selected at random from all the entries received before the competition closing time.


Here's a sample entry. I have used an old photo from my other blog and just added a few sentences about it underneath. The are about 60 words which is more than enough:
 
This is a plum blossom tree in my front garden in Perth, Australia. A few months ago (back in the winter) we had an unusually warm and sunny day so I decided to dress up this bare tree with some temari balls. Lots of neighbours walked past and wondered what I was doing. I had a great time and I love this photo. By Rebecca from Perth