Continuing with the ocean theme....

I spent the second weekend of October in OCMD attending Salty Yarns' Jamboree.  I had attended this annual event years ago but because it is the weekend after my guild retreat, I have begged off Jamboree in recent years.   Well no more; the Jersey Girls are ready to sign up again.   What a fabulous retreat.   The goodies, the projects, the teachers, Sally and Sara, and being back as part of the Jersey Girl Foursome of stitchers was really fabulous.  It was touch and go for a while because of the pandemic and I was so happy when we got the all clear that it was on.   Granted all the necessary temperature taking, sanitizing, mask wearing, social distancing was done.   It really was not any problem to do those things.  A small price to pay to  be able to get together and stitch on the fabulous projects.  Sara was great recording a Zoom Meeting of the classes for those who could not attend in person.    All the projects were  a tribute to the Lankford Hotel in anticipation of its pending demolition and rebuild.   Like so many other things this year, the demo and rebuild have been delayed because of the pandemic.  

The three classes this year were with Fern Ridge, Erica Michaels Designs and The Stitching Parlor.   My first class of the weekend was with Clara of the Stitching Parlor.   She did her research of Ocean City and focused her piece on the early 20th century in OCMD.   The needle book and smalls she designed were a lovely look at OCMD of yesteryear complete with old fashioned bathing suits and carousel horses. The needle book included a thimble holder and thread winder as well as all the fabrics, flosses, interfacing and some beach themed extras all nice and tidy in a binder.   

My second class was with Fern Ridge.  I have never done peyote beading so I was a little apprehensive.......for no reason.    Their project feature the beloved rockers we so enjoy sitting in on the front porch of the hotel.  Once you get the hang of beading, you fall into a rhythm and I had three experienced table mates to help me if I got stuck.  I didn't finish the scissors fob until after I got home.  It is not 100% perfect but I am totally 100% happy with the result.  I could be convinced to do peyote again.

My Sunday class was with Linda of Erica Michael Designs.   Again, like Clara, what a fabulous kit she had prepared for us.   Erica Michaels provided a wooden tray with a mat featuring the Lankford.   The hotel is front and center on the front of the piece.    The mat unfolds to show the boardwalk and the beach.  Further down the blue fabric represents the water.  She included a signature strawberry.    

We left with ideas and charms to embellish the beach and water.   Close it up and it fits in the tray with the strawberry and the other two class projects.   These teachers really put their heads together to make an awesome coordinating set and such a lovely sentiment to honor the Lankford.

All that is left to do is to stitch it.......    .......and just where on my project list can I squeeze this one in?

So retail therapy continued on this weekend while shopping the trunk shows.  Not only did I win while at there the prior weekend for my guild retreat, I won again this weekend coming home with the “honor” for most spent.     I need not buy anything between now and next Jamboree.....but need and want are two different things aren't they?

I made just minimal progress on Coming to America.  I struggled with stitching the fish skeleton on the left.   I mean really, how many times can you use that in a sentence?  I am sure my sampler will not be making the completed voyage in the allotted time but it's OK.  I already decided I would stitch on it only until the day the Mayflower docks.  I need to get back to Raegan's stocking to get it finished for Christmas and my poor planning has another SAL that started October 1st.   I don't expect much stitching time in the near future either because I returned home to be by my sister's side.   Her husband was injured in an accident four weeks ago and has been in ICU in a coma since the accident.   He passed late Monday peacefully having never regained  consciousness.   He was surrounded by my sister, his daughter, and step-daughter.  So sad because he was doing nothing wrong and the other vehicle left the scene just leaving him laying there.  He was such a great guy who was loved by all.  The outpouring my sister has received since the accident has been a tribute to how wonderful of a man he was.  

It's easy for many to say during this unimaginable year of 2020 that they have had enough.  I  now myself included.  Come on 2021!

Stay safe, keep stitching.

PS  Pardon any weird formatting.....so much for Blogger upgrades.   No matter how many times I set the font size, inevitably I log in to find it has changed.   Sometimes I am frustrated with "improvements".

Like a tennis match

I am back from my weekend in OCMD.   It was great.   We all followed the rules - sanitizing, keeping our distance, wearing masks.   The long weekend was just what I needed after a summer of yard work.  

I made great progress on Coming to America.  There are many others way ahead of me but I am sailing at my own speed.  

Two birds left and I will be finished with the section with the ship.  I may stitch down the side and stitch the placement of other bands....and I may not.

I also had a new start.   I have a self-created rule......a new start at any Lankford visit.   This start has been planned since early summer.   My group of Jersey Girls and I are all stitching Theresa Kogut’s Land That I Love.    I didn’t get a whole lot stitched but I did make a start.   I am stitching on 35-count Aspen.   We each have different linens but are all using the called for threads.   It is always neat to see the different looks you get of the same pattern.   

For anyone stitching this, don't worry, I know the "A" was supposed to be blue.    I am not making the U, the S and the A in blue but rather I am stitching my initials in the blue.    I am doing a twist with doing the letters stitching as smyrna cross rather than just a plain old cross.  That's about as far as I will go with changing what the designer has charted.

I think I am a convert!   This is the second piece I have stitched on anything over 32 count.   Coming to America being the first.   I have always been fearful of using 40-count but it may be in my future.  I really like the look of things on 40-count but have always feared I wouldn’t be able to manage it.   I have a nice big piece of 40-count Navy Bean in my stash that is now calling me.  

For my stash, since I have been doing mail order all summer, I did not buy a lot.     I bought Heartstrings Samplery Berry Bowl Sampler.  I have liked this since I first saw this on The Attic's flosstube.   I choose one piece of doubloon rather then two pieces of linen that need to be joined.   I have done the fabric joining in the past but couldn’t find a suitable combination for my taste.   And, it’s 36 count!   

I also bought Harvest Time from Lila’s Studio.   I just fell in love with her plaid skirt.  I think I may have even have owned one like it back in the day.   I have plenty of Halloween stitching but I need more fall themed stitches.    I am sure I can stitch this using fabric and floss from stash.

For history making events, I was out on the boardwalk at 9:15 Saturday night to see the launch of the rocket ship from Wallops Island heading to the International Space Station.  It was very cool to see, not so easy to photograph with a phone.    I found these on FB and they pretty much show my view.

This one is using a little more photographer savy time-lapse finesse.  Thank you Ken Fullerton!

I am volleying back to the Salty Yarns and the Lankford again on Thursday.  I am attending Jamboree.  These classes were booked in March.  We have been on the edge of our seats all summer hoping Jamboree would not be canceled.  Some are attending via Zoom so the class sizes are much smaller.  And again all the Covid safety rules will be followed.   One of the classes is with Fern Ridge.   As you know they are famous for their peyote beading.......yikes!   I’ve never done peyote beading so I hope my table mates have patience with me.  Fortunately this is all part of my new mantra......move out of your comfort zone.   This class is spot on for that!

Thanks for stopping by, stay kind, stay safe and keep in stitching.

All the way to Cape May

Just home from a weekend retreat in Cape May.  Had great time and a fabulous weekend at a class with Isabella Abbiati of the Primitive Hare put on by Stitch by Stitch LNS.    First up, our pre-sttich.   I admit I was underwhelmed and stumped at what we were going to do with it.    I was really pleased with how Isabella had us finish it in class.

 And that was just the beginning.

Next up we got instructions for the beautiful Winter Wonderland Drum also from the Primitive Hare. Sorry for the crappy pix.   Still in construction phase.  (countertop installed tomorrow!)

Isabella's finishing instructions are going to be EZ PZ to follow once I finish the stitching.

Of course I did a little retail therapy.    It definitely is not a question of need as we all know.

 I fell in love with this Pumpkin Pie recipe chart.   This is going on my short list of projects.    I want it framed and on my counter NEXT Thanksgiving.

 Isabella's needlebooks were gorgeous.....it was hard to not buy them all.

 Next up, gifts from the shop.   Pattern, linen and floss for the "Beach Stitch" from  Primitive Hare.   Kind of mermaidy and beachy.....really cute but I doubt I will stitch it since I don't live at the beach.

And this clever finish.  Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the completed sample.    The Yule pattern, fabric, floss, twisted cord, batting, mounting board pre-cut as a perfect circle and instructions to stitch and mount this piece on the silver charger.    What a neat finish.     

More retail therapy?    Well I will need another drum pattern to stitch up after I finish Winter Wonderland.

I was able to make great progress on Stitch Every Day.

It was a great weekend with great projects, fun seeing friends and meeting new ones, walking and shopping in Cape May.   Sharon and the girls from Stitch by Stitch do such a great job with projects, make-it/take-its, goodies and great food.  Already looking forward to next year.   The countdown is nearing an end for work.    24 days of "work" until retirement.    Got a bit of vacation time to use between now and then.   Totally looking forward to January 10th.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching......

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.....not

Just back from my semi-annual retreat at Salty Yarns in OCMD and I was NOT the winner of the contest of who spent the most!  I might have even won the least amount spent award.   Wow!   I showed restraint.  

But first, my stitching progress since my last report. I finished the halloween witch before I left.    I kind of don't like the like the moon.   It looks like of goofy to me; like it is backwards.  It might stay.....it might not.  

 The day before I left for OCMD, my pre-stitch for a class in November arrived.   This is a "candle mat" from Beth Seal of Summer House Stitch Workes.  I took it along with me to get started.   We're cutting it close but it looks easy enough to finish before the class.  

 For "Mend" from Hands on Design, I got in all of the tape measure, EZ-PZ

As for the tomato, tamoto.....not so EZ-PZ.    I stitched it once and frogged it to change colors; then stitched it and frogged it a second time because I was off from the start........third time is the charm.   I think I am on the right track now.  When this one is done, I have three more identical ones to stitch. 

As for the goodies I brought back fro Ocean City.    First up, our fabulous gift from Salty Yarns.  Brenda Gervais pattern, package of needles, linen, floss and box were all packaged up for us.  What an awesome gift.  They are so good to us.

