Adrift, Page 14 Completed!

Page 14 is done, done, done!   My next page, I get to start the tail!!!  I'm so excited! (But judging from the confetti in the pattern, I may yet live to regret that excitement.)

Finishing this page, I got to learn first hand the TRUE meaning of frustration.  I was probably within 100 stitches of a page finish with no work scheduled for a week, and then I got called in.  (I work 12 hour shifts, so when I'm working, my life consists of working, eating and sleeping, and no stitching time whatsoever).   So I got called in to work a shift.. then another... and another. Being so close to a page finish and having to wait 4 days before I could pick it up again!   TORTURE! 

Anybody following this blog work with stands?  I got a little bit of money for Christmas, and bought one, that I don't know the name of.   It's not like the standard Hearthside stands that we usually see. This one looks more industrial, with a metal base (which is what I needed above all, because I have a wood loving Cockatoo, who would have made short work of my new expensive stand) 

It's hard to describe, so here is a photo of it.  I prefer to work with Q-Snaps, so this fits perfectly into the frame, and holds nice and snug while I learn how to stitch with both hands (omg, so much faster)
It took me a few days to get used to it, and at first I thought I'd made a huge mistake and that it was more awkward and uncomfortable, but then I spent some time adjusting to my comfort level and really giving it a chance, and now I'm convinced it was the best purchase I've ever made.

It's not the prettiest stand, but it's perfect for me!  And being that it's small (as far as stands go) I can fit my light AND my magnifier beside it.  I now have an extremely busy little stitching corner, but it's mine all mine and I love it!

Hopefully I should have a nice page of Winter Hat Owl to show off in a few weeks, this time with Owl! 

Happy stitching, everyone!

~Rai Rai

Winter Hat Owl Progress, aka Blue, Blue and Blue

I just finished page 5 of Winter Hat Owl a couple of days ago, and I thought you might like to see the progress.   The next page I actually get to start the hat.  But until then, MOAR BLUE!

That being said, I'm already 32% done this project.   I'm surprised by the amount of confetti in the actual owl.  I guess I never really looked at the pattern that closely.   Oh well, at least it's beautiful, vibrant bright colors - the antithesis of Adrift. 

Enjoy. I'm already well into my next page of Adrift, and I should have an update for you in a few weeks time.

~Rai Rai

Adrift, Page 13 is Complete

First page finish of the year! 

I'm getting so close to being able to start working on her tail, I'm so excited.  I thought it would make an appearance in the next page, but I think I have to wait one more page before it makes it's first peek-a-boo appearance.

I'm off to work on a page of the Winter Hat Owl.   Only one more page of nothing but background and I start to work on the actual owl itself.  

So excited! 

Rai Rai

A Little Holiday Break

So, I've got another friend who is having a baby, due February, so due to the season, I had lots of patterns to choose from when it came to making their customary stocking.

I started about 3 weeks ago and VOILA!

Mom and dad to-be are keeping a tight secret as to Jr's name, so I will have to add the name at a later time, and send it for sewing.  But I thought I'd share it here.

I choose this pattern, because the dad, who is from England, traveled through the States and Canada in his gap year, which is when we met.  We worked together and became lifelong friends.  So I chose a Canadian-esque theme for his first son.

I hope he likes it.  I'll, of course, post a photo when it's all completed, washed and sewed.

It was a nice little break, but I'm ready to get back to Adrift. 

Happy Holiday to all of my kindreds, whatever it is you choose to celebrate, I hope it's happy and festive.

See you in the new year!

~Rai Rai

And That's a Row, Folks!

Pages 11 and 12 of Adrift are done!  I started page 11 on Oct 24th, and finished page 12 on Nov 9.  Not too shabby!

I even had a large flat table and two friends willing to hold her flat at each end (thank you, Rika and Ashley) and I finally have a decent photo for you! 

I can't believe how beautiful she is so far.  Although I can say that updating my status bar by 8000 stitches, only to see a 3% increase in my status is a bit of an anti-climax.  But 34% is still pretty good.

I'm off to stitch a page of Winter Hat Owl now.  I'd post a photo, but there is literally nothing to see but blue.  But I'm starting a new row after this one, so there might be some hat to show off soon.  I will, of course, keep you posted!

Also, my sister sent me a photo of  an angel I stitched for her a few years ago, before I started this blog.  I believe she is the Peace Angel.  Stitched 3 over 2 on the last bit of navy blue Lugana there was at the shop.  A friend had actually bought the fabric, but she graciously let me have it.  (Thanks Kari).

The blue doesn't really show up in the picture, but she is on a dark blue background and framed beautifully.   She now lives above my sisters bed.




Anyway, that's all I have for you for now.   I will hopefully start posting row 3 shortly.


~Rai Rai

Adrift Page 10 is Complete

I really must apologize for the pictures.  I do try to pull the wrinkles out of the piece, but I don't think I'll truly get a nice photo until it is complete, washed and ironed.

That being said, I do try to take the best photos that I can on an iPhone.

Not that much exciting to see. Just a bit of her torso, and waves.  Endless waves.

Here is the entire piece so far.   As you can see, this wasn't the most exciting of pages, but they too must be done.   One more page and a partial and I am done a second row!  I think I may be a bit ahead of schedule, as it took me a full 6 months to do the first row, but even though I am working a page on Adrift and then a page of Winter Hat Owl, I will be done this next page well before January. (at least I hope to complete it somewhere mid November).   But with the completion of this page, I have now hit the 30% mark on this journey! 

Again, I apologize for the quality of the photo, but you do get an idea of the progress.

Off to work on page 3 of Winter Hat Owl.  Only about 4 more pages and I might have a photo to show off.

I know it's early still, but wishing you a happy and safe Halloween.

~Rai Rai

Adrift, Page 9 is Complete

Started August 23rd and finished Sept 8, this page wasn't nearly as exciting as the last page, but it's another piece of the puzzle.

This is a closeup of the page, which shows more of her torso, a bit of her hair and an outline of breast. One of the things that I liked about this pattern was there was nothing covering her breast, no seaweed, or clam shell, just the waves. 

This is (a very wrinkled) photo of the entire mermaid so far. 

And this is the entire piece to date. 

She has been packed away and I will do page 2 of my Winter Hat Owl, now.  Since there is nothing to see (literally nothing) but a blue background, I won't post any photo's until I actually start on the owl itself, which will be approximately 6 pages in.  But working on a background that only has 3 colors is fast.  It gives me a sense of accomplishment, while giving me a nice, bright blue to stare at, after the gloomy colors of Adrift. 

It will likely be about 6 weeks before you see another update, but I promise I will continue to expose this picture, a pixel at a time.

~Rai Rai