Home Safe

Binx is happy!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Packing Up

Wow!
Busy day yesterday too. The day started out misty and rainy. I headed over to a local rec center to take a Zumba class with Janelle. She and the women here rock!
I headed out after showering for some shopping. The Michael's here in Greenwood is beautiful. The store I usually shop in is really nasty in comparison. I picked up some trims and charms for future project finishing. *** of you use scroll bars, Michael's had the EZ Stitch items on sale, cheap!!!**** I stitch in hand and don't use them :(



After that it was clearing up so I headed out to the rally. These are all the newer Dodge trucks that they use to pull the older Dodge trucks.
After the yummy hot dog lunch we headed out for a trail ride.



I drove part of the way. This has no power steering.



Behind us.



In front. Of course it is all about finding a big mud puddle, getting your tuck stuck and getting pulled out.






Rich didn't attempt any of these. Only a few did.



Then it was back to the barn for dinner,



And cake.

It was a fun time. The rally will be here next year too.
So this morning we have to go back and load up the truck and head home.

I am leaving Greenwood without taking a single stitch!

Happy Sunday!

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Strap In

Ok, since I have gotten older when I get out in the sun for awhile I break out and get splotchy. So spending the day at the rally, not really my idea of fun. So after dropping Rich off I headed down the road to Greenville, SC.



This is where I ended up. I saw a billboard on the highway for this exhibit. It was if Russian icons and some Faberge pieces. They had a small egg pendant, not one of the large ones. It was a beautiful exhibit.



Then this museum was next door.
So of course I had to go in and see the Wyeth exhibit. I also saw some wonderful SC paintings.
Then lunch...



I found a place called the Pita House. When I got there the line was to the door. I got the Vegetable plate. I think that this is some of the best hummus that I have ever had.
So what was next...



A cross stitch store.. Panda's Crossing in Maudlin, SC. It is more of a bead store but had an excellent cross stitch store too. The salesperson was knowledgeable and very helpful.



This is why I piled up. I guess I was in a good mood, look at all those sweet spring colors.
So, after my retail therapy session I hopped in the car and headed back to the rally in Callison, SC. I had just turned onto 67 which is this long back road that you drive 5mph plus on. When I saw something in the road. And then it moved. I thought it was a puppy someone had dumped. So I whip my car around. Scoop that puppy up and head the final 10 miles down the road back to the rally.


Here's the little guy and he's not a puppy....he's a baby gray fox. So now what?
Fortunately the people hosting the rally got hold of someone last night who does animal rescue and she is taking care of him. When I find out more I will update you.
The rally caravan went out to Troy, SC for dinner at a place called the Hash House. This little crossroads has no cell reception or anything.
After that Rich and I went to the drive in to see The Hunger Games.




It rained some but we had a good time.
Are you tired yet?

I don't think today is going to be as crazy.

Have a great weekend friends!
I will catch up on my blog reading and comments when I get home.

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Overpacked

How many needlework projects does one need for a long weekend? I was not good, yesterday when I was packing I decided to bring Marietta. I thought she was one that I could work on in the hotel room. Then I threw 2 more new projects in the tote bag just in case I needed some fun. Did I stitch any last night? Nope.



This is the first year that Rich has brought his M37 to the rally. It is the furthest he has taken it on the trailer. We decided that I would also drive down so we had some flexibility, if there was any type of problem.



Everything went great and we arrived at about 4pm. More truck will show up over the next 2 days.



I actually drove the M37 for the first time around the field and parked it. It is different than driving Zips.
Today I am going to drop Rich off at the rally and I am going to see what kind of trouble that I can get into. Might drive down to Greenville. There is an exhibit at one of the museums that have a couple of Faberge eggs. I will be back in time to caravan to dinner than Rich and I are going to the Drive In to see the Hunger Games.
Hmmmm... Time for stitching?

Have a great Friday!

Chris




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Midweek

Hello Friends,
Not much to report here.
I have put some stitches into Marietta.



I started outlining one of the strange white doves that are on this sampler.



Looks kind if like a bat right now.
I like the strawberry band above the bird.
Tonight I am going to grab a sandwich with a couple of friends then go to Zumba in Greensboro.
This weekend is the Southeastern Dodge Powerwagon rally. It will be great to see everyone. Rich is going to take his truck this year.
I hope that everyone is having a great week and that you are finding some time to stitch!

Hugs!
Chris


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

April Ornament Finish

Hello Friends!
I hope that your Saturday was wonderful. I headed up the road to Greensboro for the 2nd meeting of our Sampler Group. I had scurried around Friday night to gather together my information on Carolina Samplers . There were 7 of us and we had a really nice morning followed by lunch at a local deli. We decided on our June field trip so we have another great day to look forward too.
After sampler group I ran some errands in town. I went to Kohl's but I didn't find anything. I have been dieting and doing Zumba so I have lost some weight but I think I will wait longer to buy any new clothes.



I stopped by my Mom's and saw this beauty. Her yard looks so pretty right now.

Rich was doing yard work when I got home.



He cleaned the paths.



Here is one of my peonies.



Now onto some stitching. Last night I did the finishing on the April ornament for the Christmas All Year Long SAL.



This the Rosewood Manor's 2007 JCS ornament. The blending filament in this piece doesn't show up in the picture.




I have had this fabric in my stash for awhile. I think it I perfect for this ornament.

