For those who get this by email, the feedburner service is not posting on time and not being serviced. It posted 14 hours late last week. I'm posting this a bit early in the hope of compensating. I'll wait for 16 hours this time before sending out manually so you don't get 2 posts.
Wednesday was the last meeting of the WES Group for 2021 and in lieu of a party we had coffee during and after our meeting with a small paper bag of biscuits for each attendee. We got our 2022 program sorted and then a bit of a show and tell. This proved very interesting. Janet, our weaver, brought along her trial pieces - all scarves.
They were extraordinarily varied and interesting.
Junette had some hand-dyed fabric from Rarotonga, and Lori her counted sampler of trees inspired by a range of mostly literary sources.
We had a lovely time catching up. Our next year program includes. Or Nue, Pockets, Tablet Weaving, Smocks, Rarotonga Embroidery, Sequins, Lagartera, Anglo-Saxon and Celtic Embroidery and The Goddess in Embroidery.
On Thursday my missing parcel turned up, packed in a box twice its size and weighing next to nothing. It's the cane stand in the lower right corner - yes, identical to the other one I already had. It now holds the splendid snake plant I bought at the Guild Christmas Market, and it's companion pot (which doesn't fit in the stand!) holds the other succulent from the Market.
I spent much of the first half of the week finishing the Maria Rita Faleri Catherine de Medici design I picked up again last week. The hem was easy but I hesitated over making the knotted tassels.
In the end I just went for it. 240 knots in each tassel, but they are not hard to do and don't demand too much concentration. Relaxing really. At the moment he finished piece is draped over a cushion. While these can be used as food covers, that requires regular washing which isn't a good idea.
I dropped some pieces into the Guild for the Certificate Course Display which goes up this week and stays up throughout January. The promo sheets for each of this year's workshops are posted around the display board along with the tutor and student samples. Students add their pieces I needed to dig out my samples for the Icelandic workshop and then a couple of others I had attended. Barbara also wanted my Design Online Coat. I find it hard to remember what I did!
It was a very pleasant, quiet evening at Katherine's on Saturday. Her front garden is looking fabulous, repaying all their hard work. I was home and about to go to bed when I got a message to say the Federal Government has approved booster jabs at 5 rather than 6 months. I immediately searched and managed to make a booking for Tuesday at my local pharmacy. On Sunday afternoon I called in to the pharmacy to check that they had approval for the 5 month change. The pharmacist had spent the day checking and said yes, I can have it. This solves my timing problem in January.
I'm still in the mode of finishing off smaller projects rather than moving on to the Aesop Frame which will occupy my time for several weeks. I'm now tackling the Fallahi tasselled, beaded pincushion from Inspirations 72, which I bought as a kit at the time and began. I should have checked before continuing with it. I had worked five petals, all of which I have had to undo, because the count was wrong. I no longer choose to work with 36 count linen, but I will finish this one. I really love the look of it.
On Sunday I caught up with my friend Lorraine. We haven't met for many months. She has had significant blood pressure problem, ending up in hospital twice in the last 2 months. She has lost weight but remains engaged, positive and active in her health management. She is making adjustments to her diet and seeking as much information and help as possible. It was so good to spend time with her.
We exchanged gifts. Hers was some neck cream (she has a knack of picking key needs - I had just noticed that my weight loss is showing in my neck!) and a lovely potpourri sachet which I've hung with my woollen coat).
This week there has been a third dove competing for the seed. The first couple of days there were attempts to drive one away but by Sunday there seemed to be acceptance. I'm unsure whether two of them are young birds, or just one. The one at the back is definitely young. The one in the front is also small, but not quite as small. It is most likely the mother, but possibly a sibling. They are nervous of any movement from me.
This is now the third generation of birds that I've been documenting. Not bad for what was intended to be a three week blog!
I've made progress on Fallahi. Both sides are now embroidered. I gridded up the second side, counting over four, under four. It made me realise how much I've learned in the ten years since I purchased and began this kit. I had marked the centre lines without thought to stitch length, not realising how important it is to have guide lines with threads marked accurately.
I do love this design, especially the fit of colour and shape.
On the way I snapped a couple more jacarandas.
My eye is recovering from its Meibomian Gland Disorder. I'm still keeping up the treatments 8 times a day as instructed by my optometrist and my weight loss is 17kg as of this morning. My vaccination arm is a bit sore and I have a headache hovering. I suspect I'm going to have aches and pains for a day or two, but I'm not complaining. I may need to cancel a commitment tomorrow, but that's a call for the morning. Deo Gratias.
