Hi all!  I'm back working on one of my oldest UFOs, now an active WiP! I started this in 2001 for my DSIL down under in New Zealand. She bought the pattern and asked me to stitch it. I should say that this was a very large project for me at the time (pre-TW and pre-Chatelaine). I got it out early this month, and within a week I had finished the South Island!  After years of "training" on other BAPs, now it seems much easier!  All I had done in 2001 was the outline shown...(sorry about the picture quality-older camera!)

And here is my first week's progress.....

I have been working on the North Island and just have to finish the coat of arms (which is off shore to the west) and it will be done.  I'm going to make it into a door banner because DSIL is coming for a visit this spring and that way it will be easier for her to take it home.  Hope to have more pictures soon!

My UFO that needs attention....

Hi all! Thanks to Jen for letting me join....I certainly need to be motivated on all my UFOs, but the one I have chosen is a special case. My sister-in-law (DH's sis) is married to a great guy from New Zealand and they have 3 kids. We visited them down under way back in 2000, and got the grand tour of the North Island. While in Taupo we visited a cross stitch store (of course, you say!) and SIL offered to buy a chart by Susan Ryder for me if I would stitch it for her and her Hubby. It was the Heritage Stitchcraft map of New Zealand, and not looking too closely, I said Sure! So I get home and start it the next year (2001), and quickly discovered how LARGE it was! At the time I had not stitched anything so large, and with so MANY color changes, so by the time I had done the coastline of the South Island I was in trouble! There is a small pic here in the center of the page if you are interested in the final product. It's been languishing ever since, and after several large project experiences, including three Chatelaines, I feel like it's time to drag it out for some attention....plus, SIL and family are here in the US for an extended visit and are returning in August, so IF I can get it stitched by then, she can take it home and get it framed down there! How's that for brilliant? ;-)

I'd like to give it a few days in May and see how much I can get done, then decide if it's possible to finish it by the end of August....or continue on and mail it for Christmas (still to be framed there due to the cost of shipping it so far already framed). Here's the last pic, as of the end of 2001.