Post 312. They are coming - and Lady Anne is blocking!

 

It's 9.30 pm as I begin this post and I have just blocked Lady Anne's Flowers. Progress photos follow below, but I thought the blocked finish deserved to lead the post. 

Most of the day was spent working on this piece. I had to move the hoop again before I finished the hillocks. (I can see from the photo that the blending in the high hillock needs adjusting!)

I used a smaller hoop to finish the last section. I didn't photograph the raggy-looking piece when I took it out of the hoop. I couldn't wait to block it!

Today's good news is that Alison and Karl have booked to come to Adelaide for a weekend later this month. I knew they were hoping to come, but had not allowed myself to believe it would happen in the current lockdowns. The surprise sent me look at the Barbara Hanrahan linocut print hanging in my hall. She made it in 1975 to celebrate the return of her partner, Jo Steele, after a long absence. I've always liked the fine detail of it - the repeated depictions of joy and celebration.              .

It shows numerous faces with emissions from their mouths and eyes - sight and speech. but in a Covid context, looking like a social distancing warning.      This is very much a Barbara Hanrahan work. It does not transfer, but it captures her excitement and joy in a specific circumstance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I feel I should make a banner saying 
"They are coming" and hang it from my balcony.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Instead, I paid my tax bill for 2019-20. It's not due for another month, but I want a clean slate. I checked and double checked the reference number before hitting the button. Ridiculous I know. It feels very good to have it out of the way. 

I have the Phoenix and Tree linen to set up as my next Crewel project tomorrow. I think I'm a bit short on light green and brown Appleton's wools for this project so I might need a trip to The Bobbin Tree this Thursday to ensure I have enough to take to Normanville on Friday. Tonight I'm relaxing with another crochet square.

Post 298 Aesop arrived!

Last Friday I had notification that DHL had my Aesop Frame Kit and the estimated delivery date was 30 December.      No worries.

This morning I had a message to say it was to be delivered today! Fortunately, I had nothing I absolutely had go out for today, so could make sure I was here to receive it. There is nowhere to leave a parcel outside the apartments so it is a great nuisance to miss a delivery.

It arrived about midday. A substantial box, which, when opened, contained another box, wrapped in deep blue tissue and packed around with paper and tissue. Inside that was a beautifully packed set of boxes, a book and a roll - along with a wonderfully clear list of contents of each package.

I unpacked ever thing except the linens. Inside the blue tissue they are rolled in acid-free tissue. I'm not ready to start this yet, so they are better left like this. Underneath are the colour diagrams - printed on large sheets, so easy to read. On the right is the full kit. 

So beautifully prepared and explained. 

Phillipa, you've outdone yourself!

Such a fabulous thing to arrive before Christmas.

The midday arrival meant I could go to Unley Village to get some eye wash and supplies for the long weekend and then to Barrow and Bench to find a replacement for the sunflower on my balcony which has been looking on its last legs. There was not a great deal to choose from a few days before Christmas. 

I did find some purple petunias and a very attractive Mandevilla that looked as if it might work on my balcony.

I bought a pot to stand it in. I was worried it would blow over without a heavier pot to anchor it. I think wind is what I will need to watch with this rather attractive plant.The petunias work really well.

I do hope the doves approve!

I worked another two blanket squares this afternoon. Katherine came here after work for Secret Christmas Business. We had a good, productive couple of hours.

I also had a message from the bead shop to say my necklace is fixed! I wasn't expecting that for a couple of weeks.

I managed to do a bit more on the crewel flower tonight. It's not huge progress but every bit helps. Tomorrow I'm taking my granddaughters out to lunch and a bit of an excursion. I should get plenty of time to work on Lady Anne's Flowers over the Christmas weekend.

Lots of good things to do.

Post 264 Lockdown

Before the bombshell of a 6 day lock-down  within 12 hours hit around lunchtime, I was relaxed and thinking about desk covers, the first thing those of us who were in primary school in NSW in the 1950s made in our sewing classes. They were rectangles of headcloth, with embroidered hems and embroidered motifs. No one I know of ever covered a desk with one. 

Recently I have thought about those desk-covers each time I've been at the Guild in a class or session that includes lunch. With the kitchen closed under our Covid Safe Plan, we eat at our work stations, moving our embroidery away. Each time I wish I had that desk cover to spread out before opening my lunch box.

Today I dug out a pair of Japanese Sashiko napkins I embroidered a couple of years ago when friends bought them back from Japan for me.  I reckon they fit the bill, so I'll be making them part of my Guild kit.

