I don't usually post on Saturdays, but since I'm winding down my break and updated my needlework blog (which tends to get neglected most of the time), I thought I'd share my recent needlework progress here as well. I'm moving right along on my "February" sampler. Just a few more words and I'll be ready to work on the motifs, which are always more fun to stitch. I'm glad I started it last fall as now I have a good start on it and may indeed finish it by my birthday next month.
I've not made much progress on my "Mystery Sampler" however. I've loved working on the previous two sections, but this has felt like a bit of a slog, so I don't reach for it as often as I should. I think once the house is mostly stitched I'll feel like I'm getting somewhere and will want to work on it more. The actual house is stitched in a color called 'roasted marshmallow' which is off white and I'm not really a fan of white floss, and that's also part of my problem. You can really see what the stitches look like in white floss, so if you've gotten sloppy it is very evident, so I always work white stitches more slowly and carefully. Progress is then slow and it gets a bit boring.
Although the samplers I'm working on aren't especially large, they aren't small either. There's something really nice about working on something small, and finishing quickly. It's a matter of instant gratification that I like. So I decided to pull out this little design called "Rain, Rain" and see if I can finally finish it. I'm almost done, but once again it is the light colored floss section--the clouds at the top--that are slowing me down. I've had no reason to complain thus far this winter. Other than generally cold weather and a tiny bit of snow, it's been fairly mild here. Still, that doesn't stop me thinking about spring. Winter's just barely started and I'm already thinking about Easter--warmish rainy days and tulips!
But since Easter really is still far away, I'm thinking something sunny and green might be nice. I like lighthouses and boats (and thinking of the seaside), so I was thinking the little design top right might be just the ticket.
It's probably bad of me, but the moment Christmas is over I am all ready to think ahead to warmer, sunnier days. I was taking some of my holiday decorations down and it made me feel particularly happy to clear off surfaces and tend to my poor plants that have been shifted about. It feels good to have open spaces again and get rid of clutter. Even though January weather tends to be pretty dismal, there's something refreshing about starting a new year. It's like a chance to start all over again, which feels really good right now. Even most of my books on my night table are fresh, new books that I'll be starting in earnest in the coming days. And I think I need to start a nice, new needlework project for the new year as well!