Stitcher's Choice GITS

In November I participated in the "Stitcher's Choice" GITS (Great International Temari Swap). I received a very nice temari with beads on it, which I posted when I received it. This is the temari I sent. The kiku stitching in fall colors turned out very nice. The obi was something I tried, and I am not sure it is totally successful. The colors work well, but the spacing could use some work.



I have my GITS package from Elmira for New Year's, I hope mine arrived as well. The rules for that swap is that you cannot open the package until 2011, but it can be just one minute into the year. It will be the second thing I do next year, after giving DH a kiss.

You know I have been considering the Crazy 15 project for 2011, where for the first 15 days of the year you start a new project each day, with plans to finish them all in the year. I made a list of 15 projects, not all new ones. I had 8 WIPs and 7 new starts. I was getting excited about a couple of the new projects, but then I started thinking about the second half of the challenge, finishing. That kind of put a damper on things. When I have a dead-line, even self imposed, it really detracts from my stitching pleasure. If I have to finish all 15 projects, I will be rebelling all year long, and not getting anything done. So I have given up the idea of the Crazy 15 project. I do think I will start one big new project, the Chatelaine Holland Springtime mandala, and one small metal embroidery guild project.

Gold embroidery uses metal threads, either clipped into little pieces and applied as a sort of bead, or couched down. When I lived in Argentina I had a blazer with a badge on the pocket. I think now that badge was done with gold embroidery. I really liked it. At one point, one of the metal threads got caught on something and pulled out of shape, and I discovered it was real metal thread. That project should not take too long. I don't promise to finish the Holland mandala in the next year, but I should be able to finish the Alphabet sampler. I think I am almost 2/3rds of the way done with that one.

I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas. We had the whole family together, and had a very nice, relaxed time. I got a cute pair of scissors earrings, and some winter clothes that will help me stay warm at work. I will get pictures of the earrings to show you. DH gave me tickets to go see "Wicked" next week, and I got him plane tickets to go to Arizona in February, to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday. Not too fun to open on Christmas Eve, because we had to communicate before buying them, but they should be a lot of fun in the coming year.

I m on vacation, so posting may be erratic for the next week. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season as much as I am.