January stitching

January has not been at all bad in the stitching department.

I have made reasonable progress on "Madre Terra", but have not included a pic, because it looks like a strange series of blobs at the moment, and not at all tree-like. A little more progress and I will add a pic.

I went off to Sydney for 5 days early in January, to visit my daughter, who moved there from Melbourne late last year. She VERY kindly took me to the Crewel Gobelin and I had the BEST time there.Such a lovely shop. I added to my stash significantly and picked up some bargains as well. I purchased JCS Halloween issue for $2.00 and "Shores of Hawk Run Hollow" for $10.00!. I bought two fat quarters of linen, 28ct flax and 32ct flax, which are actually different shades in the different counts.But I love the colour-goes with almost anything. I bought SB "Peter's Patch" kit and SB "Brett's Stocking, at the urging of my daughter.

Now, I already have 5 SB stocking charts, which I had planned to make for the family. However the children were appalled that the old quilted stockings I had made them in their infancy were to be replaced, and so I never finished even one, resigning myself to doing them for grandchildren, (eventually!). I would be very surprised if I had 5 grandchildren, but Kate insisted we buy Brett's Stocking because she wants that one for any future child(There is absolutely NO indication that she would have children any time soon, by the way. She is currently partnerless for a start!) But clearly she likes to plan ahead.

Anyway, the real joy for me in making the chart purchase, was that I could buy at the same time ALL the requirements- fabric, charms, CC and WDW perle, which is a real treat. Having Kate to enable me, I also lashed out and made a purchase I have been thinking about for years. I bought a Beth Russell needlepoint kit- "The Fox", one of the William Morris inspired patterns for a cushion. I have started it, it's slow going at the moment- the hardest thing being I have no chart to follow- I'm not used to following colours, there are decisions to be made, but I'll get used to it.It's a bit hard on my hands, but if I do little bits at a time I should be ok.

The other great thing about January was the GTG at Colours Downunder on Friday night last week. Diane and I drove up together had a delightful evening with Cathy Kelso, Marilyn, Janine, 2 new ladies we hadn't met before, and also Kathy Condo who we have met before as a stitcher, but is now the new owner of Colours Downunder. We heard all about Janine's "tree change" and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to catch up a few more times before she leaves to go "down south".

I made a single purchase- Blue Ribbon Designs' "Autumn Leaves and Sunflower Seeds, and I am making the pin keep.

What inspired me to buy this was my success with the making of the needlebook from their "Schoolgirl Samplings" chart. I finished this in October, and it was such a fun stitch, I did it all in one go.

A couple of days ago I finished "Sense and Sensibility". I have really enjoyed this as well. I do like working on Vintage fabric.

Yesterday I picked up a long term WIP, "The Sanctuary. I had forgotten how lovely it is to work with Needlepoint Silks. I have fallen in love with this again, and hopefully I will make some significant progress before I feel the need to move on.

Anyway, that is all from me this month. I start work tomorrow, but I aim to catch up more often with the stitching ladies here and perhaps I will be inspired by them to keep up the pace!

Happy February stitching everyone,

Susan.

2011

So here it is 2011 already. I'm amazed my blog still exists, given that my first post for 2010 was also my last. For a lot of reasons 2010 was a horrible year, and I would like to forget it.

As always, my stitching progress reflects my state of mind and body, and the general character of my days. I keep a written stitching diary, and there are a number of months when I recorded no stitching at all. I was either too busy, too sick, too tired or too distracted. I do realise though,(from past experience), that the actual action of sitting and stitching is a balm for the body and soul, and had I been able to convince myself to just start stitching on some of those desolate days, I may have been able to deal with 2010 better.

So, I have started the New Year with a new start- Allessandra Adelaide's " Madre Terra", which my daughter chose for me to stitch for her some time last year when visiting Colours Downunder. I am using Caron Waterlillies"Kelp", one strand, on 32 ct hand dyed fabric. I can't manage photos today. I know it will be a disaster- so just words today, pics another time!

Last year I did have some small finishes.

The Cat's Whisker's "What a Hoot"- my daughter finished it into the scissor keep/needlebook.

Blue Ribbon Designs "Schoolgirl Samplings" Needlebook

Just Nan's "Hootzi Humbug", currently hanging on display at Colours Downunder

Blackbird Designs"Blue Bird", stitching completed but not "finished"

Sampler Girl "Sense and Sensibility" is all but done

I did quite a lot of purchasing it seems to me. I actually bought in bursts- as I could only visit Janine's shop in the school holidays or at Craft fairs, and would buy up all the charts and the supplies for them that I could. I now have a lovely stash of fabric and threads- it has taken me until now to get to the point where I can start almost anything in my stash, and not have to visit a shop to do so, so I guess by everyone else's standards I am a conservative purchaser, considering I have been stitching the better part of 30 years. I am pleased however, that my stash is still confined to one cupboard, although I have a sizeable stitching desk in a dedicated stitching room. I need it to all be in one place so I don't get overwhelmed!

Anyway, I'm not one to set goals,preferring to go with the flow, so I haven't thought about stitching plans for 2011. As always, I have some gorgeous large wip's waiting to be finished, and quite a few pieces waiting to be framed. I should make them my priority. I have been looking forward to the school holidays so I can visit Janine and do some stitching/ purchasing and general catching up. However I am off to Sydney on Thursday to visit my eldest daughter and I plan to visit The Crewel Gobelin as a little treat for myself. I'm only going for 5 days so I will probably get to Janine's next week.

I will keep visiting the wonderful blogs- some of ladies I know(Alison, Amanda, Cathy) and some of those I have never met, and I'll try to actually respond to your posts, because they are wonderful inspiration.

I wish everyone a fabulous 2011- hoping you all stay healthy and happy and productive!

Susan.