2021 Tokyo Olympics Stitching Challenge Start #9

Day 9 and I've managed to post before the end of the day this time. :) Today I've got another sport to discuss, softball! This is another one I played when I was younger, and even slo-pitch into undergrad. That's still almost 20 years ago now though. I definitely never played at the Olympic level, the pitching is pretty intense. I'm impressed how fast they can pitch underhand, although the windmill effect must be difficult on the shoulder. 

The above video gives tips on how to pitch if you're interested in the details. 

The softball diamond is a little smaller than a regulation baseball diamond. There's the same number of players and positions, so the main difference is how the pitchers address the plate. Underhand for softball and almost any other way for baseball. Some pitchers in baseball go sidearm, although overhand is the most common. There's the same 3 outs, although it's usually only 7 innings instead of 9 innings like baseball. 

This year the Japan team beat the USA women's team for the gold medal match. It was really close, with some amazing plays. At one point a member of team USA was able to keep a home run ball from going over the wall by making an outstanding catch. Canada was able to get the bronze medal in a hard fought game with Mexico. It was a really close one, 3-2 was the final score. 

There won't be softball or baseball at the next summer Olympics in Paris. I'm not sure if it will return in 2028, maybe since I think that's in L.A. again? 

I didn't have a lot of time to stitch last night either, so just a smallish start on the last ornament. Here's how they'll all look again:

And here's the last ornament:

Joyeux Noel by Hands on Design

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct Chromatic Alchemy

with DMC C321 Etoile

I had to check with DH on this one to make sure the French was correct. I've seen other patterns where it isn't. Bonne fête is Happy Birthday in French, but Bonne fêtes is Happy Holidays. They're pronounced the same, so as long as your birthday isn't near the holidays, you'll understand which one is meant. :) 

Again, once I spend some time on each one of these I don't think it will be more than a couple good stitching sessions to get them completed. There are only 2 colours really, besides my change on the first one. That will make it easier, even with a little backstitch on each one. 

I hope you're all staying well and will tomorrow bring something different than yet another seasonal project? Stay tuned to the same bat channel, same bat station!

Happy Stitching!

Tiffstitch

2021 Tokyo Olympic Stitching Challenge Start #8

Better late than never right? Unless maybe you're running an Olympic marathon. For Day 8 I thought I'd talk about soccer/football/futbol. This is another sport I played from about age 5 to 17. I was on my high school team as well as keeper/goalie. Soccer was a lot of fun, but hockey is still my favourite sport. 

Soccer has been at the Olympics every year except 1896 and 1932, but was only for men's competition until 1996. Women's soccer was added in Atlanta and is still going strong this year. Apparently the World Champions almost never win Olympic gold as well and the USA women's team was hoping to get both this year. They had a rough start with a shut-out loss to Sweden (meaning the US team didn't score any goals). They've battled back to be in the semi-finals against Canada. I have my doubts Canada will win, so the American team will likely move on to the final and the gold medal game. The opponent will be the winner of Australia and Sweden. Whomever doesn't win the semi-final games will compete against each other for the bronze medal. My guess is that will be the Canadian team and the Australian team, but we shall see. 

I just realized this is one sport where the women and men's teams all wear the same equipment, so there hasn't been any uniform controversy in this one. That must be a welcome break for the women's teams not to have to fight over that as well as the lower pay most teams battle compared to men's teams. 

For today's start, I continued on with yesterday's set of 3 ornaments. I didn't have a lot of stitching time, so there wasn't a big start, but it's still a start!

Here's how they'll look again:

and this is the start of Bonne Annee:

Joyeux Noel by Hands on Design

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct Chromatic Alchemy

stitched with DMC C321 Etoile

These will be fun little ones to finish up and should be done before Christmas if I manage to get back to them. I'll have a fair few of these to work on I think by the end of this round of starts. :)

I hope you're all staying healthy!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch

2021 Tokyo Olympics Stitching Challenge Start #7

Here we are at Day 7! That means a week since the Opening Ceremonies, and if you haven't had a chance to see the pictogram section, I found a video on YouTube. 

It was so funny, and I hope you enjoy it. 

Today I thought I'd talk about one of other sports I've played, but not one of the most action-packed events. Golf. This wasn't always in the Olympics, it was played in 1900 and 1904, and then not again until 2016! Interestingly, in 1904, the event was won by a Canadian, George Lyon. He and 2 other Canadians played against 31 Americans in an elimination style event. There were 12 nations at this Olympics (held in the USA), so I don't know why there weren't any other countries involved in this one. Also, check out the natty golf uniform:

I wasn't that great at golf, but enjoyed it when I had a chance to play. I haven't had a chance in many years now. DD has expressed an interest, so maybe we'll go out someday and see how she does. Another interesting fact, both men and women competed in golf in all Olympics. 

I don't think they've started the golf tourney yet this year, at least I haven't seen any info on it, and it's one of those games where I don't mind watching highlights. :)

Today's start is sort of a 1 of 3, as you'll see by the photo of the eventual finish:

And I got a good start on one ornament last night:

Joyeux Noel by Hands on Design

stitched 1 or 2 over 2 on 28ct Chromatic Alchemy (I forget the name!)

with DMC C321 (Etoile), DMC 310 and WDW Okeefenokee

I used up the last of my Okeefenokee on this one, so the other ornaments will be more similar to the picture of the design. They only call for 2 colours, but I've had this strand of Okeefenokee hanging around and wanted to use it up. I like the look, but I like the look of just 2 colour as well. 

These will likely be for DH's family since they all speak French as their first language. I've had this for a few years now and only needed a good excuse to get them started. Thank you again Rachel!

I hope you're all staying healthy and Happy Stitching!

Tiffstitch