Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

We have finally gotten back on track, well as far as opening the shop is concerned. We opened back up on Friday and the day was just gorgeous. It's a little cold down here for me, but the sun is shining everyday so that's a good thing. We are still dealing with piles of snow, plus the Town of Ocean City does a lousy job of snow removal...in fact I've only seen a plow moving on my street 2 times and they didn't really get the snow or ice off the side streets and the alleys are a danger to drive down...I'm certainly glad my taxes, of which there are a lot, are being used to make my life easier. The ramp in front of our shop (which isn't the city's problem) has approximately 8 inches of snow still sitting on it, over a layer of ice, so Friday Sara picked up a shovel and began to deal with it. She carved a path to the boardwalk (this is the city's problem and they've done a lousy job...I'm not even sure I'd say they've done anything)..so you still have to climb over the mound the city hasn't bothered to deal with. Our sidewalks still have 10 inches of snow sitting on them, I'm telling you it's not a good thing down here. And while there is a lot of melting going on...it's not the mounds or the sidewalks, or the ice that is being melted. You may still see the remnants of the snow when you come in the summer. Anyway, I found some more pictures of the stitcher's in their pj's in the shop during the blizzard so I'm posting them....plus you see Sara and Michael who joined the stitchers. Notice I never get in the pictures...that's a good thing. I also forgot to show the gift I received from Staci Buhrman...she always makes Sara and I the most remarkable gifts, both inside and out done beautifully. In the red tin, don't you just love the tin..a gift in itself...Staci put her wildly popular pretzel/caramel/chocolate candy/cookies? Yummo!!! Needless to say my tin is now empty. And the other picture showing the pad and the huge beeswax thread keeper which were the "goodie bag contents given by Debbie, Phyllis and Staci to all the stitchers who were at the retreat. We have such warm memories of last weekend even though we were sitting through a blizzard. So thanks Stitchers...we appreciated your presence and the warm fuzzies you provided. Also thanks to Debbie, Phyllis and Staci for the gifts you gave, I'm enjoying them all! With all the time inside I have managed to finish the Jeannette Douglas "My Stitcher's Treasure" Box and will get up a picture eventually (I still have to add the charms and the name so I'm technically not finished). I finished the "Pear Tree" which is also shown here. I stitched it over one on 28 count and it's adorable. I find I love everything done over 1, however, I don't stitch everything over 1. But ornaments are so cute done that way. Anyway, I hope to do the finishing once I get back from Nashville. In the spirit of finishing UFO's I pulled the piece down that was suppose to be Sara's 2007 Christmas gift but since I never finished it I never could give it to her. So I finally pulled it off the shelf and finished it. Not as good as I would have liked to, but finished none the less. The little chest of drawers came with the little shaker like pin cushion, and then I decided each drawer needed to hold a treasure so I made a scissor sheath for the Sajou Tortoise Shell scissors for a drawer and then a couple of pieces of shrimshaw for the final drawer. I plan to present it to Sara today as part of her Valentine's gift. As any stitcher knows...it's a thrill to finish a UFO. Sara's gift was stitched back in 2007...and then just sat here. I kiss it good-bye today thrilled to see it go out the door. Right now I'm still working on the Quaker Christmas and I will see it finished in a few weeks, I hope. But with Nashville looming, it's being put on the back burner. I take Pine Mountain pieces and Bent Creek's 18 ct. kits with me to stitch in the car. Although the piece I finished on the trip to the October Retreat in Hilton Head I've yet to find. I remember I stuck the finished piece in with a chart or kit I took with me and can't find it. If I didn't have the frame that came with it sitting on my shelf I would be questioning whether or not I really did it. So this time I've got to be really vigilant once I've finished something. I will probably take the Quaker Christmas to stitch in the room, but once we get some of the Nashville stash back in the rooms, Sara and I start picking out projects so who knows what I'll actually work on. We hope to leave on Tuesday, however, with the next snow storm looming over us...due to hit on Monday night...well who knows when we'll get out of here. Plus we have the baby looming...and while Mary scheduled the C Section for the day after we return from Nashville...you know how the best made plans turn out! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes according to my plan.... Anyway, I needed to blog to let everyone know we're here, we're working, we finished getting mail orders out yesterday so if you haven't received yours yet, keep an eye out as it should be there this week. We had a great turnout for the Superbowl sale with so many e-mails and web site orders so Sara and I want to thank all the stitchers for their participation. We love you stitchers, and we hope that all those you love let you know it today with gifts, a phone call, dinner out, dinner cooked by someone else...anything special and jewelry wouldn't hurt. Have a great day and I pray that there is no snow in any of our future for the remainder of the winter. Betsy Cole asked that I never pray for snow again, so I am following her request. I am now praying I win the Powerball...I hope I have as much luck with that as I had with my snow request. Have a Super Day!

