Wednesday, February 3, 2016

embroidery, a shawl and cushions

The Original Dropcloth Sampler, by Rebecca Ringquist.


I have embroidered since I was a teen but never such a vibrant sampler and learned a few new fancy stitches along the way. Instead of stitching fabric around the edge, I stretched the sampler over a piece of foam core and framed it. I smile every time I walk past it.

New year, new cushion covers - Buzoku Cotton Canvas and Buzoku Cotton Duck from Spotlight. I had a little mental breakdown in there. I only get a chance to go once year and it's always at a new location so I don't know where anything is. Usually the family are waiting in the car and I have a very short time limit to frantically get what I need. I get so overwhelmed and distracted by the huge selection of craft from every category that my eyes scan each item desperately trying to take it all in and I get a little dizzy. Must make more trips to the big city Spotlight store to feel "less dizzy". Yes, that's just what the doctor ordered for one overwhelmed crafty mama from the bush.


 I started another lace shawl but found it too hard to concentrate on while everyone was home on holidays. So I frogged it and cast on the Sunlight Shawl for Sad People (and I do get sad!). There's lots of mistakes I didn't go back to fix as I wasn’t use to working with slippery lace needles and such thin yarn. In saying that, Malabrigo yarn has a wonderful feel and mesmerising colour way. I’m not bothered by the mistakes because they remind me of special moments in time, mostly difficult times.  However aren't those times important for personal growth, realisation and reflection?



From my iphone. Threw on a hat to disguise bedridden hair from a head cold and sore throat.

Over the Summer holidays I (over) indulged in Netflix viewing. (One of the perks from moving out of Kosciuszko National Park) Currently knitting and cross stitching through Downton Abbey episodes. WW1 has just been declared over. Hurrah! Oh I do hope Lady Sybil and the chauffeur can fight against class barriers to be together...Aren't these British drama's  - Call the Midwife, Land Girls and The Paradise - just the bees knees?

Have you discovered the Women's Hour podcasts? If not, please click through. Intelligent interviews and discussions on current issues from a female perspective. 

What have you been crafting, reading, listening and watching?

Joining in with all the crafty folks on Keep Calm Craft On

17 comments:

  1. I LOVE the stitch sampler! It's amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kris. I can't wait to make her Colour wheel drop cloth.

      Delete
  2. that sampler is so nice! such bright colours! love the shawl too! hope you are feeling better now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca's drop cloth sampler's are even brighter. So vibrant!

      Delete
  3. Lovely post! That sampler is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just love your Miss Dandelion Doe you made for your daughters' birthday.

      Delete
  4. I love your sampler too and that is a lovely photo of you even though you weren't feeling well. I am currently knitting a scarf and a string dishcloth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very sweet compliment, thank you. I look forward to seeing the scarf and dishcloths.

      Delete
  5. That sampler is stunning and I love the shawl. I've seen so many projects in that brand of yarn, I must try it. Love your colourway. Perfect for winter blues (greys!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Tania! I bought Malabrigo yarn from Love Knitting. As you know you can't get this kind of yarn in a local shop around here.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I want to make that sampler...how nice! I am slowly learning some embroidery. Your shawl is perfect and I love your take on the "mistakes" Netflix can be dangerous ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your bed hair looks like my hair on a good day :-)
    Have just bookmarked the women's hour and will have a look...err listen. Anything to jazz up dinner time dishes and womanly musings sounds like just the ticket.
    Gorgeous shawl clever thing, I wish, I wish...I could be a crafty as my head tells me I am. It's not to be though, damn it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gee I love seeing all your beautiful creations! The shawl is gorgeous and that embroidery just blows me away! So glad you framed it. I love knitting with Malabrigo yarn, although I've only done so a couple of times - mental note to self... must do more Malabrigo projects ;-) As for your Spotlight visit, my word your courageous! I get stressed and overwhelmed in there even with the most favourable circumstances let alone with time restrictions and family waiting in the car! Such lovely fabric choices despite the pressure you were under. I hope your feeling better xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooh just want to touch that Marlabrigo. It's beautiful yarn isn't it. I've had samplers on my mind a lot lately.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ooh just want to touch that Marlabrigo. It's beautiful yarn isn't it. I've had samplers on my mind a lot lately.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so impressed with your embroidery! I'm learning along with my eldest daughter in a co-op class, and it is so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love your shawl! Gorgeous colour and what a fantastic name for a pattern. I am a melancholic, so totally get the name!

    ReplyDelete