January 2014 IHSW

This weekend I took part in my very first IHSW. While I did not get to hermit and stitch as much as I wished I did get some time to myself on Sunday and managed to get quite a few hours stitching on Maggie the Mess Maker, my WIP for the week.

This is what it looked like before I rotated back onto this project on the 6th January.

And this is what it looks like as of the 20th. 

While never needing a reason to do nothing but sitting and stitching and watching the odd DVD or 3,  it certainly doesn't hurt to have an excuse like taking part in the IHSW. I'm  certainly looking  forward to next months!

Happy Stitching everyone

Deb

Diet Kitty 2 - WIP

Way back in 2006 I picked up a couple of small kits which I called Diet Kitties. I stitched up kit 1 that year switching out the fabric from Aida to 28 ct Miracle Mint Lugana for both kits.

Diet Kitty 1

So before switching back to Maggie the Mess Maker I decided to quickly start the second diet kitty. I spent Sunday afternoon stitching away on what I hope will be a very quick project picked up on random days. 

 I don't cross-stitch at work as the lighting in my area is not great and these days I need lots of light and I only get a 30 minute break so it is not worth it. 

Diet Kitty 2 WIP Started 5th January

The start of something beautiful - Taj Mahal Garden Mandala WIP

Last week I finished page 1 of my Taj Mahal Garden Mandala WIP. All I can say is I am in love! This is my first ever Chatelaine mandala and even after just 1 page it is breathtakingly pretty and I can see why they are so popular.

I love stitching with the silks, again a new experience for me. So smooth, they glide so effortlessly through the fabric. I am most certainly enjoying the thrill of seeing this piece take shape.

I reluctantly put Taj Mahal Garden aside to pay some more attention to Maggie the Mess Maker as I would like to see a finish this year after none last year. At the moment I am working on a 2 week rotating roster for the two projects.

A new year and a new challenge

Seeing as it is a new year I decided to offer up a new challenge to myself, (like I  need anymore!) and see if I can create and stick to updating a blog on a regular basis.
Blogs have always intrigued me, I was not sure if I wanted to do one, or even needed one, but now the new year as rocked around I figure why not!

So as I sit here on the morning of January 3rd 2014, in what is going to be a very hot day in Brisbane Australia - currently it is 29oC (84oF) and it is only 8:41 am, I find myself taking up the challenge. 

My current WIP is Chatelaine Designs Taj Mahal Garden Mandala. It is a fairly new start I treated myself to on my Birthday last month. I'm stitching it on 28ct. I hope to have page 1 finished in the next day or so. 

All my current finishes and WIP photos can be viewed in my Ipernity Albums for those wishing to take a peek.