The Season for Stitching

Actually, as far as I'm concerned (along with many other ladies I happen to know) every season is a season for stitching. It did sound like a catchy title, though.

TANA hosted Longaberger Basket Bingo again this year. While I was not one of the lucky ladies to get the yell that all-too-famous word, I did get to hear my name called during a door-prize give-away. I won this beautiful Marshall ornament stitched by our own, very talented Angie Richards! And the crowd cheers her on!

I had taken this picture before bingo started so that I might possibly make one of my own in the near future. I had no idea what fate had planned for me.

I've already shown the next two items at TANA and MMNA Show and Tell but have been to busy (or too lazy depending on who you ask) to post the pics here. I love the box. I found this kit at the last SAS in Charleston. I love to stitch houses and lighthouses so I could not pass this one up. I also like stitching things that are a little outside the box. (Humor is everywhere.)

I was so proud of stitching it and cutting out all the pieces to the box and then assembling it. I took it around to my family show and tell. Everyone was impressed or at least pretended to be. Even Nick said it looked "cool". Then he bursted my little stitching bubble when he asked me what I was going to put in it. OMG! It's beautiful stitching. It's well assembled. Since I saw the box pattern the very first time months ago, I never, NEVER had a plan for what to put in it. Practical people. Where on earth do they come from?This is September Nordic Needle card of the month. I LOVE this pattern and the colors are amazing! The year is almost over and I've loved every pattern. I was wondering what they would come up with for next year and just recently I received the catalog in the mail. They are doing a bookmark of the month club! Sign me up! Well, actually I already signed up, but you know what I mean. This has been a fun little adventure for me and Jill. I was surprised that not more of our ladies signed up to do this. I think since they have seen all the fun we've been having, they will dive into next year. http://nordicneedle.com/

This is my finished piece for the TANA August class. It is my "Personal Plaid". I love purple. If I do this again in the future, though, I will add white or black or move colors around to get a better contrast. The pattern across consists of my initials J G U R and the pattern down is my birthday 11 16 6 4. Cool, huh?

September's class is a wonderful piece. Here is a picture of our own, gorgeous and extremely talented Liz holding the project. I'm not sure yet what I will do with mine when I cross it off my To Do list, but I was thinking about stitching it onto a piece of clothing. I will have to think about that a bit.

I'm working on my Promise Piece this week but I don't think I will finish it by the deadline. I plan to take it to Cedar Lakes and work on it there but I probably won't finish it in time to win a Promise Piece gift. Maybe I should talk to that lady in charge of it and see if she can work with me a little, maybe give me an extension or something. Wait a minute. That would be me.

Vacation with Jill

Jill and I had a wonderful time at Myrtle Beach. Well, so did Dave, Mickey and Garrett, but Jill and I had more fun. At least WE think so.

This is a view of the beach from Pier 14.

Here is Jill and all the boys hitting the waves. I walked along a few times letting the waves flow over my feet, but I avoid actually getting into the ocean. There are sharks, jelly fish, stingrays and those little fish that look like rocks that can poison a person. Garrett and Mickey went fishing off of Pier 14 and saw people catch a small shark and a stingray. That just goes to prove my point, land is better.

Jill and I took a walk on the wild side and got our hair braided. I got the cornrows and Jill got one threaded braid. Ok, I went a little wilder than her with the hair, but SHE is the one who got a tattoo.

She wanted one of an angel but the man didn't have one. She had to improvise, that's what we do on vacation, so she got one that says "angel" in Chinese. It's supposed to last for 30-45 days but she had to keep getting it "touched up". It may be gone by now.

Her braid will last longer than mine, though. Hers will last about two months and my braids should last about one. My family likes my braids, except Nick requested that I wear a hat when I took him to school this morning and had to go with him to the office. He said the guys might not think it's cool. I told him he could be wrong. They might think it's hot. He didn't seem to think that was a better situation. So, I put on my Ohio State ball cap and in we went. He wasn't in trouble I just had to fill out a form. I might also add, being the proud mom that I am, that he held both doors open so mom could go in first. Such a gentleman.

