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!!

Friday 27th November

 I am a bit late this week as I was clearing the last of the garden rubbish because today is our last collection until next spring.  Just think, if this had been a normal year we would have been at the Knitting and Stitching Show yesterday.  I have ordered threads online but it isn't as good as buying at the show.  I am now just looking forward to next year.  I have written all my Christmas cards this week (gold star) just the one for abroad to do.  I haven't got so many this year as some of the ones I have sent in the past few years have been to friends in choir and I don't know where they all live.

Diane has been busy with her felt piece and done this lovely piece with it.

The colours on this piece were so vibrant and the background fabric blends well.

She has also been doing her chain stitch samples.

As well as doing Christmas decorations.  You put me to shame Diane.

I did a piece for the Africa project some months ago but I wasn't happy with it, one of the pieces didn't fit so I took it off and have been working on it.  

I have decided to use the other piece as a book cover and put into it samples of work using the techniques that are used by different cultures.  This piece I have converted to represent the cut pile Kuba cloths of Central Africa, usually done on rafia cloth.  I have used a sort of velvet stitch down the three centre diamonds.

Thursday 19th November

 What a beautiful day, have been out this morning for a walk into the countryside and it was glorious.  Would love to go and walk by the beach but we are being encouraged to stay away from the town because of all the cases of Covid that are about.  Did a quick supermarket shop quite early and that was ok, fairly quiet and everything I wanted.

Am begining to look at my Africa work again.  I love the stitching that they do in different parts of the continent, so I am attempting a small sample book to try out different techniques. Not really got started yet so will post something next time.  

I keep thinking I ought to use this time to get my christmas cards written (ha ha).  I have made a christmas cake and christmas pudding and some tomato chutney so that part is going well. Don't know who will eat it, I could be on my own this year if we go into tier 3 after lockdown lifts.

Lesley is doing an online textile course to keep herself motivated and it seems to be working as she has done this strip weaving sample with added chain and running stitch.

Nothing much else to tell you, going now to get the brandy out and feed the pudding!!

Wednesday 11th November

 I am posting this a day early because my computer is working today and I want to do as much as I can before the monitor decides it is tired and is 'going to sleep', for good it seems.  I think I shall have to bite the bullet and buy a new one when this lockdown finishes.

I think this lockdown is a bit harder than the previous one.  The fine weather in April and May made it easy to garden and I had lots of jobs to do to fill the time.  This time I haven't the urge to paint and play as I have stitching and knitting to do in the evening and don't want to add to that just yet.  I have made one christmas pudding this week, I will do a cake next week and another pudding the week after.  I also need some more of my spicy tomato chutney so will do that one day.

I have been working on my concertina book and as promised, here is a picture of the work so far.

The pages are pelmet vilene and I have made pockets on each page which I cut using a soldering iron.  I coloured the pages with transfer paints.

Roma has also been busy making these lovely christmas artist trading cards.

That's all this week, keep sending me you photos to post.

Thursday 5th November

 Guy Fawkes takes some burning, the fireworks have been out every evening this week, not too loud though.  I wonder what tonight will bring.  

My daughter has been following the US election as she teaches American politics and she has got me interested enough to put the TV on at breakfast time to see what was happening.  It's all a bit of a joke really, some people just can't bear not to win.

I haven't got any photo's to show you this week.  I am keeping on with my concertina book and hope to have it nearly finished by next week.  This new lock down means more time for sewing (I did all the cleaning last time)! I have been making some Christmas cards and have ordered lots of threads from Oliver Twists and Stef Francis some of which came today so I have had a lovely time sorting them out.

I am keeping up with my walk from the house out into the countryside, it's lovely to see the change of season and it is so peaceful, hardly any wind today you could almost touch the quietness. 

Keep stitching everyone, it is good for your health and wellbeing, or so they tell me - they haven't experienced a knot in the middle of a row of stitches.