tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829327321528938902024-03-05T09:52:00.362+00:00Cross@stitchcross stitch;
embroidery in general;
"Castelo Branco" silk embroidery;
"Arraiolos" Portuguese rugs;
ponto cruz;
knitting
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488637823253513921noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-14114902286081052232015-04-19T16:38:00.000+01:002015-04-19T16:46:25.819+01:00A New Project: A Portuguese "Arraiolos" Rug<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm starting a new project that is a new "Arraiolos" rug. It will be the 4th rug I will make. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This project started in a very funny way, as an American lady contacted me, because she had seen some "Arraiolos" rugs in my blog. She needed some help to be confident how the stitches should be made. She needed help from someone who was experienced in making the rugs and also spoke English.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a result of our contact we have decided to embark on the same project (to create identical rugs). I have sent to her the materials required for this design, because at least the wool must be a very specific type and quality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We chose a classical design that is called "Good Fountain" and was inspired from the Portuguese tiles manufactured after the 17th century. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The dimensions of the rug are 165 cm x 115 cm.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a photo of the rug and the pallette of colours we have chosen:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweHO1c-VxoVF48dr_CawmfzVAkzIyCtvNLUjtMxVnL2GtSO2by193NGXu9HQSdnxJjctgv85QRAs-shvii6psEXgNz2QY0aKCszT3go4LxJfJr7b88unVx0RmrajcQJxnK_IV4bBKiygy/s1600/arraiolos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweHO1c-VxoVF48dr_CawmfzVAkzIyCtvNLUjtMxVnL2GtSO2by193NGXu9HQSdnxJjctgv85QRAs-shvii6psEXgNz2QY0aKCszT3go4LxJfJr7b88unVx0RmrajcQJxnK_IV4bBKiygy/s1600/arraiolos.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Fonte Boa" (Good Fountain)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is a detail from a part of the railway station of Santarém (my nearest town), showing some of those typical tiles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some old photos from the rugs I have </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">previously </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">made, myself. The design of this last one was created by me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here you can see how the back of the rugs should look like.</span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope I can show some progress soon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then...</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-90545767568125764692014-12-26T08:14:00.002+00:002014-12-26T08:14:48.669+00:00HAPPY SEASON TO ALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyg9RMJsw1iav5Bkl2moqdwhUreMA7SCQjG0KpyVUKK7amlGFuSnuhIIx0kJRywP7j_p6PQafAHVAZlq9pKT7uKiK-etKn-3d9YyoY1aUguLZtxmrjBi5HBdiVa6KMuGRZgr3qDRxrvlg/s1600/seasons+greetings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyg9RMJsw1iav5Bkl2moqdwhUreMA7SCQjG0KpyVUKK7amlGFuSnuhIIx0kJRywP7j_p6PQafAHVAZlq9pKT7uKiK-etKn-3d9YyoY1aUguLZtxmrjBi5HBdiVa6KMuGRZgr3qDRxrvlg/s1600/seasons+greetings.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even though I haven't posted since February, because I haven't been doing any handwork (<span style="font-size: small;">due to too much work and a mended heart, which makes me feel tired all the time</span>), I didn't want to pass this time of year, without wishing you all <b>much health</b></span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and <b>Happiness</b></span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to all.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">May 2015 bring each one of you everything you wish!</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. Having a graphic designer as a husband, allows us to personalize our Christmas Cards. Don't our girls look fabulous?</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-48081318187829407932014-02-16T16:39:00.000+00:002014-02-16T16:41:02.849+00:00A bit of progress<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are having a beautiful weekend, after having been hit by yet another storm, and being surrounded by floods.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My poncho is now getting some form, even though I didn't have much time to work on it, as I had a very busy week.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLFhcOt2zHo9VJgRBc0uYx_z6McKm8Hetzq1Fa6RPOo8HoLJPtuK2ux_6HIXy2nm0tZBHM7mMVbR-ectcvOZ-9hiDGW-VYzi9Rg5XgNwBjiOoC-uC0xnmxryUswtlPheHXTtVfpx0PSd_/s1600/poncho3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLFhcOt2zHo9VJgRBc0uYx_z6McKm8Hetzq1Fa6RPOo8HoLJPtuK2ux_6HIXy2nm0tZBHM7mMVbR-ectcvOZ-9hiDGW-VYzi9Rg5XgNwBjiOoC-uC0xnmxryUswtlPheHXTtVfpx0PSd_/s1600/poncho3.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hope it will be ready to be worn at some time still this Winter. It looks very blue in this photo, although it is green.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a photo of my sofa companions when I am knitting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In order to keep me company, they have to be cosy - they don't "work" without having good conditions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I hope you all have a very good week and until next time.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-75964947023981731902014-02-09T19:07:00.000+00:002014-02-09T19:52:19.348+00:00What a harsh Winter!<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">Yet another Atlantic storm - this one is called "Stephanie" and is starting to hit Portugal, along with all the other countries of Western Europe, such as the British Isles. I hope this huge storm is the last one and from now on we can have just a "normal" Winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">Here at home the girls made themselves very cozy on this very wintery Sunday, as you can see...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">... as I try to knit a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">At the moment I am knitting the second rectangle for my poncho, so that I can put both parts together and assess the right size for both parts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCTKp5oPExFaq3bCwGt6597jcI6nvkJVJBWf1-csn9bDj9kguMJ24vhzEFzNCwqu_wYoYi6V_NMP-1O4QHBRegj0Q7YXlNOLwE_ydInHlnlQWP8N2rZGQdnhDeft10G8CScqU91wWm58Q/s1600/poncho2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCTKp5oPExFaq3bCwGt6597jcI6nvkJVJBWf1-csn9bDj9kguMJ24vhzEFzNCwqu_wYoYi6V_NMP-1O4QHBRegj0Q7YXlNOLwE_ydInHlnlQWP8N2rZGQdnhDeft10G8CScqU91wWm58Q/s1600/poncho2.JPG" height="320" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I also have been stiching a bit on my M. Quertier (1799) from a Scarlet Letter chart. Just instead of stitching in black, I am doing in colour as you can see from the photo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I like to have different WIPs on, so that I don't get borred in working only on one thing... well to tell the truth I have several cross stitch WIPs on... I'm sure I'm not alone there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">Tomorrow another working week begins and let's see what I can do in the handwork front and if I will have any updates to show you next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-large;">Until then I wish you a very good week and a milder Winter.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-76223660366825633992014-02-01T13:32:00.001+00:002014-02-01T15:45:12.516+00:00Portuguese knitting<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since last September I have been working full time, although in this school year I am not teaching, but representing the Ministry of Education in our local council in the Commission of Protection for Children and Young People at Risk. It is emotionally demanding, but it is something that really touches my heart. I was already in the Commission at the time of my heart attack, followed by the heart operation. Now I get easily very tired, but I am coping with it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">For all I said I have not been cross stitching as it strains me more, but have been doing some knitting, as I always need to have some handwork ongoing to relax.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">This photo shows how we, Portuguese, knit. We work with the thread either around our necks or hanging from a pin. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have already knitted a baby's coat for the baby of a friend of ours, but unfortunately I didn´t take any photos.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also knitted 2 scarves for me and asked my girls to model them, so that I could show them to you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My baby Josephine didn´t mind at all, but Georgina says modelling it's not her thing...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Josephine</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Georgina</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now I'm knitting a poncho, made out of 2 rectangles.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"> I will show you how it turns out when finished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">Until then, I wish you all the best and if you come by, please, leave a comment.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-73299658347873268262013-08-24T17:25:00.000+01:002013-08-24T17:25:23.895+01:00Josephine<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you are all having an awesome August and the ones on holidays, are really enjoying it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> My cross stitching is still pretty much on the side, as Robert and I have been decorating and I also have been sewing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> After a lot of debate we decided to adopt a new baby dog, not to fill in Robin's place, but to make the household whole again. Georgina was still feeling a lot to be on her own, especially when we had to go out. I also needed more nice and healthy confusion at home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Josephine was adopted from an association of volunteers that don't even have a shelter, but they do their best to protect, feed, take to vets and find adopters for the animals, that are abandoned </span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">in their town</span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Josephine's mother was abandoned either when she was pregnant or after with her babies. They were found by a volunteer in a park by a chapel: mum, 2 brothers and her.
