Death in a Strange Country

I recently finished the second* mystery in a series set in Venice, Italy and authored by Donna Leon.  The book is Death in a Strange Country and stars Commisario Guido Brunetti.

The mystery begins when a dead body is discovered floating in one of Venice's canals.  The tale of intrigue wanders to a nearby American military base, but never fear, most of the action happens in Venice.  Donna Leon, an American who has lived in Venice for years, has captured the city vividly from the classic beauty, tourist crunches, filth of an old city, and more.   While it has been years since I last traveled to Venice, reading this book takes me back instantly .... and makes me long to return again.

Guido Brunetti, the detective of this series, is a fascinating character, one whom I plan to get to know better as I read more by Donna Leon.  After all, by way of Donna Leon's stories, I can travel to Venice via my armchair dreams much faster and easier than in actuality (though truthfully, I do hope to return to Venice again one day).




*  I discovered Donna Leon's books in my local library.  Since the first book of her series was not available, I began with the second one.  There are several more in the series and I hear that Leon's writing gets stronger and her story-telling more engaging with each new mystery!

the Fly Stitch

The first stitch of the new year of "Take a Stitch Tuesday" challenge is the Fly Stitch.  For directions on how to embroider this stitch, click here (it is a direct link to Sharon B's wonderful stitch dictionary!)

The Fly Stitch is not a stitch I have used ... ever?  But is simple and easy to learn.  I have done a very quick rendition (as I do not wish to start off running behind this year ....)

I stitched my fly's in green embroidery floss onto a small strip of Aida cloth, so that the fly stitch becomes the leaves and stems for my button flowers.  I have been wanting to make a piece of creative button flowers... this is not that piece, but it just enough to further whet my whistle.  These are the simplest button flowers I've ever seen -- just a 4-hole button held down with a cross-stitch of embroidery floss.

I plan to add smaller fly stitches -- in black -- to be flitting among the blossoms (flies, bees, any flying bug?)  stay tuned -- I will add a photo once I've added the tinier flies.


For more about Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST), an annual challenge hosted by Sharon B of Pin Tangle fame, click here (it will take you to the beginning of the 2012 TAST Challenge).  You are free to jump in now and join the group for a year of fun stitching ....

A Needlepoint Project

I have never really stitched needlepoint, probably because it was always my sister's area of expertise.... until now.  You see, my synagogue is redoing the chairs on the bima/pulpit and the call went out looking for members to help out with this important needlepoint project.  I decided that I wanted to be a part of this renovation and therefore, it was time for me to dabble into needlepoint.

Ten chairs are being redone in two tones of green with a variety of simple graphic Judaic designs.  My piece happens to feature the Hebrew letters that spell Chai, which means Life.  It is a simple design to stitch, but it quickly gets dull perhaps because it is so simple and so extremely repetitive .....

The needlepoint is being done using the basket weave stitch which looks classic on the front, but has a fun, textured weave looking much like a woven basket on the backside.  Of course I had to learn how to do this stitch and how to stitch it to look right-handed, even though I am a lefty!  Many thanks to my friends Gail and Helen who helped get me going and then guided (and encouraged) me as I stitched along.  This photo shows how I've learned to work the pattern left to right (rather than right to left).  I have found that I prefer to stitch all the Hebrew letters first, then go back to fill in the background.  Just a few more rows to go .....

In the beginning ...

Every project must begin somewhere ...

 

and this is the beginning of my band sampler, as inspired by Sharon B and her beautiful work which you can see on her website, Pin Tangle.  Sharon hosts an annual embroidery challenge  called "Take A Stitch Tuesday" (or TAST for short).  I have joined her challenge and am also starting my own band sampler much like the one she has growing (side note: Sharon's is over 24 feet long! or over 22 meters!).  Click here to see the beginning story of this year's TAST and Sharon's "For the Love of Stitching Band Sampler".

My little piece, pictured above, will always remind me that I began my band sampler the year I joined the TAST challenge.  I wonder how long mine will eventually be?  At the moment it measures 3 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Pondering ...

Reflecting back on where I've been

Thinking of new directions in which I wish to travel

Preparing for the new year to unfold.

Shall I list my resolutions publicly this year?  or keep them to myself?  or perhaps blaze forth without any at all?   I do confess, I have gone without resolutions before -- enjoying each day with whatever it brings.

Perhaps I shall simply ponder some more ....

CQJP 2012

It's official -- I've signed up with another group for a year of productive creating and sharing.  This group is the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012.  Check out their website for more information at  www.cqjp2012.blogspot.com 
(Note: The deadline for signing up ended yesterday, but you can always play along independently!)

My goal -- to make 12 new crazy quilt blocks, perhaps to incorporate beading in each as well as fun and funky embroidery with the eventual end result of a finished quilt/quiltart piece -- hope I can keep up with one a month ..... always good to have lofty goals, right?

Thoughts for the new year ....

Have you been pondering the new year that is fast approaching? 

Making resolutions for changes you hope to make ...

Serious revisions on your current life ... 

Or pondering how to add a touch of whimsy and fun ...

Whatever your thoughts and resolutions may be, my wish for you is a simple one: 

May your life continue into a healthy, happy place and may you be surrounded by loved ones whom you cherish dearly!

Here's to 2012!