little bird kitsuke

[aimeekitty]

Today I went to kitsuke practice. I didn't have time for tea ceremony though. I've learned enough simple Japanese to be able to talk to my kimono friends about easy things like... how hot it was today (88 degrees F!). Haha... it's a small thing, but it encourages me.

Due to recent rain, there is no smog in LA now, the sky is so clear!


This little bird was checking me out. "Mine! Mine! Mine!"


I was early to kitsuke practice so I walked around the Buddhist temple it's held at a little bit. My sensei introduced me to the priest, who was really nice.


(these below are Jizo, I think?)


Today I practiced by wearing my yellow kimono again and my bamboo fukuro obi. The obi bow is called Fukura Suzume (which means "Plump Sparrow"... can you see how it looks like a fat sparrow with little wings...?) I am finally beginning to really remember how to do this one without help. The lime objime (YEAY LIME) is tied in a fuji (wisteria) knot.


Near my house are these lovely blooming trees. I'm not sure exactly what they are... I don't think they are plum, maybe they are cherry? I'm grateful that in the LA area there are so many different types of flowering trees. Once one type stops, another starts, and so on until summer (which is hot and unbearable.)


I think I might be nice to myself today and take time out to make this dress. (1952 Vogue pattern) Though I bet it will take me more than one day. I've been wanting a dress like this for a long time (inspired by Emily Temple Cute style...) I'm not sure if I want to make one out of the black Alice print first... or the off white Music Note print... hm... I should clean some first... but I hope I have time! The pattern says "average"... which probably means more than one night's work... also it had a decent amount of slipstitching which is tedious. blah.

Comments

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Nice pictures! Did you get a new camera? The clarity is great!

Oh god those are adorable prints X3 Did you get those in Japan?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

^_^ I finally got a new camera! it's the canon elph one. I think the image stablization helps some. and it's lighter than my old one and higher resolution which is nice if I need to print.
(emailed you re: fabric at your gmail!)

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the email XD I will definitely check it out! Between those and the heartstopping cuteness of Lynleigh's store fabrics, I'm gonna have to work some extra overtime LOL Everything's just too cute for my heart!

Ooh may I ask what model you went with? I really love how clear the ones of the the blossoms were! I've been thinking of upgrading to something with IS on it because of the perpetual shaky hands problem I have.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

sd950! :)

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Ooh thank you very much :D That's a really nice one too!

[mojuko.livejournal.com]

Do you use something to hep tie the obi or just koshihimo?
You look fantastic, it must be really ice to have kitsuke classes in your area, I attempted to email your sensei about doing a class when I come out in May, but I never heard anything back.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

wow, thanks so much! that means a lot coming from you! I'm using an obi aid, so I make it on the ground and then put it on my back. I tried doing it once without it (on myself) it's just such a pain. It's much better this way. Also, if you are going to an event, you can make the obi the night before and then there is less stress on the day of. :)

Did you want to take a class with her, or...? I could probably help you get in touch with her. She is not very good with email, but if you call her she will respond back. :)

[junemermaid.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that alice print! LOVE. IT. Oh man you have to make something super cute out of it!!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

ok! Alice it is! I was leaning that way anyway. The black is a bit less in your face than some of the pink prints I have waiting, too... and I could have red or pink accent belt or something.

[diavana.livejournal.com]

I really, really, really want to frolick under sakura trees in L.A. in my yukata.

But... I fail at putting it on. My host parents gave it to me a long time ago...

Aimee-sempai! HELP ME! XD

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

yukata is the easiest, I can totally show you how! :D and if you want you can rock it with lace and all kinds of silly accessories. lol.

[diavana.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome!!!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

well, you know the cherry blossoms are going to start blooming at Van Nuys soon, huh? if we are both free some weekend, we could go and I could help you get dressed. ^_^

[diavana.livejournal.com]

yeah, let's definitely go!
let me know when you plan to!

[thatcalliecat.livejournal.com]

same. I love my yukata- but i have always had friends put it on for me so I am unable to put it on myself.

[merrycalliope.livejournal.com]

You're brave! Even though Minakawa says my Japanese is pretty good (I only know everyday sorts of things) I'm still too embarrassed to use it. Even around his mom...or perhaps especially around his mom. ;D

Maybe those are apple blossoms? Someone told me they come in pink as well as white. They look like the trees that blossom around here and I'm not sure they are all cherry trees...but they aren't plum, I know that.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

well I think they give me points for trying. haha... :) But English is a little hard for some of my friends, I feel bad, like I am inconveniencing them, so it's much easier for me to learn Japanese (which I want to learn anyway.) Also my sensei is very patient and loves teaching me, so I can ask her what words are and such.

Maybe they are apples! I'm not sure! The leaves are dark purple-ish!

[merrycalliope.livejournal.com]

Oooh! The sort with the darkish-purple leaves! I wish I knew what that was because the neighbors across the street from my parents house have a huge tree, seriously, like two stories tall, that blooms pink in March and then those purplish leaves come out. It's really amazing. Sometimes it looks as if it's lit from within.

[taeha.livejournal.com]

The flowering tree is what I grew up calling "choke cherry", in this part of Canada. But upon research, that's a misnomer! Not sure what they are ACTUALLY called, but the fruit on them are sort of hard cherry/plum like things.

I took pictures of some last year!


And Aimee, I like the music note fabric as a 50s dress!

[taeha.livejournal.com]

I was shopping for bags on eBay -- saw this one and thought of you (and your fabric!):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rootote-Japan-Cute-Shoulder-Tote-Bag-Onpu-Music_W0QQitemZ150216955394QQihZ005QQcategoryZ63852QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

wow cute!!

[kittytreats.livejournal.com]

Ohhh I like the fabric, both would be great for a dress! What?! 88 degrees out..man it's 24 right now *shivers*

[enigmadoll.livejournal.com]

That kimono is very beautiful. It looks buttery yellow on my screen, just gorgeous!

I think those are ornamental cherry trees but I don't know which kind. We have those here in Oregon. During spring, my street looks like a giant explosion of pink cotton candy!

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

You look gorgeous, Aimee! I'm still most impressed by your plump sparrow, obi aid or not.

I'm very excited to see the dress you make! Both the fabrics are adorable. Sewing with vintage patterns is fun -- they assume that you know the sewing basics already, so the instructions are fairly simple, but still easy to follow.

[jennekohan.livejournal.com]

Oh that music note fabric is sooo cute! Do you mind me asking where you found that at? ; o ; I so desperately want to make a dress with music notes. I bought the Meta music note special set, but didn't like the way it fit so now I am music note dress-less and need to make one!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

email me and I will send you informations! :)

[kattykinns.livejournal.com]

Oh it looks like such a beautiful place <3
Your Kimono is such a beautiful colour to!

[ashbet]

"Plump Sparrow" = too cute!

I think that dress will be gorgeous on you -- I love that silhouette.

Wishing for spring here, the ground is still covered in those little ice pellets!

-- A <3

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that's an ornamental cherry tree. :)

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I love the kimono! It's so pretty! I've always wanted one, but I'd have no where to wear it...

[slai.livejournal.com]

Hi Aimee,

Wow, you look beautiful in that yellow kimono! It goes so well with that lime objime!