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?

Finished Blackwork

I worked on the SAS project at Becky's house and that's about it. At Merchandise Night I purchased a few patterns along with two grab bags full of goodies. I love to do blackwork so on Sunday I started the blackwork pin cushion and finished it about two days later. I love those quick projects. It's done in blackwork with some yellow/gold for accent. If I make this pattern again I think I'll leave it in blackwork because it looked fine like that before I added the yellow/gold. I love the way it finishes into a box shape. I will use this idea in the future. To make it fold into the box I had to stitch blanket stitches back to back. That makes a crease for the bottom layer to fit into. It's a very clever idea.

I went to Cross My Heart today to get some thread for a couple of the patterns I bought at SAS. They had several but had to order a few. I'm in no hurry. It's not like I don't already have a few to work on. I still need to finish my Promise Piece and the Greenwork Cottage so I can put those in the show. I finished Feed Bag Buddies and took it yesterday to have it framed but the gentleman informed me that the frames would be 1/2 price next week. That's not too long to wait for a great deal. I've been doing the Monthly Manias but haven't even started the one for July. I have the fabric and thread so it's just a matter of sitting down and starting it. I like them because they don't take long to do. I have until Monday to finish them for show and tell. OOOHHH I don't like the pressure!!!

TANA Basket Donation

I finally finished turning the kiss into a needlecase. The finished project will got into the TANA basket for Share A Stitch in Nashville. I think it's supposed to be a secret but at this point I don't think many people look at this blog so the secret is still safe. I hope the ladies at TANA like it enough to put it in the basket. I know they say that whenever you make something you see all the faults but noone else does. Let's hope that's the case with this one. I wouldn't be a bit offended if they didn't want to use it. I actually like it enough to keep it for myself. So I guess if it does go in the basket you'll be seeing another one in the near future for moi!