Back in the saddle as the end of the year draws close

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.  

This was my first Christmas at home since my mother died and it was Very Quiet.   My brother and sister-in-law invited me for Christmas dinner with them which was lovely but her in New Zealand the days from Christmas Eve until after January 2nd are pretty much one long holiday for most folks so it is very quiet.   I have used the time to read, clean, garden and generally potter around.   Our weather has been awful with a lot of rain and yesterday and today are gale force winds.   I fully expected to see my garden uprooted when I woke this morning but fortunately the only damage was the rubbish bins tipped over in the corner and some debris from over the back fence.   Easily cleaned up.

 Carpel Tunnel surgery put stitching in the “no go” zone for a couple of weeks but I’m back into it now and in these in-between days am making good progress on a new project.

First up I stitched a replica of my friends Barbara Jackson Pocket using only threads and fabric from stash.   But I really want Liberty Lawn for the lining so will need to wait until the shops open again after our long holiday break.  Here’s a partial finish photo.

So I set to and tidied out my stash cupboards and with everything sorted into order and appropriate containers I am so pleased that with a wide smile on my face I open the doors in self-congratulation at least once a day!   One of the plastic boxes contains 9” squares of various pieces of linen and I am mentally planning a patchwork bedcover of embroidered squares which will hopefully use up this excess and much of my DMC Perle collection too.

And in the great sort out I found thread (silk floss at that!) and fabric to make a good start on a small Blackwork Box.  While this technique is not my favourite, it is surprisingly satisfying and the effect is lovely.

This afternoon I have a visit to an elderly friend scheduled and this morning I need to do some necessary housework.   Becoming absorbed in the audiobooks of Val McDermid’s DCI Karen Pirie series has meant that cleaning an and cooking have pretty well been ignored.   So first up is a necessary supermarket excursion then the cooking and cleaning.  

See you later.

Catch Up

 A holiday has interrupted my normal life rhythm but it was certainly worthwhile.  

I drove north to Auckland to catch up with friends and relatives and managed to fit in a trip to Ribbon Rose to purchase all the ingredients for this project. (Which of course I started immediately on my return and which I will construct this week).

Then my long time friend Fiona obligingly offered accommodation and took time off work to enjoy three days of adventures with me.   We had to include another needlework shop at which I purchased three kits and today finished this needle book.  Isn’t it cute?   No embroidery on this one though.

And another visit to another needlework store and a Praiseworthy Stitches kit came home with me to be stitched and completed.

Another day we went across the hills to the East Coast and had a delicious lunch at a waterfront restaurant 

then a visit to see the statues of Hairy McLary of Donaldson’s Dairy.  

This is a series of much loved children’s books here in New Zealand and Fiona and I had great fun taking photos and reminding ourselves of the rhyming phrases.  This is Hercules Morse as big as a horse.  Can you see Zachary Quack just by his right ear?

And the next day I persuaded Fiona to pull out the multiple plastic storage boxes in which she stores her Unfinished Objects.   When I first met her nearly 30 years ago she had a huge collection and it has grown:).  She is an expert embroiderer and does many classes, perhaps too many, so that some do not get completed.   We sorted them through into stitched but don’t want to construct, stitched but will need to construct, part stitched, and will never complete.   And then……to my surprise nine of the second category found their way into a bag and came home with me.  

 I’ve completed this one. Fiona stitched it in 2006!!   Working on the next one now :)

You might wonder why I’ve been on such a stitching marathon?   Well the first week in December I’m having Carpel Tunnel surgery 

Progress

Last Friday I was released from my splint and have been able to finish off construction on these three notebook covers

and make a start on a new Ort holder.   

I also completed the Wessex Hussif into a pocket.

J

The “using up stash” mindset is still with me and so far so good, but I’m going on holiday later this month and will be near needlework shops so I’m expecting to succumb to temptation.   As I’m scheduled for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery in November (left hand first followed by right hand in the new year) stitching may not be on the horizon for some time.   This thought will hopefully prove to be a reality check on potential purchases while on holiday :)

A compulsory stitching holiday

 No stitching for some time after a fall and a fracture.   Even exchanging a too tight cast for a splint doesn’t solve all problems   But I don’t have any pain now.

So lots of reading and frustration but no stitching for at least a month unless I can turn on tears and soften the heart of the specialist tomorrow 😂

And finito

 The Travel Sewing Kit is complete and I’m so very pleased with it.

Here it is in full glory. 

Inside, Outside and folded up.

I’m now working hard to complete my Wessex project but I’m not getting the same joyous vibes from that!   Hopefully by month end it too will be done and I can dream of a new start 🙂

Stitching weekend away

 What fun it was to go to Lake Taupo and join with around 60 other embroiderers for a weekend of lectures, workshops and fun.  Each morning was an icy cold frost but the days were clear and the view across the lake was superb.   

I chose to do the Travel Sewing Kit as it was small, counted work and contained intriguing contents in the kit.   

At the workshop I completed part rows for about half the outside panel and since coming home have been stitching diligently and that is now finished and I'm working on the lining.   The tutor designed this to have many different stitches but also to use a sample of many different threads.  DMC Perle #8 and #12, Au Ver A Soie, Cordonnet and the usual DMC stranded cotton.   Tomorrow I will make the cords, sew them in places marked and complete this.

Our current cold weather means I sit inside by the heater and stitch, with a clear conscience and am making good progress despite not being able to count in twos - yes there has been quite a lot of reverse stitching!

When in doubt read the destructions!

 My friend Fiona used this comment once upon a time and it really stuck in my head.   Never more so than in my current tussle with this Wessex Stitchery

After linen and colours of floss had been decided (a story of its own!) I gaily got the first panel stitched and made a start on the second.  The chart seemed clear to read but alas it didn’t line up and so offended my mathematical brain.  Several episodes of reverse stitching later I gave up and knitted a pair of socks - deciding that my stitching days must be over.

Then a “light bulb moment” - try a trial piece to the side.   Well, it didn’t look exactly like the cover photo or the stitching chart.  So I consulted my Gay Eaton Wessex Stitchery book and didn’t receive any enlightenment.   So I started another pair of socks!

Finally I read the instruction book that came with this chart thoroughly and….duh!   Off I went and this morning I have motif one completed correctly.

But now the dilemma is.  Do I continue with the Wessex or finish the other sock first?