TemariKai News - Latest updates and additions

       Join  TemariKai News to be kept fully up to date of site updates  and additions. Even if you are a member of TalkTemari on Yahoo Groups, you must be on TemariKai News to hear about updates to the site as that is not announced on TalkTemari.   TemariKai News is provided to you without advertising add-ins via a paid newslist service (fees are covered by TemariKai - there is no charge to you) so as to avoid advertising and spam.

Join TemariKai News Mailing List
Enter your name and email address below:
Name:
Email:
Subscribe  Unsubscribe 
Free Mailing Lists from Bravenet.com


but if you haven't subscribed yet here are the latest updates:

December 31, 2011
================


Hello everyone,

Welcoming 2012 has been rolling around the world for some 12 hours (give or take) now....
New Year celebrations in the Western world usually involve lots of partying and noise-making. In Japan it's a bit of a different perspective. New Year's is one of the 2 major festival holidays in Japanese culture. Many people, if they can, travel to their family homes - especially younger adults now working in larger cities. The entire country shuts down for at least 3 days (in the cities), closer to a week in rural areas and actually it can go as long as 3 weeks in remote areas (not common) for New Year celebrations and traditions.

As we share again some general collected information about what New Year celebrations in Japan include, please let me take a moment to offer my personal thoughts to you all. The TemariKai/TalkTemari community continues to grow and develop, for which I thank you. Making temari brings me the most deep sense of calm and joy, and being able to share it just increases those gifts. Thank you all for being a part of it.

The year 2011 saw challenges for many of us outside of our temari lives - the weather in many areas of the world was more than rambunctious, and of course the earthquake and tsunami in Japan was horrifying. Japan was not alone in earthquakes - Australia was socked badly as well. Floods, fires, droughts, winds.... and many had personal challenges to cope with and live through.

To start the new year off, there are 4 new patterns on page 10 of the TemariKai Pattern Index, and one is also a tutorial so you will also find it listed on the Patterns Tutorial Page. Thanks to Joan Z. for one; one is a tutorial of a traditional design, and 2 are my personal compositions. Go to the Patterns section of Temarikai.com for both.

Also upcoming in 2012 will be continuing TemariKai Live webcasts on the Temarikai Ustream channel. Regular programs are on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 11am EST (NY) time. Details will be posted on the Temarikai.com Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/Temarikai  and you can also follow Temarikai on Twitter to be in the loop for the webcasts.

I've had many requests to offer online lessons/mentoring via Skype and other video chat tools. We'll also be giving this a go in the near future for those interested; details will be available soon.

Calendars and other goodies are available on the TemariKai CafePress Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/temarishop

and the TemariKai Etsy shop is restocked (thanks to all for a busy holiday season there!) -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TemariKai

Let us hope individually and together that the New Year brings peace, comfort and security, and may we find joy in our stitching. Enjoy the info below my signature about New Year's in Japan -
Happy New Year, everyone -
Ginny



November 18, 2011
=================

*) The 2012 TemariKai Photo Calendars are ready and shipping from The Temarikai Temari Shop on Cafe Press. We have 18 artists from 5 countries represented this year, and a good showing of first-time submitters.  There were a number of single-temari images that led to the creation of a montage page, which is why we have more than 12 stitchers included this year.
Congratulations and a big thank-you to the following folks (in no particular order) who have had their photos selected for inclusion in the 2012 edition: Alexander Gerzhan (Ukraine), Jane Hayes (USA), Sue Sherburne (USA), Barbara Abbott (USA), Lolly Buxton (USA), Tina Ward (USA), Joan Zakas (USA), Karen St Jean (USA), Gloria Adamonis (USA), Tiny Govers (The Netherlands), Ginny Hoepf (New Zealand), Maggie Caccamo (USA), Anne Wimer (USA), Sherry Menne (USA), Ai Mizuta (Japan), Susan Cameron (USA) and Meagan Christie (USA).

There are 2 flavors, as always - the standard 12-month, photo-a-month version priced at $17.99US, and the poster-type at-a-glance that is a montage of all of the year's photos, priced at $6.99US.   As we've done since the project started, a portion of the calendar sales proceeds will be directed to the Sarah's Book Project  http://temarikai.com/sarahsbook.html   which in turn supports cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA.

Orders must be placed directly through the Temarikai Shop on Cafe Press, http://www.cafepress.com/temarishop
and they do accept phone orders for payment by personal check or credit card if you prefer not to order on line. Just note the product number of the items you'd like, and then give them a call on their 800 number. You'll also find a new selection of totes and bags, key tags and jewelry (necklaces, charm bracelets and earrings) as well as many other items in the shop sections. Again, if you order directly through the shop link you are guaranteed the best pricing over what Cafe Press features in their market place.  Cafe Press will also drop-ship directly to any address for sending gifts.

