A Trip to the Mountains

  The ladies in my weekly stitch group decided we needed a little stitching retreat.  Nothing too involved, just a few days to get together and stitch on whatever we had going without the stress of classes and ugly things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.  We went west, to the mountains of Virginia, and spent a lovely long weekend at Wintergreen.

The view from our condo taken by CH

   It was cold and very windy the first night we were there but we had  beautiful weather the rest of the weekend although it did remain chilly the whole time we were there.  We chose our weekend well.   It was the Christmas Open House for the local craft store, Country Connections, and we hit that  2 days in a row! We cruised by on Friday to check out the regular stuff  (And we had a little adventure with the car keys that required the assistance of AAA but that's all I'll say about that!!) and then went back on Saturday for the Christmas part.
   Tons of people were in attendance, apparently they come from far and wide for this event, and additional vendors were outside selling food and other crafts.  I was able to get the apples my husband wanted as well as Apple Butter, bread and a Blackberry Pie.  One of my friends bought Brunswick Stew from another vendor and we had the stew and bread for dinner that evening and the pie for dessert.  Nothing could be better!!
   We also hit the Open House for the local needlework shop and had a great time there as well.  Who doesn't love a sale on needlework??!!  And I learned just this morning that one of the ladies in our group won a door prize, a $50 gift certificate!!  If it can't be me, at least it was her!!  What fun!!
  We did manage to get some stitching done too.  I finished up Butternut Tavern, finally!!

Stacy Nash Butternut Tavern Sampler Pinkeep

Sorry for the wrinkles.  It will go into the box until I figure out what to do with it and I saw no point in ironing it.  Then, I got out Cinnamon Stars and put a few stitches in it too before we had to come home.

I have just a meager start on the house but it should come along quickly.  So cute!!  I just love it!!
   So, since I hadn't taken a single picture the whole time we were away, the ladies indulged me and stopped a few times on the way out so I could show you all how beautiful it was there.  It was past the peak of color and we lost a lot of leaves to the wind  but the trees were still lovely.

  So, that's about all I have for now.  I have been playing in my stash since I got home yesterday, in amongst catching up all the housework that needs to be done, and I may have a new start or 2 to show you next time!  In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying your stitching as much as I am!!    Laura

I'd Never Make it as a Roadie

   It has been forever since my last post but October has been so busy my husband commented that it was like I have a full time job!!  Add to that several trips I have taken this month and that explains the level of crazy currently existing at my house!!  I will be home for the next couple of weeks so things should settle down some, if I can keep my calendar to a dull roar.
   I started the month with a trip to Northern Va for the EGA Region meeting.  I had the good fortune to catch my son at a time when his schedule had a few free minutes and we had a lovely dinner together my first night there.  The next day was a class which was out of my comfort zone but not so much so that I gave it up.  I met some lovely ladies that I hope to stay in touch with and I will eventually get back to that class, eventually.
   My second trip was a tag along some of my stitching friends and I did with the Loudon Sampler Guild to the New Jersey schoolgirl sampler exhibit at  Morven Gardens.  A lovely recounting can be seen here on the Black Branch blog.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic trip, we all had a great time, and there was talk of going again before the exhibit closes.
   I confess that we went up the day before the bus trip and did some scandalous money dropping at In Stitches.  I was instructed to 'be good' as I was going out the door Friday morning but I wasn't too clear about what exactly that applied to so I used my good judgement and applied it to Amy Finkle's.  A person could get into serious trouble in that place!!
  After that trip, I had a few hours turn around to do a few chores and wash some clothes and it was off to the beach with me.  My husband and our Son#1 had gone on Saturday and I was behind the curve here.  But, I did enjoy a little quiet time to catch my breath and still my mind before rushing on to the next big thing.  It was a nice week, with just the 3 of us, and a good time was had by all.  Let me just add that the fishing (according to those who would know) was better than it has been for years and my husband was ecstatic!!
  So, on to what we're here for, stitching!!!  I haven't had the time I usually do for stitching this month but I have been at it every chance I could.  First,  I got back some framing.

As you can see, I am in love with this molding and I have used it for my last 3 pieces.  It works with them all though so it's not weird!
   Most of my stitching time was spent on this, stitched for my friend the Finishing Fairie for her birthday.  Hope she likes it!

Blackbird Designs
First Cocks Crow from Sisters book
40 ct. WDW Cocoa w/listed threads

 Then I came across this lovely that I think I started last year and stitched on for just a short while and then put away.  I would like to get this finished this fall.

40 ct. Lakeside Meadow Rue
w/limited edition GA thread pack

   This sweet sampler, technically a pinkeep, is being worked on currently.  I have finished the top section and have moved to the house and hope to have this one finished in a few days.

   I didn't really need a new start but I did need something small to work on during the NJ trip so I started this one.  I've had it kitted for quite some time and have really wanted to start it so, there you go!

40 ct. Lakeside Meadow Rue
w/mostly called for threads

Here is the pic, just in case you don't recognize it from the lovely fence and sunflowers I have stitched!!  I've changed some of the colors so they will show up on my linen.  I have the linen that it calls for but I don't like it so I changed it to Lakeside.

 Just for fun, I had to show this beautiful scissor fob my friend Tommye made for me.  I love red and this is just gorgeous!!!

You can find her one-of-a-kind designs here on Etsy.  Love her stuff!!
  Well, I think that just about catches me up. I'm sure there are some things I'm forgetting but they will just have to wait until next time.  I have a full afternoon of stitching ahead of me and I am so looking forward to that!!

 Hope you're all enjoying your stitching as much as I am!   Laura

Framed!!

   I had been holding off taking Summer at Hollyberry Farm to the framer in eager anticipation of picking up the framing I had previously dropped off.  I called on Friday and she was just putting the backs on them so I went over first thing Saturday morning to pick them up.  I am so pleased with how both pieces turned out!!!

Close-up of the frame
Love this moulding!!

Harriette Coe is in the same frame, just a redder tone.  Both of these will be residing at my LNS for a while.  I will be picking up One Nation in December since it is for The Hubs for Christmas but leaving it at the shop until then ensures he won't see it until he's supposed to!!  He likes to peek!
  Well, I don't know why IH&SWeekend never seems to go like I plan but this one was certainly true to form.  At the time I signed up, I didn't have a thing on my calendar but by the time it rolled around I was up to my eyeballs in other things I needed to do.  I didn't get to stitch as much as I would have liked but that seems to be a recurring theme so I won't dwell on it.
   I managed to get that last line of verse in on Ann Bowers.  Yeah!!!!!  This is the last 4 lines of this section and I think you can read it pretty well.  I was a little worried about the method I was using to stitch it but if you're not looking at it with a magnifier, I think it's okay.
  

So, this is where I am now and the end is in sight!  I do have 2 more rows of over one verse to stitch but after what I just finished, it should be a piece of cake!!  And after the over one, that 45 ct over 2 is looking like burlap!!  Not really but it is a lot easier to work on than I remember.

   So, for the IH&SW report, I stitched the last row of over one verse above and I started one of those fall pieces that had been calling my name.  Not much to look at yet but I promise, you're going to love it next time.  I confess to taking liberties with the colors, again!!

Butternut Tavern Sampler Pinkeep
by Stacy Nash
40 ct Lakeside Maritime white
with GASTs

Well,  that's all I have for now.  Hope you're enjoying your stitching as much as I am,  Laura