'Cat Knot' Update

Well, here's progress so far.....


You will notice that the fabric I'm stitching on is in fact 18ct Aida and not 25ct Evenweave, but there is a reason for this.

I gridded up the evenweave and started to stitch, but after about 20 minutes, I felt a sharp pain building up at the back of my eyes. This then turned into a debilitating headache which I can only describe as something similar to a migraine. I tried again the next day, but the same thing happened, although not as quite as severe as the night before because I stopped as soon as I felt the twinge of pain.

Not that I didn't before, but I have so much respect for all the HAED lasses out there who stitch away, day after day without complaint. Am I just being a complete wimp or what?! I feel as though I've let the side down by switching to Aida, but I couldn't have carried on like that. My Sis suggested that it could have something to do with the fact that I have quite a severe astigmatism in both eyes, on top of that I'm very short-sighted as well. But I've stitched on silk gauze before without anything like that happening before. I'm quite puzzled and peed off I can tell you - and I still can't figure out why it happened.

Anyway, to change the subject, there's not much progress on 'MKD' this week, as I'm suffering with 'Startitis', an excellent phrase coined by the lovely Stitcherw. I've started another lovely design, from Glendon Place called 'Five Simple Rules for Happiness'...and as you can see, I'm really enjoying it:


As you've probably noticed, I like designs with acorns in them. It's a mixture of WDW and Caron 'Wildflower' threads. Unfortunately the picture here doesn't do it justice as the light is quite bad, but that's how far I've got after only two evenings worth of stitching. I can't wait to see it finished. I've booked a weeks worth of annual leave from work, so I'll be doing lots of stitching from 2nd July - and I can't wait to have a break.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're all keeping well.

CARTO xx

'Sparklies' - Check It Out!

Another quickie post. I'm doing a bit of plugging here for my best friend Kitty. She's a very talented lass who has cross stitched for years and therefore is a dab hand at all things 'stichery'. Well, she has now branched out into designing charts, dyeing fabric and threads and has set up a fantastic online shop called 'Sparklies'

I can say from first hand experience that it's well worth a look. She's come up with some really beautiful fabric pieces and some very unusual floss colours. Also I can vouch for her and say that she's a great lass and if you decide to buy, you will be greatly impressed by her customer service.

I will post with the 'Cat Knot' update tomorrow, until then, Happy Stitching (or buying if you choose to)! xxx

Stitching GTG

It's been a while, but I'm still breathing :)

I've just got back from a Stitching GTG that was organised by the lovelies at the UK Stitchers forum from Friday to today. It was an absolute hoot! - I had a fantastic time! I don't think I've laughed so much in years, but what do you expect when you get about 20 or so women together?! We stayed at a lovely cottage complex in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and had 3 days of glorious sunshine splitting the stones. I took along 'Miss Kitty's Dragons' to stitch and here is progress so far:


As you can see, I got quite a lot done! When I arrived at the GTG, it was a blank piece of linen, so it just shows how productive these stitching GTGs are. I started one of the dragonflies, but frogged it completely...it was definitely a case of too much alcohol and not enough concentration!

I hope everyone's ok. This is just a quickie post as I'm absolutely pooped from the weekend's frolics - I shall post later on in the week with progress on 'Cat Knot'.....let's just say it's not been a easy journey. I have started to stitch it... but you'll see for yourself soon, so watch this space.

Right I'm off to collapse into an armchair with a nice cup of tea to prepare myself for the washing pile that's accumulated from the weekend GTG......urrrgh :(