Sunday, September 13, 2020

Stitching Through the Smoke - September SAL

 We don't have any wildfires near us at the moment - thank Goodness - but we have been privileged to be blanketed by the smoke from the fires south of us in Oregon and California. I have never seen higher numbers for our air quality index. Officially we are in the Very Unhealthy category as I write this. Needless to say, I'm staying strictly indoors with all the windows closed tight. And praying for rain to come as soon as possible. In spite of our precautions we're feeling the effects of the heavy smoke cover: headaches, lethargy, itchy eyes and throats, a general feeling of malaise. Two of us are predisposed to asthma. I've had a constricted feeling in my chest off and on. The light outside (and inside, actually) is eerie. Like fog, but brown with an orange cast instead of the gray we're accustomed to. At least the blanket has kept the sun from warming us up to uncomfortably high temperatures like we had recently. If it's not one thing it's another! 

I've been playing with tiny bits of fabric and a variety of size 12 perle cotton threads on my stitch wrap. I think you saw this bit in our last SAL check in although I added a few more straight stitches around the word 'HOT!'. 

This is the next section, with some kantha stitching. 

I added some embroidery to the strip of tea-dyed cotton batting most recently.

I've also added another section or panel since the last SAL check in...

Which is where most of the work has been done this time around.   

It's not done yet but I'm not sure just what else will happen to it. I used a few clear seed beads to secure the lace to the wool felt on the left in the picture. Not that you can see them! That's a button with a hand painted bird on it in the upper right corner. Technically the bird is sitting on a twig painted on the button and I tried to place it such that the twig could be coming off the branch I've outlined with backstitches. In addition to the back stitches I've used feather stitches, blanket stitches, French knots, and straight stitches. Fly stitches secure the 'Hope' label in place.

Avis is the organizer for this Stitch Along. Participants span the globe so our posts go up at different times of the day every three weeks. There's a variety of needlework to be seen, all of it inspiring. 😊

AvisClaireGunCaroleConstanzeChristinaKathyMargaretCindy

HeidiJackieSunnyHayleyMeganDeborahMaryMargaretRenee

CarmelaSharonDaisyAnneConnieAJJennyLauraCathieLindaHelen


17 comments:

  1. hope the air clears soon!
    claire93

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  2. Hope is a very appropriate word at the moment isn't it? Let's hope you get cooler weather soon and lots of rain to dampen everything down. Take care Sue!

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  3. I love your stitching. Stay safe. I hope the rain comes and the air quality improves. Here on the east coast we have been watching all those fires with horror.

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  4. Hi Sue~ we are up In Bellingham and are blanketed in the same awful smoke, with family in the heart of Clackamas County this seems tolerable compared to them - so awful. With that said, I really love your textile project :)

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  5. We are in California and I can relate to all that you are feeling. I have asthma and even with all the doors and windows shut, I can totally feel it and am wheezy. I love your stitched band - it's so unique!

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  6. I have been watching the fires on the news here and it looks horrendous - so glad you are managing to keep safe. I do hope the air quality improves soon for you. The last panel 'hope' seems very apt.

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  7. Hope is the word! Praying for cleansing rain to come your way! We had the smoke from the CA fires last month, and it was rough with only an AQI of 78, so I can only imagine how awful it must be for you right now.

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  8. I hope you and your family will be okay , can't imagine how tough it must make it to breathe and if there's anything to help. At least you're keeping yourself busy indoors with a nice project.

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  9. I love your WIP! It’s gorgeous. Thank you for sharing yours and the links so I can go see the others. What fun.
    And your description- were you looking out my window? It’s awful! I too am praying for rain.

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  10. Looking great and we all need hope, don´t we!!!!

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  11. It seems so unfair to pile the smoke issue on top of all your other health problems. I'm crossing my fingers for rain, and plenty of it, very soon, for you and all the other people affected by fire and poor air quality.

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  12. Sorry to hear about the fires. We all need hope right now.

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  13. I love this stitching project - your work is beautiful!
    Hoping for clear skies to come your way soon!

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  14. I am very sorry for the emergency situation you are experiencing! Hope it gets better soon. "Hope" is just right. Your embroidery becomes richer and richer! You're in my thoughts!
    Hugs,Carmela

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  15. I have been watching the news of the fires with horror, and memories. I am glad you are safe from the fires, but the effect they are having on you must be awful. On a brighter note I love your stitch wrap. It is so playful, and so appropriate to end with hope. It is a lovely panel.

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  16. Your panel/banner is lovely! The Air Quality Index is off the charts bad here in Victoria too...I hoped the rain last night would help but it hasn't...wind, please hear our sighs!

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  17. I love all the creativity that's going into this -- I feel like I could look at it over and over and see new details each time. I hope we get some good winds and rain soon!

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