Monday, August 25, 2014

Planes, trains and automobiles.....

...and buses too! Yes, I tried to stitch while on each of them when I was away. You really can't waste good stitching time, can you?!!

Sadly the three hour train journey was a bit too bumpy to be able to do any stitching, but there was plenty of time to stitch while we were waiting on our flight and, of course, plenty of time during the flight. With all the confusion of what can and cannot be taken on board a plane I decided to play safe and take a free kit from one of the magazines....




The only change I made was to swap out the fabric as I didn't like what was in the kit. You can't tell from the photo, but it's actually stitched on pale blue aida.

The next design that I worked on was a freebie design that I have had on my to-do list for ages, and this seemed a good time to  work on it as I had all the threads sitting in one of my many stitchy storage boxes. Three threads and some fabric isn't too much to carry around with you on planes, trains and automobiles! This design calls for linen threads which I had bought when they were on sale in Michael's a very long time ago....and luckily the colours I needed were all there just sitting in the box!




Again, the colours don't show up very well on the picture...it's stitched on white aida (although linen or evenweave would have looked much better!) and the thread colours are pale pink, pink and a sage green....very pretty. The chart for the design can be found here, although the recommended threads are now DMC colour variations. Either way, I think it's a pretty design. I love the matt finish of the linen threads, but hated stitching with them. Since DMC have discontinued their linen threads I can only assume that many other stitchers felt the same way! Have you stitched with linen threads before? Loved them? Hated them? Let me know, it will be interesting to hear what you think.

These two designs are now sitting in my 'to-finish' pile.....I really must have a weekend (or two) finishing off all my stitching!

I did start another kit on my journey back, but for some reason I can't find it. I do know it made it home as I remember unpacking it and thinking that there wasn't too much left to do....mmm, so much for putting it in a safe place!

Thanks for all the get-well wishes for my Dad - much appreciated. He's doing much better and seems to be on the mend. It was lovely seeing him, even though he wasn't well. I'll post some pics in my next post.

Until next time...happy stitching!


Rhona







12 comments:

butterfly said...

Sweet teddy, love them .

Katie said...

2 beautiful finishes. I have a large container of not finished finishes. I hate that part. I never stitched with the linen threads...sounds like a good thing.

Linda said...

Congrats on the cute finishes Rhona.

Linda

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

Gorgeous stitching. It is nice when something gets done while travelling.

Smily-Света said...

What a cute teddy-bear! And very nice heart

Pull the other thread said...

So glad to hear your father is on the med again. I love your finishes. The heart if just beautiful, I just printed it off :)I have never worked with linen threads but I have with satin and I HATE them, though they look lovely.

Mouse said...

oooo well done on the stitching front .... linen threads didn't like ... glad to hear dad on the mend and thanks for the freebie link :) love mouse xxxxx

Dani - tkdchick said...

Rhonda your travel stitching is great! I did some travel stitching as well. I think the only tricky thing when flying is scissors. To make my life easier I just take pair of nail clippers designated for threads when I fly. Those are allowed on the plane!!! I've had no troubles with needles, hooops, highlighters, etc.

Jennidee Mills said...

They both look terrific. I hope to have some time to stitch again one day ... sigh. Though I do have an embroidery commission to do in a few months time which I'm looking froward to.
I have heard that you can take safety scissors onto planes. But they keep changing the rules don't they?

Anne said...

Great finishes Rhona! I did stitch with those pesky linen threads and didn't like them. In fact I still have the kit in a baggy somewhere that I won't ever stitch. Although the threads weren't good, your finish looks great!!

Helen Philipps said...

Two lovely stitched designs....I love the heart especially! I tried stitching with the linen threads too but much preferred DMC's lovely stranded cottons though I liked the colours.
Hope you find your mislaid embroidery, and that your Dad is feeling better.
Helen xox

Jenn M said...

I stitched the same heart design years ago and while the design is lovely and works up so quickly, my experience with the linen threads ended there! What a pain those were: I was not surprised to see them discontinued.
Jenn