awayuq

miscellaneous in progress

As usual I have several things on needles right now. This is the Oregon Shawl, done in fine wool that I dyed last spring break. I have finished the center and am a little ways into the border, which is quite deep. I lived in Oregon for a while and while I wouldn't have chosen to knit this shawl if I didn't like the design anyway, it does encourage me to think about rocky coasts and deep forests.

Another thing I started in the autumn and have been working on slowly and steadily is a piece of needlepoint.

I can't imagine what came over me. Needlepoint? An anomaly. Oh well, there it is. I find it quite relaxing to do in the evenings, because I don't have to think about anything; the design is already painted on the canvas, and the most taxing calculations I have to make involve deciding on the direction of stitching that will make the most efficient use of thread. I must have picked it because it matches my walls. It is very soothing not to think once in a while.

oh, and...

thank you to everybody who inquired, and my gratitude pours out to the universe, because

I did find the thimble.

phew.

I'm sorry I'm sorry!

Thanks to everybody who has written over the past several months. I apologize for disappearing and the long silence. Just so you know, I haven't really been writing to anyone, even my Mom (wouldn't you say, Mom?). So if you didn't get a response from me, you are in very good company and again, I apologize. The good news is, I've passed qualifying exams in my program so I am now officially... officially... well, I passed. It's a hurdle which is now behind me. But enough of that, I know the most urgent thing on your collective minds is: The Apron!

It is a pattern from the Paisley Pincushion and is called "Scalloped Apron". There is no number listed on my envelope. I got mine from Newark Dressmaker Supply. You can also get it online at Keepsake Quilting. No doubt it is available in other places but those are the two I know off the top of my head. So go to it, have fun with aprons!

I have not been entirely unproductive, though the last few months have been a struggle in many ways. Some things I've been working on:

hand-embroidered small clothes


the white sweater--finally finished!

with a decorative side seam

some embroidery completed a looooong time ago...september maybe? (Kit by Kristin Nicholas--I highly recommend!)

And more recently, a tatted edging

which up close looks like this

There's more--lots of swatches, a green shawl, various stuffed things... Looking back on it I guess I haven't let the creative side of my life stop completely, for which I am very grateful. I will be back...