Summer Stitching Project

At our guild meeting last Wednesday, we were given the information about a free stitchalong that Mary Corbet is running -  a Cornflower Scissor Envelope.

A kit can be purchased separately - but with shipping and currency exchange it worked out to almost $100 CAD. Most experienced stitchers can source the DMC threads and a high count fabric they might have on hand.

I hauled out some 46ct oat Bristol linen fabric and had most of the threads in my stash except for DMC 24 which I got at Kim's on Friday. I also found my square-ish Nurge hoop which is making it easy to stitch so close to the edge.

I started tracing the pattern on the fabric according to Mary's instructions and was horrified that the Micron pen bled through to the back! Granted, I used black instead of grey but still... I remembered I still had some Sticky Fabri-Solvy so printed the design onto it then peeled the paper off the adhesive and glued it to the fabric. To keep everything square I pinned the corners into my felt pressing mat. 

Once I attached the hoop, I started stitching the stems as per Mary's instructions. First I used the chain stitch with 2 plies of thread then went back and wrapped each stitch with one strand. In fairly short order I got all the stems done with her recommended colour choices. Stitching through the water soluble stabilizer, the needle can get a bit gummy from the adhesive. It's easy to wipe off and carry on. 

I still need to do the satin stitches with the various colours on the diamond parts at the end of each stem. Then fishbone stitch on the leaves. This will take a while I suspect. But there is at least a week between releases of the next steps. I am really looking forward to stitching the cornflower petals themselves.

To attach the lining and finish the piece, my preference will be to backstitch all the way around then whip stitch through the back stitches. We shall see what Mary suggests.

My brain isn't functioning completely well yet. I have made so many mistakes crossstitching the simple pin cushion 'mattress'. The surface embroidery went a lot better.

Jeanette was going to have us over for stitching tomorrow but had to cancel so I offered my place. We have lots to talk about - upcoming projects, events, excursions, etc.

Speaking of excursions, I decided last week that I wanted to do the Hurtigruten Astronomy cruise with Jen1 and her husband. I booked it this morning and Poppy will be my roomie. This particular cruise out of Bergen, Norway has been on my 'bucket' 🪣list ever since Skip and I went on our Scandinavian tour in 2017 that ended in Bergen. Arne and Carlos voyages on this itinerary have come and gone. Next February they are having another knitting cruise but I really wanted to go later in the year when there would be more daylight. The Hurtigruten cruise departs shortly after the equinox so there will be a bit more daylight than night. Included with the cruise will be lectures and an excursion to the planetarium in Tromso.

Then I booked flights to and from Denver to visit my friend, Francey, for a week. She and her family who moved out there at least 15 years ago and I hadn't made it out there yet. 

My calendar is filling up. This is going to be my year of 'yes' - mostly.

Tough Times

I haven't had a lot of crafty mojo these past few weeks.

Skip died here at home at the end of May after a long, and difficult battle with cancer which we had been dealing with since October of 2022. The past couple of months in particular, he needed a lot more care so I really didn't do much knitting, sewing or stitching. I just didn't have the 'bandwidth' for that.

We were together 29 years this spring and would have been married 26 years on June 29. The visitation on June 7 was at the funeral home - no formal service or speeches and lots of fun chatter. Things have been moving in somewhat slow motion ever since.

These are the photos that were in the card that was provided to visitors at the funeral home.

This is my favourite photo of Skip. We were all dressed up to attend my Aunt Margaret's funeral in May of 2015.

This was the original shot. A friend said Skip reminded him of John Slattery from 'Mad Men', the same actor who played the character, Bill Kelley, in an episode of 'Sex and the City'. LOL.

Skip modeling the Icelandic Riddari sweater I knit him.

One of our winter holidays on South Padre Island TX.

Skip and Scooter at a downtown (Toronto) restaurant.

I posted this one on Facebook. It was taken on our epic, back-to-back, 4-part trip in 2012 which included a 6-day Caribbean cruise, a 6-day transAtlantic cruise, and 6-day Mediterranean cruise all on the MSC Poesia, and ending with a 4-day Italian tour from Genoa to Rome. We travelled with our dear friends Susan (RIP) and David.

Our friends have be so attentive and kind. 

I tested positive for COVID early last week which forced me to stop everything and take care of myself. I only had allergy/cold-like symptoms plus massive fatigue so a couple of days of total sloth took care of most of that. Yesterday's rapid test only had a faint line.

and no line at all this morning.

Yay! I am free to leave the house and resume normal activities.

I have been knitting a Musselburgh hat for a friend using some lovely Malabrigo sock yarn in the Abril colourway.

I knit a little bit on it every night when I'm sitting watching TV.

This morning I was able to get some business done for Skip's estate via telephone calls and email. Other than having to speak to someone at the bank, I am in no hurry.

I am making my way through my grief. The grieving actually started back when we first got Skip's terminal cancer diagnosis, but nothing prepares one for the shock when the death occurs. Waves of grief are triggered by such mundane things; I just roll with them and when appropriate, don't try to suppress them. The catharsis is good, I believe. In time it will hurt a little less.

I have had a lot of time to get used to having to do everything around the house, keep track of doctor appointments and schedules, administer Skip's medications, get him to the hospital for appointments and treatments, etc. etc.   As challenging as all that was, I was so happy to do it and anything that would make his existence more comfortable.

I now have all that time freed up to resume 'normal' activities. It will take some time to get new routines established. In particular, I need to undertake more physical activity. I'm also able to plan excursions and trips, too.

One positive in all of this is that I've lost enough weight to fit into summer clothes I haven't been able to fit into for several years. 'There's got to be a pony in here somewhere' ~ Homer Simpson.

I sure hope I get my crafty mojo back. I have SO MANY projects underway and new ones I'd like to start.