Silver Swirls

Another part of this buckle done - the swirls. The dragonfly's body is next. Yes, this is going to Europe with me. It should be something quick and easy to do, and I'm going to have a lot of airport time, since I have two connections to make. I doubt I'll sleep much in public places, and I'll be afraid I'm going to miss my flight anyway. So, not only is this going with me, I'll be taking a couple more to mount on the same frame when this is done. Those will be going by mail, though.

Triangles Into Diamonds

Unfortunately, this one isn't going to Europe with me. I won't have a way to make stretcher bars there and it's a bit big for my suitcase. I got the rest of the triangular Jessicas done. They went very easily. I almost feel like just sitting down and finishing this, since the large part of the work is done. I don't believe there are anymore huge numbers of tiny Jessicas in the last band. There are two small stitches to put outside the diamonds I completed and then the arcs again to finish off this band.

Slogging Through the Third

I've really seemed to bog down on this third side now. It's looking more and more full, but I feel like it's just dragging. This will be another project I take with me to Europe. The person I'm staying with is the person it's for, after all. I've had a lot of stuff going on preparing for the trip, so I've had less stitching time. Maybe this week, right before I go, I can scrape up more. Yes, I know I'm dreaming.

The Heart

As you see, I finished stitching this over the weekend and my husband came home, so he took a picture last night. I learned (again) that I really don't prefer Aida anymore. I also learned not to take a beading project to do at a medical waiting room. There's no place to put your beads and the receptionist gets upset when you spill them off your leg. It'll be turned into an ornament. I think it looks cute, but I won't be doing it again.

A Total Mystery

This week I discovered that I loathe gridding. I joined a German yahoogroup that is basically a pilot group for a couple of designers. They were starting a new project, so I did too. The title is "Totales Mysterie" and they made us grid the fabric. Every two weeks, they give us four blocks to fill. Today, they released the fourth set of four blocks. This picture shows two blocks stitched. Since then, I'm up to ten stitched. It's interesting seeing it come along. I'm using a hand dyed opalescent from Silkweaver and Victorian Mist premium floss from Vikki Clayton.

One of Three Down

One of the vases on this band is done now, so two more to go. I think I'm not taking this with me to Europe. There's no great urgency to finish it, and I think I need a break from it, too. It'll be in my rotation to do until I go, and, in fact, will be what I'm working on today.

Pointy Middle

I got more of this light green done over the past week, making the pointy middle things. Filled it in some with the darker gold petite treasure braid, too. I really need to get back into the swing of doing more stitching, but things are still hectic. At this point, I doubt they're going to calm down before I go to Europe. Just so much to do! This one will also go with me overseas, and I hope to finish it there if I'm not too busy. Either I'm going to be really busy during the days doing research, or not busy at all during the days. Time will tell.