Halloween Ornament Model

I recently stitched this Halloween Ornament model for Sue Hillis. It will be part a leaflet that has not yet been released, with three other ornaments. It is stitched on a piece of fabric hand dyed to look like candy corn and the ornament will be in the shape of a piece of candy corn.

Sue has been working on the fabric itself and has now found a company that will dye it for her and the fabric will be available at your favorite LNS soon. The first two of the candy corn ornaments are already available, and this one will be out soon.

August TUSAL

Oerflowing Ort jar as of the end of August

Disappointing Needlework Shop

I made one last stop on the way home from Memphis at Needlworks in Champagne, Illinois.

The shop itself was interesting, with lots of different levels rooms. There was a large group of knitters at a table happily knitting away. Much of the shop was filled with yarns and knitting and crocheting supplies.

At one end of the shop there were some fibres and Needlepoint supplies, but the area was very untidy. There were labels all over the floor, and it needed a good straighting up and vaccuming.

Way at the other end was a small room of counted cross stitch items. To get to this room you had to go through a framing room that was a mess. I didn't realize customers were allowed in there, but when I asked where the counted cross stitch was, they directed me through that room. The counted cross stitch room was small, with older charts and models. There were some cubes of fabric, but I didn't see anything labeled as to count, and type of fabric. Although I was approached by two different adults and once child asking me if I needed help, I really felt that I was bothering them if I had needed some help.

For the first time in a long time, I left the shop without making a purchase.

A Visit to Stitcher's Express

On my way home from Memphis, I stopped at Stitcher's Express is Mattoon, IL.

This was not my first visit to this shop, but my last visit was before I began my blog, so I thought I would share some photos.













The shop isn't too far off the interstate so it was a perfect opportunity to stop and stretch my legs a bit.



The are lots and lots of charts, many of them newly released.

The shop is quiet but the friendly, and you can browse to your heart's content.

I had done quite a bit of stash shopping on my trip, but managed to find this Country Cottage Needleworks series on the 50% off rack!

Happy Skater Ornament

I recently finished Little House Needlework's Happy Skater ornament to compliment the Merry Skater I did a little while ago.

This one was found in a Just Cross Stitch Ornaments Issue.

Stitching Shop in Memphis

Before I left Memphis, I wanted to visit a Local Needlework Shop (LNS), and found one not too far away from my hotel.

Stitcher's Inc. was a bit out of the way, tucked away behind other offices, but with the help of my trusty GPS (Gabbie Garmin) I found it without too much trouble.


The shop carries both counted cross stitch and needlepoint, and has lots of lovely things to look at. The ladies in the shop were very friendly and helpful.

I spent some time browsing the racks of charts and models on the wall. I had forgotten to print out a shopping list, but remembered a few things on it. Unfortunately, they were out of stock on the charts I was considering for the Secret Sister exchange.


I wanted to kit up the chart pictured here for another exchange and I also needed some 28 count blue fabric. Unfortunately, they don't cut fabric smaller than a fat quarter, and had mostly hand dyed fabric. I managed to get a fat quarter of a blue I liked for myself, and the chart and floss for the exchange. I will find some fabric for it at a later date.

Seeing the Sights in Memphis

I did a few other things while in Memphis, and I thought I would show some of the photos, lest you think I only saw Graceland.















The first stop was Sun Studios, where Elvis made his first recording. It is now a combination gift shop/lunch counter/souvenier recording studio, but historic none the less.

One of the highligts was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Due to privacy issues, we were not able to go into the lobby to see the wonderful mural I have heard so much about, but I was very impressed with this bronze sculpture.

The founder, Danny Thomas and his wife are entombed in the memorial garden.




The garden is a lovely, peaceful place. The entire complex is a tribute to a great man, who gave so much for children.

This larger than life bronze statue of B B King is also at the visitor's center near the one of Elvis.

B B King's restaurant is located on Beale Street, and came highly recommended for lunch.









I had been told to order the ribs, and they were delicious!

After lunch, I went down to the river for a Mississippi river boat ride. Thank goodness for airconditioning!











Even though it was hot, it was a lovely day. Bright and sunny! Did I mention it was hot?

The riverboat ride was very enjoyable, and the naration and historical information was very informative.

