(long post, picture heavy)
It has been a long time since my last confession...
I have missed numerous IHSW, barely read another blog, missed all kinds of giveaways and Christmas stitchalongs and generally been completely out of the stitching loop. Quite frankly I'm amazed I still have any followers and that my membership of the stitching community hasn't been revoked (I even missed my own blogaversary!)
As well all know far too well, however much the needles call, sometimes life just gets in the way.
Significant Life Episode #1. I have moved! UK readers will be aware that the housing market in London is a very expensive business and we found ourselves perfectly able to pay the rent, and ironically able to afford pretty good holidays, because the money we could save wasn't even a drop in the ocean of what was needed to put down a deposit on a modest flat. After doing some sums we worked out that if we didn't spend any money at all (no holidays, no getting married, nothing), we could afford to buy something... in 7 years time. I should add, we don't have high expectations (when we do get married, it's going to be down the registry office, and a bash in the local pub) but property in London even the cheaper parts is VERY VERY expensive.
Moving out of London isn't an option (and why should I! - stupid economic downturn ) so enter stage left, my mum! My mum has a bigish house, with a couple of spare bedrooms after one of my brothers moved out earlier this year. She has very generously given these over to himself and I so we can save up some money. We're paying our share of the bills of course, but we have projected that we should now be able to buy something in 18 months -2 yrs. So now we are all set up with a little living room and a little bedroom, and my mum and I are managing (so far) to share a kitchen. Thanks mum, we really appreciate it!
Significant Life Episode #2. It never rains but it pours, and in late November I got offered a new job! This was one of those long processes, had an interview, waited two weeks for the next interview, waited 2 weeks for the next one... waited 10 days for the offer in writing. I first found out about the job in mid October, and I wasn't entirely qualified for it on paper, so I never really expected to be offered the job. The reason this represents such a significant change is because for the last 2.5 years, I have been working from home. This has given me a lot of flexibility around working, stitching, blog updating (haha) so from January life will seem very different. That said, it will make me be more organised and probably a little bit more appreciative of my stitching.
I am absolutely determined next year to keep up with my blogging, particularly since I am signed up for the
WIPocalypse and the
TUSAL stitch-a-longs. Both have New Moon stitching dates, and I already have my ORT jar ready :)
 |
| Ta da! |
Now, before you all go worrying that there's going to be no stitching content in this post, do not fear, I haven't been quite that bad.
Let's see how
Beehive Sampler by Moira Blackburn is coming along:
I have actually done quite a lot on this one, as you can see I have finished, what I am describing as 'the bones' and have got nearly 50% of the way through filling in the floral panels. The end is starting to approach, it's not quite in sight, but the end in sight of the end in sight is in sight :)
Secondly, I have taken part in a couple of exchanges via the
Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group.
First up was the anniversary exchange which took place in early November and this is the gift I sent my partner:
I had to send a a card to celebrate the groups first birthday, a skein of floss (Weeks Dye Works Peacock), some needles (John James platinum 24) and a piece of fabric (The Crafty Kitten). What you can't see in this picture is this fabric I sent, because I forgot to take a picture... Because I wasn't very well when I made the card, so I didn't finish it properly, I threw in a few extra bits from my stash to compensate, and a piece of 'London Fog' by Weeks Dye Works that I picture up on holiday.
And this is what I got in return!
A lovely piece of navy blue jobelan, Weeks Dye Works in Concord (my current favourite thread) and a John James pebble, a real treat as I am generally an anything to hand needle kind of gal.
The other exchange I took part in is the Stitch Specialists Christmas Exchange. I can't show you too much of what I sent as my partner is not opening hers until Christmas Day, but here is some of the detail:
We had to send a handmade card and a gift up to the value of (I think) £10/$15 and something to represent where the gift had come from. The stitching based gift should also be sourced locally, so hand dyed fabric or threads from a UK based source in my case. Eagle eyed viewers will be able to guess what I did for my hand made card!
I return I received a very large package from
Theresa
 |
| It's only a Texas Ranger Santa!! |
I've also been the very lucky recipient of beautiful card from
Jo at Serendipitous Stitching, which is personalised. Thanks for remembering me Jo even if I've been rubbish!
I've also bought a little bit of stash. Firstly, I have kitted up
Friendly Full Moon Witch by
Chatelaine:
I haven't included the DMC threads in the floss toss. The fabric is 'Moonlighting' by
Sparklies. This is only available as an online class until 15 January 2012 if you are interested.
Secondly, I have also kitted up the Tree of Stitches by
Abi Gurden. The chart is no longer available via the Stitch Specialists, but I believe will to buy in the near future. The colour combination is a little 'braver' than I usually go for. I will reveal the reason why in a later post, when I have started stitching.
The fabric is 'Fire' again by
Sparklies.
Last but not least just to prove it is Christmas, despite everything else, here is a picture of our tree:
So, for everyone still reading, thank you for reading, thank you for coming back after all this time and all the very best wishes of the season to you, wherever you are and whatever your beliefs, and your families, friends and loved ones.
Until next time...
