Friday Update

Wow, a lot has been going on so to start off with I will show you my progress update on Carriage House Samplings "Fall's Gifts".

I just love this project.  It was in my stash from a trip two years ago.  We were traveling in KY and I found a shop listed on the Internet called The Needle Nest in Shelbyville.  Well, we were just coming home on vacation Monday and we made a trip back over to Shelbyville so that I could visit the shop again. It is so much fun to travel the US and visit shops.  On this stop I purchased an older design by Jeanette Douglas from her Stitches Series called Pineapple Stitches.  I cannot wait to start this one once I have finished this lovely picture.

Another find on this trip was more flower frogs found in an amazing antique mall in Williamsburg, VA. 

One has a fantastic silver bottom that the frog fits into.  It has roses all around it.  I found several others that I brought back as gifts for my stitching buddies.  I hope they enjoy them.  Sorry, didn't get a picture of them.  I also found this lovely blue candy dish.  It will look great with candy in it.  Yummmy.....

Another stop on our trip was Virginia Beach.  Why in October?  I attended the Dyeing 2 Stitch cross stitch retreat.  I was lucky to have classes with Shepherd's Bush and Shakespeare Peddler.  It is always so much fun to meet the designers in person.  Of course I came home with loads of projects to do from the retreat and their shop.  Here is my basket that we got as a gift and all of my treasures.  I have lots of stitching to do.

They made everyone the most fantastic scissor fob.  Here is the one I got.

Time to return to my stitching.  Enjoy your weekend.

Frog Find

Happy Sunday....

This weekend I ventured into our local town to an antique mall on search for a flower frog.  It took a bit of searching but I was very thrilled at the mission accomplished.  Here is my lucky find.

On the stitching front I spent time this weekend working on Fall's Gift by Carriage House Samplings. 

I love this design and wished I had more time to just sit stitch.  After coming back from last weekend's fun retreat in Shipshewana I am having a hard time in getting back to my chores around the house.  All I want to do is sit and stitch.  Okay, I still sat and stitched and didn't get to all of the chores I needed to do this weekend but I did get out and ran a lot of errands that I never can find time to do during the weekend. 

Well, Josie and Brinkley are telling me it is time for bed.  Hope you found time to stitch and I will be checking your blogs to see what you did.

Weekend Retreat

This past weekend I spent a wonderful weekend away in Shipshewana Indiana at a retreat by "Inspired Needle".  It is a wonderful weekend of lots of stitching and shopping. The weather was great and the decorations around the hotel were amazing.  Here are some gourds that were outside of the entrance.

If you want to see more pictures from the retreat take a look at Laura's blog: 

http://maudeandmozart.blogspot.com/

She did a great job of walking around and capturing what everyone was working on.  I was late getting to the retreat on Friday and missed out on the ornament exchange.  No problem.  I loved what I made and now this is mine......

We got time on Saturday to do a bit of shopping around town.  I happened to be in a home store and ran across an item that I thought would make a great holder for my stitching patterns and look nice sitting on my end table.  I think it is a recipe or photo holder.

Here is what it looks like holding my pattern.

On Friday night I worked on Prairie Moon Pattern that I have been progressing on.  Well, now I am busy removing all of the stitches I put in last week while watching Grey's Anatomy.  UGH.....

I did start a new project over the weekend.  I am glad I purchased a new light that was stronger than the one I took.  This is Fall's Gifts by Carriage House Samplings.  I bought it several years ago while on vacation visitning local cross stitch stores.  Look up this pattern, it is amazing.

I bought a really pretty magnet from Puffin & Company.  I had to use it now for October.  Isn't this cute.

We got to work on a really neat pin cushion from "Just Another Button Company".  The best part was we got the ice cream to eat first. Yummy

Since I got home the only project that I have had a chance to work on is Mardi Gras by Laura Perin.  I just love working on this one.

Finally, here is the progress update for the "ABC Girl Club".  First up is Ellen:

She has gotten her first letter block done.  Congrats Ellen....  You are doing Great....

Well, as for Terry or myself we have more work to do to finish up a letter.  My pumpkin has not changed since last week and I know Terry is still trying to work on hers.  Hopefully we will have better progress updates next month and get a chance to head off Ellen.

Happy Stitching New Blog Buddies.....