Well, as can be seen I've not blogged in quite some time.
And to be honest I've not really stitched at all.
But this is all about to change.
We've taken time off from showing Misha since the first part of July. She started to loose her coat around the end of May, and fully blew her coat by the beginning of July. While Misha has absolutely nothing to hide, i.e. she is perfectly in proportion, has good breadth of chest, nice neck arch, no faults, etc., I think it does them good to have a rest from the ring. It keeps the interest more alive and the spark in their performance.
Misha is certainly enjoying her time off. We have been working on honing some of her off lead skills. One in particular is 'Look at me'. This is used to guide her around situations where I want her to focus on me, not on another dog, child, interesting looking adult and bolt away. This is also tied to the 'ignore' command.
She is getting very good at both.
She has been incredibly responsive. I must say all the training and work we have put into her is paying off.
Timing has been perfect because Misha came into season last week. She is about a month and a half ahead of when we were expecting her to. But, it works out great - we can move forward with the autumn show schedule and not worry about when she was due.
Unfortunately, this means she is tied to the lead for the next three weeks. Something she accepts, but isn't too happy about.
Anyway, I am going to start a blog specifically for Misha and what's going on in her world so as to not clutter up this one.
Stitching ~
After having started great guns, I slowed down to a dead stop.
I truly do not know what my problem is. I still love the look of the finished products, I love choosing patterns. I just seem to get bored when stitching.
Probably a lot of it has to do with when it comes time to sit down and do some I've lost interest.
I do have to admit it was a heck of a lot easier when my husband wasn't home 24/7.
When he was out of the house working I was able to straighten up the house, get dressed, take the dogs for a walk, shop for the ingredients to make the evening meal.
Then I could stitch or knit.
A short break to take the dogs for another walk in the afternoon, stitch some more until about 6p and then start dinner.
More time in the evening to stitch as well.
But my peaceful days are gone with him home.
I seem to be waiting around to find out what the plans are.
There is more house to care for, and certainly no help there.
Mind you, there is more care and training going into a 22 month old dog than there was in a 14 year old and a 10 year old dog. Much more active (and totally cheesed off today because it has rained since we got up at 6a), longer walks, play in the course of the day as well.
But...I want to stitch. I want to work on some of those fabulous samplers I have.
I will be finishing A Quaker Style Friendship Sampler by Samplers and Such soon I hope. I'm just under halfway finished. It's for a friend I met on a message board several years ago. She has been such a sweetheart and I wanted to do something very special for her. I know she will cherish the piece.
I've enjoyed working on it. It's my first outing on 36 count linen and I must say I've enjoyed it. I love the colours I'm using as well. They are very soft and feminine. Perfect for Susan.
But, before that I must finish this. Misha's sire's owner had a baby last month and I wanted to do something special for her.
She was wonderful in buoying me up when I was so low over showing last year. She wouldn't let me quit. It was her faith in me (not to mention Misha..but it's a given she has what it takes to be a champion) that made me persist and become a better, more confident handler.
I will never forget her encouragement in telling me to take Misha to Crufts and to show her myself.
She has been handling and showing dogs for over 14 years, since she was 14. She is a honest to goodness dog whisperer. She can take any dog and make it show it's ears off for her.
We were in the ring together at Crufts, and Misha and I placed over her. She was ecstatic that we won.
Anyway, I digress. I found a perfect chart for the baby. It's three Samoyed puppies grouped together. I will add the baby's name and birth date underneath in some shade of pink. I think I will also put the kennel name on as well since she is the newest kennel maid! ;)
So, I'm trying to work on this, but as it's on a black 32 count fabric I tend to go slightly bug eyed after a while...even using a magnifier.
I've chosen a few other projects and trying to work out colours for some others. I just need to force myself to stitch!
WHY can't I work up the enthusiasm?
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Ruminating
Some events got me to thinking and remembering.
I met my husband online ten years ago this JUN. After a few weeks of online chatting we moved to the phone, and met in person about four months later.
I was in the US, he was in the UK. We carried on chatting and meeting whenever we could over the next few years.
In many ways were were lucky because the work he did meant he was travelling and could usually arrange stopovers where I lived.