Snow...what snow?

Sara and I worked in the shop yesterday trying to get as much work as possible done when Mary called and asked Sara if she could pick up Solomon from daycare. When I asked why, Sara reported that Mary had her weekly GYN appointment. Then Mary called me to say she wouldn't be in because she wasn't feeling well. Since she is 9 months pregnant I was a bit concerned (knowing her husband was in New Jersey at a funeral) so I told her I would pick her up and take her to her appointment, after all they were calling for sleet, snow, whatever to start in the afternoon. I picked her up at 1:30 and off we went to Salisbury. We arrive at her doctor's office to find that the doctor apparently forgot how many patients she had since she didn't bother to clear out the parking lot and had mounds of snow sitting in the way. I got a spot, however the 4 people behind me couldn't get to the rest of the parking so the was a rumble in the parking lot. Just what you need...pregnant women screaming at each other. Anyway, after we had been there about an hour, Mary comes out and announces that her doctor wants her to go over to the hospital to be checked as she was having contractions. This began a very long afternoon. They decided she was dehydrated and that was creating the contractions so they hooked her up to IV's and for the next 5 hours I sat in the room staring at her and periodically the T.V. which only worked periodically. I'm telling you by 8:00 p.m. I was ready to scream, except that I knew Mary was as miserable as I was. By 8:00 it had started to sleet so I was also getting concerned about the drive back. Her doctor asked if she wanted to go home since she was feeling better and the contractions had stopped so we bolted. I forgot my glasses, of course plus with my macular degeneration...well let's just say I'm not suppose to drive at night. But drive I did all the way to Panera's and then home. By then it was snowing huge flakes and if I weren't so sick of snow it would have been a beautiful sight. They closed down all the schools last night in anticipation of the next snow event (much to Sara's dismay) Tuesday night and Wednesday and it looked like we might get a few more inches of snow. However, I woke up around 2:00 a.m. to find that it was raining and the rain had taken out more of the old snow...thank God! Now at 9:00 a.m. with the rain still coming down I'm sure every parent is wondering why the kids are home today. Washington is getting slammed now so I'm not sure what we are looking for. This is a mystery. I hope whatever you are looking at it's not too much snow....where to put it at this point is the question. Anyway, I wish you all luck with the latest storm...hope it treats you well. Me, well, I'm going to stitch until my butt hurts! I've now posted the last pictures taken on Sunday by Sara (remember my butt was on my sofa at home)..of some of the brave stitchers who came to the Superbowl Retreat...and also Greg who comes by most Sundays to stitch with us. The 2 finishes you see are...a Blackbird design started and finished in a day by Syd...this was her 3rd finish for the weekend (although the other 2 finishes were ufo's). The last picture was Phyllis' La De Da's rabbit. It's so exciting to get something finished isn't it? Have a great snow day stitchers....stay warm and cozy if possible with a needle in your hand.

Stitch 'n Bitch Cancelled tonight!

