Again a finish, some progress, and lots of gridding

Wipocalypse - August 2012 update - part 2

For this update I was hoping to have 2 finishes, but will have to settle with one.

The final card to the 'Country Trio' is complete:

It only took 2 evenings to do in the end. The problem with this design was that the chart was in the magazine my sister decided to borrow awhile back, and she happens to live on the other side of the country! Eventually she has agreed to scan and e-mail me the chart. [Of course I have now deleted the copy on my computer in view of copyright and all.]

Continuing on the update: this month held little progress on the HAED:

August 2012 - part 1

August 2012 - part 2

then the recent start had a few extra colours stitched:

August 2012 - part 1

August 2012 - part 2

The HAED was a little big and uncomfortable to stitch during the film sessions in the evenings, so I picked something smaller. Or rather had my mum pick. I decided to stitch either 'Venice' or 'Dance Leader' after completing the small card; she chose the second.

Speaking about mum ... I have mentioned last time that she was going away for 3 weeks, so during them I have concentrated on something for her. Since her return I have been working on the 'Handpicked by Fizzy' during my lunch hour at work (which slowed the progress down). I was hoping to complete this project for this update, but still need to do almost all of the backstitching. I might take this project to work on the train to London this weekend.

August 2012 - part 1

August 2012 - part 2

My mum is also in need of some leftover threads for her sketchbook on colour for the latest module of her course. So I have moved on to another project I have begun awhile back:

March 2012

It is a Dimensions kit, which means I won't be able to use the leftover thread for any other projects pretty much. So I just need to complete it now.

August 2012 - part 2

Although it does not look like much extra was stitched (which is true - only 2 hours went into stitching), I have spent quite a few nights gridding ... hope it will help make the stitching go smoother and faster.

Till soon,

            

TUSAL - August 2012

This month's jar:

From which you can see there is lots of white and beige from the Fizzy Moon (cross stitch almost done - then its half stitches and backstitching). Which is in a way an explanation on its own regarding the lack of Tuesday post. I have not made any progress on my HAED in a week! Shocking isn't it! But if I can cross off a few wips from the list it will be worth it.

Okay, till soon ... when I will have a finish fingers crossed,

                                                                                                     

Tuesday - Extravaganza - part 9

Just a quick update this Tuesday. Just got back from work, very tired and the internet is misbehaving. 

So this was last week:

part 8

And now:

part 9

Till soon,

                

Progress, a Finish, and a Start

Wipocalypse - August (part 1)

I have finally started 'Handpicked by Fizzy': 

June 2012

Only a little bit though:

August 2012 - part 1

Then a little bit more done on the John Clayton's Venice:

July 2012

August 2012 - part 1

The closeups of the two parts:

Now to the finish! I am very proud of crossing one of the list. So 'does my bum look big in this?' is now done:

before

August 2012 - part 1 - done

closeup

And the HAED progress:

July 2012

August 2012 - part 1

And now to something I am not entirely proud of, a new start ... When I have finished my hippo I was tempted and gave in to a new start:

August 2012 - part 1

closeup

Tuesday Extravaganza - Part 8 and my reading habits

I have now finished 'The Reckoning' by Jane Casey in a talking book format (obviously while stitching). This is the third book that she has written. First 'The Missing' which was a stand alone crime novel. Then 'The Burning', followed by 'The Reckoning', as part of the Maeve Kerrigan series. All three listened to in the past month and a bit (lots of stitching). There is only one book left by the author to read (well before she writes any more) - 'The Last Girl'. It is the third in the series, recent, and not available in talking book format at my library yet, but it is lying on my desk in its hard cover instead. Hopefully I will get stuck into it soon.

I have also finished reading the second book in the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris at a more leisurely pace. It has taken me a total of 3 days to read 'A Bone to Pick'. It wasn't as good as the first. Mainly because the main character decided to resign from the library! (how dare she) partially due to a ridiculous birth labour scene/(s) (2 actually). Unfortunately I have discovered that I haven't reserved the third yet, since I expected it to take me longer to read the first two. But I do have a few (by which I mean at least twenty) to preoccupy myself with in the meantime. And there is a reading group meeting in a week and half time, so I should probably read the set text for that.

And onto the stitching which you are all here for ... this is how the stitching looked like last Tuesday:

part 7

And this is today (two pages done!!! including the leaf):

part 8

I think the hair and the flower are very beautiful, and I can't wait to stitch the next page. At the rate of a page per month it will take me a total of three years to finish this project (a daunting concept), oh well it will be worth it in the end ... I hope.

Till tomorrow for the Wipocalypse update,

                                                                       

Tuesday Extravaganza part 7

No progress since Friday, due to the IHSW weekend, and then a little distraction by a thriller. I can't believe I have read an entire book in pretty much a day. I have started it after lunch yesterday and completed it when I woke up before breakfast. Being a part time librarian I shouldn't be surprised that I still have an ability to do a book in (almost) one sitting.

The book was by Charlaine Harris (and no it wasn't one of the horrific True Blood series). It was called 'Real Murders', part of Aurora Teagarden series. I guess one of the biggest appeals of the book was the main character, a librarian interested in murder; who has the same problems when going shopping as me - being unable to reach the top shelves!

From the distraction and on to the stitching ... this is what you saw last Tuesday:

part 6

When I have taken the stitching out to be photographed I have almost started stitching more. I really want to get the massive fabric, threads and sit with it for hours. But today, the last day before mum's departure on her holiday will be more of a mundane nature ... I think. 

part 7

Thank you for all your comments. They are very appreciated,

                                                                                           

IHSW July 2012

For the weekend of stitching I have decided to put aside my HAED, and stitch on something that has been previously abandoned. This way I wouldn't feel extremely guilty stitching all weekend. So I have picked up the following: 

prior to 21/7/12

And after a day and a bit of backstitching (which I hate) I was very proud of myself. I have finished it!

Done!

And here is a closeup:

closeup

It was an Anchor kit, designed by Judy Rossouw, and stitched on 14bpi white Aida fabric. According to the kit it is 18 x 18cm (7 x 7"), though I haven't checked.

So after this uplifting feeling of completion you ask me - what have you stitched then? Anything else closer to a finish? And the answer is no. I have done something despicable - I have started something new. Having 13 projects in the abyss I chose to start something new. In my defence I have just completed a project ... and went to get the rabbit out of the box to work on but found this one all bright colours and summery first:

22/7/12

It is 'Kiongozi - Dance Leader'. A Fleur de Lis kit, with Anchor stranded cotton. The original art work by the Kenya artist Gakonga. The fabric is 18bpi cream Aida, and it is to be 27 x 8cm (10.5 x 3"). It will go very well with 'Watembea Nyumbani (Walking Home)' I have completed last year, based on the art work of the same artist.

closeup

So I have spent the Sunday gridding and almost finishing two colours. Now it will go into its zip plastic folder that has been vacated by the hippo. I have something else planed for stitching next. My mum is going on a 3 week holiday ... which means it is perfect time to stitch something for her. And whats not better but 3 of my works in progress are/were being stitched for her.