to see our priorities

We often need to lose sight of our priorities in order to see them.
— John Irving (1942– )

This is a completely experimental temari, an original design that I created with the intent of evoking a rose or rosebud. The top pole (half) features the traditional "rose garden" pattern, stitched in squares on an S16 division with each new square starting one guideline from the last to create a spiral effect. The bottom pole (half) features 4 four-point reverse kiku stars, interlocked, like the bud / closed petals at the base of a flower. This is quite a departure from my usual temari (and temari in general) which are usually symmetrical, whether repeating the same design at the two poles on a simple division, over multiple poles on a combination division (such as six stars on the six poles of a C8 division), or an "all-over" type pattern (like a spiral).

Thread wrap in lilac/lavender; S16 division in #8 perle. Embroidery in many shades of purples, violets, lavenders, and greens. The quote by John Irving is in the bell box along with 9 brass rings. Circumference: 10.25 inches / 26.3 cm; diameter: 3.26 inches / 8.4 cm. Completed 31 March 2012 (no. 107).


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a good poem

The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it.
— Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)

A favorite variation on the traditional 16-petal kiku (chrysanthemum) design — leaving a gap between the first four rows and last three rows of the petals, allowing the thread wrap to show through, for a lacier effect.

Thread wrap in light driftwood brown (sort of silvery-gray); S16 division in #8 perle. Embroidery in navy blue and and three gradated shades of brown. The quote by Thomas is in the bell box along with 17 brass rings. Circumference: 11.125 inches / 27.5 cm; diameter: 3.54 inches / 8.75 cm. Completed 28 March 2012 (no. 106).


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it's what you see

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
— Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

At each pole of this temari is a five-point kiku herringbone star, with points layered at the equator.

Dark burgundy thread wrap; S10 division in metallic silver. Embroidery in four gradated shades of gray, from slate gray to light pearl. The quote by Thoreau is in the bell box along with 12 brass rings. Circumference: 9.5 inches / 24.3 cm; diameter: 3 inches / 7.7 cm. Completed 21 March 2012 (no. 105).

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105 (left) and 104

i have seen what could be

Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.
— Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

Two ribbed kiku herringbone stars at each pole, layered.

Eggshell thread wrap; S10 division in matching #8 perle. Embroidery in purple, and four gradated shades of silver green. The quote by Picasso is in the bell box along with 11 brass rings. Circumference: 10.325 inches / 26.5 cm; diameter: 3.3 inches / 8.4 cm. Completed 21 March 2012 (no. 104).


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be the change

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
— Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)

All-over swirl time again. Each time I work on one of these, I practice getting my stitched closer and more uniform. These take hours!

Dark charcoal gray wrap; sort of a C10 division, though it's actually a variant of an S4 division, and there are no marking lines. Embroidery in burnt coppery orange. The quote by Gandhi is in the bell box along with 17 brass rings. Circumference: 9.625 inches / 24.5 cm; diameter: 3 inches / 7.8 cm. Completed 23 February 2012 (no. 102).


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anything can be

Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
— Shel Silverstein (1930–1999)

I've seen a couple photos of temari made in Japan that feature kiku herringbone flowers, but with extremely narrow (tight) kiku points. Usually the inner kiku points are triangular and tapered but these were like long lines, with the petals bursting out at the bottom. I have no idea how this technique is achieved; and before I start asking around, I thought I'd try some ideas. This is my first attempt. While it did not produce the intended effect, I like the very narrow points a great deal. The resulting shapes remind me of sand dollars.

Thread wrap in deep midnight blue; S10 division in metallic copper; embroidery in very pale pastel blue, very pale pastel green, and a darker pastel blue. The quote above by Shel Silverstein* is in the bell box along with 13 brass rings. Circumference: 10.375 inches / 26.5 cm; diameter: 3.3 inches / 8.43 cm. Completed 16 February 2012 (no. 103).

*
Anything Can Happen 
Listen to the Mustn'ts, child, 
Listen to the Don'ts 
Listen to the Shouldn'ts 
The Impossibles, the Won'ts 
Listen to the Never Haves, 
Then listen close to me— 
Anything can happen, child, 
Anything can be. 


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breathing room for the spirit

What art offers is space — a certain breathing room for the spirit.
— John Updike (1932–2009)

Another pattern like no. 94: a 20-point kiku herringbone design (uwagake chidori kagari) with a second round of kiku stitched in the opposite color under and around the points of the first.

Thread wrap in medium gray; S20 division in metallic silver; embroidery in dark pewter gray and light moss green (chartreuse). The quote above by John Updike is in the bell box along with 9 brass rings. Circumference: 11 inches / 27.7 cm; diameter: 3.5 inches / 8.81 cm. Completed 14 February 2012 (no. 101).


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