I was a travel consultant and had discounted or free tickets I could utilize to go visit. My holidays were spent in the UK with him in the summer, and he would come to the US in the autumn holidays. Over the course of four years we had spent quite a bit of time together, one way or the other.
Of course there was the almost nightly phone calls as well.
We married a month short of four years after our first hellos online. We had discussed where we would live and came to the conclusion it would be in the UK. My husband is the only son and eldest of three children to aging parents. (Who thankfully at this time are still enjoying good health.)
My DH (Dear Husband) had a very peculiar relationship with his parents. He was always close to and got on well with his mother. His father however was a different story. Things had happened in the past that virtually had the pair of them estranged.
However, my DH still felt the duty of a son to be there for his parents. His sisters live over three hours away (and in the UK that can actually mean about 5-6 hours) and have young families and jobs of their own.
My parents were older than his, my mother had passed away in '92 and while I had moved back to keep an eye on my dad and take care of him, my sister had encouraged me to live my life. She stepped into the caregiver role when I left.
I understood about wanting to be there for your parents and wholeheartedly supported my DH's decision.
Longer story short, we have over the past six years been close to my in-laws. DH and his father have a relationship again. They talk, they consult, they laugh. They still butt heads, but they are having a relationship.
I love my in-laws and I can say they love me. They welcomed me with open arms and have only cared about my well-being and happiness since I've moved here. If I had to place an order for in-laws, I could not have chosen better.
But, having said that, let me say this.
I've given up so much to be with my DH. I've no family of my own here. (In case you've not guessed DH and I are not spring chickens...the autumn of our youth.)
My best friend was left in the States.
My one and only sister was left behind. My sister is more than that, she is my friend as well. Perhaps because she is eleven years older than me we have always managed to have a friendship as well as a family relationship. I miss her so much.
Even though I've not had much contact with my brothers (two of them) I miss them as well. Family gatherings when we all managed to get together were fun and filled with laughter. Even when my father passed away in '04 there was laughter through the tears.
In some ways I miss home. But I've come to the conclusion I miss the people more than the place.
I love living in England, and when visiting home in the States after a couple of weeks I long to be back. The pace of life is better, not as frantic. In a lot of ways England is more simplistic. Sometimes that can drive me to distraction, but I learn to handle it.
I miss people and interaction with them. There is not the same feeling here. I've not been able to find the same connection. I don't know why. The closest I can come to it is some of the people who show Samoyeds. There is one lovely lady, but unfortunately she is hours away. I do so wish we lived closer. She is the first I've felt a connection with. Perhaps it's because under lyingly we are the same type of personality.
So all in all, I suppose that having moved here I can honestly say I am lonely and have been for that last 6 years.
The internet in some respects has been a boon because it has allowed me to meet and be in contact with people. On the other hand it makes me feel as if I am tied to it. If I'm home and away from the keyboard I get jumpy. It's the only interaction I have with someone other than my DH or Misha.
I can only imagine if we had children, or I was younger it would be different. I've even found the people on our street while being pleasant when seeing us, they are not inclined to include us in their lives. Perhaps it's the older, more set in their ways, having their circle of friends.
Where all this is going, I'm not sure. I just have faced up to the fact I feel isolated and lonely. If we didn't have Mum and Dad to think of, would we move to the States? I think so. I would miss it here, but I think I miss my sister and remaining family more.
I met my husband online ten years ago this JUN. After a few weeks of online chatting we moved to the phone, and met in person about four months later.
I was in the US, he was in the UK. We carried on chatting and meeting whenever we could over the next few years.
In many ways were were lucky because the work he did meant he was travelling and could usually arrange stopovers where I lived.
I was a travel consultant and had discounted or free tickets I could utilize to go visit. My holidays were spent in the UK with him in the summer, and he would come to the US in the autumn holidays. Over the course of four years we had spent quite a bit of time together, one way or the other.
Of course there was the almost nightly phone calls as well.
We married a month short of four years after our first hellos online. We had discussed where we would live and came to the conclusion it would be in the UK. My husband is the only son and eldest of three children to aging parents. (Who thankfully at this time are still enjoying good health.)
My DH (Dear Husband) had a very peculiar relationship with his parents. He was always close to and got on well with his mother. His father however was a different story. Things had happened in the past that virtually had the pair of them estranged.
