Tuesday, 24 June 2008

NOT exactly impressive!

Let me explain what isn't impressive before I go on to the better stuff, and that is my progress on the Ornamental Pool. I had only a few minutes' stitching time during the time we had house guests and have only just been able to pick it up again now. I have yet to make a stitch today though and will get on with that once I'm through with this post and the back-up CDs I'm creating at the same time.

What is rather nice, though, is this certificate I got yesterday morning when I did my viola Preparatory Test. It's not a qualifcation as such, but it was a type of exam that required preparation to a set syllabus and helped me to feel that I could indeed do OK at proper graded exams. I don't think I'll be taking my Grade 1 in November as I fear it would take over my complete lesson time again and I'd like to be able to work towards it alongside my regular course, but I think March next year might be possible. I also took my Grade 2 Theory of Music on Saturday 14th and that was so do-able that I'm aiming for Grade 4 in November and Grade 5 in March. It's nice to achieve something and I like to learn and be tested on things. OK, go on then, call me odd!!!

I forgot to show these, the needlework tools I got as part of my anniversary gift this year. Here we have a stuffing tool for small things (so good for trapunto etc), a stilletto for making holes, a hedebo stick for making various ring shaped things and a set of 3 half cone sticks, most of which will be great for stumpwork things, esp. needlelace stuff. Looking forward to one day having time to do some of that. I'm aching to start a C&G course, but there's no money just now and I have too much other stuff to do anyway. I'm so sick of things being like this! Even the stitching I have planned is all for gifts and feels like work, not hobby fun. My visitors last week were having a great time using some of the fab pencils I showcased earlier in the year and I've been borrowing one library book on drawing buildings for several loans already in the hope of ever getting chance to have a go at working through it. Well, it's still on the shelf virtually untouched. Ever wanted to dump all adult responsibilities and just be a child again who only had to do her school stuff and then play all day long?? I may not have a full-time job or kids, but I still wind up feeling that I'm working all the time.....=( Waaah!

5 comments:

Love to Stitch 99 said...

Congratulations on your viola certificate :-)

Wonderful needlework tools you got there. You are almost making me envious as I love being surrounded by every little tools possible.

And looking forward to see much much more of your ornamental pool.

Pierrette =^..^=

Merrilee said...

I know how that feels, not having enough time to do what you enjoy. My definition of an adult is someone who does stuff they *should* do more often then what they *want* to do. Congrats on the certificate! I can understand the boost you get from passing tests, it's an odd kind of pleasure.

For progress bars I've got a page at http://chiasmata85.blogspot.com/2007/10/progress-bars-easy-way.html that gives you all the info on adding them to blogger. You can put the actual percentage in the bars, but I could never get them to sit right, they number always sat on the bottom line of the bar and not in the middle, and I never got around to figuring out why.

There's some javascript bars here: http://www.licketyknit.com/progressbars.html with the percentage in the bar which look pretty easy to add too. Have fun!

MeganH said...

ooo, ooo, ooo - a stuffing tool! I want one!

How will you use the forms? I've heard about them before. Insert and sew over, then remove? (like for a foxglove, say?)

I've just started to build a big shopping list for my huge "Historical Sampler" project so my ears are spinning in interest ....

and thanks for visiting my blog.

I've been in yours before - checking out your doggie being developed, just didn't get around to comment.

Teena in Toronto said...

I don't have enough patience for your talent. ha!

Happy blogoversary!

-mimay- said...

Happy Blogoversary!

Greetings from the Philippines!

Keep blogging, i love your site!

 
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