I was watching a crane loading timber beams from a crane on the building site next door, when I decided I'd better check in on the midday news bulletin. I tuned in just as Professor Nicola Spurrier, our Chief Health Officer, was explaining the 6 day lockdown announced by the SA Government from midnight tonight. All schools,  universities, eateries (including take-away), hotels, gyms, pools closed. One person from each household can leave once a day for essential food  or pharmacy shopping. No exercise outside the home. Masks to be warn outside the home. 

My first thought was that I did not have enough tomatoes for my lunches for six days. I had made a shopping list this morning, which included ingredients for next Monday's family dinner. I figured I should go to my favourite tomato shop straight away, before the rush started, and then call at the butcher. 

It appears everyone in Adelaide had a similar thought.

On the way to the car I realised there would be no Monday family dinner!

At the North Adelaide Village, a shopping complex where I have never seen more than 50 people, the queue to get into the supermarket snaked around the atrium. I estimated about 40 people in the queue, waiting for others to come out of the supermarket so they could get in. 

 Around the corner, in the greengrocer, there were two queues, one to get into the shop and one to pay. The line around the back wall is the paying queue. It went around two walls and out into the atrium - again, up to 40 people while I was in it. The shop has 4 checkouts, each with a packer as well as a cashier. The wait wasn't too bad. It was, however, astounding to see. Adelaide doesn't have queues. Four shop assistants were working constantly to replenish the stock.                                                  People were focused, but cheerful. There was a lot of smiling and sympathy for the young woman who started work there today in her first job. A day she won't forget.

I had thought I might buy a couple of crumbed French cutlets from the butcher but although, when I had paid at the greengrocer,  the queue did not extend outside the butcher's shop door, the meat display was severely depleted and I didn't bother. These food shops are essential services under the lockdown and will be open throughout the six days. I can, if necessary, exercise my once a day food excursion option if desperate. 

By contrast to the shopping centre, the streets were relatively deserted on the way home.  The photo on the left is Frome Rd near Brougham Place and Lefevre Terrace at North Adelaide on the right, both usually much busier.

Since arriving home I've had a few calls and messages checking I'm OK, which I certainly am. These are the toughest restrictions so far in the country. It seems contact tracing data indicates this particular strain of the virus is replicating itself every 3 days. Those contracting it are infectious within 24 hours. Contact tracers are now tracing the 5th generation from the initial infection (which arrived in Adelaide from the UK). The speed of transmission without symptoms is what has epidemiologists worried.  As Nicola Spurrier has said, this is our one chance of a relatively normal Christmas. So hard and early it is.

I posted another Baby Boomer Teacher Conversation today. I  also ordered two more printed linens from The Crewel Work Company after measuring the space left on my chair and calculating what I will need after I add the Aesop Frame.  I've also set up the small stag in a hoop to give me a break from hexies. This one is for the skirt at the front of the chair.

Jennifer has sent a photo of her finished Mr Twizzle, which is another part of a community fundraiser. She is so good at creating at these fabulous figures.

By 11pm I had found the wools I need for the stag and made a start. Plenty of time tomorrow - and more interesting than attaching the hexies to my quilt!

From Adelaide: Stay Safe!

Post 134 Images

I had my annual checkup with my dermatologist this morning. For her practice it is now pretty much business as usual - within a framework of patients being checked before attending for symptoms and contacts, hand sanitising on entry, distancing in waiting rooms, doctors wearing face masks and frequently washing hands and surfaces. She says it took them a couple of weeks to work out procedures and set up the practice but now it flows smoothly. My moles seem to be inactive. For what it's worth, her view is that we will not be able to travel overseas from Australia until there is a vaccine, but she's optimistic we may have that in the first half of next year.

From her practice I went to Frewville to get a few supplies. There were quite a few people around, but they largely keep their distance. I couldn't take photos without breaching privacy but this one is, I think, OK.

As I was driving out I noticed a flash of red amongst the green on their plant wall. I didn't get close enough to see what it is, but next time I'll check it out. It might work in mine.

Back at home I was fortunate enough to be looking out the bedroom window when the Noisy Myna landed on the rail of my balcony. I had the SLR handy and managed to get some good shots through the glass. He sat on the rail for a while, surveying the scene and keeping watch before heading to the nectar

2nd Noisy Myna

A second Myna appeared briefly, but didn't stay.




I took a lot more photos while I had the chance. These are the ones I really like.
















These are photos of the same bird taken less than a minute apart. It really interests me to see how birds change their shape by stretching or dropping their weight and puffing their feathers.

The doves didn't appear while I was looking today. Maybe it has become Myna territory while the plant is blooming.

I had a nice long phone call with a Guild friend. Their latest foster dog has just turned into their dog.



Sunsets are infinitely interesting. Tonights was a stripy one.












