Friday, June 01, 2012

CAMPING AND AN OLD OBSESSION

Me - nah - I'm not the camping type - I need a/c, cable, nice restaurants, great light and a comfortable chair.  Now those big fancy motorhomes have all that but that's not really roughing it. 
Camp Loopy 2012 is what I am talking about - I know at least a couple of my local friends and several blog friends are doing Camp Loopy.  Sheri the owner of The Loopy Ewe devised this cute way of having everyone participant in a group project last summer.  She gives a discount on yarn and little incentives for finishing on time and so forth.  It's fun - plus there is lots of campfire fun over on Ravelry. 

I am doing a beautiful hooded scarf Peak Island Hood by Ysolda Teague a UK designer.  I am using hand dyed yarn from Three Irish Girls in an exquisite colorway called Niall.  I am enjoying knitting the well written pattern.  Thank goodness there are stretches of mindless knitting - I need that especially this week - I'm sorry but it has been the week from hell.  First Tropical Storm Beryl - dealing with the aftermath has been difficult for some residents of NE FL.  Thankfully we did not have any damage but a lot of cleanup of tree debris.  thanks to all my blog friends for sending comments and well wishes on that subject.  It was much appreciated.

 The old obsession part of the blog post title refers to my love of needlepoint.  I learned to needlepoint as a young girl - about 8yrs old.  It has been something I always go back to.  I've done lots of needlepoint classes incorporating fancy threads and intricate stitches but I think my favorite needlepoint is just classic designs like this one using beautiful wool or wool blend threads.  This canvas is using mostly Silk and Ivory a 50/50 merino silk blend.
 Here is a close up shot of the backround stitch for the blue.  I think this is going to be nice and I will do a different backround stitch on the yellow green portion - brick maybe.  Sorry this photo is not as crisp as I would like but you get the idea.
No I am not working this on any type of frame.  I'm sure most needlepointers would frown but I find holding a heavy frame to be tiresome and yes I have every type of frame and type of stand known to man - I just like to feel the project in my hands.  Just like with stitching on linen which I do 95% in hand.

Well the weekend is upon us.  What do you have planned?  I go to my EGA stitching group tomorrow but other than that - I am looking forward to a quiet relaxing weekend - after the week I've had with first the silly storm and then network problems for the past 36 hours - whew - I'm ready to chill out.  Enjoy !

12 comments:

Margaret said...

Sorry you had a bad week. I so relate at least with Beryl. Last year we dealt with enough of that type of problem to last us a lifetime. I love your projects!! The color of that hooded scarf is just lovely! And the needlepoint -- gorgeous! So when you do needlepoint in hand, do you have to worry about the canvas getting all out of shape? I remember when I was little I did needlepoint and never learned you were supposed to use a frame. My canvases always ended up being totally crooked. lol! Hope you have a great weekend!

mdgtjulie said...

Sorry to hear you had a rough week. I know that's how it goes sometimes, and it's not like you could say you don't want the storm and have it go elsewhere. Your knitting is lovely. Beautiful color as well. I love it. And your stitching is beautiful too. I can't stitch in hand. It makes my hand cramp and hurt and generally misbehave. It amazes me that you can!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Sorry you've had a bummer of a week and hope you get a much needed rest over the weekend. Your needlepoint project is beautiful and I love the color of yarn you're using for your knitting project.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I know that cleaning up after even a small storm can be exhausting. I'm sorry your week has been a rough ride. hope the weekend settles down and gives you the respite you need. Your projects are gorgeous; that blue is divine! Your needlepoint project is lovely, too with fantastic colors.

Katrina said...

Yuck on the bad week!!!! Hope you have a nice weekend to make up for it :-). Love the needlepoint too.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Mel ~
I hope you can relax and have a good weekend!
My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn with no pool...lol!
Beautiful projects. You are so talented in so many different ways.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Your needlepoint piece is stunning!!! I'm so envious of your beautiful stitching. I can never seem to keep an even tension. The yarn is exquisite!!! Just love the name of that shop. Hope your clean up goes smoothly.
Linda

Ellen said...

So sorry that you had a rough week....here is to sunnier days ahead.

I did a double take when you mentioned "camping" in your post title. Knowing you, I didn't think you would be an outdoor camper. My mother used to say her idea of roughing it was to turn off the air-conditioner.

Karoline said...

I hope your weekend is going better.

Both projects are looking lovely.

geeky Heather said...

Oooo, the color of that yarn is GORGEOUS!! I hope things get better for you this week.

I tagged you for 11 questions at my blog. You can answer if you want! =)

Dani - tkdchick said...

That needlepoint is just lovely!

Dani - tkdchick said...

That needlepoint is just lovely!