Serindë's Stitching adventure 2024 1 April

[Serinde]

Well, I'm jumping in with both feet with a design I found by falling down this rabbit hole: https://stitchinglife.uk. It will ultimately depict an aerial view of a notional rural landscape. I have quite a bit to do to it today before I can think about stitching today's inaugural top left corner (iron the fabric, roll and pin a tiny hem (the piece of fabric in my stash is just wide enough), transfer at least the January section of the design. My idea is to use stash.

Have I "hooped up" more than I can stitch? You decide!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Looks intriguing - is it a patchwork, or an embroidery?

[Serinde]

An embroidery. Each individual area is a single day. Start with the top left and proceed each day to the bottom right.

[Serinde]

Well, the fabric is hemmed, and it's all copied and traced (marathon session utilising friend's French window). Here is my first pass at the "winter" colours. May need a few more greens as we head to March. Of course, I can use whatever I want. I expect to made a small inroad into my stash...

[Steam.Jo]

I hope you are going to include a heathland, so a lovely heather purple colour.

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

What a lovely selection of threads, yum!

[Serinde]

@Mabel: just added an icy blue (DMC 3841).

@Jo: yes I will, but not until August/Sept. We have bluebells in May, though, so looking forward to that.

This stitch journal isn't meant to be a true representation of anywhere, which is something I am battling with at the moment. However, there is one sinuous line that goes more or less all the way across the design which is obviously going to be the river. Today will include Ben Lomond -- it appeared to float above the inversion layer that filled the strath. Did a little drawing so I'd remember (and hence the ice blue for the sky).

[Serinde]

Mabel, I have added I can't think how many threads now. Mostly blue-greys, some of the Étoile threads, well lots of things.

1. I've learned that a small hoop can sometimes be useful. This working in hand doesn't come naturally.
2. That sharp needles are, well, sharp; my fingers aren't used to being careful.
3. That 3 strands of regular stranded cotton does a good job on this fabric (no idea what it is!). I'm using many other thread thickness too.
4. I must not try to overthink these -- they are meant to be "intuitive", which I guess means "sit down and stitch" and I'm not very good at that.
5. I know I'm quite a way behind. I also realise I'm starting to look at landscapes differently.
But I had to show off my latest day, because it is pretty much exactly what I saw out my window on the 5th. I knew what I wanted to do, but only yesterday realised how to do it.

I know I'm quite a way behind. I also realise I'm starting to look at landscapes differently.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I do like that! How did you create the mist/clouds?

1) When I started stitching I did everything in hand, but the moment I discovered hoops I was a convert. Especially as practically everything i do fits within the confines of a hoop. I'd probably be a bit nervous using it on something like this....
2) Ouch - whatever you do, don't bleed on your work!
3) Using blended threads too, I see, very effective. Using up all sorts of different threads must be one of the attractions of this project! (It is one thing that I like about my canvaswork project - playing with different threads)
4) Likewise. Not good at just doing random stuff. Still, good practice!
5) Doesn't matter, and what a wonderful side effect!

[Steam.Jo]

I am beginning to understand the concept of this piece more and more and I appreciate how wonderful stitching it is going to be .

Jo

[Serinde]

The inversion layer (for one filled the entire strath top to bottom and side to side that day; we often have cloud on the deck this time of year, but this was exceptional) was made with a wool "top" that I have as part of my learning to spindle spin yarn. All the fibres runs parallel because they've been combed, and all I needed just the whispy-ist amount, tacked down with Étoile very light grey. Once I catch up with myself, I hope to find a time to stitch at the about the same time each day so that it slots more into the "intuitive" band width.

@Jo: I know what you mean about trying to understand the concept. I'm still working on it.

[Serinde]

I'm not bang up to date, but thought you might find it amusing.

[Mabel Figworthy]

bulls heads and wheat sheaves - very rural

[Serinde]

Highland cattle and bales of straw! (Rural describes it.) But did you spot the sheep?

[Mabel Figworthy]

The field with the dark border? What stitch did you use, it looks like a combination of crosses?

[Serinde]

Long-arm cross stitch. I was also pleased with the aerial shots (as it were) of the fuzzy trees/bushes in that field. These tiny squares are getting more “mediaeval” in their non-use of perspective and critter sizes!

[Mabel Figworthy]

And all the more interesting for it!

[Serinde]

It's starting to take on a curious life of its own. I know there is a river running through it, and I'm very tempted -- should I ever catch up with the actual days -- to stitch it in now, so that I don't find myself at its source, stitching a boundary as per usual. At the moment, its less a landscape and more a weather commentary and brief daily journal. I'll be stitching a tiny snowdrop soon, as they are already out here (at least 2 weeks early). Frosts so far are mostly accounted for.

It's remarkably hard to produce lovely stitches without holes to count.

[Serinde]

This isn't a good photo, but I'm quite proud of my snowdrops.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Oh I do like those - what a clever way of creating them so small yet so recognisable!