Happiness Is...

Don't you just love getting fabric in the mail? I know I do! Mother always laughs at how giddy I get whenever I receive such a package. Even though I already know what it is, there's something special about seeing it in person for the first time, actually touching it and feeling its weight in your hand. Not to mention all the promise it holds. One day, that fabric will hold thousands of tiny little stitches in a brilliant mosaic of thread, but for now, it's just an empty canvas, waiting. =)

Anyway, I got such a package Tuesday night, and was thrilled and delighted by it. I've decided to try something new, at least for me, and to get away from whites and off-whites for a while. So, I ordered some very pretty colors to correspond with my next new starts.

All my pretties

These are from 123Stitch.com, a company I am currently in love with. I had always thought Julie's had the biggest selection; well, not so much. It's odd to say after all Julie's has done for me, but I think 123 is my go-to stop from now on. Besides being cheaper, I just like the end result better: All edges come pre-serged, and each fabric has a label with brand, color, count and size. All the work is done for me! (Now if only they could grid everything as well...)

The first three fabrics will be used on Tiger Lily, Tranquility and Anastasia respectively (all HAED charts). The fourth was ordered out of curiosity, but looks very much darker than it did on screen. So either that shall become a gift, or I'll attempt it much further down the line with Awakening. They are all 28ct, another new thing for me, as all these projects will be tent stitched.

The other bit of happiness I received this week was... my new Millennium Frames!!! I had hoped beyond hope they would be here before Christmas (to facilitate next year's stitching) but I didn't really believe it. But Monday night, there they were, all lovely in their box. Took forever to unwrap, but everything is in order and I love them. Getting the fabric on is tricky, but worth it. Mother couldn't believe it when I told her they're held together by tension alone.

Millennium Frame!!

I'm hoping Moon Indigo will fit on the 30", but I left so little room for her up top (still kicking myself for that) she may have to wait til her top row is done. Though I hope that's not the case. I'll leave her where she is for one more week, then comes the test.

Pavonia Dec. 14

Progress this week has been almost non-existent. Last Saturday, I did manage a whopping 600 stitches on Indigo thanks to new color blocks that are almost one color. Pavonia also made a return on Sunday for just under 300 stitches (all one color!). Any further progress has been impeded due to Mother being sick, a visit from my Aunt, and the arrival of my millennium frame. I couldn't help but prepare the fabric for Anastasia and begin gridding for the first set of pages. I know it's crazy, but the gridding has to be done at some point, and I really couldn't help myself. =)

Moon Indigo Dec. 13

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Next post I hope to show off some Christmas commissions I've crocheted (if I can remember). Until next time!