A surprise package from Kazumi and an embroidery update

The mailman brought this surprise package from my friend Kazumi.   A small soft Rabbit, a pretty butterfly mat, a pictorial guide of the Rembrant exhibition she had been to and this wonderful tulip "mascot" were among the contents -  along with a wonderful long letter!

 Sorry the photos aren't too wonderful but at least you can see some of my  goodies. 

And here's acloseup of the golden tulip which is now hanging from the strap of my handbag so although it is Autumn here the tulips are blooming at my house!   Thankyou so very much Kazumi.

This afternoon was Embroiderers Guild and I finally stitched the last of the Christmas Pyramid  -  the top of the H will go on tonight!   

I have also been stitching on a strawberry biscornu (a free chart from Gift Of Stitching).   There are seven more daisies to go on this and then the back to stitch.  

Saturday night is my TV watching marathon and I am sure that Antiques Road Show and then Midsomer Murders will give me enough time to finish the stitching on both these pieces.   However the construction will have to wait until later on.

Last Thursday I had an assessment at the gym and was surprised to find I had lost 6kg!   My reaction was one of total surprise but Patrice (my trainer) was overjoyed.   He's French and was hugely expressive of his approval - apparently all the scientific measurements etc were vastly improved too.   At times I wished he didn't push me so hard but Thursday night was not one of those nights.    I was soooo happy (if not quite as expressive as Patrice!) 

We leave tomorrow for a short break at Papamoa Beach and I will be away from all computer contact but intend to do a lot of stitching, a lot of reading and also a lot of shopping.   My favourite clothes shop is near where we stay so I have already phoned Jan and asked her to look out some things for me.

Keep stitching hard everyone -  I look forward to seeing all your updates on my return

A gift for an Aunty and Progress Report 10 on HCS

Hello all.   It has been a beautifully fine Autumn day here and my car is clean, my garden tidied up, two batches of biscuits are in the tins, the shopping is all done and I now have a few minutes to myself!!

The whitework panel in my HCS is now complete and any hankerings I had to stitch a whitework sampler (yes I have at least two charts in my stash) have been well and truly put away.   Despite conquering the horrid faggot stitch and having at least six enjoyable spider web roses in the panel I did not enjoy this particular area and am mighty glad it is finito.   Here's a snap before I cover it up with a slip of white fabric to keep it clean.   Tonight while I watch Antiques Road Show and Midsomer Murders I will happily stitch on the remaing panel for this section which has two half clad men, a couple of acorns and a tudor rose!!

Today I kitted up a small gift for my Aunty.   She and my Uncle live in Christchurch and their house was badly damaged during the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.   So far the only progress towards their repairs seems to be visits from 'engineers' who all give conflicting opinions as to what should be done.   Meantime Aunty Rachel and Uncle Geoff (in their 70's) have a house that has no heating, has several gaps in the roof, is leaning askew on its foundations and is decidedly airy.   At least they can remain in their house - it is deemed liveable.  Perhaps this GOS strawberry biscornu will make Spring seem not so far away??  

I think I may have told you my forebears came from Christchurch -  indeed my Great-Great Grandfather, not only one of the founding doctors at Christchurch Hospital, was apparently an advocate for equal education opportunities for women and was prominent in the establishment of Christchurch Girls High School.   Pre-earthquake there was a Black Oak tree planted in a suitably eyecatching position to mark the esteemed Dr Silas Stedman.   Apparently the Girls High was badly damaged and there has been significant demolition - I wonder if said Oak tree is still standing?  

This wooden baptismal cover was in the Cathedral -  right beside the entrance to the Belltower staircase.   Belltower and staircase became a pile of masonary rubble during the earthquake so methinks this Stedman relic may have become shards of native Kauri timber and be consigned to the annals of history.  

On that note I will say goodbye and talk to you again soon.

Progress Report HCS 9

Hello there everyone - we have had a weekend of wonderful weather.   Clear blue skies and the golden hue of autumn - my favourite season of the year.
And it was Mother's Day on Sunday.The HDHBEM and I went to our favourite restaurant Banzai where we were greeted like long lost friends.   Although I try to spoil my Mother everyday, I did go to a little more effort on "her day".   You have all seen recent photos of her  -  how about one from last century??

Isn't that pram just so cute -  probably not so hygenic nor user friendly as the modern version but much more romantic!  

Progress has been made on the Historic Countries Sampler too.   This is the top left hand corner and is "England Pre 1700"   How on earth they stitched such complicated work by the light of poor quality candles I don't know!   The 'spot area' at the top had several specialty stitches but I particularly liked the Roman Stitch in the top right.   It was a new one to me and very rhythmical to stitch.

