Languishing lovebirds

Last week I mentioned that one of the things I brought back to Denver in my suitcase was a blackwork kit. I alway thought blackwork was beautiful, so I signed up for Tanja Berlin's blackwork "Lovebirds" class in August. Lessons were sent out every two weeks through last week. Unfortunately I didn't get my kit until just before the third of five classes was published. Somehow the U.S. and Canadian post offices let us down. By the time it came, I was so busy with other things, that despite my resolve to keep up with the course, I only finished lesson one this week. Unfortunately, my critique wasn't so good. I found myself rushing to finish and made some mistakes. Not big ones, but big enough. I'll have to work through the rest a little more slowly, and sadly on my own since the class ends next week. I'm disappointed with myself, because the materials and the critiques are great. I just couldn't keep up.

 

Here's what I have done so far. I'm looking forward to working on it over Christmas--which means that these little birdies are going back to New England with me. Too bad they don't earn their own frequent flyer miles!

 

 

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A happy little bluebird from across the ocean

Look what arrived in the mail on Wednesday, all the way from South Africa! It is Trish Burr's newest needle painting kit. She featured it on her blog earlier this month as a replacement to her online lessons. I have some of her gorgeous books, but I have been intimidated by the thought of actually trying to embroider one her designs. Her blog description was irresistible though--and even with shipping, it was still a good price. I decided that it was worth the shipping costs (rather than just downloading the instructions) to get the printed fabric on my first needle painting attempt. That is one less thing to worry about and I get to feel the fabric she uses. Choosing the right fabric for embroidery is not my forte. It came quickly too.

 

The instruction booklet is fantastic. Just look at the detail! It sure does make me feel confident in my ability to follow the instructions. I even downloaded the free needle case pattern she included on her blog, so this will be a real little treat for me when I finish.

 

Unfortunately, I won't be starting this for quite awhile. In fact, even my blogging will be sporadic over the next few months. I am packing up my apartment and moving the cats and most of my things back to Rhode Island and downsizing to a smaller place here in Denver. Now that I have permission to work from home in Rhode Island every other month, my focus is going to be more there then here. This happy little bluebird can eventually fly with me!

 

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