Thursday 17th December

 Just come back from the hairdressers, my head feels so much lighter now, it was nine weeks since I last went and it had grown so much.  This will be my last post until the New Year.  Lindsay finishes work today and is coming to me on Saturday until after Christmas so my days will be commandeered until then.

I have been doing some work on my African book and have nearly used one of my new skeins of thread that I bought.  Hope there will be enough to finish what I am doing.

I am working a Housa design across the two pages of the book.  Housa's are very heavily stitched so it should keep me occupied over the holidays.

Roma has been doing workshops with textileartists.org and this is some of the work she has been doing.

This design uses crumpled paper as a starting point for stitching.  I agree with Roma that this has a Saharan Desert feel to it.

I love this glove design and the fabric is gorgeous.

Meanwhile Cath has been working through some of her stash to produce this really nice piece. She says she was determined to start it and to finish it before starting something else.  I think she succeeded.

I know a few people now who have had their vaccines so it looks like things are moving on and hopefully this will get rid of this virus and we can all return to normal.  Have a lovely Christmas everyone and I am looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Thursday 10th December

 The saying 'Dark days before Christmas' is certainly true at the moment.  However, the other morning I went for a walk into the countryside and there was a light hoar-frost on the dead flower heads and the winter barley in the field, in the background are conifers which were hidden by the mist so everything looked as though it was being seen through a net curtain.  When I got to the top of the hill the sun was out so by the time I got back to the hedgerow the frost had melted and the plants had drops of water hanging from them. Wished I'd taken my camera, either view would make a lovely piece of work.  

Stitching wise, I am working on my Africa piece, making a little book of stitch techniques but there isn't much to show yet, I am just getting ideas together and I need a printing day.

Some of you have been busy though.  Susan has been making a quilt inspired by autumn in Dolby Forest.

This is the front

This is the back.  It's lovely to see some of Barbara's stash in this design.  

Ann and her husband have also been busy.  Between them they have made this lovely box, Ann stitching the top and David making the box.  I have warned her that he might be getting some orders if he isn't careful.

Keep stitching everyone and send me your photo's, everyone says how good it is to keep up with each other.

Thursday 3rd December

 Had a quick look round the shops in Scarborough today.  It looks much brighter with all the lights from the windows of those who are surviving.  There were a few people about but it wasn't too busy and I managed to get around safely.  I have finished knitting some fingerless gloves for Lindsay for Christmas.  I did the right hand glove first and I will be surprised if it lasts long because each stage was done at least twice.  The little flap that pulls over to make them a glove I did about five times before I got the opening in the right place.  The left hand glove faired better.  I have managed to knit two more baby jumper sets from the spare ball of wool I bought ready to go to Africa.

The little button holding the flap down is from her grandmothers button box.

Roma has been busy doing her chain stitch exercises.

This lower picture has been stitched on a collagraph printed background.  I love seeing everyone's samples but I need to get on with my own!!