TalkTemari TemariKai NY Stitchin 2008

TalkTemari NY Stitchin 2008 - The Reviews
Poughkeepsie NY April 18-20, 2008

Read the reviews from attendees View Event Photos View Temari Photos

Back row, standing (L to R): Sue H, Tiny G, Terry B, Glenna K, Elsie B, Sandy S, Karin K, Joan Z, Diane B, Nicole B, Tina W, Susan C
Middle row, sitting (L to R): Karen St J, Anne W. Kneeling: Ginny T

        This year's edition of the TalkTemari NY Stitchin (the 7th annual) rolled out on April 18 - 20, with 16 intrepid stitchers signed up to come. After "open calls" for all of the previous years' events, and each year seeing us continue to grow (which is good), we also "hit the wall" last year in terms of a large group - almost 30 people, which led to the conclusion that "big" is not always what it's cracked up to be, for any number of reasons. As much as it was great to see everyone, it was a bit tight and confusing to truly be as enjoyable as we'd like. Going out to conference facilities makes things financially out of reach for everyone and changes the environment tremendously, let alone the other logistics. So, I agonized most of the year past about a) do we limit it and if so, b) how. I think we came down to a reasonable method that brought both alums and first timers together, and that offered a balanced opportunity to anyone on TT that wanted to get a slot, albeit also relying on a lottery system for the available seats. Everyone was a great sport as we walked through those preliminary plans, and I thank you all for your care and consideration. I hope that as the years go on we'll continue to be able to keep things "floating" so that anyone that wants to come does have an even chance, even if it may not be every year repeating.

        So - with those hard decisions made, we prepped for 17 folks; one had to pull out early, and unfortunately we had one person fall ill the day before things revved up here. That left 15 of us: Elsie B (NC), Terry B (LA), Nicole B (TN), Diane B (VA), Susan C (GA), Glenna K (CA), Tina W (AR), Sue H (OH), Karin K (Sweden), Karen StJ (CT), Sandy S (PA), Joan Z (MA), Tiny G (The Netherlands), Anne W (IN), and yours truly. We also had Karin's Thomas and Diane's Sed although the guys knew they were on their own during Stitchin Time. They did join us for Friday and Saturday night dinners to everyone's enjoyment, as well as Sunday brunch. Eight folks danced around each other bedding down here in the house, and the rest were again enjoying the perks of the Residence Inn by Marriott, Poughkeepsie, thanks contined attentions of Daniela and Pam.

        In addition to "gearing back down" in size, we also tried dinner at a restaurant on Friday night, as opposed to Chef Ginny (using the term loosely); the local Ruby Tuesday's rose to the occasion wonderfully. A chat with manager Alexis a few weeks in advance secured a reservation for us in a prime but secluded section of the restaurant, even though it was a Friday evening (I promised to be out by 7:30pm), provided a copy of the menu that could be sent out to everyone ahead of time so that each could have an idea of what to order, and had the wait staff ready to serve and provide separate checks per person. It all ran as smooth as silk and everyone enjoyed (with no dishes or kitchen cleanup!) - much appreciation to the RT staff for rolling things out so expertly. We were indeed on our way back to the house between 7 and 7:30pm to start the festivities, and then enjoy dessert.

       After a few general announcements and program overviews, and collecting Project Kits and Color Kits, it was "goodie bag time". The NY Stitchin was once again very well graced with corporate and business underwriting for gifts-in-kind, be it for goodie bags, door prizes and/or game prizes: Kreinik Threads, Rainbow Gallery, Olympus Threads of Japan via Emmacreation, The Caron Collection, Victoria Clayton /Hand Dyed Fibers, Blair H.,the wonderful folks of Sophia Books in Vancouver, BC Canada (Vikki and Sophia have supported every Stitchin from the first year), and PuffinStuff, Inc.. One bag also contained a lucky card, good for a special gift for the holder (which turned out to be Karin) - Diana Vandervoort had sent a dedicated & autographed copy of her just-released fifth book, Temari Gifts. Deep thanks is offered to these people, companies and their reps, for providing us with the chance to learn, experiment and see how different fibers give creative opportunities different from the usual stitching threads. This year's keepsake bag was a smaller kit, with the idea that it would make a good "stitching kit" to keep your project organized and be able to take it with you (thanks to Diane and Scott of EmbroidMe Poughkeepsie for going the extra yards to make it work for us). That seemed to be a pretty good thought, judging from the reactions as they were given out to everyone and the number of people that "moved into their bags" on the spot. This year's slogan was a change to a bit more meaningful from humorous. I had been touched by Ozaki Sensei's note in the JTA Newsletter two issues ago, and that inspired this year's words: "Stitch Temari, Share the Wa".

        We again used the Stitchin Temari Swap as an ice-breaker and for introductions. Karin had a request/suggestion that we added this year: when you presented your temari to someone (chosen by random drawing) and introduced yourself, each person also offered a few thoughts about what they had learned, temari-wise, over the last year. This proved to be a great way to both learn about each other as well as yourself! Pie and ice cream topped the evening, and then everyone tucked in - we had an early call in the morning, with a full day scheduled.

       Saturday, like all the days of the gathering, dawned wonderfully clear and warm (the first nice days of spring here in NY) - everyone reconvened by 9:30am and we got rolling. First was taking care of the Project Kits. This year's idea/request actually came from someone that couldn't make it this year (thanks, Sarah B.) - as a spin off of the Color Kit. Sarah mentioned that she always ends up loving the outcome of stitching the Color Kit, but then has to send it back to its owner. What about doing the same idea, but being able to keep what you stitch? Eureka! - a new idea hatched. If last year's project got dubbed the "Smorgasball", this year's might well be "Pot Luck Temari": each person brought a marked mari and the threads to stitch it with. They were collected and distributed anonymously. We each opened our bag, and the "cook" owned up - who had given that collection of ingredients to stitch with. Each of us then settled in to think of and stitch a temari using the threads in the kit - the only rules being you cannot add threads to what you were given and you much use some of each thread in the pot. Design is up to you - work something from a book or source, or diddle up something from inside you. The exercise made us all think about using thread and color combinations that we might otherwise pull for ourselves, and maybe even stitch on a marking that we don't often use. Some were well under way during the day, others were still being pondered, going on quietly throughout the remained of the day. Photos of the results will be posted as they come in.

