Monday, November 2, 2009

Eco Basket Weaving

Chris is still in Thailand and this is how our phone call went last night:
Amy: Honey, I signed up for an eco basket weaving class today.
Chris: You're so granola.
As in crunchy-granola-eating, tree-hugging, birkenstock-wearing hippie. Yep, I've been called worse.
I saw an advertisement from the craft store for eco basket weaving in the base magazine a couple weeks ago. I thought it sounded pretty good, but kind of forgot about it. Yesterday I was flipping through the magazine again, saw the ad, and talked Jessica and Teresa from work into signing up with me.
The class started this morning. For under $50 we're getting 4 weeks of instruction and all the supplies.
The brown curled pieces are actually recycled paper. They look like a natural fiber or maybe plastic, definitely not used paper.
The instructor, Ayumi, had individual packages ready for us with material and all of the pieces cut to the lengths we need.
This morning we started making the bottom of the basket:
After the center piece we put in the edges:
For the center and edge pieces we put a dot of glue at each cross over.
Then we started weaving in more pieces, including 2 longer pieces that will be the handles.
It's starting to look like a basket now, isn't it? I am so excited with this new project!
The next picture is not my basket so don't get too excited. This is the teacher's finished project and mine will hopefully look similar.
So, that's the new adventure I'm on. Apparently, basket weaving is a very traditional custom here on Okinawa. I'm thinking they probably used some part of the sugar cane instead of recycled paper centuries ago, but the same basic concept.
Along with basket weaving, I had swim practice this morning. Well, it finally cooled down. When I drove by the big digital sign on base this morning at 5:00 it read 64 degrees! For Okinawa, that is chilly! It felt pretty good with my hoodie on before practice, but getting out of the pool afterwards was torture.
This Sunday I was up at 4:30 in the morning to watch the Gators stomp Jo-Ja. The Gators finally looked decent for at least the first three quarters. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but it was beautiful when I woke up and walked out into the living room. Sorry I was too lazy to get out the "real" camera. Here is what the point and shoot captured:
That afternoon I met a couple friends at Yogurtland and couldn't resist taking a picture of the beautiful Okinawan sky. This ferris wheel is a well-known land mark in the American Village area.
Just outside Yogurtland there were some drummers and dancers performing. Turn up your volume if you want to hear a pretty funny mix of modern sound with traditional dance.
Anyone else out there taking on new challenges? I'd love to hear about them!

9 comments:

Courtney said...

LOVE the basket!! Holiday gift giving maybe?!? Looks like a fun activity either way.
Lovin the hoody too! Nothing better than a cozy hoody on a cool morning.
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing

maria said...

I am so jealous of your swimming. I love to swim so much, but didn't get nearly enough chances this summer! You are so lucky!

Also, love the conversation between you and your husband. Sounds like something my husband might say to me, but a basket weaving class does sound fun!

Unknown said...

Will you be able to get supplies to make them on your own. They look great.
Liked the shot of you in your swimming goggles. I always go to work with goggle marks round my eyes on swimming days. Very attractive - a bit like being covered in wet bits of grass.

Mary R said...

Amy,
You have the coolest projects! basket making and bingata painting... you seem like your game for fun things... if I think of a fun activity, may I invite you to join me?

Katy said...

Basket weaving -- how cool!

When I was growing up in MA, I would get out of the pool, throw on sweats and head home after practice. The second I walked outside, my hair would freeze!

Unknown said...

So I came across your blog through maria and I read the post about rana. O my gosh I could not stop laughing when I read the part about the chocolate chip! I even read it outloud to my boyfriend and then just kept laughing! what a great story! Good luck on keeping up with maria's dare for the week!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that basket is made out of paper. It is so pretty. How fun. Wish I could be there to take the class with you.
If you're making Christmas presents this year, I'd take a cool basket. .
Monica

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