October Recap

October started off with a great online Zoom Retreat with Acorns and Threads.   The designers were Hands on Design, Summer House Stitch Workes, and Ink Circles.   As often happens the three designers worked together to create a set of complimentary pieces.  Three of us met each day at my house with each of us covering the meal for one day.   We had more food and more snacks and treats and wine than should be allowed.  It was great; my pieces aren't stitched, but the weekend was very enjoyable.  

My week in Ocean City, MD began with Jamboree at Salty Yarns.   Three great teachers with great projects.   Lots of great goodies.

I have finished the stitching for the Catherine Theron piece.   I love the version of a backwards chain stitch we learned and plan to use it in future finishing. Pay no mind to the bottom right stitched section of the linen…..I miscounted and had plenty of fabric to start again rather than frog.  If I can't count to 2, why do I think I could count to 37?

Lobsta Roll

My 10 days in OCMD was fabulous.  I ate too much, bought too much, didn't stitch nearly as much I as I thought I would.  Why did I take 6 projects with me?

I told the girls way ahead of time I would be the winner of the coveted who-spent-the-most-trophy and.....I wasn't!    I knew I wanted the Betsy Morgan book, Willing Hands 2.   It is another beautifully done book filled with her great projects.

And I knew I needed a new water bottle.  $$$ spent and not even on patterns or supplies.  I had to get Plum Street, The Gather Inn.   I liked this pattern the minute I saw it.  Among the other patterns,   I bought a couple of Christmas patterns knowing I need more Christmas patterns like a hole in the head.   I plan to take Christmas Rules to Asheville Retreat next month.   I think it will be an easy stitch.  And of course, once home I started it.  

My stitching friends and I decided to stitch My Lasting Friendship sampler from Blackbird Designs as a SAL. 

  I liked the idea but didn't want to get wrapped up in another big sampler SAL.   I decided to stitch the central cartouche where all the initials are stitched.   The fabric is from Fabric on a Whim called Milk and Honey.  I did not have ONE of the called for Classic Colorworks fibers and used the WDW alternatives.

I have never done punch needle and I took my supplies from a kit I had. Diane gave me a lesson.  Not the best job but super easy, super fast and really a no brainer.  Another good thing for working on in the evenings when the eyes are tired.  And of course, courtesy of Amazon, a 7-inch and 10-inch Morgan Frame set was waiting for me when I arrived back home.  

I stitched up this small design from Prim Stitchers Society for my upcoming retreat in North Carolina.  If you stitch and bring the piece, Carolina Stitcher will turn it into a beautiful project bag for you.    

I took all my un-bobbinated DMC floss and managed to get it all wound.  All were entered into my X-Stitch ap.  Can you believe with all those that only three were not already in my stash.  Nonetheless, it is good to have all the random skeins wound.   Now to squeeze them into my floss storage drawers.

One day we went consignment/junk shopping.    I am a small purse kinda gal and got this pretty cross body bag for under $20.   I quickly put it into use.  I also bought the white frame, the box of buttons and the thimble.

It was about time to buy an OCMD thimble to add to my collection.

For evenings, I took along tons of cut hexies and the templates.  It was easy to assembly a bunch of them in three-piece sections.   These can now be attached to the quilt-top that I left at home.   Still a long way from being done but getting there little by little.

We have all sorts of weather from gorgeous sunrises to a cold front rolling through.     

Photo courtesy of B. Matthews on Instagram.

I am also super happy to report that I am done with Winter Rose Manor.  Finally.....the last section I worked on seemed to require a lot of frogging and take forever.   This was stitched with only three changes.   I used 38 count Legacy Linen in Heron Grey instead of the called for linen.  I substituted WDW Sanquine for Woodrose because of availability.   I also changed the colors in the large female cardinal.   The called for colors were so close there was no difference.  I really did enjoy stitching this one.   I (for whatever reason??) started on the right hand side which meant stitching the house first.   Once it was done, it was easy sailing.  I hope to get a frame made by the first of the year and up for display during the winter months.

So that's it for me.   The list of things to do in November is already started.  I can hardly believe it is time to finally start packing for Prim Stitchers Society Retreat!   

Thanks for stopping by, stay safe and keep on stitching.