I just have to try Temari

                                     
I became so engrossed with temari that I seemed to spend hours on the computer checking out everything I  could find.  The local library didn't have any books on Temari, but managed to get a couple in.  I spent heaps of time studying those and became completely absorbed with the whole subject. 

My biggest problem was that I couldn't find anyone who had even heard of temari, let alone anyone who knew where I could learn how to make a temari ball.

I finally found a site in the U.S. and ordered some prewrapped balls, which are called maris.  A really smart move, when I didn't have a clue about how to even start stitching one!!!

With that order I had enquired if they knew of anyone in Australia that did lessons on temari, and was given the name of Temari Addict in Perth.  Perhaps I should have said Victoria, Australia!!

I did make contact with a lady called Rebecca from Temari Addict and she was very helpful, and gave me a contact in Melbourne who did workshops from time to time.
I was finally getting somewhere, and after all Melbourne was only 300kms away. Just a tad closer than Perth!!

I asked my dear friend, the city Mrs.S.S. if she would do the lesson with me.  She said she'd be happy to have a go. I was so excited about finally being able to learn how to stitch a temari ball. I was like a child waiting for Santa.  I hardly slept the night before.
I didn't know it then, but I think I had already caught the temari bug.

The morning finally dawned. "Today's the day".  Sounds sad for an adult doesn't it, but that was honestly how I felt.  Full of great expectations (to borrow a phrase).

 After only a 2 hour lesson I knew I had caught the fever.  When we returned back to my friends house, I had to keep stitching until I had finished my temari ball.  Then I could hardly wait to drive back home so I could start on one of the balls that I had
ordered from America.

For those of you who stitch temari balls, I'm sure you know how I felt.  It certainly does get you in.  For those who haven't tried, you don't know what you're missing.
It's so rewarding to stitch one of these beautiful balls.  It certainly doesn't matter if it is  a simple design or a complicated design, they are all beautiful.  You can stitch the same design in different colours and it's amazing how it can look so different from the first one.

Here is the pic of my very 1st temari ball.

 Little did I know how close my craft life was to changing.


My DB and I decided that a doona cover in purples to match the purple geisha girl would give a really bright touch to the bedroom and link the 2 pieces together.  So the search began for fabrics that matched in with what I had used with the purple geisha girl.

We both really liked the "Garden Path" design and decided that as the 2 doona covers wouldn't be seen at the same time, it wouldn't matter if I did 2 doonas in the same design.  The fact that I already had the pattern pieces had a slight bearing on my choice of design.  After all,  "I'd been there and done that".

As I had used only 4 colours in that panel,  I had  quite a task ahead to find enough different fabrics to do another Garden Path.  So the search began.  My local fabric shop has a good range of Japanese fabrics for a country town,  but  not a lot of purples, and I had picked what I liked best for my geisha girl.

Just as well my DB is a very placid and patient man, because the next shop I knew of that has  a good range of japanese fabrics was at least 175kms away...each way...that is.  So armed with my pattern book and the remnants of fabrics we set off to hopefully succeed in this mission.  Mission accomlished.

Just after I finished this doona cover,  my local  fabric store owner, Mrs N asked me had I ever heard of Japanese Temari Balls, which I hadn't.  She said she was reading a book that made mention of them.  After she descrbed them to me I couldn't wait to get home and start googling.  Wow.  These balls are just beautiful.

And so the seed of temari fascination was sown.  Little did I know what lay ahead.

But before I could do anything about temari balls, apart from drool, I still had a slight problem.  I now have 3 geisha girls,  3 doonas and 2 doona covers.  So I still have to make another doona cover,  but the Temari time clock is starting to tick loudly.

Here is the pic of my 2nd doona cover.

Sorry about the few faded looking sections at the bottom,  I'm still learning how to take a decent photo.  Good or bad photography aside,  I hope you like my doona cover.