34th Anniversary of the Passing of the King

On my recent trip to Branson, I made a slight detour and stopped in Memphis. On my list of things to do in Memphis was a tour of Graceland.

It is fitting that I post these photos today, which is the 34th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing.

The grounds are lovely, and the approach is impressive when you drive up to the house.

The house is smaller than I expected but I was happy to take the tour. The living room and music room beyond are directly to your right when you enter the front door.

The dining room is on the left. I was surprised that Elvis had the same china pattern that I do, a simple white on white design with a silver rim.

In the back of the house is the famous Jungle room.

This is a view of the back of the house from the yard, which is large enough to have a fenced padock for horses.

There is an inviting swimming pool at the side of the house. It was so hot that day, I truly wish I could have taken a dip in the pool!

Beyond the pool was the memorial garden, which is Elvis' final resting place.

RIP Elvis.

An Elevator for Ducks!

After leaving Branson I took the road that lead to Memphis because I had never been there. One of the things on my list of sights to see was the Peabody Hotel and their famous Duck March.









The ducks march daily at 11 and 5. At 11 they come down from them Duck Palace on the roof of the hotel by way of their own elevator and make their way along the red carpet to the fountain in the lobby where they spend the day swimming around. At 5 pm they reverse the process and take the elevator back up their home on the roof.

Duck watchers begin to line up by 10:30 for the 11 pm March. Everyone wants to see the ducks! The Duckmaster gives the history of the hotel and why they have ducks in the fountain and then goes upstairs to get the ducks.

Sousa's Cotton King March begins to play, the elevator doors open, and the ducks begin their march to the fountain.....well, it was more of a "run" to the fountain!

There is one drake (boy duck) and there are four hens (girl ducks). They live at the hotel for three months and then retire to a farm to be replaced by new ducks.

On the sidewalk in front of the hotel, is the duck walk of fame, with lots of "famous" duck prints.

Of course I had to purchase a rubber duck each for Natalie and Logan!

Cecilia's Samplers

While in Branson at the Cecilia's Sampler Retreat, it was only fitting that we visited the shop itself!

Cecilia's Samplers is full service needlework shop that is extremely well stocked!

Lots and lots of yummy fibres! Every brand you can imagine and then some!

Lots of fabric to fondle, and they will cut it to the size you want. Lots of charts, new and old!

Models on display everywhere!! Not a single bare inch on the wall!

The staff was extremely helpful and pleasant!

Although Welcome Stitchery will always be my favorite shop, this one is a closed second!

I didn't purchase a lot, but I did get a "big ticket" item. The box for Jeanette Douglas' My Stitching Treasures was in stock and waiting for me, at a price much lower than I had seen it anywhere else. I also had the $50 gift certificate from the retreat, and all attendees received 20% off of all of their purchases. It made the box much more affordable. I also purchased a full yard of pearl linen.....so pretty!

Summer Stitching Retreat

Last weekend, I was able to attend the first Cecilia's Samplers Summer Stitching Retreat

in Branson MO.

It was a wonderful, unstructured weekend, with lots of new friends and some old ones, too!

If you every have the opportunity to attend one of the retreats that are sponsored by Cecilia's Samplers, do not hesitate. It is an excellent value! Holly, the event planner for Cecilia's, is very detail oriented and runs a great stitching weekend.

Sue Hillis was the guest of honor at the retreat and designed this chart just for the attendees. We were give everything needed to stitch the project; fabric, floss, fibres, needles and the chart!

There were lots of other gifts for all the stitchers, too many to picture!

A Visit to Village Stitches

While I was on the road to Branson, Missouri, last Thursday, I found myself near Bloomington, Illinois. My trusty GPS got me to Village Stitches without too much trouble, so I stopped in while I stretched my legs.

The shop was very cozy and inviting, and carried yarn and other knitting supplies, and needlepoint canvas and fibres as well as cross stitch supplies.

There were some lovely models in the shop, and lots and lots of fibres to choose from.

I found this darling mini tea cup pin cushion kit as well as the one skein of Gentle Arts Sampler Thread that I needed for a future project.

Allthough it is a small shop, with more emphasis on knitting than on cross stitching, they do have a fair amount of newer cross stitch charts and lots of yummy fibres to choose from.

11 Pages Done - 1 More to Go

The end is so near! I hope to finish up the last page sometime this month.