Stitching the Seasons

Today I finally completed a project I've had on the back burner for over three years.   When returning for our second term in Mokhotlong, I brought along fabric blocks and lots of embroidery thread to hand-stitch an embroidered calendar.  Using a real calendar, my sister sketched the intricate photos for me to copy.  To transfer the photos to fabric, I would tape the sketch to the window and tape the fabric block on top of it.  Then using a fading pen, I would trace the picture onto the block before I started the stitching.  Truthfully, I grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take to stitch 12 extensively detailed blocks.  It didn't take me long to realize I might've bitten off more than I could chew.

I started the first blocks toward the end of 2016.  Shortly thereafter began my increasing battle with headaches for the following two years.  Because I felt worst when sitting still, I ditched the stitching and took up jogging instead.  Finally, after my headaches were under control (thanks, keto!) and we had made our big move to Spain, I determined to finish the project I'd started!  Each block was obviously very detailed and time consuming.  I arrived to Spain with three completed blocks and one barely begun.  Since November, I've finished the last nine!  Nestled under a blanket by the window, sunning on the balcony in a chair, drinking my coffee, listening to podcasts, waiting for dinner to cook, little by little I have whittled away at each scene.  

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

My plan is to make this into a wall-hanging with sashing between each block.  It's on my project list for the next time my mom comes to visit or I get to visit her.  I'm too scared to attempt it alone, for fear of ruining my hard work!  But today, I'm relishing the fact that the blocks are finished and I can get busy making something else.

Do you have a favorite?

~Abby