Like many of you bloggy girls, I start projects and then set them down in favor of working on (usually starting) something else. I've never been very disciplined in my stitching endeavors, maybe because life requires us to be disciplined in other ways, and I need stitching to be fun. Whatever the reasons, here are some of the projects I've put aside to make room for new projects. First up is my Shepherd's Bush Neck Roll Pillow. No, the lace isn't sewn on yet, and this is where I left it last spring ...
... when I picked up the Yellow House Sampler again. It's an old Sheepish Designs piece from long, long ago. Isn't it pretty? I was feeling so great about my progress during the summer ...
... when this came along. I just couldn't resist starting (and foolishly thinking I'd finish) the Ann Wheatley 1829 Sampler, Attic Needlework's summer SAL led by Margaret. It's a NeedleWorkPress beauty stitched on the recommended 40-count Vintage Pearled Barley with Belle Soie silks. She's been a dream to stitch, and stitching with Belle Soie for the first time has made this project truly wonderful. I'm looking at this picture, and I could've sworn that I was farther along. No surprise there, huh?
Sadly, I set her down (sniff) when I figured out that I had not one, but two Shepherd's Bush stockings to stitch for some favorite menfolk this year. I'll show them to you next time. I know, don't any of you hold your breath!
One of the many chores that have kept me busy over the last few months is pictured below. Last summer, I had more wood flooring put into my little townhouse, and then painted the upstairs hallway and stairwell. The latest (and last until next summer) painting project was to update my two-story living room during the week I had off at Thanksgiving. In order to accomplish such a lofty (literally!) goal, it was necessary to rent scaffolding and put it together. Putting it together, with the help of my swain (the man in my life - thanks, Anna, for the suggestions to rename him), was a two-hour Laurel and Hardy film. Luckily, all we have are a few stills. The picture below shows the new color, a brownish taupe against the whitish ceiling and the top of the 12-foot scaffolding.
The most unexpected aspect of the scaffolding was the constant sway, which made me seasick on the first day. The height wasn't difficult to get used to, and we were able to do a great job, if I do say so myself. And my swain? He worked above and beyond the call! What a wonderful man! Not a cross word was exchanged during the exhausting two-day process, but there were many laughs. As we were taking apart the scaffolding (think of very heavy, six-foot, metal pieces), we forgot to hold onto the end pieces. To our horror, they fell away from us, making a perfectly circular hole in one freshly-painted wall, and taking out a chunk of newly-painted mantel. Oh, the naughty, naughty words that were shouted! But then we had to laugh at our own stupidity and get out the spackling. It could've been, should've been, so much worse!
I'm leaving you with my favorite picture of the season. Yep, it's 20-month-old Keagan and three-month-old Blake, Santa's helpers. The only safe way Nikki can get a picture of them side-by-side is to have them lie on the floor. It works pretty well, doesn't it? Although Nikki's are simple pictures, her method reminds me of that woman who puts her baby on the floor and creates incredible scenes around her while she sleeps. Check out her blog.
That's Keagan's smile-for-the-camera face. What a little ham we've created! He loves his little brother, constantly offering hugs and kisses. The most wonderful part of my week is walking into their house. Keagan yells HI, runs to me, waits while I set down whatever I'm carrying and take off my coat, then holds up his arms for hugs. Together we find Blake and give him some kisses. Is there a better reward? No way!
I'll be back as soon as I can drag myself back down here to the computer (brrrr, the basement is cold) with pictures of stockings and my plans for WIPocalypse. I know, I just had to sign up for it. Doris, the undisciplined, attempts to pare the project pile. We'll see what shenanigans follow a stitchy commitment. 'Til later, make some big fun.
8 comments:
Yikes - that scaffolding story is scary! Glad no people were damaged. And hooray for your swain - anyone that you can work together with on these kinds of tasks and have fun with is certainly a keeper! Lovely stitching, too, of course. :)
Oh my gosh--seeing that scaffolding made me want to grab onto the wall and hold onto dear life--because, you know, holding onto the wall helps in these sorts of situations. I could NEVER do that sort of thing--but YGG on getting the painting done! Thanks for distracting me from the omg-I-am-scared-of-heights photo by sharing a pic of your cutie patooties. They are adorable!!
Your stitching looks great! I'm of the belief that if you own the stuff already, why not stitch on it? If I have to go out and buy the stuff new, then I do try to make sure I'll at least start it. I joined the WIPocalypse too, but with the caveat (for myself) that anything new can go onto that list, too. I am decidedly teenagerish when it comes to my stitching. I'm going to do what I want to do when I want to do it, and nobody--even myself--is going to put limitations on it. I'm trying to trick myself into finishing some of my WIPs.
All I can say is you and your guy are very brave to have done that whole scaffolding thing! I would have just hired someone to paint for me. lol! Wow! Glad the accident was no worse than it was! And ugh on the seasickness. I wouldn't have gotten up there -- I'm afraid of heights. lol!
Love all your WIPs! They're all so pretty! And the little ones are sooooo cute! Very clever to take the pics lying down like that.
Welcome back to your blog, Doris. Your grandchildren are just adorable! You are one brave lady to get up on that scaffolding. I'm not sure it's something that I could do. It's great that you got it done, though.
Those babies are sooo adorable! Your samplers are stunning as always!!!
The story about the scaffolding is hilarious. We would so do that! Keagan's smile is what we call a "cheesy grin." My nieces had that for about ten years, unfortunately. They're starting to smile more naturally these days, fortunately
Well done on the painting, and of course on the stitching: wonderful WIPs!
Wow, glad that scaffolding accident was nothing more than a few repairs!!!!
Your grandsons are so sweet and I am glad you are enjoying them so much :-).
Gorgeous projects, can't wait to see your list and the stockings!!! And very nice to see you posting too.
Post a Comment