January 01, 2012

What's in my Basket for the New Year

Hi, everyone! I'm enjoying everyone's review of their stitching progress over the last year, and since I come up woefully short in that department (I started a lot, but didn't finish anything but a couple of small ornaments), let's just look ahead, shall we? No big promises here, no specific goals, just a look at my WIPs and a few new starts. From time to time I've been asked how many WIPs I have, and it's a little embarassing to admit, but I really don't know. So my goal over the next month (or so) is to blog most days about my various projects and to try to make a little progress on them. I lost one motivation to finish a couple of the larger WIPs when Woodlawn Plantation decided not to do a needlework show this year; I had been trying to finish Liz Easdon and Sarah Hatton McPhail in time to have them framed and enter them in the show. With the events of the last few months, including that my contract position ran a few weeks longer than I expected, I probably wouldn't have finished anyway, but now I'm kind of stuck in the doldrums with them, since there are so many new things to stitch (and yeah, I've started a couple of new BAPs that I'll show over the next few weeks). All the same, I did make progress over the last few days on Liz Easdon (the Essamplaire):



Here's where she stood in September. I'm concentrating on the alphabet at the top and the border. I've been away from this sampler long enough for it to feel new again, and I stitched on it yesterday and today with great gusto. Note that the colors in the top photo are most true.


Later this week I'm heading for Cape Cod to spend some time with my dad. If you get the Essamplaire's newsletter, you may have noticed that the museum in Newport, Rhode Island is showing the exhibition of Rhode Island samplers that I viewed in August at the Newport Antiques Show. If I don't run into long traffic/construction delays, my plan is to stop by and see them again and find some good seafood for lunch. Now there's a worthy goal! Also on my plate: to help my dad find a suitable dog to adopt, so we'll be visiting adoption fairs and shelters. I've found a cute Siamese on Nantucket to adopt for myself, although Tom has announced that I will not be adopting a cat from the Nantucket shelter and naming it "Nantucket" or anything else, for that matter. Fingers in my ears: "Lalalalalala." Also soon to be on my plate, a tour of Cape towns I don't get to visit very often, and hopefully a big plate of Wellfleet oysters on the half shell.

Scratchy says hello and wants to note that I already have a sort-of Siamese cat, even if he is not named after a pretty island but instead is named for the colossal dose of fleas he had when he first meandered into our yard and announced that he was available for adoption immediately.


Happy week ahead and see you soon!

23 comments:

Margaret said...

Your Liz is gorgeous! I need to get to this one for sure -- of course. :D I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been up to -- including the new BAPs you mentioned. Have fun up at your dad's!

Nancy said...

Another gorgeous sampler you are stitching! I look forward to seeing and reading about your WIPs.

Hello to Scratchy from all the kitties at our house!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Your WIP basket is full of gorgeousness, based on these pictures :) And may I just say that Scratchy has the most beautiful blue eyes? And what happens when his friend Itchy comes next?! :) I imagaine the more the merrier?!

Catherine said...

What beautiful stitches! Have a safe trip and have fun visiting with your dad! I had to giggle at Vonna's comment about Itchy!

Valerie said...

You are making great progress on Liz! I am cheering you on and look forward to seeing your WIP's over the next couple of weeks. Hope you had a wonderful New Year!

marly said...

Handsome fellow. It will be a treat to see your WIPs and BAPs. I think I may need to take notes. Have a safe trip and enjoy checking out the pooches.

Unknown said...

Great progress on your sampler! Good luck finding your Dad a dog.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Liz is looking wonderful. Enjoy your time on the Cape.

RG said...

Fish!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Scratchy is a lovely cat, such beautiful eyes

Mouse said...

ooooo well done on the progress and shall look forward to all your cough ups hehehe and of course you have to adopt the wee kitty if Scratchy will let you .. he is gorgeous btw :) wishing you a very merry stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxx

Gabi said...

Ohhh....Liz is simply stunning. Love her.
Scratchy is a cuty.
Wishing you a Happy New Year

Cari said...

Your selection in samplers is AWESOME. I love seeing what you're planning to stitch. Enjoy your time with your Dad. Love the pic of Scratchy ! He's a beauty. Happy New Year.

Katrina said...

Liz is just beautiful!!!! Looking forward to seeing all your WIPs :-).

Have fun with your dad, love the kitty pic too!!!!!

Chris said...

Your sampler is looking great. I love the colors.
Have a wonderful time on the Cape. It sounds like you have a great trip planned.
Hugs to Scratchy:)

Melissa said...

Happy New Year! I can't wait to see all your WIP. I have too many to count too.

Anna van Schurman said...

Please consider adopting an older dog; they have the right amount of energy for an older person. (And many dogs in shelters are in for the owner's bad behavior rather than the dog's.) Most dogs live to be 13.2. You can read more here.

Daffycat said...

One thing I love about your stitching is that you are NOT afraid to start something new even though you must have so many WIPs already. I've always said, "Life is short ~ start everything!"

Scratchy has such dreamy blue eyes!

barbara said...

Scratchy looks like a cat with attitude to spare! I like that in a feline. :)

Wish I could hook up with you when you're on the Cape, but alas ... combination goat sitters/child minders/husband helpers just don't seem to be in abundance. Have fun. I hope you find a great dog for your dad.

Melissa said...

Poor Scratchy got stuck with that name! Good luck with your adoption. That trip sounds wonderful and you haven't even started yet.

Liz is looking very pretty. We all get to enjoy seeing all the BAPs, new and old!

Have fun!

maggie said...

Really, what is this about Woodlawn not hosting a Show this year?

Brigitte said...

Your WIP basket is one of the bestest I have seen, so many great samplers. And you already make my mouth water with you announcement of showing more and even new BAPs.

Michelle said...

Liz is so pretty. I love that eyelet alphabet. And the colors are really stunning.