Beach Fun, Stitching and Stash

Not at all happy about being back from the beach. NOT. AT. ALL.

But since I am, let me share a bit about what I did while I was there! First up, and foremost, is stitching. I actually made so much progress in just a short time, I've concluded that if I want to stitch more, I really need to move to the beach and be on a permanent vacation.

This is coming out super cute and I love it.

I also picked up a bit of stash-two of them were just unbelievable! I managed to snag Blackbird Designs Honeysuckle Manor (OOP) and Valentine Message (OOP) for regular retail price! They were tucked away in one of the shops I go to when on vacation and I was blown away. I saw them on Friday, and went back on Saturday when I had regret of not picking them up immediately!

I snagged Notforgotten Farm Witch's Garden Sampler and Shakespeare's Peddler The Mermaid from a stash group I'm in.

Next up, another Notforgotten Farm project that I am kitting up. I'm missing a couple colors, but I got the most interesting fabric. I'd seen it on Pinterest, where someone had used it for this pattern (Flag Folk) and thought it was SO cool looking that I just had to try it too! The fabric is PTP "Murky". And it's so neat.

OK, so other than stitching, I did have a great time at the beach. Spending time with the kids and eating great food, snacking and enjoying the colors and sights of the ocean and bay was pure heaven. We couldn't have asked for better weather either. It was gorgeous the whole time.

 

These are just a few snaps of MANY. I just want to remember it on my blog. I need to start doing Project Life again. I miss it. I need to do a LOT of things. I'll try to get my act together soon. I'm always trying to get my act together it seems!

Have a great week, and until next time...

Spring Is Here, Woodlawn Stash, Halloween Finish

Folks, spring arrived and as usual, it snuck up on me. We had plenty of snow to deal with last month. I feel bad posting about it because many many more people had some horrific snowstorms.

We had one day that was really blizzard-like. It's nice to be working inside and watch all the pretty snow falling and not have to go anywhere! Days like that make me very happy to work from home.

My mom and I went to Woodlawn on 3/19. We try to go every year. It's a fun tradition to have. It means a great deal to me to spend times like that with my mom.  She's a wonderful woman and we always laugh and have things to gossip talk about.

If you go to Woodlawn, you have to follow it up with a trip to In Stitches.  The exhibit was great, but there were quite a few less items than in years past. One room was entirely closed. I always tell myself I'll enter something, but then never do! I did manage to pick up (thanks Mom!) all the new Blackbird Designs Beatle's tribute patterns and a couple others. Patterns are so expensive anymore, aren't they? Here's what I picked up:

I also bought a little pair of Kelmscott scissors, but my fingers don't even fit in them due to the design of the scissors. This is the second pair I've gotten like this. I guess many of them are just for decorative purpose and not for using. I'll think twice before I get a cute pair of them again, even though I love the designs. These are the ones I got and the acorns make it near impossible to use. They scraped up my thumbnail pretty good!

Here's my recent finish. It's Homespun Elegance, A Halloween Year II, October House.

I don't know why, but I'm not real happy with my stitching on this one.  One thing I really like about it, is that it's DONE.  I can't wait to move on to something else now.

I'm going to leave you with a terrible photo of the amazing Moon. I'm a nature and a sky watcher. Sunsets, sunrises, clouds, stars and Moon-it all just seems so magical to me. This was taken just a few days ago, and the clouds flowing by were the most amazing shades of pink and white. Just beautiful.

I'll be back soon with more projects and a new start!  Now, what to choose, what to choose?  I've no shortage of things waiting for me, that's for certain! 

New Start, Beach, Stash, Graduation and Summer!

What a wonderful summer it's been! I hope all of you are having a great one, too. My husband, son, and I went on vacation last month, and it was probably one of the best we've ever had. The weather was perfect, we stayed just the right amount of time (5 days), and just generally had fun. What more could you ask for?

The shortened time really helped us prioritize our activities and make the most of our trip. My son has a tendency to become bored after so long, and we didn't have that problem this year. Salty Yarns was the recipient of a lot of my money this go round, lol. Oh how I love that place. It's right on the boardwalk, at 8th street, and it's just filled with cross stitch, yarn, and all sorts of fun things. Here's a bit of stash I managed to come away with.

Yikes! Sorry about the plastic glare, but there was no way I was taking them out and then trying to get them back in. If you can't tell, that's the Wisteria Snowman. I think it looks like a snow WOman myself however. The fabric is gorgeous for this one. You know, I thought I had purchased the Prairie Schooler Halloween card for this year, but I guess not. I'll have to rectify that very soon.

I am working on a project I bought last year at the beach.  There's not too much better than stitching on your balcony at 6am watching the sun come up over the ocean.

My son graduated from high school and turned 18 back in June. He's a big strapping young man now. We had a wonderful day. I have no words for just how wonderful it was. Beautiful ceremony. Afterwards, we had a great little party with family and I got to reconnect with a cousin I hadn't seen in years. My sister and her wonderful family were there, along with my in laws and my Mom and son's grandfather. It was great. The pic below was taken the morning of graduation.

Even though he can't drive on his own yet, his Dad thought he should have a memorable graduation/birthday present. He loved it. He probably won't be driving it by himself until next year though.

He is off to college in about 2 1/2 weeks. Unbeleivable, really. Seems like not to long ago, we were taking him for carousel rides and holding him in our arms while he napped. I swear the kid barely spent any time in a crib. My mother told me that the time would go by fast. I didn't believe her. I think I'm pretty prepared to have him go to school, albeit with a huge adjustment to my own daily routine. Now, his father? We'll see about that.

I'll leave you with one of my most favorite things about Summer - my moonflowers. The first one of the season bloomed last week. They are glorious! If you don't grow them, I highly suggest it. I am always outdoor at night stalking the moon anyways, and they just add to the enjoyment of the evenings. Speaking of the moon, be sure to try and catch the Perseid Meteor Shower this weekend! I do believe there's a supermoon as well!

Shame, Horror, Sheep (and award, lol)

I'm just now coming to terms with it, lol. I know, I'm a freak. Here is the SHAME:


What's up with that stupid corner on the right hand side?? I swear.

Now for the HORROR. No, seriously, here it is:


OMG. I think I shaved off about 3 years of my life with this ornament. Doesn't that make you just cringe? It did me. If you didn't read the last post of frustration--that hole is where I pushed the stinkin' turning tool right through the linen. OY!

One little, two little, three little SHEEPIES:


At least these guys are coming along nicely, if not slowly.

Now, tae-kwon-do stitching woman extraordinairre (is that even spelled right?), Lori,gave me such a nice award!


I'm supposed to say what 5 things I'm addicted to--so here goes! Big fat numero uno would be stitching and all things related, lol. 2) is music. I love music, and how it has the power to make you feel a certain way. 3) my kid. I love the kid, even though he drives me nuts. A day without having him around is - well, kind of weird! 4) food. Without it, I'd die! :P and 5) Halloween. Gotta have it.

Thank you Lori, you sweetie! And thank ALL OF YOU who posted with encouraging stitchy words of advice and condolences on my fallen snowman. I will heed your advice and the Twilight Blue linen is back on a little hoop ready to stitch him up again, and success will be mine!