Safflower sprouts

Safflower sproutsOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The rain has been generous this week and I think there’s more around the corner. Although, at the moment the sun is out (first time I’ve seen it all week).

The first (Safflower) of the sprouts I planted last week emerged and I hope the rest will be along soon. They’re look hearty and plentiful. I may want to transplant some of them later (or start another bunch somewhere else). At any rate, I’m happy to see them.

It has taken far too long to get to this point – just growing them. The flower, the dye and colors they produce have long had an appeal. I’ve seen shows on NHK about the process, and one of Miyazaki’s anime (Omoide Poro Poro) shows a little of the flower harvesting. So, we’ll see what summer brings regarding that aspect of the garden.

The temps have also been unusually cool, for this time of year (at least it seems) or it’s our blackberry winter.  Although, it may be a bit early for that.  However that is, the cool and gloom have been ideal for staying indoors and making further progress on this quilted piece.

It took a couple of days just to complete the moon and I’m still not sure I don’t need to add a few more stitches somewhere else.  I’m working back and forth between the top most layer and the background layer at the moment, just letting them tell me what the approach should be. This morning I added the han (name stamp & logo) and waiting for it to dry before moving on.

It’ll be back to stitching this afternoon unless the sunshine and garden call.  I’ve got plenty more safflower seeds.  I can plant some and share the rest with the birds.

萌える・moeru – to sprout

「石ばしる 垂水の

上の さ蕨の

萌え出づる春に

なりにけるかも 」
Iwabashiru tarumi no ue no sawaraabi no

moeizuru haru ni narinikeru kamo

By the edge of the stream tumbling down the rocky cascade,

the bracken begins to put forth young sprouts.

The spring is here at last!

- – Prince Shiki (Manyoshu)

Garden watching – sprout watching – suddenly in last week’s warm weather. This weekend we’ve regressed to earlier spring temps.   Still, seeing the green is so much to look forward to.

Some inspiration also comes from NHK’s “Nihongo de Asobo” (Let’s play with Japanese language) – a children’s show introducing the classics. It’s inventive, playful and approachable for this learner. I often referred to it in my earlier teaching days. My students also seemed to enjoy it.

catching up

Sakura

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Yesterday felt more like a Sunday than what it was (a Saturday). It may have had to do with having spent the latter half of the day at the Japan Center. I think it had to do with stopping – slowing down – breathing – and taking time to focus on the surroundings – conversations and the watercolors on exhibit indoors. it was a refreshing afternoon.

The pine pollen has arrived with the warm weather, but so far it hasn’t been a discouragement from yard work. The garden beckons these days – there’s much to be done there. I did manage to plant a few seeds (we’ll see what happens), pull weeds and that kind of thing.

Warm weather also means time to rev up the organic vat. It seems to be coming along.

There are also projects/pieces in the making. It takes time and patience, but finally the warm weather.

I’ve got a few experiments in mind, things I’ve been thinking about since fall at least or even last summer. So once the studio is in order (it truly will happen) I can begin to approach those ideas and I can’t wait!

In all its glory

In all its gloryOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

Thank goodness for this, even though the days of its bloom are always short-lived. It seems this year to have defied that a bit. It has survived cool weather and at least a couple of rainy days. The blossoms are still with us although, the petals (hana bira・花びら) are now falling (like snowflakes…) and the green leaves are emerging.

For the brief period of its bloom, regardless that it happens every year, I’m captivated. I fall under its spell and all I want to do is look skywards, stand under the pink clouds, breathe in the delicate fragrance and simply look.

Rinse until clear

Sometimes the instructions say “Rinse until clear” or do they? Maybe it’s just rinse…I’m not sure, but I would rinse until clear. Rinse until it isn’t murky, thick or cloudy with color. That’s it　- today’s little tidbit (Sakura are calling…).

sample

sample

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

We’ve only just transitioned into spring, but I feel like it will slip away too quickly. I’m anticipating blooms on my Cherry tree – it feels like seconds away before their blossoms open fully. The sun is out after a couple of days of rain, gloom and bone-chilling damp. It’s welcome and cheering.

I’m staying away from the vat for another day – it still feels a bit too cool for that kind of work or play (although, I did just a tiny bit for class prep!). The stitched sample is far enough along to show to the kids and continue to work with it or not when the time comes. It helped that process – how much fabric do I really need for this? And there has to be a little leeway in there somewhere. They’re kids after all and it’s fun and exploration.

Most of the morning thoughts were on the upcoming summer youth classes. I’m still working up supply estimates. I’d hoped to be able to refer to last year’s list, but can’t and am puzzled by what I sent off last year. It definitely wasn’t specific enough (as far as I can tell). Where was my brain? Surely, I can improve on that this year. At any rate, that task is nearly done.

window to spring

window to spring

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

At the moment I’m waiting for the sun to do its job, warming things up a degree or two. It would help take the edge off.

Yesterday, it didn’t reach 50 and it was just fine. The birds and squirrels were busy in their activity and I even experienced a few insects (at least not the biting kind).

Today should even be more inviting, but there’s an edge this morning. I was at the sink rinsing a few items that had been through the vat yesterday and will need a few more dips today. At least, that’s the goal.

The work may even extend into tomorrow. it depends on today’s results and it’s likely. Nothing like a bit of spring sky though.

Blooming Sakura

Sakura-Cherry blossoms

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing so fine in the spring as my Yoshino Cherry tree. Once the warm temperatures begin, the buds are suddenly there and then they open.

I’ve been taking pictures everyday, as I do every spring. I can’t help it. It’s an addiction, sort of. I’m captive until they’re gone. I can’t explain it. I’ll write about it next year, again. It’s just that there’s nothing quite like it – to my mind.

TAFA Treasury

TAFA, textile and fiber art has an early spring (or late winter?) treasury (on Etsy) The colors are warm, but they also suggest the lightness and possibility of spring.

There are so many choices here. Where to begin?

thinking of spring

Indigo Arashi Furoshiki

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It’s nearly the weekend, the weather is crazy today with rain and high winds off and on. It makes me restless. It’s been a full week with putting something in the vat everyday, even if it’s just something small.

I’ve uploaded something on Etsy everyday as well, which means a lot of photo editing and writing. I enjoy all of it and it’s good learning. I make a lot of mistakes, take a lot of bad photos and that’s OK. I’m learning, exploring, seeing the possibilities and that’s just fun.

As I said, though, the weekend is nearly here. I’m going to stop and focus on other things, like the house and the yard, the garden. I’m thinking ahead to spring. The garden needs attention and I also want to add new things, certainly some color. Working there is also good for my mind. It’s restful but a lot of mind work happens there too.