Sunday 14 June 2015

An unproductive blogging break?

Life and the general administration thereof interfered with both stitching and blogging for a while so I have little to report.
Work continues to be interesting.   This past week on two separate reception shifts I had one offender tell me I am charming and then another tell me I am an f****ing b*****. So you win some and lose some !  Thanks to an intensive training course I am rapidly becoming expert in the electronic monitoring software for home detention offenders.   So not only is the job interesting but intellectually stimulating too.   The first three months have flown by.
The weatherman promised rain each day which thankfully did not come and instead we had clear cold days on which I saw the sunrise on the way to work and the sunset in the way home.   Almost the winter solstice now and I can look forward to summer:-)
Stitching has been boring blanket stitch as I worked on using up linen scraps to make a couple of Mary Stewart Hussifs.   Tonight I will finish inserting the flannel needle pages at the bottom and the final cord. Yay!   Do you like the little wooden bead?   These are made of NZ native timber called Rewarewa and have been in my stash since an impulsive buy some years ago.   great to have a use for them now.
And  I have made a decision re the Sampler Casket and find my enthusiasm for that has returned.  So next up is a sprint/mini marathon to complete that.   It will have initials (of the stitcher-me)  and names of the receiver and her parents (my first great-niece) and I will present it to her for her first birthday in the hope it will become a treasure box for her future.  Inside I am going to place another stitched piece wrapped, beribboned and secure for her to open on her 21st birthday. And inside that will be .... Well I can't spoil the whole secret can I?   I would have loved a mystery like that when I was growing up so hope it will appeal.
My collection of smalls for the sale table at Guild Exhibition is looking good.   Enough at present I think.   I need to get on with other pieces.
Oh and the ruby wedding  pocket is done and now I only need to  print off on small cards the 40 Bible Promises that will be placed inside.   I am well pleased with this one both in colour and idea:-)
Now I am off for a date with a book before I need to think about dinner.


5 comments:

Pamela said...

I've missed your posts and glad to see you are back to your blog. The Mary Steward Hussifs are wonderful and I do like the wood beads. I think the casket idea is fantastic! I too would have loved that mystery growing up. The smalls box looks quite full and I recognize the Aztec stitch bookmark - beautiful in blue. The ruby wedding pocket is perfect!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

So many beautiful stitched pieces Margaret. Your work sounds challenging which can be a good thing, my job is fairly similar and I get verbally abused from time to time. Mostly I don't take it personally but sometimes a patient will say something offensive and it's hard to shrug it off.

Anna van Schurman said...

The wedding pocket came out lovely. And the idea of a mystery for your great niece is delightful!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I'll concur with the charming offender!
I just love the idea of a mystery package for your great niece. I'd have loved it if someone had done that for me.
My friends laid down a case of port for their daughter but stitching is even better!

Heather said...

Margaret, your work is always so lovely and delicate looking. I almost want to say I am envious, but it is more like you provide me something to aspire towards one day.

I think the idea of a little mystery gift for your great niece is fabulous. I know I would have absolutely loved something like that as a little girl.