Hope all you mothers had a lovely day yesterday, the official Mother's Day...

Frankly as a mother myself I truly feel like we need a Mother's Day every week..but that's just me!  Got a call Friday asking if I could work Saturday,  so I thought I was back in action once again. I rose at 3:30 a.m., wrapped Sara's birthday gifts then checked out my two finishes, Noah's Christmas Ark part 1, crocodiles and giraffes are both done and what fun to stitch...I look forward to part 2 which is already in the shop so I can begin whenever the mood strikes.  I also finished the Hands on Design Laundry piece....So easy to finish this way and a fun stitch....now I just have 2 more to finish...Hooray!!!!

I don't think I ever showed you Cherished Stitches Trinket Box, one of her limited edition pieces from Nashville.  I got it done for the Spring Retreat and you can see it here with the pin cushion beside it. 

  

I did make one change on the trinket box that I can remember and that was...she has you make a loop out of the black wool to attach to the top to open the box, but since I have a ton of beads  I used a large black bead to make a top for my box.  These were both fast and fun projects and projects easy enough to finish in one sitting. I always like a quick finish, I just usually don't have one.  So I'm starting a new project today, and I can't decide what to do next.  I thought I'd be stitching Freedom Tree but I haven't pulled the DMC's for it yet, so I decided to pack up threads and fabric for about 4 new projects to take with me to work.    I don't really worry about how much or how little I take with me since I can always start something from the shop while I'm there, if I'm not in the mood for what I packed.  However, like a lot of you I'm trying to use some of my endless stash before I shop Salty Yarns again.  I just pray there is nothing new since last weekend so I'm not tempted.  I always need new fibers and sometimes a special fabric but I don't need any new projects, and my collection of charts is out of control so I'm praying I see nothing new, otherwise I'm sure I'll feel like it's a must have.  God help me!  Well two days have passed since I started this blog and I did show up for work on Saturday to find Daphne in Sea Trader and Michelle in Salty Yarns, so I thought I must be in the Shell Shoppe only to find Sara had forgotten Michelle was working so I wasn't really needed!  But since it was Sara's birthday I decided to work in the office so I could be there when she was done working at 4 to give her the gifts I got for her.  (I did offer to work for her in the Shell Shoppe but she insisted she had to do it since she just got done with Darlene's our shell distributor.  So I got a whole lot done in the office and am now back to my job there which I relinquish to Mary in the off season and then take it back for summer when she's really too busy with the hotel.  Sunday I decided to go back into the office for Mother's Day with my 2 wonderful daughters....grandchildren and the men who love them.  It was a wonderful day as Izi and I played games on his I Pad, which of course he beat me every time.  And after 4 we ordered dinner and had take out since the hotel had guests so we couldn't go out.  So Mother's Day was lovely with just that but of course the girls went the extra distance and got me gifts.  Sara's family gave me two hanging planters for my little porch as I have wanted them for a couple of years but never got around to it.  I did finally purchase, in Nashville, one of the planters but I've been riding it around in my van since them.  So I'll pass this along and will be thrilled to have the two from Sara which are  already planted and will be  hung on my railings.  Mary's family gave me a lovely pendant which looks like a quilted piece only in silver.  I'm sure you will have a chance to see it as I'll be wearing it.  So lovely day was had by all, although it was a little cool outside.  I finally got rid of my winter coat so I was happy it didn't dip lower than 55, but mercy, one day it's in the high 70's and in 24 hrs we are back to 50's.  And the forecast is showing rain all week so that will doom next weekend.  Grandparents are already dying in Baltimore as people have started cancelling their reservations for next weekend.  The minute rain appears in the forecast many vacationers who have made reservations call to say their grandparent is ill, in the hospital or dead and they can't come.  They must have mass burials during the rain weekends.  But we will be here should those who do come want to visit.   We will love seeing you!  Have a great week.  

No work in sight!!!!

Sara has given me unlimited days off as she trains new people.....and I can't say I'm sad about that but I'm like a kid in a candy store, I just can't settle down and do one thing, I'm starting something, then 15 minutes later think of something else I'd rather do, (Obviously since I'm now writing the blog, when I'm suppose to be cleaning)  But at least I have started something constructive.  So far this week I started organizing and cleaning up the house.  The worst room, where I just dump stuff, is my beautiful sewing room which isn't so beautiful at the moment.  Now instead of just picking up and putting stuff away, I've decided to really organize the room.  First I'm getting all charts, kits, etc., on a spread sheet (or dozens of spread sheets) on the computer.  I'm weeding out and getting duplicates out (I had 3 charts of the same design so I know I loved it) and so far I have one shelf completely done and one chair with everything out of it and put away.  Yea!!!!   Threads out of chart packs which I had planned to stitch years ago, but never got around to it and yet I left the overdyed threads in there for some reason.  And since events are over I can now straighten up my work table, where I do everything, but again, when I bring something stitching related I dump it on this table.  So before I can do anything I have to clean it off and at the time I'm just shoving things to other spots, not really puttng it away.  Well no more, I've started the process in cleaning up and organizing and hopefully I'll finish it.  I'm only working on the room for approx. 2 hrs per day and then I get to do anything I want....like stitch.  And I've started a project, Plum Street Sampler's,  Noah's Christmas Ark I, which I am loving. 