As she didn't have much contact with humans, she is rather a very timid and fearful girl. But Georgina adopted her as soon as she set her eyes on the baby and feels very protective and "motherly" towards Josephine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are some of the photos of our family new addition.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The last photo is from Josephine with her mum and brothers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">She is the one on the right and she must take after her dad, as she doesn´t look like her mum at all. She's thin and long-legged. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Soon I will post more and this time I will show some progress of my projects.
I wish you all a nice Sunday and week.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-73903895118942740372013-03-31T13:19:00.000+01:002013-03-31T13:19:43.179+01:00Easter Greetings<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wish you all a very pleasant Easter and I would like to thank all for your warming words. I'm still not over the loss of my robin, but life has to go on and he always have a warm place in my heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Still no needlework progresses to show you, but as I'm about to start my holidays, I'm hoping the need to stitch will grow again. For the moment I'm feeling very tired. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2MlYw2UW5k502HzBJGx54ZseH6qngJV5qIsQ11mWMTxb8yorJM8YdJM_Ypok4DdNW1Fg8UPHHEV9j63j5pfn6DErPdP4ZpZjVXoWpmhu_ZjB-A034Ix9eaXePTXh4-YcBKETn7pz0Wrh/s1600/2534294_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Have a great day!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-4712775164839669432013-02-16T13:21:00.000+00:002013-02-16T15:00:48.636+00:00Robin left us!<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since my last post, <b>ages ago<b>, </b></b>my life has been chaotic, as I went back to work. Time to time my heart complains with all the stress and tiredness, but in the whole it is coping very well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, my stitching is on hold for the moment and I have nothing new to show you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My 2013 hasn't started in the best way, because right in the first weekend of the year Robert got so sick to the point of almost having to go under surgery again. Fortunately treatment and constant care prevented that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last Saturday robin vomited a few times and looked poorly and in pain and I noticed I could have shingles. Robert stayed home with Robin and friends took me to emergency, as everywhere else was closed, being a Saturday. After 4 hours in the waiting room I was eventually examined by the doctor and he confirmed I had shingles. Then I rushed home to take robin to the vet with Robert.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since then and until Wednesday of afternoon it was sheer hell. Although he had saline drips, to keep him hydrated, intravenous painkillers and antibiotic, etc., Robin didn't sleep even for a minute and was in constant pain and suffering intermittant convulsions so requiring our constant vigilance and comfort. As you can image the pain caused by my shingles and sometimes high fever was completely put aside.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then by Wednesday afternoon the vet took him over to give him a light anaesthetic so he could sleep for a few hours without feeling the pain. Later in the day when robin started to wake up he started to cry and yelp out as he had done previously. Before placing him in an induced comma the vet made some tests and confirmed his early suspicions that the kidneys had failed along with other complications.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">On Thursday afternoon, Valentine's Day, robin passed away peacefully in his induced sleep.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had the honour of shar<span style="font-size: x-large;">ing</span> my life with <span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span>obin for 12 years<span style="font-size: x-large;"> and all the blessings<span style="font-size: x-large;">, love and happy times he gave me.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rest in peace my little one!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Forget me not...</span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-LUYrNowTeLa1H5sZSfledo_NBDkni1vNovqn_Zo7-fwrVoLdrgUd7B2fw3UYXeU8DR8gEJufOnVd1Bd3sagNYa_qckKh_mQp1ABANB7fMtK7N6G6OVgjNiuQvHijIIv600y-sga82sg/s1600/robinat+desk.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-LUYrNowTeLa1H5sZSfledo_NBDkni1vNovqn_Zo7-fwrVoLdrgUd7B2fw3UYXeU8DR8gEJufOnVd1Bd3sagNYa_qckKh_mQp1ABANB7fMtK7N6G6OVgjNiuQvHijIIv600y-sga82sg/s320/robinat+desk.jpg.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzYTju0qL5bRf9BOiKE_54i5dh8vhK5N2Rhyphenhyphen1ZkYyzDxxWTcO9FXdG_8CkxpJrKerM0276Cdwszmbrc69pxqfimy_BYDWyJ3fGVOv2YkKQ1RhavZ4VfdxsJeaPejEF8um5Dv5Xw5G58Tf/s1600/DSCF0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzYTju0qL5bRf9BOiKE_54i5dh8vhK5N2Rhyphenhyphen1ZkYyzDxxWTcO9FXdG_8CkxpJrKerM0276Cdwszmbrc69pxqfimy_BYDWyJ3fGVOv2YkKQ1RhavZ4VfdxsJeaPejEF8um5Dv5Xw5G58Tf/s320/DSCF0371.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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(Portrait painted by "daddy")<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-42557493008010250132012-10-12T18:21:00.003+01:002012-10-12T18:21:48.928+01:00Castelo Branco embroidery; Map of England... and of course Robin<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have begun my "sort of" Castelo Branco embroidery. I say "sort of" as I have never been taught how to do it properly - all I know is the result of my researches.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WGAOPgaB220pzYm88GZscHH4PO0SGqA2kRluw8ZmFx6TFSyai4U9JlQapgpMCkFAGPlVRFTzi_vwVZiTItmPskJIcqK55E7MrstXLeinhZ40tGEHFO_czThowpjYWr_tsMcqU504cW04/s1600/DSCF0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WGAOPgaB220pzYm88GZscHH4PO0SGqA2kRluw8ZmFx6TFSyai4U9JlQapgpMCkFAGPlVRFTzi_vwVZiTItmPskJIcqK55E7MrstXLeinhZ40tGEHFO_czThowpjYWr_tsMcqU504cW04/s400/DSCF0943.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm pleased with it, but it has been difficult to work on a fixed frame. I like to work with the fabric in my hand and turn it around when needed. Like this I can't and had to figure out how to embroider the different stitches having the fabric always in the same position. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmJReK2ECGE&feature=plcp" target="_blank">Here</a> you can see how the ladies embroider Castelo Branco.