SAS XXX

Another Share-A-Stitch is over. Time flies by. It seems as if we wait eons for SAS to get here. We plan, budget finances, make schedules, arrange dates and plans just waiting and waiting for it to get here. Then, we get in the car, head off down the road and before we have time to blink, it's over. We then wait and plan for the next one.

This SAS seemed almost as much work as play. I helped Debbie with the bookstore and while I enjoyed seeing everyone, I just didn't get enough stitching time in. Here is Becky helping us set everything up.

Every year we get to visit with friends we haven't seen probably since last year, but once we get that first stitcher's hug (ask Debbie about that), it's as if no time has passed and we again pick up just where we left off.

Jill Hatfield with her very dear friend Ms. Fredreca.

This is the EGA tapestry. I had seen it in pictures before but this was my first time to see it (in person?) It is beyond words to describe how wonderously beautiful it is. Photos can never match the glory of seeing the real thing. One could stop in to see it a dozen times a day and each time find something that was missed the first time. I was honored to have seen it myself.

Becky and I at the banquet Saturday night. The centerpieces were wonderful handmade fabric cakes. Tickets were drawn for each cake to be given away. They were all beautiful. We also received biscornous and small, hardanger gifts from Marion Scoular (a stitching legend).

So now I sit back and wait patiently (or not) for Birmingham. I didn't pre-register this time but saw three classes I would like to take so when I do register I would happy taking any of the three.

Nick and I leave early in the morning after a dentist appointment to visit my dad in WV. We are really looking forward to it. I don't see him nearly as often as I should or as often as I would like. He said he already has dinner plans. That does not surprise me. His is the best cook in the world. We didn't make major plans. It's always better to "wing it" as dad says and see what happens. The visiting, talking and just sitting together are the best kind of plans to have, don't you think?

Father's Day

We had a very nice Father's Day yesterday. I called my dad and we talked for a little while. I'm going to Share A Stitch next week so I made plans to take Nick and visit Dad the week after. I'm really looking forward to it. My dad lives in Buckhannon, WV. It's a nice little town in northern WV and it's a beautiful drive.

Phoebe, the girls, Randy, Nick and I went to Ritter Park in Huntington to celebrate Father's Day. It was really hot and humid so there weren't very many people at the park. We had a picnic of PB&J sandwiches. We had plans for a large dinner so we ate light for lunch. They have something at the park and I have absolutely no idea what it's called but there is a small, round seat that you sit on. It is attached to a wire and wheel. When you ride it, it slides along the cable from one end to the other and then back again. Very interesting. Everyone rode except for Emma. It was a lot of fun. The girls didn't play on the sand because it was too hot to even walk on.

After the picnic, Phoebe and the girls headed home. Randy, Nick and I went to the Art in the Park displays and enjoyed looking at local artists and their work. I recognized a couple from the Pendleton Art Center in Ashland. There was a lot of really nice work along with some mediocre stuff as well. Something for everyone.

Today and tomorrow will be busy because I leave Wednesday for the SAS in Charleston. I'm am SO looking forward to that. We have SAS every year and as soon as one is over, I start looking forward and planning for the next one. I'm on a tight budget this year as opposed to previous ones so I'll have to micro-manage my budget and still have fun. It's been a tough year since we now have six people living in our home. I'm riding with Debbie so there will be interesting conversation. I'm volunteering to work in the bookstore and elsewhere, as needed, so I will get to visit and talk to almost everyone attending SAS.

I like it when SAS is close by. I've been to Atlanta and Birmingham. Charleston is a much shorter drive.

Friday, Randy and I drove to Columbus to see Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly at the Nationwide Arena. We drove up early and parked in a lot close to the Arena. It cost $15 to park. It was close to several restaurants. We ate at a local brewery. I don't remember the name, but the food was delicious. They also make their own root beer. It was good, but not IBC. I had Mahi Mahi which I had never had before. I knew that it was from close to Hawaii and that reminded me of Lost, so I had to have it. Glenn and Bill were both great to listen to. It was funny and very entertaining. Even more so, because Obama had been in Columbus earlier that day at the Children's Hospital. It was a long drive going up and back in one day, but I'm glad we did it.

I took something simple with me to stitch. I'm making some penny rug coasters for the living room. I've finished three so far. They are simple, but I think they are pretty.

Hmong Project

I love our stitching around the world classes this year in TANA. This was a great project to do. I like the fact that I stitched it and then, it's finished. I didn't have to worry about framing or where to hang it. It's a book. Liz gave us instructions for folding the paper, origami style, to insert into it. So, when the pages are full, I can cut, fold and insert new pages.

The only part I didn't like was stitching on black fabric. This was Aida so the holes were easier to see but I still had to use my Ott light, magnifier glasses and white paper on my lap. It was better than a bookmark that I'm making for the SAS basket. It's done on black linen with white variegated thread. I think it will be great when it's finished but with the smaller holes, I can only work on it sitting outside. Even the Ott light doesn't help with that one. I also made the mistake of finishing the edges with black pearl cotton. I know I'm a sadistic stitcher!! Hopefully I can finish it in the next day or two and post it.