Five identical dresses

 I experimented by sewing several dresses from One pattern how they would differ.

This is the first dress I sewed. It's made of wool-based fabric, has three-quarter sleeves, Plastic Button, and is light and warm. It was May. 

This is linen fabric with puffed sleeves. I used metal German buttons.　There is a parking lot on the third basement floor of this building. It was June and the weather was starting to get hot. 

 July, air-conditioned. Sewn with double gauze. Very comfortable. Simple short sleeves, Shell Buttons.　No belt is used at the waist, elastic is sewn in.

It was August and extremely hot. Made of thin linen fabric and no sleeves. Gold colored buttons. It was also cool and comfortable one.

And October. It's finally cooler. The fabric is flannel, and I'd like to wear it with wool cardigan. 

Then, I'm getting bored, to be honest. This is the end of my fun experiment. I learned that the same pattern can have a different look by changing the sleeve style and fabric.

This sewing pattern is "Vogue 7615". It would be interesting to add some variety to the belt and buttons.

Dog's blanket : granny square patt

 I knitted a new blanket for my dog.

The good point about this pattern is that it uses a lot of yarn. You can use up all the leftover yarn or yarn that only weighs 100g.

This was double knitted with acrylic and wool yarn.

Of course, you can make it bigger with your favorite color.

↓　I still use the blanket I knitted a while ago.

granny-square-blanket

Vertical stripe cardigan

 

Are you enjoying summer break ? We can't go on a trip because of pets. It's very shame, but I want my dog, cats, chicken and goats to live long　:) 

By the ways, I have finished crocheting the beautiful summer cardigan. It looks chilly and it actually is cool to wear, the heat through the lace holes.  

Where I failed was used summer yarn of cotton and linen. The cardigan is stiff and doesn't stretch, tight around the bust and shoulders.

Writ down that I don't forget. Using summer yarn is a good idea, but use a yarn with some stretch, or choice one size up. 

This was a vintage pattern. 

Mosquito repellent spray

 I would like to know the scientific basis for why this liquid repels mosquitoes. I don't know which ingredient is the main cause. I have been experimenting with it for four years myself, and it seems to be effective, so I would like to introduce it to you.

All you need is gin, mint oil, and chinaberry leaves.

Place the leaves in a jar, pour in the gin and leave to steep.

When the leaves change color like this, they are done. You can remove the leaves or leave them on.

Put 30% of this liquid, add mint oil and mix well, then add the remaining water 70%.

↓In a container like this, add about 40 drops of mint oil.

It has a nice scent and doesn't cause rashes. It can be used by children, can be sprayed on the face, and doesn't stain clothes. But It's natural,  the effect doesn't last long.

In places where there are 100 mosquitoes, Stay vigilant. Cover up as much skin as possible. and you need to apply this liquid evenly to your skin. Don't forget your palms, fingers, and ears. 

There are a lot of mosquitoes in Japan of summer. The mosquito repellents sold at home improvement stores are often strong medicines containing pesticides, and have small letters saying not to put them directly on the skin. They are scary medicines. However, they cannot prevent mosquitoes 100%.

Monthly photos

 

My happy dog

Pomegranate flower in the garden

New socks ;)

Slight aroma and a sour taste

Greenpeace from the kitchen garden 

It was a great season to stroll around the garden.

Medicine for Mosquito bites

 

In Japan, in addiction to the common mosquito, there are also bugs called "Abu and "Buyo, whose bites are terribly itchy. If you get bitten by a large number of them, you can't sleep.. 

However, I learned good methods, If you are staying long in Japan, let's use it. 

This plant " Dokudami" grows all over Japan, and is hated :(  It loves the rain and prefers to grow densely in places with many mosquitoes. ( I saw them also in an alleyway near a hotel in Tokyo) The white flowers bloom around this season, so pick as many as you can, and

soak them in white liquor. It will be ready to use in a month. apply it to the skin bitten. 

The liquid will discolor when exposed to air, but that's not a problem, also It can be used for years.

The first summer after moving to the countryside, I went to the pharmacy. However, no matter how many times I applied ointment, it was still tooo itchy. 

This liquid medicine is an old method, but it works after just one application. ( If you are stung by a bee, leaving soaked cotton on the skin for an extended period of time )

More and more international travelers are coming. The countryside is beautiful and fragrant. I hope your trip is wonderful :)

Monthly photos

 

The cat guide

in the coffee shop

He has a GPS necklace, it's a new toy of my hubby. It would be a hindrance for a cat, don't you think ?  Don' t worry, it will break in about a month...

Monthly photos and few reports

in the Bookstore

 

My little girl and boy 

Finished socks 

The dress I sewed.  Simplicity 8672

Dyed in Mocha Frappucchino

 I thought it would definitely turn black. But the result was the color of the cold drink.. 

 I don't think this article is interesting because the seeds of this tree is endemic to Japan. However, I will keep it as a record, and if you happen to be walking in a forest in Japan and find the seed someday, I would like you to remember it. 

Yashabushi ヤシャブシ

100g seeds were gathered for 100g of wool yarn. After mordanting the wool, I boiled the seeds for 15 to 30 minutes to make a brown liquid, then boiled the wool again for about 15 minutes. 

Too bad it is spotty. 

I used mordant of iron this time. Old iron nails are heated red and soaked in rice vinegar and water for 3 days until they turn green. 

The tree " Yashabushi" is so nondescript. 

The height is approximately 10 meters, and the seeds falling on the ground. 

It was around October

I might probably knit gloves with it :)