Stitched at the Beach

Hey, Folks!

Stitching at the Beach with PALS was great this year!  It was so much fun visiting with old and new friends!  Even though it was cloudy and rainy most of the time, I love the coast, and this was a good excuse to stay inside stitching!  There were over 115 there this year, along with several venders. 

  I got more stitching done than usual – maybe because of the weather, or because I didn’t feel sick like last year!

The main finish was Ghoul Tidings by Plum Street Samplers from the Just Cross Stitch 2013 Halloween issue.  Of course there were changes: I used 36ct Dark Bunny from Hand-Dyed Fibers.  Also used some of the limited edition GAST fibers.  Also almost finished the Victorian stocking from the 2008 JCS Christmas ornament issue.

I have since stitched Trick or Treat from the same issue on some mystery linen using a combination of silk fibers.  Pretty cute, I must say, but it's hiding right now... Do you enjoy being rebellious and using what you like or have on hand?  I have lost misplaced my camera, so these are all phone shots.

Aren’t stitching buds just the best?  These are some goodies I received – just because!  There was this sweet little strawberry from dear Faye, 

a pretty patchwork pin cushion from lovely Linda, 

a wool snowman ornament from the crafty Lynn, 

a paper spool filled with chocolates from kindly Karen, (Teresa got a better photo)

a 2013 Myrtle Beach glass ornie from Michele, 

a crescent moon stitch picker from Diane, 

a scrabble tile necklace from Karen,

and the sweetest needle minder from Sandy – you can call me Sandra!

 

We made a quick run to the Quilters Cottage and I picked up a few pieces.  

 And we had a cording demo by Miss Linda.  This is the trim I've made since that demo. Thanks Linda - an example is worth a thousand words!

  

Do you have blogs that make you feel like you’re visiting with the person while you’re there?  Not necessarily stitching blogs, just favorites?  A couple that I enjoy:

The Pioneer Woman talks about her family farm, home schooling (which I seldom even look at), an occasional guest author, and cooking.  She has some fantastic recipes (like Perfect Potato Soup), oh, and a TV show on the Food Network.

Posie Gets Cozy is a wonderful photographer who has an online crafting business, shares recipes, and her adoration of the one-year-old that she and her husband adopted at birth. It has been an amazing year for them, and it’s so nice to get a peek into such a loving family.

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Stitching?

Hey, Friends!

Have you noticed the countdown to the right?  Stitching at the Beach with PALS is coming soon, and I’m so excited to see old friends and meet new ones!  Plus, I love the coast, and this is the most time I’ll get to spend there this year.  Woo Hoo!! 

I wonder if you would consider adding “Follow By Email” to your blog page.  After signing up, an email comes telling me that you’ve posted so I can hop over to see what you’re posting. 

Is it me, or is there less posting going on during the summer? In my case, it isn’t that I haven’t been stitching – not a lot of finishing though.  For me that happens when working on larger projects since I’m a one-at-a-timer.  Did complete my goal of stitching through December on the Word Plays.  Now I’m stitching some mini pieces for fun.  There are several projects that are pulling me, but haven’t decided which will win.  Something autumn/Halloween/thankful...

 

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Really Spring

Hey, Friends!

We’re really getting some spring around here!  That yellow-green pollen has taken over the car, porch, driveway…  We even had a bit of a storm with some rain, but all that did was make pollen mud.  That’s OK – at least it’s not snowing; right? No - last week it was in the 80s - now the highs are 60s.  

DS and I went to Mom’s last Saturday and picked up fallen branches and trimmed pampas grass for burning.  These kinds of chores make me realize how  lazy sedentary I am – my legs were sore for days!  And we didn’t finish, either.  There will be another day about the same to get it done. Doesn’t that kind of day make you realize how great a shower feels? 