The first chart is for the Crocodiles and Giraffes and each of these sees to take approx 2  or 2 1/2 days to stitch.  I'm on the giraffes and then will move on to the second set of charts.  I think she's already published 2 charts at this point so I have time to catch up.    I've also pulled together the threads etc., I need for Blackberry Lanes,  The Freedom Tree.  

As soon as I have the first set of ornaments for the Noah's Ark tree stitched, I'm starting Freedom Tree in hopes of having it done by July 4th.  I have the 32 ct. PTP Dapple linen all ready to go along with the beads for the garland, but haven't pulled the DMC yet.  Perhaps today.  I should be able to start this by tomorrow night.  Love a new start.  Well thought I'd just check in now that I'm rested up from last weekend's Spring Retreat.  Wow, it was wonderful but exhausting for me.  I'm just getting too old for this stuff...staying at work until 9 or 9:30 p.m, especially when there was no rest between the 3 retreats in a row.   Yes, I've reached the age where anything past 6 p.m does me in.  But the stitchers were fabulous and this year we had 2 men join us with their wives and they too were fun and charming.  So, any man who will pick up a needle and stitch is certain welcome to join us.  And thanks to all this years participants.  I loved seeing the regulars and loved meeting the new stitchers joining us.  And Shirley, new to the event,  decided to try stitching on the larger counts, 18 and 20 and found she enjoyed it so much she's now a convert.  She had been struggling with the 28 and 32, but her love of the stitch was elevated when she saw how easy she could see the larger count and she's hooked.  As many of you know I'm usually always working a larger count piece along with my smaller counts.  I love it as well.  Anyway, have to get back to the clean up, never know when Sara is going to call me in.  Have a great day and keep those needles moving stitchers.

 

 

 

Can't believe Spring Retreat time is here.....

Wow, Spring Retreat starts this week with some of the attendees arriving today, Tuesday,May 1st.  This is 3 events back to back...I'm getting too old for this much activity.  Last week I had 3 days off leading into the event, but this week I've only got 1 day off so what out people, I may be totally off my rocker by Sunday.  But tonight I'm scheduled to do cookies, and tags were started a few days ago, so hopefully I'll be ready.  I have one more model to finish stitching and I have a total of 2 to put together and then I will be truly ready for the weekend.  I did have a couple of finishes last weekend.

                              

O.K. This isn't my work, this is the latest 2018 Annual from Greeneframe.  So cute, and while we have always had clocks on the boardwalk (in fact one right on 9th st.) they used to be given to the city by Esskay as an advertisement.  Renee has been doing these Annuals for  over 20 years and they are a wonderful souvenir of your time in Ocean City.  Now as far as my work goes, 

This is Aileana designed by Cherished Stitches.  She's a limited edition pin cushion doll who stands around 2-2 1/2" tall.  I've always loved miniatures and so this was right in my wheel house.  Just 2 nights stitching at most and the finishing isn't that difficult.  However, the doll that comes in the kit is completely white which threw me off, so I decided to put a little paint on the doll to make her come alive a little.  Because of that I didn't make the hat that you see on the cover photo because I gave her hair.  But painting her or leaving her as she comes it's still so dear and a great addition to my pin cushion collection.  Aileana also has a sister in purple called Avriel for those who like purple better than green.  These are limited editions so if you think you want one, you better get it sooner rather than later.  Everything comes in the kit for $27.00.  Next up is another limited edition from Cherished Stitches, 

It's called "Sampler Pin Cushion and comes as a complete kit with the linen, fiber, wool for top and bottom, chart and complete directions for assembly.  Stitching takes about one night and assembly is relatively easy as I've done several drum pin cushions which is what this is.  And now I'm working on another limited edition piece from Cherished Stitches, actually the stitching is finished and now I have to do the assembly, hopefully before Friday. 

And Judy brought in several pieces finished from JBW Designs, Seaside  Series I, II, and III and I just loved her display.  

In the back of the display is her Winsome Whale from Artful Offerings....so cute.   Judy did a wonderful job on finishing each piece and added a twine cording to each piece...just perfect.   Such a cool way to display a collection for summer.   Well, that's what's happening in our shop as we scramble to get things ready for another wonderful weekend full of stitchers.  Sara's got the Lasagna's all done and in the freezer, along with a few appetizers she could make ahead of time.  Today's she's making a run to Sam's Club to get supplies for the rest of the food she presents.  Mary is getting the hotel back together after last weeks's retreat and the boys are still busy fixing and painting.  I have the least to do, which is only right..right?  I have the cookies, which I have two more  batches to do tonight and they are done, and the bag tags which will be done tonight as well.  I do these in batches and have so much fun coming up with a different tag idea than any tag I've done before.     I still have models to get assembled and a couple to stitch period but I'm also working in the shop this week so not sure how much stitching I can get done, but I'm trying.   Anyway, can't wait to see everyone.  Drive carefully and for those not coming, just keep on stitching and when you have a moment in front of the computer, watch Liz and Debbie on You Tube ...Country Stitchers.  They were here as part of the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild, gave Sara and I beautiful scissor fobs and told me about their new venture.  I watched it this morning while making the cookies.  They do a wonderful job and I loved seeing what they've done and are currently working on and was amazed by Debbie's stitching room.  Huge and so organized to boot.  I'm not sure if I saw Liz's so I'll have to take another look.  But Debbie's is worth a look see.  Stitchers got to run, so take care, have a great week and keep your needles moving.