Livin' La Needle Loca

 ...probably the last one for March. This is the completed Frida Kathlo: Specs: Started 3/5/2023 Finished 3/29/2023 Pattern by Barbara Ana Designs I experienced some hand issues (soreness, stiffness). Given my age (72), I kind of expected that I might soon experience some hand issues. In light of these recent changes, I've decided that my next cross stitch project will be mermaid number 8. I just have to pick one to do.

 ...making some progress, still one step forward, two steps back. The project getting the most play this week is Frida Kathlo: I'm really loving Barbara Ana Designs. The colors are different than I normally use and I love that they are fun to look at. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Frida Kathlo (cross stitch) Getting close to the end. Finishing the antlers and need to do the keys. Effortless Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Managed to add a couple more rows to the sleeves. Sky Lanterns Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Playing with the beaded picot stitch used in the Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cross stitch) I started playing with an idea of adding text between some of the design rows, basically documenting the names of fruits and vegetables in the Santa Clara Valley No Work This Week: Finishing work Good Day Sunshine quilt (quilting) Illusion hexagons (knitting) [ Rav...

 ...finally catching up a little. The backyard is slowly coming back to life after the trauma of the remodel.  Many of our trees are blossoming. Others like the cherry tree and the apricot tree have not yet started to bloom. We're a little concerned that they might not recover. It's not a big deal if the cherry tree doesn't make it, but the Blenheim apricot tree is important to us. Asian pear tree: Nectarine tree: Red freesias: Daffodil: This is the view from my bedroom window:

 ...yeah, it's been another busy week. I was able to work on a couple of things for a little bit, but no substantial work. No photos, because there was hardly any progress made. Hopefully, I can get back on track this week. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Frida Kathlo (cross stitch) Cat's face is almost done; working on hair and flowers. Effortless Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Managed to add a few rows to the sleeves. No Work This Week: Finishing work Good Day Sunshine quilt (quilting) Illusion hexagons (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Zigzag Throw (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Finishing Work: Beach Please (cross stitch) Bee Hive Violets (cross stitch) Big Bee, Little Bee mini (cross stitch) Finishing work for some old crewel pictures (sewing) More Beach (cross stitch)  Royal Blossoms (cross stitch) Sailing Dreams...

 ...yeah, the week got away from me. I've been mostly working on Frida Kathlo (cross stitch) in between working on stuff for mom. It's progressing nicely: WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Frida Kathlo (cross stitch) Started 3/5/2023 Zigzag Throw (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Still working on first strip No Work This Week: Effortless Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Finishing work Good Day Sunshine quilt (quilting) Illusion hexagons (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Finishing Work: Beach Please (cross stitch) Bee Hive Violets (cross stitch) Big Bee, Little Bee mini (cross stitch) Finishing work for some old crewel pictures (sewing) More Beach (cross stitch)  Royal Blossoms (cross stitch) Sailing Dreams (cross stitch) Summer Garden (cross sti...

 ...not a lot of crafting for the last couple of days. Hoping to get rolling soon. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Frida Kathlo (cross stitch) Started 3/5/2023 Stitches West class (knitting) Did some sample knitting during class. Zigzag Throw (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Working on first strip No Work This Week: Effortless Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Finishing work Good Day Sunshine quilt (quilting) Illusion hexagons (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Finishing Work: Beach Please (cross stitch) Bee Hive Violets (cross stitch) Big Bee, Little Bee mini (cross stitch) Finishing work for some old crewel pictures (sewing) More Beach (cross stitch)  Royal Blossoms (cross stitch) Sailing Dreams (cross stitch) Summer Garden (cross stitch) Waiting for Finishing: Purple Heart Flowers (cross stitch) UFOs...

 ...my first time at the Sacramento location. ...the short story is that I did not buy as much as previous years. I attended Thursday and Friday. After looking at the vendor list and reading that two (Liza Souza and Stunning String Studio) of the three vendors I wanted to visit had to cancel because of bad weather. Thursday: Arrived 2 hours before the market opened, which gave me plenty of time to check into my hotel and pick up my registration. I organized myself and then headed back to the convention center to knit until the market opened. My primary goal was to purchase fiber from Greenwood Fiberworks. There were lots of yummy fibers and I bought a few. Then I explored the other vendors, looking for more interesting fiber to spin. Seattle Sky Dyeworks was a new vendor for me and I bought a bump of fiber there. I missed seeing both Liza Souza and Stunning String Studio. I planned on spending a lot of time in both booths. :( I got back t...

 ...no photo today. I started a portable pattern to take with me to Stitches West. I haven't gotten very far, so no photo. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Stitches West Homework (knitting) Finished the homework. Ready for Class. Zigzag Throw (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Started 2/28/2023 No Work This Week: Effortless Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Finishing work Good Day Sunshine quilt (quilting) Illusion hexagons (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Finishing Work: Beach Please (cross stitch) Bee Hive Violets (cross stitch) Big Bee, Little Bee mini (cross stitch) Finishing work for some old crewel pictures (sewing) More Beach (cross stitch)  Royal Blossoms (cross stitch) Sailing Dreams (cross stitch) Summer Garden (cross stitch) Waiting for Finishing: Purple Heart Flowers (cross stitch) UFOs/...