Buterflies and Hope...

I am almost too embarrassed to show you this one - but not that too embarrassed that I won't... I found this stitchery while rummaging though my 'half finished' hoard as opposed to my 'half started' hoard... The first photo was taken on Friday Sept 30th 2005 - yes, you are reading that correctly - 2005... I was reminded of this stitchery last week when a visitor to 'beyond the blank page' googled it... It was something I started way back then - I had some vague idea of turning it into something - not sure what now that I think about it... I can remember that I felt disgruntled with it - the proportions of the butterfly, the stitching, the colours or something - I think the gate had been problematic too. Knowing me I probably just lost interest in it and cast it to one side as I am in the habit of doing... As I there looked at it I thought 'what if...' and since I thought that it had nothing to lose apart from it being flung back into the void of the half finished hoard I took a chance...

I must admit I spent a very enjoyable hour doing the 'painting' with my Derwent ink tense pencils - and learnt a little more about using them... Yes, there are a few areas that aren't great but on the whole I was pleased what I had achieved. My original idea was to back stitch the gate and add 'some sort of flowing thing'...


...as you can see from the first photo I have made some changes... I unpicked the stitching under the butterfly and also the gate which I then 'painted' and (started to...) embroider 'some sort of flowing thing'...

Another idea I had at the time was to have some a word diagonally under the butterfly in a cursive script - I am full of these bright ideas - but getting them down into the physical world out of their lofty origins is another thing... The trouble with me I tend to gain inspiration as I go along - even if it is four years between start and finish with a different outcome. I have found another heart shape - so there must have been two ideas on the boil at the same time...

I am not sure which version I like the best - the delicacy of the first photo or the vibrancy of the second. What will I do with this once (if ever) it is completed??? Who knows - perhaps tossed into the other box of 'finished to a point - destination unknown'...LOL - I might even offer it to a new home out there in blogger land...

At least I have 'hope' - finished at last - but I am way behind with 'peace' and we are only seven days away from block number six... I could say - 'Give peace a chance' - but I won't :-)...

Until next time - keep threading those needles....

Sharon xxx

Melbourne readers...

No more 'hope'... but a little news... Today I received this email from Morris & Sons

"Melbourne Store Opening. Well the wait is finally over and the hard work is done...the stunning new Morris and Sons Melbourne has opened its doors. We can't wait to show you the store and introduce you to our newest staff members. Located on Level 1, 234 Collins Street (above Dymocks) in the heart of the city. We are positive you will make Morris and Sons your favourite knitting and needlecraft in Melbourne once you have seen our glorious array of stock, met our fabulous staff and taken in the elegant surroundings. We look forward to seeing you soon"

Now how good is that a needlecraft store AND a bookshop within cooee of each other... Absolute Heaven!!!!

Until next week - take care and happy stitching :) :)

Sharon xxx

A few goodies...

.... and a little more hope...

I went on a stroll to Spotlight today and these goodies found their way into my arms... The wool is for another scarf for me - I had seen this a month or so back and had really liked it - so today I was doubly impressed to see that it was also cheaper - $7.99 a ball instead of $12.95. The Bronwyn Hayes Stitchery was also reduced in price by nearly $4.00 as were the two plain pieces of 25ct Lugana cloth - in fact they got cheaper at the register and the end price was $2.00 each - cheaper than the $5.00 price tag on one...

The only thing which was full price was the variegated embroidery thread and the knitting needles which were $4.00 respectively... I know G - here am I talking to you about selling my stash overflow and I have gone and bought more- but it felt so right at the time :-))...

Now here is my progress on 'Hope' - not too far I am afraid but I am hope to have it finished by the tend of the week so I can start on the 5th block which is 'Peace'...

Well, another week awaits - so until next time...

Sharon xxx

ps ooooppppsssss - I nearly forgot - finally paid off my layby on Friday so ,yes, I now have another book to add to my collection... The Fabric of Society* is definitely a keeper and while I have only given it a very quick look I can tell it will be the book I shall dip into time and time again - it was a little expensive - but in my opinion well worth the money... For those of you who are passionate about the history of Australian quilts or those of you who just like knowing the 'back story' of quilts this will be something that you will want to include in your library... I would go as far as saying that I would hold it up there with 'The Gentle Arts 200 Years of Australian Women's Domestic and Decorative Arts' by Jennifer Isaacs as a wealth of information about early Australian colonial history and the women who helped shape it..

*I am in no way connected to Annette Gero or her book - her site gave the best explanation to what the book is about...

an ending...

... and a little hope...

As you can see I have finished the redwork piece - it doesn't look too bad now that I have ironed it - so into my finished box it will go... I am not sure what it will end up as ...

The hope block I have just started in the last couple of days... I would like to think I have this one finished by the time block 5 is released - I have five days...

As some of you know I work in a mainstream bookshop and of course I have lots and lots of books to catch my eye... These four - the temptation was too great to resist...

The first two I originally borrowed from the local library and I thought that they were were worth adding to my collection - the next couple were really just sheer indulgence... In all honesty I will probably never do anything out of either but they are nice to curl up with and browse through...

Meet me at Mike's has sold well - while we don't order heaps - the original 8 sold quickly - and we have restocked... I think the photos get me in as much as the projects. The book itself is well designed - with a front pocket containing the pattern sheets and the book part has a spiral spine for easy page turning and allows the book to be laid out flat while in use... The blog - by the same name- is also worth a look.

I have another couple in my sights but I do have to pull back abit as I may be dropping back a day from work ... Perhaps then I might actually get time to do something - I can live in hope...

Until next time...

Sharon xxx

*all book photos have been 'borrowed' from the web