After a long Silence

Hi, it's been so long!

Since I've been to USJ (Universal Studio JAPAN) on 3rd of January, a very cold day with my brother's family, I'd been ill in bed for a month after that as it was very tiring (for waiting) and I think I've done overwork for children.

But the end of last month, I've found a help-wanted ad which might be good for me and so I tried to have an interview three times for a company.

お久しぶりです！

お正月の1月3日に、兄家族に誘ってもらって初めてUSJへ行ってきました。

物凄く寒い中、朝から晩まで屋外に居たので（殆どは待ち時間）体が芯から冷えてしまい、そのせいか次の日から体調不良。

ただでさえ疲れやすいのに、無理をしたせいで1月は寝込んでしまいました。

そんな中、先月末日に自分が好きそうな仕事を求人紙で見付け、応募。

私にしては珍しい即断即決でした。

Then finally I passed the 3rd test the other day, and I'm going to start studying and training from tomorrow in haste.

It's been more than 8 years since the last time I've worked society... therefore I'm quite nervous now.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been concentrating on stitching at all, either I haven't been able to updating my blog, but the news is I'm trying to stitch on 40ct again!!

And here above is what I'm mainly stitching now, Faith (limited edition Quaker series) © Exampler Dames Design Co. 

そして、先日第三次面接＆試験をなんとかパスし、なんと明日から早速研修が始まることに・・・

社会に出て働いていたのは8年以上も前のこと。ちょっと？いえ、かなり緊張しています。

とにかく、そういう訳で全然ステッチも捗らず、ブログの更新もままならず・・・

でも、久々に40ctにトライしています。

そして、こちらが今刺している作品です。

And just have started 1798 Quaker Sampler © The Goode Huswife.

When I gathered threads for this sampler before I start, I wasn't sure the colours, but once I stitched they are just perfect match, now I'm sure this sampler would be so sophisticated and beautiful!

Exampler Dames Design Co. と Goode Huswife のQuaker です。

余りQuakerは得意ではないのですが、今は大人っぽいものを刺したい気分。

糸色は最初、「えっ？」と思ったのですが、刺し始めてみると凄く素敵で、早く刺しあげて是非是非額に入れたいなぁと、思っています。 

And here is my sweet Cocoa! She is still 5 months old and she gets bigger than when I've first met, but she is still a tiny girl.
Isn't she lovely?!

そして、可愛いココア。まだ5ヶ月の小さな子。

初めて会った時より大きくなったのですが、それでもまだとっても小さくて・・・

大きくなって、おしとやかな女の子になって欲しいです。

写真は、姫路のゆるキャラ「しろまる姫」と一緒に。

Ah, I should prepare for tomorrow. Hope everything will be going well.

明日の準備をしなきゃ・・・

Take care and have a lovely day!

Bye for now,

それでは、また。 

Design : Faith (limited edition Quaker series) © Exampler Dames Design Co.

Thread : DMC (my choice)

Fabric : 40ct maritime white

Design : 1798 Quaker Sampler © The Goode Huswife

Thread : DMC

Fabric : 40ct maritime white

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Happy New Year everyone!
This year I had experienced FIRST actions, one is to went to temple near by to the tolling of temple bells 108 times beginning a little before midnight on New Year's Eve.

And after that I went to shrine to pay the first visit of this year.

Temple? Shrine? We celebrated Christmas just a week ago, then Temple? Shrine?
Exact a mixed culture we have!

あけましておめでとうございます。

今年は、今までに出来なかったことに年始からチャレンジできました。

といっても、除夜の鐘つき、午前0時の初詣です。寒いのは昔から大の苦手・・・
これが今まで三十数年生きてきて初めてのこととは。

お寺に鐘をつきに行って、その足で神社に初詣？って、考えると何だかよく分からなくなってきましたが、これが日本の文化ですものね、クリスマスも楽しんだし。

I didn't like to take photos at shrine at night, so I took this photo this morning.

Midnight of today we had to let my son sleep soon, so didn't do anything, but there were free Japanese noodles at shrine and also was sold lucky charms, etc...

