Lots of rain earlier, with some heat and sun recently, equals:
and:
And since I posted last, I also have a finish, FINALLY! Winter Woods is now done, and I have to say, of all the Mill Hill kits I’ve done, it’s the one I am the least impressed with, unfortunately. I just wish the beads were a little more showy – if it weren’t for the cardinal button, it’s just 17 shades of ecru. But, it’s done, and it’ll still be nice when it gets a frame and comes out for Christmas & winter.
Last time, I had pulled Growth Rings from the Randomizer. I got a pretty good bit of progress on the left side, though there were a few nights I was too tired to do much. Still, any progress is good. This is where I left it:
The next draw from the Project Randomizer was:
And despite my efforts, I STILL did not get the wings completely done, though I am very close – and I got miles of the backstitch in, on the wings and elsewhere, so that’s good. The top half is almost completely done (aside from beads):
And since I finished Winter Woods, my travel project became, just for something a bit easier and NOT ecru, From Nancy’s Needle Field of Sunflowers, which has seen a few nights at IHOP and the April PINS:
And that’s the progress for the last few weeks. This week, I am working on a secret project for my fall exchange, so no pictures of that until after. I will also pick the next rotation project when I stop on this project (I may have it done in a week, or not). And in other news, my Sailor is home on leave this week and part of next – we have a full weekend planned, with Saturday at the Renaissance Faire, and Sunday at DH’s next BMX race – assuming, of course, the weather holds (it’s looking good so far – but since it’s run by computers now, it could change drastically between now & then). He’s been out in San Diego for the last few weeks, waiting for his second school to start. I am hoping the corporate mothership will afford me a plane ticket to come out for a few days this summer “for work”, so I can check out the left coast with the Sailor for a couple of days 🙂 The Other Sailor leaves for boot camp in just a little over 4 weeks. IF his brother doesn’t tell him all the horror stories in the next 9 days, I think he’s ready. Well, having been there myself, you can’t actually be “ready”, but you can be prepared, I guess. And then it’ll just be me, DH, and the Zoo. Wow, that went fast….
Until next time, Happy Stitching!
Wow! Your orchids are incredible! Winter Woods looks lovely and cool in the heat and I am sure you will like it better when it’s finished and displayed at Christmas. Growth rings looks just STUNNING and I can’t imagine how heavy the finished piece will be. Autumn Fairy and Sunflowers could be from the same palette and both are stunning. I really don’t know how you hold down a full time job and still manage to stitch so much. Well done! And have fun with your Sailors 🙂
Thanks 🙂 Actually, I don’t think Growth Rings will be that heavy when it’s done, despite the beads. But I will definitely be curious to see, and will note what it does weigh when done 🙂
I am in love with your Iris’s so beautiful.
The Mill Hill is one of my favorite pieces, that little red cardinal makes the picture pop.
The color choices for Ink Circles is amazing so vintage looking.
Autumn Fairy is beautiful, I am not a fan of back stitching but have to do it sometimes.
Field of Sunflowers is amazing, love the stitches you are using, I have never done anything like this maybe I should look in my old magazines to see what trouble I can get into.
Thank-you for sharing with us.
Blessings
Catherine
Counted canvas is a nice change from cross stitch – for the most part, it’s nothing but satin stitching, and pretty mindless, really. It goes really quickly!
Your stitching is beautiful and I really LOVE the Ink Circles piece. You’re doing it all in beads??!? I’d love to see a closer picture of it. I love working with beads!
Good luck to your sailors!
Thanks, Terri! You can see other pictures of the beads in this album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rifestitch/albums/72157642843596615
oh my, so much going on!! I’m glad you have some time to spend with the boys, and perhaps to see the west coast in the summer – lots of planning and things to look forward to!
sorry to hear about the MH not being as eye-catching as these things usually are, though I’m sure it will look great among other pieces on the wall next Christmas.
really good progress on everything else, I love the colours for the counted canvas work!
your garden looks way better than mine: the Firmament has been attacked by the same fungi that killed all my Calendula last summer and I cannot do anything about it or I’d harm Pablita the tortoise (zoo beats flowers 9-0), on the other hand the catnip is doing amazingly and guess who is head over paws about it?
Hi Karen!!! 😀 Love those close up shots on your flowers. I’m so intrigue by Winter Woods. Loving the colors. <3
I love your irises! Just looking at the Mill Hill piece makes me glad for you that it’s finished. They usually do look much more impressive we they’re done. all of your other pieces look good as well.
Enjoy your time with the Sailor!