Monday 28 September 2009

Updates - Grand Marquoir & MTM

Both very beautiful and both wonderful to stitch!
My fave, though, is Vautier's beautiful Sampler done in DMC 839 & Kreinik Gold.


Isabelle Vautier's 'Grand Marquoir' Partie 2 is now finished except for an opening for a signature to be done later on), so this is a mini happy dance.


A week's worth of stitching on MTM.

I'm really missing The MOTH, who is away for work for the duration of the Spring break, but time alone at home gives me some worthwhile stitching time between walks in the park with Lucy & Harry and visits to the gym, both of which my hips need before the next round of family birthday dinners in October. The Cadet Princess (or is that La Princesse cadette?) turns 21 on the 19th, so the weekend before, she will be home from university in the north for a party with family and friends. The MOTH's benjamin son also has a birthday at the end of the month.

Sunday 27 September 2009

The Lost Symbol - review

I'm surprised that this book got published in its current form. If it was written by one of my students, I'd have called it a second draft not ready for submission. It goes to show that the publishing industry must be quietly desperate for a hit money spinner.

It's 'formula written' and then ends up with a sermon to end all sermons. I so wanted to give up five pages before the end, it was so bad.

Save your money!

Sunday 20 September 2009

New Beginnings - Medieval Town Mandala

Thank you one and all for all your lovely comments about my mermaid and my cats. They made my heart sing.

For those of you who asked, I have ordered the cat pattern for you, but as it has to come from afar, it may be a month before it drops into your letterbox. I'm not into a simple photocopy job because I sincerely think that Isabelle Vautier deserves her 2c worth for such brilliant designing.

It's now time to introduce my next project (not that I haven't already got enough going) - Medieval Town Mandala (aka MTM) designed by Martina Weber. You've all heard of a BAP - a Big Arsed Project, right? Well, this is a B$P - big dollar project. To kit up MTM from scratch here in Australia cost more than $300.00US. It's my 50th birthday gift to myself, I figure.

Here is the kit. I'm using Antique White Lugana 32 count and all the recommended silks. I've got to tell you that it is simply gorgeous just seeing it all together!



This photograph shows my first days of stitching. I've gridded the fabric, as I always do with my big projects and I started on the left upper-most corner. This is contrary to how the group stitched it because I bought the pattern AFTER it was published and I cannot find the centre on the jumbled pattern that Martina hands out after the group finishes. I'll get to it, I'm sure!

The best part of the project is that Spring break from The College of Nerds started on Friday, so I have two glorious weeks of stitching when I want to stitch while The MOTH is working out of town. Woo hoo!



Wish you were here to do a stitch-along-together on this one.

Happiness & laughter to one and all,

Felicity

21735

Saturday 12 September 2009

Framed!



Lettres à mon Chat
by Isabelle Vautier
Fabric: Antique White Lugana 28 count
Threads: Anchor 1036 & 1355



Queen of the Sea
By Joan Elliott