Frames

I finished this one last night, a remake of the one over a week ago. I am extremely pleased with how this one turned out. It is a c8 with additional support lines. I marked the c8 and the first set of additional lines with white cotton, and the second set of supporting lines with gold braid, which effectively outlines the squares. I started stitching the squares 1/2 cm from the corner, which gave me about 7 rows of color. That was still more than the original, last night when I looked I counted 5 rows, but there is still enough room for the lettering.



There are 4 words: Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope, with several blank squares left. The lettering is done with floche thread, a softly twisted cotton thread that is lovely to stitch with. I had the perfect color, an orangy red! The flowers are done in lazy daisy stitch, with pearl cotton.



I have to write the pattern, revise the patterns for 3 other temari, and stitch one more. I think I can make it!

Lunar New Year G.I.T.S.: Year of the Tiger

Since it is Valentine's week, there should at least be a mention of hearts, right? My friend from Moonsilk Stitches was featured today in a guest-blogger appearance in Subversive Stitchers. Both the valentines featured are beautiful, and I can't wait to see what she makes this year.


Last night, when I got home, I received a package from the UK. (My package inspector C was not home, so she missed it! She always announces with great interest when a package arrives, and is on pins and needles until she sees what it is.) This temari is from Karen and is for the Lunar New Year G.I.T.S. (Great International Temari Swap). Sunday (Valentine's day!) is the Chinese New Year, and the animal this year is the tiger. I think these colors are perfect for representing a tiger, and the stitching is beautiful!



My temari for her is finished, and packed, but not mailed yet. As soon as I hear from her that she has received it I will share, because I think it turned out very interesting.

I think February 10th is a wonderful day for birthdays! Happy birthday, mom! Stay warm. Happy birthday Margie, I hope you have a wonderful day. Happy birthday Lois! Miss you! Happy birthday, Janet! I hope you don't have to work too hard today.

Guild Meeting

We didn't have an official guild meeting last night. Our project this month was to make blankets for the Children's oncology dept. of a local hospital, so as soon as we managed to unlock the door (yes, we have issues, and yes, we are looking for a new place to meet) people started making blankets.

There are only a couple of steps:

1. Buy 2 lengths of fleece that coordinate with each other.

2. Cut fringe through both layers on all four sides.

3. Knot fringe together.



This is the fleece I brought, monkeys, leopards and zebras. The blanket turned out so soft and cuddly I was tempted to take it home with me! We had so much fun visiting, and everyone pitched in. You can read more about the process here (when I get to it, please check back).

Last Friday I felt like I had ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). I had just finished 3 projects, and I had to choose a new one, C requested a crocheted valentine and 3 stocking hats for the girls, and I got the felt stocking kit for P, and of course I had to open that and check it out. So I started my mittens and I felt a lot better. They are not beautiful.



But they are already amazingly warm. This is a picture of the right one, from the back of the hand. (There are two different colors of yarn. I used one for the cuff, and then started the second one right before starting to crochet the thumb.) The loose thread under the thumb is a marking thread, and the threads coming out of the top are the working threads. I have been totally engrossed in them, which is how I got this far. I think I should have stuck with one color, but I will still wear them because of the way they feel. That is, when I get them done; there's a whole 'nother one to crochet yet.