ちょっと夜中の神社は写真に撮りたくなかったので（何となく怖いものが写りそうで・・・）、今朝もう一度息子と行った時に撮りました。

New Year's Eve 2012

New Years coming in a few hours!
Only the New Years eve, Tass can stay up late so he is excited and now he is playing with Origami...

On 23th of Dec. a parcel has arrived from Nina in Hungary!
She sent me her original dyed stuffs (Silk, Cotton threads, and also ribbon and lace)!
They all are so beautifully dyed by her hands!
How talented lady Nina is. Thank you so much dear Nina!

あと、何時間かで新年です！大晦日だけ夜更かしを許されている息子は大喜びで、この時間も折り紙で遊んでいます。
23日、ハンガリーからプレゼントが届きました。素敵な彼女の段染めの作品たち。
才能のある人は凄いな、と彼女の作品を見る度に思います。 

And she also enclosed this lovely ornament. Thank you, dear Nina always for your warm heart.

Since Tass's holiday has started, I can't play with PC as he hates to see me in front of PC...

そして、こんな素敵なオーナメントも入っていました！

私の今年のテーマの、赤とゴールドにぴったりです。

Merry Christmas!

PS Blackwork Angels - 6th Angel And...

I finally could make the 6th Angel for the wreath!

How gorgeous she is, it's like a Japanese singer's costume, lol

Anyway, it was quite hard to stitch with gold thread on this design, so when I finished this I breathed a sigh of relief...

Prairie Shcooler "Blackwork Angels" の6番目の天使が完成しました！

この方だけド派手に金の服を身に纏っていて、まるで美川憲一（さん）の衣装の様・・・

最後にこの金糸の多いデザインを残してしまって、かなり頭を抱えました。

終わった時には、久々に味わう達成感と安堵が。

I'm thinking to stitch only 6 Angels to make a wreath, and finished all of them as ornaments like below.

It was quite tough to make 6 pieces into ornaments, but after I finished them I felt so happy!

デザインの中には横長の物が二つあるのですが、私は縦長の6つだけにしようと思っています。

リースに・・・と考えていたので、取り敢えず全てをオーナメント状（紐なし）に仕上げました。

PS "Blackwork Angels" Again

Hi, I'm working on Blackwork Angels © Prairie Schooler again!

The last post was updated Feb. 2008, it's almost been 4 years!!

I don't know why I had been letting these beautiful Angles alone, it's fun to stitch them again.

Here is my 4th Angel, blowing a bugle.

Prairie Schooler の Blackwork Angels を再開しました！

最後にブログに載せたのは、2008年2月。およそ4年ぶりに復活です！
何故あんなに嫌になって途中で止めてしまったのか、今では不思議なくらい楽しく刺しています。

And here is 5th Angel with doves.

Aren't they beautiful?!
I saw this Blackwork Angels at some peoples' blog and it reminded me that I have them in my UFO.

Thanks!

Baby Cocoa and Ham 1217

Baby Cocoa is getting be very naughty these few days!!
I don't know why, but she straighten her legs and stretch herself out on the carpet every time when she gets out from the circle.

It's so lovely, but she whines then nestles close to me, so I think she misses her mummy...

ベビー・ココアはここ数日で段々とヤンチャになってきました。

何故か分からないけれど、サークルから出ると同時に足までビヨ～ンと伸ばして寝転んでしまうココア。

でも、その時必ず私に擦り寄ってきて、キュンキュンと小さく鼻を鳴らしているので、きっと早くにお母さんから離れて寂しいんだろうなぁ、と思います。

She is only three months and a week old, so no doubt she misses her mummy...

When I told about this to my son Tass, he showed a bit sad face and he said "I can be Cocoa's daddy!".

Since then he is quite strict to her, lol.

Early Christmas Present 2

On 15th Saturday, I've found a parcel in the post, I knew from who and wanted to open then, but had to go out for seeing my brother's family at Toys'R'us (grandma Santa had to buy so many toys for her grand children, lol).

So soon after I came home, I couldn't resist to open it and found beautiful ornament and also lovely message card with neat writing.

