Serpentine

I got this one framed - a while back now, but I forgot to take a photo. I have now and here it is.

Guild Challenge

At our guild Christmas party we were given a bag of bits and a challenge to use some of them in a piece of work to bring to the first meeting of the year. I can't remember if there was a size challenge, but we had to use some of the red fabric, some of the wool, and at least one bead, and we were allowed to add items from our stash. I decided to use only items from the bag (with the exception of some black thread) and came up with this:

My next task is to finish is properly so it can be put in the guild display with the others. And I also have to say there were some brilliant pieces done - some people really have the energy and creativity and skills to do amazing things.

For the Love of Chocolate

I started For the Love of Chocolate by Nancy Cucci on the 12th November 2022. It was a class with the Cyberpointers chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. Haven't got very far yet, but at least I'm stitching.

Steampunk Clocket

Last year I was signed up to go to The Great Escape, and I was going to take Shirley Pygott's class Steampunk Clocket. The Great Escape was cancelled, but Shirley went ahead with the class in a new venue. So I started this piece on the 26th March 2022 and finished it on the 8th November 2022.

Tulip Scissor Fob

I made this Tulip Scissor Fob from Sue Hawkins as a gift for a friend. Finished 12th July 2022, started in April the same year.

Firebird/Pheonix

I had thought I'd just stop doing this blog since I wasn't making that many posts, so I tried just writing in a journal. Let's just say I'm even worse with pen and paper. So back to this blog. Maybe less talking though and just posting milestones. I'll also do only one piece per post So here is Firebird by Riolis - finished on 9 October 2022 (wow I'm already so used to 2023 that I wrote 2023 first).

Getting back on track

I'm starting to get back on track with my stitching. A stitching retreat in Wellington, a few visits to The Embroiderer and Ribbon Rose, a new project, a bunch of organising of my stash, and now I want to stitch everything in my stash and in the shop and everything else I see on the internet. Actually doing the stitching is still sometimes a bit of a challenge, but even that is improving. Anyway - far more important - the new project. I picked this up and started it on the 17th of October last year. It is the Firebird/Pheonix from Riolis.

Oh - and looking at the last couple of posts - I don't think I ever showed you my Queen's Crown from Amy Mitten. I started this a couple of years ago - before I got sick anyway - and haven't really stitched on it since I got sick, so it's basically just some outlines on the fabric at the moment. I really should get back to it. Maybe after Firebird is finished - although DD wants me to stitch her some wolves too - she rescued the pattern from my recent sale and found fabric and threads for it and basically told me to get moving (lol). I think perhaps the wolves for simple work, and taking places, and this for at home when my brain is working.

Well that didn't go as planned...

I had got back to my stitching, and was planning my monthly WIPocalypse posts when I got told I had cancer. Then followed surgery, chemotherapy that almost killed me (apparently it disagrees with me - once again I'm a strange outlier lol), and radiotherapy. Through it all God was with me as always, and although I've still got 10 years of tablet taking to go, the worst is over.

Then just as I get back to work and start fitting back into my schedule, COVID-19 comes along and we're all in lockdown. I'm told my job is essential (guess they want to make sure the fuel keeps flowing so other more essential people can make it to their jobs), although at reduced hours as with lower demand less bits break meaning less fixing, so I'm still working instead of stitching.

I was looking back over my WIPocalypse posts to see where I got to and what the heck I was doing, and I found my very first post where I listed three projects and said I'd update the list. Clearly that never happened. So I think I'll redo my list now. At least I can cross off two of the projects that were on there - Bargello Fun, and Beetle-wings and Bling. Allure though, poor thing, has had no love. This has not stopped me from adding to my 'projects to do' list.

So now my top three projects to do are:

1) Queen's Crown (Amy Mitten)
2) Allure (Carolyn Mitchell)
3) Red Square (Joni Stevenson)

I think. I reserve the right to change my mind :)

Plus of course I want to finish all my WIPs - hey, I heard that thump as you hit the ground laughing :)

Now on to the interesting part - what I've been doing all this time. Well, as it turns out, not much (because chemotherapy...). BUT - I did get my piece that I'd been planning for this years Great Escape exhibition finished. Unfortunately Great Escape has been one of the many casualties of the virus, so poor Mr Peacock won't be on display for a while, if ever - I do hope I find another exhibition for him, but who knows - he was created for this one with its theme 'My View'. I have titled the piece 'Look At Me!' and I'm really pleased with how he turned out. So is the cat if his grooming of the feathers around the outside is any indication lol. (And sorry - I've just realised I didn't clean the mirrors before I took the photo).

And while that was a big one to finish (so much so that I have decided designing isn't for me, I'd much rather stitch other peoples designs) it wasn't the only thing I did. While on reduced brain power and off work I started sorting my stash. I am still going, but I have seven (so far) boxes of items to trade. Then I have a huge pile of magazines and magazine pages that will be looking for a new home eventually - I'm hoping I can find someone near(ish)by in NZ who is willing to come and pick the lot up in one go - but I'll worry about sorting that out once I've finished sorting the magazines out (see all the empty boxes that used to have magazines in them).

June WIPocalypse

My June update starts with another finish - St Nicholas Cathedral from Mill Hill.

So then I started on the Queen's Crown from Amy Mitten - I'm not far enough into that to take a photo yet as all that can really be seen so far is Amy's pattern on the fabric. But never fear - there will be photos in the future as I get more actually stitched. I've also done a bit more on the piece I'm designing myself - that's one slow process - it makes me really grateful for other people's patterns :)

Yesterday I took a short 90 minute introductory needle felting class at Auckland's Woolfest Aftermath. Here is the little kitty head I made. It still needs work - but I think I got the basic idea down. Maybe now I'll get on with those projects that have been sitting on the shelf for a while (cue laughing).

Some Finishes

I finished the quilt top, and sent it off to my mother who finished it for me and gave it to the recipient. Thanks Mum :)

I also finished a beaded bug class with Julie Hennessy and the North Shore Embroidery Guild.

I started a class at Great Escape with Anne Marie Moorhead called The Catnapper.

And I finished the gift I was stitching - His Name is Jesus from Joyful Expressions.

I'm almost finished Mill Hill's St Nicholas Cathedral.

And I got framed for the guild exhibition Mr Gecko, Flyways, Bargello Fun, and Hot Air Balloons.