I took a photo of the view from inside - with the inside light on, and with it off. Either way, it is a very serene scene.
















My late afternoon/ evening time was spent on the Jacobean Sampler. I'm largely making up the colour scheme as I go. I'm not at all sure how it will turn out. I should probably do it with coloured pencils first. It's a lot of fun.


I received a checklist from the Guild today, outlining what Convenors need to adhere to if their group meets. I need now to work out what World Embroidery Study Group members want to do.

Tomorrow I shall ask them. 

Post 133 A Crewel Day

This morning, first up, I sent out my Wednesday World Embroidery Group email. It contained the presentation we'd have had face-to-face had we not been locked down. It was a broad look at Storytelling through embroidery, prepared with great care by a member of the group.



Once the email had gone I took the plunge and cut the blocked Muncaster Orange fabric to fit on my chair and pinned it on.

Then came the slightly tricky bit of taking the cover off the chair. Next I had to pin it on properly and stitch it.

As I was taking the cover off,  I realised that the there was space here for the Phillipa’s Redwork Rabbit, which I’ve had in kit form since March 2019. I got out the kit and tested the placement. Since it is an effort to get the cover on and off the chair, it seemed sensible to stitch it straight away and applique it on today before I put the chair back on.













It took me a couple of hours. I didn’t stitch the buttonhole outline as close as Phillipa’s.  I wanted to see the stitches rather than a more solid outline.






It was an easy matter to cut out the rabbit, pin and stitch it.





















Putting the cover back on is more tricky. It needs a bit of manipulating.  I'm glad I thought of the apple.

This is my current plan for the next stage. The purple blobs on the rim will be feathers from the Tumbling Feathers cushion. The red and purple squiggle on the cushion will be the  Jacobean Sampler that I am currently stitching. The red circle (well, oval then) is to be the Elizabethan Acorns. At the moment the yellow on the skirt is planned to be, from left, Rabbits, Rabbits at Dawn and Oak Apple Tree

I'm now highly motivated to get on with it. So there was no knitting tonight, while I progressed the Jacobean sampler. It's very pleasant to be pursuing my own thing with this.  Fortunately, Crewel is very forgiving so I can afford to play and experiment a little.

The sunset created clouds that fuel imagination. Perhaps there's scope for embroidery of stories in the clouds!


No sign of Myrtle and Turtle today. I did see the Noisy Myna on the trees behind my apartment and plenty of birds wheeling in the sky. I think the doves are preoccupied.

Post 69: chair and songbird

The Mellerstain firescreen was quite dry this morning so first job was to unpin it from the block and try it on my chair. I then had breakfast and set about stitching it on to the chair cover.















I'm getting better at taking the cover off the chair (and, fortunately, better too, at putting it back on!).

I then needed to pin it on, without wrinkles and stitch it down.

So here it is in situ.




For anyone who has not seen the chair before, here is the front, back and other side.





The plan is to put the Aesop frame on the back. I've also decided that I need to work a mirror image of the Muncaster Oranges to put on the other side of centre inside back.

I also need to work some leaves and vines on the seat cushion. It will look good when finished and its a lot of fun.














My friend Robin in Katoomba tells me that the plant I photographed yesterday is a lachenalia, originally from South Africa. I checked it out, and it certainly seems to be part of this family. I wasn't able to find a photo of one so tall and vine-like, but it certainly looks like part of that family.

I worked for the remainder of the day on the song bird. I enjoyed working the tail feathers in the linen thread.


Another message today was from a friend who is also a Midsomer Murders fan. She sent me this photo from her last trip to England. Now how come I didn't think of making this visit?











I managed stop stitching to catch the sunset.

Jennifer has had a 12 hour period withouttusing the ventilator, and tonight will begin a 24 hour trial without it. If that is successful, doctors will check that her vocal chords are not unduly swollen.  If they are satisfied they will remove the ventilator and also the equipment from the tracheotomy. This means no vocaliser being inserted and the expectation that she will be able to speak for herself. If it goes to plan, and the Covid tests she has had are negative, she will be out of ICU in 4-5 days.

This is good news. The caution is that she is likely to spend at least another 42 days in hospital, either in a respiratory ward with a physio, or in a rehab hospital, taking small steps to full recovery. Jennifer is, fortunately, a trouper.

I'm continuing to stitch the song bird. I have a medical appointment tomorrow, but I now have only the long thin tail feathers and the legs and feet to go. I think I should finish the embroidery  tomorrow and can look at construction of the bag on Thursday.


I'm not convinced I have the colours right on the tail feathers so far. A variegated thread might have been better on those dark feathers.


It will look better or worse in the morning!