At long last, I’ve returned to the desert… where it’s raining. All week long I’ve been looking forward to the dry air and warm climate that I’d left behind, only to find it damp, cold and dreary when I got home last night. Oh well.

Fanime was fantastic. The show was exhausting, but a lot of fun. It’s always difficult to let go of my favorite vintage pieces, but once I see them on the right person, it’s worth it. For those of you who took home a new kimono at the show, remember “wear it for a day, air it for a day” and treat your kimono well so that it will look great for the next show.

One of the highlights of my trip was having tea with Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, author of several excellent books and articles and a video about shibori, lecturer, teacher, and all-around shibori expert. She showed me the proper way to appreciate a cup of oolong tea while we discussed textiles. If I hadn’t just finished up a week of 12 hour days on my feet, I think I might have been better company, but she was a wonderful host nonetheless.

This Saturday, May 31 I will be doing a kimono fashion show at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon for their Sakura Matsuri event. If you are in the area, I hope you will come by and see the student volunteers who will be wearing kimono and having a good time. I hear the rain should be moving on by then and the skies will be clear. Fingers crossed!

If you’re wondering where all the sashiko items went in my Etsy shop, they will be relisted soon. I’m holding on to them for the show on Saturday and will update afterwards.