IHSW - August 2012 Report

This week I'm starting with the new start that I hoped to be able to show you last week.  This is Train of Dreams by Randal Spangler, my first HAED.  I'm stitching it on the recommended 25 count and I can tell already that the challenge of this piece is how badly I am going to strain my eyes working on it.  What you see here is the top two rows of page 1 - the second row is not yet complete as I have to take a break every so often to re-focus my eyes.  

Question - do other people who stitch HAEDs stitch them on 25 count or do they convert to something more manageable?  If you are stitching a HAED on 25 count, advice on how best to cope would be gratefully received.  I am not setting any deadlines on this one - progress is going to depend on whether I've got good light to work in and how tired my eyes are.

As you can see, the basic border on Delft 3 is complete, leaving the corners to be filled in at a later date.  I have also completed the first of the three butterflies.  I've decided that with this piece, it is going to make more sense to backstitch each motif as it is finished.  If I'm going to get this done in time for the second August WIPocalypse, I need to put some time in on this - less blog reading at lunchtimes methinks.

Another completed row on Carnation - 7 down and 3 to go before page 2 is finished.  I've done some counting and checked my diary.  If I can keep up the 4 blocks a week routine, I'll be done in 6 weeks, just in time for my birthday and the September WIPocalypse post.  If I only do 3 blocks a week, I'll be done in 8 weeks, halfway through October.  I'm already a week or so ahead of my original October deadline, which makes me a happy bunny.  We shall see.

In other news, my Dad had day surgery this last week.  They didn't find what they were looking for and took out something else instead.  Hopefully we'll get the test results later this coming week.  He was a while on the table (under a local) while they ferreted about, so is in some pain and discomfort at the moment.  

Also my sister landed me with a Hermann or friendship cake thing the other week.  Remembering to stir it and/or feed it has been a pain, and then yesterday I had to bake the wretched thing.  I very rarely do anything in the baking line.   I had to go out and buy most of the ingredients and borrow a pan from my sister to bake it in.  Anyway, after much aggravation, it got done and tastes OK.  I've given some to Mum and Dad, and plan to take some into work tomorrow.

Finally, my aunt just rang.  She really likes the Cat and appreciated how much work I had put in to it.  So that makes me feel really good!  A nice way to end this month's IHSW.