In light of the latest weather report, and because we still don't have a clear path to the front of the shop, we are cancelling tonights meeting. The boardwalk and shop ramps still have a lot of ice and snow on them so it's really too dangerous to walk on. With Debbie and Phyllis leaving town today, it is the official end of our Superbowl Event. Sara and I want to thank all the stitchers for coming down and spending the weekend with us...we had a ball and can't think of a better way to spend a weekend....in a blizzard...in the shop...stitching with friends. We could have done without the snow, but we had fun none the less. Yesterday Debbie, Phyllis, Sara and I spent the day pulling the mail orders and getting them ready to go out, so keep an eye out for them. I hope they get to you before the next snow does...but considering it's due today well, I doubt it. Yes more snow today....it's really getting tiring at this point...it will be a long time ( f!r at least a year) before I will ever wish for snow!

Another superbowl event over!!!!

It's 4:11 a.m. and here I sit like it's 10:00 a.m. Yesterday was a wash for me. After Vernon and the boys dug out my sidewalk and my steps, retrieved my car from the hotel next door's parking lot, I decided to do as Sara suggested and stay home. It wasn't the snow that created a problem for me, it was the damn ice under the snow. I am so afraid of falling, because at my weight...well let's just say if I go down it's not pretty watching me get back up, if I'm able to get up. That's the biggest concern for me. I never get on the ground....at least not on purpose. Although this past summer I took Solomon down to the beach and he insisted I sit in the sand to play with him. So like an idiot I did. As soon as I did, of course, I worried about how I was going to get up. I mean there were tenants out there who would see that and believe me my big behind isn't that much of a show piece. I just knew I'd embarrass myself and the family. Of course as soon as the girls saw what I had done, my Sara came running down with a beach chair thinking perhaps I could use it to haul my fat ass up off the beach. I was thinking of sitting there until dark so no one would see it...but by then, because I'm so pale, the sunburn I would have gotten would have made the other problem pale in comparison. But at times of stress you get superpowers and that's what I had getting up off the beach. I managed to get up without too much embarrassment and swore I'd never get down on the ground again. Anyway, back to now....Vernon and the boys were able to get steps cleared and salted, and get the cars of the stitchers who needed to get home free of snow and able to get out and then Sara opened the shop and the superbowl party began. The rest of the stitchers spent the day in the shop eating, shopping and stitching along with Greg who ventured down from Delaware. A few hearty shoppers showed up to shop, Thank you Stacy Brown, but most of the stitchers just called in their orders. So even though we had a major weather event, we still managed to stay open and work (well, at least Sara did). I worked on my Jeannette Douglas piece and managed to finish with the exception of the border which I'm working on now. It's so exciting to see it so close to completion. It's been in a bag since 2004....I really wasn't sure I'd ever finish it. And now I get to start something else...no I get to finish another UFO....this is the year, I can feel it. I'm going to complete a few UFO's. I also finished the project seen here. It's a lipstick case sewing kit...unique shape that you just don't see. I was a bit concerned about the finishing but it actually wasn't that difficult. I was extremely proud that I was able to stitch it and finish it without any outside help. The design comes from an older Merry Cox pattern, in fact I think it has to be one of her first, since it was dated 1988. Anyway, this I believe is my first finish in 2010. And soon to be my 2nd finish is the Jeannette Douglas box. Whoppee!!! I found my Quaker Christmas piece after cleaning up and organizing so I pulled it out as I swear this is going to be my 3rd finish of 2010, or at least it will be in the count down. Sara and I are now going to be focusing on Nashville, as we leave for that show in about 10 days. This is so exciting for us as it is the only show we are able to attend. Renee and Connie will be holding down the shop so it will be open. I'll be taking my computer and my camera so I'll be posting pictures each day (that's assuming I remember how to do it once I get to Nashville. Going through time zones does something to my memory bank...well going through time zones, waking up, talking, just about anything affects my memory bank, but after all I'm 61 so I'm allowed a few excentricities...aren't I? At least that's the theory I'm going with today. Oh, yea, I was on the Legacy Board the other day and noticed the posting about someone copying the latest ornament from a picture on the Little House web site before it was even distributed. Little House had put a picture up showing what they were putting out next. I cannot tell you how disturbed I am by this. Stitchers, not only is it illegal (copyright law) but this is what has the designers so upset, rightfully so. If stitchers just take pictures off the internet and scan them into a graphing program, the designers are going to stop designing. Why should they do all that work, and it is work, just to have people steal it and not pay for the design. Little House consistently puts out marvelous designs, and several every few months and the cost for their designs is really low...$6.00 - $8.00 for a charted design. If you can afford a computer and designing software, then by God you can afford the $6.00-$8.00. I'm appalled people...simply appalled and I hope that you are too. We need to support these designers just as they support our habit. I certainly don't want to go "cold turkey" and not be able to find new charts. Oh, My God....please never let that happen. Well, I'm going to go in a stitch a few stitches on the border of "My Stitcher's Treasure Box"....hopefully I'll be posting the finished picture tonight or tomorrow. Have a great stitching day! Enjoy the snow day if you got one! And with more in the forecast....well, let's just say this is a record winter. Hopefully it will be the last!

