A-Z of WIPs Challenge 2024 - E and F

Good afternoon!

The A-Z of WIPs Challenge 2024 is a little SAL being attempted by Serendipitous Jo and myself to stitch our way through an alphabet of WIPs at two/three per month, starting with A and B in January and finishing with Y and Z in December. 

A to D have been successfully completed, so now it's the turn of E and F.

E is for... Elixir Of Luck by CrazyBlendShop (etsy)

Started March 2022 - last worked on April 2023.

I'm sounding like a broken record here, but this was another WIP I didn't want to put down after its two days of attention. I was hoping to stitch all of the bits above the liquid but didn't quite make it. The  pale yellows are really soothing to work with but next time (whenever that may be) I've got the lovely richer darker yellows to look forward to.

Stitching time to date - 9 hours 5 minutes

F is for... France, an 'All Around The World' chart by Soda Stitch

Started July 2021 - last worked on April 2023.

I usually stitch from right to left, but just had to finish the iconic Eiffel tower before carrying on with the lady.

Stitching time to date - 6 hours 10 minutes

These may have only been out for a couple of days, but I really enjoyed working on both and am again happy with my progress.

Next month G and H, where I'm hoping for not one but two 'G' finishes before heading off to a magical village for H.

Take care,

Rachel x

Tokyo Olympics New Start #6 - Italy

Hello again!

More gymnastics, more swimming and more rugby sevens was on my schedule whilst stitching start number 6.

This involved continuing my trip around the world with Soda Stitch and landing in Italy:

Italy from All Around The World by Soda Stitch

Stitched on 18ct Around The World over-dyed aida

Stitch count 76 wide by 66 high

Started - 28th July 2021

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 55 minutes

I was so enjoying stitching the Colosseum I didn't want to stop!

Fun Olympic Fact

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to host the Olympics? Estimates vary but (give or take a few hundred million) Sydney spent about US$5 billion in 2000 and London about US$15 billion in 2012. Tokyo are estimated to have spent about US$22 billion with, unlike previous hosts, no hope of recuperating costs via tickets, tourism and other financial income the Olympics usually bring. And with costs sky-rocketing as expectations and the number of events and athletes increases, no wonder fewer countries are willing to bid. At least we know we're going to Paris in 2024, Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.

Take care

Rachel x

Tokyo Olympics New Start #4 - France

Hello again!

On day 4 of the Olympics I managed to catch a bit of archery, diving, gymnastics, swimming and triathlon. I really like the archery, just a shame it's over with so quickly.

During the Olympics I thought it would be nice to go 'around the world' and contemplated starting a bunch of Satsuma Street's Pretty Little Cities. But they're far too big for a starting binge. However, the idea of going around the world stuck, and I found a smaller (and sickly-cute) set by Soda Stitch.

I also found some brilliant fabric to match, although it's well out of my comfort zone. I don't think I've made a mistake as Soda Stitch designs are quite colourful and should become prominent over the busy fabric.

I only started stitching late in the evening so didn't get much done, but even without the completed picture as reference it might be obvious which icon I'm stitching:

France from All Around The World by Soda Stitch

Stitched on 18ct Around The World over-dyed aida

Stitch count 76 wide by 72 high

Started - 26th July 2021

Stitching time to date - 40 minutes

Fun Olympic Fact

Ask people how long an Olympic-sized swimming pool is and the majority will answer 50m. Well, it is... and it isn't! The length has to be 50m between the touch pads so, since the touchpads are about 1cm thick, the actual length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool where touchpads are used is 50m 2cm.

Take care,

Rachel x