Back to Reality

Hey, Friends!

Happy Halloween

So it’s the last day of my fall vacation, and no, I’m not honestly excited about going back to work.  That being said, the winter is really not so bad since Thanksgiving will be here soon with some days off, then Christmas break, and with any luck there will be a snow day here or there…  Speaking of snow; how about those folks who are having a White Halloween?  This has really been a weird weather year; hasn’t it?  But then again, aren’t they all?

I did finish the stitching of Pumpkin Row by Chessie  and Me and the little crow fob that goes along with it.  The linen is R&R 30ct Spellbound Green and it is stitched over one.

Did you see some of the finishes that have been posted lately?  Karen finished her ‘Cast a Spell’ box, and it’s a real beauty!    Siobhan finished HER adaptation of Garden of Eerie by Plum Street Sampler. Don't they make you want to go pull them out of your stash right now?

Hey PALS - if you haven’t completed your survey from Springmaid, would you add a comment about having a small, pet friendly space available?

Thanks everyone for dropping in and leaving comments.  Please know that I appreciate each and every one!  I’ll be going back into my ‘every once in a while posting’ mode now that vacation is over, so see ya’ next time.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Finishing

Hey, Friends!

Thank you all for your concern!  Pixie is feeling better and eating a tiny bit today. 

Now don’t you want to see what I’d rather do than clean house on extra days off?  Notice the different background?  Kind of plain, but I loved the linen and red.

One of the ideas from PALS – Stitching at the Beach was a darling little cloth thread catcher Myra from Gr8Dames Place made for Faye’s birthday.  Mine isn’t nearly as neat and tidy as Myra’s was, but I made it from Blackbirds’ Designs Beach House fabrics, which does help it a lot.  

I also pulled out an ornament I stitched a long while ago to finish.  I think it came from one of the JCS Ornament issues, by Sue Hillis.  I had the boards cut at my lns, Stitch and Frame.  It’s hard to see the sparkle on the backing fabric and there are pearl-ish beads around the borders.

Thanks for stopping by – again!  I appreciate all your words of kindness and humor!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Unpacking PALS

Hey, Friends!

Although unpacking is not the most fun thing, seeing the goodies from the retreat again was, wasn’t it?

That sweet Carolina Stitcher said I had been on her mind, so she stitched the sweetest little pin cushion for me with a dainty little pin already in place.  Thank you, Faye! 

Although there were lots of old and new friends, here's the group with which I spent most of the time.  Lots of knowledge and fun packed into these minds!


Most of my frogging stitching was on Chessie & Me, Pumpkin Row.  It's on R&R 30ct Spellbound Green. 

I did participate in the Grab Bag exchange, and I chose a pretty, French hat box that included several Weeks Dye fibers, an aqua polka dot pair of scissors with a set of scissor cases and some other nice notions!  Thank you, Mary.

From the “auction” I won a Lizzie * Kate Winter Fab Fob kit, and Enchanting Lair named Firedance, and a Kitty Kat design that I passed along to Sandra who may stitch it for her fishing sons.

I had the Retreat Bag embroidered, and looking at it now wish I’d had Needle in Hand included.  Maybe I’ll take it next time to Manning and have that added.  In the bag were some nice Victorian Motto threads, a pair of pink polka dot scissors, a wooden thread sorter and various graphs, too!  

This year’s zombies were not quite as exciting as last year, but they did the beach stroll just the same.

My Pixie stayed at the kennel while I was gone, and she has been sick since I got back.  They have special pick up time at 5:30pm on Sunday, and by the time we got home she was throwing up, etc.  On Tuesday she had to go in for blood work, fluids, shots and meds, and today, Wednesday, she still isn’t eating, but seems to be a bit perkier.  She has picked up a bad habit, too, having accidents inside – which is so unlike her. Do you think it’s because she’s mad at me?  Maybe next year they will agree to have a few rooms to accommodate small pets?  That would make my trip much more pleasant!
      Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Stitching at the Beach

Hey, Friends!

I don’t believe I shared my Fall Bowl last week, did I?  Not nearly so full as I’d like, but coming along! 

This past weekend was the Fall PALS Stitching at the Beach retreat -- only my second, but I sure did enjoy it!  A great big thank you to Amy and Ray of Down Sunshine Lane for all the hard work and effort that goes into pulling this event together!  It was so much fun to be with about 70 wonderful stitching gals!  I didn't do any fishing, but they must have been biting? 

On Wednesday morning, there was a heavy drizzle most of the way down, but that was the end of it.  Going through Darlington – yes, of Darlington Raceway fame – to get our engines needles started for stitching!  The temps were cooler than last year, but nothing intolerable.  A light jacket here or there, but I never had to break out the tennies, just flips!   