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My husband and I adapted his table easel to make stand for the frame. It looks quite good, don't you think?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdG5I7lWzthNU5eB8-tQRu_LHOusLWJb0PTxkXYvAwMAj0VzF5m5n1q407DnOYuhsXNQBEaG_8I592wHIQI_e1QrqNf49BUXfYPES5unr9sE4ymXkCnDosBeTIGNAQ08L5SflTXhxKEtT/s1600/DSCF0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdG5I7lWzthNU5eB8-tQRu_LHOusLWJb0PTxkXYvAwMAj0VzF5m5n1q407DnOYuhsXNQBEaG_8I592wHIQI_e1QrqNf49BUXfYPES5unr9sE4ymXkCnDosBeTIGNAQ08L5SflTXhxKEtT/s400/DSCF0941.JPG" width="364" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am using the natural silk threads that are used for this embroidery and they are beautifully smooth and the colours are very nice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">These are the silks I am using.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSkEGC2mUvEksTF3KE3K1k-PYPCFaBUIfmM10x48wXE0PX4qJv0jIv1VvOB4VtPCGhtjWeZQQoWlVYKH6e2LCmlrasMQeFMRJ2I_oR1nMGRgBaqBrx3PFNOLs7fxk0n3FE-2PXWONPl_L/s1600/DSCF0925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSkEGC2mUvEksTF3KE3K1k-PYPCFaBUIfmM10x48wXE0PX4qJv0jIv1VvOB4VtPCGhtjWeZQQoWlVYKH6e2LCmlrasMQeFMRJ2I_oR1nMGRgBaqBrx3PFNOLs7fxk0n3FE-2PXWONPl_L/s400/DSCF0925.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">During Summer I also made some progress in my map of England. This is how it looks like now.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOJSHvEco86IlUF8er5zSeUKPzUpTO6FrGYsbO_z08CJiunvZW6gGL0kyAmzmiiHYz2tiM32f3Lk5quMknyeUPWqfPS8rJyle2pqVIhW8DM6MBlP8SBBu7vAgdvSTIehD81k5ZXa0b2za/s1600/DSCF0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOJSHvEco86IlUF8er5zSeUKPzUpTO6FrGYsbO_z08CJiunvZW6gGL0kyAmzmiiHYz2tiM32f3Lk5quMknyeUPWqfPS8rJyle2pqVIhW8DM6MBlP8SBBu7vAgdvSTIehD81k5ZXa0b2za/s400/DSCF0944.JPG" width="327" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today is Robin's birthday - 12-years-old! He was a Christmas present from a friend. It seems unbelievable that he has shared my life for the last 12 years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is his latest photo, grabbing 2 new bones - his own and his sister's Georgina.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCISIZVBW7NqQ9lSpjLip0SKjS2vxoShFrKFgjsAN-jfK1aeSldRoo7HIikb5BFCrhDcensjFCkMLiDO2vd-jNKFHsmHUobFZtIPOur969uOQ3ZDXhIS-6lwMAtNN967qdOqNwjJhEhLQQ/s1600/robin+com+2+ossos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCISIZVBW7NqQ9lSpjLip0SKjS2vxoShFrKFgjsAN-jfK1aeSldRoo7HIikb5BFCrhDcensjFCkMLiDO2vd-jNKFHsmHUobFZtIPOur969uOQ3ZDXhIS-6lwMAtNN967qdOqNwjJhEhLQQ/s400/robin+com+2+ossos.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuMq9UcRNfhDvpdk7Lho_UvK8-xK1oDMgskwoZ1REVcpMJu2vA4JKWERQIDLaF81Anyyx7qAGMbZsSTdMM3RptIK72RdIg3LYh3YQdbnqr1zM4PiluwC9BC1CZesP1U7NgLdR9onqjFq/s1600/georgina+and+robin+-+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuMq9UcRNfhDvpdk7Lho_UvK8-xK1oDMgskwoZ1REVcpMJu2vA4JKWERQIDLaF81Anyyx7qAGMbZsSTdMM3RptIK72RdIg3LYh3YQdbnqr1zM4PiluwC9BC1CZesP1U7NgLdR9onqjFq/s400/georgina+and+robin+-+2012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Georgina is 4-years-old and we adopted her from a shelter. She had been put together with her sister in a bin, when she was around 3 months old. She is my shadow - every step I make she is right behind me... but she always follows "daddy" any time of day or night as long as he heads to the kitchen! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you come for a visit and leave a comment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a wonderful weekend.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-85870792079668223482012-09-26T19:55:00.001+01:002012-09-27T09:32:35.424+01:00An update after all these months without posting<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">For many and various reasons - health, motivation, lack of time, ... I have not posted in many, many months.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, here goes a first update of these months in what hand work is concerned:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1) I was very lucky to have been one of the three winners of the <span style="color: #990000;">Side-tracked Give-a-way</span> made by Robin of <span style="color: #990000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://stitchingwitch.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank">Crafting with the Stitch Witch</a></span></span>.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt5ngTKFLbbTdtKizaRq1GKS_RQ4vSiic3eSASBryehbSZUdLhRsfQd2FqhokodzsRMASxavbu-n6TVOgJ0393SJjU_QinqC9W6eB0-lOmyZbF0QCESunkG8ZqPbbrd1m_4s2DOY1xkLP/s1600/DSCF0921-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt5ngTKFLbbTdtKizaRq1GKS_RQ4vSiic3eSASBryehbSZUdLhRsfQd2FqhokodzsRMASxavbu-n6TVOgJ0393SJjU_QinqC9W6eB0-lOmyZbF0QCESunkG8ZqPbbrd1m_4s2DOY1xkLP/s400/DSCF0921-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2) I entered an embroidery competition recently.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3) Finaly some pics of the work I have recently begun - another try of the traditional Portuguese Castelo Branco embroidery. So far I am still in the preparation phase, but will start stitching most probably tomorrow and in my next post I expect to have photos to show you of some embroidery done.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is another WIP to add to my growing collection!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In my next post, besides more photos of the progress of this work, I will show you photos of the progress I made in other WIPs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you come and visit my blog again and leave a comment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a wonderful time... and until my next post.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-59470168544433713492012-02-13T11:24:00.000+00:002012-02-13T11:28:09.084+00:00DH Art Exhibition<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My post today is not about cross stitch, but about something I am very proud of - the first solo art exhibition of DH Robert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exhibition opened last Saturday and will be held until the 10th March at the local council gallery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this past year he has been concentrating more on his painting and this exhibition includes most of that recent work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can imagine I feel very happy for him and very proud, and so I felt like sharing with you some photos of the exhibition and of his paintings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In the middle of the room there are some more panels with his watercolours, but of those I don't have any pics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is also a link of a short film made and published in You Tube by an on-line newspaper:</span></div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9vR0UmBLk&feature=share">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9vR0UmBLk&feature=share</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Have a very good Valentine's Day and a wonderful week.