Sorry for the long absence, our internet connection was iffy due to a slowly dying wireless router, which has now been usurped. I replaced our old, UFO-shaped Apple AirPort with a newer model (AirPort Extreme) and feel pretty pleased with its performance so far. No more dropped connections or endless spinning wheels of doom whilst attempting to upload photos. Happy happy. It’s not as interesting to look at as the old model, but that’s not what I bought it for so I can’t really complain.

Now that I’m ensconced in the San Francisco Bay Area, I find myself surrounded by people who are just as fanatical about Japanese textiles as I am, which is a treat. I’d like to offer classes on subjects such as wearing and collecting vintage kimono, how to sashiko (in my super-ninja-take-no-prisoners, “California” style) and other ideas, but I’m not sure where to start. If you have a quilt group, guild or other organization that would be interested in having me come and speak at your next gathering, please let me know. I also offer incentives for hosting a trunk show. Email me for more details.

In the shop this month you’ll find new sashiko supplies including new thread colors and kits and the books I promised last month. Fabrics that have been hiding in boxes will be making an appearance, some old, some new. And oh boy, do I have a lot of vintage items that haven’t been listed simply because I’ve had a difficult time finding space to photograph them! We’ve had several sunny, dry days in a row this week so I will be taking advantage of the good weather to sort those out.

In other words, just about anything I figured would be done in February and never got to, will be done in March and April. Someday I’ll hire somone to sort this out for me and things will run much more smoothly. Yay!