Wednesday, October 30, 2013

It's been a while!

I can't believe it's been six months since I last blogged.  I can't believe it's been six months since I really stitched anything!  I've been trying, really I have, but I just can't seem to put together more than a day or two at a time to stitch.  I know some of it is because on the project I wanted to work on the most, I'm at a point where I have nothing left but Queen Stitch and I HATE those so I've been putting off  working on it.  I started back on A Petit Sampling Etui several months ago and made great progress on the first panel of the box.  But now I'm at the point of nothing left but those damn Queen Stitches and a bunch of over one letters and I just haven't wanted to pick it up.  I was doing so good until that point!  Still having issues with staying awake on train and stitching at night.  And my new glasses didn't help as much as I was hoping they would.  But here it is in any case. 

I've also been trying to put some work into working on my Casket materials but can't seem to get anywhere with that also.  I started payments for my double casket early in the summer - $110 a month for 24 months and as soon as I can get the cash together I need to put the deposit down on the second class of the series (the first class is complete as of this month).  This one is all about stumpwork.  I've put so much money into this and I'm frozen.  Only one panel is designed and I haven't even started to try to learn the stitches I need to despite the several kits I have purchased.  It's driving me crazy.  Here is the start of the pin cushion.  It's tent stitch over waste canvas.  It looks pretty crappy now but it should look ok when the waste canvas is pulled off.  The stitches will look all puffy.  At least that is the plan anyway. 
 
Not much else going on - I did my usual it's summer I don't want to work on the house routine so nothing has happened there. 
 
But my biggest news is I'm going to Africa in two weeks to attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro!  How about that!  It's 19,430 feet to the summit.  It's a fund raiser we came up with to benefit an orphan school in Moshi Tanzania.  Before my brother-in-law passed away last year, he asked that we help out his favorite nurse with her mission work and one thing lead to another and well I'm climbing a mountain.  :-)  Pretty cool huh?  Lot's of photos will of course follow so wish me luck. 
 
Thanks for stopping by after all this time!


11 comments:

Giovanna said...

It's good to see you post again - your stitching is lovely. I'm sure you'll get going on the casket before you know it.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Oh my. Your trip sounds wonderful! A once in a lifetime opportunity ~ and for a good cause. Please do share with us!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Ann said...

Glad to see you back--and there are a lot of us who haven't started our caskets yet! It will happen when it happens . . .And have a wonderful time in Africa--take lots of pictures!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Happy to see you back! I hate queen stitches too, so I feel your pain! Amazing opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro! Can't wait to see pics. Good luck and Godspeed!

marly said...

WOW!! Good for you! Please be careful and safe. I do the same thing when I get to stitches I hate (Queen comes to mind). The casket will be beautiful when completed and I hope you enjoy the work when you're ready.

Katrina said...

Wow that's so cool!!!!! Have a wonderful trip :-). Love your stitchy pics, I am in the minority because I love queen stitches, LOL.

Jeanne said...

Good to see you back Margie and sorry you're in a stitching slump. I love the way queen stitches look but they do take a long time to do. Maybe I can blame that as the reason why I haven't finished my American Sampler that's been a WIP for about 7 years! Good for you climbing a mountain...wow..that's something I'm sure I'll never do but I'm admire those who do. I hope you get your mojo back to work on the casket that you've invested in.

Rowyn said...

Sorry your stitching mojo is MIA. :-(

Oh wow, what a trip of a lifetime. I hope you'll post lots of photos. Go you!!

Natasha said...

Welcome back, it is good to see you posting again. I know all to well about stitching slumps.... do not fear you will get back on track.

How very awesome that you will climb Mount Kilimanjaro that is so awesome. Can't wait to see pictures. Have and amazing trip and safe travels!

Melody said...

Welcome back. I have missed your posts. I'm sorry to read your mojo has left. Hopefully you will be inspired to stitch again.

I don't like queen stitches either.

Sounds like you have an exciting trip ahead of you.

Catherine said...

Good to see your post! Your trip sounds amazing ~ best wishes and take lots of pictures to share!