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-48212725740431213182012-02-07T11:58:00.002+00:002012-02-07T11:58:17.209+00:00WIPocalypse 2012 - # 2<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Between moons I went on stitching my sampler map. The progress in the stitching itself is not much, as I had to do some searching for the right alphabet. The one I came up with is an adaptation, or better said, the result of the mixing of several ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this photo you can see the alphabets I made with cross stitch software. Nevertheless I still go on needing cross stitching grids to write the name of each county. I like to see the effect of the name together before starting stitching, mostly because of the spaces between letters. Unfortunately all this preparation doesn't prevent me from some frogging... but I guess it is all part of the process. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINsSYI23TcrR7efinIRyXbH_5c9OgSy-B-BTmSHMEo6zx-MI2PMOWxbmph2lVmfg1uEU1iXFifMf3fejgLGmFq9DIyRzl3v8OZg95FDCfAqY1Pk9W5XGDzcMtXDn2m-LMEvS8vDDTLlgk/s1600/map+with+alphabet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINsSYI23TcrR7efinIRyXbH_5c9OgSy-B-BTmSHMEo6zx-MI2PMOWxbmph2lVmfg1uEU1iXFifMf3fejgLGmFq9DIyRzl3v8OZg95FDCfAqY1Pk9W5XGDzcMtXDn2m-LMEvS8vDDTLlgk/s400/map+with+alphabet.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in these pictures you can see my progress.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUViFxOv7saz4sdxZIy-V7XGSqBGbonrhctb_DeqOP1FV9VwB-zw-7H0IojRHLEMrFfxr_4hgafX35QWtCDlyUn11BW8H7uNzZ6jtcqq3d2YQFmsPUxhbRwZ7fyNTHqRm71p4fNgYnwyP/s1600/detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUViFxOv7saz4sdxZIy-V7XGSqBGbonrhctb_DeqOP1FV9VwB-zw-7H0IojRHLEMrFfxr_4hgafX35QWtCDlyUn11BW8H7uNzZ6jtcqq3d2YQFmsPUxhbRwZ7fyNTHqRm71p4fNgYnwyP/s400/detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm really enjoying stitching this piece, which is quite a challenge for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful month.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-28798360797197662022012-01-24T15:23:00.000+00:002012-01-24T15:23:31.102+00:00Sampler map Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my progress of my England map sampler...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaG3wYDdmsw5O3Sn7IN8S19sXSbLwx7FTr5skl97pfVMCm9iRH6AoRdFktYAwLek2M92j1P-BGHWmbUR3nSsjxLbb1M2XyidRFrO8e19is_B3cDgV641BX2JInSNyKO8gw-tQrUa0rmv1/s1600/map+latest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaG3wYDdmsw5O3Sn7IN8S19sXSbLwx7FTr5skl97pfVMCm9iRH6AoRdFktYAwLek2M92j1P-BGHWmbUR3nSsjxLbb1M2XyidRFrO8e19is_B3cDgV641BX2JInSNyKO8gw-tQrUa0rmv1/s320/map+latest.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">... as you can see I am still around the counties... and still five and an island to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like how it looks like, even size wise, but I regret not having made a bigger map, with more space within the counties to stitch their names, as some of them will pose a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to almost all map samplers I saw in my searches, all the names were stitched only in capital letters, but I think I will have to settle with a capital initial, as it will give me more space. Also, in some counties I can only use the initial of their names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can imagine a lot of counting and re-counting awaits me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like the process of creating the design for a piece I want, but I don't find it an easy job. It makes me admire all the wonderful designers we have in our stitching world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have also been working on my design for the Needleprint competition, but altogether I have not been having a lot of time for stitching lately, as I have been helping out with paper work in the local council committee for the protection of children, where I was the representative of education at the time of my heart attack and heart operation. I went on working there as a volunteer and there is always a huge amount of paperwork to do in January, because of the yearly report. Being on sick leave, I have more time than the others, but going there 2 or 3 times a week leaves me completely worn out, because I still get easily very tired</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and therefore it is the stitching that pays</span><span style="font-size: large;">. It is </span><span style="font-size: large;">also</span><span style="font-size: large;"> only the second Winter after the operation and my bones still complain, especially when the weather changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I wrote a lot and therefore it is time I wish you all a nice week, thank all for the wonderful comments you left me, which I enjoyed so, so much.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-81115791271547772592012-01-12T12:59:00.003+00:002012-01-12T13:08:54.414+00:00Two finishes framed<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I got two finishes framed. I am so very pleased with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I think the frames do enhance both pieces. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The first I had completed over 15 years ago and was in a drawer. It is my attempt of a Portuguese traditional embroidery called <b>Castelo Branco</b>. </span><b> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw-vo-GrgnRrL22MaC8De4l3yjzriFK6pRztbtku_FI4fpucyK9OFgGoCHBZcWSqAwLk2UBI-i1M5SySFlAsGUPJ6-HkNBigdpIgU01_uCWtMdMtMIEr4avryeucZp8s7tj1oNS8AuKuu/s1600/FRAME01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw-vo-GrgnRrL22MaC8De4l3yjzriFK6pRztbtku_FI4fpucyK9OFgGoCHBZcWSqAwLk2UBI-i1M5SySFlAsGUPJ6-HkNBigdpIgU01_uCWtMdMtMIEr4avryeucZp8s7tj1oNS8AuKuu/s320/FRAME01.JPG" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Castelo Branco</b> is the name of a Portuguese town and this embroidery is typical from there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main stitch gives the name of the embroidery and it is the one seen, for example, in the carnations, which are, by the way, one of its typical motifs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Castelo Branco embroidery is always stitched in shiny silk on linen, and it has a very specific set of motifs and stitches that can be used.