However, my DH still felt the duty of a son to be there for his parents. His sisters live over three hours away (and in the UK that can actually mean about 5-6 hours) and have young families and jobs of their own.
My parents were older than his, my mother had passed away in '92 and while I had moved back to keep an eye on my dad and take care of him, my sister had encouraged me to live my life. She stepped into the caregiver role when I left.
I understood about wanting to be there for your parents and wholeheartedly supported my DH's decision.
Longer story short, we have over the past six years been close to my in-laws. DH and his father have a relationship again. They talk, they consult, they laugh. They still butt heads, but they are having a relationship.
I love my in-laws and I can say they love me. They welcomed me with open arms and have only cared about my well-being and happiness since I've moved here. If I had to place an order for in-laws, I could not have chosen better.
But, having said that, let me say this.
I've given up so much to be with my DH. I've no family of my own here. (In case you've not guessed DH and I are not spring chickens...the autumn of our youth.)
My best friend was left in the States.
My one and only sister was left behind. My sister is more than that, she is my friend as well. Perhaps because she is eleven years older than me we have always managed to have a friendship as well as a family relationship. I miss her so much.
Even though I've not had much contact with my brothers (two of them) I miss them as well. Family gatherings when we all managed to get together were fun and filled with laughter. Even when my father passed away in '04 there was laughter through the tears.
In some ways I miss home. But I've come to the conclusion I miss the people more than the place.
I love living in England, and when visiting home in the States after a couple of weeks I long to be back. The pace of life is better, not as frantic. In a lot of ways England is more simplistic. Sometimes that can drive me to distraction, but I learn to handle it.
I miss people and interaction with them. There is not the same feeling here. I've not been able to find the same connection. I don't know why. The closest I can come to it is some of the people who show Samoyeds. There is one lovely lady, but unfortunately she is hours away. I do so wish we lived closer. She is the first I've felt a connection with. Perhaps it's because under lyingly we are the same type of personality.
So all in all, I suppose that having moved here I can honestly say I am lonely and have been for that last 6 years.
The internet in some respects has been a boon because it has allowed me to meet and be in contact with people. On the other hand it makes me feel as if I am tied to it. If I'm home and away from the keyboard I get jumpy. It's the only interaction I have with someone other than my DH or Misha.
I can only imagine if we had children, or I was younger it would be different. I've even found the people on our street while being pleasant when seeing us, they are not inclined to include us in their lives. Perhaps it's the older, more set in their ways, having their circle of friends.
Where all this is going, I'm not sure. I just have faced up to the fact I feel isolated and lonely. If we didn't have Mum and Dad to think of, would we move to the States? I think so. I would miss it here, but I think I miss my sister and remaining family more.
Monday, 19 March 2007
Some of this, some of that
I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged.
There has been a lot which has happened since the beginning of FEB.
First, I have finished the small piece I began.
I was working on another piece, however I wasn't pleased with the colourways and stopped work.
I'm trying to sort what what I want to stitch when, what needs doing in short order, and what will hold my interest.
It looks as if I will be on a 'screaming rotation'. In other words, whatever screams at me to stitch is what I'll work on.
We went to Crufts at the beginning of this month. It was a new experience for us. I had said I always wanted to go, but I never thought it would be as an exhibitor.
Misha took it all in stride, even the early start - up at 245a, on the road by 430a.
She was a trooper and took to it as if she has been going for yonks.
I am very proud to say that our sweetie won her class, Special Junior Bitch - First out of seven. There were two of her litter mates in the class as well. Wonderful day for our breeder as her pups finished First, Second, and Third in that class. What a testament for her litter. Hopefully she will have the same sort of luck as she repeated the mating and the pups are due the 25MAR.
Misha even got a few seconds exposure on the TV. There was a spot on Samoyeds and a cameraman had taken footage of Misha's sweet face. During the spot she was shown on the screen. :)
We've another show this weekend. We now have less than a month to collect six more points for her Junior Warrant. The total needed is twenty-five. Not an impossible thing to do, but we need wins with three or more dogs present in the class. If there had been enough in the classes over the summer, we would have had the JW so many times over already.
Well, I must away as the urge to stitch has come to visit!
There has been a lot which has happened since the beginning of FEB.
First, I have finished the small piece I began.
I was working on another piece, however I wasn't pleased with the colourways and stopped work.
