Week Forty-Two: Back to reality

This is the first week in three weeks where I've kept a fairly normal schedule (whatever that means). I didn't have visitors, I wasn't traveling, and I wasn't sick. Keely and I did our normal stuff: feed him (and stir his food way more times than probably necessary), work from home, start a few books (I'm currently reading Stephen King's new book, Fairy Tale), and embroider stuff. It's been good to get back into a regular routine. I even went to the office one day this week - who am I?

I got started on my embroidered Polaroids (I'll share one at the end) and have started to plot out what the 2023 stitch journal will look like. I'm also trying to decide if I want to start my next series, Iconic, or go back to my From the Back series from earlier in the year. From the Back isn't done, but I suspect it will never truly be done, so I can come and go from it as I like. Iconic will feature quotes from people, mostly people I know, that I think more people should know. It was inspired by my friend's daughter who told her mom that "coffee makes me sparkle." So true. 

A fun discovery: my friend Kelly was in town a few times over the last few weeks and stayed in the studio. She told me the glow in the dark pieces from last year's 365 project were still glowing! I was able to get a few pictures this week. Who knew?

I'm glad I moved the hoop to a smaller piece of the fabric, but I'm also surprised I've been able to stitch in the section for three weeks. I figured I'd fill it much faster. I think this week will be the last week for this section. I want to move it down a little bit more on this side and then move to the opposite side of the piece for the next few weeks. November and December will be an experiment in random hoop placement. 

Here's this week's recap:

September 16: I love this color thread. I don't know if it's Amazonite, but it's still pretty. The shape of these back stitches is pretty great.

October 17: blue stem stitch for a Monday.

October 18: I don't do clusters of French knots very often in the journal, so I decided to this week. I love the color and the shape the cluster takes. I need to do a larger French knot piece soon.

October 19: Red back stitch. Did you know Boo Buckets are back at McDonald's? They are for a limited time and I got one this week. I am a child.

October 20: The detached chain stitches are inspired by a beautiful tree in my neighborhood. Its leaves are turning right now and it's so lovely to drive past the tree when I come home.

October 21: No idea what this is, but I had some neutral Etoile thread and this is what I came up with. There's sort of a figure in it.

October 22: I went to the farmer's market today and the flower guy gave me some free flowers. He does this all the time and today the lighter purple ones he gave me went really well with the dark purple ranunculus I bought. 

Other stuff of interest:

I started working on my embroidered Polaroids. This is the only one I've finished. I absolutely love it! I'm not going to do a ton of these, but I like embroidering on film. I may look through other photos and see what else I can use. I have three more Polaroids to finish before I look at using 35mm film.

My painting arrived! I bought a small painting while in Santa Fe and it came this week. It's called Cave Pool by Addie Draper. It's on the mantle for now while I try to decide where to hang it. It actually looks nice on the mantle, so it may stay there. 

There's still time to let me know if you want a holiday ornament. Fill out this Google form and I'll send you an ornament in late November (form will close on November 13). Also because I'm ridiculous, you can now purchase stickers (and pillows and tote bags) featuring Keely. Check out our Redbubble store here. All the proceeds from the sticker sales (or whatever) will be donated to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria on Keely's birthday in November.