December 29, 2011

あら

気づいたらいよいよ年の瀬ではないですか。
去年は何してたんだろう?と思いブログをたどってみたら、去年の27日は大雪で、外は雪景色だったのね。こういう時ブログって便利。


今年は去年とは違う彩りの年だったなぁ。


一月は実家に帰って楽しい思いをし、三月、娘が途中入園し幼稚園に通園し始める。その途端、今度は東北大震災と福島の原発事故。誰もが辛く悲しい思いをしたとともに、一部の人達が新たなスタートに向けて覚悟し邁進した年だったと思う。この地震の前と後では、全てが変わってしまった。春はそんなであっという間に過ぎた。


夏は割とのんびりしていたのに、9月に娘が新学期を迎え、十月にアフタースクール・プログラムで週一回子供達にアートを教えるようになり、11月に2件イラストの仕事を抱えてからはもう駆け足で過ごしてきた感じ。


その傍らで、今まで通りグリーティング・カードを制作し、9月にあったベビーシャワーのために作ったオリジナル・イラスト入りのビブ(=よだれかけ。日本ではスタイが一般的?)がありがたいことに好評で追加注文が来たり、月一くらいでやっているビギナー限定かぎ針編み教室のサンプル作り、普段の家事なんかでクリスマスの週になるまで、私の両腕はフル稼働していた。

December 23, 2011

getting christmasy

With uplifting holiday mood, most before-the-holiday-stuff taken care of, and feeling a bit sick = spending more time at home, I'm frequenting my blog these days.

Today was last day of school for my daughter & my mom-friend gifted me with a freshly baked gingerbread. With the centerpiece my daughter brought me home, the table is holiday-ready.

"I choose a blue candle because you like blue, Mama!"

Mmmm. Couldn't resist. Real grated ginger!

Centerpiece in use.

December 22, 2011

bye bye bunny year

妹の所属する熱帯森林保護団体のスタッフブログを覗いたら、


「ウサギ年よさようなら
辰年よこんにちは!」


と書かれていて、よくわからんけど吹き出した。
卯年だったのも忘れていた。
よく思い出してみたら、折に触れて母が「今年は卯年だから、あなたのうさぎのバースデイ・カードは丁度よい」とかなんとか言っていたような。


とにかく終わるとなると何か寂しいけれど、本当はいつものように一晩明けるだけ。そう言ってみたものの、日本人のDNAなのか、やはり大晦日には心が変な盛り上がりを見せる自分がいるんだろうな。


卯年にちなんで、今年最後のうさぎさん:


名前は「キュッキュ」
娘が命名。
着なくなったズボンをアップサイクル。
もう数日でクリスマス。

December 21, 2011

Bibs and things

I think I'm over another illustration deadline! Woohoo!
Can't wait till those publications come out.

It had always been crazy before the holidays and this year was even more so. Since last Thursday when I went to buy some fabric for making bibs, I was either cutting & sewing, drawing & Photoshopping, crocheting, or doing house chores. I literally had no time to just sit down & do nothing. I was a total busy-body.

I came up with five bibs this time:









  





I'm happy with how they came out. They are sold for $18 - 20 at Creators' Co-Op in Astoria, or you can contact me & I'll let you know the additional shipping cost.

Today I had a private Photoshop lesson at my home with two friends. It was fun and once again I am amazed with all the things you can do with this software.

Another highlight of my week was my last after school fiber arts (crochet) class with 12 girls. They enjoyed working on their assignment: pompoms. In the end of class, they were happy to receive those red & white holiday bracelets I made for them, which is shown in the post below. I thanked the girls for their good work and in response they said, "Thank you for teaching us!" "You inspire us!" They are so adorable.

December 11, 2011

crocheting in the winter wonderland

Made one illustration deadline today and feeling a bit relaxed.
It has gotten so cold since the last time I updated this.

My daughter is singing Feliz Navidad; lights are illuminating the streets; feeling the holiday spirit! If you haven't sent out any cards yet, it's not too late!


Lately, I've been into making those crochet cords. It's variations of chain, but it's really intriguing that the direction of stripe changes just by changing the order of how you hook the yarns.

The colors uplift the holiday mood, too!

Hope you all are having a wonderful remainder of the year.


November 26, 2011

cheery projects

Lately, I've been spending my nights working on those holiday decorations.

I'm totally in love with making those less useful objects. It's about their shapes, colors, and the feel, rather than their functionality, technique and clean finish that is needed when making bags, clothing, etc.

