Busy, busy, but not too much stitching

I don't have anything to show today, I've been reading (savoring) my new book An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon. This is the 7th book in the series, and each book is over 1,000 pages. It is difficult to describe the series. Basically it is the love story of Claire and Jamie, except that Claire is from the 20th century, and Jaime is from the 18th. She can travel through time, he can't. Their eventual daughter can. They live through World War II, then Colloden and the Scottish uprising, and now, the American Revolutionary War. The first book in the series is Outlander if you wanted to start reading them, and the first 6 books are available on audio book. (Stitching and reading at the same time: priceless!) So if you don't see too much stitching in the next couple of weeks, you know what I've been doing.

I'm making lists, and checking them twice, for my class tomorrow.

*student kits
*supplies for classroom demonstrations
*inspiration
*tools

I hope to be over prepared rather than groping for something I might need during the class.

Level 1, Number 1 (maybe)

Here's the temari I've been working on since last Thursday. I think it turned out quite good; but I will have to get the evaluation on it to be sure. I will probably also have to work at getting a better picture.



I'm also wondering if I should do some pine needle stitching in the triangles, in a darker green. A gold metallic would be another possibility, or the squares could be outlined with gold.

All these possibilities are why I said "maybe" in the title.

I want to do all four of the level 1 temari in this color scheme. I'm planning my mitsubane (tri-wing) now. I can already feel my stitching improving just from this one temari. By the time I get all 8 finished (for levels 1 and 2) I hope to see all kinds of improvement.

Recuperating from the weekend!

I started on my first level 1 temari; and I really like the pattern. It will be very nice, if I can keep everything looking even. I'm stitching it very carefully, so it is taking longer than I expected to finish it.

In the mean time, I found out there are more people than I expected signed up for class next Saturday. I've been busy preparing the kits and hand-outs. Here you can see my progress. Four mari are completely wrapped, one has the "power-wrapping" layer done, and there are 2 white and 4 blue "yarn-layer" left to go.

I realize I am getting better at doing this, but it is one of those gradual things you don't notice until you look back. When I started, the mari would pop out of my hands every minute or two while I was wrapping, and I would get my exercise chasing it across the room. It only pops once or twice now, and it usually doesn't leave the lap, making it a lot easier.





The threads fell out of the bag this UFO (Un-Finished Object) was stored in, and when I looked, I realized it would take only a couple of hours to finish it, moving it out of the UFO category into the "done but not finished" category.

I really like this design, it seems to me like it is the epitome of French needlework. The letters in red spell "Broderie" which means embroidery in French. The fabric too, is so French. I don't think anyone in the U.S. would pick that fabric for a back-ground, but you see it all the time in French design. This matches a couple of other "done but not finished" pieces I have, the 4 saisons sampler, in Red and white on natural linen, and my anniversary sampler that I designed. I am sort of collecting them so that when I redecorate my bedroom in a French Provincial design I will have things to put on the wall. This, of course, is after I redo my living/dining room, a project that has been on the back burner for 5 years or so.



We had a wonderful weekend, but it was one of those where you have to go back to work to rest. My parents came to spend the weekend, and one of the goals was for them to get re-acquainted with their great-grandchildren.

We went to a book store. I told P & C they could each choose one book; they were pretty pleased with themselves when they each found a book that included the plastic figurines of the story: a book AND a toy AND a game! Here they are gloating over their finds. (Someone really likes her pink shoes!)



We gathered at Olive Garden for dinner on Saturday. I don't usually include specific names of stores and restaurants, but they took such good care of us that I wanted to mention it. We had nine people and they accommodated us in an alcove that felt just like a home dining room. Here's P playing with his new dinosaurs, with C looking cute, DD2 (their momma) and my parents. My father was having such a good time that he shared with anyone who would listen that he was there with "4 generations"! The service was attentive, and the food was wonderful! DSIL, DD1, and DH were also there.



After dinner the non-shoppers went home, and the rest of us forged ahead. We went to my LNS, and 2 craft stores, and a beauty supply store. C loves to shop!