Back to Reality

  Well, the big white wedding is over. It was a beautiful day even though it rained buckets the whole time.  Family and friends gathered and  we all enjoyed a fabulous party and then sent them on their merry way.
  The honeymoon was a combo San Juan Puerto Rico/Caribbean cruise and from the pics I've seen, they had a blast.  My son burned himself up, as usual, and came home with some serious sunburn and blisters.  Hope he follows my directions and takes care of that properly!  The kids are back from their honeymoon and it's back to reality for all of us.
  So, if I remember where I left off, I believe it was IH&SWeekend and I started something new.  My weekly stitch group draws names for Christmas and since the piece I have chosen for my person is so large, I figured I better get a move on with it.  I started this that weekend.

40 ct. Lakeside Vintage Pearled Barley
w/mostly called for threads

This is the first row of Summerhouse Stitchworks Calico Alphabet Sampler. It was released in multiple parts of 3 letters each a couple of years ago.  We saw it at a shop while on a trip and since she fell madly in love with it, it seemed like the perfect choice.  When it grows up it will look like this!

I figure one row a month will get me there with a little time to spare.  Of course this only applies if I can stay on schedule!
   The piece I have spent most of my time on is Elizabeth Shepard.  She is progressing nicely and I have added another row since last time I posted.

Just one more row and she will be finished.  Good thing too since I am starting to get concerned about the number of finishes I've had this year so far.  Only 2!!  And since I have a long list of samplers I want to get finished this year, things are really going to have to heat up if I am to meet my goal!!
  I know you're looking at what I have accomplished since my last post and are wondering what the heck I've been doing with my time!  Well let me just throw this in.  The weekend after the wedding my local sampler guild hosted Catherine Theron for a 3 day workshop.  There were a lot of details to be worked out and then, of course, there were the classes!
  The first day was the Alphabet Primer Pocket.  So cute!!

Front, back, and the hornbook

There were also additional pieces that I had to have!!  A needlebook and a darling little scissors fob.
   The 2nd day class was a large sampler, The Hidden Magnolia Sampler.  It is a beautiful house sampler (my favorite!!) done nearly all in specialty stitches.  It is stitched on either 32 or 36 count linen but being me, I think I', going to switch mine to 40 ct!!

   The 3rd day was our regular meeting day and Catherine had another cute little hornbook for us.  I don't have a picture of it yet but I should have one soon.  I gave my kit up to someone who didn't sign up in time and I'm now waiting patiently for mine to arrive in the mail.  Not like I don't have anything else to work on!!
  So that's about it for now.  Don't want to put you to sleep with all my blathering!!  I will sign off with one last picture, my favorite from the wedding.  I don't know who took it but just love it!

Until next time,   Laura