Two weeks from today I will be arriving in TOKYO!!! For the longest time, it seemed so far way...now it is so close! I'll be meeting my sister from Okinawa and my niece from San Diego for a girls week at the largest quilt show in the world. This is our second and probably our last trip for awhile. Here's a great link to information and wonderful quilt pictures: http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/quilt/Just in case you are going, here are our tricks for avoiding the crowds:- Go during the week and arrive around 1pm. It will be busy for several hours, but by 3pm the crowds disappear!! By 4pm you can photograph pictures without waiting for others to move on! Wait until almost closing time to visit the vendors to avoid the mobs.
- Get the show map and conquer an area at a time...otherwise you wander around and miss really cool quilts. Ask for the English version.
- Plan on at least 2 and preferably 3 afternoons at the show.
- Buy tickets ahead of time at the Family Marts, avoid the lines and they are cheaper ahead of time.
- Be sure to take an afternoon coffee or tea break in the little cafe. The maroon cake is unique. I understand it is water chestnut. One surprise was that there are no refills on coffee.
- The lockers are always full, so plan on carrying what ever you buy or bring in...another reason for shopping towards the end of the day.
- Most everyone comes by the train. There are good places for dinner in the plaza near by. Our favorites are the Italian Restaurant, Bubba Gumps. The best lunch stop on the way in is Cafe Danmark...just like being in Denmark! Starbucks is near by too...
- Would love to connect with other bloggers if you are there!
I promise lots of pictures when I return!! Now it is back to school work...I was suppose to be posting a picture of my self in the forum/chat room, where we post reflections on our reading assignments, etc. Instead I've been sidetracked thinking about blogging and Tokyo!
The last several weeks have been filled with holidays, family and a computer that is not cooperating. I'm about to order a new laptop which will hopefully solve most of the issues. Sorry for no pictures, as I can't seem to get them loaded today!I did finish another "Santa's got the goods" top, see previous pictures on November 4th posting. When I purchased this kit, it seemed like there was quite a bit of fabric, in addition to two center panels. By purchasing only one additional yard of fabric, I now have two versions of this quilt. I'm sure one will be a gift at some point.New rules for the new year:
1. When completing a top...Stitch the backing of the quilt, before moving on to the next project. ( I have at least 4 of the 13 tops that need to be quilted missing the back fabric.)2. Cut the binding before moving on to the next project. Or at least set it aside so I don't use up the fabric in another project. (I have 3 missing the binding...what was I thinking?)3. No fabric purchases until some UFO's are completed...that means staying out of the fabric stores (except in Tokyo in January...) for at least the first six months of the year!4. Keep a project out in the sewing room, on the machine, so I can sew even 15 minutes a minute a week, while in school. I'm worried I am about to experience withdrawals...I've just started an MBA program...5. Sewing is a great reward for doing homework!!6. Listening to a book (homework) on CD while sewing this weekend was a great way to do homework!!May your new year be filled with much joy, lots of fabric and wonderful sewing days ahead!
