More Books and Background Stitching

Got another nice package from Amazon UK this morning.=) It was really hard to make myself finish what I was doing before I let myself have a good look through these, esp this one.->
Yes, we're going to Taiwan from 23 March to 14 April. I should still be able to post from there, (esp. some photos of Chinesey things etc!), but won't have as free access to a PC etc as I do at home, so if I can do one post per week, I'll be content with that. Looking forward to lots of good food, great shopping, seeing friends again after 10 years and lots of language practice as well! The only regret I have is that I can't take my viola!=( Might be able to hire one locally, or someone may have a violin I could use, so I'll put my shoulder rest etc in just in case. Speaking of 'case', we went to Matalan yesterday and bought 2 new suitcases and some clothes for the trip. I'll be at Primark tomorrow morning seeing what else I can grab and no doubt Clarks soon too to get some shoes that are fit to be seen, (a constant problem for me with my wide toes.....)

Also got <- this book, which is a fantastic combination of goldwork and stumpwork. Again, I've snapped a few of the projects (not all of them) so that anyone interested can get a look at more of what's inside than the cover gives away. Often those 'Search Inside!' features at Amazon aren't that much use either as it only shows the intro chapter and you rarely get to look at the projects!



What else have I been doing? Well, not as much stitching as I would have liked, but I have at least almost finished the half stitching for the bluetits background. I want to get this totally done before we fly off and take the goldfinches (which I intend to start on the main flight!!) with me. I also want to get that cushion finally sewn up and there are 3 more cards needed - 2 ribbon and 1 hardanger, so nothing too long-winded. I also want to get the whole flat (apartment, for those who don't speak British!!) thoroughly cleaned out and all my errands and mail caught up on, so lots to do over the next 12 days......


We went to a games etc party on Saturday evening, which was one of those 'bring a dish' arrangements (as they usually are with our bunch), and this was my contribution. I don't usually take photos of food, but I was so pleased with how this worked out, I couldn't resist!

Thanks for the nice comments on my failing to get through to the voting round in the Hobbycraft competition, BTW! I confess, I've almost forgotten all about it now!!! Maybe I'll do a spectacular bit of stumpwork or something for next year's comp!!!

Bah! What a let down!

Well, the in-house judges have chosen the 20 finalists in the Hobbycraft competition that I put 'Branches' in for, but I didn't make it. Pah! The first time I ever thought I might stand some sort of chance, and didn't even get short-listed! So, no need to watch for a link to the voting here, 'cos I needn't post one.=( To be honest, I would have struggled to find £125 or £250 worth of stuff to buy from them as the prize money was in their store's gift vouchers (I really have almost everything I want, except some special paper), but it would have been nice to try..... I couldn't describe myself as bitterly disappointed and, in a way it's a relief to not have the stress of getting the most public votes etc, but it would have been nice to win something. Sigh!

I tried cast-on stitch the other day and can't call that a rip-roaring success either! I'm glad I did it on a 'doodle pad' first and not straight on the project I was planning to use it on. I also made the mistake of doing it immediately after viola practice which meant that I was needing my left hand first finger to make contact with the sharp needle point when I'd just been putting it under pressure by it having to hold viola strings down - you can get quite sore when, like me, you don't practice enough!! So, not sure about that one for the time being. I wanted cast-on stitch roses for a silver wedding card, but I need to do more dummy runs and find some way of preserving my finger tip.... Any suggestions welcomed!