I'm back again - within the same month even. I'm not responsible for any shock, awe or cardiac events following this announcement.
What I'm currently working on are 3 cross stitch projects in rotation, 2 spinning projects and one knitting project.
Two of the cross stitch projects are from Heaven and Earth Designs. The first is from an artist named Randal Spangler. It's name is Fireside Fairytales. This is a what I aspire to achieve in my stitching:
and this is where I am: If you look in the upper left corner of the design above - well there is a ways to go for me. Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) has a bulletin board and they have stitch alongs (SAL) weekly. Week 2 was for BAP (big a$$ project) or sleeping works in progress. This week, week 3 is for confetti stitching. That is when there are many color changes in a small space. Mr. Spangler's designs qualify. Oh, this is being stitched on 28 count fabric. In other words, 28 stitches = one inch. This design is 450 stitches wide by 569 stitches high. For my confetti week, I'm working on a Storykeep, the HAED term for a bookmark. Mine is called Seasons Winter. She's 75 stitches wide by 312 high and has 86 colors of floss. In that small an area, yep, there is confetti. I took this photo yesterday with 93 stitches in place. So this is the full width of the storykeep. I have stitched more, but won't update photos until next week when I need to post my 'After' photo.
The last week of the month is for HAEDless stitching - non-HAED designs. For that I've pulled out my Big Red by The Silver Lining. This one was started at least 18 months ago - maybe longer. Marc Sastaad, the designer/artist, is probably my favorite for flowers and lighthouses.
My results to date are
The spinning in process - well I only have one photo to share. This is my support spinning on a tahkli and it's cotton. The tahkli (mine anyway) is imported from India and is a metal shaft with a brass whorl. I have 17 oz of cotton sliver (sly-ver is the way it's pronounced) of 4 colors - white, brown, green and tan.
The other spinning will have to wait on the photo op because it has dark colors to it so I have to wait for a bright day. I have a 4 oz braid of Targhee, a USA developed sheep breed. I think it will be sock yarn when it's finished.
My knitting project is one I had set aside last year and is a pair of socks. The pattern is called Paraphernalia. I'm knitting it in a brown colorway and have to dig up the source and name. Anyway, more dark colors so photo op will have to wait.
The spinning and knitting projects are for those times I am watching a movie and want to actually see most of the movie.
Since the stitching projects have weekly SALs, this should force me to update at least once per month. As a project is completed, another of the same sort will be pulled out and will join in. Some of these projects go back years - but I'm not going to say how many - other than some are older than my grandkids.
I want to learn how to mat and frame my needlework and some prints I have. I already have found instructions to create my own dry-mount style photo enlargements and as the supplies go on sale, will try doing some of those for gifts and my own gallery wall. Some family members have taken some terrific photos so will see if they will allow me to use those as well.
I am also trying to downsize my inventory of stuff. I realize I have too much so need to pare it to the things I enjoy and use on a fairly regular basis. I've started with books. Stash of fiber, yarn and stitchables will be reduced by completing the projects or using the patterns I've gathered through the years.
One of my grandkids asked me if I had some yarn they could have - so I got rid of 5 skeins of yarn. It's not bad yarn but yarn I didn't have a need for. The grand did so we're both happy. I have more if she needs it.
Until next time, Enjoy!
