The Music of Origami

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I have just seen the best documentary I've ever seen, "Between the Folds:  Exploring Origami."  One of the most interesting parts of this documentary is how the evolution of Western Art Music is compared to the evolution of origami.  Some of the most breathtaking origami I have ever seen is presented.  There are different genres of origami--very much like music--and some even moves!  Another very interesting part of the film is the scientists who do and study origami for practical application in medicine and other fields.  It is a riveting 56 minutes.  On top of all that, I thought the score was genius in that it sounded like what origami looks like!  I hope you will see this documentary, then leave a comment here on this blog. 

For more information click here and click here.  What did you learn today?

Today is the Pin Festival !

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Hari-Kuyo, the Festival of Broken Needles, was the beginning of the lunar year on the old Chinese calendar, and is now a festival in China and Japan every year on February 8.  People bring to the shrine their broken pins and needles used in the previous year, and express gratitude for their service.

For more information click here and click here.

I've broken sewing machine needles and the eyes in needlepoint needles, but I didn't exactly express gratitude for the broken needle, nor even for the service it had provided.  I wonder if there are uses for broken needles, but that's for another blog on another day.  What do you do that requires you to use needles?  (You can leave comments below.)

Needlepoint VS. Airlines

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If you're a needlepointer, like me, you need to carry some sort of cutting device with you to cut yarn.  However, airlines don't allow scissors or blades to be carried onto airplanes these days.  So, savvy needlepointers have come up with three ideas: 1)  carry an empty dental-floss case because the floss cutter built into the case will cut needlepoint yarn (this is what I have been doing), 2) carry nail-clippers, which will also cut needlepoint yarn, or 3) purchase this clever pair of tiny, short, round-tip scissors, called "Itty-Bitty Scissors" (this is what I want).

Do you use Yarn or Plarn or Harn?

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There is an easy way for anyone to turn plastic bags and hose into yarn, which you can use for anything you would normally use yarn!  For more information click here.

I used to knit, although not very well; now I only needlepoint.  I'm thinking about trying to make harn  for a needlepoint rug in navy and beige, because those are primarily the colors of hose I wear.  What is your favorite hobby?  (You may leave comments below.)