Sunday - Anything Goes

Aren't dreams weird?  I had lunch early today, so that I could sit and relax to watch Barbara Gray's shows this afternoon.  Then the tiredness peak took over and I was well away.  I did wake up in time to Barbara, but I had the most interesting dream, so clear and logical until the last minute.  I was just starting college and getting to know people there.  Then one of the tutors was trying to sort out money that I had overpaid (£400), and trying to get it back for me.  Then, she took me down to the local beach so that I knew where it was.  It was lovely to think I could go to bed listening to the sea.  I did take a couple of photos of the kangaroos and horses playing on the beach...........

OK, I am awake now.  If you saw yesterday's blog, you will know that I started one of Tina Cox's lovely new embroidery plates.  Last night, I did all the embossing and started on the perforations.

Today, I finished the perforation stage and started to add the lovely gold thread.  I managed to finish the dragonflies before losing my rag.  Nothing to do with Tina's lovely designs.  My problem was the same I have with that revoltingly infuriating invisible thread, which twists and tangles and knots every time.  

This was the point where I stopped to think how I used to deal with metallic thread when I used it in cross stitch and embroidery.  I always had a block of beeswax close at hand and ran all my threads through that block, which completely stopped threads from twisting.  You may not have this problem, but I think I twist my needle as I sew, which, of course, twists the thread.  So, out came my new block of beeswax, and ran all the thread, after threading the needle, through the wax.  No more twisting and, strangely enough, the wax does not dull the thread.

My other tip is that after doing five or six stitches, just let the needle hang and allow it to untwist.  Once I started using the wax and letting the needle hang, I was able to fly through the next section, and relax into doing it.  

Right, I am off now to set myself up with a couple of thermos mugs of hot lemon, honey and ginger before Josie Davidson's debut show, launching her fabulous new border grids.  I need to increase my fluids to stave off any possibility of uti problems as my daughter is already in hospital  with a serious infection, which tipped over into the sepsis area yesterday.  I suspect very few of us really drink enough for our health, especially when we get involved in other things.  By the way, did you know that it is better to sip a glass or mug of fluid over half an hour or so, rather than gulp it down in one.  Gulping it down sends your body into panic and makes it think you are drowning so it sends you rushing to the loo.  Sipping allows your body to absorb what it needs to keep healthily hydrated.

Take care of yourselves and enjoy your hobbies.