Hope they'll look good in the store windows.
Those fluffy yarns drape beautifully.

Not-so-traditional-holiday-color garland,
but I think it will compliment
Kazuki's babySOLAIRE creations. 
Kili loooved those pink stuff
& was sad to see it leave to the store...
Sorry, buddy!

November 22, 2011

Aya X Yoriko invader hat

Forgot all about this hat. This was knitted by my sister for my friend's son's birthday last year. I created the design and she did the rest. I love this hat. Maybe I will ask her to make another for Randy.

Invader knit.
Out of all the different invaders, I like this jellyfish-like creature.

Kili testing it out.

November 21, 2011

Season I love to walk on the street

落ち葉がきれいで、
下ばかり見て歩いている今日この頃。



burning color tree!

I just need some apple cider & cider donuts from green market and my day will be perfect.

November 19, 2011

mid-afternoon snack

I'm supposed be working, but I just keep wanting to snack.
Those "pink cereal" of my daughter.

November 7, 2011

holiday 2011

My newest designs are now available online!
I made 5 new holiday cards this year. Along with them, there are of course birthday cards, season-appropriate blank cards as well, so browse and pick some up to send out to your favorite people.

As usual, they are also available at the lovely Creators' Co-Op in Astoria, which is having a store wide event on December 3rd. It is also a part of an avenue-wide event that involves free gifts, so stay tuned.

greetings with personality & love!

November 4, 2011

好物

今日は娘のリクエストで卵焼き。


「ご飯だよー」
と声をかけるとテーブルの端に両手をかけて、


「わぁー、これ、キリコの好き(な)ヤツだーー!」
と満面の笑み。


こんな小さなことで喜んで幸せだこと。




最近の娘の好きな物:
・ご飯と梅干しは相変わらずで、最近はそれを海苔に巻くのに凝っている。
・カレー味のもの これは母ゆずり
・塩こんぶやしゃけなどご飯の友系
・卵焼き (ぐるぐるのたまご)
・ブロッコリー


NYは日に日に寒くなるばかり。
今日は風が強く、道の落ち葉がカサカサと渦を巻いては吹き溜まりをつくっていた。

October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011

今年のハロウィンは月曜だったですが、娘は風邪で前日に高熱を出し、幼稚園もお休み。この日は園で、各園児が作ったマスクをつけるハロウィン・パーティだったのに。全ては土曜に急に降った雪のせい。


うっひっひっひっひ〜〜〜









でも、ちょうど日本から訪ねてきていた妹のお仕事仲間の方から、ハロウィン・テーマのかわいいクッキーを頂き、娘はそれだけで大満足。「このオバケはママのね。ここはキリが食べる」などと絵を楽しんで、嬉しそうにぱくついていました。


この方は妹が出張などでこちらに来る度に、娘のためにかわいいクッキーを下さって、前回はこれもまた食べるのが勿体ないゾウさんでした。本当にありがたい。


おばけクッキーのおかげで、今年のハロウィンもハッピーに終わりました。

October 24, 2011

Greeting card making class!

Getting ready for my class this Thursday!
I cut out lots of samples.

This time, we are trying "Monkiri-gata",
a type of paper-cutting technique developed
by Japanese graphic designers in 1800s. 



















It will be in Astoria, from 6pm - 8pm, on October 27th. 
The fee is only $12 and materials are included!
To register, please visit Creators' Co-Op website and find "Making Greeting Cards with Japanese designs".


October 22, 2011

Back to School Poem

Nothing

When children come home at the end of the day,
The question they're asked as they scurry to play
Is, "Tell me what you did today?"
Perhaps the answer they give makes you sigh with dismay.
"Nothing, I did nothing today!"
Perhaps nothing means that I played with blocks,
Or counted to ten, or sorted some rocks.
Maybe I painted a picture of red and blue
Or heard a story of a mouse that flew.
Maybe I watched the gerbils eat today,
Or went outside on the swings to play.
Maybe today was the very first time
That my scissors follwed a very straight line
Maybe I lead a song from beginning to end,
Or played with a special brand new friend.

When you're in pre-kindergarten
And your heart has wings,
"Nothing" can mean so many things!



This was given to the parents on one of the first days my daughter was back to school. 
I especially like the last three lines.


We should all remember,
Once in a while,
That our hearts have wings, too!



