Bet You Thought I Forgot

Okay, it's understandable. I haven't blogged about cross stitching in a long time. I also haven't done much cross stitching in a long time. But my friend Tama is currently working on a project I also happen to have in my unfinished objects (UFO) drawer, and she has inspired me to pull it out. I first started working on "Frederick the Literate" a long time ago, in a stitch along with some friends on the About.com cross stitching board. Their Freds are long since finished, framed and hung - most likely in a place of honor. Mine, meanwhile, languishes in the abovementioned drawer. But Tama has encouraged and inspired me, so I pulled Fred out today and took a photo before getting back to work on him. I haven't done much, mind you. We're very busy with translation work and I've got stuff coming up next week that needs to be dealt with, so I really only put in a few minutes' work today. But after I've done more, I will post a progress photo.

Of course, I still haven't worked on Mother's Arms in a long time... In fact, I have at least three works in progress (WIPs) - sounds better than UFOs, doesn't it? - that need attention. But just because I'm not stitching doesn't mean I don't think about these projects, not to mention all the other gorgeous charts I purchased because I absolutely knew I must make them! It's the same malady no matter what the medium; whether you're a knitter, stamper, stitcher or whatever.


The other thing I got done today (aside from translation work, of which we suddenly have an abundance) is to finish up these toddler-sized socks, made from Knit Picks Simple Stripe yarn leftover from a pair of socks I made for my mother-in-law quite a while ago. I have since cast on for a pair of Better than Vanilla socks for me, using Opal Magic yarn given to me by the pattern designer, the incomparable Judy Sumner. What a wonderful lady! It is thanks to her that I knit socks at all, and I had the great pleasure of lunching with her and spending some time in the yarn shop where she teaches and assists knitters. She gifted me with some lovely yarn while we were together, and I immediately knew I would knit it up in one of her many fabulous patterns. I very much enjoyed making the Better Than Vanilla socks for my niece several months ago, so I decided to make a pair for myself.

Tomorrow will be spent (at least partially) working. Luckily, the three projects that came in this week are not rush jobs, but we will do our best to get them done as quickly as possible, since next week is rather full.