The Stitch Book: Week 3 (January 14-20)

The thing we tend to overlook about adventures is that the people having them don't know how they're going to turn out. 

This week's piece is inspired by a quote from artist Anna Gaskell. Gaskell is a contemporary photographer whose work focuses on ambiguous narratives that have an otherworldly vibe to them. A few of her works are in the collection at the museum where I volunteer. Gaskell talks about the in-between parts of stories. We don't know how an adventure is going to turn out, but that shouldn't stop us from going on it. 

I used a few different roads/paths for the piece. I also tried a different use of the open chain stitch to make a ladder. I'm not sure it was successful, but it was fun to try. 

Here's this week's piece:

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17

January 18

January 19

January 20

Weeks 1-3. I think I'll start punching holes in them after next week. I'm hesitating a little bit because once I punch a hole in the fabric, I can't undo it. I want to have this year's journal be an actual journal, so I just have to be brave and do it.

The St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza

I finished the first non-journal project of the year last week. It's a gift for someone so I'll share a finished picture once they receive it. My next project is for my mom. Both of my parents are members of the Hibernians through their church. The ladies' group rotates hosting lunch once a month and my mom is hosting the event in March. I don't remember exactly how this idea came up, but I agreed to make small embroidered ornaments for each of the attendees (7-10 people). I found a lovely pattern on Etsy from the shop Ever Sew Good. I spent this week doing two test versions and doing the pattern transfer. 

Option 1

Option 2

I like option 1 better, so I think that's what I'm going to do for all of them. It's a combination of regular six strand thread and DMC Etoile. I like the added bit of sparkle from that thread. I'll be working on this for the next month in order to get them completed on time. Each one is in a 3-inch hoop and the back will be finished with a piece of green felt and tied with a festive bow. I hope the ladies like them.

My Barbie movie lunchbox is the perfect organizer for this project. I'm very pleased this worked.