Dog bandana!

I had a go at making a dog's bandana last week. I made it from an old pair of Gareth's cargo trousers:

The one with all the cross stitch

After completing 'Mermaid of the pearls,' it prompted me to dig out the cross stitch I've done over the years and post them here. I've tried putting them in a chronological order: Fist ever cross stitch. I think I was about 13 when I did this one.

First completed 'big project'

First attempt at designing my own cross stitch. I was

about 14 when I did this one.

One I completed on the many long train journeys to Plymouth
from Aberdeen and vice versa!




I love this design! I'll certainly look for more of their designs in future.

I finished this one about 3 years ago.

One of three birth samplers I made for my sister. There are no

photos of the other two as they are with my nephew and neice now.


A couple of bookmarks.

Random drawings

I was going through my art stuff recently and came across some old sketches. I thought I'd share them - they are by far not the best I've ever done (I miss my charcoal!).

I drew this a couple of years ago during a

particulary dull lecture. Probably on cell membranes.

I was surprised to find that this one was drawn

ten years ago. It was when I was working on

various comic characters for a comic that I never

completed. About this time I had a few issues to

work through and my arts took a bit of a sabbatical

for many years. I wish I had kept up with my drawing,

and often wonder if I should have done art instead of

zoology at university. Never mind, can't change past

decisions, only the one's you're going to make!

'A clean house is a sign of a wasted life...'

...I couldn't agree more. Why do we bother?August

October

The ugly t-bag

Below is my first attempt at a t-shirt bag. I concede that it is pretty rubbish, but I don't want to just blog my successes, especially as I just starting to machine sew. I think it will be nice to look back and (hopefully) see how far I've progressed.

The bag is made from an old t-shirt that I loved throughout my time at university, but when I joined the real world of work I started to feel a bit of a lay-about whenever I wore it. The bag didn't really go to plan, but it does the job and makes an ok vessel for small items!

Mermaid of the Pearls

After working on this cross stich on-and-off for ten years, I have finally finisher Miribilia's 'Mermaid of the Pearls.' I have to say I am very proud of this accomplishment as it is a very detailed and itricate design stitched on 32 count evenweave. It incorporates a range of techniques such as blending, fraction stitches, using metallic thread, backstitiching and copious amounts of beading. That is primarily why I chose the design as it taught me alot about cross-stitch. I have to admit, I was not originally that fond of the design but it has grown on me.

This project took me so long as I was working on several other designs at the same time. I find that it helps to have a few smaller things on the go when you have a large project - you can go a little cross-eyed with these intricate projects! I also completed a few larger projects, including three birth samplers for my sister.

So, without further pre-amble, here is 'Mermaid of the Pearls.'

Close-up of the mermaid's face detail and some beading

I am a bad blogger.

Wow, has it really been that long since my last post? A lot has been happening recently so at least I do have something to blog about, which may balance my blog-karma which is currently in arrears.

My parents acquired a new dog recently. They rehomed him as his previous owner had died. He's a gorgeous little dog (Sheltie, named Flash) who looks very eager to train.

Just look at the focus on his face!

It was my birthday last month and my rather fantastic husband bought me a tropical fish tank. I'm very excited about this as I used to be a keen aquarist when I was younger. I bred a range of fish before discarding the hobby in favour of other teenage endeavours. Photos will follow, but currently the tank is devoid of fish whilst it undergoes the nitrification cycle - A photo of gravel and plastic plants isn't that riveting.

I've made a few craft items, which have their own posts and Gareth has finished his Masters now, so the hunt for work begins for him.

I'm also currently weaning off my anti-depressants, which is less than fun. It's like being drunk but cheaper. It's hard to predict when the withdrawl symptoms will hit so during the day I will get dizzy, nauseous and confused at sporadic points. I don't think anyone has really noticed at work, which is a little discouraging!

So, update over with, I will forego the usual promises to blog more regulary, as clearly it's a platitude I cannot adhere to!