Crazy January Challenge and More

Put up your hands and wave your needles if you're planning to participate in the Crazy January Challenge where we will each start a new project each day for the 1st 15 days of January and will then try to finish those projects by the end of 2011. To the first part, I say, "no problem! Woohoo! I'm there!" To the second part, I say, "Ummmmm." I was contemplating it anyway, taking out my charts and cooing to them. But I need some supplies--some thread to kit them up, some fabrics--nothing too much. Along came the email from Ellen at In Stitches, offering to help all us 15-new-stitches stitchers out of the jam of insufficient supplies and charts, because she's going to be having a nice early bird event from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on December 27. Those of us arriving in our pajamas receive a special discount between 7 and 10 a.m. So I'm going to be looking for some new pajamas, since what I wear now is not exactly fit to be seen, and it gives me the heebie jeebies to think about driving 30 miles in my jammies--and get a flat tire.

I got a jump on the challenge (although this won't be one of my 15), by starting True Virtue Sampler, from the Samplar Workes. I'm stitching it in the recommended AVAS and Trebizond silks on 40 count Lakeside Examplar. Here's the project photo:



Here's some progress on it:


And a close-up of one of the stawberry blossoms, done in satin stitches. One of the odd-but-charming things about this sampler is the "offset" stitches. The flower stems are offset from the vine by one thread.


I haven't neglected Catharine Metcalf, and I got more leaves and fruits stitched:


We had a little bunny scare this week. Little Elvis appeared withdrawn and quiet, and he didn't seem to be eating last Monday night. Bunny owners know that a bunny that isn't eating is a bunny that isn't pooping either, and a bunny that isn't pooping is a bunny emergency. Bunnies don't throw up, and they can get a hair ball mass in their tummies that can kill them, and it's particularly likely in a long-hair breed. Because my bunnies are free range within their room, I couldn't tell whether he was or not, but after watching him anxiously, it appeared that nothing was going in or coming out. So we wrapped him up in a towel like a bunny burrito, and syringed into his mouth the only thing I had on hand (I'd used the emergency supply of papaya juice and pineapple juice that I normally keep for such things): Laxatone cat laxative. Unfortunately for Elvis, it was tuna flavored (although there is no tuna in it). It did the trick, though, and he was back to normal in no time.

"Next time put my tuna in a sandwich and serve it with plenty of lettuce and sprouts!"


Happy week ahead!