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While I'm watching TV ...

Winter temperatures have dropped dramatically in this part of the world in the last week , and my work room is cold… so most nights I have been watching some TV in the warmth of our family room. So, what projects can I do while watching shows like Master Chef each night? I decided to devote TV time to temari. Temari  are thread wrapped decoratively stitched balls - a Japanese folk craft originally made in ancient times to amuse children. I think most temari designers these days like to think of them as small works of  stitiched art.
I was a raw beginner about six weeks ago when my mother got me started. I also bought a book which begins “How can anything that looks so intricate be so simple?” (from Japanese Temari, A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft by Barbara B. Suess). I must admit I was sceptical about the “simple” bit, but was surprised at the results from  familiar embroidery stitches. While I  haven’t attempted a complex division of the balls yet, and do not claim that I am at all proficient at making temari,  I am fairly pleased that I have managed a few different techniques and patterns... and been productive while watching TV.

 Uh -oh ... I should have read further into the book ... It cautions " Stitching temari can be highly addictive!" . I think it's too late.

PS If you read the previous post, the work on the Seasons Challenge is proceeding - more photos next week! 
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Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    These temari are GORGEOUS!Beautiful little works of art.Are you going to hang them ?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Those are beautiful! You're post makes me want winter back! It was 100 in my town today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JingleJune 11, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    These are so very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hector VeraJune 12, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    These are beautiful. I love your colour and design sense. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Miki HaradaJune 17, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Those are really beautiful!
    I love your work and love to
    see something related to Japan!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. DownunderdaleJune 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Thanks for leaving me a message on my blog Wilma - Jacinta and i enjoyed ourselves makign a mess!

    ReplyDelete

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