Monday, April 13, 2015

Spring! And stitching?!!

I finished my Handbrake Cowl!


It is a pattern by Dan Jones with help from his wife Kay Jones of the Bakery Bears Podcast.  The pattern is 1 pound, all proceeds going to support cancer research.  I used Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney in Blue Maize.  I gave it to the Father type -- here he is modeling it.


I think he likes it.  :D

I know this will be a shock but I'm stitching again!!!


I picked up an old WIP, the EF 1864 Sampler from an issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework Magazine.  I need to check which issue it is.  Here is how far I've gotten so far.


It's nice to be stitching again!  But I'm not sure how I will fare with this one.  I love Berlin woolwork, but it's not my favorite kind of stitching.   And that's what the bulk of the piece is.

This weekend was the first time in a week that we've had any sunshine.  Sunday was a glorious day!  Sunshine and temps in the 60s.  Yum!  The father type and I took a nice long walk in one of our local state parks, visited a bookstore, and just had a nice day!




And when we got home, we opened the windows for the first time this year!  Hooray!  Someone enjoyed the fresh air immensely.



Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week!




31 comments:

wenhkc said...

Isn't it nice to air out the house!

Vera said...

Love the cowl Margaret! Wow! That sampler looks like another very large one...I am still not stitching, but am working on a shawl with some lace work and still trying to hunt down a class so I can learn to knit sox - lol. So great to finally have weather where it's nice to be outdoors.

Dawn said...

Beautiful cowl. What a nice way to spend a day.

Anonymous said...

great cowl, loooove your stitching♥
Mia is so sweet

Vickie said...

The cowl looks well received. ;)
What gorgeous, colorful stitching!
I AM noticing the window is not opened up too much. ;)

Kerri said...

So happy to see you stitching again. The fresh air feels wonderful and so glad this long winter is almost over!

Vicki said...

The cowl is awesome! And I really love the bright colors on your stitching project. So happy that Spring has finally sprung in your area - enjoy!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I'm glad spring has finally come to your neck of the woods! Love the cowl and it's awesome model. Tee hee! He's such a funny dude. You know how I love Berlin work. I can't wait to see how far you get on this one. Have a good week. Give Mia a squeeze from me.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Father-type :) He just makes me smile!
and I adore the cowl...and of course your gorgeous stitching! It was a glorious weekend here as well, (although I had to work-drat! - but enjoyed the evenings!)
That sweet MIA! what a darling!

Hazel said...

Your stitching is looking fab. I took a stitching break last year as my stitchy mojo left me but it has come back full throttle this year! Lovely cowl too. x

Melissa said...

Ahh, I see Mia is enjoying the spring air!

That's a beautiful blue cowl that you've made. What a great idea of just having a cowl rather than a scarf.

I'm glad you have picked up stitching again!

Linda said...

The cowl is really pretty Margaret. Glad to see you stitching again.

Linda

Linda said...

Like that cowl! I have two on the needles right now (different patterns from Ravelry) and have another one I want to start as soon as I get the yarn! My cat Buddy is also loving the windows open - the scents are almost overwhelming for him!

Linda in VA

Ali said...

Oooh I am loving the colours in your new piece of stitching so bright and cheery! Glad you got to open the windows it makes such a difference when you get to air the house after a long winter. We got to do the same here last week however temps have dropped again this week and all windows are now firmly shut and heating back on brrrr! Ali x

woolwoman said...

lovely cowl finish - I'm glad DH can have a new cowl to keep his neck warm. Good for you picking up a WIP - lots of pretty colors in there but it looks like a lot of changing colors. I'm sure that is what you dislike about stitching berlin work motifs. Glad you were able to get out into nature on Sunday and have a nice day in the park. Enjoy your week - Mel

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The cowl looks great Margaret. I love the colours in your sampler, it just jumps out of the photo. Mia is so photogenic, she loves to pose.

Karen said...

Ooooh, love your EF sampler! It's one of my favorites.

Wanda said...

Margaret, the cowl is gorgeous! We had a glorious weekend as well so feel hopeful spring is really coming!
Whatever handwork you do is gorgeous Margaret so just keep going with the flow.
Have a great week!

Beth said...

What a pretty cowl with interesting textural patterns. Oh the colors used in EF are just amazing - I hope you persevere! I am interested what you think after reading "London Stories" - that book might be calling my name. Mia looks to be enjoying sniffing all the spring smells.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Doesn't sunshine make all the difference in the world?! I'm glad you had some!

Gorgeous cowl and I love your stitching project. I'm not familiar with Berlin Woolwork so I need to look that upl

Melody said...

The cowl turned out great! I'm sure it will keep the neck warm come winter. Yes, it's great to have the windows open to air out the house. You WIP is pretty. I'm not familiar with Berlin wool work. I'm sure you will find something to stitch that makes you happy soon!

Evelyne said...

Lovely cowl Margaret!
Great sampler love the bright colours!
Mia loved the fresh air!

Have nice stitching week.
Evelyne

Annie said...

Love the cowl. Excellent model too! ;-)

When you start stitching, you really start stitching! That's a lot of progress on that sampler. The colors are beautiful.

Spring is such a joy, yes?

Carol said...

Beautiful cowl, Annie--such a great color. And I'm so happy to see that you're stitching again--what a giant piece!!

I do hope this spring weather continues--we were up to 80 on Monday (too hot for spring!).

Lois said...

What a lovely cowl! And some stitching appearing?!?!?! Hope the stitching mojo stays around - mine seems to have gone walkabout at the moment (again!!) but I've had a busy couple of weeks so I think that's partly the reason. Glad to hear you are getting some warmer temps!

Cari said...

Your knitting and stitching is amazing…as always !! So glad your weather has been a little nicer and you got to enjoy a nice walk. What a beautiful stroll you two must of had.

And of course, sweet Mia…loving the fresh air. She's such an adorable Kitty and I know you know I just love her to pieces.

Happy Week !!

Brigitte said...

Yeah! You are stitching again. And a lovely piece that you pulled out, with nice spring colours.

Is there a better way to greet spring than taking a long walk in nature? No, certainly not. And is there a better way to spend a wonderful weekend than with opening the windows and sitting and reading a new book and stitching a bit in between? No, I can't think of any :))

Annette-California said...

So glad Spring has arrived for you! I know you were done with all the snow you had. Lovely cowl and such a wonderful model:) I too am a fan of Berlin work and your sampler is gorgeous! Those colors are HAPPY!!!
Perfect for spring stitching.
love Annette

Pam Tanner said...

Love the EF 1864 sampler. I did it s year or two ago. Keep plugging along, you'll be to the motifs before you know it!

Sally said...

Love that cowl Margaret. Looks like your DH approves :).

Oooh the sampler is amazing! Lovely to see you stitching again.

Mia looks like she is thinking please let me out!

Melanie said...

Stitching! It has been awhile. (Says the person who hasn't knit pretty much at all for a few months!) The colors are really great on that piece, though I'm not sure what you mean by 'woolwork'? Is it that the pattern is repetitive?
The cowl will be great in the fall, I'm sure. :)