So, do you read Lee's excellent Lake Stitcher blog? Here's the link, if you're not familiar with it. Not only does she do beautiful stitching, her blog is also entertaining and sometimes thought-provoking. Her November 3rd post posed the question of why so many of us seem to have fallen into blog-limbo and aren't posting as often as we used to. I know that I've been neglecting the blog of late; I guess the easy answer is simply that life gets in the way. By the time I get dinner done and the kitchen tidied and lunches packed, then it's time to watch Jeopardy! (must watch Jeopardy! ) and after that it's time to start making my way toward bed so I can get up at o-dark-stupid the next morning and do it all again! I don't even feel like I'm getting much stitching or reading done.
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'll try to do better, because I truly enjoy reading other blogs (reading takes less effort than posting, dontcha know) and I actually enjoy writing this one. Most of the time.
Anyway.
I did finish Plumpkin; I got lazy on this one and skipped the yellow star buttons. I didn't have any in my stash and didn't feel like trying to find them for this piece that will probably languish forever in my finished projects box. The shoes were supposed to be stitched with #4 very fine braid; didn't have that either, so I thought I might use blending filament with the floss, after about 5 stitches, I decided I didn't have the patience to deal with BF for this. So this is how it turned out:
I have been making some progress on Isabella Johnstone. Those are eyelet stitches below that last band of numbers; kind of tedious, but they're coming along more quickly than I had thought they would. Once those are done, I can move on to the "fun" motifs on the lower part of the sampler.
I've been having difficulty focusing on larger projects, so as a result, I've been starting smaller stuff. Are you familiar with Sheena Rogers designs? She has a number of pieces designed to be made into cushions or mini-cushions, and you can peruse them on her website. They're very nice. I've started on the England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales mini-cushion; I'm using the called-for DMC flosses and a piece of 26-count linen I found in my stash. The finished size should be about 6 inches square.
I've also been working on a couple of ornaments. I picked up the Three Wise Men at In Stitches the first time I went there; I'm using 28-count evenweave, also from the stash, and DMC fibers, and stitching over 1. As you can see, I haven't made a lot of progress!
The second ornament is Peace on Earth, from this year's JCS ornament issue. The designer is Isabella Abbiati -- The Primitive Hare -- and I'm stitching this over 2 on 36-count Edinboro linen from the stash. The color on the left is "prim Christmas" from Nina's Threads; it's kind of goldish/brownish/greenish. Very pretty.
Finally, this was my project for this evening, shortbread cookies from the Mrs. Fields cookie cookbook. DH and I both brown-bag it to work, and I like to keep home-made cookies on-hand to go in our lunches. These are the easiest things in the world to make; 4 ingredients -- butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and flour -- easy-peasy!
6 comments:
I too miss a lot of people who aren't blogging as much. It's hard to make the time but I enjoy blogging much more than other types of social media. Your projects look great, love Isabella J! Have fun with your holiday stitching!
I just love that Three Wise Men ornament. I have been going back and forth on it since last Christmas, I think that I might have to bite the bullet and get it.
Lovely stitching and yummo cookies!
I also love reading blogs a lot, and I also love commenting. It's like being in touch with the blogger. I don't care for other social media at all, the blogging world is just enough for me because I don't want to spend more time on the computer as I already do, lol.
Your ornament projects are great. And congrats on the finished pumpkin.
Hey Karen! What a great update. Like you I am having the same problems finding time for everything. Days are too short, I have not been stitching as much as I would like, reading?/!! Housework!! I really need more discipline or something.
I love Isabella Johnstone. Sometimes it is so hard to settle down to a big project.
Your ornament starts are wonderful. Thanks for sharing that website.
Have a great week!
'Plumpkin' is just the cutest and I have always admired 'Isabella'. Everytime she surfaces on a someone's blog I fall in love all over again!
If only we had unlimited time ... oh the things we could do ... if I had a super power that would be it!
Your cookies look delish! ... shortbreads are one of my favorites ... always good!
Love all your stitching. Very nice! The England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales pincushion is very unusual. I'll have to look that up. Time is always an issue for sure. I don't think I could get a stitch done if I worked!
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