Cedar Hill Update, Woodlawn, VMFA

Making good progress on my Summer Bouquet. It's been enjoyable so far, but I can tell you this: I have stitched with DMC 610 enough times to say it's my least favorite color to work with. It doesn't like to lay right. It's like it's twisted too much or shreds too much or something. I hate it! LOL

I'm working from right to left on this one because it's so long horizontally, and I don't want to risk dragging my hands and needle over the front and back while working on the far side. Going good so far!

My mom and I made it to Woodlawn last week and the exhibit was really nice! The weather was really pretty and we had a great time. We hit up In Stitches, where I did not buy even one new pattern. Unbelievable, right? Especially right after market when all the new stuff was in! I did however, get two pieces of new fabric. I got some PTP aida in Ancient and Ale. I got the ale because I wasn't sure I was going to keep stitching Summer Bouquet on linen but I am going to after all.

I've always wanted to do something on Ancient! Also picked up the Whisky I needed and mom was able to get a floss she needed too for something she has in mind.

Just a few things that struck my fancy while we were there. So much talent to view. I loved all the needlework quotes on the walls they had some years back, but they took all of it away. It really added to the space I thought!

Then my son and I went to the VA Museum of Fine Arts and wandered around before having a really nice lunch. A couple of things I could hardly stop looking at...

Just so beautiful! We had such a nice time. Then I got to spend a nice afternoon with my daughter in law having lunch and chatting. I took a couple days off from work to do these things and it was wonderful. I needed it and I loved connecting with all the people I love so much.

I will leave you here so I can go and stitch some more! I hope you are doing the same or at least enjoying yourselves in some way. 

See you soon with more updates!

Black Bunny is Done and New Start!

Black Bunny is done! Such a fun stitch and really pretty gothic type design and colors. Work was busy last week so it took me a bit longer than I anticipated. Quick stitch! 

Did this on 14 ct. Fiddler's Aida with all called for DMC flosses. I signed it with a light color floss from the design so it didn't take away anything.

OK, now I am so excited to start my next project. I've wanted to do this one for years. I have collected a few other of the Cedar Hill "bouquet" or floral projects. They are so pretty. That is one of the designers I really miss so much. This one is Summer Bouquet. I'm stitching it on 28 ct. Picture This Plus "Ale" linen. I think it'll look fabulous on that. 

This one uses all DMC save for one, which is for the Black Eyed Susans on the right of the design. That one uses WDW "Whiskey" which I hope I can find in a couple days when I go to the Woodlawn Exhibit. Mom and I always pop in to In Stitches, so I really hope they have it. I have plenty of time to order if they don't though.

The last two days have been beautiful here. I relish seeing the sun and blue sky after so much gloominess and drizzly rain. I hope wherever you are the weather is good and all is well. 

Take care of yourselves and make some time to stitch or do whatever soothes your soul. See you soon with an update on Summer Bouquet!

 

How's everyone doing? Crochet and stitchy updates!

I spent today inside just stitching. Had a stressful work week, and I really needed the break. Plus, with all the virus talk out in the world, I figured I'd keep to myself today. Normally, I'd have been out and about, probably having lunch with my mom and talking or going to a crafty store. But instead, we chatted on the phone about yarn we saw online, sharing links, and photos over email. I'm certainly not going in to total lockdown, but I will rethink where I want to go, and how often.

Woodlawn needlework show has been suspended. Don't know if we'll make it up there. But hopefully we will visit In Stitches soon, regardless. I want to put together a list of a couple projects to kit up and get my fabric and floss there. What a bummer to maybe miss the show this year.  We were also scheduled to go see Celtic Woman tomorrow. Mom declined to go (don't blame her a bit), but I got the news this morning that the concert was cancelled and they won't be back until 2021. Sad about that too, but safety first.

Here is my Christmastide update! I will be done SOON! I can see the light at the tunnel's end!

Last night, I got the itch to make a little crochet basket. I will get some tshirt yarn and make a bigger one, but I just did this one from worsted weight and it turned out super cute!

I mean, seriously??!! How adorable? I bought the pattern on Etsy, and you can find it HERE. It was really easy and I finished it in about two hours. I just took my time so I didn't have to rip any rows out. It paid off.

With this virus making the news, we should all probably be able to finish lots of WIPs, learn new skills, read some books we'd been putting off, or maybe even write some emails, or snail mail letters to people. I have the best intentions of what I'd like to do with some down time, but I'm not going to be hard on myself if I don't do any of it. You just have to take life day by day and try to enjoy the time we have. Newsflash: it IS limited. So, be good to everyone, especially yourselves. Do some online shopping, check out YouTube or some new Netflix series. Snuggle in, and wait it out!

Until next time,

Dog conversion update, Woodlawn, Stash

March is winding down already?!!! How did that happen? My doggie redesign went very well. It's lighter than I wanted but being as this was the second time I've stitched this one, I wasn't eager for a third go 'round. I think she's looking exactly like my little girl Jenny!

This cracks me up every time I look at it.  It's adorable, if I do say so myself! Very fun to do also.

I have some new stash to show off also!!!  Some is from my facebook group or ebay, and some of the new ones are from Woodlawn, when Mom and I went to In Stitches.

 

 
Some of these I have been looking for for year! Some of them I owned previously and sold, but missed them, lol.  You've had that happen, right?  It cannot be just me!

Just realized I missed a couple, but I'll add them in next post!

Here are a few Woodlawn/In Stitches purchases-boy, I was quite reserved this year.  Not much at all. Following as well, are a few photos from the show.

I NEED this design!

Absolutely stunning work here

 

My mom and I had a lovely time.  We got there around 11am, and I was so happy to have seen an old friend who used to own the Everything Cross Stitch in Fredericksburg.  It is closed now, and I miss that shop so much!  We then went to shop the In Stitches store and went out to Carlos O'Kelly's mexican for lunch.  Pretty much a perfect day.  For the previous two weeks, everyone in my house, including me, had been struggling with the flu, so this was a really nice change!

Haven't cooked anything new since the cake, so nothing to show there--been way too sick! I cannot wait for warmer weather and crickets and frogs songs, and more sunlight in the day.   We are getting there, slowly but surely!  Until next time, friends.....

Annual Woodlawn Show and A New Start!

Hello! My beautiful mom and I went to the annual Needlework Show at Woodlawn in Alexandria last week. We noticed fewer cross stitch projects and more canvas needlepoint and embroidery. It was all interesting to see, but one thing that has always bothered me about this exhibit is that there is ZERO MENTION of the designer or project names on any of the exhibits. You also can't photograph close up so you can look for it later either.

I was able to get some photos of the lovely old rooms and the awesome needlework quotes they have on the walls there. Maybe I'll contribute next year. We will  see.

I have a finish, but it's a gift and being framed, so that will need to wait a bit. I do however, have a fun new start!

Be back soon with some progress pics on my new start. I hope everyone had a great weekend and that you may all have time to stitch this week! Until then,