Life Marches On

Note the number of "items" on the counter. Alas, I've been remiss. (Note my dramatics here...) Normally I'm good about keeping up with the blogs I read, but for the past several months I've fallen way behind. It'll probably stay this way until after Christmas, but THEN...hopefully! LOL

We're sprucing up the house. To think it all started with a simple question of, "Some new furniture?" It was innocent, honest...who knew?
All kidding aside, the house inside is in chaos, but DH is truly thankful that for once in his life, he's not doing it all. :)

The house is much quieter now (well, except for the demolition parts). But we're staying busy; we visited our daughter and SIL (and Mya, of course).



My sweetie...

...then went to the last Stitching Jubilee to meet up with old and new friends. My pictures have disappeared off the planet from that, but we had a great time with Debbie and Teresa.
I also met Karen V. from an online group and she stitched this adorable Hansel to go with Brooke Nolan's Gretel.

Mary and I literally ran into each other at Bush Mountain's booth and had a nice little visit there.
And as always Kathy and I had a great time. Lyne and her mom came there and we took off to hang out. She's just had her baby boy :) ...


After that, off to the Pals retreat with Deborah...



Saw lots of friends and Charlene stitched this sweet little Autumn pillow for me. Love it!



And recently six of us went away for a stitching weekend. Nancy stitched us all a Christmas ornament.

Can you say adorable???

First stop - Stitching Bits and Bobs...what fun. Definitely thread heaven - she must have them all stocked; the walls were full of threads everywhere.

Browsing first...

No naming names, but certain people got up at the crack of dawn and were tired...but happy. :)

Converting...

And more converting...

Hanging out...we look industrious here, don't we? Hmmm, not sure how much we actually stitched that night, but we sure did laugh.

Show and tell pinkeeps from the Birthday Girl...

Fantastic no-sew cube...

Strolling around....

Karen taught Nancy and me how to make scissor fobs; I love mine!

Tree of Life Samplings had a giveaway - guess who won?? Winner could choose any two charts - aren't they awesome? Thanks, Jan!

Still stitching on Nancy's Mill House Christmas RR, but now it's down to the beading. Stitching time is limited, but it's coming along.


Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas. If I don't make it back before New Year's, have a blessed holiday time and take care.
Carolyn NC

Stitching Jubilee

The Stitching Jubilee in Lancaster, PA, was an absolute blast last week! Kathy and I made it Wed. evening. It was a dream poring through PTP's fabrics and spending time at Gitta's. Then off to all that we could get to - spent much time with HDF fibers the first day. There was a Mosh pit of threads that were tangled, which Kathy dubbed the Floss pit..LOL. Whatever you could stuff in a small bag was yours for $4.00. Deal of the century - I must have at least 30 threads or more in one bag, though they have to be untangled.

This is the Believe fabric painting class with Catherine Jordan. It was fabulous - we learned how to paint these beautiful landscapes (with little or no artistic ability, I might add) and then stitch the trees, etc.

My progress so far... haven't stitched too much on it yet; specialty stitches go a little slower. The paints are permanent, washable, and so soft. You can't tell the fabric has paint on it; but one restriction is the paints can't be ironed.

I also took Make it-Take it classes and hung out half a day at the Brenda Kocher Designs booth. They were all so sweet and helpful.
Deb from Half Moon Handwerks taught several designs and needle/shuttle tatting/bobbin lacing.

Mary Bluge from A. Fox Original taught Swedish Huck-Weaving, which is really cool and very fast. Since my SIL is Swedish, I hope to do a little for him. Deb also has all the Threadworx, which is where I spent a lot of time. And if you like unusual and beautiful needlepoint and specialty stitches, check out Brenda's site - gorgeous.

Mary's Huckweaving....I only have the first line, so I'll show mine later.
I could go on and on about all of the booths. The hosts/hostesses were all truly so welcoming and flexible.
Suffice to say that I went into the mart all three days and found plenty to see and do--and buy. :)
Both Kathy and I bought this kit for Pat Hartman's Secret Garden, as we had to leave before the class began. Isn't it lovely?

I met several people in my online groups/blogs and some new friends, too.

Friday evening I spent a little while with Nancy M. and her friends. Such a fun group of girls! We went to eat at an authentic Amish restaurant and I viewed all their masterpieces. And they really had some beautiful needlework! Here is Nancy with her Tuscany Town Mandala framed. Stunning, isn't it?

and Nancy and me...
Then back to the stitching lounge to talk, laugh, and stitch.

My partner-in-crime, Kathy...

Kathy, me, and my LMD of 2muchXS, Anita...

Kathy, Anita, Judy, Debbie, and Teresa...

I also met Queen Vikki, but don't have a picture yet (hint, hint, Vikki...LOL)
Seeing as it poured rain the entire three days we were there and longer, it was good we spent our time inside. I hate rain -yes, I know we need it- and love sun, so it was a pleasant way to spend three gloomy days! Until next year...

Zentangle has an update - now through pt. 7.

Hope to finish this one pretty soon.
All in all, a fabulous time and hope to repeat it next year!