Progress

 First up my picture framer did well and I am thrilled with the chess board which looks just as I imagined it.   Now I need to source a suitable size set of black and white chessmen.

And I have made a start on the biscornu from the Frisian Whitework book.  So far so good but it is slightly bigger than I expected.  All the better to hold more pins?

Progress on the Sajou sewing set too.   After a lot of thinking about what words to put in the gaps I realised that this great niece was born in the French speaking canton of Switzerland and as the design is from France I rather think it does require a touch of la Francais ! Voila!   I had blue silk dupion in my stash and so in spare moments  I will complete the construction - a pinkeep, a needle page and a scissor pocket.

Yesterday was fine so outdoor chores took priority and  the windows have been cleaned to a sparkle and the lawns have been mown.   Just as well,  for my sister and brother in law called in this afternoon.   And I was able to pick a lettuce from my garden for my salad tonight so I am very pleased.   We have another few days of fine weather promised so I will get the laundry up to date in between the appointments that look to make up a busy week.

After many years

Back in March 1994 I purchased a needlework magazine purely because it had in it the instructions for a blackwork  chessboard.   This has been maturing in my stash for all those years until last week I decided the time had come.   And now I am obsessed, not with the blackwork per se, but with the idea of a hand stitched chess board.   Hopefully my picture framer will be able to fulfill my mental image of the finished piece but meanwhile I plod on one square at a time.

And my new 'M' is framed and hanging on the wall.   I am really pleased with this one and it completes my collection I think.   There doesn't seem to be a need to continue this on and on.... even though I have two Great-Nieces both with the same initial.   Neither share my love of embroidery :-(

Once again it is raining but I am grateful as I planted out some lettuce plants.   A new variety for me, this one is called Drunken Woman.   I also planted a cherry tomato plant.  Ever so slowly my garden is filling up and the potatoes planted in a tub are showing sprouts so it will probably be new potatoes for Christmas.   Lovely.