Dazzling Edge

I got the edge conpletely done this week, and unfortunately not anything else. I need to set aside time and just get this -done-. It's my plan to once I'm done on the zodiac round robin I'm stitching on daily. This will be my daily item until it's done afterward.

Leafing Out

I'm getting to the real stuff now - all the big things that need to be filled in. One leaf is done, all in chain stitch, and the other will be (plus something else, I hope) this week. The zodiac thing is taking up significant amounts of stitching time so I can get it done, and then last night I went off the reservation with the crazy quilt block.

I think I shaded the leaf fairly well. For some reason, I've come to like doing crewel more and more despite my "color in the lines" personality and liking of all things counted.

Cream on Cream Round Robin

Yes, I know. I need another project like I need a hole in the head ... but this one's different! I'm doing a cream on cream crazy quilt block round robin. This is the block I pieced. There are five of us in the round robin, and I'll work on everyone else's as they work on mine. The reason I started this so precipitately was because the others in the group were getting really itchy to start -despite an official start date of January 30th. It's ready to go now, so I don't have to worry about not starting on time.

As I was making this block, the name came to me - Slivers of Sunshine for the litte yellow silk pieces in it.

Knot Right Now

The knots are really beginning to form. This goes quickly when I do it, but I'm waiting to finish my Crewel Confidence before putting this front and center. It's easy and there's only counting to do, so it's not giving me any trouble.

More Borders

Despite having just done this same shape upright, it feels very different from the other. Amazing what happens when you put something on its side. The order of colors and stitches and shapes is all skewed and the stitches seem to line up differently. It adds variety, at least.

Backwards Progress

I've made quite a bit of progress on Ares this week despite the backwards stitching. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that I'm getting comfortable doing it this way. I really want to have this piece done before the end of next week, so I'll be working diligently on it some more. I do wish she had picked three strands instead of two, though. All that black and dark colors on the white are showing how skimpy the coverage is. Not my problem, though.

Skirting the Edge

I started in on the outer edges of this quarter this week. I'm beginning to feel excited that I'll have part five done soon. It seems to be going faster these days. So, the dark blue and green are done on the outer upright edge and the lighter gold traces the inner edge. Every time I work on this piece and Tuscany, I just love the feel of them. Silk is so soft and buttery and a joy to work with.