Wow, it's been since January that I've last blogged. Time sure can get away from me. Stan has been out of work since the first of the year and still struggling to find work. He goes on plenty of interviews but with 90+ people applying for each position, it's really not good odds. Fingers crossed he finds something soon as we have been without insurance since then and I'm not crazy about being the only one working. I'd rather be crafting - as all who know me surely realize.
I really mourn the loss of winter. I know I'm in the minority on this. Everybody loves the sun and warmth. I prefer the snow and the quiet it brings all around. I'd also rather be cold than hot so the arrival of warmer temperatures makes me sad. Warmer temperatures bring out all the bugs and all the crazies in the neighborhood. Neighbors blasting their music while they do yard work whether we have the liking for rap or not, chainsaws clearing up fallen limbs and branches, motorcycles racing hither and yon. That cabin in the woods appeals more and more to me each year.
Well, now that I've put on my big girl panties and am dealing with it, let's get on to what I've been up to. Embroidery has really taken me by storm once again. Having a buddy to sew with is fun, fun, fun. Sue and I have been getting together every couple of weeks and embroidering appliscapes. She has completed her summer scene and is bringing it to Lebanon as a gift for relatives she is staying with on her visit. Have a safe trip Sue! I completed my autumn scene but haven't backed it yet. Pictures to come when I do.
Secrets of Embroidery has had some awesome sales recently; so I scooped up some designs I had on my wish list. The dollar design sale provided me with lots of designs I wasn't sure I would like but willing to chance them for $1. One of these lovelies was a set of place mats that looked drab and colorless in the graphics but when stitched with lovely batiks - WOW! When I get a day without rain I can Scotchguard them outside so I can use them. Here they are:
Then I stitched a peacock scene and used lots of blues. That is out of my comfort zone disliking blue so much but I really like the way it came out. I took the pic looking up at it on the wall so it looks distorted but the rectangles are actally all the same size:
I'm looking forward to getting back to my Latte Quilt but am waiting on some Fairy Frost fabric to be ordered so I can finish the center medallion and put it all together. Weeeee! Embroidery Library has had lots of sales as well so I bought some new knitting themed designs to stitch goodies for my students but I can't reveal those yet. (it's a surprise) I will show you the two lollipop holders I got on sale for kid's gifts or the kid in all of us.
Oh and just look at this bounding bunny jointed lace from Urban Threads! I made one to hang in my sewing area and one for my car mirror. I just love him!
By the way, if you like unusual and edgy embroidery, this is the site for you. With the misfit fairy tales and nursery rhymes and many skull and cross bone themes, you'll love their assortment of designs. Here are a few that tickled my fancy:
I haven't done any spinning for a while now but thought I'd participate in the Tour de Fleece again this year. My plan is to spin Gryphon's fur by spindle and ply it with some Knit Picks Merlot Heather roving spun on my minispinner. Then during the ravelympics I'd like to knit it into a wimple or smoke ring for the winter. Then he can be snuggling me every time I go out in the cold. Mmmmm He's feeling his age, poor boy. Stan took a pic last week and it shocked me to really see all the grey (Teagan says "No grammy, it's white") OK white. He's slowed down quite a bit the past few months. He hates the heat as much as I do so we enjoy AC wherever we can. Here he is:
Lil' Puss is really feeling her 20 years as well. She's wobbly on her pins now and when she shakes her head when she is standing, she topples over like a kitten. :-) I'm fairly certain she is completely blind now as well. She finds her way to her food dish by scent quite obviously and is startled if I speak and she forgets I'm there. She's getting pretty spoiled here at Gail's Rest Home for Aged Fur Babies. Here she is doing what she does best these days:
Last weekend I went to the NH Sheep and Wool Festival with Sue. Wowee what a blast we had! Even got to see Mary and her entourage of fiber friends during the day. Sue and I both indulged in a HUGE bowl of apple crisp and ice cream each (straight to the hips I bet) and I had a humongous pretzel. I didn't buy any yarn or fiber (bless me) but I did purchase 3 bars of handmade soap:
two yards of green sheep fabric:
hand carders for the dog fur:
I love the fact it is light weight copper and of course a bunny. It will look lovely on my most delicate lace shawls. Thank you again Sue!
Thought for the day:
Life is full of interesting things to do. If you're bored, it's your own fault. -- Franklin Habit
No comments:
Post a Comment