One of the greatest pleasures is putting the faces to names of online friends, and learning a more about the friends we’ve already met.  I got a hefty dose of numb butt, but not a whole lot accomplished.  I, personally, didn't do any surfing, however, there were some adventurous souls who did.  

Nor did I do any ornament exchanges, but there were quite a few beauties out there... I did partake in the grab bag swap ... see how hard it was to make a choice? 

We were so fortunate to have a few celebrities from the stitching world among us for this year’s retreat – and all just as sweet and pleasant as you’d ever hope. 

Marie from Blackberry Lane Designs was there with her over-one art works!  

Tanya from The Scarlett House had her amazing new samplers displayed to tempt and taunt us.  When we could pull her toes out of the sand she stitched along with us!  

And we also got to spend some quality stitching time with Paulette of Plum StreetSamplers.  She made her new designs available for purchase right there!  Yes, she is just as sweet and nice in person as she seems with her beautiful daughters.

You can get a quick glance at their new pieces at the Online Needlework Show here.

Amy said she’ll let us know when plans are underway for next year, and I’m sure most of us will be watching for that posting!


Thanks for stopping by, and your comments are always appreciated!  As I see that others have posted about the weekend, I'll share those links with everyone in the right sidebar.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Exciting Times

Hey, Friends!

I’m guessing everyone is just as excited as I am about PALS this week!  I can hardly wait to see all the friends, get my toes into the sand, watch the mystic ocean and gorgeous sun rise and set, and stitch, stitch, stitch till my butt’s numb and heart’s content!  I won’t be participating in the exchanges and other fun swaps – unless some true magic happens.  There just has not been time to finish goodies to get prepared, but I will be there rooting for everyone to get all the pieces they want.  Another additional treat?  It’s hard to believe that Paulette from PlumStreet Samplers and Tanya from The Scarlett House will be there.  Woo Hoo! Wonder who else may show up this year?  Remember last year there was a comic show going on, and who dropped in one evening but Superman! 

Once again I’ll say Thank You to everyone who has sent their condolences, prayers, positive thoughts, cards, and especially the love I’ve felt.  All these have surely gotten us through to this time.  You’re all such special friends, even though I’ve never met many of you, and I send my hugs and love back to you!

Today will be Mom’s first day back at work – yes, she works at the Wal-Mart as a greeter, and she is quite mixed about going back.  The ‘first day’ jitters, you know, but I’ve tried to encourage her that she will feel better when she gets back among her friends and in the public.  She’s of the social type, unlike her daughter J.  Mom has never been a very confident driver, although she did make it to the beauty shop for her weekly hair appointment yesterday, on her own.  I’ve been taking her on Saturday morning, but since she was going back to work today…  Anyway, she has made arrangements to ride with a coworker, only to have to drive when there may be a conflict.

Public Service Announcement:  Please, please make sure every member of your family knows how important it is to get all their records and important documents together.  We all KNOW it is important, but are they gathered?  End PSA  .And now I get to go face a mountain of paperwork.  

Take care everyone – have a wonderful fall weekend, doing the things you love.  

Be safe traveling to the coast, PALS, and we’ll see you there!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Autumn Leaves

Hey, Friends!

There hasn’t been a lot of stitching going on, but a little on Mary Gibson.  It is enjoyable, but there hasn’t been much time.  Here’s her progress.

Do you need more patterns for Awareness?  Check out the DMC Blog – they’ve got a few cute ones.

Mom decided she was ready to get out of the house, so she, DS, and I drove up to the North Carolina–Tennessee mountains Saturday.  It was such a gorgeous day – glorious sunshine up to the mid 60s – perfect.  The autumn colors are not at their peak, but beautiful none the less.

The majestic mountain range in the distance is breathtaking!

 There were cars pulled off the road - as if there were lots of extra space - looking at this animal grazing in the distance.  Who is he? an elk?

Wouldn't it be grand to look out your window in the morning to this blazing sight?  It looked as if it were just perched on a big rock.  

 Then far off in the distance (click as much as possible) there was what may be a chateau peeking out from amid the trees.  Or could it have been the tiny house we see up close above? 

Thank you for stopping by today, your comments, and your support - they truly mean a lot!

PeaceëLoveëJoy and Happy StitchingCharlene♥SC

Thank you

Hey, Friends!

Thank You to each one who has expressed condolences to me and my family.  Your kind and heartfelt words have felt like genuine hugs and we appreciate them so much.  We have some tough days ahead, but we are blessed with wonderful memories of happiness and love.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC