Sunday 5 October 2008

Sun & Stitches

It seems such a long time ago since I came here to write my blog. We had the most wonderful holiday in Egypt - the hottest holiday I have ever experienced. Although we have been to Egypt a couple of times before it has been to the Red Sea area and the heat down by the Nile was so much more intensive which was lovely in the shade but a bit too powerful when you were out looking at temples etc. I have changed my header picture so you can see the two largest of the Pyramids which were fantastic. Keith went down inside one of the Pyramids but I chickened out of that experience as I know it would be much to claustrophobic to me. We had two very hectic days in Cairo before flying down to Luxor to join our cruise. Lots and lots to see but my favourite had to be the temple at Philae Island. We are still sorting out photographs but once they are sorted I will put some in my webshots album for anyone who would like to see them. I know Karan will be looking forward to that bit and one or two others have said they would like to look but they will be tucked out the way so I will not bore anyone who is not interested.



I did some stitching whilst on holiday and got approximately half of my Shadows sampler done.



I also made a start on LHN Winter Whites but I have not really made enough progress on that to show any picture yet.

Unfortunately since getting home I have hardly had the chance to touch a needle.

Thursday I had a lovely day at my Mums as my cousin from Ontario, Canada was visiting his parents and he came to spend the afternoon with us. Its four years since I last saw him and its lovely to catch up in person.

We have had Oscar for the weekend and I have still not finished all my holiday washing, but hopefully sometime next week I am going to be back stitching with great vigour. My "mojo" is jumping up and down with excitement but I just need to find some ME time, either that or go on holiday again - now there's a good idea though I think I have something like 18 or 19 weeks for that pleasure to arrive again.

This morning i went to the Fabric Guild in Leicester - ooh I spent far too much LOL and this afternoon we popped into Derby where I got a lovely book called Countryside Views in Cross Stitch from The Works. It has a lovely little row of cottages which will be just perfect for my Neighbourhood. I had finished designing it but I have one bit I am not happy with and this little group of cottages will replace that bit nicely. Once I have sorted that out I will just need to order my fabric and grid it up and I will be all ready for the New Year start. I am going to use mainly DMC threads though I would quite like to use some varied threads for certain parts but I will have to see how that works out. As I intend doing my neighbourhood on a small tablecloth then whatever I use is going to need to be washable which rather rules out the hand dyed ones which is a shame.

I think next week if I can get some stitching time I really must use it playing catch up with my two monthly SALs as I am so far behind with them at the moment and with the neighbourhood looming for next year I would like to be finishing them on time.

I hope you have all done lots of stitching while I have been away and I am looking forward to catching up with all those blogs during the next week to two.

xx
May your frogs stay in their ponds

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your vacation stitching looks fabulous. I'm glad you had a great time.

Elisa said...

Oh how jealous am I...it is my dream to visit Egypt, I have spent 8 years home studying for a degree in Egyptology but have never had the funds to visit....your photo of Giza is magical.
I am glad to hear you had a great time...really I am...lol

Julie said...

Great header pic, my brother and his family went to egypt last year, he didnt go inside the pyramid although his 14 year old son did LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh it sounds like a lovely holiday. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I love the header image.

Welcome home btw :)

I know what you mean about finding me time for stitching. It can be a juggling act some days.

Veronica said...

I love your Pyramids header picture and I'm another who would love to see your vacation pictures.

Do show us your newly acquired stash so we can drool over em.

Pretty sampler.

Christine said...

Welcome home Helen. Sounds like you had a great holiday. I'd love to see more pictures.
Great progress on the Shadow sampler

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Helen, holiday sounds fab, love the look of the shadows sampler.

Stitchabilities said...

Love the picture,and I do like the shadow sampler off to look at your Holiday pics cause I am nosey!! LOL

Sally said...

Welcome back Helen. It sounds like you had a fantastic time. Love your new header picture.

The Shadows Sampler is looking good.

Unknown said...

Welcome back Helen! Your shadow sampler is looking great!

Ruth said...

Welcome home! I'm glad you had a successful holiday -- here's to finishing some "you"/stitching time (without the laundry) soon! :)

Karan said...

Welcome back Helen & I am definitely looking forward to seeing those holiday pics! The header looks fab! :0)
Lovely holiday stitch - don't think I've seen that design before, so will watch it grow with interest. Looking forward to seeing WW too. :0)

CritterLady62 said...

What a fantastic place to visit on holiday. I'll be anxious to see your webshots album. Your Shadow's sampler looks great. I wish you time to recover from your vacation. Me time is oh so important.

Ranae said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. I love the Shadow
I would love to see some photo's
The Shadow Sampler is looking great

Clare-Aimetu said...

Your holiday sounds fab - I'd love to go to Egypt. I too go to the Fabric Guild - such great buys.

Beatrice said...

Your holiday looks awesome. What an interesting place to go to.
Shadow is coming along beautifully!