Stitching Update

I thought it was about time to give an update on what I'm actually stitching.  I have found that I'm stitching less and less much to my chagrin.  I love stitching, I will always love stitching.  But I'm finding myself drawn to bead work and jewelry making.  I've always loved shiny things and since the bead shop moved in just 2 miles away, I've been taking classes and just generally making a nusiance of myself.  It's also easier on my hands, neck and shoulders.  I've had a lot of pain lately and am trying to do all I can to minimize it.  So I haven't been stitching as much as I would like.  But I still have all kinds of plans to stitch things, especially with overdyed threads and fabrics.  So in order to get back on track, I'm displaying a couple of pieces that I have been working on.  The top picture is of a Michael Powell I started a couple of years ago.  I don't know why I haven't finished it yet.  Oh, wait, yes I do.  It's all that weird backstitching he has.  But I got smart with this one (I've stitched 2 others of his and have maybe a dozen more to go) and did the backstitching in #8 perle cotton.  It's much easier than the floss and I like the way it looks better.  So this one is just a few days from being finished.

The second piece is another cross stitch hybrid I'm doing in needlepoint.  I wasn't sure at first if I liked the colors but now I'm really excited about the way it looks.  Once all the stitching is done, I'll backstitch some Christmas trees in with some beads and it will be all ready for the holiday season.  I'm having a lot of fun with this one.  It's kind of mindless so I can do it at night while watching TV.

So that's what I've been up to.  How about you?