What Camp?

edited:
Hey, Friends!

It is still just as crazy at work for me –I would say more than ever.  We will start with shutdown at COB on Thursday, and begin the live conversion April 1.  UmHuh, our boss thinks that’s quite humorous… and we will be working through the weekend.  The primary “system” person quit a few weeks before the scheduled date of implementation… Think that was planned?  I rescheduled the time I’d planned to be off for the Camp Stitchaway this weekend, but will take the time later – just missed out on the retreat!  For the past couple of weeks, I’ve only gotten home before 7:00 a couple of nights, and a few were closer to 8:00.  So anyway…

Who knew I needed a bit of a ‘pick-me-up’ surprise?  Diane!  In the mail yesterday was a puffy package from Miss Nan’s Needlework Notions, herself!  I thought, I haven’t ordered anything from here…  When I opened it up, the sweetest little pin cushion on chick feet you’ve ever seen was packaged among some colorful grass, with a sweet card.  How very thoughtful, Diane!  She spent a part of her Spring Break making something special for Moi!   It truly lifted my spirits at the end of a rough week.  Thanks so much, Diane!

I told myself all week I would clean house this weekend – but you KNOW I don’t want to do that.  It has been mid-70s or higher all week – today it’s 45 and raining!  I don’t want to move from here – finish this post, then go see what y’all have been stitching, get enticed into something else, then stitch!  You all do such a great job of enabling (don’t we all love it, thought), that I’ve picked up a few things here and there.  Don’t you just love Brenda’s site?  Such beautiful photos.

Did do a bit of finishing this week.  From Country Stitches,  Brenda’s store, I got some of her seam tape ribbon, and used it to make my version of a rouched ribbon trim on this BBD Be Mine, little pillow.  Not perfect, but pretty good for firsts.  As loosely as these are done, there would be plenty in the package for at least two – about 4x6 – but think I’ll pull the ribbon tighter next time.  If you decide to get some, the hardest part will be deciding which colors – they’re beautiful! 

I used silk ribbon from my stash on the Breath of Spring pillow, and it worked very well, too.  I tried some narrow, acrylic type ribbon but didn’t like the effect.  It may be more suitable for a smaller piece.  Oh, and I also got Bunny & Co. a new cross stitch pattern converted from a punch needle.

And… speaking of punch needle…  Have you tried it?  There are such cute designs, and  thought, why not give it a try?  I don’t remember who, but someone said to me, “It’s too easy – I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything when it’s done.”  Well, sister friend, I want you to show me how to make it feel that way!  I’ve tried SEVERAL times, and can not get my thread to punch and stay in. Yes, my fabric is in the hoop, tightly.  The thread is through the needle shaft and through the eye.  I’m holding the needle straight with the eye away from me.  Once in a while a few stitches will take hold, but on the other side they look wonky… Oh, and it's the fabric that came in with the package design.  I’ve looked on uTube, and think I’m following the directions.  Tips?? 

While I was 'playing' with rouching the ribbon, thoughts of using tatting to trim the pillows drifted through my mind... which led me to pull out the tatting supplies to tat a bit of trim...  I always wonder if I'll remember how... but it comes back after a few twists of the thread.

That’s it for today!  Now I’m going to see what you’ve been up to!  Hope you have a fine weekend for stitching, or doing whatever your heart desires!

Thanks for stopping by ♥ I love to read your comments, remarks, suggestions. 

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

More March

Hey, Friends!

Here we are in springtime with bountiful pollen!  In the early morn with Pixie searching for the perfect spot, I got a shot of the tulip tree.  It has been nipped a bit by the frost, but not as badly as previous years.  

Does it remind you of the Jardin Prive’ L'arbre aux Oiseaux (Tree with Birds - not yet) I started stitching last week at Amy’s Get Together at the French Hen in Manning. 

It was a great time of stitching and chatting, but my camera never left its pocket! Don’t ask me why!  The only ones I’ve seen are at Nicole’s blog – and you’ll enjoy looking at her beautiful stitching, too! 

I finished stitching BBD Breath of Spring.  Isn’t it darling?  I do so love these women’s designs.  I got to see Faye’s latest work, Summer Stars, from their Stitcher's Journey at the GTG last week.  That girl can not only stitch, but she does some  fine finishing!   Karen’s finished Moon Garden was lovely, too!  She's running through that challenge like it's not even a challenge! Come to find out, we’re both going through some of the same crazy-busy stuff at our respective workplaces – computer program migration and conversions.  Enough about that!  

I met Susan for the first time, who was working on a very pretty Quaker Christmas design.  Linda’s friend, Sarah   (?If either of these ladies have blogs, would someone tell me?) was almost finished with a giant floral design that was totally awesome.  When it was being held up for us to admire, more than one of us said, “Look at the back!”  You will most likely never hear those words whispered about one of my pieces.  I do try to be neat, but something usually happens that keeps it from being ‘as pretty as the front.’

We had a nice lunch, but when I left I went by to see DS.  We had thought about going to a movie, but the releases and our timetable didn’t work, so we went to Hudson’s Smokehouse in Lexington for BBQ.  Oh, my, was it ever good.  He was happy about the sides, but the meat was perfect to me!  Try it if you’re close.

In my rambling around last week, I found something I’d never seen before.  Have you ever seen a black frog?  Now I’ll be on the lookout for a bottom for it.  Holler if you see one; ok?

Well, that’s about it for today.  I’m going to surf around to see what you’ve been up to, and thanks for dropping in today!  Hope the rest of your weekend is delightfully spring like and totally fun! 

Come again, soon.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

March On

Hey, Friends!

Last weekend was beautiful, warm springtime – this one is rainy, early spring.  Although it is cool, there are blooms and pollen everywhere, but there is supposed to be some rain to help wash that away…haven’t seen it yet.

Next weekend Amy of Down Sunshine Lane is hosting a stitching get together in Manning at the French Hens restaurant.  Hop over to read about it on Amy’s blog.  I’ve been a couple of times and fun is had by all!

The finished BBD AotH, A Wish for You, is in honor of my dad, whose birthday is the end of March.  As I was taking the photo I realized that the date really needs to be changed – Duh, what was I thinking? Not.

While waiting for some threads on order, I started a design called Bluebirds and Flowers from a Leisure Arts booklet called Old Samplers.  As you can see, a little change was in order.  I received this Victorian Motto in Autumn at PALS last year, and thought it would work up nicely in this design.

You know I’m not one who typically starts more than one project at a time, but when those fibers came in, I just HAD to start on BBD, Breath of Spring.  Of course I’m loving it.

The fourth in the series of Specialty Stitches is the Square Eyelet.  My stitches are far from perfect, but it is fun to try new things!

Oh, and like I really need to start a new craft, I’ve been taken by the Punch Needle!  Want to join me?  Take a look at this darling design over at Nan’s Needlework Notions.  She also has some of these for sale if you get bitten, too!

* Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

Well, it’s time for me to go blogging to see what you’ve all been up to!  Thanks for stopping in, and you know I love to hear what you’re thinking today!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC