“SAPIN EN RELIEF © 2005 Aiguilles-Passion“

(click on image for larger view)

There were a couple of challenges in completing this project from fabric to mailing. There probably would have been more, but I’ve blocked them from memory. I know I just gave my perfectionism free reign and re-did, re-did, re-did. All the while telling myself that life would be much simpler if I just accepted . . . “Life a work in progress”.

The first bit of fun came with the googled translation of the the French instructions. “…start by making the LoC points rear shown on plan…” or “…the grid page following and taking moulinés brilliant son…” I do point this out with a bit cheek; in reality I am impressed with how google handled the translation.

The second challenge was taking the ‘perfect’ picture. (Groans, bangs head down on desk.) I keep seeing such artistic project photo’s around the web. It doesn’t seem to be enough for these brilliant people to design incredible projects, but their photography keeps me wandering around with an ornament in hand looking for the perfect (there is THAT word again) location. I know I want snow; I know I want trees; I know I desperately want a place free of clutter! A place to hang the ornament out of Zahn’s reach would be nice, if it isn’t too much to ask. It really does stress the poor mind. >o<;

Thanks to Steve I have the tools to take good photos: a Canon 10D and a grey scale card. Thanks to open-source – Ubuntu and Gimp I have the tools to work with the photos. Some where along the road I lost the confidence I had in making decisions and knowing with surety what the next step should be. There are so many settings and so many choices to face. I write notes under proper headings placed between strategic dividers in my Little Brown Book. I review the notes and work through them again, only to find I haven’t a clue how to do some step or make the important camera setting. Then it all comes down to, “but the beads are supposed to be red!” I think I will limit my stitching to squirrel on black. Getting that picture was effortless!

Right, there was one more interesting challenge. Being tall enough to take the picture all the while balanced on top of a snow bank…

I never cease to amaze myself. I stitch this cute little squirrel; I sew it into a pouch using my favourite autumn leaf fabric (with the last black zipper in captivity). The pretty little package gets mailed and I absolutely can’t wait until my exchange partner receives it.  Hoppa, hoppa, did it come yet? . . . er, just mailed it this morning.  Pace, pace, did it come yet? . . . er, just mailed it yesterday.  When the squirrel finally arrived at the other end of the province I was all ready to post a picture!!

I’m thinking that was at least a month ago.

I think the reason this project excited me so much (besides such lovely shades of brown *^_^* !!) was pictures sent to me by the recipient while we chatted. Here she was telling me all about an industrious squirrel who had invaded her garden with intent to transform it into a colossal cone storage bin.  There I was petting my pretty squirrel!  She had no idea of the bubbly giggles she was inspiring!

Here are the pictures she took of the squirrel’s stash in her apartment balcony garden.

My resident woodshed squirrel is in a state of shock (o_O) . . . he has to brave ravens, coyotes, hawks, owls, and our long-haired “barking rabbit” all for cones a smidgen in size compared to the ones above.  I feel so sorry for him, all the danger for twice the cold weather and half the wealth.  Too bad we don’t live closer so the squirrels could share!

Here is the picture I tucked inside the cross-stitched pouch.