Double update, lack of progress, other creative efforts and shinies purchased

[wiseheart]

Gah. Long title, isn't it? But I thought one long title won't litter people's Friends page as much as four different entries, yes? Plus, this way people might find at least one thing that would interest them. I know, it's not as exciting as anyone else's pet goldfish having the colic or whatnot, but, well I live a boring life. Fortunately.

Anyway, updates:

Thanks to my wonderful beta lindahoyland, Chapter 3 of An Excelent Mystery has been posted to FF.Net. I'm having great fun with this story, especially adding Torchwood characters in various positions and sometimes under different names. *g*

Also, I posted Chapter 2 - Lethal Encounters of Blood & Fire, for those who prefer FF.Net to LJ.

Progress (lack of) with "The Crystal Skull & other creative efforts

I haven't written a word today, which is a rare occasion with me. But I felt the insane urge to stitch a Christmas card with a new reindeer motif I never tried before, and it took me nearly four hours in the morning - which means roughly the entire morning.

It was as close to slave labour as one can get without, you know, actually doing slave labour. For starters, the pre-punching of the card went wrong - note to self: never use the green puncher again and avoid that particular type of paper like the plague in the future. It is too thick, too rigind, and the thread breaks through quite often. Repairing the tears was a PITA. This is one of the motifs that seem so simple at first sight and turn out insanely complicated and work-heavy in the making.

But the finished card is beautiful nonetheless. I glued it into a so-called passepartout, a double card the front of which has a cut-out part, either a square or an oval, and the actual picture - or, in my case, stitching - is visible through it. It looks great. I've tried a few new motifs during the last weeks, I think this year's Christmas presents will be unique.


Shinies purchased:

When I was finished, Mum and I ate pizza, and then I checked my e-mail, only to find a notice from Bestsellers, the English bookshop, that my Dr Who DVDs have arrived. Therefore I followed the example of mad dogs and Englishmen and went out in the midday sun to collect them.
They are:
"The War Games" - with Zoe, Jamie and the Second Doctor;
"The Silurians" and "The Claws of Axos" with the Third Doctor;
(The Silurians is a collector's album that includes the two 11th Doctor episodes as well);
and "The Black Guardian Trilogy" ("Mawdryn Undead", "Terminus" and "Enlightenment") with the Fifth Doctor.
I only checked the first one so far, but I hope the others are all right, too. Now I'll have something to watch for a while - which is bad news for writing, but yeah, I'm quite content with my booty.

Comments

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Lots of new chapters!

Sounds like a complicated design - glad the end result is worth it, and hopefully making others will be easier, now you know where the problems are.

Yay, lots of shinies.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Very shiny ones indeed. *g* I'm getting television poisoning right now.

So far, I've tried out 5 brand new designs: a Madonna with candle, a baby angel with candle, the reindeer, an angel with trumpet and an arrangement of two very decorative candles. They all look gorgeous. I'm playing with the arrangements, too, with contrasting colours and added greetings with glitter pen and so on. Have already 9 cards made for next Christmas.

[sammydragoncat]

I have been able to catch up with An Excellent Mystery - Loved the story so far, and new shinies always make a day better!

The Christmas card sounds lovely - your needle work on your cards are always so good, and the time spent on such a personalized gift means a lot to those who receive them.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to make you a dragon card. If I don't find any templates online I'll have to make up the design on my own; we'll see how it turns out.

Glad you liked "An Excellent Mystery"; I've just posted Chapter 3, you'll laugh your head off, especially as you're a Torchwood fan. ;)

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

Great to hear about your adventures with new designs! They sound like an interesting mix -- and quite challenging.

I admire your focus and discipline! The long-sleeve, long cardigan I began knitting for myself last year (?!) has sat in its bag since before our move in February! It's just too warm and humid to knit large pieces right now, even in cotton. I'll have more motivation when things start to cool off in autumn: a large piece of knitting keeps one's lap warm while working. [grin]

Do enjoy all the shinies!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I would, if my TV set weren't on strike. But at least I'll have something to watch later, right?

The card-stitching is about the only kind of needlework I can bring up the patience for. I've just found a few dozen new motifs on the Net; this time even Easter ones, so I foresee many long hours spent with killing my eyes, ;))