Last week, I finished a triangular shawl of candy apple red merino wool that was such fun to make. The shawl follows a highly-textured, classic fan pattern that worked up fairly quickly with a 4.5mm hook. It's soft, squishy, and the color is no end of cheerful. My timing on this one couldn't be better.… Continue reading New crafty projects + a musical Tokyo flashback
Crafty and nature bits + media I love these days
Crafty projects are slow to finish, as my work is eating a lot of my fun time at the moment. Hot off the hook is a crocheted grandpa-like vest to wear around the neighborhood while it's still a bit cool in the mornings. It was made with a 4.5mm hook, and about 220g of King… Continue reading Crafty and nature bits + media I love these days
Rock Air Plant Stand: How-to
I spent this Saturday morning readying my class materials for next week, and needed an afternoon activity to get me out of my head and onto the patio. With some river rocks, wire, and twenty minutes of tinkering, I had a couple of rustic plant stands that are perfect air plant holders to brighten my… Continue reading Rock Air Plant Stand: How-to
Amigurumi millipede unleashed
Finally, my biggest ami project to date is done: the technicolor millipede has been unleashed! From nose to rump, he measures 140cm (55 inches - or 4 feet, 7 inches). He has 108 blue feet, and neon green antennae that measure 12cm (5 inches). My boy and the bug Beauty and the beastie I haven't… Continue reading Amigurumi millipede unleashed
Early Spring bloom + craft update
Under the wire with my first post in a month, and the last and only post for March! While on vacation in January, I predicted I'd have a rough time of it in March, as I have an extraordinarily heavy load at work this semester. Not to worry - I find time to play whenever… Continue reading Early Spring bloom + craft update
Tokyo cameo – Yanaka, Ueno
One of my favorite areas in Tokyo is the quiet, residential, historic enclave of Yanaka (谷中). Three years ago, I took a wonderful guided half-day tour here (see my post from Feb. 2020), and was fortunate to have the guide all to myself. That day, I was able to visit the extraordinary Nezu Shrine, the… Continue reading Tokyo cameo – Yanaka, Ueno
Crane origami + WP daily prompt: “If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?”
My first thought on today's WP question is that if I ruled the world and had linguistic omnipotence, I would never presume to ban any words from general usage, even if they are words that I don't like or that have the potential to offend someone (in English or another language). Banning a word leads… Continue reading Crane origami + WP daily prompt: “If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?”
Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”
This WP daily prompt is so timely, as only 24 hours ago, I returned from a weeklong trip to Tokyo. It was an adventure packed with sights, tastes, and sounds that are unique to this fascinating place. People close to me know that I rarely take the kinds of trips that feature mai-tais and lazy… Continue reading Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”
Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)
After three years of being away from Japan, I'm back for a week of good eating and cultural appreciation in the amazing capital city. Much of my fun in Tokyo will center around some of Japan's signature arts and crafts, including many forms of creativity that use paper. One of my favorite ways to use… Continue reading Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)
Thoughts on masks + Japan travel
The Covid era is slowly drawing to a close in the Far East (but its not over, yet). Almost two weeks ago, South Korea lifted its indoor mask mandate in most public places. That includes shops, restaurants, and gyms, but masks on public transportation are still required. Korea has been one of the last holdouts… Continue reading Thoughts on masks + Japan travel
The Frill Seeker 