Two mornings in a row they closed I-95 so a helicopter could come in and wisk someone away who'd met with misfortune in the form of a couple of tons of moving metal. In each case we sat for a long time. Today we got off the bus and looked around, enjoying the sunshine and the novelty of walking up and down the HOV lane, if not the prospect of being late for work a second day. For those of you who live in Northern Virginia, you'll recognize that lollipop sign in the distance as being Potomac Mills. To the twitchy, anxious federal agent who looked like he was going to fling himself out the window and sprint the remaining 25 miles to work: a portable hobby helps.
So when I got back to my seat, I got out my portable hobby and completed the Christmas Sampler in Red by Plum Pudding Needleart (one strand of burgundy Needlepoint Inc. Silk over two done on 38 ct Italian cream linen): I need to do French knots on the "P" and the "E" (or is it just the "E"--I have to consult the chart), but I might use some beads instead. I like doing French knots, and they turn out well, but I think they'll be too small, so I'll use gold or burgundy beads.
I've enjoyed working on this sampler and will go back to working on Whale Hunting until the rest of my fibers arrive for Birth of Jesus. And in the meantime, I got busy with the Internet and ordered some stash I've been wanting from Em-Li's in North Carolina, the sweetest lady who calls herself "elderly," but who has a positively encyclopedic memory for the name and designer of every sampler we talked about. Then I purchased a couple of items from Homespun Samplar in Rhode Island. I'm feeling as if I want to do a traditional sampler, a big, complex, historic sampler, maybe something different than I've tried before. We'll see. It's harder to choose something on the internet than in person, though, isn't it? There are just those thumbnails that blow up into something just a bit bigger, but never big enough. So this will be an experiment.
And Michelle, if you'll permit me this once to imitate your wonderful idea of a gratitude each day:
I am grateful for having a bathroom on my commuter bus.
10 comments:
So that's where you do all that lovely stitching! Well, at least the weather seemed glorious. Your sampler is fabulous.
Congratulations on your finish! What a wonderful thing to come out of being stuck in traffic. And you certainly picked a really good thing to be grateful for!!! I know what you mean about seeing things in person, the internet is convenient, but sometimes I just like to see something close up.
Your sampler came out gorgeous. Oh, looking at that traffic brings back many bad memories of traveling on vacations and getting stuck in traffic :(
Yes, having a portable hobby is the way to go...I once serenly stitched while they tried to de-ice our plane in Chicago (the path was blocked by a sedan(?!)). We were hours late, but you couldn't tell by me. The bathroom, now that is one helluva luxury!
I feel your pain...I only wish I wasn't driving in it so I could do the same...it's the worst around here!
Sounds like a great way to pass the time sitting in traffic and being grateful not to be getting the helicopter ride. I love the sampler piece! Can't wait to see what you decide to work on next - I love huge samplers myself.
Thanks for visiting my blog Glenna.
You sampler is beautiful. Now that's something I'd like to try my hand at - a sampler all in one color. It makes for such a gorgeous finish.
Margaret
Boy that is a beautifully blue sky!
Your sampler is great, I think gold beads would be fab!
I'm thankful you had a bathroom too, how horrible would that be to not have one when you are stuck like that?!
Portable projects are a must! Great for traffic, or doctor's appointments and oh so much more! I love the sampler!
Your Christmas Sampler in red is splendid... congratulations !!!
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