I'm trying to sort what what I want to stitch when, what needs doing in short order, and what will hold my interest.
It looks as if I will be on a 'screaming rotation'. In other words, whatever screams at me to stitch is what I'll work on.
We went to Crufts at the beginning of this month. It was a new experience for us. I had said I always wanted to go, but I never thought it would be as an exhibitor.
Misha took it all in stride, even the early start - up at 245a, on the road by 430a.
She was a trooper and took to it as if she has been going for yonks.
I am very proud to say that our sweetie won her class, Special Junior Bitch - First out of seven. There were two of her litter mates in the class as well. Wonderful day for our breeder as her pups finished First, Second, and Third in that class. What a testament for her litter. Hopefully she will have the same sort of luck as she repeated the mating and the pups are due the 25MAR.
Misha even got a few seconds exposure on the TV. There was a spot on Samoyeds and a cameraman had taken footage of Misha's sweet face. During the spot she was shown on the screen. :)
We've another show this weekend. We now have less than a month to collect six more points for her Junior Warrant. The total needed is twenty-five. Not an impossible thing to do, but we need wins with three or more dogs present in the class. If there had been enough in the classes over the summer, we would have had the JW so many times over already.
Well, I must away as the urge to stitch has come to visit!
Friday, 2 February 2007
Stitching Away
Last week I started a small piece to get me back into the swing of stitching. I've been working at it, not as much as I would like, but it's coming along nicely.
It's from Dessins DHC and it's called Red 8. I'm stitching it 2 over 2 on 32 count pale yellow linen. It's Vikki Clayton's HDF silk in a copper to rust colour. It's really very rich looking.
It's a fun stitch and I love how quickly it's coming all together.
This weekend should see me restart Love with a Capital L by Papillon Creations.
It's a wedding gift for my nephew and his wife that is overdue. I finally figured out why I disliked working on it. It's because I've been struggling to see the holes in the 32 count evenweave. I can work on the linen just fine, but not so with the evenweave. :(
I've decided to start it again (thank goodness I only have about 4 inches done) on linen. My goal is to work on it at least 4 hours a day. I may only do this 5 days a week and then use the weekends for another smallish fun project.
I also received Dragon Opal silk from Vikki Clayton's HDF. It's a beautiful green and deep blue silk thread. I had intended it for Year's End by Papillon Creations. I've had to change my mind as the colour is not what I want for that chart. I've selected Willow Withies 3229 and will stitch it on French Lace linen with gold metallic specialty stitches. I think this will be absolutely gorgeous when finished.
We have a couple of weeks off showing. Misha has come in to her second season. I am so relieved because my nightmare was she would be right in the middle of it when Crufts came around!
I'm off to stitch! :)
Sunday, 28 January 2007
No stitching, just showing
It was a show day today.
Since I've described the events leading up to it, I shan't repeat. LOL, it doesn't really change from show to show.
We attended a breed specific show. They are nice because it's nothing but beautiful, white, fluffy, noisy, over excited Samoyeds. You can be sure coming away from the show you will be covered in fur and kisses. I'll never forget my first sight of a breed show when I saw no less than 50 Samoyeds in the space of 3 minutes! A feast for the eyes.
I am very happy to say Misha did very well today; she came away with two Firsts; one in Junior and one in Graduate.
She showed like an angel, perfect conformation, her movement was spot on. No pacing, which has tended to be a bit of a problem, just good ground eating drive.
She was well behaved in the ring, no excessive barking, and stacked well.
We were disappointed that in the unbeaten bitch lineup she wasn't awarded a Best Bitch or Reserve Best Bitch. However as we were walking out to our cars, with the winner of Best Bitch, who also won the Best in Show as well, the judge singled me out.
She told me she very much admired our Misha, and she lost out because of immaturity. She said a few more months (Misha is 15 months old) will make a difference. It's not that Misha played up, it's she looks young and hasn't muscled up enough yet. The judge said that Misha will mature nicely and will certainly take the high honours. She said we should be proud of her. As I said, we couldn't be any more than we are.
Misha has started her second season. It's a relief that she finally has come in. We were having nightmares that she would be in full blown season during Crufts. We shall be out of this in three weeks, so all clear and ready to go to Crufts. :)
Now it's to find places to walk her where she won't be bothered by dogs. This is one little gal who will be very upset at not being let off the lead for three weeks!