The first third has gone well enough and now I am on the Whitework Band down the middle.   There were a multitude of Queen Stitches in this first band and I find them rather a trial but oh how I dislike Faggot Stitch -  with an intense dislike.   The fear of making an error and having to reverse stitch, combined with the slower speed resulting from my dislike of the process of stitching Faggot Stitch is making this section my very very very least favourite~!!   However all good things come to pass and I hope to work steadily at this band during the week so as to be able to move further left and enjoy the Tudor Rose that comes in the next band. 

Hope your week goes well.  

Progress Report HCS 8

Good evening all.   I have been diligently stitching on the Historic Countries Sampler and finally the France section is complete.  It was fun to stitch this but I am left mystified at what the brown "thing" is to the right of the tree shape.   The notes didn't give any information about that.

I did the initials in the same colourways as the Memory Book -  a subtle significance that may well be missed by any future generations who view this piece!   I am well over half way now and so have begun dreaming of what I will do next.   This is a big piece but only four countries to go now.

This morning the postman rang the bell and brought me another box from my friend Sonoko.   Of course I opened it immediately and had a brief look at all the wonderful goodies inside!   Here's a small sample.

First there were several beautifully wrapped packages of Kagoshima Cookies, Ramen Noodles and Kagoshima Pork - how did that one get past the Customs Officer??

Next were beautiful handmade bead key ring dollies -  with instructions from Sonoko to share with the HDHBEM and Little Sister!   Three of these cute little people.   I think they will look great on my Christmas Tree ;-)

And aren't these strawberries beautiful -  sparkly and colourful. 
Now wasn't that a great present -  no wonder I was a little late for work.   I wore a broad smile all day -  even the boss commented on that!
Have a great evening everyone.   I'm back to my chair to start stitching the England Before 1700 section.

Progress Report HCS 7 and the HDHBEM

Hello everyone, at last I have some progress to report.

First up -  the HBHDEM has completed 25 childrens sweaters and cardigans all of which are now buttoned and decorated as necessary.   Next Saturday we will deliver them to the local Hospice Shop but before that in the bright sunlight of Easter we had a marathon photo session. 

Some of the 2011 stock!

And yet there's more!

Buttons on some .....

And decorations on others.

And now guess what the HDHBEM is doing?????   Yes, another sweater!

She aims to beat her record of 25 and has begun the "sweater and cardigan quest 2012" already!!   (And in case you want to know, she is watching Top Gear in total concentration and seemed immune to the photo so I'm safe)

Secondly, I have returned to my first love-  the Historic Countries Sampler.   I am still passionately in love with this and the big central "heart" shaped section came together really well.  This is the progress so far -  over half way now and I can feel myself speeding up in an effort to get to the end.

The America section was actually number 12 of the GOS chart but I am working top to bottom left to right to avoid working over my stitching.   With America complete I made an immediate start on France and the red medallions were the first portion of that.  

After France I go back to the extreme top left and that is England prior to 1700; then Italy, Australia, Scotland and all will be done.   By that stage the New Zealand Inland Revenue should have processed my tax refund and I will be able to visit Sarah the framer ;-)   I already have the space on my wall booked for this.

The Happy Dance

Hello once again - I haven't been away nor have I been sick, only busy trying to complete 'the memory book' and tonight it is finally finished.   This has been both enjoyable and frustrating.   Every stitch was filled with love and prayers for my god-daughter but I also had immense frustration at my own limited design skills.   However, for better for worse this gift is now finished well in time for her eighteenth birthday in a month or two.
Some snaps of the finished piece

Imagination deserted me when I reached the stage of the front cover so it is simple stem stitch and simple words

My god daughter's initials form the large letters on three of the pages and for each letter I have chosen a Bible verse commencing with that letter.  T was done in Assisi work, C was in Cross Stitch and W was in blackwork.  Two of the other pages have medallions of my favourite Wessex stitchery .   I stuck to a grey and red colour scheme and stitched on antique mocha cashel linen to give the pages an aged look.

And on the last two pages I made "frames" and inserted a couple of significant photos.   Look at this one.   We have both changed over the past 18 years!!!

The Memory Book

Good afternoon  -  this has been a loooong week for me but I have managed to do some stitching.   Well to be more precise -  several metres of red lines!

These are the edges of the pages for the great memory book.   Once I have cut the stiffening they will all be whipped together to form the book.
Also managed to complete the C and the W and the appropriate Bible verses against each initial.   Am not 100% satisfied with the W but it shall remain as is.  I wanted a different type of stitching for each initial and the idea was better in the planning than in the execution.

Now I have a small border around the actual 'birth announcement' and then a couple of frames for the photographs that come on final two pages.   Also the 'winchester stitch' motif on page 3.  The fabric for the cover has been purchased but I am still awaiting the inspiration to arrive!   I have really enjoyed stitching this but am itching to get back to my large sampler.   I have a week's annual leave scheduled in May so plan on a marathon stitching session then.

Meanwhile, take care everyone.