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.

In 500 words or less....

Well isn't that funny.....I have never been one for just a few words....but here's to trying.

Got another motif done on the Quaker Halloween by Lila's Studio.

Getting there, one motif at a time......

Spent a nice day of stitching with some friends and was able to put a dent, albeit a small one, in Corsica River.

 Don't mind all the trailing threads.

And I treated myself to a wooden spool cabinet.    I saw this in a local antique shop when I was Christmas shopping.  I toyed with the idea back and forth of buying/not buying.   Finally the first week of January I thought if it is still there, it is mine.   I placed the call and a "sold" sign with my name was put on it until I could get there to pick it up.

It has six drawers, with the top four divided.   I don't know if it is really a spool cabinet, but that is what I am plan to use it for.

 It is about 2 inches wider then the JP Coats drawers so it may not stay where I placed it.

 Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.

My Folly is Over...

Mr. W.  will be rolling in sometime tomorrow afternoon following eight weeks on the road......

So let's have a catch up on what I have been up to!   My daughter gave me this adorable squirrel sweater.   My family has this crazy obsession with squirrels.  It is what all the best dressed teddy bears will be wearing this season!

 I took a vacation day Friday and my sister and I went "junking".    It is always fun for sisters to get together and share and laugh.    I found this adorable miniature dress form.   I have no idea what I will do with it but it was one of those things that I knew if I didn't buy it, I would regret it.

 OMG!  Got this Christmas table runner for $4!!!   This is how it was folded on the table in the consignment store.   Being a stitcher, I knew without peaking what the other side would look like.

 Not only that, I am a sucker for needlework I find in consignment stores.....I know how much time and effort I put into my pieces so I know someone did the same here.

Overall it is 48 inches long.

Another $4 find!  This is about 11 x 18.    Couldn't find this when I was looking.   Back then, all I saw were tons of January and no July (birth month)

And a $1 find.   This chicken wire shoe.   The bow and flowers will come out and I am not sure what I am going to do with it but it was another too good of a bargain to pass up.

Today I managed to make my monthly guild meeting.....I have missed the last three months and even though it was just  stitch in it was so good to go and see everyone.   I've been doing a lot with my non-profit board so little stitching has been going on.  It's minimal but here's my progress on my class piece.

I am going to have to frog a teeny tiny bit.   I put in two too many stitches in the center of the heart below the flag.   Not a terrible amount of frogging.  I think I will survive.

After my guild meeting I picked up my BFF and we went to a local guild's quilting show.   Of course, I needed nothing but got this R-W-B fabric for a table runner pattern my sister gave me.  The show was not as nice as the bigger shows but I think it is important to support the local guilds.  Beside some of the bigger national shows can be overwhelming.

 I got this fabric last weekend in Lancaster PA with my daughter.    I am so drawn to 1930's retro fabrics.    I think I finally have more than enough to complete the string quilt I started.

I ended my jammed packed day with the afternoon and evening at the Havre de Grace Seafood Festival.   Yummo!  Seafood sampler platter, corn on the cob, crabs, cold beer, live bands, craft vendors.....it was a fun afternoon and evening for Deb and I.

I got some great shots of the lighthouse, the park and the water on my phone.

We strolled the promenade along the river.   I love exploring new towns and cities and finding their hidden gems.  Things the locals probably take for granted.

Check this out.   I bought this fab messenger bag.

 Close up of the button decoration.

Look when you flip up the front flap!!  Double wow.    It is made from real jeans.   The pockets will hold my favorite pen and cell phone and my keys are on the belt loop.   Inside it is super roomy.   There is room for my pocketbook, my lunch and a place for files but it will house a zipper mesh bag with a stitching project for me.  Perfect for work.

I am off to rearrange everything from my old tote bag to my new messenger bag.

Got no power, go shopping.....

Not me, thankfully, I had no storm woes or worries after the second Friday in a row of strong winds and heavy rain....but my sister was without electricity so ...... we went shopping.   We went to a consignment store in Lancaster Co, PA.   In planning the day, I read they would have someone onsite to buy old jewelry and who doesn't have a busted chains or two and one earring of a set?   Cashed out with $170.  But before that, I went shopping through the booths and what goodies did I get. 

Look at this frog.

Isn't it perfect for holding the cover photo of my current stitch from Prairie Moon?

Awesome oval white will red enamelware pan.

This is the second egg basket I have purchased.   Not 100% sure what I am going to do with it.   Got some ideas for rearranging a few pieces of furniture and accessories and this is sure to play a part. 

Another piece of Lefton to add to my collection.   My first piece was a piece of my mom's and every now and then I add a piece that I fancy.   This one is just a nice shape and good sized cookie jar and the price was right.  

After I checked out, I cashed in my jewelry for $$$ and I saw this on the counter.   Curiosity got the best of me and I asked the price.  

$175 for the 10 piece set.   I didn't want to spend that much but I had never seen that many matching pieces.  After a bit of wheeling and dealing, I got it for $120.  It had come into the shop that morning and the shop owner was fretting over where and how he could arrange all the pieces.   He made a $10 profit for holding it for 4 hours and was thrilled....and so was I.  It may not be terribly old, it has no markings or name but using my rule for shopping - it doesn't have to be old, you just have to like it.   

It is going to be a great addition to my slow progression on my bedroom makeover. 

    Somehow, I managed to buy all these goodies, get rid of some junk in the bottom of the jewelry box and come home with more money then I started with.  Sounds like a good day to me!