Crap, and more crap

O.K., so I thought we were so lucky....and I realize snow wise we were, however, with 24 hours of rain and sleet...well the few inches we did got are layered over sheets of ice. So I go out this morning to get to work to take the mini sandwiches and my favorite chocolate covered peanut butter cookies and got stuck in the alley (again) only this time not by snow but the ice...my wheels just were spinning (again and this time I checked and the emergency break was not on). Well, I didn't take my phone (another smart move) so I sat for a few minutes, gave it some thought and then started going back and forth until I guess the spinning melted the ice a little which sprung me forward and I slid into the parking lot of the hotel next door and I just stopped the car, got out, and walked back to my place...carefully as the ice scares me to death. So I called Sara and told her I couldn't possibly get into the shop, and I didn't want any of the stitchers to go out and have the possiblity of fall on the steps so now we're all apartment bound. Sara and Vernon are there shoveling the snow off the ice and then throwing down the salt, but God only knows when we will all get going today. The good news is the sun is shining bright...the bad news it's only 19 degrees. Anyway, I've received a lot of your e-mails and orders so don't worry we're going to be getting on that later today and in the morning. I'm telling you I feel like I'm living in Alaska at this point. I really do feel badly bitching about our ice when many of you are dealing with 24 inches of wet heavy snow...I really do, but I just can't help myself. So I guess instead of having fun with the stitchers, I'll be having a stitch 'n bitch all by myself. Good thing I like my own company! I'll try to give you the fascinating updates as the day wears on. Plus I have a lovely picture of the scooter club Renee brought over for me to share with you. I'll post it later.
Take care of yourselves and don't try to shovel too much at one time.

Whew!!!! We dodged the bullet....

I've heard the snow totals that some of you are dealing with and after our 10 inches of last week I'm thrilled to tell you....we got rain! What started out yesterday as a light snow, and then periodically would be heavy snow mixed with rain, has turned into a rain event. We're having our typical northeaster' so it's not pretty, but at least it isn't 10 more inches of snow. And I'm thankful. I couldn't take anymore snow...I really couldn't, plus with the stitchers here...well it would have made it difficult for them, so while we wish the sun was out...we can still go back and forth between rooms and the shop so we're good to go. The snow mix we had last also didn't stop us from partying either. We gathered at Sara's place at 7:00 p.m. where Greg MacCord joined us and we eat, drank and laughed until the tears ran down our legs. Honestly my sides ached from laughing at Greg...boy once you wind him up....well he can do his own stand up. We did miss the stitchers who didn't make it to our annual event, Kay, Kathie, Jackie, and Stacy. And Linda and Candi called and were thinking about driving up from Chincoteague, but I was concerned about the unknown and driving in whatever was coming and suggested they not try to come, so we missed them too. But Greg and I did our best to keep the troops entertained and I think you could say we did our job...I'm sure the booze and wine didn't hurt either. Today, since I'm pretty sure no one is going to come out in this northeaster' I invited all the ladies to come on down and we'd have a stitch 'n bitch in the shop in our P.J.'s...so if you do come in....don't be surprised at what you will be seeing. Comfort is the key word here....stitch and be comfortable. So the party moves on. I also want to say "Thank You" to all the stitchers who have e-mailed their orders or called in their orders and those that ordered through the web site. We will be packaging up the items and getting them out first thing Monday morning, and I don't think anyone got less than 30% discount... so good for everyone. You were here in spirit! So now I must go find a decent pair of pajamas to put on to go to work....unbelievably I forgot my camera last night, but Sara and Debbie took pictures so I'll get them up so you can see that neither rain, nor snow kept these stitchers away from their appointed rounds. Have a great snow day, rain day or sun day....and I'll talk to you later.

