Am I Actually Going To Start Something?

Here I go again! I've changed my mind. I thought I was going to start on a small Shepherd's Bush kit, then I discovered one I was going to do around this time last year and never got to it. It appeals to me a bit more and is appropriate for this month of the year. Called Thanks A Lot it's another little kit of SB that comes with a piece of Light Sand linen, silk threads, and a JABC bee button. With Thanksgiving later this month in the USA I though it was a good time of year to stitch this one up.

Shepherd's Bush - Thanks A Lot kit

I'm a sucker for their kits. I love how everything is there ready for you to stitch. Their instructions are easy to read also. Each of their kits comes with an actual photo on the front of the instructions, showing the finished piece.

I've seen on their blog a picture of their retreat piece for this year. It's a sampler within a sampler. Of course we'll have to wait for around another year before this will be released to us folk who didn't go to the retreat, but I think it will be worth the wait.

So back to this kit I'm thinking of doing. I love the thread colours SB choose for their patterns. They're usually soft and muted, not glaringly bright. The button that's included with this one is a bee. I thought it was a bug because it was purple until I read the details on the chart. Who knew a bee could be purple? That's the joy of needlecraft. You can change anything to suit the situation.

Well, wish me luck with this new start. I hope to have some pictures of it soon.

Melbourne Cup

I was back at work yesterday and tried to take it easy. A few jobs needed to be done which allowed me to sit down, so I took full advantage of it. I'm still not back to my 100% but am getting better each day. Just waiting for this dreaded bug to leave my system entirely.

Today I didn't have to go to work because it's a public holiday in the Melbourne metropolitan region. The first Tuesday of November each year celebrates our biggest horse race in the country, The Melbourne Cup. I'm not big on horses but usually watch the race on TV when it's running. This year's race finished an hour or so ago and the winner was an overseas horse called Americain. Both horse and jockey come from France. The local favourite was So You Think which ended up coming third in the race.

(click on picture to visit website)

It's a big day for those who go to the race. They usually get dressed up in their finest outfits which some have planned months in advance. Unfortunately you can't predict the weather in Melbourne and today it was overcast and rained for part of the day (before and during the race). Some years it can be wonderfully sunny but it's pot luck as to how the weather will turn out this time of year.

Myself, I've never been to the race and just enjoy the day off from work. Today I've had a relaxing day since I'm still trying to get over the flu. I've been looking at what project I could do next and may have found something. A small Shepherd's Bush kit which I find are handy as everything you need to stitch it is included in the kit. So hopefully I'll have something in the way of stitching to show you soon. I'll keep you posted...