So this was a typical show SUN. Up early, gone all day, and come home absolutely beat! No stitching tonight!
Since I've described the events leading up to it, I shan't repeat. LOL, it doesn't really change from show to show.
We attended a breed specific show. They are nice because it's nothing but beautiful, white, fluffy, noisy, over excited Samoyeds. You can be sure coming away from the show you will be covered in fur and kisses. I'll never forget my first sight of a breed show when I saw no less than 50 Samoyeds in the space of 3 minutes! A feast for the eyes.
I am very happy to say Misha did very well today; she came away with two Firsts; one in Junior and one in Graduate.
She showed like an angel, perfect conformation, her movement was spot on. No pacing, which has tended to be a bit of a problem, just good ground eating drive.
She was well behaved in the ring, no excessive barking, and stacked well.
We were disappointed that in the unbeaten bitch lineup she wasn't awarded a Best Bitch or Reserve Best Bitch. However as we were walking out to our cars, with the winner of Best Bitch, who also won the Best in Show as well, the judge singled me out.
She told me she very much admired our Misha, and she lost out because of immaturity. She said a few more months (Misha is 15 months old) will make a difference. It's not that Misha played up, it's she looks young and hasn't muscled up enough yet. The judge said that Misha will mature nicely and will certainly take the high honours. She said we should be proud of her. As I said, we couldn't be any more than we are.
Misha has started her second season. It's a relief that she finally has come in. We were having nightmares that she would be in full blown season during Crufts. We shall be out of this in three weeks, so all clear and ready to go to Crufts. :)
Now it's to find places to walk her where she won't be bothered by dogs. This is one little gal who will be very upset at not being let off the lead for three weeks!
So this was a typical show SUN. Up early, gone all day, and come home absolutely beat! No stitching tonight!
Saturday, 20 January 2007
One worry gone!
This week saw the end of an era so to speak. My DH closed on the sale of his flat. He bought it 19 years ago, and it served him well. It was conveniently located for him when he was working the odd hours in London on the trading desk. He was able to get transportation back home easily.
I asked how he felt about selling it, if he was sad to see it go. His answer warmed my heart. He said that it doesn't suit us, we aren't for the flat. We are to have a house with a nice garden for Misha and any other Samoyed we will get soon. He told me he was looking forward to the new chapter.
I'm very glad he didn't rush to sell the place when we came back from Holland and we trying to decide what to do with it. By waiting he got a much better price.
So, a little breathing room, wait to see what the housing market is doing with prices, and then searching for our new home!
Started the show season yesterday. Up early, long drive there, even longer one coming home. Why do we do this? Show as well tomorrow. Thankfully this one is closer and doesn't have as early of an ETD.
Well, at least Misha has qualified for Crufts 2008. :)
I've not done a lot of stitching this week. Seems there was more taking out then putting in. I hit a snag and just could not find the error. It seems the pattern is off by one silly little square. I may go back and pull the whole area.
I'm so impatient to get my silks. I will start something else when they come to take the edge off of the project I am working on.
I just need a fast finish so I can get back to stitching on the huge sampler for my nephew and his wife. I really, really do not want to do that one. And I don't know why. It's just hanging over my head and making me feel guilty. Oh well, soonest done, soonest finished!
This week I promise myself I will stitch more! Really, I will. Okay, stop laughing...I mean it. :)
I asked how he felt about selling it, if he was sad to see it go. His answer warmed my heart. He said that it doesn't suit us, we aren't for the flat. We are to have a house with a nice garden for Misha and any other Samoyed we will get soon. He told me he was looking forward to the new chapter.
I'm very glad he didn't rush to sell the place when we came back from Holland and we trying to decide what to do with it. By waiting he got a much better price.
So, a little breathing room, wait to see what the housing market is doing with prices, and then searching for our new home!
Started the show season yesterday. Up early, long drive there, even longer one coming home. Why do we do this? Show as well tomorrow. Thankfully this one is closer and doesn't have as early of an ETD.
Well, at least Misha has qualified for Crufts 2008. :)
I've not done a lot of stitching this week. Seems there was more taking out then putting in. I hit a snag and just could not find the error. It seems the pattern is off by one silly little square. I may go back and pull the whole area.
