Serindë's Stitching adventure 2024 31 December

[Serinde]

And here -- finally (computer issues) -- are September and October!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Your various sections are like clouds - I look at some of them and see different things in them all the time! (Is that an A or a picnic table? Dahlias or cheerleaders' pompoms?) And then there are the instantly recognisable ones, like shooting stars. It's a wonderful piece of work!

[fccs]

This is absolutely beautiful! Is it as much fun as it looks?

[Serinde]

@ Mabel The "A" is for Storm Astrid. I expect there to be another named storm eventually, and to put a "B" in somewhere before the end of the year. There are dahlias and michaelmas daisies, and a lighthouse (the one at Rhue, actually), captured on holiday.

@ Debby Sometimes... I'm glad I'm doing this, but I probably won't attempt anything annual like this again. The designer is cooking up something a bit different for next year, so anyone who is interested in keeping track of the year in this intuitive fashion should keep an eye on JK Turner's Stitching Life. There are also designs for previous years -- nothing is dated or numbered, so could be attempted for any year.

[Serinde]

Sometimes, the stars do not align. Have you noticed this? Can I get a particular Gloriana thread anywhere in the UK? Seems not! Even my friends at the wonderful West End Embroidery are out of stock and don't expect any until after the New Year. I've started a Betsy Morgan design from the latest Inspirations -- simple cross-stitch and quite quick when I get a chance to sit down, and with these gorgeous threads. I convinced myself to use them as they would probably be either (1) special Christmas things and/or (2) presents. I did source a thread I thought was close -- Topiary -- but it's too dull. The one I need (Autumn Arbor) has more red. So I've stolen a bit from another Betsy Morgan piece that's been a UFO for a while, thinking that the Topiary will do for the tree in the design (seems reasonable to me). So now, friends, you get to watch me play thread chicken... I have 9 strands of 85cm (approx) each. Will it be enough?

[Mabel Figworthy]

You'll be using them right to the very end and pushing them through with needle threaders I'm sure . I checked my small stash of Gloriana but unfortunately Autumn Arbor isn't one of them (tangent - I would expect Autumn ArboUr or Fall Arbor; curious mix, this name).

I do sympathise with your plight - I'm finding that the sky in my Canvaswork is eating up the darkest shade of blue Caron Soie Cristale at an alarming rate, even thought I did buy an extra skein .

[Serinde]

Never thought of a needle threader! Mabel, you are a genius!!

Philology Section: Americans do use the word "autumn", but "fall" is so much more evocative, given the nature of the landscape (east of the Mississippi, anyway). "Fall" might also be directly related to east coast Native American languages translated into English, although I don't know if that's so. Fall Arbor might be confusing, but there's no doubting what mental picture Autumn Arbor is meant to conjure.

[Serinde]

Seeing as how it's a special day and it is also sleeting (was snowing; anyway, too awful to go out into, thanks to Bert), I intend to (1) make muffins and (2) sit and stitch, possibly all day. Only need to think about supper -- we were going out, but DH has a Dreadful Lurghy, so that simply cannot happen! Nevermind, I don't care. Might make my Christmas cake tomorrow... I know, should be pudding, but we don't eat that, but the cake can certainly mature nicely in the meantime.

[Serinde]

One more day to stitch. Hard to believe I’m looking at an entire year on this piece of calico. You’ll hopefully see it all tomorrow!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Looking forward to it! I was going to have a whole stitching day yesterday but it turned into a family-and-grandchildren day. Will make up for it today and hopefully also have something to show on 1st January

[Serinde]

And here it is! Remember it starts at the top left then heads towards the right side (April); May is beneath April and the whole thing heads to the left until you move down to September, then directly across to the last day of the year. You'll probably not be able to see the metallic threads for frost very well, but the letters (A,B, a very small c, and D) were the named storms for the latter half of this year.

[Steam.Jo]

Brilliant.

What are you going to do with it? It says to me "big cushion cover"

Jo

[fccs]

It’s amazing!

[Mabel Figworthy]

That is a labour of love and a wonderful record! Wall hanging?