In stitches

I enjoyed making my new year's resolutions last year and am pleased that I kept them in mind for the whole year. I am particularly pleased i managed to go a whole year without buying a single item of clothing (just some tights) and also pleased that i managed a recycled project and a half and also a fairisle knit. The only challenge I didn't manage to complete (I know there were only four of them!) was progress with my cross stitch (the short story of this project can be found here). However, I am keen to make this a priority project this year, now that Rich and I have booked our WEDDING and 2013 will be our wedding year (!!!!), I think that this would be a lovely thing to complete in commemoration.

Here is a little update of my progress so far (2010 - present) The space in the middle is for some words, and there is also a place for my name and the date so there is lots of ways to make it a meaningful momento.

And it will be a good chance to develop my patience and commitment. Essential wife skills! 

Yours embroiderly,

Emilia. xxxxx

stag, bird and acorns

This week i have made very good progress with my sampler and have found it very pleasing to work this section. 

Yours,

Emily

Trees

Yesterday we went to the V&A and I was so inspired by the amazing embroideries in the India rooms. It was a new year's resolution to pick up my sampler again and today I have been busy with some cross stitch trees (i know it's not quite the same). you can see i had started them in my last update, and now they are complete:

This project will really be such a beauty when complete. I hope i can keep up with some stitching a little more now.

Also i will mention we saw the most amazing cape there too - spun from spider silk. it was like fabric gold. There are a few good exhibitions coming up there - I was especially excited to see there is one of Ballgowns starting in May. We saw the Cecil Beaton pictures of the queen, there were some real gems in there. 

I used the word 'there' a bit too many times there.

Yours up a tree, s.t.i.t.c.h.i.n.g

Emilia. xxx

Holiday, celebrate

Now i have arrived at the start of my easter holiday! this is good news for me. I am looking forward to a week of finishing my knitting (nearly there!); working on my dressmaking project; finally sewing together my quilt triangles; as well as some walks and some sleeping and eating some chocolate (soon).

Many reasons for joy!

I have been trying to catch up a little on my sampler recently, as it seems to have been cast aside for a while. Last week i started stitching some trees.

I am still hoping for christmas completion, although it is beginning to look a little unrealistic. Perhaps when I have some other projects out of the way. I think more focus is needed!

Yours free as a bird,

Emilia. xxx

cross stitch progress report - at 1 month

I have found some great delight in settling down to a bit of cross stitch this weekend after so much sewing of costumes (more on those soon - they are looking rather great) and so here is a little progress report on my sampler, 1 month in.

how the garden doth grow

It is pleasing to be adding new colours and when i get to move on to a new part of the design. I managed to do quite a bit whilst watching Inception last night, although meant that I didn't really keep up with the film all that well. Never mind. 

Yours criss cross

Emilia.x xxx x x

Saplings of new year stitchings

Now it is the new year, and my mind is on resolutions. I was inspired to read Debbie's resolutions as they are like challenges for the year ahead. I especially can relate to her resolution to knit a little less and read a little more. That is definitely one i am trying to do too.

One distration from my needles and wool is a cross stitch sampler kit that i got for christmas. I know that cross stitch is not all that hip (unlike knitting) but this one doesn't have a single forever friend in sight, and when it is complete, i think will be quite wonderful.

NOT LIKE THIS

I read in the book Mad Bad and Sad, that embroidery used to be bad news in days of old because it made women detached from their family and from society at large. There was one woman who was murdered by her daughter and they blamed it on the needle work. I only hope i can keep a handle on it. The little bit i have done i found very pleasing, but I am not sure it is quite as addictive as crochet (i have gone cold turkey on the crochet since the last time) and does take more concentration than knitting.

I won't ruin the surprise, but will update my progress to see how it grows. It will be a long term project, but my resolution is to finish within the year. it will be quite a triumph!

saplings of a mighty oak

 

Wishing you a happy new year,

Emilia. xxx