I'm so impatient to get my silks. I will start something else when they come to take the edge off of the project I am working on.
I just need a fast finish so I can get back to stitching on the huge sampler for my nephew and his wife. I really, really do not want to do that one. And I don't know why. It's just hanging over my head and making me feel guilty. Oh well, soonest done, soonest finished!
This week I promise myself I will stitch more! Really, I will. Okay, stop laughing...I mean it. :)
Sunday, 14 January 2007
In Memory and Honour Of
I ended my last blog saying I was going to add another piece to my Challenge.
It's going to be Museum Celle 1826 by Permin of Copenhagen. This piece fascinated me from the first time I saw it, however I was put off it by the fact it only came in an expensive kit, and it was done on linen. At the time I wasn't working on linen or evenweave.
I 'grew up' and discovered I liked linens, but still choked at the $100 some price tag.
One of the boards I go to has a weekly 'Wish List' where people post what they are looking for in the hopes others can assist.
I posted one week asking for a used chart for this design from a kit.
Several weeks later I received the chart in the mail from one of the kindest women I've ever known, Michelle Gualeni. I had met Michelle on the board a few years before. She was one of the first people to befriend me, and adopt me as it were.
Michelle had a absolute heart of gold. She was constantly doing wonderful, kind, thoughtful things for people. Her list of people she sent to must have been endless.
When I received the chart I was stunned as I had no idea how she knew. But then figured out it was from the list, she saw my wish, found a chart and sent it to me.
I back burnered the chart as I had other things on the go and happening in my life at the time.
A few months after receiving the chart Michelle suddenly died. I still to this day can not believe she is no longer with us in body. This July it will be 3 years since she has passed. Michelle is missed by so many, and will never be forgotten.
Now is the time to start work on this chart. I feel a need to stitch this in honour and memory of Michelle. Some where on the chart I will find room to stitch her initials. It will be stitched with love, smiles, memories, and no doubt tears as I remember that she is physically no longer with us.
However, I will never forget her kindness, her thoughtfulness, and cheeriness.
Mich my dearest friend, thank you. I miss you.
It's going to be Museum Celle 1826 by Permin of Copenhagen. This piece fascinated me from the first time I saw it, however I was put off it by the fact it only came in an expensive kit, and it was done on linen. At the time I wasn't working on linen or evenweave.
I 'grew up' and discovered I liked linens, but still choked at the $100 some price tag.
One of the boards I go to has a weekly 'Wish List' where people post what they are looking for in the hopes others can assist.
I posted one week asking for a used chart for this design from a kit.
Several weeks later I received the chart in the mail from one of the kindest women I've ever known, Michelle Gualeni. I had met Michelle on the board a few years before. She was one of the first people to befriend me, and adopt me as it were.
Michelle had a absolute heart of gold. She was constantly doing wonderful, kind, thoughtful things for people. Her list of people she sent to must have been endless.
When I received the chart I was stunned as I had no idea how she knew. But then figured out it was from the list, she saw my wish, found a chart and sent it to me.
I back burnered the chart as I had other things on the go and happening in my life at the time.
A few months after receiving the chart Michelle suddenly died. I still to this day can not believe she is no longer with us in body. This July it will be 3 years since she has passed. Michelle is missed by so many, and will never be forgotten.
Now is the time to start work on this chart. I feel a need to stitch this in honour and memory of Michelle. Some where on the chart I will find room to stitch her initials. It will be stitched with love, smiles, memories, and no doubt tears as I remember that she is physically no longer with us.
However, I will never forget her kindness, her thoughtfulness, and cheeriness.
Mich my dearest friend, thank you. I miss you.
Sunday Again?
I can't believe an entire week has passed.
In this week my DH has had contracts exchanged on the sale of his flat - finally. It's only taken over 5 months to get to this point. The flat was put under contract in less than 12 days, but it's taken this long to agree to terms. I have to admit the stumbling block was the solicitors handling the sale on his end. Inept does not begin to cover their description. In fact they are so bad they were struck off the list of firms that the estate agent use. It was a recommendation by the estate agent that had DH agree to go with them.
Anyway, the sale should be completed on WED the 17JAN. Hooray!
