On the way to completion

This week I decided that the basket of projects needed some attention and so
1) the embroidered Japan Box was put in a tin and put in a cupboard.   I am not good at free embroidery and prefer the constraints of counting on linen.   So the box is put away until inspiration strikes again.  It is not yet at the point where I can see completion ahead so...
2) The hardanger tassels were cut out and stitched up and.....oh no!  I have no DMC 712 to make the tassels and no time to go to the store.  So this finish is half done :(

3) The Betsy Morgan Etui had been stitched and prepared for completion before the big shift and I am well on the way now.   Home base is in sight and I'll have this done by the end of the week - Filial Duties and Family Visits not withstanding. 

I am rather pleased with how this is turning out. 

But have discovered that I really miss my needlework store The Ribbon Rose for the "extras"   This needs a couple of suitable beads to finish the closures and some wool felt for the needlebook pages.  Here in The New City we have a Spotlight (big box store of Australian origins) and they can supply DMC thread and basic white and antique white Cashel and Belfast Linen but anything else will be mail order now.   I hadn't really listed a needlework stork in the necessities when we chose Palmerston North!!
Today I tackled some of the garden kept company by a Songbird Thrush who was delighted to scoff the snails I uncovered.  He and I will become closer friends in the days ahead -  there is a lot of garden at this place.   I have cut back, pulled out, dead headed and cleaned up about a quarter and have already had two trips to the Green Waste Dept at the Resource Recovery Centre.   The back garden will go into vegetables but the front is supposed to be pretty flowers - we shall see.

Next project

In an effort to ease the boredom of eyelets on the Hardanger tassels I have stitched one rose (over one thread on 32count is hard on the eyes!) and sorted out my next project.

My current needle case for packets of needles is full to capacity of Tapestry needles and I need another to hold the sharps, chenilles, beading needles etc.

So a stash delve and a night of tacking has the linen ready to be put through the overlocker to secure the edges.   There's a lot of preparatory work for this but it comes together well.   I won't be doing Schwalm though - more likely some Sajou monograms.

I haven't decided what colour to stitch in - perhaps my favourite DMC115. 

Updates

The Angel Bookmark is all complete - although not yet cut out as I am using up the remainder of the linen and that is easier on an uncut piece.

Still all seven of them look good and I am happy.   More to the point the DBEM is very happy to have this gift to give her friend.
On the remainder of this piece of linen I am stitching Hardanger Tassels, 

There won't be too much waste when I have finished with this piece - which makes me happy.   I much prefer stitching on linen but with it being so expensive I try not to waste any. 
Contrary creature that I am, this has not scratched my stitching itch.   I really need a project into which I can get really absorbed - but what?   There is just too much going on at the moment to be starting major projects. 

But I did order myself the new Betsy Morgan book from Inspirations Magazine.   It is due to be delivered in October and I feel sure I will find an absorbing project in that.   Until then it will be a bit of this and a bit of that I think.   There are one or two half finished items that need to be completed before R day!   There has been less stitching in the last couple of weeks as I read aloud to the DBEM but we have now finished both books by Michele Guinness (and before the due date at the Library!) so my evenings are back to normal again. 
But life is good and The Countdown is almost on to the fingers of one hand:-)

Ah- Hardanger!!

I fished in stash and found linen and thread to create another Hardanger tassel.   All went well and the six components came together accurately.   Only the eyelets and construction are left to do.

Then the DBEM mentioned she would like a bookmark to give as a gift to her friend so I fished out a chart and some linen and started.   Oops!  Reverse stitching and a fresh start.   Oops again.   No reverse stitching this time I cut out the offending stitches with my trusty Clover Stitch Ripper.   Yet another start and another oops.   In disgust I put away that piece of 32 count linen and found some 28 count and made another start.   All good this time and the foundation is on the way for a Demonic Angelic Bookmark.

Each of the large central squares on the diagonal have to be cut and a hardanger angel stitched into them.   I think I will need to be relaxed and refreshed and have freshly cleaned spectacles before I attempt the cutting!
And on the discarded piece of linen I will stitch a cross stitch Christmas Ornament so my frugal self is not offended.   Linen is so expensive here I hate wasting any of it.

Three days of annual leave last week was most productive -  I stitched a new winter skirt, took the DBEM for a hair cut (and got a much needed trim myself), did the six weekly grocery shop and paid a visit to the Library.   And so tomorrow it is back to work - but only for another 8 weeks (and who is counting?)

Progress

Today was the first time this week I was able to walk to work.  Heavy rain on the other days meant I drove and parked at the Prison carpark across the road from my office.   All very convenient but not so good for the health.
So it was with a spring in my step that I set off today.   Along the way this beautiful gingko tree provided a golden carpet - somewhat slippery after the rain but still very pretty.

Tonight I have finished the outlines of the upper jacket for a hardanger tassel. 

Currently my right eye is again a patriotric blue and red from yet another haemorrhage so I will leave the delicate one over one embroidered rose for another day.   (And I swear that if another of my colleagues makes comments about me losing out in a fight I will lay a personal grievance - why can't they just leave me alone?)