Mary Goodfinish

Just as expected. Mary Goodburn sailed to a smooth finish last weekend.  She was such a playful, easy stitch that I've started thinking of her as "Mary Goodfinish"!  Here she is. 

 

 

Last post, all that was left to go on her was the bottom sailing schooner,  I wasn't really expecting so many stripes and color changes on a ship, but in the end I was in love with  this little motif best of all.

 

 

I had some questions about the details of this project, so let me share at least what I did with her.  First off, she's an old kit from the Examplarery, probably circa the early to mid 80's.  I found her on e-Bay a few years ago, but she still turns up there on a regular basis.  In fact for anyone seriously looking for a kit of your own, there has been one posted for a few weeks now and it was still available yesterday afternoon.  I didn't use the linen in the kit because it was an ugly, large weave in a dark brown that wouldn't have suited the soft  pinks and greens in her at all.  I used a piece of 36 count something - probably light exemplar - from my stash  instead.  Whatever it was, I though the colors sat well on it.

 

 

In the meantime, I've moved on to a nice start on Johnny Appleseed and also taken back up with my holiday stitch, the SL Scottish Band Sampler.  Not much new to share on either one of them just yet, so I'll save an update on both until next post.  However, I did want to share my finished Angel of Tulips, returned from Faye and ready to preside over my Christmas tree....whenever that decides to go up!  Faye fancied her up with a simple backing and the mother of pearl spangles that ought to catch the tree lights beautifully. Don't you love her? 

 

 

I may have to find a permanent home for her somewhere, because I don't think I'll be able to put her away after the holidays are over.

 

As for the holidays, I'm still waiting for the spirit to take me.  The weather has been so warm and humid this autumn and now early winter that I hardly feel we've left summer behind.  Between that and having my work days rush by in a blur the past few months leaves me feeling like my own personal clock is still stuck back in June somewhere.  But the past few days one sure sign that Christmas is truly on its way blossomed on my patio.

 

 

I have 5 Christmas cacti in pots out there, and this is the first bloom.  They thrive on neglect 11 months of the year but come December, I dote on them every day,  Funny how they bring back so many holiday memories, but they always do.

 

Here's wishing your December is full of bright colors and fond memories too.