Now that's more like it

I finished my second attempt at the experimental needle weaving and this one is much better ... and it was quicker.  Some times things just come together.  I find the more I think of a design, the harder it is to make it work, but the ones that just pop into my head when I'm least expecting it always seem to work out better. 

When you know it just isn't working

I've been plugging away at this experimental needleweaving for a couple of months now, continuously adding things to it and hoping it will morph into something appealing and attractive, until two days ago when I finally accepted that it just wasn't working.

It looks like I've plonked lots of different techniques on there, which in fact, I have, and no matter  how hard I hope it will look arty and nice, it just won't!!  I usually hate giving up on something, but this time I know I'm beaten, so last night I doodled a design and have started something else.

The new design will be quite basic, which is usually the best way, and in a simple colour scheme.  Its growing quickly too, so I'm hoping I might be able to finish it in a week, and make up a bit of lost time.  There are times when you try and design something, knowing all along that you're not in the right frame of mind, and it comes back to bite you later, so I've come to realise its better to just wait until the inspiration and ideas are flowing and not force a design that will never be anything other than an ugly duckling.

Drawn, pulled and woven thread work

I thought I was making good progress lately - all I seem to do is sit and stitch at the moment, but I found out yesterday that the cut off date for this year is first week of May.  I have to finish Module 11 and complete all of 12 by then ... somehow I don't think I stand a chance of finishing this year.

I've finished the traditional pulled thread sample, drawn thread sample (above) and needleweaving sample (below) and I'm half way through the cutwork sample.  Then have the experimental samples and my set of accessories to do.  There just isn't enough hours in a day at the moment!!!!!

I went to the city last week to find a special birthday present for hubby and decided to pop into a technical book store (as you do) found Janet Edmond's book "From Print to Stitch" and Cas Holmes's "The Found Object" and JUST HAD TO HAVE THEM .....

 then a few days later happened upon a secondhand bookstore (honestly, it was by chance!!) and what did I find in there .... Gold!!! Yes, another Jan Messant book.  They are SO hard to find ... this one was in perfect condition, so I put it under my arm, then found "Inspired to Stitch" and put that under my arm ...

and then another find .... "Needlemade Laces".  By this stage I had to get to the cash counter before my hubby dragged me out of the shop.

Now I just need the time to sit and read them.  I have the new glasses ... just need the spare time. 

I found the hand sewing quite a strain on my eyes, after not doing fine work for a long time, so went to the optician for a checkup.  Two new pairs of glasses later ... I now have 5 pairs of glasses.  One for long distance, one for the computer, one pair of bifocals, one pair for sewing, and a pair of multifocals which my 2 year old grandson mangled and can only be worn if I develop a head like an alien.

I'm hoping out of all these pairs of specs I should be able to finish my needlework and be able to read my new books without getting mega headaches and boz-eyes ... just got to find where I put the damn things now.