Summer and Wildflower

I've been having a little break from blogging for the last little while. My Dad died at the beginning of November after a long illness and although it wasn't unexpected it still really knocked the stuffing out of me. I'm slowly getting back to some semblance of normality and some days are better than others... I have lost myself in some good books and pondered matters and reminisced while doing some quiet stitching. 

I did manage to finish the Summer part of Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers before the next part arrived. I was really enjoying stitching it and would have gone straight on to stitching Autumn but needed a few threads to arrive in the post and decided to wait for those until beginning the new chart. A couple were out of stock and they've just arrived this morning so I'm looking forward to putting some Autumn stitches into place very soon. Here's a pic of Summer...

The colours are beautiful and the photo really doesn't do them any justice at all - it's a very dull and dark day here today and difficult to get a good pic.

I am stitching along with Carole again this month on Wildflower which is turning out to be lovely. The colours are most unusual and probably not something that I would ordinarily choose but I'm thoroughly enjoying seeing them come together. I started this while away with friends for a weekend of crafting and made quite a good bit of progress there. Unfortunately I also managed to stitch the letters in the wrong colour and didn't realise until I started stitching again last Friday so there was quite a bit of unpicking going on!

The letters are actually in a variegated blue thread some of which is quite bright compared to the dark parts - it looks very well with all the other lovely threads in this piece. 

I have done a little work on my sewing machine but not a lot. I'm keeping up with the Blogger's BOM blocks and will take a photo of my latest block soon. I've also been playing with my new embroidery machine which my lovely husband treated me to on my birthday last month. I've not been able to give it a thorough workout as yet but am looking forward to using it more very soon. I'll be back soon with an update on the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt blocks too - again, not much done on that yet but I don't plan on being behind come the end of December!

Comments

[Toni]

Sorry to hear of your loss - hope things are starting to ease a little.

Your stitching is beautiful as ever - can't wait to see the Autumn stitching.

Toni xx

[Carole]

Your Wildflower looks splendid. I love your spiral bit - I'm definitely going to do that part next.
Love your Blackbird one too. It's so frustrating when you can't get the colours to look right isn't it.
You have been reading some smashing books. There are some very familiar ones in your sidebar. I can always lose myself in a good book and I'm glad it's helped you to do so.

[Cherry]

So sorry to hear about your dad. I'm sure you have lots of happy memories. You have been a wonderful daughter looking after him for many years and it must have left a hole. Hoping that the memories and the rest of your family help to help you close it soon.
Your stitching is lovely as always.

[Margaret]

I'm so very sorry for your loss and hope your stitching has brought you some quiet times to reflect and remember.
Your Blackbird piece is stunning and definitely on my to be stitched list.
I've never seen the other design and had to follow the link to Carole's blog to find out more.
It's a lovely design and I look forward to seeing your finish.

[Kathleen Wilson]

Your work is beautiful. I am sorry for your loss and will pray for comfort for you and your family.

[Charlene♥SC]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your BBD Summer is really pretty.

[Miriam]

So sorry to hear about your Dad. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Take care.

[Nicky]

I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I hope you have lots of wonderful memories to treasure of him.
Your stitching is lovely, it's always a pain to have to be unpicking though ......... I do my fair share of it too :-)