It may be fall, but it's still 95 degrees out

Ah, autumn in the desert. While the rest of the country is experiencing cooler weather and heartier food fare, in the crisp evenings during this time of year, yours truly is still baking in temps of 95 and above. But wait, dost my eyes and ears deceive me? The weatherman actually predicting a 10 degree drop next week into the frigid unforgiving wasteland of the mid 80's? Get out the parkas! Round up the soup and stew recipes! Get out the mittens and balaclavas! It's gonna be a long, and chilly ride into that which is known as winter.


I realize the snarkiness of this post has reached maximum capacity, however, there are reasons for this. And as we are dealing with the subject of my person, there is a story attached to it. Back a few weeks ago, I started experiencing severe pain and strain in my hands and arms, which neither ice, nor rest, nor scarfing down Advil as if they were M & M's seemed to abate. I hied myself to a doctor forthwith, as my hands and my arms are not just my livelihood, I WASN'T ABLE TO STITCH. That, my dear friends, is what caused sheer panic at the disco. I could not even hold a mere 6 inch Q-snap frame and stitch for any length of time. The thought of potentially having to give up a hobby that I have been practicing and collecting for the last 15-20 years was too much to bear. I procured a recommendation from a coworker and made an appointment. It wasn't as bad as I feared, however, I will have to change some things, take some drugs that probably aren't covered by my insurance after the samples have run out, and cut back some of my hours at work. Such is the price we pay, being in this thing called life, eh? I am counting my blessings that it wasn't as bad as I had feared, and there are simple things I can do to assist in the recovery of my person and for long term health and well being. Yay for that, yea? :)


It's taken a bit of time, but I feel a lot better and I am now able to stitch for short periods of time. I started one of these before my hands and arms gave me the middle finger, and the other I started the other day. Here I present my meager offerings for your viewing pleasure :)


WIP #1:

Design: Leaves from the Winter Circle leaflet #142


Designer: Cross Eyed Cricket


Fabric: 28 count Glasgow linen in raw


Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art 117 in 310, 500, 502, 677, 730, 902, 918, 3013, 3721, 3826, and 3828.

WIP #2:



Design: Quaker Acorn


Designer: The Workbasket


Fabric: 32 count linen in Golden Maple by Fleur de Luce Hand Dyeds


Fiber Used: Crescent Colours hand dyed silk in Harvest



***Stitcher's notes: One thread silk over 2 fabric threads.

Well, I best be off for now. I have to work today, and I have some things to do before I go. Hope everyone is having a great week and stitching their butts off! :)



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Respectfully submitted,


C.

Thank you notes to heaven (Salem 1692 finish)

Put the last stitches in Salem 1692 last night. I really enjoyed stitching this piece. I deliberately left off the stars, as I am hoping to find some charms in different finishes that I can attach instead of stitching them in yet more Old Crow. :P


At any rate, here is the finish:



Design: Salem Witch



Designer: Lisa Roswell of The Primitive Needle


Fabric: 28 count linen in Legacy by Picture This Plus


Fibers: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow.



***Stitcher's note: Stitched one strand of silk over two threads to achieve a more aged look.

It is my custom that when I finish a piece, I generally email the designer to show them what I did with their work and to thank them for designing the piece. I feel very sad that I cannot email Lisa Roswell and show her what I have done. I hope she would have liked what I have done. It was a joy to stitch and I have other pieces of hers that are on my Mount Everest sized to do list. If there is internet access in Heaven, I hope she sees this and is happy with my work. I tried to do the piece justice and I hope I accomplished the vintage look she always favored in her designs. Thank you so much, Mrs. Roswell. I spent many an enjoyable hour stitching this piece and I look forward to stitching more of your designs!


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Respectfully submitted,


C.