15日土曜日の夕方、出掛ける際にポストにお荷物を発見。

「送ったよ～」と連絡を頂いていたので、ウキウキしつつも、出掛ける時間が迫っていたので我慢し、帰って来てから早速封を開けました！

中には・・・

こんなに素敵な天使さんが。段染めで綺麗に刺してあって、オーナメントにして下さっていました！

天使のカードには、優しい綺麗な字で素敵なメッセージが書かれてあり、感動しました。（；＿；）

She was noticed what I haven't been able to start Quaker Christmas © By Gone Stitches although I have already gathered all materials for it on my comment at someones blog.
So she motivated me to try to start QC with her next year!

I know she has a little girl to look after, so I really appreciate for her taking her time for me...

Early Christmas Present

Hi, thank you for stopping by, and thanks for your comment.
I appreciate you taking your time to write down.

Here is my 2012 Christmas ornament hanging on the tree.
This year we have new tree thgroughout a period of seven years, we had a very small tree with  fibre lights, but it wasn't lovely either wasn't good to hang on ornaments as it was small.
So I wanted to show the tree with many of ornaments and lights to my son and I took the plunge and bought them this year!

2012年作のクリスマスオーナメントをツリーに飾りました。
今までは小さなファイバーライトのツリーしか持っていなくて、ずっと大きなクリスマスツリーに憧れていました。
いつか、いつか、と思っていましたが、子供も小学生になったし思い切って7年越しで念願のクリスマスツリーを購入。
オーナメントも沢山買いました。今年のテーマはレッド＆ゴールド。
リボンは、昔デパートのウィンドウに飾られていた、憧れの縦リボンにしました！

Tass my son was so happy to hang on ornaments with me and actually this photo was taken by him, he was taking Cocoa's photos and has taken this photo for me, too!

He knows what I want and he is quite good at composing, I think. :D 

息子も大喜びで、毎日帰って来たらライトを点けています。

念願だったオーナメント付けも一緒に出来たし、大きなツリーを見ているだけで毎日楽しい気分になってきます。7年越しだもんね・・・

この写真は、Cocoa の写真を撮っていた息子が何やら知らない間に撮ってくれていました。

私が何を撮りたいか、よく分かっていること・・・（笑）

Nikolaus Finish (Stitch) + Cocoa Update

Hi, thank you for your lovely comment for the last post.
Since lovely Cocoa has came here, my blog will be updated more than before as I want to share her lovely photos!

ココアちゃんが家に来てくれてから、また写真を撮るのが楽しくなってきました。
ハムちゃんはジッとしていないので、写真もなかなか撮れないのが残念です。
写真を撮る機会が増えたので、ブログの更新も増えそうです！

And here it is...
Finally "Nicolaus" © acufactum piece has finished to stitch all.
There were french knots and back stitch left, and I couldn't stitch french knots well, so hesitated to keep stitching them...

そして遂に、© acufactum "Nicolaus" のステッチが完成しました。
フレンチノットとバックステッチが残っていたのですが、どうもフレンチノットが全く上手く刺せなくて、少し時間をおいてしまいました。

Welcome To Our Home!

Yesterday, after my son's school, we welcomed our new family.
Here she is!
My name is Cocoa, baby Chihuahua (Chocolate & Cream),  I was born on 10th of September, 2012.

昨日、息子の下校後、待ちに待った仔犬を引取りに行ってきました。
名前は、「Cocoa」、ロングコート・チワワの赤ちゃん（チョコレート＆クリーム）です。

We've met on 28th of the last month, and we had been waiting for her for a week to let her take 2nd vaccination.
How long this one week was!! It was tiring to wait for her to come here.

Nikolaus 1130 Progress

Hi, thank you so much for your comments and e-mails for my last post.

I appreciate for your thoughtfulness!  Friends who didn't include e-mail address, I replied comment to you back on the last post.

Since I've been diagnosed, I can have medicine for saliva, tears and muscular pain, I have been quite well than before!

I hope I can stay healthy for my son!  

前回の記事にコメントやメールを頂き、ありがとうございます。

診断を受けてからというもの、対症療法ですが薬を頂き、長年の不快感がかなり軽減されてきました！

この病気と診断されたのは多少なりともショックではありますが、原因が分かったので頑張れそうな気がします！



These few days I didn't stitch at all, wasn't in stitching mood, somehow...