It was used mainly in throws and as either the materials and handwork were quite expensive it used to be only available to the wealthier families whose daughters usually took one (throw) in their dowry, when they got married. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">If you want to have an idea of how the Castelo Branco embroidery is done, here in these 2 links you can see 2 ladies stitching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xhteC6Zb9A" target="_blank"> You tube - Castelo Branco embroidery 1</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xhteC6Zb9A" target="_blank"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuj3MUXa-P0&feature=related" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">You tube - Castelo Branco embroidery 2</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My second framing is of Deborah Cockin Ackworth Sampler by <a href="http://needleprint.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Needleprint</a>. And this one was a pleasure to stitch, as I said in some earlier posts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMM_yTfDid3xH9cdZBZEruwhbFIwmV7VvnwDuAEU4fMw0Ku-vapCoozMb0lyfy_x3kcEBXnCe9A7jqc7G0AQWQra3U6z0tIegnvWXPfUnCnVk-a9xdPE05FaqLHSPij5J2VBLm4qF_Cft/s1600/FRAME02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMM_yTfDid3xH9cdZBZEruwhbFIwmV7VvnwDuAEU4fMw0Ku-vapCoozMb0lyfy_x3kcEBXnCe9A7jqc7G0AQWQra3U6z0tIegnvWXPfUnCnVk-a9xdPE05FaqLHSPij5J2VBLm4qF_Cft/s320/FRAME02.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think of them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful day</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-51686280832162264622012-01-09T21:12:00.001+00:002012-01-09T21:12:23.810+00:00WIPocalypse 2012 - first post<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't say I have a very long list of WIP's, which you can see in the sidebar, but for me it is rather long, as some of these projects have been on the side for a very long time. </span></div>
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At the moment I am only working on two projects: the first one I have already begun at the end of last year and it is a map of England sampler I am recreating and designing as I go along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see its progress in my previous posts and here it is an update photo: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2FxHtte8rFGQmQONUJ9HpM_eczABWHf1bS6EjkQ6FgXpLbPwqSbNajwbynNbGnRSVtXozqj_WmtAzYpisZiLJiTD-d8cQMW5OoJxLqr4EITpF4EBUyS1U8fc7QetPybD43_5l9tDHjFU/s1600/DSCF0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2FxHtte8rFGQmQONUJ9HpM_eczABWHf1bS6EjkQ6FgXpLbPwqSbNajwbynNbGnRSVtXozqj_WmtAzYpisZiLJiTD-d8cQMW5OoJxLqr4EITpF4EBUyS1U8fc7QetPybD43_5l9tDHjFU/s400/DSCF0498.JPG" width="342" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The picture isn't very good, as it is more colourful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stitching inside all counties takes a lot of work, but the worst it is
yet to come, as I will have to do the counting of each one of the
counties, so that I can design their names in cross stitch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I have seen in map samplers pics, the names of the counties should be written in capital letters and that will take a lot of space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second project I have already started this year, is a <a href="http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/01/announcing-major-needleprint-needlework.html" target="_blank">Needleprint</a> competition called "A Mirror to my Art". Although I will give the updates on the project I won't be able to show any photos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the moment there isn't much to say, just that I have already got the mirror and I am around the design. I have also already decided I am going to embroider it in a traditional Portuguese stitch, which encompasses not only the stitches that can be used, but also the motifs. I'm very excited to see how it enfolds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope next month I can say I have worked on other projects from my list...and that I have some finishes! That would be great. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-89749732963121324282012-01-01T15:40:00.003+00:002012-01-01T15:40:54.050+00:00May 2012 bring you all you wish<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you had a very happy Christmas. </span></div>
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Mine could have been better, but a very close uncle had to go to hospital and didn't make it to Christmas - he died on the 22nd. It moved me a lot, as it seems all my close family is leaving and it also brought me back how close I was last year to leave as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nevertheless, life goes on and it is time to celebrate the New Year and hope it goes better than this one - may it bring health, happiness and a bit of money to make our lives easier.</span><br />
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Here are also two pics of my map of England sampler. It is giving a bit of work, but I like it and I think the distressed look makes it look old. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjxajcNkhazU6BwZzrPXwhRTPGpamdhbLvo1SOpOTvvw-VKy0mUJgUjOGdAZmtW5kZ3ktqo4SJ6_TW5PpfnjYTkx5ZKNS5ppDLXqDd41ClDzsSbiyfudA5ZZMmdwAKYLZaBJODWfeYifp/s1600/map+in+progress01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjxajcNkhazU6BwZzrPXwhRTPGpamdhbLvo1SOpOTvvw-VKy0mUJgUjOGdAZmtW5kZ3ktqo4SJ6_TW5PpfnjYTkx5ZKNS5ppDLXqDd41ClDzsSbiyfudA5ZZMmdwAKYLZaBJODWfeYifp/s400/map+in+progress01.JPG" width="378" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHd-JqQ7_h_EdM-8d2F2i_0WRrUuWEqufqVqDm_NFt3LPpdqZovJV9XZ9rkW4_O4mTvukvBdZzvgBCGEa7fsjHgbfTnYyEUyGYnlTc_2uJKLo0q6yYgeD8yBr92VpxMuZHmygBCc6yQjDp/s1600/map+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHd-JqQ7_h_EdM-8d2F2i_0WRrUuWEqufqVqDm_NFt3LPpdqZovJV9XZ9rkW4_O4mTvukvBdZzvgBCGEa7fsjHgbfTnYyEUyGYnlTc_2uJKLo0q6yYgeD8yBr92VpxMuZHmygBCc6yQjDp/s400/map+detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all for visiting my blog and leaving your comments - they always make my day.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-1693043575445506312011-12-05T13:34:00.001+00:002011-12-05T14:06:10.391+00:00Map Sampler of England - 2nd phase<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for all your kind comments. They always make my day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is some progress of my map sampler:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phase one - I embroidered all the boundary lines using back stitch in black.