Monday, January 23, 2012

TUSAL, BAP Challenge, and a birdcage

I've seen Totally Useless Stitchalong (TUSAL) posts on many blogs over this past year. And this year, I'm joining the madness. So here's my first TUSAL update:

Hmm, I should have taken a photo where you can see all the pretty, bright colors from my model stitching. Oh well. There are several projects' orts stuck in that little jar. If you want to learn more about the TUSAL, or join in the fun, head on over to
Daffycat's blog . There are tons of people playing along, all over blog world!

In other stitching news, both my threads and my fabric for my BAP arrived over the weekend. (BAP stands for Big A** Project) As I was checking my thread list versus the actual threads, I came to a horrible realization... there was a second page of the magazine where additional fibers are listed. Quelle Horreur! Now I must place yet another order for NPI silks. Sigh. At least I have the ones I need to get started! This poor project seems a bit doomed at this point, but I will press on. Here's a photo of the pattern I'm stitching, and the fabric and threads that I have thus far:

I put about 20 stitches in the fabric over the weekend, but it doesn't look like anything, so I"m not going to try to take a progress photo. I selected this piece to participate in BeckyBee's BAP Challenge this year. The idea is to stitch one really big project from start to finish during the calendar year. Who knows if I'll make it, but I'm certainly going to try!

I finished the model that I was working on for Mom this weekend. She and Dad drove over to Durham and met Alton and I at "our" house (soon to be plain old our house, giggle). She picked up the model, and dropped off another. She is doing a series of small designs that can be either framed or finished as a pillow. The one I'm working on is actually an engagement pillow (bet you can't guess whose engagement the pillow celebrates!). I'll probably finish the stitching tonight or tomorrow, but since I don't think I have the finishing supplies she'll want to use, it probably won't get finished until sometime next week. I wonder how long it will be before I can claim the model as my own personal property? I will have photos to show you what I've been working on soon, but not yet.

The other thing I've been working on is, of course, the wedding. I have chatted with the dj, and addressed what seems like a million invitations. It wasn't a million. It was probably closer to 50. But it felt like a lot. THere are still more invites to go, but the bulk of them are done. I also worked on some decorations for the reception. This is a work in progress, but it gives you an idea of where I'm headed.

What do you think, adorable or hideous?

4 comments:

Faye said...

Adorable....I love anything wrought iron with vines of any type....So springy also~~ Now,update me...Will you be living in Durham? That is where I grew up! You need to email me...This could end up being a small world story!!

Take care and can't wait to see the models.....Always,

Faye

Margaret said...

I think it's adorable! Very pretty -- love the colors too! I'm excited to see the models you're stitching for your mother. How appropriate that one is an engagement pillow! :D So cool! And your BAP project!!! Yum-oh! I love that piece! It'll be a beauty! I hope you meet the challenge cause I'd love to watch your progress! I still haven't picked my challenge project yet. I keep on picking up WIPs that don't fit the bill. lol!

Chris said...

Adorable!
I am glad that you found that issue of SANQ :)
I can't wait to see this sampler stitched in person.

Ziggyeor said...

Love the orts and good job on the birdcage.