Jan 1st start...

On Jan 1st I wasn't sure what I wanted to start, so did a little stash diving.I took the opportunity to update my online stash list (which I started last year), with the aim of keeping track of what stash I have.... I also added a wishlist (which was my intention last year). The TW section is lengthy, but this is so when Ed buys me something as a surprise off Ebay (I think Teresa Wentzler is one of his favourite searches...) it isn't something I've already got... I have 3 versions of somethings...

Anyway, the project that jumped out at me was Jeanette Douglas' Pomegranate and Pear Stitches. I first saw this on Dani's blog, and LOVED it. Last Christmas (2008) my sister got me the chart and thread pack (and was alarmed at how much the small amount of thread costs. I assured her she hadn't been ripped off...). I got a lovely fabric called Parchment from Kate at Sparklies when I was at Harrogate, as a Christmas present from Margaret, and a quick floss toss showed it was perfect.

I have to say I'm loving this piece. The perle thread used for the border was a PITA as the end kept unravelling, but other than that I've really enjoyed the speciality threads so far, and also the speciality stitches... so much so I've not been able to put it down. The over-one pears took a lot of time, but I love the way the turned out. I started it at 5pm, or thereabouts, on New Years Day, and spent most of yesterday with it. I have a stinking cold, so my afternoon will be spent with it on the sofa, hopefully in front of a good movie.... (although I'm enjoying this piece so much I don't care what's on TV, and was quite unaffected by Eddy's channel hopping last night).




I'm really pleased with my progress so far, and plan to stitch some of the pomegranates next....