Wow, where did the time fly? It certainly wasn’t spent doing cross stitching, I know that much!! Not much stitching to share for the last three months I’ve been AWOL, at least for my WIPs anyway. The only WIP updates I have are to the following, and even the progress here is pretty minimal.
First up there was Roswood Manor’s ‘Quaker Diamonds’ in early September – before and after:
Then there was Mirabilia’s ‘Red’ (in blue) later in September – before and after:
And lucky last I managed a few hours on Mill Hill’s ‘Starfish’ kit a week or two ago:
The rest of the time has been spent unexpectedly moving apartments as the owner of the apartment I’d been living in for almost 11 years decided to sell. In the middle of moving I also had a stitching retreat to attend, so I decided to still go to one day of the weekend retreat anyway – partly because I’d paid for some kits and and prepaid all the costs and accommodation … but partly because I thought I deserved the break. My mum flew over to help me pack/move, but sadly her early signs of dementia made that add a bit more stress to the proceedings and actually slowed things down – it was fantastic having her company, though, in saying that. Anyway, I’m all moved in now, and only about 20 boxes left yet to unpack (!). Most of the stitching stash has been unpacked now, so at least I’m free to go back to picking up the odd WIP or two when I feel like it.
After moving I couldn’t find my XS stash for ages, but the good thing is that I had the retreat projects handy and ready to go. As soon as I’d returned home from taking Mum back to NZ, I gave myself a week off from unpacking and had a week full of doing some wonderful ‘new-to-me’ crafts. It was really awesome, and just what the doctor ordered. There was so much to post about, I’ll make a separate post for these projects – mind you, they’ve now become WIPs, so a couple of them may reappear again in the future as non-XS WIPs for WIPocalypse …
Anyhoo, to finish off the post, here are the outstanding questions:
September 24 – Which floss (or color of floss) do you absolutely adore and want to stash constantly?
I adore Gloriana silks, and about six months ago signed up with a floss stash program where I’m sent four skeins every month with no postage costs. If I could choose them all to be BLUE skeins I’d be in seventh heaven, but having an envelope each month with luscious-feeling silks in any colour has been heavenly in itself. Obviously anything blue is something I’m always wanting … and every time I go to find a blue silk or floss I still never have just the ‘right’ shade to use …October 29 – How did you begin stitching?
I used to try different crafts out all the time when I was in my ‘teens. At some point I decided to try cross stitch, and bought a small kit on aida to make for our office receptionist’s retirement gift. It’s the only craft I’ve continued to do year after year, while all the other crafts have fallen by the wayside over the years.November 26 – What finishing style have you never tried but would love to do?
I have so many ‘smalls’ that I’d like to try finishing the list would be endless … I can’t truthfully think of just one that stands out above all others, though.
Feather Stitching 
Your projects are lovely. Moving is a chore and sorry to hear about your mom’s dementia. My dad has it too. He keeps everyone laughing with his off the wall comments. Laughing is better than crying.
Blue is looking gorgeous. I have the chart but have not started it because I cannot decide whether to stitch Red or colour convert, they all look so good!
Sorry to hear about the enforced move, I never want to move again! Not with all my stash (stitching and books combined)
I love your Blue conversion and your Rosewood Manor piece is gorgeous! Sorry to hear that you had to move… but how wonderful you still managed to get the retreat :o)
I’m sorry to hear about your unexpected move, but I’m glad that you’re starting to settle in. Excellent progress on your wips. I love your color conversion for “Blue”. She is gorgeous!