October 15, 2011

Kaiju Big Battel in Brooklyn

帰宅直後の、娘の一言。


「今日は楽しかったね〜〜」


ほんと、楽しかった。
大好きな人達に囲まれて、助けてもらって、私達は本当に幸せ者だ。


手際のよいヘルプがあったおかげで、物販テーブルのセットアップも余裕よゆう。開場一時間前には用意万端。雨とL線の滞りでお客さんはいつもより少なめだったけど、馴染みのハコでリラックスして働くことができました。娘を見ていてくれたみなさん、ありがとう。


今回のスペシャル・ゲストで物すごく感じのよいプロレスラー、澤さんにもお会いできたし。
このクラブの名物ピエロギとケルバサもたらふく食べたし。


ちなみに娘に何が一番楽しかったか聞くと、
「ジャックがうるさかったー。それからダストバニーがビョンビョ〜〜ンってしてた。」


わかるようなわからんような。





October 7, 2011

baby booties

I made this in August for my cousin's baby in Italy.



it worths my not-enough-sleep-nights!
(well, if you are a mom, you don't get much sleep anyway.)

October 2, 2011

Nice work!

Here are some pictures of my very first crochet student and a good friend Amy's work.
The first day she came to my workshop, she said she was frustrated with even doing the chain. Though it didn't discourage her from doing it and she kept assigning herself newer and slightly more challenging projects every time. Now look at what she can do.





She has also been working on a blanket which has been getting slightly bigger every time I visit her apartment. I'm so impressed with her steady enthusiasm.

This is a good example that even little by little, if you keep doing it, it will take you somewhere.

September 29, 2011

Another repairing job

This family was handed to me for a repair from my daughter's school in the summer. My job was to recreate their outfits. I procrastinated it for a while, but her school started again and I pushed myself to do it.

Took me a while since they were so small. Ladies were easier, but father & boy's pants & jackets were a pain. But I think it was worth the effort.


The parents looked pretty raggedy & tired...

 

The kids needed some help... 



Tada! The family is happy again!

September 24, 2011

Granny Square Trivet

5日間の休暇中にせこせこ編みためていた、四角いモチーフ達。
やっと数が揃って、先日とじて鍋敷きにしてみました。





とじて・・・
完成。
こういうものがテーブルにあると和みます。


「練習用に」とこれらの余り毛糸をくれた祖母。
元はセーターや何かをほどいたらしいちりぢりの毛糸でしたが、色や風合いはいかにも祖母らしいきれいなものでした。


巷の「おばあちゃん像」とはほど遠い、厳しい祖母でしたが、彼女のテイストやモノづくりに対する姿勢、自分の美意識を何においても貫こうとする姿は、私のモノづくりのルーツかもしれません。


私が「あ、素敵だな」と思うものは、祖母のスタイルの影響を少なからず受けている気がします。何より、祖母は本物を愛しています。まがい物は大嫌い。そんな祖母のお眼鏡にかなうべく、私も自分に磨きをかけなければ。


そんなわけで、この鍋敷きは祖母に送りました。


スカイプで祖母に「あの、かぎ針編みで鍋敷き作ったんだけど」と私が言った途端、「今ね、物を整理中だからそういうのがいっぱいあるのよ」とやんわり断られたのですが、実物を見せたら急に態度を変えて、「そういうのだったら飾っとこうかしら」と言うので、思わず吹き出してしまいました。そりゃそうだ。あなたの選んだ糸なんですから、気に入るわけですわ。


祖母は趣味でないものは頑として持たないタイプ。
いくら孫の私が作ったものでも、趣味に合ないのではと危惧したに違いありません。
でも、「もらってもいいわ」と言ってくれたということは、
私も一つハードルを超えたのかな。


ということにしておきます。

September 8, 2011

sneak preview

I made a couple of new designs for an event at Creators' Co-Op tonight.
When the fall comes, I think of pies. A good way to enjoy the remaining of summer.
I had these illustration in my sketchbook for a while now. Hope they'll make their way to many homes.

what is your favorite kind?
I am also starting to sell my cards as sets. Each set has 5 cards and it is more reasonable price than buying individual cards.



I heard the store is offering everything 15% off to purchases you made during this event!
So if you'd like to get them even for less, tonight is a great chance!

26-16 23rd Ave.
Astoria, NY 11105
646-470-4728

September 3, 2011

End of Summer

予報を見ても、もう30度を超える日はない。
朝晩は涼しいし、夏が遠のいていく感つよし。

つかの間の田舎暮らしを思い出しながら、慌ただしい都会の生活に埋没してゆく日々。



nibbling on a garden-fresh bean.





my mother-in-law's chicken coop




old Clorox bottle!


私達の「山の家」ならぬ、義兄の家。

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