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zhw2i2AsEIAoQAaOWvzLCY7aBkFxelRt2YX3-6Z6lyp_ifBjocqLbE79HO-t9BBnYa0-_73okv1n3NaZqd6iojhbXc3KYPQ3ncSXrMjsjx9uArLan-EVafCV9hnw8bqetgV2mfs2pt-P/s1600/DSCF0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zhw2i2AsEIAoQAaOWvzLCY7aBkFxelRt2YX3-6Z6lyp_ifBjocqLbE79HO-t9BBnYa0-_73okv1n3NaZqd6iojhbXc3KYPQ3ncSXrMjsjx9uArLan-EVafCV9hnw8bqetgV2mfs2pt-P/s400/DSCF0447.JPG" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phase two - I am using outline stitch within the boundaries in different shiny silk colours.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UHsTfqHDafqEEK7lftrxmlSeOKECdqUHx53K_t0GSvl90Iirc8592ciNTc7mEm2GzNnQPfnRILKXMgCsSq0D_p8xyBZs5zG3H3_SoRL2jioSCwaACKSWwb5tpZ-dUlXb8C1HMAAKnwKE/s1600/DSCF0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UHsTfqHDafqEEK7lftrxmlSeOKECdqUHx53K_t0GSvl90Iirc8592ciNTc7mEm2GzNnQPfnRILKXMgCsSq0D_p8xyBZs5zG3H3_SoRL2jioSCwaACKSWwb5tpZ-dUlXb8C1HMAAKnwKE/s400/DSCF0448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is not very easy to stitch with this type of thread (they make knots very easily and also after stitching for some time the thread begins to frail and come apart), but I thought it would help to make the colours stand out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit that this work is kind of addicting - I am always looking for to add a new colour and see the general result: so far I am happy with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your opinion?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-66440628233835905262011-11-28T12:38:00.001+00:002011-11-28T13:52:58.962+00:00Hannah's progress and a map sampler<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First of all thank you so much for your comments and encouraging words and the doctors kept me on sick leave, which has been a blessing, because as Winter settled in, so have the pains in my chest.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUroAM9igrTo-W0_PyMOSR2dR0k9UwjSX3oO_oG-qBsxv030IKJwUTYE6AN5aP-V_JruEBx2CmU6N536dM73t8H-WeOIhRnw_cUHjbagm9YJgox-J6yLeAZ-d92aiiUdPrt0IzZOztK7f/s1600/hannah02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUroAM9igrTo-W0_PyMOSR2dR0k9UwjSX3oO_oG-qBsxv030IKJwUTYE6AN5aP-V_JruEBx2CmU6N536dM73t8H-WeOIhRnw_cUHjbagm9YJgox-J6yLeAZ-d92aiiUdPrt0IzZOztK7f/s400/hannah02.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hannah Westcombe's sampler</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a pic of my Hannah's progress. It is not a major progress, because I had some sewing to do and began a new project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if it happens to you too, but sometimes we need something new, like a new start to help us going out of our crisis/depressions/thoughts. Shopping used to do the same for me, but that, as for many of us, had to be cut down...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am indeed sampler lover - I love the quaker samplers from Ackworth school, alphabet ones (like Hannah's) and always "had a thing" about the map ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here I go - I'm trying to recreate a sampler map of England!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started by searching for some map samplers and also maps of England at the time, to have an idea of how they were and what I would like to have on mine - mind you this is just a recreation, not a reproduction therefore my sampler will have modern and old elements: the map of England I traced is a modern one, but then I looked for an old compass and an antique frame for the word England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtGuEUn0g_uTZDvrxVcO0CYiVTWKKVbVt23y80kCFxmFUrYaMwIK2M5x_jgDH0A13h1y5EpkJn-7BCBcv5BYZ0vLTam-FJCz9k5G-kW8NOY6fBBgJ0LRZSeALiDPLM5m70TB4t7EIbClo/s1600/map+trace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtGuEUn0g_uTZDvrxVcO0CYiVTWKKVbVt23y80kCFxmFUrYaMwIK2M5x_jgDH0A13h1y5EpkJn-7BCBcv5BYZ0vLTam-FJCz9k5G-kW8NOY6fBBgJ0LRZSeALiDPLM5m70TB4t7EIbClo/s400/map+trace.JPG" width="357" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the traced map done in white card board and then passed to tracing paper. I recreated the compass and used a frame from the *The Graphics Fairy*.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_A0V5HYdkwlrKJaEKCVXaM6n7VDtJcx8cyqUHreIxfEMxUwedhj6Kr2tQTANQGLKltYq2xBDix9EWZnA3YKHCNyXpgQbzo7FYSn0Pge-Aj0bt1yfbvUQBCa6XgSysnhwIVl6OxCrArML/s1600/map01a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_A0V5HYdkwlrKJaEKCVXaM6n7VDtJcx8cyqUHreIxfEMxUwedhj6Kr2tQTANQGLKltYq2xBDix9EWZnA3YKHCNyXpgQbzo7FYSn0Pge-Aj0bt1yfbvUQBCa6XgSysnhwIVl6OxCrArML/s400/map01a.JPG" width="362" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm using Belfast linen (32ct) from Zweigert. It's the first time I'm using 32 count, but I needed a higher count so that I could have space within the county bounderies, to stitch their names. My husband and I dyed it with coffee to give not only an aged look, but also the look of a worn map that had been folded and carried around in someone's pouch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It will take different stitches, but at the moment I'm only using the back stitch to trace all the map in the linen and used it also for the frame of the map. For sure all the wording will be in cross stitch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't decided yet what I am going to do with the border, but as you can imagine for the work ahead that is no rush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It measures 49,5cms X 42 cms, not counting the border.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As always, I will be looking for your comments and opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Have a great week.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-80679065889593758992011-11-14T11:48:00.000+00:002011-11-14T11:48:22.645+00:00Ramblings and Hannah Westcombe's sampler<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am definitely a very irregular blogger! The main reason, in my case, is always the same - if I don't have any cross stitch progress to show, then I don't post.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In these last months I haven't been in a frame of mind that makes me me want to stitch: my health problem that goes on playing with me in addiction to the side effects of medication; the financial situation that is not brilliant - I am just one of million civil servants, that is being affected by all the <i>status quo</i> in Portugal at the moment.