Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Good Things!

Where to start? Well, Monday my mom had a sacroplasty (inserting bone cement into the sacrum for fractured areas). Since then, she has put her electric scooter up and is walking with the walker once again. Today she walked unaided, with me by her side - hallelujah! Things are looking pretty good for her to get back to normal fairly soon. I can't tell you how thankful I am for her improvement.
Charlene had mentioned that the Stitch and Frame shop in Rock Hill, SC, was having Clara Blalock of The Stitching Parlor in for a weekend retreat, "Tea with the Queen". I love her designs and fell in love with the project, and away I went last weekend. I met Charlene for the first time and another friend, Angel, was also there. We had such a good time. And talk about a small world - Clara taught my nephew in high school last year. How small is that?? She was a wonderful instructor and her project is beautiful.....

"Tea with the Queen"....

A few pictures from the retreat....

Charlene and me....

Beverly and Jeanne....

Carol with one of her many ornament finishes....

Helen and Peggy...

June and Angel....

Angel with her "take" on the Measure twice, cut once rule - look closely..... cute story. :)
Charlene with her finish; she took out the black at the top and added red metallic - it was really cool.


Charlene also does tatting and showed us a few of her finishes - very pretty.

The three of us with our completion of the needleroll inside...

Isn't it amazing how you can form new friendships through stitching and blogging? Twenty years ago, who knew?

And speaking of stitching, I saw Ann stitching this beauty with a gorgeous over-dyed thread from Vikki Clayton and HAD to find the chart. And they've designed another one that I plan to stitch also.
So I joined this German group, a lovely group of speedy stitchers. This pattern disappears Oct. 15, and I have 8 more parts, so I'm working on it mostly. Luckily, it's a quick and fun stitch.

Zentangle, parts 1-2 of 10
design by Kirsten Schmitt and Elke Reiss for the Marquoir Yahoo Group
Zentangle is being stitched with permission by the designers in the
Marquoir-Gruppe.
Stitched with Rainbow Gallery's Bravo A56 and Weeks Confetti

Tea with the Queen needleroll - inside....


I was the lucky recipient of Carol's giveaway and an award from Bagira. Carol gave me the cutest kit with needles and the lovely background fabric here....


I am not passing this particular award on, as I know many of you already have it, but I am grateful to be remembered.


Thanks to both Carol and Bagira.
And some shots of Beauty and the Beast (JK).... alias Mya and Montana from their weekend together, from Mya's point of view.....

"I do look ferocious, don't I? Don't worry, I'll go easy on him."

"Is that where they hide the food?!"

"Oh no, wait, here it is. Good thing you like to share - I'd hate to have to hurt you..." :)

34 comments:

Gabi said...

Montana and his new bestest friend are adorable. Great news about your mum. I'm glad she is doing better.
Adorable stitching too and gosh..I'm now SO tempted to start the zentangle as well. As if I need more on my to do list...sigh.
Great pictures of your meeting. And I LOVE the "measure once cut twice" project. Too funny.

Kathy A. said...

Glad to hear your mom is doing well.
Looks like you had a wonderful time at the retreat. Aren't new stitching friends fun!

Wendy said...

Oooh I'm glad to read that your mom is doing fine!!

Your stitching retreat looks like fun, I would love to do this too some day ;)

Love the pics of Montana and his friend, it is really funny :)

Meari said...

So glad to hear your Mom is doing better, Carolyn. Your stitching retreat looks like it was a LOT of fun! All the projects look great. Cute pics of the doggies... they're adorable. :)

Nancy M said...

Glad to hear you mom is on the mend. Nothing worse than a bad back! The retreat looks fun, I can't wait to go to Jubilee in a month.....just to be with other stitchers! Yahoooooo. Your colorful project looks very interesting...look forward to updates on it and Montana and Mya look like Mutt and Jeff!

Nima said...

Good to read about your mom.

wow...you had a good time at the retreat...thank you for sharing the pictures

JessB said...

