Catch-Up (lots of pictures!)

Well, time has passed since my last proper post, but I think it would be easier to just do a quick(ish) catch-up rather than try to cover the entire time...

I was working as a supply teacher until the school closures in March, and I have been furloughed since then.  I doubt I'll be working again until at least October...Groundhog Day every day!

At the beginning of lockdown (March 2020), I was stitching like crazy - finishing things in a couple of days!  It helped me cope with the heightened anxiety that the virus caused...Here are some of the things I managed to do:

Simply Wren by Heritage Crafts

Simply Autumn by The Drawn Thread

Small Things by The Drawn Thread

Choose Happy freebie by Hands On Design

Wild Salt Air by Hands On Design

Faith by Lizzie Kate

Needlework ABCs by Little House Needleworks

Simply Summer by The Drawn Thread

I Hear the Bells by Hands On Design

Hootzi Humbug by Just Nan

Wildflower Garden by The Drawn Thread

Cat Lovers Biscornu Pincushion by The Sweetheart Tree

...and the other side

Christmas Thoughts Sampler by The Drawn Thread

Stitching Feeds my Heart by Silver Creek Samplers

I also did some needlework and beading:

The needlework designs are all Sue Hawkins kits, and the beading items are all Spellbound Bead Company, except the starfish necklace, which is from Bead and Needle Designs on Etsy.

I have now got into a sort of routine, where I spend time on different crafts during the day.  I have been diamond painting and knitting recently - here are some of my finishes:

Green Tree Frog by Diamond Dotz

Bengal Magic by Diamond Dotz

Wraparound Cardigan in Stylecraft Wondersoft Stardust DK

Tearoom Elephant by Mary Jane's Tearooms (still knitting clothes)

Bolero Cardigan in Rico Baby Print DK

My knitting has basically been for my new granddaughter, Beatrix, who was born on 19th May.  My daughter, Rachel, lives near Cardiff with her husband and my grandson, Elijah, who is 2 (born in March, 2018).  We were supposed to go down to visit when she had Bea, but the lockdown stopped that.  We are now waiting for the time that we can go and cuddle our grandchildren!  We still FaceTime and speak on the phone, though.

My other daughter, Sammy, had our second grandson in September 2018, so we now have 3 grandchildren!  Sammy lives just down the road from us, so we have seen her a few times during lockdown (at a social distance, of course).

My son, Steven, lives with friends near Chorley, and he has refused to leave the house since the virus first hit the UK... We haven't seen him since February, but we do speak on the phone and have occasional FaceTime calls.

We lost my dad last August... He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and was given 6 to 12 months to live, but he only lasted 3 weeks...  He died suddenly on the 27th anniversary of my brother's death.  It was a very difficult time, but we got through it, and my mum is managing well with my brother and I supporting her as much as possible.  It made me reassess my priorities, and think about how I want to live my life in a more positive and less stressful way.

I have now got a focus for my stitching, as I am doing the monthly Acrostic Challenge on the #24hoursofcrossstitch FB group.  Each month you are given a phrase and you pick a WIP or a new start for each letter in that phrase.  You can link by the designer name, the name of the item, or something in the design, and you choose a time or stitch challenge.  It is making sure I do some work on my long list of WIPs/UFOs, and also start some new things...it also ensures I do some stitching every day!

June's phrase was 'Day and Night' and here is a montage of the WIPs I chose:

I also added new starts: Jolly by Mill Hill, Autumn ABCs by LHN and I am a Stitcher by Cherry Wood Designs.  My aim is to do at least 4 hours work on each design by the end of the month.  Here are the pieces I've already completed the minimum 4 hours on:

Foxglove by Nora Corbett

Toy Shop by Mill Hill (finished)

Welcome Baby by American School of Needlework (a very old UFO!)

Winter Jumble by The Drawn Thread

Autumn ABCs by LHN

I am a Stitcher by Cherry Wood Design Studio

I am currently working on Three Little Maids by Heritage Crafts...I'll post an update once I have finished the required time on more pieces.

I think that's all for now... Sorry for the lengthy post!

Happy Stitching!