May's assignment is a gingerbread person and I am having a hard time finding something. Any suggestions?

I want to say welcome to my new followers. And to all, thank you for your kind comments.

Have a great Sunday.


Chris

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

April TUSAL

I think it is fuller than last month. I haven't had time to stitch the last couple of days so it is hard for me to judge. There is some lending filament fro my April ornament. I tried to get some of my irises in the background but I was rushing around this morning try to get ready for my sampler group meeting.
Thursday night after Zumba Rich and I rushed over to the Asheboro library to hear a talk given by a couple who visitors every county courthouse in the state of NC. There are a 100 counties in this state. They took 8 trips, spent 10 nights in hotels and drive 4,500 miles. NC is a huge state. It was a great discussion with slides. I also got to see some friends that I haven't seen in years.



After the lecture Rich and I went to the new fancy yogurt place in town. Yummo! But expensive.
It was a nice night out.

I have to run now.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Extra Diet Coke Morning

Yes, it is one of those days. My morning starts with a diet coke. I try and quit but it never sticks. Maybe coffee or tea would be better but I would have to make it . Diet coke is easy and convenient. I don't think I could switch to water.
So why is it an extra diet coke morning? Last night the Zumba studio had a 1st anniversary Zumbathon. 2 hours if Zumba. 1 hour I can do, 2 hours and I am pooped.
I have made some progress on Marietta.



I didn't have a chance to stitch last night.



Maybe tonight. I have to pull together my info for the Sampler Group meeting on Saturday. The program is Carolina Girls :)
I received this sweet chart from Catherine over at diamonddc blog.



It was so kind of her to think of me.
I am going to leave you with a pic of one o my irises.



Have a great rest of the week!

Hugs

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Marietta Progress

Here is Miss Marietta. I made some progress this weekend. She is fairly small so I am hoping that I keep making progress.



Rich and I had a wonderful time at the wedding on Saturday. It was a wonderful event. I am so happy for this couple. I am sure that Robin will be posting some pics on her blog( Threads of Memory) so I will just show you the beautiful cake.
During the wedding the minister was talking about marriage and one of the things that he said was that in most households there are 10 negative things said for every one positive said. So now Rich has been trying to think of negative things. It has been a joke between us over the weekend. I am so happy that I am married to my best friend.



On Sunday I took a ride with my Mom to a greenhouse down in Sanford. This place was amazing. They had so many different things. Above is a geranium that I bought. Have you ever seen one with this type of flower?



This is the other geranium that I bought. I love the lemon lime leaves. I also got a couple of hellebores and some vegetable plants. Not much else. I would rather spend my money on stitching.

Well back to work.
Happy Monday!

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happiness is....

This week it wasn't a stitching finish or new stash it was a box of dishes!!



About 9 years ago I stumbled upon a pattern of restaurant ware dishes that I fell in love with.



It is made by Wellsville and is a pattern from 1959.



I have learned from searching for the pattern that it came in 4 colors, black, red, blue and green. I have never seen it in blue or green. I have red and black.



The cool thing about restaurant ware is that it came in a huge assortment of sizes and shapes. Think about any diner meal you have had and what a load of plates the waitress would bring to the table. The picture above shows diner plates, 2 sizes of bread or side plates and the red & black version of the vegetable sides. I love using the vegetable sides.



The top piece is a big serving platter, the bottom is like the oval plates that meals are served on, can't you picture a BLT on it with chips on the side.



A big serving bowl and a smaller serving bowl. The box that I received this week had 4 of the smaller bowls in it. I can just picture using them as pasta bowls or for when we have large salads for dinner.



I have 2 of these long celery dishes. We use then in the summer for corn on the cob and sometimes for side of fries.



I don't drink tea or coffee or entertain so I don't really use these. Look at the different shapes. I have seen a picture of a mug but have yet to find any of my own.



The large red gravy boat was in the box too. It is much bigger than the black one.



I have a sugar and creamer too. And the small soup cups.

Are you with me still? Can you tell I love using these?

So what other pieces are out there? I have seen pics of a couple of different bowl styles a round rimmed soup bowl and cereal bowls. Anyway the hunt continues and they bring me joy every time I have a meal.

Here's a little progress...



Yes, I couldn't just work on the border.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend! I have to go get ready for a wedding :)

Hugs

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Marietta Stebbins Start

Hello Friends.
I have started a reproduction sampler this week called Marietta Stebbins. She is from Deerfield, MA.



I love Deerfield and the whole Pioneer Valley area of Massachusetts. It is very beautiful . I lived in Suffield and Windsor Locks, CT before I got married and I worked for awhile in Holyoke, MA. It was always great to drive up to Deerfield, maybe go to the original Yankee Candle store.
If you have ever seen the fairly recent version of Little Women, the town and outdoor scenes were filmed in Deerfield.



About 6 years ago they had a sampler symposium in Deerfield. There was a wonderful exhibit of samplers from the area. I was very disdained at that time because they did not reproduce a sampler for the seminar. In 2010 it finally happened, and Joanne Harvey reproduced Marietta so I ordered mine right away.
Deerfield samplers seem to have the funky doves and the baskets.



Here is my start, not much to see yet.
Deerfield is also famous for blue and white embroidery that was produced by women in the early 29th century.



It is a wonderful place.

That is it for now.
Goodnight.

Chris
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone