December

Hey, Friends!

Here we are approaching Winter Break from work.  I found out I have to work two days longer, but at least it will be on call from home.  It does give me a chance to have a couple of Friday’s off that I wasn’t expecting.  That’s a very nice and unexpected benefit. 

So… what was I stitching last time?  Did I show it to you?  Let’s see… Yes, I added the year to the Season of Giving and updated the photo.  After that, I started Plum Street Samplers, Christmas Tea  - using assorted HDF silks (one over one)on 28ct cashel linen in Mountain Mist.  Next was Christmas Greetings, a freebie from iStitch, again using HDF silks.  It’s so much fun stitching these ornies and smalls, but I’m making plans for something more sometime soon!

I found out that the Miss Sharon Crescent (shown here deep in thought) was visiting my LNS  Stitch and Frame on Saturday, and I did have my birthday discount to use… so I stopped by to meet her and to get new BBD release, Christmas Garden!  Of course you know I couldn’t get the suggested fabric, but did get the fibers.  I’ll be using Lakeside 40ct Lentil.  

I know you’ve heard me mention my LNS so many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken a tour with you, so I grabbed my camera and decided to share a few shots with you.  For such a small space, they sure do pack a powerful stitching punch!  When you walk in, you’re greeted with the sweet voice of one of the lovely ladies who work there.  If you want or need assistance, they’re happy to help.  If you want to just browse around to find something that you can’t live without, that’s fine, too.  They have some of the most beautiful models displayed in lots of nooks, on posts, and almost to the high ceiling!  So let’s take a look around… starting with the front entry.  

To the right is the 'Framing Boutique'

Further back is the Fabric room

These show the Bead and Stitching room

I didn't get a good shot of the Fibers room, but there are lots to choose from - and they feel so luscious!

This Sunday afternoon they’re having a drop-in from 1:00 to 4:00, so if you’re close enough or feel like a drive, I have no doubt you’ll be welcomed with a cup of hot cider and open arms.

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate y’all!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Welcome 2011

Hey, Friends!

I hope your New Year is off to a peaceful start, and that your Needles are well pointed, smooth eyed, and ready for finishing all that your heart desires!  Speaking of great needles, I have no affiliation, but if you try Bohin needles, you won’t be sorry!!  You can find them at many places, including my own LNS (at my suggestion).  Anita’s Little Stitches also has them in bulk. 

As I’m sitting here looking at my stitched ornie tree, there’s only one that ‘really’ looks like Christmas – the beaded Santa.  The others are various snow/winter themes.  No rush for me to take it down; right?! 

Yesterday my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop, had their usual New Year’s Day sale.  I happended to be there to see Karen and a few other ladies I met at PALS this last year.  Hopefully we'll all be there again this year!  Boy did I ever do some damage.  But it was so much fun, and in the mix was a real bargain!  I got the chart they had used for the shop model of Shepherd’s Bush, Finch Song, for $5.00.  The holiday charts were 25% off, fibers were 10%, and fabric was 15%.  See… 

I also signed up for the LHN 2011 Ornament series.  Vonna is doing all the stitching and finishing of these, and she said the first few are adorable!  Diane has already posted the one for January, Tweet, and you can see on the LHN blog. 

I’m so excited to watch all of you with your 2011 Challenges!  Some are doing the 15 new projects, and some are doing the Complete WIPs Challenge.   I know you will make great progress and complete many new works!  I am more of a ‘finish one project at a time’ stitcher, so that I am involved in two Blackbird Designs SALs plus Diane’s All Year Long Christmas SAL seems like a big deal for me!     

I took my car to have tinting added to the windows the other day.  It is a shop with a lot of young people with their music bumping, you get the picture, but there I sat with my cross stitch, mag-eyes, just enjoying myself to no end!  See how much I got done… since last time?  

I’ve barely started on Snow Garden – the first Anniversaries of the Heart series, but it is a start. 

I’m trying to decide which ornament I want to start – there are so many I love.  I do want to catch up with the LHN series to be ready for 2011 to start!

Oops - just about forgot to add my TUSAL for the end of the year.  Can you tell that I'm a colorful stitcher?  A new one has been started, but I'll show it to you at the next new moon - sometime after January 4.

Thanks for coming by today.  I look forward to hearing your Needler’s Point and checking in to see what you’ve been up to lately!

This New Year and always, may you be surrounded by the gift of friendship, the joys of family, and the spirit of love.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC

Secret Santa Visited

Hey, Friends! 

Tomorrow, Sunday, my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop, is having their holiday open house!  If you live close by, it would be a great time to stop by.  Last year she had the best warm, cider punch, not to mention the great stash! 

After work yesterday I went to do a tiny bit of shopping and got a couple of gifts bought.  At least it’s a beginning! 

When I got home, there was a box on my doorstep.  I’ve ordered a few things, but it looked too big for that… Hum… When I got closer, it had green tape – and the return address was Secret Santa – from Nebraska! 

