Kokeshi ladies go to new homes!

Japanese Kokeshi dolls needle felting
Group photo!

This weekend the 4H Summer Inbound Exchange program came to a close. Forty Japanese teenagers had spent a month in Virginia staying with host families from all parts of the state. This is an amazing program that matches host families and Japanese youth for a one month "homestay". It is an incredible opportunity to create lifelong friendships and build cultural understanding.

My sweet little needle felted dolls were given as a Thank- you gift to the families that hosted the students and chaperones.

the pink sisters!

close up of hair & flowers

 I had a lot of fun making all of them and it was a bit sad to see the go, but I know they will be happy with their new families. And. hopefully, be a nice reminder of their Japanese son or daughter.

Chicken Soup with Rice

Today was a good day to make chicken soup. It was unseasonably cold and rainy with highs in the 40's. We have been having 80 degree weather so it was a bit of a shock to the system, yet at the same time, rather cozy. Perfect for making soup and needle felting!

 I had cooked down a rotisserie chicken a day ago and used that as my "base".... added some mixed veggies from the freezer & a package of Knorr vegetable soup mix, some chopped red onion and brown rice. YUM!

Felted friends visit the aquarium

 
    I finished putting a few finishing touches on some of the Japanese "ladies"... added hair to one & some "accessories." I found some terrific black year with flecks of colors in it & it gets thin & thicker and is just wonderful for making their "hair-dos"!

Just managed to take a few photos & get them posted

 here after I returned home from knitting @ Melonies. 

Needle felted sushi

  Also made some needle-felted "sushi" and got some decent photos of that. 

Some day I might have to figure out what all the settings are on my camera... 

right now it's just kind of "point & shoot" and see  if I get lucky.