miles to go before i sleep...

when i woke up this morning, snow was mixing with the rain coming down. it increased to a heavy wet slush that never settled but kept coming down, keeping the day cold and dark. eventually it went back to rain. the trees started moving too, tops swaying back and forth and branches bending as gusts past through. i was just as happy to stay inside today.



my current gift project is becoming a bit of an obsession, as i continue to hope that by some miracle it will be done by next friday. i'm not really sure that will happen though, so i'm trying to prep myself to avoid disappointment. it seems quite likely i will be gifting it, only to reclaim it to take back home for a few more days of work. i've never made a piece this big before, and under such a tight timeline. my hands and my back are stiff and sore. only for family would i probably make this effort. i'm still on the fence over how it's progressing, but i have high hopes.



it's very blue at this point. but really, how can you have a west coast landscape without lots of blue? i'm working on adding in some brown and other colours right now though, so finally it's starting to evolve into a more complete look. so many stitches to go...i think tonight will be a late one. but i'm taking tomorrow off - going to give my arms a rest and use my legs instead (which have been underused recently as i sit and stitch) and go up to the ski hill, strap on my board, and get in some fluffy white turns (i hope!).



in the grey and brown that predominates lately, the rosehips seem to be the one bright spot of colour. little globes of orange red popping out between branches.

if you are still looking for quick make-it-yourself gifts, i am going to share something tomorrow that i also made today. nothing nearly as labour-intensive as the above, i promise. and hopefully they'll be a hit with the recipients. please check back...