We started this week near Lake Garda where we had been staying for the weekend. My parents had come to visit so it was fun to take some time out to explore another region. This part of Italy is much closer to what I think of as classically Italian countryside.
The apartment we rented was set in the heart of rolling green countryside, vineyards and olive groves. We were only a couple of miles from Lake Garda so we visited some of the pretty little towns overlooking it – Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione. We have visited this area before and I love the relaxed summer holiday feel you get when you visit these little resorts by the lake.
We headed in the direction of home on Monday and decided to visit Verona on our way. What a beautiful place! Although it is popular and has a number of touristy spots – Juliet’s balcony for one – it has a friendly, relaxed feel.
It is quite a small place which was perfect for us as we didn’t have a huge amount of time. We plan to return and explore further…..and maybe attend an opera.
We we were sad to say goodbye to my parents on Tuesday. We had such an enjoyable time with them but getting back to a slower routine did mean that I could catch up on some stitching!
The sudden realisation that my sister’s wedding is only eight weeks away spurred me to action! I haven’t even started on any of the things I plan to bring back to the UK then but I decided that I needed to finish at least one of my current WIPs. I plumped for the blue satin stitch project. I finally finished all of the couching between each of the blue tiles.
I am now couching the edges of each petal. When I conceived the idea for this project, it was one of those times when the complete image flashed in my mind right away. That doesn’t happen to me very often – usually there is part of an idea and then the rest gets decided as I go along. In my mind’s eye the flowers were going to be deep pink with white, black and gold edging. When it came to actually working it, I was worried the black would be too harsh but I decided to stick with my original vision.
I am glad I did. I think the black gives the flowers the definition they need and the gold tones it down just enough. I do hope I will have this one finished very soon.
I have taken to carrying my rainbow colours cross stitch with me so I can make little bits of progress when I am on the move. These colours never fail to make me happy!
Back soon!
Ambrosia Stitches 