Oh, boy – my Secret Santa from PALS has sent me a box…  When I cut the green tape, out popped a wonderful card with bows and mittens – just the cutest with a bit of sparkle.  I absolutely LOVE the verse*.   

Next is a layer of green and red crinkle stuffing, and when I moved it over, there was a box of Godiva Gems, Dark Chocolates – yum!! 

All the way down at the bottom was a flat, green and red trees wrapped package, and a fat, squishy wrapped in red sparkle paper package, too.  Which to open first? The flat one must be a graph…  YES!  It’s Plum Street Samplers “Tannenbaum.”  No, I don’t have it, and yes, it is lovely! 

Now what’s in this fat one?  It’s a red and black pencil case from Vera Bradley – ooohhh, my first piece.  Those ‘in the know’ will recognize the name, Barcelona.   Zip – oh, what’s this?  By the Bay Needleart, “Merry Christmas Kit.”  What you will need: stuffing and a needle.  Isn’t that awesome? 

A notepad with my initial, C, a black and white pen, black and white stork scissors, daisy’s park-it, Doodles for leftovers Gingerbread man button (never seen these), mother-of-pearl thread rings, Rainbow Gallery Christmas Collection fibers, and a great piece of Moda sampler fabric.  Last but not least, inside the turquoise box, is a lovely silver and purple (opal?) pendant.  Connie, you absolutely went way overboard, but I love, love everything you sent.  You asked me very early on to give you some idea of what I’d like, but I’m so happy that you did it your way.  Even the card you sent was perfect for me!  I would not be happier if I’d gone to the shop myself.  Thank you SO much!    

I’ve done a little (pun intended) stitching since the last post!  Here’s Merry Christmas by La D Da from the 2009 JCS Ornament magazine. 

Peppermint Twist from the LHN 2009 All Dolled Up collection.  I still need to add the button to the center, but since I’ve done this collection over one, it’s smaller than the called for button.  I need to check my stash to see what will work – maybe tiny jingle bells??  I think that’s what Faye used.  May I borrow your idea, Faye?   

Thanks for stopping by today to visit – and I always love your Needler’s Points. 

“*This Christmas and always, may you be surrounded by the gift of friendship, the joys of family, and the spirit of love.”

Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC

What a week…

I haven’t taken time to read messages or even blog scan, much.  Doesn’t seem so overwhelming if I keep up and do a bit a day, but now there are over 500 unread messages from one of my yahoo groups this week, and several hundred in others.  That’s where I found many of your blogs that I love to keep up with, and where many of you found me, but unless I have time at work to read messages, I’m sorry to say they get behind.  I don’t mean to be so quiet, but guess I’m falling into the lurker category.  I will take time to catch up with blogs, but that may be on the slower side too.

This was the third Tuesday week, which means Stitch Night at my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop.  I do love my LNS, and the ladies who run it.  Carol, one of the sweethearts who works there, was finishing up her scissor bed.  It was precious, and I said, that may just be next in my list of to-do’s.  So when I got home I started looking for it, just SURE it was in my stash.  I remember not buying the ‘bed’ thinking I could make one, but “did” get the chart.  So I looked with no luck.  Then I said, I think it was about the time I got Quaker Diamonds… which I did find, but the other wasn’t there.  So again I looked, in the stack of various stages of finish; no… and looked, in the bag of linens; no… and looked, in and through the works in progress; no… Guess I decided not to get it at all. 

I did finish my He’s a Flake ornament stitching, and started another little project.  This is a tiny preview…

Remember last week there was a contest from Vintage Workshop?  If you posted the link on your blog, they offered to send a sample of indigo junction cards.  I did, they did, and aren’t they just precious?

Well, that’ about it for me this week.  Hope you’re all having a fun-tastic weekend!  Thank you for stopping by, and hope to see you again, really soon!!

    Peace~Love~Joy
and Happy Stitching!

Charlene

Tea with the Queen

My LNS (local needlework shop), The Stitch and Frame Shop, is sponsoring a weekend getaway workshop called Tea with the Queen, Clara Blalock from The Stitching Parlor, Inc. September 18 - 20, 2009. Click over and take a look at the lovely project we will be stitching!

Are any of you North and South Carolina ladies already signed up? If possible, it sure would be great to meet some online friends there!!

Finish - What's Next?

I finished Sampler Lady, and now wondering what do I want to start next?

Sure, I've got some things going, but nothing is really calling out for me to work on. I went by my LNS - Stitch and Frame - on Friday to get a couple of LNS charts that I've been admiring, but they had neither of them in stock - they've ordered them for me. I did find "Reading" in the sale bin, so I picked it up. I also wanted to get my spot reserved for Tea with the Queen, and at the checkout these scissors I've been in "Love" with for the longest jumped into my little basket.

I'm thinking about Mary Wigham... anyone else have this dilemma? I'll decide and let you know.

Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon.

DoLolly - Tail Catcher - Retreat

A while back I posted about my DoLolly, and said my LNS was attempting to find an alternative. I just saw it on their web site, so do have a look. It's called a Tail Catcher.

I also mentioned a Stitching Getaway, and that I'd let you know when it was advertised. It is on the site now, as well. Check out Tea With the Queen!

Springtime and Stitching

After a week of rain, what a glorious day this is! I went out this morning and noticed all the pretty colors abloom.

If you want a closer look at my weeds, you should be able to click and enlarge the photos!


The iris is just about to open.

The tulip (magnolia) tree is almost finished with her first round.


The red dogwood is just beginning to peek some color.


The wisteria is well on its way.


The red buds (about 3 years old) are lovely!


These tiny tulips (don't remember their true name) have been trying for a week or more.

Bleeding hearts are out.

The old screen door was just about demolished, so this week a new storm door was installed - with glass at the bottom so Pixie can see out. She was watching for me to come back in from the 'photo shoot' this morning!




I started a new project this week. It's Sarah Hook - Tombstone Angel, by Carriage House Samplings, and loving it so far. I'm using DMC threads and it's on 16ct Aida. It was the color I wanted, and from my stash, so I'm going for it.

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I'd heard about future retreats at Camp Stitchaway. Today I found the note I had made of those dates, and here they are:

Fall Stitch Seminar in Rock Hill at the Hampton Inn: September 18-20, 2009

Seaside Stitch Retreat at the North Myrtle Beach Hilton: November 13-15, 2009

Next year's Camp Stitchaway: March 11-14, 2010

I'll post a link when I see them on The Stitch & Frame Shop website.

Camp Stitchaway

On Thursday, March 12, I headed to Spruce Pines, NC for my first cross stitching retreat. It was chilly and drizzling rain, but not such a bad drive. I saw a couple of places that I wanted to stop, but was anxious to get there, so forged ahead. (I'll share my 'finds' in anothr post later.)

When I arrived, Carol Peggy was setting up tables and such, so I pitched in for a bit. Later others started arriving, and we got our rooms and mates. Since Springmaid bunkhouse is mostly for kids at equine camp, the rooms had bunk beds, so we took off the top mattress of two rooms and made one for me on the floor. It really wasn't half bad - actually better than the one on the bed frame, I think! Jeanne was my roomie, and we got along very well.

Kiki and Jeanne are the ladies I met online who invited me to The Stitch and Frame for stitch nights, and also encouraged me to attend this retreat. Thanks, ladies! I had a blast and learned SO much. There were about 25 stitchers there, and here are some of them. I thought I had photos of everyone, but some just didn't turn out well.

Bobbie and I were 'the smokers' so we spent a little more time together outside - she in her 'smoking jacket' and I with my spray bottle - Fabreeze!! Water's Edge is Bobbie's design company.

Thursday night we had soup and salad for dinner, and just stitched (some had knitting class) and got acquainted with the other stitchers. Beginning Friday, we had a catering couple join us, and they prepared three square meals! It was great food.


Friday morning was 'whatever' time, so some went shopping, others went to pan for gems. I went down the mountain to find a stitching light. I got a desk model of the floor lamp I use at home that I love. Just a note * don't rely on your GPS to navigate you through the mountain tops! It asked me to turn in places where there were no roads, and I wound up in Switzerland - Little Switzerland, that is! *


We played Bingo - but of course I didn't win; however, I did win a door prize.



We started our project on Friday afternoon. The guest instructor was Meg Thompson Shinall, daughter of Ginny Thompson - THE Ginny Thompson Flower Thread - and designer/owner of Morningstar Embroidery Group. Our project was Camp Stitchaway Stitching Tray. This is Meg's sample tray. The approximate size is 8x10. Hers has a notebook, pen tray, ORT box, pin cushion, biscornu, and to be scissor tray.





This was my first experience with stitching on linen. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but it is a slower process for me since I don't have the 'feel' yet and have to count over every time. While some of the group went out on Saturday to take in the locale, I stayed in since it was cold, rainy, and generally yucky outside, so I had fun stitching.



My first Klosters - spelled incorrectly on the photo - dove's eye, and nun's stitch.

These together make a peek-a-boo. I don't believe anyone finished the project, but the challenge from Meg was to make a big, full-sized tray for next year. We'll see... This is my try for this project, and it is about 6x6.



After breakfast on Sunday morning, we all packed and headed home. There wasn't so much rain, but it was foggy.



It is a lovely place, and I hope to go again next year. You should think about coming, too. It's great to put real faces and personalities with our on-line friends!

PS:
Thank you, friends, who have asked about Pixie. She had a good time with DS and his Great Dane, Kilo (who is spending this weekend with us). She is doing a lot better with less limping and more use of her leg - though still on medication.

~Happy Stitching~
Charlene in SC.USA