But I re-started Nikolaus today and it forwarded well!

Finally Nikolaus shows his face.



ここ数日、全然ステッチモードになれず、ボーッと過ごしていました。

ステッチだけじゃなく、何もする気になれなくて・・・　どうしてだろう。

でも、今日思い直して Nikolaus を再開しました。

今日の数時間でかなり進めて、やっとサンタの顔が出現。

Regarding my disease... 病気のこと

Hi, thank you always for your visit.
Today I confess that I have been suffering from disease named "Sjögren syndrome (Sjogrne Syndrome)" - incurable disease.
As you may know that I have been suffering from many symptoms for these few years, and it was found by many of tests the other day.

I remember that so many people worried about me and my health, gave me e-mails, comments, and messages through facebook, thank you so much for your words of encouragement and thoughtfulness.

First Ornament FOR 2012 Tree

Hi, I have just finished the first ornament for 2012 Christmas tree last night!
When I first saw this ornament on this last year's Just Cross Stitch Special Christmas Issue,  I couldn't resist to buy the magazine, and the other day I found and bought tiny buttons, I decided to stitch this design!

こんにちは。昨夜、今年初めてのオーナメントが完成しました。
ここ何年かはクリスマスオーナメントを作っていなかった気がしますが、今年は時間があれば何個か作ってみたいなぁ、と思っています。

I was sure this would be more lovelier if I stitched this with over dyed threads, but once I stitched, I couldn't bear to see my messy stitch, so changed over dyed threads to DMC and stitched piece is here. 

Couldn't Be In Time, New WIP, And My Life

Hi, it's a lovely sunny day today, but it's getting be cold here, too in Western Japan.
How have you been doing?
I've just started this "Nikolous" from this month, although I've been keep stitching Boo! Club 2009 © Lizze Kate as I couldn't be in time.

今日は意外にも暖かかったのですが、段々と西日本も寒さが本格的になってきました。
Lizze Kate の Boo!Club 2009 は案の定ハロウィンには間に合わず、放置。
そして、クリスマスに向けて早々に acufactum の "Nikolous" を始めました。

This design has three red colours for Santa's body, can you see the colour difference?
The right side colour is like orange (DMC #606), and I thought it wouldn't be match for his body colour, but once I stitched, it matches so well!

WIP Since 1st Of October - "Boo! Club 2009" Lizzie*Kate [Photos Edited]

Since 1st of this month, I have been working on THIS!

I always wanted to stitch this series since these charts were released in 2009, but I never thought that I can complete whole designs, so till now I had been keeping them in my closet.

But this year I decided to stitch some things for Halloween, and tried to start this.

10月に入ってすぐ、ハロウィンに向けて Lizzie*Kate 2009 Boo! Club シリーズを刺し始めました！
ハロウィンのデザインや色は大好きなのに、いつも気づいたら何も刺せずに終わっている気がして、今年こそは！と決めていました。
でも、こういう続き物や色変えの多い物は苦手なので、完成出来るか不安でしたが、初めてみると、何よりデザインが可愛くて、どんどん進みました！

I was thinking that I don't like to change colours (threads) often, but this project is so fun to stitch along!
I aimed to complete one block a day, and it went well as I planned.
See, I have to stitch border all around this design, but most of them are completed! Yeah!

Merci (C) Danybrod AND Little Destroyer

Hi, thank you always for your visit and your comments!
I appreciate for them all.

As you saw before, I stitched and finished "merci" © Danybrod as pincushion.
When I saw this design, I thought of my friends who may love this design, and sent them for them.

以前の日記に載せた、merci をやっとピンクッションに仕上げました。
このデザインと色合いを見たと同時に、二人のお友達の顔が浮かびました。
きっと好きそう～！と思ったので、仕上がりと同時にプレゼントしました。
タイミングを逃したら、いつになってしまうか分からないので・・・

I heard that they received my pincushion safely and so update my blog today!
I'm happy to hear that they loved them!
I didn't have the colour that chart called for, so used two colours of DMC for flowers.

Ewe & Eye & Friends "Tulip Scissors Companion" - Pinkeep

Hi, it's the end of September, but I just heard chirrup of cicada...
Beetle was living till a day before yesterday, Isn't it strange? It's still hot here today.