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I guess all these made me a bit depressed and therefore not in the mood to stitch. On the other hand, I know this is stupid as stitching can be a great therapy! </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It also made me close a lot in my shell and not wanting to socialize - another huge mistake, as many times blogging makes us feel good with the nice comments we get and the feeling we belong to a big family. More than ever I need your words of encouragement.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next Wednesday I am going to an appointment with the state doctors who will determine if I have to go back to work - not always they follow our doctors advice, as their role is much more following the government policies than anything else. At the moment it frightens me the thought of having to face 5 classes full of teenagers than have no mercy on how a teacher may feel, when I an not well.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I apologise for all my ramblings, but sharing with you is making me feel better.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzn1aYZeHCN-a5v4tJD2vCCDo1JSXzgT5PG4GqI2blGo-BNex9KRgkt_lYfgfTp18fYpScXOlgfxSuVDl_MogBgadMj9A5qL-b1Upr2GnFMIdlhPXroDkYsjcH-6DopExz_1N_4xX_rYM/s1600/Hannah_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzn1aYZeHCN-a5v4tJD2vCCDo1JSXzgT5PG4GqI2blGo-BNex9KRgkt_lYfgfTp18fYpScXOlgfxSuVDl_MogBgadMj9A5qL-b1Upr2GnFMIdlhPXroDkYsjcH-6DopExz_1N_4xX_rYM/s400/Hannah_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a pic of the small progress in my Hannah's sampler. The colours shown are not the real ones, as I'm stitching in dark blues. Hopefully I will post in a short time with more progress and then I will show better pics.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for "listening" to my ramblings and I thank you in advance for your comments.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week.</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-15743880864022856602011-08-08T15:42:00.000+01:002011-08-08T15:42:58.297+01:00Deborah Cockin sampler finish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQudZFSuAF2aM4NQBs3AT7fmwa4DTXm8lbsa8NMCri86r8n3bt8Jum1a3Trn-asIEcL30zpBg3eguuYS7cTrhBfdpH0-NAm1DlHl4_ZIWd2cUKaR-vd_zXaf1bWZBYBJ96CxvYaS5h4fz/s1600/D+Cockin+complete+modified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQudZFSuAF2aM4NQBs3AT7fmwa4DTXm8lbsa8NMCri86r8n3bt8Jum1a3Trn-asIEcL30zpBg3eguuYS7cTrhBfdpH0-NAm1DlHl4_ZIWd2cUKaR-vd_zXaf1bWZBYBJ96CxvYaS5h4fz/s400/D+Cockin+complete+modified.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEH0Tbo4boOTUjxoILC1zxLwzslEJymiC6tlBeZcEDUj9dXjPq-mOdXOOUuHDYLAnwvhyKUZlRw3HUfoKPyt7oxg2x6TpuG9K0NriuT95CufTDCzNgIVSbvKD5qxBM6oUsh_hLpftzLBD/s1600/D+cockin+2+modified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEH0Tbo4boOTUjxoILC1zxLwzslEJymiC6tlBeZcEDUj9dXjPq-mOdXOOUuHDYLAnwvhyKUZlRw3HUfoKPyt7oxg2x6TpuG9K0NriuT95CufTDCzNgIVSbvKD5qxBM6oUsh_hLpftzLBD/s400/D+cockin+2+modified.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9eQdjO45xZPcUe5r9reGskMU4sS1ReI_Ryn4uBWtHLeD_h8uWzATfC8BeNIvuFYi8AIokropDYugaVXh9R-M5XjSKjb8FB-vnViQK4KWCiyXFAqSbWe3cHu6MugExrmm9q1v_8nFQU5u/s1600/D+cockin3+modified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9eQdjO45xZPcUe5r9reGskMU4sS1ReI_Ryn4uBWtHLeD_h8uWzATfC8BeNIvuFYi8AIokropDYugaVXh9R-M5XjSKjb8FB-vnViQK4KWCiyXFAqSbWe3cHu6MugExrmm9q1v_8nFQU5u/s400/D+cockin3+modified.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally a post. I want to apologise to you all, not only because I have not been posting, but also because I have not been leaving any comments on your blogs. The reason is I have not been around the computer mostly due to health reasons.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, here you have today Deborah Cockin sampler finished.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you like it as much as I do. I think all the colours match very well together.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have now begun another Ackworth quaker sampler. This time I went for something very different: Hannah Westcombe from Needleprint. I am stitching it with one over one in an antique white from Zweigert, 30 count.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am using dark blues and dark greys.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Here is a photo of my beginning</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX4uxnTzoVbQvdg_b2De25M32WAQmsQSh1fTQn22whkDbb2k4qePoHE-9TrrKC6rGeVLa-QuZb6FuV2dII5PQcc9M7OyEi07y_j9gFYnNwbEyErjsYfm7ff19Gace93mgTwj3oR-LjgBj/s1600/Hannah+Westcombe+modified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX4uxnTzoVbQvdg_b2De25M32WAQmsQSh1fTQn22whkDbb2k4qePoHE-9TrrKC6rGeVLa-QuZb6FuV2dII5PQcc9M7OyEi07y_j9gFYnNwbEyErjsYfm7ff19Gace93mgTwj3oR-LjgBj/s320/Hannah+Westcombe+modified.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please, if you pass by, leave your comment - I love to hearing from you.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Have a wonderful week</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-54789104787238977502011-07-03T16:11:00.000+01:002011-07-03T16:11:55.577+01:00D Cockin sampler update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zHCd8obhno2_L4WG3EtTsFv6qQePRB4Vmc1QGVJ_axbUazUVV9O4hmK4qMMqCAxWqABMHnfAktEEMz2L_DQov7WZeEOs7PHcyfJI_BYawdhePv91zuzFvoY3Lo4AlEWyYzUQIUE61kYA/s1600/cockin_3D01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zHCd8obhno2_L4WG3EtTsFv6qQePRB4Vmc1QGVJ_axbUazUVV9O4hmK4qMMqCAxWqABMHnfAktEEMz2L_DQov7WZeEOs7PHcyfJI_BYawdhePv91zuzFvoY3Lo4AlEWyYzUQIUE61kYA/s320/cockin_3D01.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjSTh5YkwQGL5docLeFYxsAQaiEF8UJcjB3As758-k1VI37kL3aTBGjsm12haqElMOkgAJthzZ_28gqNlqRohhXNhU49B2eOX7IHiN6v1ccmH2FnOBXNqwFvQepZCLl_ccDBT-owWEPsw/s1600/cockin_3D02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjSTh5YkwQGL5docLeFYxsAQaiEF8UJcjB3As758-k1VI37kL3aTBGjsm12haqElMOkgAJthzZ_28gqNlqRohhXNhU49B2eOX7IHiN6v1ccmH2FnOBXNqwFvQepZCLl_ccDBT-owWEPsw/s320/cockin_3D02.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my weekly update of D Cockin. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to go for the 6 big medallions inside the frame and now I am heading to the centre medallions. It allows me to choose which ones will be light or dark. Of course I will always have a dark medallion next to another dark one and the same happens with the light ones. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am going now to start another medallion and I wish you all a very good week.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been taking some time to browse around and I have seen some wonderful pieces either already finished or in progress. Congratulations to all fellow stitchers.