Also this week has seen me take a little field trip to a crafting show. It's the semi annual show held at Sandown Race Course in Surrey.
Primarily it was a cross stitch and knitting show, but other crafts have been making inroads there. There's card making, quilting, ribbon crafts, beading, and some sewing to name a few.
This is a small show compared to the ones held at Olympia Earls Court, or at Alexandra Palace. But for the people who can't or won't travel to London, it serves very nicely.
There was a marked decline in the cross stitch offerings. I have to admit I felt very sad to see every one pawing over the kits trying to decide if they should buy it at this stand, or the one on the other side.
Such a shame that the majority of them do not know about the variety of charts, fabrics, fibers, embellishments, to name but a few things, that can be found on the Internet.
To be limited to buying a kit and having to use what comes in it. If they change out the fabric it's a major undertaking.
My stitching world has been enriched by finding designs by Papillon , Long Dog Samplers, any of the lovely Quaker reproduction samplers, etc.
Colour has been added by all the different varieties of fiber, variegated, silks, and so on.
Although I tend to use a lot of Antique White evenweaves or linen, there are so many wonderful reproduction type fabrics and hand dyes out there.
I truly feel sorry for people who have not been introduced to any of this and just plod along with the charts.
And lastly this week - while at my in-laws last Sunday I took a long hard look at my WIP, the Rose Garden. I discovered I was really out on some of it. Because it's mirror imaged...four times...I would have had to frog more than half of it. No way!
I just scrapped it and cut a new piece. I started from scratch. It's coming along well, and I'm enjoying it far more than I would have if I had frogged it all.
I've decided to add a new piece. But more of that latter.
In this week my DH has had contracts exchanged on the sale of his flat - finally. It's only taken over 5 months to get to this point. The flat was put under contract in less than 12 days, but it's taken this long to agree to terms. I have to admit the stumbling block was the solicitors handling the sale on his end. Inept does not begin to cover their description. In fact they are so bad they were struck off the list of firms that the estate agent use. It was a recommendation by the estate agent that had DH agree to go with them.
Anyway, the sale should be completed on WED the 17JAN. Hooray!
Also this week has seen me take a little field trip to a crafting show. It's the semi annual show held at Sandown Race Course in Surrey.
Primarily it was a cross stitch and knitting show, but other crafts have been making inroads there. There's card making, quilting, ribbon crafts, beading, and some sewing to name a few.
This is a small show compared to the ones held at Olympia Earls Court, or at Alexandra Palace. But for the people who can't or won't travel to London, it serves very nicely.
There was a marked decline in the cross stitch offerings. I have to admit I felt very sad to see every one pawing over the kits trying to decide if they should buy it at this stand, or the one on the other side.
Such a shame that the majority of them do not know about the variety of charts, fabrics, fibers, embellishments, to name but a few things, that can be found on the Internet.
To be limited to buying a kit and having to use what comes in it. If they change out the fabric it's a major undertaking.
My stitching world has been enriched by finding designs by Papillon , Long Dog Samplers, any of the lovely Quaker reproduction samplers, etc.
Colour has been added by all the different varieties of fiber, variegated, silks, and so on.
Although I tend to use a lot of Antique White evenweaves or linen, there are so many wonderful reproduction type fabrics and hand dyes out there.
I truly feel sorry for people who have not been introduced to any of this and just plod along with the charts.
And lastly this week - while at my in-laws last Sunday I took a long hard look at my WIP, the Rose Garden. I discovered I was really out on some of it. Because it's mirror imaged...four times...I would have had to frog more than half of it. No way!
I just scrapped it and cut a new piece. I started from scratch. It's coming along well, and I'm enjoying it far more than I would have if I had frogged it all.
I've decided to add a new piece. But more of that latter.
Sunday, 7 January 2007
Simple Sunday
I love Sundays when they are spent relaxing and just taking things slowly.
We've not many more of them left this month since we start the dog show scene again on the 19JAN.
Those Sundays are up at 5a (or earlier), into the shower, get DH up, make sure Misha does what's needed to be comfortable. Harass DH that time is marching on and he needs to get ready. Then it's make the sandwiches, pack the cooler, get the thermoses readied. Need to make sure all the show paraphernalia is packed, the cameras are at the door. Go harass DH some more that we are already 15 minutes late from the ETD. Pack the car, lay my show clothes on top of everything, and then deal with a hyper Misha because she knows that it's a show day.
