Date: February 2013
So in February 2013, I can see Aldo's eyes and this project is officially 10 years old. The international governing body of needleworkers gives you a certificate if you've worked on a needlework project for 10 years. Its just a paper anniversary. It isn't until you've been working on something for 20 years that you actually get any gold stuff for your anniversary. Making it up. But still....folks, its been a long time on this and we are so 'not done yet'. I am not despairing. I am celebrating!
For those of you with eagle eyes, you'll notice the little yarn markers in the margin on the right hand side. The little marker at the blue box which is also at Aldo's eye level indicate the half way point.
In the photo below, draped piles of wool for stitching adorn the sofa. I've mentioned before that this tapestry has a lot of colour, which I love, of course. And when I am finished, I'll have a lot persian tapestry wool left over I think. There was a time back in 2011 when I thought I may have problems if some of my colours ran out (and they were running out). The Paternayan yarn was getting hard to find and production ceased on this at one stage. I had to set up some excel spreadsheets and record the colours that I had, the ones getting low or missing and then I emailed Australian suppliers and ebay suppliers trying to find the precious skeins. This was going to have an impact not just one my cat tapestry but also on Jenny McWhinney's Samburu African blanket, and on her Camel blanket projects as well.
During this period we thought it was gone, then we started hearing it might come back, then it was on its way back
Now this company have ensured supplies will continue. Excerpt below from the Saco River Dyehouse website.
The company sounds pretty interesting and they do a lot more than just ensure that ladies with old needlework kits can finish their tapestries (even if it takes 20 years). They seem to have embraced organic and sustainable practices and contract dyeing services. Sounds like a good way to re-invent a segment of this industry.
Previous Posts
Where or where has my little cat been? (October 2012)
Cat tapestry - progress (May 2011)
Cat tapestry (March 2011)