Today I show you my latest work that I sent to my friends!
It's been so long time since the last time I made pinkeep, so I realised that I was forgetting how to make pinkeep when I was working on it...

もう9月も下旬なのに、まだツクツク法師の鳴き声が聞こえています。
息子の飼っていたカブトムシも先日まで生きてくれていたし、かと思えば、夜になると秋の虫の声が響き渡り、この間は立て続けに マツムシやコオロギが室内に・・・
虫は苦手なので、外へ逃がすのに悪戦苦闘でした ＞＿＜；；

Here they are, my latest pinkeep(s), "Tulip Scissors Companion" © Ewe & Eye & Friends.
I have received same pinkeep from dear Angela before, and she stitched this design on pink linen, and it was so lovely, so I decided to stitch this on pink fabric, too!

iStitch "Sew Buttons" AND WIPs

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your Birthday Wishes!!
I appreciate for your lovely words!

Now I'm in stitching mood, and am working on many of projects at the same time!
It rarely happens, so am very happy in these few days.
I shouldn't do over work, though!

Here is my latest finish, "Sew Buttons" © iStitch (Carol R.'s design).

When I saw this design on Carol's blog, I fell in love and can you believe?
She presented me this chart as a birthday gift!
Thank you so much Carol for your lovely heart always.

Isn't this beautiful?
I have to add tiny buttons later, and will finish this maybe into a bag!
I stitched rose and butterflies three times, because I didn't like my choice of colour for them.
And finally found this perfect colour (DMC #152) in the end and I love this so much!
I'm now exciting to think about how to make a bag!
Thanks again, Carol.

38 ***

38 years ago today, I was born.

Thank dad and mum...
And thank you, my sweet boy.

The Mermaid Sampler FIN + Garden Glade Again

Hi, it's been almost one month since I posted last time.

I don't know why, but I couldn't upload photos on Blogger, although I tried some times before, and even now... but found the way finally!

I use HTML editor, I can upload photos! whew...

Anyway, finally I finished this "The Mermaid Sampler" © Carriage House Samplings!

It was quite fun to stitch along, it was Private SAL with Nancy, I'll ask her how she is working for it.

Although I've already chosen the frame for this sampler, I'm concentrating on another one now, so haven't been framing yet, hope it looks lovely. :D
It was good for me to stitch on 28ct as my eyes are tired lately...

La-D-Da "Bo Peep" Framed, And My WIP

Hi, how are you spending your summer holiday?
I hope you are spending lovely summer.

The other day, I framed my finished piece "Bo Peep" © La-D-Da.
I was going to frame this in rich brown frame, but there wasn't the right frame in my stash, so I tried to frame it in this yellow-green frame that was in my stock.

Isn't this too bad?!
The size was just right for this design!
I gave this to my mum and she doesn't mind it in this frame, so I won't change, maybe...

Happy Dance! La-D-Da "Bo Peep" Finished

Hello, how is your summer holiday?
I have been busy to play with Tass my son, and also have been looking for his lots of homework.
In Japan, recently we have terrible sweltering hot weather everyday, we are like boiled...

毎日茹だるような暑さに参っています。
子供の頃は、30°C というと驚いていた記憶がありますが、ここ毎日35°C が当たり前で・・・
県北部では毎日の様に 37.5°C と、高温注意報。37.5°C なんて学校を休ませようかどうか？と迷う体温と同じですよね。
8月が恐ろしいね・・・と話していた通りになって怖い毎日です。

By the way, "Be Poop" © La-D-Da has finished tonight!
I'm so happy that I finally could finish this!! :D
I was thinking this would be more subdued colours from seeing others' finished pieces, but it wasn't, quite lovely.
Does it depend on colour of linen I choose?

Magnifying Glass

Hi, it's been long time!
I have been busy with my son as it's a summer holiday and he is always be here.
Lots of homework, projects he has to do, and I have to look after what he is doing as he is still a little boy.
A week ago, we went to Zoo and he drew animals! And next day I was on duty for kids' swimming pool at school. I think I was under the direct rays of the sun for two days, now I have herpes virus on the upper jaw, and it's terrible and today I was at hospital for 5 hours, whew, tiring!!