Get dog and DH in car, and collapse in a heap in the passenger's seat! Then I can rest until we get to the venue.
And so it goes on.
It is fun really. Misha enjoys showing and she loves to see the other dogs and people. One of her favourite spots is on the top of the crate watching everything.
I like seeing the other competitors, comparing Samoyed notes, and especially seeing all the beautiful Sams.
But it is hectic, and I do love when we have Sundays off!
I've been stitching; not a lot, but I've done some.
My WIP is Rose Garden by Holbein Embroideries. Yesterday I unpicked two tiny areas no less than 3 times! Talk about aggravation! Then after finally getting the motifs placed correctly I found I was out by one thread in another area I thought was finished. Me being me, I will have to go back and frog that area and restitch it correctly.
I've decided to make some changes to the original design. I like it, but feel it's too crowded with little things. I'm leaving out a lot of what seems to be surplus fill in motifs. It will make it a bit more airy. My MIL and I were discussing the overall look on Christmas Day and she does agree.
I had ordered some silks from Hand Dyed Fibers for some of my projects on my Challenge list.
I received my set of tags and spent FRI doing an inventory of them and figuring out the new ones I need to order.
The tags are great. I had joined the Fiber of the Month Club and got all the colours Vikki had up to last FEB. I was planning on using them as a huge colour card. But, it wasn't very practical, so I decided to order the tags and am so glad I did.
Now I can free up all those lovely skeins of silk to use in other projects!
Some fabric is making its way here.. I know I said wasn't going to get stash...but the fabric is needed for the projects on the Challenge. After going through what I have, there were not enough suitable. Also, technically, the silks were ordered last year! ;)
I'm off now - we are going to the PsIL house today for lunch. It's always lovely to see them and I'm looking forward to it. :)
We've not many more of them left this month since we start the dog show scene again on the 19JAN.
Those Sundays are up at 5a (or earlier), into the shower, get DH up, make sure Misha does what's needed to be comfortable. Harass DH that time is marching on and he needs to get ready. Then it's make the sandwiches, pack the cooler, get the thermoses readied. Need to make sure all the show paraphernalia is packed, the cameras are at the door. Go harass DH some more that we are already 15 minutes late from the ETD. Pack the car, lay my show clothes on top of everything, and then deal with a hyper Misha because she knows that it's a show day.
Get dog and DH in car, and collapse in a heap in the passenger's seat! Then I can rest until we get to the venue.
And so it goes on.
It is fun really. Misha enjoys showing and she loves to see the other dogs and people. One of her favourite spots is on the top of the crate watching everything.
I like seeing the other competitors, comparing Samoyed notes, and especially seeing all the beautiful Sams.
But it is hectic, and I do love when we have Sundays off!
I've been stitching; not a lot, but I've done some.
My WIP is Rose Garden by Holbein Embroideries. Yesterday I unpicked two tiny areas no less than 3 times! Talk about aggravation! Then after finally getting the motifs placed correctly I found I was out by one thread in another area I thought was finished. Me being me, I will have to go back and frog that area and restitch it correctly.
I've decided to make some changes to the original design. I like it, but feel it's too crowded with little things. I'm leaving out a lot of what seems to be surplus fill in motifs. It will make it a bit more airy. My MIL and I were discussing the overall look on Christmas Day and she does agree.
I had ordered some silks from Hand Dyed Fibers for some of my projects on my Challenge list.
I received my set of tags and spent FRI doing an inventory of them and figuring out the new ones I need to order.
The tags are great. I had joined the Fiber of the Month Club and got all the colours Vikki had up to last FEB. I was planning on using them as a huge colour card. But, it wasn't very practical, so I decided to order the tags and am so glad I did.
Now I can free up all those lovely skeins of silk to use in other projects!
Some fabric is making its way here.. I know I said wasn't going to get stash...but the fabric is needed for the projects on the Challenge. After going through what I have, there were not enough suitable. Also, technically, the silks were ordered last year! ;)
I'm off now - we are going to the PsIL house today for lunch. It's always lovely to see them and I'm looking forward to it. :)
Monday, 1 January 2007
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