Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Something Girlie

Martin told me to do 'something girlie' like knitting, instead of taking electrikery to pieces. I have decided not to be insulted, and instead to post one of my hobbies which is actually 'girlie.' I use inverted comma's because I think it is mean of society to stereotype so cruelly.

Anyway - here's what's in my little orange bag off crafts. Well... one craft. ;-)



Yup, you guessed it - I like to do a little cross-stitch. This current project is the most ambitious I have tried, and I don't find a lot of time for it (because once I'm set up I don't like to move for a couple of hours or more, which can be tricky these days.) I don't find the hobby very relaxing, but I do find it very satisfying. With cross-stitch there is very strong evidence of one's progress, which I like. The poem in the top photo is me just mucking about with the alphabet. I may try to design my own images around the poem one day - I have a CD that goes into the computer and will convert pictures into cross-stitch designs, but I haven't tried it yet. I'll finish this first.

See how the picture is built up using lots and lots of tiny little crosses? (and half crosses). It is quite laborious, and the big rule is: don't use knots!!! You are not allowed to tie any knots in your cross stitch as it warps the cloth so that it won't sit flat. I still have lots of colours to put into the little section just above, and that is only part of the lower right quarter of the design.


Plumpy wanted to be included in the photo shoot, to show Elbi and Scaredy &co. that he has a sensitive side. ;-)

13 comments:

Maalie said...

I know what you mean by seeing your progress. There was a phase in my life when I made some rugs like that, there was a little tool to loop the wool strand through the template. I'm not sure if these can still be obtained.

It's nearly Christmas! Simon is coming for Christmas!

Ju's little sister said...

YAY!!!

lorenzothellama said...

Lucky Simon!

What is the picture going to be when it is finished?

My mother used to do tapestry. She didn't have any print on the canvas thing but used to follow a chart. I still have loads of them but not quite sure what to do with them. They are gathering dust in the attic at the moment.

Lovely photo of Plumpy. Hope he is careful about the needles.

Lorenzo.

Ju's little sister said...

Lorenzo, there is a picture of a vase of flowers in the middle of the second photo and that's what the cross stitch should look like at the end. I don't have any print on the cloth either and follow the black and white chart which a little can be seen of at the left of the top photo.

Plumps is always careful - and anyway I didn't bring the needles out in case they hurt someone.

I'd love to hear more about these tapestries...

Martin Stickland said...

Oh! When you said 'girlie things' I got all excited but seeing your wonderful work made up for my disappointment!

Well done that girl! you REALLY are a clever likkle munky!

I would not have the patience and would just get a lot of coloured pens to fill in the cloth.

Byeee

Got to have my tea!

lorenzothellama said...

Don't you just love the way cats curl their paws round when they are lying down?
Lorenzo.

Unknown said...

Oh my, a thin Plumpy picture! And he's showing some restraint. I daren't get my crochet stuff out with the girls around unless I want all my wool unravelling and my work being pawed to pieces.

lorenzothellama said...

Scaredy ignores all my wool when I am crocheting and knitting. My last two cats, Mushroom and Spider were buggers though!

Scaredy was a naughty little cat in the night and was dumped in the dining room some time in the early hours for trying, and failing, to walk along the curtain rail. He is obsessed with it and is always trying to get there. We think that maybe our ghostie is on the prowl again, because at certain times he and Badger go ape!

Lorenzo.

lorenzothellama said...

I've just looked up on google. It is
'Have the Men Had Enough' by Margaret Forster. Brilliant!

Lorenzo.

Anonymous said...

Plumpy, what are you playing at? Don´t you realise what fun you´re missing? Uncurl those cute little paws of your, get the claws out and start playing with all those threads - but don´t forget t a) run away and hide afterwards or b) look so cute that you can´t possibly be told off, otherwise you might get into trouble.

PS You´re looking very slender

Martin Stickland said...

:)

Thesaurus Rex said...

X(christ)mas is halfway thru for you now. I wonder what Santa brought you before he came straight to my house? Hope ur having a groovy time. Pop over and sing along to my carol. Wont cost you a penny, guvna.

Kiwi Nomad said...

Happy New Year. I love these days when I feel very relaxed and have to think hard about what day it actually is, but it doesn't really matter that much anyhow! (Except my hair is long and straggly and I do need to remember that on Monday I have to be at the hairdressers at 9am. 9am? Eeek! Whatever lunacy possessed me picking that time?