        Each person had previously had submitted any questions they wanted to try to get answers to, so we worked through those as well as sharing some hints and tips for working C10 divisions with VRulers, as well as several divisions with extra marking lines to give different multiple face markings - ones seen commonly, yet can be off-putting. Surprise - there are quick and easy ways to work them. We also had available a set of temari worked from one pattern - with one minor change on each such as thread, stitch placement, etc. It was intriguing and good learning to see how one little change can make such an impact. Lunch has become traditional - four feet of whatever you want to call it: sub, hero, grinder (it all depends on where in the country you hail from), deli salads, and fruit platters. The deli run was accomplished by a good friend of the event now - Kaye, along with her daughter Jen and the newest member of the support crew, Jen's daughter Kylie (about to turn one year old). They joined us for lunch, as did Milly Koh, returning this year to help walk us through a few requested patterns from Japanese books that were giving the askers particular agida. We settled into this after lunch, and it was quite a time - not only were light bulbs going on in stitcher's heads but also in Milly's too! This is the third time she has come to help us in this manner (she works professionally as a Japanese-English translator), and by golly I think we have her "hooked". She was learning temari basics quite handily this year..... and went home with additions to her temari collection since each "asker" (3 of them) presented her with a temari as a thank you, and I'd made one for her as an overall token of appreciation. She also treated us to some lessons in Japanese culture (like how to bow, and some tea ceremony thoughts), as well as some "interesting" concepts of what "main and side dishes" are! Milly is a wonderful person with a superb sense of humor, and eagerly dives right in with us, bless her.

       After a stretch etc. break following working with Milly, it was Show and Tell time. The weather blessed us wonderfully, so we trundled outside to allow for good photography exposures. We were all on a 10 Temari or 10 minute limit, which every came first, and with 15 people this worked out quite handily. After all the oohing and ahhing and photo snapping, everyone had about an hour of free time before dinner. Giacomo's again did the catering, having played to great reviews last year. Everything arrived hot and fresh right on time, and we feasted on baked ziti, ziti with broccoli and garlic in oil, meatballs, sausage and peppers, salad and bread. Add some beer, wine and soft drinks,and everyone was a happy puppy. After supper we all settled in for the um, "highlight" of each Stitchin - the fantastic Temarikai Trivia Quiz (or the dratted Temarikai Quivia Triz, depending on your point of view). I have come to believe that everyone tries their most sincere best to get as few answers correct as possible (in the most loving and fun way) .. although the digs up for grabs to the winner (most correct answers) get better each year (yup, downright bribery) - the winner received a set of Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid threads. Just add to the misery, we then moved to a Word Search of Japanese stitching terms.... which seemed to keep everyone thinking a bit and actually might have accomplished something along the way. Terry was the first one done with the correct results and he also received a pack of Treasure Braid threads for his efforts.

       Following up on a crazy thought from someone attending last year's Stitchin (Debi A.), we initiated the "Funky Sock Contest" this year; shoes get left at the door in honor of the oatmeal beige carpet in the house, so it's socks or house slippers while inside. Everyone is always told of this ahead of time, and last year Debi decided to take pictures of everyone's socks. Kicking that up a notch this year, each person was told that we'd actually LOOK at socks this year.... and during the day on Saturday everyone silent voted for both the "Funkiest/Funniest" as well as the "Most Elegant/Classical". Tiny won the Funkiest, with her authentic Bear Paw Souvenir Socks from Alaska, and Sandy won the Most Elegant with her hand-knitted ones. Each winner went home with a pair of Japanese tabi or toe socks, in classy Japanese design. The evening festivities capped with the annual Yankee Swap: each person brings a wrapped gift having to do somehow (loosely) with temari or temari making. After a somewhat madcap method of initially choosing a package (though not opening it) involving rolling a 7 or 11 with dice, there then ensues a timed period of passing them either 2 to the right or 3 to the left, again dependent upon rolling a 7 or 11. When the timer goes off, you keep the package in your lap. Each then opens their gift (with Puffin's help if it involves tissue paper) for all to see and enjoy and everyone always receives some great goodies from one of their fellow StitchIn-ers. Saturday ended with cutting the cake, passing out Color Kits (an annual happening - like the Project kit, except the mari is not marked and you return it to the "owner" after stitching with what was in the bag after you return home), some open chat and sharing, and enjoying some free time before calling it a day.

       Sunday brunch happens at the Residence Inn with the housies joining the Inn-ers; we had some early departures this year so it meant an early breakfast call between 8 and 8:30am. Thomas and Sed were our photographers for the Class Photo, and all too soon it was over. Everyone had safe and uneventful travels home (much smoother than Glenna losing all of her cross country connections due to a late departure from California coming in and arriving about 24 hours later than expected - ). I remain deeply awed and grateful that so many people want to come or return each year, and I only hope to be able to keep things rolling to include as many as we can in the coming years. As always, each year gives yet more lessons in arranging and planning - after 7 of them I think we're finally getting in the groove (!). Thanks to all that made this year's roll smoothly, especially the "Committee": the folks that come early and/or stay late to be my arms and legs each time, and all those that came together to share, learn and grow in our craft.

Read the reviews from the attendees .....