In and out The Mushy Bluebells - Lockdown SAL

Somehow, the more I fill in on those bluebells, the less clearly I can see them. But their stems are almost complete now, and then the path, and some medium tree work left before we get to backstitch!  I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes alive with the backstitch.

My brain has been feeling somewhat mushy this week, with every small victory at work a hard-won thing, and a finish to the week with more exhaustion than elation today.  I'm deeply glad to be working 4 days a week rather than 5!

My BFF is continuing progress on a different project whilst waiting for me to catch up.  Check out hers on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

Filling in Holes - Lockdown SAL

It feels like a decent amount of progress this week, with some filling in on bluebell stalks, lots of stitching on bluebells and even some more work on the pale treetops.

Best of all, that big expanse of white is shrinking steadily.  I think it will take 2 more sessions to catch up with my BFF.

You can catch up with what she worked on this week on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

February Gifted Gorgeousness

It's the 15th of the month, which means it's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again... Sneaking in immediately after Valentines Day!

This one is a gift to myself, from myself, but stitched with a size 28 needle which was part of my Xmas presents. I'm normally a fan of a size 26 needle, but I quite liked the thinner needle here, so I might well use it again in my smaller projects.

It was a pattern from a library book copied many years ago, so I can only find a title of Planet Pillow sign, as it was stitched up as a pillow.  

My own intention is to frame it and hang it on the walls of my new craft room, or perhaps mount it as a large fridge magnet, as that is where I'd keep most of my chocolate supplies!

Head over to Jo's blog at http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com for more participants in this mini-hop. 

Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop

Thanks to Jo over at http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com for hosting the Hop.  If you didn't already come here from there, then hop back that way to find out who to visit next. 

This lovely motto "Stitching takes me to a Happy Place" was posted by my Secret Stitching Sweetheart, I'm looking forward to hopping around today to find out who got my little entry too, that I stitched in my own little happy place. 

Time to Catch up - Lockdown SAL

Added some leaves to those background trees, and to the bluebell stems. Those massive swathes of white are still a little overwhelming, but I have definitely made progress.  And it's always good to catch up with my BFF along the way. 

Check out my BFF's update here. 

Get in the Hole, man! Lockdown SAL

Lots of filling in gaps this week for me, although those big white spaces make me sad, when I see my BFF's almost - complete piece and realise how much slower I must be stitching.  This is the downside of a common project, that tendency towards comparison. Check out her progress on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

But the post title was more about my general need to rant this week, I've been struggling emotionally with the continuing Lockdown, and little things that I'd probably have brushed off in a 'normal' world, are somehow becoming additional irritants that are simply adding to the stress.

Thankfully, my stitching and the  SAL are not in that category.  But I thought I'd share my favourite stitching rant.  It covers a multitude of sins, from thread that jumps out of the needle just when I'm close to finishing it, to needles that just don't want to go in the hole that I'm directing them towards. So my BFF is often subjected to the rant, "Get in the Hole, man!!".

What's your favourite rants whilst stitching?