Good Old Vitamin D - Maybe we have to be Spanish to speak Swedish Embroidery

I sure wish I could find a tally card as a gadget to put on this blog to monitor the Vitamin D factor.  December was a good sit in the sun month.  Absolutely great!  In fact this has been the best weather we've had since starting to "go south".  Today is the 10th of January.  The Vitamin D SO (sitting outside) factor is 5 days out and 4 days inside.  I'm going to work on that.

Last night Roger and Gail got here.  They managed to slide through the weather and make it here with no problem.  They came from Grassy Butte, ND.  They are sitting in North Dakota Row down here in "The 80's Village".  Glad they made it.  We are expecting another couple to arrive by the end of the week.

We decided in the spring to learn Swedish Embroidery this season.  Today was the first day.  Sue came over to teach us - I'm sure she went home exhausted.  Herding cats pretty much sums up how it was for Sue.  We didn't specify that everyone would do the same design (easy) and start small (place-mat).  No we just jumped in. There were 10 of us ladies that showed up to learn.  Billie, a Cedar Cove resident is helping teach.  She has made about 41 items that are beautiful.    Karen, Vivian, Wyn (I think) and I are making one like Sue has about finished.  It's called something like Highs and Lows; Dips and Dives you get the idea. Well for awhile I thought maybe I wasn't going to get the hang of it; but I'm going to like it.  It's just enough like cross stitch that I like it.  Although I don't speak Swedish I don't think I'll need to speak Spanish to get this.  Debbie on the other hand, maybe SHE needs Spanish since she thinks she can find SW patterns by googling Spanish Embroidery.  Love ya girl!
"Huck or Swedish Weaving is a surface embroidery where the floss/yarn is woven under the top threads of the fabric "floats".  Rarely does the floss penetrate to the wrong side of the fabric. Traditionally Huck toweling has been used because of its convenient floats. Now, Monk's Cloth has become popular for making afghans, baby blankets, pillows, and even tote bags. Aida cloth can be used as well as most pre-finished items used for cross stitch such as towels, bookmarks, and baby bibs.
When working on Monk's cloth, which is approximately 8 squares per inch or 4 floats, with yarn, you may use a size #16 or #13 tapestry needle as well as the special bodkin and weaving needles they now have out. For stitching on smaller fabric though, use a blunt tapestry needle, such as when working with cross stitch. Make sure the needle easily moves under the floats of the fabric you wish to use. I have found that on the  The tightness of the fabric weave will also determine how easily a needle will slip under the floats."   Ok - I guess I'll go float.
Guess what my next project will be???  A skirt and blouse...........
http://www.dewittco.com/storefront/xcart/product.php?productid=611021056
Oh Get a grip.  Just teasing.  :)
Here is Dianne, Claire, Billie (teacher) Barb and Gwen

 

 Karen, Vivian, Sue (Wyn in background)

Here Sue is showing Vivian what it really looks like on her afghan.  It is navy and bright yellow.  Gorgeous!

 Debbie you've got a knot in that yarn. Have you made up your mind (yet) on a pattern?  Hmmm?

 Wyn is in a big study.........remember having enough yarn is easier than taking out.  :)
Maybe Wyn wants to do a skirt and blouse.  NOT!

 Debbie finally found a pattern.  Wonder if she can count now? 

Barb has an entire row done on her table runner.


  I'm looking forward to multi-tasking.  Getting Vitamin D; listening to a book; doing SW and visiting if anyone is out and about.  Awww, what a life!!


The weather report?  -12* in Toq Alaska; -4* in Gillette Wyoming; 48* where I am and 60* in Yuma

:)  I'm off to gloat when I float my SW boat.