Friday 11 March 2022

Pandemic Sampler at 90%

Yes! I'm 90% finished my Pandemic Sampler.  



There's only 2 more pages to go, and one of them is the page with the least number of stitches in the whole design, so it should be quite quick.  But then there's all the backstitching to do.  

I have to admit that finishing this one is hard work.  I'm itching to start other things, but if I don't finish this now, it could languish for years to come.  

It feels quite appropriate to be working on it now as the COVID pandemic has finally reached New Zealand in 2022.  Our closed borders and elimination strategy protected us from COVID in 2020 and 2021, but now Omicron is out in the community and there have been over 20,000 cases a day reported in March.  

Fortunately Omicron is milder than previous variants, and we only got our boosters in January due to our delayed vaccination rollout, so I'm not too worried.  But just as we see the rest of the world opening up, we're having to wear masks everywhere, use vaccine passes for hospitality and transport, and obey gathering limits of 100 vaccinated people.

So I'll finish my Pandemic sampler while NZ is still stuck in the red traffic light setting.  At least I'll have something nice to show for 2+ years of COVID restrictions.  

Thank you for all the kind comments on my video interview last week.  I'm glad you enjoyed it. 

Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  Feel free to share a recent blog post below. 


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

11 comments:

louiebating@gmail.com said...

Just awesome well done. I'm like you finishing all ufos before I start anything new. Love your work

Gretchen Weaver said...

I'm sorry NZ is getting hit with Omicron now. I've admired your country the past 2 years because of the carefulness of your country. Hopefully the covid cases will soon decrease and your lives can get back to the new normal. Happy stitching!

Cathy said...

Wow! That's a lot of little stitches.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

that is looking really pretty - sorry y'all are having Omicron to deal with now, thinks are finally lifting up here and fewer and fewer cases all the time now - I'm starting to think there is an end in site

PaintedThread said...

It's a stunning piece. I look forward to seeing it finished.

Sumac said...

Your pandemic sampler is amazing! If only the pandemic would be done when you finish stitching.

Sherrie said...

Hi,
Your Pandemic Sample is coming along nicely. I always
hate doing the back stitching. Have a great day!

Chris K. said...

The sampler is absolutely gorgeous. I'd love to do one like it, but I don't think I could handle always working with the same color.

piecefulwendy said...

What a beautiful sampler! Is that a Modern Folk Embroidery design?

Carol said...

Your Pandemic Sampler is looking splendid, Wendy! Good for you for pushing through and finishing it up! I'm sorry Covid has hit New Zealand--sure hope it winds down quickly. What a long two years for the world... Enjoy your weekend!

FlourishingPalms said...

It's so interesting to know how NZ's pandemic strategy is playing out. I'm sorry that you're "under wraps" just as we're feeling back to normal. In fact, I contracted COVID Omicron on January 17 while in a large group (60 or so of us) playing ukuleles and singing together. Seven of us (who have said so) got it on the same day. Honestly, I thought I had a head cold and acted that way for six days before going for a test! Surprised me that I had it, as I didn't have a fever... though I should have suspected when I lost my sense of taste for five days. Still, my husband never got it! It's so odd. But I'm glad I've had it because now I feel more comfortable going out, with some immunity. I admire you for hanging in there to complete your sampler. It's such a huge project! I would never have considered stitching it myself though, so I'm happy for you to have a much better approach to projects than me. Have a lovely week ahead!