For purchasing, I bought about a half dozen WDW flosses I needed, the Just Cross Stitch Magazine Christmas Edition and a Scarlett House pattern and fabric.   Like we have all said so many times, the flyer does not do the piece justice.   One of the girls brought her finished and framed piece for show and tell and I was sold.   I bought 36 count Mello from PTP to stitch it on. 

So that wraps up my weekend.  I've got a busy week ahead with a full calendar so maybe not much stitching time for me.   

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.

Retreat

I am home from my semi-annual stitching retreat at the shore.   We all so look forward to this long weekend of friends, stash enhancement, stitching and relaxing.   There is always a bunch of laughter, good food and good times.  

We left on Thursday morning and I got back yesterday afternoon but I took today off to do a little work in the yard.   I put away the deck furniture and generally picked up things around the yard.   I also managed to spiff up the flowerbeds, deadhead some flowers and pull out some annuals to get ready for fall before the rain started.   I also worked on the two websites I maintain and updated both blogs and wrote out some cards to friends and did manage to stitch a bit.   In general it was just a good day of catching up on a lot of things I had outstanding......and you know how that pressure feels when you know you have those nagging little tasks to do.

I didn't get as much completed on Grace Mason this weekend as I had hoped and there may or may not have been a bottle of wine involved.   But what happens in OCMD STAYS in OCMD.

I had hoped to finished the numbers all the way across but since I did manage a bit of the border down both sides, I think it is a fair trade off.  I am anxious to start the next band so I'd better get to work on those numbers!

Here's my stash from my retreat.    First up, the goodie bag we received at check-in.

This was a last minute purchase.   Seriously - I had already checked out TWICE!  But I saw this and have been wanting to do a Sam Sarah design so this was it.   Grabbed the fabric out of the remnant bin and scooped up the fibers for the final sale of the trip.  I hope to start this Feb. 1st to have it finished and finished by Easter.   

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I fell in love with the vibrate colors of this one.   And it comes with the completed pillow!   Win win....just a little big to stitch and it will be done.   This is going to be my take along project for lunch time.

 I kind of was shamed into starting this one.   Four of us picked it up during the spring retreat and silly old me put the challenge out there to start it this weekend.   Diane was stitching away and kind of egged me to start it.    It is going to be awesome when done but it will have to go into the WIP bin for now.  Diane got almost all the coat from the boots to the beard done.

I picked up the Snow Belle that was missing from my collection and some fabric to stitch up all six as one.

This one seemed to just jump in my bag since it was only $4.

 I put this one in the bag and out of the bag and then back it.   Chessie and Me did this design for the hotel we stay at.   It is beachie without being all seashells and sand.

This is truly a case of it looked so much better completed then it does on the leaflet and of course I had to get some of the fibers since I would so regret doing it with DMC and losing that color variation.










Oops!  Another thing that literally jumped into my bag while in the check out line.

 Last but not least, I always pick up one of these!

For more about the Retreat, check out the other blog I maintain for our guild.

Oh the joy....

Just back from 4 days in Ocean City MD and a cross stitch retreat.....ahhhhhh.   Better than a Calgon Take Me Away bath it is to be with friends and stitching.

We stopped at Serendipity Quilt Shop in Dagsboro on the way down.   I picked up several different sizes and colors of ric-rac.   Do I have a project in mind for the ric-rac?   No, but I needed it.   It's an exercise in stash building.











I only got my camera out once and wasn't able to really capture the true beauty of the moonrise.

This is what I pulled from my stash to start at this season's retreat.   It is really working up fast.

 
The little needle minder that looks like the end of a spool of thread was a little gift to myself because I like the nostalgic look.

Bought some peanut butter kisses (saltwater taffy with peanut butter inside) as "I'm sorry" candy for two co-workers who I bit their faces off.   (Really was their fault because I told them I didn't feel good and I was miserable and they should leave.....but they didn't and I barked at them.)

Not sure why I am on a Halloween kick, but I am.

 More Halloween and a patriotic stitch.

And another group project.   We all enjoyed the Santa we stitched together last year and we found another one to work on as a SAL.   I am not sure when we will start it but four of us are on board to do it.

I was also able to get in the first four rows and part of the fifth my guild white work SAL.   Sorry, it is too hard to see but trust me, it's there.   I will try to get a better shot and replace this one.  Excuse the little ends of my away knows.  Haven't woven the ends in yet.

Halfway home I got an uneasy feeling.   Mr. Wonderful was so anxious for me to go this weekend which is totally unlike him.   Not that he has a problem with me going on my excursions; it is more like - whatever.   But this time, he was very encouraging and actually insistent when I was considering cancelling because I had been so sick.......so I got to thinking, Why did he want me out of the house?   What was he buying?  Was he getting us a new kitten since Miss Babykakes went missing?  As  the girls quickly unloaded their bags and switched cars, I came in to find a set of shiney new keys on the table.   Ut-oh!  Mind was racing.   A John Deere Gator, another Kawasaki Mule, a Kubota????   No, it was just new keys to the new locks on the drum corp trailers.   Whew!  Dodged a bullet there!  Hmmm, Mr. W. may have turned over a new leaf.