The retreat looks like it was a lot of fun!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Great news about your mom! I know it's a relief for all of you. How was the birthday celebration? Very nice SAL you've started...so bright and colorful. Nice review of the getaway - hope to get to it tomorrow...and your photos are great! Your furkids are cute as can be! Those little ones can be fierce, can't they? So glad we got to meet, and can't wait until next time!

Mel said...

Wow, sounds like a just a great time at retreat! :)

And very happy to hear your Mom is doing better.

Karen said...

Love the "Tea" set...that is going to be so pretty! Looks like the retreat was a lot of fun.

Kathy said...

I am so glad you Mom is improving. Prayers have been answered.

Love, love, love the photos of Montana and company. :) They are both adorable. Isn't it funny how the littler they are the bossier they are? :)

Your stitching get together looks and sounds wonderful. I'm happy you had such a lovely time. And some wonderful stitching as well.

Tracey said...

Great pics, and how neat to meet some blog friends!! :)

Mzplcdokie said...

Looks like a very wonderful retreat and wow the stitching is so pretty! Glad to hear your mom is doing so well. I loved reading through your blog and felt excitment in life...:)

Carol said...

So glad your mom is doing better and that you had a great time at the retreat. Your "bossy" little one looks like a mini version of my own. She is a bit more laid back though :)
Pleased you like the goodies from my giveaway. That was fun.

Cindy's Stitching said...

It looks like the retreat was fun. Nice pics.

Shelleen said...

looks like you had a blast at the retreat

Sharon said...

I just had SO much fun enjoying your pics!! :) It's almost like I was able to be there to enjoy the "goings-on". The pictures of the stitching were glorious - so pretty!! Glad your mom is doing so good - she sounds like a determined lady!!
Luv the puppy pics too - what cute furballs!! :)

Von said...

Great news about your mom! Hope her recovery continues to progress as nicely as it has begun. :)

So glad you were able to go on the stitching retreat!

Anonymous said...

I am glad your mother is doing well. It looks like you had a great time.

Caroline said...

Very, very good news about your mum! Your pictures of your retreat are making me look forward all the more to my retreat weekend coming up in October. It is such a gift to be able to spend time with other women who share this passion and understand how much it means to us.

Shari said...

wonderful news about your mom!!! that is great! Oh, the retreat looks like so much fun! I haven't been to one in AGES!!!!!!
The dog pictures are too cute!!!

Chars said...

So pleased to hear the good news about your mum :) You have been so busy :) Love the photos from your retreat and your stitching projects look wonderful.

Alice said...

I hope your mom is on the go real soon Carolyn. I can see where you get your good looks from. ; ) The stitching retreats look like such fun. Not sure I could stitch having people around me. I would be too busy chatting with everyone. : ))
Alice

Faye said...

I have always wanted to go to the shop in Rock Hill...about 3 hrs for me from SoPines I think..glad to hear mom is doing better... I love love the things you showed from the retreat~~~Now, will I see you at the cspals retreat in MB soon? Faye

Terry said...

Great news about your Mom! Glad you had a great time at the retreat and love all the work you've done so far.

Rene la Frog said...

The retreat sounds like it was lots of fun. Great stitching too.

Don't know who is funnier, your Montana or Kathy K's Rory.

Rene la Frog said...

Forgot to mention....Glad your Mom is doing so well and hope she continues on the road to recovery.

CJ said...

That is great news about your mom. The retreat looked likeso much fun. All your stitching is beautiful.

htimcj said...

it looks like you had a blast at the retreat!
heidi-ILCS

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear that your Mom is doing well. Looks like you had a lot of fun at your retreat.

Marl

~~~Melinda said...

Such good is everyone is stitching! I love the Zentangle. I joined the site but I am LOST!!! Even using google translate I can't find where to sign up or find the SALs.

Brigitte said...

Great news about your mom.
Your retreat seemed to have been a real fun event. Thanks for sharing all those pictures.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow that's awsome that your Mom has started to walk un-aided! Woo hoo!

Looks like you had a fantastic retreat!

Donna said...

So glad to hear you mom is doing better. I love all the stitching. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the retreat. And yes, who would have thought you could make such great stitching friends online? But they are the best!