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?

Watching them play

Nick loves playing with his nieces, Alyssa and Emma and they love their Uncle Nick. We had a cookout at Mike's house and Emma had to have her turn at playing with Nick. He has always gotten down on the floor and wrestled with Alyssa but for the longest time Emma was afraid of him. I think it's his deep voice or the growling that is always a part of wrestling. Well, she finally came to the conclusion that he wasn't really a fierce monster trying to do her physical harm and she joined in on the fun. I just love this photo because you can see how much love they have for each other just by the way they look at each other. It's priceless. That is one of my favorite things about children is how honest their eyes are when showing their feelings. It's almost magical.

Nick's Summer Vacation

Well, summer vacation has just started for Nick and he's been busy already. He went fishing with his dad last week and caught his own dinner. It wasn't very big but it was big enough to bring home and eat. I'm a mom. I'm so proud of him!

Then, this week he went to King's Island with his class. He had a great time and spent most of the day in the water park. Now, I said I'm a mom, but I didn't say I was a good one. I did not make him take or wear sunscreen. (You probably know where this is going.) He came home with a sunburn. Dad is applying lotion. After taking the photo I got out the Motrin for him. Today is Friday and he's doing a lot better. Maybe by Monday he'll be pealing and on the road to recovery.

No new stitching photos to post. I've spent most of my time working on the Feed Bag Buddies. I've outlined the bird and finished the complete lower half of the design. I still need to finish a few leaves and then do the background. I'm so close I can taste it!