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to thank you for all kind comments you have been leaving - </span><span style="font-size: large;">it's so very motivating!</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-85200212817800725732011-06-21T11:47:00.000+01:002011-06-21T11:47:47.476+01:00New pics of the update of D Cockin sampler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8plU7tgHDSZBflRPC_56dxojwEbKVza2M3JUQ_80-B4wLvYcF9tWbU6OHmOC82yglITC2HzrtyC0ngQpSmBxbLTEnODJ8o9X-HdBMTJdruEB6auvEL3PHhQUlzVHJrHi99CPGejYLgBX/s1600/d+cockin03_B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8plU7tgHDSZBflRPC_56dxojwEbKVza2M3JUQ_80-B4wLvYcF9tWbU6OHmOC82yglITC2HzrtyC0ngQpSmBxbLTEnODJ8o9X-HdBMTJdruEB6auvEL3PHhQUlzVHJrHi99CPGejYLgBX/s400/d+cockin03_B.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYKlAbNHhpZvFgQv2IBvbAcPb2LToDKxOBvCM-DHFp-72qIR-RfE-TSYCnutKGaE4GEQ9FiaY1HRd0sCb-OSZvWDydqLmt-PjN8Dmc5bLj3xR-JXySgHDHV7yZC4d-gfITsQERq83dX-1/s1600/D+cockin03_C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYKlAbNHhpZvFgQv2IBvbAcPb2LToDKxOBvCM-DHFp-72qIR-RfE-TSYCnutKGaE4GEQ9FiaY1HRd0sCb-OSZvWDydqLmt-PjN8Dmc5bLj3xR-JXySgHDHV7yZC4d-gfITsQERq83dX-1/s400/D+cockin03_C.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">DH took new photos with another camera, but I'm still not very impressed with colour, as they are somewhat greyish. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you like.</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-80991354958985689142011-06-21T11:20:00.000+01:002011-06-21T11:20:23.404+01:00An update on my Deborah Cockin sampler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9-ulLHDrxgLiP7dU7eHvJs2w_kBmbbTvAumMAxFWelqpmvy_Z5VJHIVST_Yszcq9YIgYgmMEnOubdfMm-pJjpZwlcsF7Nt8tDqZWby-nm2QLSByDq9vy6dvtYAEwBhY-NQzU8Pghhip/s1600/cockin03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9-ulLHDrxgLiP7dU7eHvJs2w_kBmbbTvAumMAxFWelqpmvy_Z5VJHIVST_Yszcq9YIgYgmMEnOubdfMm-pJjpZwlcsF7Nt8tDqZWby-nm2QLSByDq9vy6dvtYAEwBhY-NQzU8Pghhip/s400/cockin03.JPG" width="394" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My "companion" goes on "growing" in my fingers. As I said before, it is a pleasure to stitch.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In some of the medallions I found some mistakes made by D when she made her piece and it makes the sampler feel alive - I can imagine a very young girl, either not noticing she made a mistake or not wanting to undo what she had already stitched. It's funny, because it is precisely through the mistakes that the presence of Deborah is more noticeable. Do you understand what I mean?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope next week I can post some more progress and until then have an awesome week.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you pass by, please, leave a comment, as they push me forward.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. I'm sorry for the quality of the photo, but the camera isn't working very well.</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-46221476138821272942011-06-08T15:37:00.001+01:002011-06-08T15:51:36.835+01:00D Cockin - some more progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWF9BuVjzghDQpCCdMwTeB6oPxEGFHHgpgCXhIXZxMTtJZOJIRZZOO-hRLzz9iquLKTTZkQIPSvDbhckJxYMcdci62yJPrue3RWUMpZJ9HfZTtBToD06WlF_qqx9cQOj-QrqmZ7Nf-JHy/s1600/cockin02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWF9BuVjzghDQpCCdMwTeB6oPxEGFHHgpgCXhIXZxMTtJZOJIRZZOO-hRLzz9iquLKTTZkQIPSvDbhckJxYMcdci62yJPrue3RWUMpZJ9HfZTtBToD06WlF_qqx9cQOj-QrqmZ7Nf-JHy/s400/cockin02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been a real pleasure to stitch Deborah Cockin's sampler! I'm in the last 3 medallions of the "frame".</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She has been a very good companion of these times when I still have to endure a lot of pains in my bones... still due to the operation. On the one hand, we have had a rainy (humid) Autumn and Winter and now also a long rainy Spring (very unusual for us), which is not good for the bones. On the other hand the pains remain, because my sternum closed with a difference of about 50mm apart from top to bottom. It affected the position of the bones in my shoulders and cervical.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for asking how I have been. Besides those bone pains, tomorrow I'm going to Lisbon to have an exam done, which takes around 5/6 hours to be done, so that it is assessed the state of all my coronaries, as the Cardiologist fears I may have another blockage! Let's see and hope for the best.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure that like for me, cross stitching is very therapeutic for many of you: it takes our mind away from pains and worries. Even more, when we are engrossed in a piece that is a pleasure to stitch and we love.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Have a very good week full of good things.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932732152893890.post-10742931325829897812011-05-29T15:27:00.001+01:002011-05-30T08:21:07.175+01:00Deborah Cockin sampler progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1QkRT-zMuSwSDgLR26U0pyYaxnBL2c6gSvJxPu5NWaBWZ3yND_gABXQ4OzZRjihTSLl-wuS-ATKy8dPoPieHU3LAURTIDQHE-uhOITCF3LChd-vHjyKwyG2cJDdV2T245bmtxiXTajEd/s1600/cockin01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1QkRT-zMuSwSDgLR26U0pyYaxnBL2c6gSvJxPu5NWaBWZ3yND_gABXQ4OzZRjihTSLl-wuS-ATKy8dPoPieHU3LAURTIDQHE-uhOITCF3LChd-vHjyKwyG2cJDdV2T245bmtxiXTajEd/s400/cockin01.JPG" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week I made good progress on my D Cockin sampler, taking into account I am a slow stitcher.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally the post delivered the rest of the HDF threads I was waiting for, and I was able to stitch the medallions in between the other ones I had already done.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am very pleased how both colours go together and combine with the fabric. It is not a monochrome, but the colour is the same one, being one just a tint lighter than the other one (Penny Wort 3449 and Penny Wort 3447).</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope this week I can progress nicely again.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish you all a very good week with nice weather, which is something we are not having here: although it is 24 degrees Centigrade, it is raining a lot, which is not common in May.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please, let me know your thoughts and comments, as they all mean so much to me.</span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85904/crisar/c13af4c27d251fbe7905c2f1e9fa96ac.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4