To Senegal....

I'm almost ready to go to Senegal phisically. I am not packet completely yet... Mentally, I AM READY!! My first African Continent...Senegal. I will be at an orphanage in the capitol city Dakar, Daar de Malika for 3 weeks to introduce SAORI to children there. I'm so excited about this great opportunity! What I would like to hope is for people at the orphange to continue SAORI project forever at the orphanage. My friend Yukako in NY and I are going to be there to start the project, but they are the one keep working on SAORI from now on. I think that's also our responsibilities to let them feel that SAORI is fun and benefit for both the children and the facility not just teaching how to use looms and weave....yes, guiding them to bring good mental motivation, too! I am also looking forward to the opportunity to play/listen the African drums, seeing/feelingBaobab trees as well as being in the nature (national parks?) whenever I have free time. Of course, trying different kind of local dishes, too! Though I need to be careful what I eat. (ice cubes, fruits....) Anyway, great great opportunity is ahead of me!! Thank you Dan for letting me go for 3 weeks. Thank you to my students who offered me to help Dan at a festival that Dan will have a booth and will teach 3 classes. Thank you to SAORI Japan to offer me this opportunity! Happy Weaving!!

See you this weekend at Spin In!

Tomorrow, I am heading to the event, SPIN IN. The venue is near Milwaukee, WI. It will take about 5.5 hours to get there by car from where I live. I am going there by myself. I am teaching 3 classes everyday; Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Usually Dan is with me, but he has work that he can't miss. It's okay. I will be fine. I never drove alone for that long time. I will keep singing, chewing gums for not to fall a sleep....What shall I sing? Driving is the only thing I am worried about, but I know I will be okay. The event organizer e-mailed me to let me know that Friday class is full. Thank you!! I am looking forward to introducing SAORI!!

SAORI knitting bag pin and...

I have a lot of small woven pieces that were left over from making clothing items.

I didn't threw them away. I kept them.

I'm finally using them in a good way!

I am making "SAORI knitting bag pins" and "SAORI magnet sets".

They are now available at Minnesota Textile Center.

I feel so good using those left over small woven pieces.

I am sure those pieces are happy to be something, too!

I know people in the U.S LOVES MAGNETS.

That's why I decided make magnets also using left over woven pieces.

What do you think about them?

Aren't they cute?