We had a good turn-out of submissions this year, a noticeable increase over the last few years. There were several review groups helping to choose the finalists, to be sure that we covered all bases.

Again, my deep thanks to those folks that participate in this activity...

*) Vrulers are in stock, http://www.temarikai.com/jpnseanglemeasurepurchase.htm   as well as rice hulls, mini rulers and other goodies on the Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TemariKai

That's it for now - thanks very much again to the calendar folks. Hope that everyone enjoys the 2012 offerings....

Thanks for your continued interest and support,
Ginny T


October 7, 2011
=============


*) The Call for Photos is open through the end of this month for the 2011 Temarikai Photo Calendar - check out the link on the home page
http://www.temarikai.com/calendarinfo.html

Everyone is invited and urged to submit - all levels of temari experience.... and there is no restriction if you have had a photo selected to be in the calendar in previous years. Each year is a new one -

*) If you are considering applying for 2012 certification with the Japan Temari Association, I need to have you on the preliminary list now. This is not a firm commitment, you'll have till December 1 for that but if you are thinking or hoping for 2012, we need to be in touch now. Check out the info in the Resources section of temarikai.com -

http://www.temarikai.com/japantemariassocinfoapply.html

*) We've had discussion over the summer as well as my getting personal questions about selling your completed Temari - there is a new page of info on this in the Resources section on Temarikai.com that can help answer some of your questions. Check out

http://www.temarikai.com/sellingtemari.html

*) Vrulers are available,
http://www.temarikai.com/jpnseanglemeasurepurchase.htm

and Etsy has goodies on hand (including lanyards, rice hulls and the vertical rulers for those that have been waiting)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TemariKai

That's it for now -
Thanks for your continued interest and support, Ginny T.


August 12, 2011
==============

*) Cafe Press has (rather suddenly) discontinued CD products from their inventory, given the advance of digital delivery of music and data. So - the Sarah's Book CD on Cafe Press is no longer available - BUT - electronic/digital delivery of Sarah's Book IS, and continues to be available. You can find the electronic version purchase info linked from The Sarah's Book Project page on TemariKai.com -

http://www.temarikai.com/sarahsbook.html

We are investigating some form of "hard copy" delivery, but for now we're relying on electronic. You receive all of the info, files and artwork via electronic delivery as you did on the CD.
The Sarah's Book Project continues to be a close-to-the-heart thing for Temarikai.com and especially early TK readers and TT members. Dana Farber has also acknowledged it as one of their dedicated  on-record fund raising projects.

*)  There is a new page in the Resources Section of TemariKai.com that shows some ideas for organizing pearl cotton both for stash storage and project management. While there are as many different "solutions" for this as there are stitchers, it's a common question I get both on TalkTemari and in private notes. I've shared what works for me....

http://www.temarikai.com/threadstoragemanagement.html

*) There are several new patterns - on Page 10 of the Temarikai.com Pattern index - two more that I have modified/worked up as StitchAlongs, workshop projects and TemariKai Live! projects, including one that is in tutorial format and is also indexed on the Pattern Tutorial page....

http://www.temarikai.com/temaripatternsindex10.html

http://www.temarikai.com/temaripatternsindexTutorials01.html

*)  Don't forget about the Call for Photos for the 2012 TemariKai Photo Calendar -

http://www.temarikai.com/calendarinfo.html

That's it for now - thanks for your ongoing support -
Ginny T.


August 8, 2011
=============


 *) The Call for Photos for the Temarikai Photo Calendar 2012 is now open. Everyone, regardless of your level of experience in making temari, is invited to participate with submitting photos. We are always looking for photos that represent all levels of temari making; you are welcome to submit even if you have had a photo chosen to be included in the calendar in the past. This is the one time that the photo specifications and quality are as important as the temari execution, so please pay close attention to the information that is available on Temarikai.com

http://temarikai.com/calendarinfo.html

Take advantage of seasonal and nature settings, be creative, but remember - the focal point is the Temari. Props and settings should NOT overshadow or compete with the temari. Photos should be of temari that you have made (though they need not be original designs), and photos those that you have taken. The Calendar is always a hit during the holiday season... they will be available (both full 12 month and single ataglance poster) in time for holiday ordering. As always now, a portion of the proceeds will continue to be donated to The Sarah's Book Project (http://temarikai.com/sarahsbook.html), to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA.

 *) There are 3 new patterns available in the TemariKai.com pattern index. One is my composition to use Maki Kagari in a simple design that helps you learn the stitch, and is available both on Page 10 of the Index as well as in the Tutorial Index. Thanks to Laura B. and Colleen P. for their contributed patterns, found on page 10 of the TK Pattern section.

http://www.temarikai.com/temaripatternsindex10.html

*) Information and potential applicants are forming up for the 2012 JTA Class - if you think you are interested in JTA certification, please be sure to read through the information on Temarikai.com

http://www.temarikai.com/japantemariassocinfoapply.html

and be sure that you are joined up on the JTA Mentor/Discuss Yahoo Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JTAMentorDiscuss/

You're free to and more than welcome to join the group just to "listen along" even if you feel actual certification is not something you're into.

