Sunday, March 5, 2023

Delphian Cornflower Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hi everyone! This is the odd case where it feels like I can't believe it has ONLY been three weeks since our last check-in. In the interim I started a new job that -- even though it makes my brain tired every night because I'm learning so many new things -- I really like. It's my first time starting a new gig fully remote so I'm trying to spend extra time with my new teammates; in my first week I had 11 hours of 1:1 meetings, plus a couple of group meetings. For an introvert like me, that has also been exhausting, but I know that relationships matter, possibly more so in a remote working environment! 

Last time I had chosen my next project: a traditional cross stitch pattern in a gorgeous kit from Avlea Folk Embroidery


As I said then, the materials are a joy to stitch. I have struggled with evenweave in the past, but this is an absolute dream. 

I thought with the new job I would have less time to stitch, but I forgot that I was taking three days off in my second week (!!!) on a quiet getaway with my husband for his birthday. We spent three nights in a deluxe cabin at Cama Beach Resort on beautiful Saratoga Passage in Puget Sound. "Deluxe" means "you get your own bathroom and shower", but the little cabins are pretty rustic, if very cozy. In the summer they are booked months in advance, but mid-week in the late winter, it's super quiet. Apart from the windstorm, of course. 


It was so cold that we spent most of the time with the heater turned up high, watching the shore and listening to audiobooks while I stitched. As such, well, I got quite a bit done: 


There's more red and coral highlights in the blue flowers, plus gold and light green accents on the greenery left to stitch. It's such a delight to get into a rhythm with the repeating patterns -- you know, like when you are knitting or crocheting and you "get" the pattern and don't need to follow along so closely? 

I already want to make something else of hers, though I don't know what. And, of course, I'm trying not to acquire MORE things to stitch... But perhaps I'll reward myself with another one of her kits (or a pattern and some ground cloth) if I keep moving forward on all the other projects I want to complete this year!

And speaking of all the other projects, don't forget to check out the amazing projects my fellow stitchers are working on -- I love seeing what they're working on! Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, KathyMargaret, Heidi, JackieMegan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJCathie, LindaHelenConnieCindy, and Mary Margaret.

8 comments:

  1. Your little trip sounds like a wonderful, relaxing three days. You have made wonderful progress on the pretty piece. I have her site bookmarked since your first post on this piece. Enjoy your stitching!

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    1. Thanks Cathie! I love the water -- swimming and kayaking in the summer, just watching it in the winter. This little winter break was perfect for staying cozy and stitching!

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  2. Wow you made a lot of great progress. That trip sounds so soothing, the scene looks amazing! Congrats on the new job :D

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    1. Thanks Christina! It's such a nice break from a full-coverage piece, and the repeating patterns help me get into a groove.

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  3. I could sit and cross stitch and watch the water lapping all day :-) You've made amazing progress on this beautiful project.

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    1. Thanks Avis! It was a perfect trip. I would have also enjoyed warmer weather and time in or on the water, but with the cold outside was happy to have such an enjoyable project to work on!

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  4. wow, you got a huge amount done!

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    1. This repeating pattern is so meditative, and it's by far the nicest fabric I have ever stitched on. So it's a pleasure! (Not that other stitching isn't pleasurable, but this is REALLY great!)

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