Well - they did it again! Temari Southern Style was the brainchild of Martine H, from Alabama, last year and was a ripsnorting success... so much that the Second Annual Temari Southern Style was held this year again in Alabama. Barb S co-hosted and planned it with her sister Nancy this year, holding it at their family's beach house no less!! Sounds and looks like it was a super casual, laidbback time for just stitching and sharing (with a few walks on the beach tossed in....) Groupees this year included Martine - Birmingham, Alabama; Blair - Fairhope, Alabama; Nancy - Auburn, Alabama; Barb - Raleigh, North Carolina; Meg - Bellmont, California; Kathy - Tacoma, Washington; and (drum roll please.....) Carol - King Salmon, Alaska. To see the photos, click here...

        I'm not sure if we had an ace reported in the group for a blow-by-blow, but we do have some thoughts from a few....concise if nothing else!

From Barb - collected thoughts from what came out of the weekend..... When the photos are posted, you will see over 150 temari balls piled on a table – what an incredible sight!  I learned so much this past weekend.  Here's some of it:

White on white is pure elegance.  It would make a very special wedding present. Tie the Japanese knot on top using ribbon.

If you are selling your work, do it in the art realm rather than the craft realm.  Raise your prices and wait.  Package beautifully.  Sign and number the tags.  We agreed this may be a slow year for sales due to the economy and impending war :(

Switching to a long doll needle improved my work tremendously.  I was half way through a swirly ball when I decided to switch from my #18 darner to a 4 and ¼ inch long doll needle.  Blair and Kathy (I think) had said they like the longer needle.  I could not believe the improvement in the placement of the swirly stitches.  Went from choppy lines to nice smooth curves.  I think it must be something to do with the leverage you get with the longer needle.  It goes in and
out of the base thread wrap exactly where you want it. 

Computers must have been made just for temari notebooks.  Kathy's knocked my socks off.  Let's ask her to post some on that topic for us. 

Embroider the date and your initials on Christmas balls.

The best way to organize threads...wrap on cards sold for the purpose.  There is a hole in the card and you can string the cards on metal hoops.  Organize by color.  When you decide on the threads you will use for a project, transfer those cards to another hoop.  Thread sold on spools will stack nicely in a variety of boxes. (webmaster's note - been doing this all along and second the idea with gusto!)

Head gear.  Kathy brought the best light!  A light and a magnifying glass were attached to a visor.  Looks as cute as it sounds :)  Works great!

New uses for temari – fill a ball pit and jump around in it (like McDonald's) or fill the glass base of a lamp with temari.

Oren Bayan and Domino brand pearl cotton thread can be bought inexpensively on Ebay.  There is no size 5 (I emailed the guy in Turkey and got an answer within hours!).  However, size 8 and smaller are available.  The Oren Bayan has a beautiful sheen and comes in lovely clear colors.  The Domino is rougher and not so colorful, but still useable. (webmaster's note - also second this source, I've gotten beautiful threads this way).

Once again, the common interest in temari created a bond between us instantly.  Within a very short period, our enthusiasm lead to brainstorming great ideas, lots of laughs and true friendships.  I'm so grateful for the wonderful experience.  Thanks you all!

From Martine...
OK -we are getting back to our homes.......This is an UNOFFICIAL brief account of the weekend only to make those unable to attend jealous....The weather was fantastic, blue skies, warm air, and the gulf of Mexico.

For those of your familiar with that area of the gulf, Nancy and Barb's parents' place was the wonderful beach house we remember from our childhoods. Large rooms for gathering and sleeping and totally oriented to fun vs those today oriented toward furnishings and decor. Though on the furnishing note, I walked in and imediately spied the old bamboo furnature that one found in all those cabins years ago and that I have been searching madly for the last 7 years (no one will part with it).....

And the people! Once again we have proven that total strangers interested in temari can get along like they have known each other for years! I will not steal the thunder from Barb and Nancy so will let them post specifics about the retreat itself but it was wonderful and the friendship chain is growing....