*) TemariKai Live (live webcast on UStream) has settled in on a twice a month schedule, the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. Be sure to check out the information about the webcast in order to gain the best experience, and do consider joining us. Detailed information is available through TalkTemari Yahoo Group, (such as programming topics and followup discussion), but general information is found in the info file on TemariKai.com

 http://www.temarikai.com/TalkTemari/TalkTemariUStreamInfo.html

*) Vrulers are in stock, Etsy is stocked

http://www.puffinstuffny.com/purchasecontents.html


*) We continue to have hard struggles for many people due to sever and prolonged weather conditions... please hold these folks in your thoughts.... and for all of those that have been impacted by the tragic happenings in recent news.

That's it for now - thanks for your continued support,
Ginny T

July 6, 2011
===========

I know that it's been a long time since site updates -  it was a very eventful spring.  Personal events in life have had Temarikai.com waiting for attention but things are ebbing back. Not the least of the spring happenings was the 2011 NY TalkTemari StitchIn - which was the 10th annual/reunion edition. More to come soon on the details, but a grand time was had by 30 temari makers from 6 countries and 14 states of the US.....  watch for details coming shortly.

Updates and changes to TemariKai.com:

*) The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on March 11 stunned everyone. While people sat watching the devastation unfold through modern media, and perhaps made contributions to relief agencies, most of us sat feeling helpless. To try to help, the "Stitch For Japan" Project was born on TalkTemari, which resulted in some 67 temari being sent to the JTA to hopefully share our care - read about it in the TalkTemari section of TemariKai.com  
http://www.temarikai.com/TalkTemari/StchForJapan2011/TalkTemariStitchForJapan2011.html

*) There are changes happening in the Pattern Indexes on TemariKai.com. Rather than isolating patterns that result from TalkTemari StitchAlongs, these are now integrated into the main pattern index. Instead of a SA pattern index, there is now a Pattern Tutorial index. The Tutorial patterns are ones that are presented in more detailed format (usually photo tutorial) as opposed to regular pattern directions - whether they result from a StitchAlong or not. The patterns contained on the Tutorial Index are also found in the Main Index, but having them summarized in their own grouping makes them easy and quick to locate for those needing more detailed instructions.  This "sort" seems to be a more useful method.
http://www.temarikai.com/PatternContents.html

*) The above being said, there may be "new" patterns found on page 9 of the TemariKai.com pattern index if you have not been aware or tuned into the SA listings.
http://www.temarikai.com/temaripatternsindex09.html

Please bear with me as these changes are completed - there may still be a few kinks in the regrouping

*) There are 2 new beginner patterns found on page 10 of the TemariKai.com pattern index -
http://www.temarikai.com/temaripatternsindex10.html

*) One "tug of war" that shows up in Temari making is how to size a mari. Those in North America are culturally used to measuring diameter in inches while those in Europe and Asia are used to circumference in centimeters. While I always encourage people to use the metric system (cm and mm for when you must measure in absolute units), old habits die hard especially when specifying mari sizes. There is a new page in the How To section of TemariKai.com that provides conversion between the two for most common mari sizes.

http://www.temarikai.com/marisizing.html

*) Congratulations to those who applied for and successfully passed JTA exams this year - another group of temari makers has either begun or advanced their certification.

*) If you are a follower of the TemariKai Live webcasts on Ustream - be aware of changes in UStreams ad placing policy which drops ads mid-stream, hijacking any stream content that transpired during the ad run. It is variable per viewer so just waiting it out as the broadcaster is not an option. To avoid the interruptions please use a browser such as FireFox or Google with an ad blocking addin such as Ad Block Plus. Webcasts are broadcast the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 11am EDT on the TemariKai Channel on Ustream.com.  Info about the webcasts is managed through TalkTemari on Yahoo Groups if you are interested in following the programming.  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/temarikai-channel

*) Vrulers are available,  and rice hulls are in stock again if you were waiting for them
http://www.puffinstuffny.com/purchasecontents.html

TemariKai.com will be undergoing more updates and changes this summer -

Please continue to hold the people of Japan in your thoughts - they are a long way from getting back to anything close to normal. And, please hold a thought for those here in the US that have been dealing with unrelenting severe storms and tornadoes, drought, wildfires, and flooding. Life for many people has been upended if not wiped away this spring.

As of this writing, Temarikai News has broken over 1000 subscribers.... thank you for your continued support.
Be well,
Ginny T.
gthompson@temarikai.com
www.temarikai.com






Click to enter Temarikai.com
Last updated 11/18/2011 ©  2003 - 2011   G.Thompson
//