By the way, I thought it's about time to try to stitch over 32ct again, and tried to stitch on 36ct.
I had bought a magnifying glass before, so tried to use it for 36ct, but it was hard for my eyes yet...

"Bo-Peep" WIP 0712 - Leaves done

Hi, how have you been?
It's so humid day around here today... Summer has come, I heard cicada was shrilling this morning!!

今日は本当に蒸し暑い一日でした。
こちらは今日、「警報が出る可能性が大」という県教委の判断で小学校が昼までとなりました。
実際には、雨がポツリ、ポツリ、降る程度。
今朝はこの夏初、蝉の鳴き声を、そして夜には蛙の鳴き声を聞き、「遂に夏到来かぁ」と実感。

Since I've finished "Birds of Killingworth" and framing, I've been stitching "Bo-Peep" © La-D-Da.
And here it is, I've finished all leaves!! whew... I don't like to stitch leaves much, so now I'm feeling very nice!

1st Anniversary - We love you!

Hi, thanks for your visit and thank you for your comments!
A year ago today, 1st of July is the day our hamster "Ham-Chan" came to our home!
He is so nice and calm hamster and always sleepy, lol

Here are "Ham-Chan"'s photos to share!


As you already know that hamster is nocturnal animal, so when I see, he is always sleeping like this.
Sometimes he sleeps on the spin wheel (I don't know how to say in English), and sometimes he is nod in a doze!

我が家のハムスター、パールホワイトのハムちゃんです。
ちょうど1年前の今日、我が家へ来てくれました。まだその時は生後2週間程で、今よりもっと小さかったのを覚えています。

LHN "The Old West" Framed!!

Hi, thank you for your lovely words for my English problem on the last post.

Your words are so kind and warm, thanks a lot , I will keep up to write in English and a few lines of my own language.

Since I finished and framed Quaker "Love", I think I'm in stitching mood now!!
My mum's friend was so pleased to receive the sampler that I've stitched, and then so I was very happy to hear from her on the phone how she loves it!

先日、母のお友達に完成したQuaker "LOVE"　を無事プレゼントすることが出来ました。とても喜んで頂けて、ホッとしています。

And here is a framed piece "The Old West" © Little House Needleworks!
The frame is a ready made one, and I ordered mat for this.
Why I choose Orange mat is what this is for my dearest son Tass and he loves "Orange", that's why!

Quaker "LOVE" Framed!!

Hi, thank you for your lovely comments always!
I appreciate for you taking time to write them for my work, and sorry that I haven't been a good friend, haven't been replying you at all.
Will write you back as I can, a little by little.

Here is a framed piece of Quaker "LOVE" © Exampler Dames Design Co.!

I had ordered frame for this earlier, so the size is perfect and also my choice was right!
How beautiful this frame is!

Happy Dance!! Quaker "LOVE" FINISHED!

Hi, thank you always for your lovely comments, they make me smile and am motivated to stitching fast!
Finally my Quaker "LOVE" © Exampler Dames Design Co. finished!!
Once I re-started to stitch, I thought why I was so slow to complete this.

Here is a finished piece. I've changed a few colours to make more contrast.
DMC #833 --> #3829 and, #3772 --> #3778, #935 is used as chart calls for.

Exampler Dames Quaker Series "LOVE" 2

Hi, it's been so long time! How have you been doing all?
I was quite busy for PTA works and also had (?), no, have been having hard time because Tass is at a difficult age...
Almost every day he takes a defiant attitude toward to me, I think he has stress as his life has completely changed as entering an elementary school since April (most of Japanese schools start from April).
They have fifth period everyday (he comes back home at 3 o'clock), and he has quite a lot of homework every day, so he looks a bit tired recently (he wakes up at 6 o'clock).

I am quite tired of his attitude lately, but c'est la vie...

Hope he will be normal pure Tass soon again!

 



That's why I lost motivate to stitch nowadays, and so this "LOVE" is moving very slowly, although this is a gift for my mum's friend...
She (mum's friend) knows that I'm stitching for her, and also knows that I'm tired. ;p