Angolan Metaphors

Angola is a land of wasted opportunity.  It's one of those places where you can see potential all around you, yet no one willing to step up and work to make things better.  These ships at shipwreck beach were towed here to finish rusting away. Many of them are rusted through.  I don't know of a better metaphor for Angola than these forlorn icons.

Pinking

I have gotten done with the middle pink!  There's not too very much to do until I'm done.  Maybe I will finish it while I'm on vacation.

We Saw Whales

Yesterday we went on a boat ride into the Atlantic.  As part of it, we went to find whales and found about a dozen.  These are a couple of Andreas' photos.

Square Jessica

I've got some swirly stitches going now.

Another Branch

On the far left, there's another branch nearly done.

Another Gargoyle Reveals Itself

This is my current daily project, so expect to see significant progress next time.  Both the side gargoyles are almost done.  I've started a new gargoyle in the middle area, so it'll get bigger as I go.

Verily, It Is

Now the tenth is really done.  There were a few holes to fill.  Going to be much slower from now on, as it's no longer my daily progress piece.

Gift-a-roo

One of my colleagues and his family took a month long trip through southern Africa and New Zealand and Australia.  They brought me back this neat looking magnet.

Wing Spine

I've now got the outer line of the wing started.  This is coming along so beautifully.  The colors pop against the black.

New Jewelry

This bracelet and earrings are made from horn.  I think it's cow horn.  Either way, it's pretty and it's not an endangered animal.  The bracelet barely fits and the earrings look great with a lot of things.

All Knotted Up

I'm finished with this piece!  It's going to be turned into an ornament for an auction.  I think it'll look pretty good.

Texana

I am collecting Chaparral's Texana needlepoint.  These are the first two.  I start the Texas at latest during crazy January.

Herringbone And Letters

A little more done - herringbone between the letter lines and more letters themselves.

Stoned

We had dinner at Restaurant Veneza on Saturday.  The occasion was in honor of a colleague's last week in town.  Veneza is known for its steak on a stone, so that's what I had. I was only able to eat one of the steaks.  The other is still raw and in the freezer.  It'll be pulled out soon.  The caprainia could have been better.  That lemon garnish is really sad looking and set the tone of the drink.  The fries always have eggs on them.  They do that and then charge extra for the eggs.  Typical scam in Luanda.

Sideways

Even off by 90 degrees, I've got some major swirl going.  I am getting closer to this part being done.

Almost No Difference

There is a difference here, really.  The inner square is stitched.  It's just so well blended in you can't see it.

Unbalanced

This is my beautiful new vintage French balance.  Pouch broke it in shipping despite the beautiful wrapping job.  Sometimes I hate pouch.

So Very Close

I promise that next time I will be done with this band!

Tenth Accomplished

Yay!  I got one of the focal rectangles done!  I like the look of it despite all my changed colors.

To Do Soon

I want to do these little projects soon!  They look so pretty.

Riding The Wave

My dragon is rising out of the sea of black.  He looks very good.

Space Pen

Andreas decided I needed to be able to write in purple while upside down.  This is the result.

Middle's Done

All that's left to do is finish up the outer ring.  This will be done soon.  I like the gray on the green.

Soft As Silk

During Wimbledon, The Silk Mill ran a special.  I bought the upper package and got the lower one free!  I love all these colors!

On The Inside

This medium pink takes a bit of floss, but I do like how it's layiing down.  I'm not thrilled about the huge french knots on the tendrils.  I might have to change them.

Swirly

There are a lot of swirls done now, and a bit more to go.  I think I might be done with this part soon!

Outlined

All the outlines are done.  The fun is about to begin.

Four Blocks

I finally got to use my sewing machine for the first time in over a year.  This is what I made .... not great points, but I'll take them.  I hope I get to do more piecing soon.

Plodding Around

I'm still making progress on the left hand side.  It just feels so very, very slow.

So Close And So Far

I keep feeling like I'm close to the end of the band, but I never seem to reach the end.

Purple Flower

A new kit that I think is pretty.  This is what happens when Andreas asks me to look something up on etsy.  Time to get stitching so I can start this and several others.  Unfortunately, starting next week I am going to be snowed under at work.  At least I have gotten several January starts done this year.

Last Ones, Really

I thought I had posted my last earring purchase from Namibia, but I'd forgotten about these.  Yes, I am still on a kick about feathers.  And yes, these have been worn.  They look good with several pink blouses I own.

Golden And Edging

The left part of the arch is more filled in now, and there's more border done.  I am nearly to the halfway point.

Greening Up

This just started two weeks of being my daily project.  I wonder how far I'll get.  I do like the idea of making a lot of headway on it!

Pens And More Pens

Andreas thought I was running low on pens and bought these on Massdrop for me.  I think I'm set for a bit.

All Counted Round

I think this came out pretty!  Now to finish it into an ornament.

New Favorite Pen

Andreas paid way too much for a pen for me, but I love it.  This Cross has a nice heft to it, lots of cloisonne, and refillable purple ink!

Daily Done

I made a huge amount of progress when I was doing this daily.  I did need to take a break, though, and it's still in my rotation.  Now it's got only three or four smallish rounds to go!

Tossed Floss

I bought a little bit of pearl cotton while I was in the US in June.

Two Of Three

Two thirds of the year has passed!  I think this looks pretty good, too.