Weekend works

It was a stormy weekend here in Crazyville. We got remnants of the devastating storms from North Carolina. While we did not get damage here, there was a tornado warning for the greater metropolitan Crazyville area, and I did spend a few minutes downstairs on Saturday evening. I realize I could never be a storm chaser--the second a warning is issued, I freak out. Yesterday was a little nicer. When I left the house for church, there was a rainbow in the sky to the west, the trees and flowers finally are letting loose and coloring up the landscape, and it was a bit warmer. We even got a small concert at church yesterday for Palm Sunday; the City Band of Washington, a bagpipe orchestra, played for the 9:15 service, but we heard them in the parking lot on the way out from early service. I'm a sap anyway, but it was so joyous to hear such beautiful music on a beautiful morning.

I did make some progress this weekend. I FINISHED Plummy Fairy. I'm not happy with her French knot eyeballs and may pick those out and redo them, but I love this finish. Adore it!




5 Crazy January starts are now finishes. Woo hoo!


I worked on this as well. This is something I started in December. I know, I know. What is it? No, it's not a map of the Washington Metro system. It's Autumn, a freebie by Minguistitch.


Yes, it's tricky. Yes, I wish I was stitching a facial detail. But really, anytime you start a new design that has a lot of color changes, there is a moment where you have to wonder how the mass will eventually relate to the picture as a whole. It's getting easier-ish. I am relying heavily on a highlighter to let me know what I've finished. and I think I've done the hardest part. The pink blob to the left top are the goddess' lips and I'll soldier through. I'm enjoying the challenge and moving around so as not to get too frustrated.

Lastly, my kitties.




We have bad light in the master bedroom, which is where we basically hunker down to watch TV when it's too cold to go downstairs--basically October to May. It's workable when I'm working on something in white, but this black has proved to be a challenge. We were working on shifting lamps to provide better light, but I was whining. Left-brain came home on Friday with a clip-on lamp for me. I attached it to the headboard, and got a lot of progress done. All the new parts of the kitten were done in 2-3 hours, serious progress for me!

I hope this week is kind and gentle to us all.

A finish, two WIPs, and a wonderful gift

I finished my third UFO of the year. Autumn Leaves is done, and will be off to the framer's. I'm thinking nubbly, woodsy, pale for this piece. I think a roughish, prim frame will really highlight the loveliness of the fabric and floss, sort of like when you see someone wearing a luxurious sweater with perfectly aged jeans.






I'd like to believe my WIP bin looks noticeably emptier, but who am I kidding? Although, I am taking it as a sign that I've not started anything new in over a week, and focused on things with stitches already in them.



Barn Kitties is coming along, if you can see it in this blurry picture. The half-stitches are all 4 strands, except one symbol which is 5 strands. What.The.Floss? Why is it necessary for them to do this?

Though, when you think about it, it's no wonder people don't like the floss in Dimensions kits. They say it frays. If you have to tug 5 strands of floss through aida long enough, it will fray. Mine did. I'm hoping enough survives to finish this.

And my lovely little Sugar Plum Fairy by Country Cottage Needleworks. I've had a very stressful week, and it was a delight to pick her up yesterday and work on her.


Simply a delight to work with the candy-colored flosses! I did swap her metallic out for Kreinik. I prefer them over DMC metallics. I think she looks adorable.


And lastly, I went out to the mail on Monday, and this was waiting for me. I won this in a contest from Riona.



It is so pretty, and Riona's finishing is wonderful. I've already started using it. I have a shameful confession to make. I usually toss my orts on the floor, and then vacuum them up later. My side of the bed is shamefully hairy with orts, but now, I've been so good about putting them in the jar. Riona just may have made me turn over a new leaf! Thank you so much, my friend.

Days 6 through 8

Just a quick drive-by posting to show you the past three days.

Thursday's Sugar Plum Fairy start. I forget what fabric I'm using. I think it's Lambswool Jobelan, but not too sure on that one.


Friday's It Snowed Last Night start. I really can't say enough how I love this chart. I already know I want it framed with a double mat, white on top with a line of red.



Yesterday's A Nuisance of Cats. I worked on this when I got home last night. It's probably two-thirds of the way finished, which makes me happy! I love stitching it.


Today I am starting Patriotic Summer, as soon as I find my pack of needles. CBS Sunday Morning is coming on in a few minutes and I can't think of a better way to spend a frosty Sunday morning than to watch that show and stitch.

Hoping your day passes splendidly.