Do you know that Ball is making blue jars for their 100th anniversary in 2013.  I picked mine up from Ace Hardware last week.  If you have one close to you, they MAY have them in stock, but if not you can order them online and have them delivered to your local store with no shipping charges.  Some of the sites I checked were charging outrageous shipping fees. I got an extra box of jars for less than the shipping would have been for one!

What?  Oh, stitching.  I finished stitching the sweet little bunnies that were offered by Snowflower Diaries.  I used some ‘limited’ unnamed over-dyed threads, and a few named ones, too.  It’s stitched over one on 28ct linen.  Have you seen her new design?  Check it out here.  

Then there were a few letters of the alphabet along with a tiny bird I wanted to stitch for a little surprise.  I’ll try to remember to get a pic of them before they head out.  But I didn’t remember to do that… oh well.

Yesterday a few stitching pals got together for some retail therapy at my LNS, Stitch and Frame.  I had Mary Gibson sized up for framing, and picked up some silks for an upcoming project. It looked like they found some things they “needed” as well.  We went for a little sustenance, and on to Starbucks for the chatting and stitching portion of the afternoon with handy caffeine.  I didn’t take a single photo… It was great sharing the day with such good stitching friends.

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

September

Hey, Friends!

Morning Glories

Hibiscus

Can you believe it’s September?  When Pixie and I went out this morning, I snapped what are some of my favorites and will probably some of the last blooms this summer.  

Go Panthers!

You've been getting your kids back to school or off to college - settling into the coming of fall - and our favorite football teams; right?   

Had to replace the computer and got a laptop… still practicing! The photo editor is different, too! Enough said?   

Did you realize it’s only 39 days until Stitching at the Beach with PALS?   Exciting times – just love it.  Did you see the list of special guests who will be there this year?  There's a countdown over in the right sidebar.

I got a note from my LNS that the Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue is there waiting for me to pick up!  Sounds like a trip out in a little while!  Better check to see if there’s anything else.

PSS Gather

PSS Gobble

On the stitching front, the Plum Street Samplers Give was already done, Gobble is finished, and Gather is started.  Ghoul is in the stash, but it doesn’t have to be in this grouping -  I’m still considering how to finish them.  One thing is if I can find frames with 7x7 openings… then there’s the thought of a large frame with three 7x7 openings?? 

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

I'm grateful for the long weekend (last weekend)!

Peace☮  LoveYJoy
and Happy Stitching 
Charlene♥SC

and Pixie

Marching in ...

Hey, Friends!

I really didn’t expect y’all to pay such close attention to my toes in the last post… Just a quick recolor job and as I now see with clear topcoat all around!  But glad you like the color, too.  It came from Sally’s, called Sally-Girl.  The bottle doesn’t have a color name, but I think it’s Metal Metallic Gray from what I see on their site.  It’s been so long now, it’s time to do them again!

Yesterday was such a great day!  Several friends from the PALS group had a stitching get-together day at French Hens in Manning, hosted by Amy from Down Sunshine Lane.  There were a few photos taken, but not a one by me!  I had my phone and camera, but was lazy!  Good food and sweet tea, fun chatter and laughs, lots of inspiration, and even a few stitches!

 

Nicole was fretting over the ‘red’ colors in her Christmas Garden, but I thought it was lovely – seems perfect with the greens to give a bit of ‘time worn’ look which I love!  We pondered, as usual, the differences of dye lots for over-dyed cottons.  Here’s a look at my fibers, which I thought were a couple shades darker than hers.  What do you think?  

Karen was stitching a BBD piece that was nearly finished.  Of course she will have it whipped out in no time flat for her Challenge.  That girl can get’em done, can’t she?  Even with her darling paper crafts taking some of her ‘free’ time.  We talked about her next big a** project, which has sent me on the hunt! I’ll wait to not spoil her fun and let her tell you about it.  We also agreed that using DMC was always good for some projects.

I worked on La-D-Da, Love Birds.  It needed a few more strands, but got it finished. 

On the drive home I went by to have dinner with DS at one of the best barbeque places – Hudson’s.  It was just before the dinner rush of standing in line – as they were when we left.  One thing he said was missing from the buffet was shrimp & grits, but don’t know that I could have held it since I couldn’t even get any cobbler for dessert.

Guess that’s enough for today – off to stitch on a new project for March!    

I'm always thankful for your kind words and comments!

I'm grateful for clear, sunny weather for driving.

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

August Update

Hey, Friends!

Just a short update today.  Yesterday was stitch day with Amy’s PALS in Manning at the French Hens’ Restaurant.  As usual, we had a great time stitching, chatting, thinking about Stitching at the Beach, eating.  Most of my time was spent frogging, but that happens to everyone once in a while; right?  I didn’t get photos of everyone, but check out the others blogs to see what they’ve posted.  It was great to see everyone again!

 We had a few “new” friends join us.  Myra and Chris from NC, Beverly from Hilton Head, and Laurie from NC ?  Both Beverly and Laurie said they’d be joining us at the next gathering which WILL BE Stitching at the Beach in October.  

For a few visits I had been watching a mirror at French Hens.  Since the last time we were there in June I said, if it’s still there, I’ll check to see if it is for sale.  Well, it’s hanging in my home now, and will be the ‘center piece’ for the tombstone angels’ collage I plan to stitch.  I have at least one ready to frame, and after getting ready for PALS I’ll have to get on that project.  Hard to get a good photo, but here it is!  
I had to giggle, my adult DS (was visiting recently and said, I like that rabbit stitching in the bathroom; is it new? It's been there since April, 2010, but the thing is, he does notice, eventually.  Hare’s Family.

I hope you’ve all been safe from storms, but have had some rain and are surviving the scorching heat we’ve had lately!  The car temperature has been 110 several days after work!  Keep your fans blowing, tinkling ice in your glass, and your needles flying!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

June

Hey, Friends!

Please accept my apology to anyone who has tried to leave a comment but was not able to.  I hope the issue has cleared up.  Blogger says they’re ‘working on it.’  I don’t know why it happens to some and not others.  They suggest clearing History and logging off and back in.  I’ve tried that and some other suggestions from friends, so hopefully it will allow now.  I’ve gotten a few, but don’t know if they’re just persistent, or if it is really fixed.

After starting the Mystery Sampler:  Birds of a Feather last week, I realized that I had miscounted and the fabric was not wide enough.  After frogging two sides of the border, I’ve started over on 36ct Lakeside Lentil.  I really think it is pretty …

I was able to go to the PALS get together in Manning at The French Hen’s yesterday, and I had a great time.  It seemed like everyone did!  For the first time, I wasn’t one of the last to get there!  There was a bit of surprise on a few faces, too! 



Karen and Nicole

 

Amy



- 

 

Judy
William (background) Hildit's Hubby

  

Donna and Lynn



 

  

Myra (stitching & chocolate lover)


 

Linda (left seated), Deborah (bending), Karen (standing), Hildit, Susan

  

Amy, Down Sunshine Lane,  had a few new goodies from Lady Dot, so I got a heart shaped pincushion and some darling little acorns, too.  

Four of the girls had a Friendship RR-SAL and they delivered their pieces to each other, and they really did a great job on them.  You may be able to learn more about it on their blog:  Amy, Faye, Karen, and Nicole.   

Getting this shot wasn't the easiest...



Donna, Faye, Nicole, Deborah
Y'all know I'm teasing; right?

 There was some sad news at the gathering - Hildit and William's house burned.  They are both safe and did have insurance, so that task is before them, now.  I believe they lost most everything, including a vehicle and several pets.

We had a new moon this week, so here’s my TuSAL for June, 2011.  This is the fourth time I’ve used these clear, glass ornies to collect my orts, and this one seems to roll and compact the threads more than any of the others. Hmmm.  Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

Thanks for stopping by, and if you can leave a comment, I will certainly appreciate it.  I'll be making a few stops myself in a few minutes!
 
PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC