Woodlawn Plantation Visit

They wouldn't let me take pics! I can totally understand why, however. There were some great original pieces, and as sad as it is, I can see someone taking a pic and ripping it off. :( So, I happily obliged, but WOW are you missing out on the great photos in my head right now! If you live locally (NOVA area), I recommend going if you can. Even if you don't see the needlework, it's a great historical area, and the artwork in the home is magnificent. Read more here: Woodlawn.

What a terrible photo! But you get the idea.

They had a room devoted entirely to Japanese embroidery, and I was captivated by it. The sheen of the silk, the texture, and the movement depicted in the designs was incredible. There was a lady there demonstrating, and I can tell you right now, there's no way am I attempting that. So gorgeous though!

And what's a visit to Woodlawn without a visit to In Stitches? I just love that store. SO many great things to look at. And today was just one of those perfect and crisp clear Spring days, and it made the leisurely shopping that much more enjoyable. I went with my mom and we spent the whole day together and it was really, really nice. I love to have some great quality time with my mom. She's an awesome lady. Smart, funny...hey, I know someone else like that. ;)

Here's what I came home with.

No, it's not you--those ARE craptastic photos. I was off my game today and it was dusk when I got home and I just couldn't seem to get a good photo, lol. Enjoy! I didn't get the latest and greatest designs, but these really appealed to me. I also ordered something, but even they didn't know who the designer was. It's a pretty little series of about 5 trees, one of them has beads. I'll let you know when I get it. I hope everyone is doing great, and I'll be catching up to all of you in the next day or so! Till next time,

Never Too Early for Halloween

This is Jolly Jack, by All Through The Night. Isn't he awesomely cute? He's a must have for me.

Well, this is a kind of drive by post. No updates from me. I'm kind of overwhelmed with work and family stuff and I just am feeling a bit boxed in by it all. Boy, it really puts the whammy on creativity. I truly have no idea how some of these people have full time jobs and do all this cross stitch designing too-churning out charts left and right. I just can't seem to manage, lol. However no fear! My second design is nearly ready to frame and get out there. Meanwhile, I see many things I want to start (or finish!) and I need to focus.

Random thought for this week : Finding old friends via the internet, Facebook, etc. is a wondrous thing. I mean, I went to bed this week thinking "internet reunions are AWESOME!" If you haven't had one, I highly recommend it. Nothing like finding those few people in your life that never failed you, and never failed to make you smile. Welcoming them back into your world again is such a great feeling, even if it's only occasionally or through email. If you're lucky, you can reconnect over lunch and get to know one another's families. Sometimes, life is really good.

I hope everyone out there has a great stitching week, and please, no one remind me that it is the ides of March and I've yet to have a finish, OK? :-p Until next time my friends,