Saturday, January 07, 2017

Saturday Update

Snail Mail:  I've mailed six letters this week as I try to catch up on neglected correspondence.  Have more to go, but at least a start on responses makes me feel better.

Reading:  I read a lot more than usual in 2016.  Keeping up with reviews over at my book blog has been a challenge.  Not that I review all of the books I read, but I make every effort to review books from publishers so I will keep getting free books!  Most are reviewed over at A Garden Carried in the Pocket, but some of my favorites are scheduled for later in the year.  When I receive AR copies from publishers, I schedule books closer to publication dates and there are 17 reviews still scheduled to post in 2017.  

Studio Shirt:  I continue making new in-roads on the shirt.  Especially, when I need peaceful meditation, I add more embroidery and more blocks.  It doesn't matter that these additions aren't planned or careful or neat, they are more like ad libs--just stitching to keep my hands busy.  It is a work in progress since 2014, adding a little at a time.  New additions since September:







At 8:00 this morning, the temperature was 19 degrees.  Almost unheard of in Louisiana and last week was like Spring!  Weather app shows us back in the 70's next week.  

Hope all of you in colder states are surviving the arctic freeze and snow! 


12 comments:

  1. You've added a lot to the shirt, haven't you!

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    1. It goes in fits and starts. I won't add anything for weeks or months at a time, then I will watch a Netflix show and need something to do with my hands and start pulling out embroidery floss and fabric scraps. Once I get started, I'll pick up the shirt and add more when I have some spare time. :)

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  2. What great additions to the shirt! Do you wear it when you aren't stitching on it? The postcards are lovely.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, I do wear the shirt when I'm not working on it. :) It functions both as protection of my clothes when I get out the paints and as an antidote against air conditioning in our long summers. Oh, and also as a way to keep my hands busy and my mind peaceful at other times!

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  3. I love seeing your always delightful snail mail! I wish I could do more letter writing. I suppose one day that wish might come true. I really love what you've got going on with that shirt. Improve stitching for that project is perfect. I was hoping for a peek at the whole shirt so far. :-( not there though. You'll show it all someday, right? Right?

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    1. It is time for another envelope "making." Of course, that is half the fun of writing letters!

      I should get a picture of the shirt. I wish I'd been better about taking more pics of progress on the whole shirt as it has gradually acquired additional stitching and patches.

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  4. I love what you've shown of your shirt. What a great idea to have something that you have worked on for so long.

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    1. It is always handy! Whenever, I need something to do and don't have a project in mind, i can pick up the shirt and stitch. I'm thinking about maybe using it for one of 30 day challenges...how much could I cover if I stitched a little each day? :)

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  5. There's nothing like hand stitching to soothe the soul! I love all of the envelopes -- you are so creative!

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    1. True. Stitching is soothing! I had late autumn and Christmas envelopes made, but was not answering letters, so they will have to wait until next year. This morning, I've been working on some more envelopes and writing a few letters that should have been written a month ago! The studio is a mess, but I'm busy playing so it will have to wait. :)

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  6. Your correspondence is just lovely. They always look so graphic and the colors are beautiful.
    Ah, but the shirt...that has been a favorite project for a while now. I love it! It's interesting that you wear it on occasion, and stitch it occasion, and ignore it on occasion. (Rather like it husband, don't you think?) lol Enjoy what's left of summer because we're about to get hit with a real winter!

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    1. Thanks, Mary! We went from a low of 19 degrees on Jan. 7 to a low of 60 degrees last night. Confusing weather!

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Good to hear from you!