Monday, February 13, 2012

Winter Rears Its Ugly Head - an Update

Well, not too ugly - just freaking cold. None of the white stuff, though there is a chance for it in our area tonight, but since it's supposed to be 62 on Wednesday, it shouldn't cause too much panic. I have to say I have gotten spoiled having the last few weeks in the 50s and 60s; yesterday's 18 was AWFUL, and the wind on Saturday was brutal. Yes, I will admit I am a wimp - I did move south for a reason... And since everything was blooming here, we HAD to have a cold snap; poor trees & daffy-dils...



Saturday, we combed the area for a box to put Fireweed on; the music boxes I found last fall were a bust; they had no square ones, only oval and rectangles, which I didn't want to "make work". So I may be forced to order something from Sudberry House; wonder if anyone ever has them on sale? I just want something a little nicer than the do-it-yourself boxes I get from HL or Michaels, I don't feel like finishing a box for it, I want one already finished. So back to the waiting-to-be-finish-finished pile it goes...


So, got a little caught up last week in the latest craze, and came up with this little number:



Because, you know, have spreadsheet, will create :) Though I must admit, my iPhone had a little trouble with this over-1 on 28ct - might need to do 2 strands on 22ct for the next one. Because yes, there will be more :)

Of course, the main focus of the week was Tuscany Town Mandala, which I started on Monday, and worked throughout the week. Here is Part 1 completed, except beads:


And here is where I stopped last night, working parts 2 & 3 in conjunction:


I did some color changes to the blues on Friday night; since I am not using the NPIs, I took the DMC equivalents given, and didn't like the grouping of blues. I did NOT like the 3844 light border (not even close to the NPI it was listed for, which just so happens to be in MTM, and which I have a bit left over - but I wasn't going to use it and then run out, because I know they differ from dye lot to dye lot). So I picked a dark blue, 823, for the border, and worked that series of colors in - 820 was one of the other conversions which I left. So I have 823, 824, 826, and then 517 for the "peacock blue" one. Hopefully this darker border will work with the overall. I like it, I think, so far, everything works together okay. I just knew as soon as I picked that 3844 up that I couldn't use that - too bright for me! It goes in my World Tree, but I don't think so here...



And that was it for the week. About the same planned for this week - continue on TTM, and I'm not sure what for a travel piece, depending on if I go to stitch night tomorrow, or if I have to do something with DH for stupid Hallmark Holiday #1 :( On that happy note, good stitching to everyone this week - and bring on that spring!



4 comments:

Cheryl said...

Have you looked at Nordic Needle for boxes? They sometimes have brands other than Sudbury at a much lower cost, yet still good quality. I've had good luck. Like your colors and progress on Tuscany. I hope to stitch that one some day....

cowgirlfromhanna said...

Your work is lovely as always!

Kimmie said...

Love the pics!!!! We got smacked by the weather this weekend, too. Of course, Indiana is SUPPOSE to get smacked. LOL

Joysze said...

My goodness, Karen. You got a LOT done on Tuscany. It looks awesome. Poor flowers.... I hope the weather warms up nicely for them soon.