Post 385 World Embroidery, Madagascan Moth and back in lockdown.

 A lot of water has passed under the bridge since last week's post - literally, in that we have had quite a bit of rain in Adelaide, and figuratively, as we are now in lockdown for a week after a cluster of 5 cases of the Covid Delta variant has been identified here.  The Guild has of yesterday, closed, so I have been fortunate to spend 2 days there in the past week. Next Saturday's Certificate Course and next Monday's Basics2Beyond will be cancelled.

The World Embroidery group met last Wednesday. As I pulled in and parked I noticed the amazing flower appearing on the succulent. I was early enough to go and have a good look at it. 

It was a wonderful world of elegant flowers and insects.

It took us a while to get organised for the meeting which was a presentation on Marghab embroidery by Phyllis. Marghab is a form of Madeira Embroidery introduced and promoted by the Marghab Linen company as a way of providing employment for women after WWI.The Guild's Museum has a collection, some of it seen here.

Pat also has a collection (tree and boat on the far right) and Maureen brought along a beautiful Madeira  supper cloth (left). There were 11 members at the meeting and lots of discussion and sharing. It's a great group, and I'm so glad we got this meeting in before restrictions came back.  

I wore the wool felt coat I made a couple of years ago with a Zenbroidery mandala I had worked and appliqued to one pocket. I take it for granted, but several members were interested and Junette took this photo (thanks Junette). It got me thinking. I've worked all the Zenbroidery I have, so - yes, you guessed it - I ordered another one to work for the other pocket.  Tree of Life this time.

On Thursday I picked up a new top fromTS before going to Pilates.  Martine is adapting my program to help with weight loss - the vibration machine is challenging, but I'm getting to like it.

On Friday morning I helped a friend make a video for a 25 year celebration of a school at which she was principal. It was a challenge and a lot of fun.

In the afternoon, at Sit'nStitch, we admired Susan's completed blanket. The brilliant colour changes were not obvious until it is spread on a bed. It's magnificent. Jennifer has about 5 rows to go on Sophie's Universe.      

Somewhere last week I read a suggestion that stitchers should keep a list of their unfinished projects. I had never thought of that, but realised it would be a good idea. Instead of a list I decided to photograph, not just projects I am still working on, but kits I haven't started, or projects for which I have gathered the materials, but not started. The result, executed over Friday and Saturday is a bit daunting. I've attached the photographs of most of them at the end of this blog. If I put them in here, readers will never reach the end!  I'm pleased I did it. There are a few things there I had forgotten about.  

Sunday was the first day of a two day Guild workshop with Melissa Walker on her Madagascan Moon Moth. It was a terrific day. We worked on one wing. The second, and final, day of the workshop is in a month's time. It's not obligatory, but clearly desirable, to finish the stitching in the month, so construction can  happen at the second day. 

I put in quite a bit of work at home after the class, and again on Monday night, to finish the first wing. I'm finding it quite addictive - and I don't want to add it to the photo catalogue of unfinished projects! 

I've now outlined all the pieces with wire and am in the process of buttonholing around them. Maybe this will be my main lockdown project.

We spent a bit of time discussing how to display. Veronica suggested a brooch, but it isn't strong enough. I have now ordered a box with a glass display lid. In for a penny....

Monday's sausage and vegetable bake dinner was pretty successful. I had two potatoes pieces and was a bit worried it would break my diet, but it doesn't seem to have done so. As of this morning I have lost 3.6 kilos in 23 days. It's been a bit slow this week - but heading in the right direction. I hope I can sustain it in lockdown.

Yesterday I visited my doctor to check that there was no health impediment to renewing my driver's licence which there isn't. It's a ten year renewal,  so I have to have a new photo taken. 

This morning I headed out to Mitcham Services SA with my form filled out. It was managed really well - socially distanced, all wearing face masks, in line with restrictions issued last night. I haven't seen the photo, but the attendant says she'd be happy if it were her photo.  I had intended to buy coffee beans on the way home, but didn't remember until half way home. Since my doctor also gave me a referral to have another fasting blood test, I figured I could do that tomorrow and get the coffee then. However, when I got home and checked my phone, I discovered we were going into full lockdown from 6pm tonight. Other people rush out and buy toilet paper. I can't face lockdown without coffee beans, so I headed out again to Frewville Foodland, where parking was at a premium, but the store wasn't too crowded. I have my coffee, a supply of vegetables, fruit, soup, meat and muesli. Ready for anything!

Back home again, I had a nice long chat to my friend Pat in Sydney who has pulled out a jumper she knitted some years ago, but couldn't figure how to assemble. She's now working it out. The other good news is that a friend who had a melanoma removed a few weeks ago has had further surgery and a negative result. 💪

Before I finish and attach the photographs of my unfinished projects and untouched kits, this is the new kit that arrived yesterday from Queensland. My argument is that I need this for my Anglo-Saxon Embroidery researches for WES.

The first two of the photos below is mostly of unfinished projects or ones for which I have an idea and have gathered the materials. The remaining four are largely untouched kits. Yes, I do realise, that in the course of a week I have added two projects not yet in the photo catalogue! I won't run out in lockdown.