It's all Jeffrey's fault....

Little progress has been made this week.   I managed to press the trial hardanger pocket and the final result is acceptable and awaiting the ribbon closure.   The needlebook is now fully finished and its maker happy.

And the tassel has the hanging portion complete.   Here it is suspended from the HD3QBEM's Ott lite.

But the ruby red creation??

Not much to show is there.   Jeffrey Archer is to blame.   His Clifton Chronicles became an obsession and I read all five last week which, combined with long hours at work, limited energy levels and dare I confess it, a dislike of the thread(not the colour just the fatness of the floss) meant I didn't put in many stitches.   Only the eyelets and specialty stitches to go though.
This week I have three days of 'training' and for that need to travel an hour to the prison.   Oh joy and delight!  I expect to be very weary by the end of the week but Saturday is a regional gathering for the Embroiderers Guilds and I am looking forward to that.

The casket is on hold....

After completing the fence and checking that the size of the front panel was correct I found I have still not decided whether to make this a 'family' casket or not.  So for now, the couple remain faceless and the front lawns empty.  My favoured quote to go along the bottom edge is too long so perhaps I will settle for initials of forebears?

Anyway, for now, I have put this aside and am finishing up the hardanger pieces.  Do you remember my desire to use up a piece of linen?  I feel so very righteous for using up virtually all but a few threads of this piece of linen and am hoping that my Embroiderers' Guild will be able to sell these at the end of year exhibition.    The needlecase still needs a flannel page and the tassel on the left needs its tassel.

And now I have a new start.   My best friend has her fortieth wedding anniversary later this year, hence the ruby colour and the expensive silk floss.  I am looking forward to stitching this one - linen and silk are such a luxurious combination.

(Photo from Internet)

This week is the Auckland Writers Festival and on Thursday evening I went with a friend to the gala night.   None of the writers participating that evening were familiar to me but the seven minute slots in which eight selected authors had been persuaded to tell a "never before told personal story on the theme Strait Talking" was amazingly entrancing.   Amy Bloom has my vote for best, with Alan Cumming a close second.   He's such a tiny little fellow but so engaging. I am on the wait list at the Library for his memoir.   Ben Okri's poetry will be next.   That man has such a wonderful vocabulary.

(Photo from Internet)

Yesterday I went into the City again to spend an hour with Anthony Horowitz.   Not a one on one you understand.   As you may remember, each year I try to be impressed with the satorial splendour of the authors.  Well, Anthony did not win in the dress stakes but I, along with many others, was smitten with his smile and engaging manner.  There were several hundred others there,including a grandmother and her two young grand sons.  The boys were obviously avid readers of " real books Granny" and could have won a Mastermind Quiz as both were expert on all details of Alex Ryder.   I do hope they met Anthony afterwards.     A really fun day, only clouded by the fact that the housework awaited me on my return home!
And tonight I'm off to watch Antiques Roadshow and enjoy my stitching.

They are at the holding hands stage.

Once again today has been a busy day but I found time to take a photo of the HD3QBEM in her new top.   I sewed this for her for a Mothers' Day present and she is already wearing it!   She's looking quite well don't you think?

Tonight I 'grew' my Hardanger Christmas Tree and it now just needs some holly leaves and berries around the base and it will be truly complete.   Unfortunately such accessories are not in the shops in May so that will have to wait!

And my lady and man are now holding hands at the garden gate - all the while remaining faceless.   Once again i am stitching Queen Stitches, this time for her colourful skirt.   Once I finish the lady and the vine on the front fence I will take a holiday from this piece and finish some of the hardanger pieces that are awaiting construction.

Anyway, I have been up and busy for 16 hours so am ready for bed.  Good night.