Temari...complete

I failed to continue posting my progress on my Temari. Mostly because I finished one side...then put it down, got distracted and didn't pick it up again till last week. But I finished it in short order. And here are some shots of the finished product:



I was doubly blessed by my friend Cheryl, who had sent this kit to me initially. She sent me another kit (this one is black with orange and cream colored threads!) in a completely different pattern. It will be a challenge, though...since it is ENTIRELY in Japanese! Okay...I cracked jokes at the translation of instructions on the first kit...but now...wow!

AND...Cheryl also scored MEGA-HUGE buddy points with me because she ALSO sent a book on Temari...with different forms and patterns. From very start (using a core and wrapping it) to variations on themes, and how to combine several patterns. Oh, I will have a LOT of fun with this book!

Today's Temari

Oh, that's funny, lol! Today and Temari....yuck, yuck, yuck.

Okay, nuff said....here's where I'm at so far.


This is the first round, completed. I need to flip the ball and do it again on the opposite pole. Then do the obi.


Close up of the central point, the starting pole.

Close up of the stitching, as it crosses over.


This is really a lot of fun. I am most definitely going to get a book on these!

Temari

I recently became fascinated with Temari balls. Temari is a Japanese technique of "embroidery" on foam balls. The balls are wrapped in a string, then divided into sections. The embroidery is done based on the division strings and the needle is inserted under the wrapped threading. Not only is it embroidery, but it is weaving as well.

I think these balls are gorgeous. I have been wanting a book on making these for awhile, but it isn't easy to find them (well, they do have some on amazon.....). A few weeks ago, I was granted a "wish" on one of my scrapbooking groups. It's a game we play. Someone makes a wish...someone else grants it. The granter of the wish then gets the opportunity to make a wish. I had granted a wish, and it was my turn. I wished for Temari books or a kit. And I was blessed with a kit. In my favorite color - PURPLE.

So last night, I began. The directions are horrid. They are Japanese translated into English (probably through babelfish, lol). The don't really make sense...but I managed to plod through enough to understand. I did have to undo two "rounds" (we'd call them rows, thank you very much!), and start again, but the second time was easier. I ended up doing the first two colors in about an hour. Here is what I have done so far:


I will do the next color (3 rows of medium purple) then take another picture. The last rows on the star are in dark purple and I have 4 to make. Then I reverse the ball and start all over. Once both stars are finished, I will have to make the "obi" which wraps around the ball and is stitched with gold lamé. This obi is in a wonderful shade of green, almost an olive tone. I really can't wait to finish this project. I know I will want to make more! I think I will probably try a few more kits before I try my hand at freestyle temari, though.