In need of some instant needlework gratification, I decided to pull out of my stash a small, quick design that could be finished in a weekend. So I've started stitching a design by Indigo Rose called "Rose of Hope". This is part of a series of designs (I've stitched several of them and will have to share them sometime--maybe when I finish this one) that were offered by various needlework designers for free to one of my favorite needlework shops who then kitted them up and sold them with the proceeds going to breast cancer research. So they each are worked up on pink fabric. I have a number of those kits still in my stash waiting to be stitched. This time around it will be completed as a scissor sheath. Those are french scissor by the way. I love needlework scissors and have a very small collection of them, but as they can be expensive I've not bought any for some time. I'm hoping to have this finished by the end of next weekend. Isn't it pretty? A needleworker can never have enough accessories like these.
Case in point. Here we have a few more new charts to stitch yet more accessories. I have a confession to make--After going several years without buying any new needlework stash, I caved in and took advantage of a Super Bowl sale at another favorite needlework shop and ordered a few items. How can I pass up a discount. If I'm going to buy stash I might as well buy it discounted right? And just like authors need to make a living so do needlework designers. I'll stop rationalizing now. Drawn Thread is a favorite designer of mine. She makes the most elegant samplers and accessories to stitch. The two charts on the left, "Peace" and "Love" are both fobs that attach to your scissors. And "February" is another monthly chart that is to be finished as a pocket calendar, but I plan on either framing it or finishing it as a mattress pincushion. Monthly charts seem to be very popular with designers these days, and since February is my birth month I might as well have my own little collection.
More February designs. I don't generally go for mushy sorts of charts, but when you're born in the month with Valentine's Day it's hard to get around all the hearts and gushy stuff. "A Little Love" by Lizzie Kate is another instant gratification project. It's small and I think it will be another pincushion. "February Wordplay" by Brenda Gervais will be another to add to my collection and another pincushion I think (I have a thing for pincushions as you may note).
And last pair. I am working on projects by both these designers at the moment. Blackbird Designs (my "Mystery Sampler") puts out a series of charts that are always so tempting, but I rarely give in since I am such a slow stitcher. I have wanted "Pink Hill Manor" for ages, though. I love designs with houses on them. And I am a pushover for just about anything Prairie Schooler comes up with and "A Farmer's Almanac" was no different. I am nearly finished with my "February Sampler" by the way. And I promise...the next needlework post I share will be about something I have finished. I seem to be in the middle of a lot of things these days but never complete any of them.
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A few bookish notes now. I received the next postal book in the mail. It's a little different than the books I've gotten so far, but it looks interesting. I don't think I would have come across this one had it not been selected for the reading group. You can see what I'll be reading later this month here. Each person in the group chooses a book for everyone else to read and then sends along a blank notebook for comments by the readers. I browsed the comments so far and they've all been favorable. It's good to read outside your comfort zone and I think this one might just fit the bill for me.
Simon at Stuck in a Book is organizing a Muriel Spark reading week in late April or May and I think this is one I will have to join. I have read several of Spark's books and enjoyed her writing immensely. Last year I was looking for a particular book by her that I knew I owned but for the life of me could not find. over the holiday break I was organizing my books and found her in a place I hadn't thought to look (that's always how it goes) so now I know exactly where her books reside on my shelves. He'll be posting more details soon.
Litlove has kindly made up a list of books to vote on for the next Slaves of Golconda read. My reading was taking me elsewhere last time around, so I didn't get a chance to read the book, but I am planning on being a better Slave next time around.
I love reading crime and mystery novels but this year I've been having a 'meh' sort of year so far in my choices. Mysteries tend to be my comfort reads, but I can't seem to get very excited about the books I've been choosing lately. Maybe it's time for me to pick up some cozy mysteries. One author who I've enjoyed, Kerry Greenwood, has a series of books featuring Phryne Fisher. The books are set in 1920s Melbourne. Phryne is a character you either love or hate as she is something of a vamp, but a nice, smart one who shows a lot of moxie. Not too long ago I discovered from Marge at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader, that the books are being filmed for TV in Australia. I don't know what the chances are that I will ever get to see them here in the US, but it reminds me how much I have enjoyed the books and maybe I need to pick up one of her books!
Isn't she fun?