Lazy Daizy, Raleigh, NC

On my recent trip, I had a chance to visit the Lazy Daizy in Raleigh, NC. I had been there about two years ago, and wasn't impressed with the shop at the time.

This time, however, I was pleasantly surprised.

I found lots of new charts and a very helpful staff member.

They even had this year's Handblessings free chart series that I have been looking for. I was able to purchase the Threadworx color for the border, and received the first 6 free charts with a promise that the rest of the free charts would be mailed to me as they are received. The staff member was true to her word, as the next three charts have already arrived in my mailbox!

Virginia Plantations

While in Virginia, I had a chance to tour two plantations near Richmond.

The first plantation we visited was Shirley Plantation, in Charles City, Va.

It was a lovely plantation, and a very informative tour.

This is the house that the family still occupies. They live on the second and third floors, so we were only able to tour the ground floor. This photo is of the house from the road.

The large veranda is on the River side.

This is the view of the River from the house.

The second plantation we toured was Edgewood Plantation, built by a northern family. It is currently in use as a bed and breakfast. It is also in Charles City, VA.

Cross Stitch Station visit

While in Virginia, at the Sue Hillis Stitch-In, many of us took a trip to Waynesboro to visit Cross Stitch Station.

The 90 minute drive was very scenic and relaxing, since I didn't have to drive.




We were greeted by the owner of the shop, her husband and staff. The shop itself is very, very tiny, but jam packed full of wonderful stash!

There were lots and lots of models on the wall, and all the newest designs in bins. Lots of fibres and accessories, too!

Because we had a large group, a tent had been set up in the parking lot, with additional goodies to look at. The ice tea, lemonaide and cookies that were served were yummy.

Everyone had a lovely time shopping and chatting in the tent while we were waiting. I managed to find a few things I needed, too!

Richmond VA

On Friday morning, May 28, and the crack of dawn, I arrived at O'Hare airport and waited for Maggie to arrive from Kalamazoo MI so that we could board the plane for Richmond VA.

Once we landed in Richmond, we were greeted by Sally, who was holding up this sign. We felt like celebrities! From the airport we stopped at the hotel to drop of Maggi's things, and then headed out to Sue's house to help with the final preparations for the weekend.



Saturday morning, Sue and I headed to the hotel bright and early to begin the final setup for the Get Together. Sue was busy setting up the sale boutique with several other designers and I organized the registration table. At 9 am, stitcher were already lined up, ready to check in and start stitching! Everyone received a goodie bag and a T-shirt. The goodie bag was full of charts and other stitching goodies, including an exclusive kit designed by Sue. The model were on display, the 5 x 7 framed model was stitched by Carol Taylor, Sue's regular model stitcher, and the over 1 version finished as a needle book was stitched by Sara. Both were lovely!

The stitching room was soon filled with activity! Stitchers were introducing themselves, checking out what everyone was stitching and the trading table was a mob scene.

Lots and lots of charts were brought to give away, and many stitchers took home more than they brought! There were door prize drawings through out the weekend, and everyone who was in the building received a door prize.






Saturday evening, Sue hosted a BBQ at her house.

Barbecued beef sandwiches were served along with potato salad, Cole slaw, bean salad, lemonade, iced tea, watermelon and custard-filled angel food cake cupcakes topped with fresh strawberries. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

The front lawn of Sue's home looked very festive and I am sure the neighbors could hear the laughter. Perhaps they were a bit jealous that they weren't invited?

Sunday morning began with more stitching, then off to a not so local shop. Cross Stitch Station was a love 90 minute drive away. I will report on the shop in a separate post.

After returning from the shop, we had "tea" at Feathernester's. It was a lovely spread. After dinner we were entertained by Ann's granddaughter, who is a very talented vocalist.

After tea we were back at the hotel for "Ask the Designer". The panel included Cathy Louthen, Nancy Boyarski (Glory Bee Designs), Sue Hillis and Sally Rudkin (StitchInspirations). Lots of interesting questions and informative answers.

Lesley and Kristeen (our guests from Australia) ended the evening by reading us a bed time story, complete with actions and props.

Monday morning, we met for breakfast and then said goodbye to old and new friends.

Back at Sue's we all collapsed for the rest of the day! It was a fun weekend, and everyone is looking forward to the next Get Together in two years.

8th Day of Texas Christmas

I am still plugging along on this series, hoping to get them done for Christmas.

Here is the 8th Day of Texas Christmas with Longhorns grazing!

A Wedding Sampler finished

I finished stitch Erika and AJ's wedding sampler last weekend. It is Bent Creek's Wedding Row stitched on 32 count linen, using the suggested fibres. The frame has already been ordered, and I will drip it off to be framed this weekend.

May stitching on Handblessings Project

I was able to stitch the May square on our EGA Chapter Stitch-a-long at the end of May. It is always an enjoyable stitch.

May Progress, June Goals

Another month and again, not as much stitching as I would have like.