I've had it....no more snow!

Just a reminder....This Friday starts our Weekend Superbowl Sale. Your discount depends on the amount of the sale...so you can get 10% off any order under $25.00. From $26 - $49 you take 20% discount and from $50.00 up you get 30% discount on the whole order. So call the order in, e-mail it, or shop on the web site....and your discount will be taken before your card is charged. The sale starts Friday at 10:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. If you are in the area we will be having our usual Superbowl party with Sara's goodies, sandwiches, etc. on Sunday so stop on by and join us. You don't have to go out in the rain or snow, you can shop from your living room. The forecast is daunting, but we're trying to be optimistic...and always be careful what you wish for. Two weeks ago I was begging for the damn snow day....even a week ago, but now, 10 inches later...no more snow....I've had it for the year! We haven't gotten rid of what we got last Saturday, although thankfully the sun has removed quite a bit of it...and now they are calling for more. Here are the final pictures of the boardwalk with leftover snow so I say ... No, thank you...give it to someone else...I'd rather go to work (never thought I'd hear myself say that.) Plus this is an event weekend which means our peeps are going to have to trudge through whatever comes to get back and forth. But I have to say, while I thought the weather report would mean cancellations, our first two stitchers showed up Tuesday afternoon to begin their Superbowl Weekend. Debbie and Phyllis showed up Tuesday afternoon and have been "chillin" and stitching ever since....although today they spent the day in the shop with me checking out new stuff and helping me get it on the racks. As we were working, sitting, talking, whatever, the second wave showed up. Syd, Ellen and Sherry spent the afternoon with us in the shop and Jayne showed up with her friend, Diana, who just started doing counted cross stitch and my shop was the first shop she had been in. And the last person to get here today was Stasi Buhrman. All of them had one thing to say...they don't care what comes, snow, rain, doesn't matter. And if it snows so deep they can't get out on Sunday, well they all plan on staying until they can get out. That's stitchers for you...we're travel through any weather to get to an event, and we don't mind getting stuck at the event longer than initially planned. Anyway, it was great to have so many stitchers in the house. And some of them brought show and tell, unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of Stasi's and she brought class pieces, like the Merry Cox Bon Bon Box, that really have to be seen and held to be believed. But I did take pictures of Syd's tote bag with Glory Bee's piece done over one and attached to the pocket of the tote. And the first picture is an album she did with a Blackbird Design on the cover. Syd's work is so well executed....such inspiration...now of course, I want to start an album, and now that I've finished cleaning up my stitching room I can. Whoppee!!! Well, another project to get in line behind the 2 million I already have lined up. Anyway stitchers, I hope your weekend is stress free, and the snow doesn't mean another day of shoveling for you. Hopefully after the storm the sun will shine and take any snow away. In any event, hunker down...get out your stitching and have a great weekend. And if you get bored check out the web and find something you can't live without and we'll see that you get it. Because while the web site might not show it, we probably have it and if we don't we'll get it for you. Thanks for shopping with us.