Lots of pictures

Well I knew that June would be chaotic – I was supposed to be away for three weekends (tutorial, conference and a cancelled camping trip) and the fourth weekend I had plans on the Saturday.  In addition I did a second job in the evenings for a couple of weeks.

Phew – it’s taken me a couple of weeks to recover, get the house back in some sort of order and enjoy some me time.  It was very kind of people to check I was OK and yes I’m fine.

I’ve been making progress on the Lady Eleanor Shawl which has become my take everywhere project and is a pleasure to work on.

I know there are some of you out there that may find the next section unpalatable – I make no apologies.  I am proud and will not be ashamed.  As well as being a knitter I do embroidery.  Those of you who have been hanging around here for a while will know that originally that was the main focus of my attention and it is only more recently that knitting has taken over.  Those of a nervous disposition who just ‘don’t get it’ may look away now – for the rest of you………………….

Last year my friend Colly bought me the beautiful November Topaz Fairie.  I have never done a Mirabilia design before but she is a beauty and November is my birthday month so it was a wonderful gift.

Two weeks ago just as life was getting back to normal I decided to make a start – this is my progress to date……………………

She is a delight to stitch – the use of shading is subtle but adds a wonderful dimension.  The colours are beautiful, charming and simply gorgeous.  It’s been a long time since I’ve done a piece of cross stitch with no speciality stitches (about 5 years I think) and I’m really enjoying it. 

There are a lot, and I mean a lot (almost £50 worth) of beads on this piece.  I’ve got them on special order from the Stitchers Garden in Harrogate.  The ones that have arrived are beautiful colours so I know they will really add beauty to the piece.

Unfortunately I have a slight injury at the moment and my right hand looks like this….

It will be fine in a couple of weeks, I’ve got tendonitis from bad computer mouse posture!!!!  I’ve found that I can’t knit but can stitch – I stitch using both hands with the frame on a stand so there is very little my right hand (which is at the back of the piece) needs to do.  Maybe I could embroider the splint and make it look prettier!!!!

Coming soon………………………………….the BAP that is the Embroidered Village Bag Project.