hello there

So apparently it is something called "delurking week" at present, and this is a big chance for all the bloggy writers and pretty-thing-makers to guilt their constituents/audiences into coming out of the woodwork + saying hello.

Who would I be if I didn't join in? So delurk! If you're out there reading, say hi, and let me know about your place--where you post, where you muse, where you show off your stuff--and I'll drop by and comment there, too.

And--because this is what you come here for, after all--some of your regularly scheduled programming:

年賀状
nengajou (new-year's card)

I made the 'mistake' of taking part in a holiday card exchange through a blog I read often. I loved receiving the cards last year and this year as well, but with thesis writing, fashion show participating, craft-o-rama coordinating, and life in general, getting the old "I'll hand print all my cards" bee in the bonnet was maybe ill-advised. But I did it, and they are out traveling the world at present. They show kadomatsu (pine branches + bamboo) and kagamimochi (stacked soft rice cakes and a tangerine with these folded streamers), which are traditional New-Year's elements in Japan. All 50 are hand-printed, double-sided.

Lots of sewing, lots of cutting, lots of planning. See you soon! And--delurk, already!