Turtle Trot Progress Feb 10, 2014

February Turtle Trot Progress Update!

I've joined BAP Attack's 2014 Turtle Trot, which involved choosing 10 projects to work on over the course of the year and posting updates on them monthly.  Managed a little progress this month on the leopard pillow and Great Blue Heron, while working on other things.

This one is for a gift, and the recipient was hinting to find out if it would be ready for a birthday gift this past month.  Sorry honey, not this year!  I am concentrating on this one, though, to get it done and gifted - maybe namesday or Pascha.  A little discouraging when I think of how much time I've put in vs. how much remains, but it's moving along.  Hup, hup!

Made a start on Great Blue Heron, and it's working up better than expected.  This is on lugana, over-1, and having a lot less issue with stitches slipping under the threads than the last time I worked on a linen-type fabric.  Only the bill and a bit of the face so far and really enjoying it.  Love the clarity of Crossed Wing Collection patterns!  So easy to read!


 I think this one will get it's backstitching as I go along.  Usually I'll wait till all done then backstitch all in one go.  This bird has several different colours of outlining, though, and I'm curious to see how they'll look together.

I've also been experimenting with patterns uploaded to an ereader and/or phone in an effort to find something a little more portable.  So, that's working out fine and led to further experimentation.  My new cellphone has a great camera, so I discovered that I can take a picture of the pattern segments and enlarge the section I'm working on to whatever size I need.  Yay!  No more carrying around books (eg Leopard) or fussing with huge sheets (eg GBH) or losing lines of symbols at the creases from repeated folding!  No more headaches from squinting at tiny little symbols!

Now I just need to figure out how to link this post ...
Well, time to get a stitch on.

May your needles be always sharp and your colours never fade.