May
Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
10 hours on Logan’s stocking no
November cup ‘o Tea no
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament worked on it
April Handblessings project yes!
afghan square #9 worked on it
Mystery sampler part 8 no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris no
May Little Hearts SAL yes
part 2 EMS Rose Sampler yes
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches no
choose and kit up Erika's wedding sampler finished!
EMS monthly flowers SAL no
start on one LHN monthly ornament no
start on one Bent Creek photobooth no

June
Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking
November cup ‘o Tea
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament
May Handblessings project afghan square #9
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
June Little Hearts SAL
part 3 EMS Rose Sampler
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches
EMS monthly flowers SAL start on one
LHN monthly ornament
start on one Bent Creek photobooth

My Little Hearts - May

I recently finished the May square of Sylvia's stitch-a-long.

I love how this one is turning out!

EMS Rose Sampler Take two

I recently had a chance to stitch up part of this sampler. I really enjoy working on it even though this is the second time I am stitching this project, and hope to stitch one part each month until its finished.

Stitched on 25 count antique white Lugana, over 1, with one strand of DMC variations.

Handblessings Designs progress

Before the end of April, I managed to stitch the April chart of the Year of Favor of Our Lord project. This project is very enjoyable to stitch, I can do a square in an evening or two.

April Progress - May Goals

It wasn't a good month, stitching wise.....didn't get much stitching done. Hopefully May will be better!

April Progress
Bavarian Table Topper yes
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
10 hours on Logan’s stocking no
November cup ‘o Tea no
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament started it
Quilt square for Loves Quilts no
April Handblessings project yes
afghan square #9 no
Mystery sampler part 8 no
Work on Cloister garden no
Meine Herzchen April yes
EMS Rose Sampler Part 2 started it
Work on Crystal Iris no
Bent Creek photo booth no
LHN Ornament no
Kit up Logan’s birth sampler and perhaps take a few stitches no
Choose and kit up Erika’s wedding sampler decided which one to stitch, have everything needed



May Goals
work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking
November cup ‘o Tea
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament
Quilt square for Loves Quilts
May Handblessings project
afghan square #9
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden yes
Meine Herzchen May yes
EMS Rose Sampler Part 2 yes
Work on Crystal Iris
Bent Creek photo booth
LHN Ornament
Kit up Logan’s birth sampler and perhaps take a few stitches
Erika’s wedding sampler

My Little Hearts - April

I finished the April installment this past weekend. Here it is so far.

Cubs Season Opener

Even Murphy is sad that the Cubs lost their opening game......

March Progress and April Goals

March Progress
Bavarian Table Topper yes
Pin cushion for exchange yes
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
10 hours on Logan’s stocking yes
October cup ‘o Tea yes
7th day of Texas Christmas ornament yes
Quilt square for Loves Quilts yes
March Handblessings project yes
afghan square #8 yes
Mystery sampler part 8 no
Work on Cloister garden no
Meine Herzchen January yes
Meine Herzchen February yes
Meine Herzchen March yes
EMS Rose Sampler Part 1 yes
Start a Counted Canvas project yes started Crystal Iris
Start Bent Creek photo booth no
Start a LHN Ornament no


April Goals
Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking
November cup ‘o Tea
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament
Quilt square for Loves Quilts
April Handblessings project
afghan square #9
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden
Meine Herzchen April
EMS Rose Sampler Part 2
Work on Crystal Iris
Bent Creek photo booth
LHN Ornament

Love Quilts finish

I finally finished a square for Love Quilts. I had resolved to stitch at least 1 square each for this worthwhile cause, but it has to be stitched on aida, and I hate stitching on aida. The design is from Stoney Creek's Jungle Babies.

Last year, I didn't stitch a square because every chart I picked up had tons of fractional stitches and since it has to be stitched on aida (did I mention I hate stitching aida?) I just couldn't bring myself to stitch. This year I found a design without fractional stitches, but it had large color blocks.....can you say boring? I am just glad it is done!

Off to stitch something else on my list, on evenweave....did I mention that I hate stitching on aida?

A Year of Favor from the Lord Quilt project

At our guild meeting on Tuesday, we received the March chart for this project.

I stitched it up right away, so here you can see the first three months of the project.

Eileen Gurak, of Handblessings Designs told us that this is a promotal chart, and we could pass on copies of the design to anyone that wanted it. So....if any of you in blogger land are interested in stitching this piece, let me know and I can mail you the first three charts, and then send you three more charts every three months.

Spring!

Last spring I was part of an exchange with the Divas, but my part of the exchange never arrived. It is floating out there somewhere, or was misdirected by the USPS. Although I told Nancy not to, she stitched another piece for me and I just love it! It is so perfect for this time of year. I just love bunnies and Easter and spring and flowers and baskets....so I don't have to tell you that I just love this cube!

Thank you Nancy, you didn't have to, but I am glad you did!

October Cup 'O Tea

10 down and 2 to go!

I finished up the October Tea Cup chart the other day. I am really fond of Halloween, so I wasn't sure I was going to like this design, but I just couldn't skip a month so I just bit the bullet and stitched it. I suprised myself and found it really enjoyable to stitch.

Only two more tea cups left to do!

The Sending of the Green

I recently participated in a "Green" exchange on the Threads of Life message board. I received this wonderful package from Elaine. So many lovely green things. I especially love the Ladybug socks!

Below you can see what I sent Suzie for this exchange. It was fun hunting for green things to include.