This is a beautiful Myrtle Beach sunrise. Jill and I were up at 4:30am to go hunting for seashells. Yes, 4:30am. Mickey and Garrett were out the morning before at 6am and found some gorgeous conk shells. They said that there were people out before them who found even better ones. Jill and I wanted some for ourselves so there we were, out in the sand with our plastic bags, and ready to go. Well, in case you did not know this, I will let you know. It is still dark at 4:30am. It is hard to see the beach and even harder to see sea shells by the seashore. We eventually gave up and Jill went back to bed. I did stay out long enough to get a few good pics and then I was off to breakfast at the Pancake House. We did find a few pretty shells later on in the mid-afternoon. You know, when "normal" people are up and at the beach.

We took a cab to Broadway on the Beach. This is the whole crew enjoying the day. We wanted a picture of all of us so I asked a very nice lady (one who didn't look like she could outrun all of us and take my camera home with her). She took the picture. (she actually had to take a couple because she was blind in one eye, yes, I found the ONE person in the whole place to take our photo who was blind in one eye.) I think it turned out quite nicely.

Part of the vacation was a steak dinner for Garrett that Jill had promised him. We ate at Landry's. The waiter brought his cake with a candle and five forks. He enjoyed the steak very much and we all enjoyed the cake.

The flight both ways wasn't too bad. I'm not very fond of airplanes. They defy the law of gravity, like bumblebees. I'm not afraid to die, mine you, but I'm not at all a fan of pain or the intense fear of plummeting to the sky towards the ground. The day after we arrived at the Yachtsman we saw a story on the news of an airplane that was hit by lightening, fell to the ground and split in two. Let's just walk home from the beach?

Jill did very well on her part. It was a bittersweet vacation. She usually went on this vacation with Larry. She had fun most of the time but there were a few teary moments remembering him. She did say that if he had been there she probably wouldn't have gotten the braid or tattoo. It's good for her to take some baby steps outside of the box.

We both stitched a bit in the evenings when the fun of the day was over, but neither of us finished anything.

Now, vacation is over and it's back to life. Phoebe went back to work today after having her tonsils taken out a week and a half ago. She's doing really well. She said it just feels like a sore throat now. The girls are back to daycare. They enjoyed the time off as much as she did but I think they missed playing with all of their little friends. And, I'm back. Dirty dishes, floors and clothes await me. The fam did a pretty good job of keeping things in order while I was gone but they are glad I'm back to take things over again.

I have a list of my own of things to do as well. One of which is work on the gifts for the TANA Promise Pieces and create a great gift for the TANA Christmas party. The theme is "white". I have an idea for what I want to do and have already started on it. I need to finish the finishing and hope it looks as good in reality as it did in my head. I will have to let you know.

Family Visit

I had a wonderful day yesterday! My dad and Carolyn drove down and spent the day with me. They brought Chipper their dog. When I visited them earlier in the summer, Chipper wouldn't have anything to do with me or Nick. He's a very picky puppy. This time, he crawled right up on my lap like we had been friends for life. Nick will be so jealous. He usually makes friends with dogs before anyone else even has a chance.

We tried several times to stop by so dad could watch Nick practice football but for the first time all year they decided to practice all day in the gym. Partly because we had a really severe thunderstorm in the afternoon. It sounded like it was right over the house. There was no delay between the bright lightening and almost deafening thunder. It hit one time and my dad was off that chair in a second. I'm not sure I've every seen him move that fast in my life. It was a freaky storm.

We ate lunch at the Texas Roadhouse. Carolyn and I had salmon and dad had steak. After lunch we picked up the girls from daycare and went home. The girls took right to dad. Usually they are both a bit shy, especially Alyssa, but not this time. Emma talked constantly and Alyssa enjoyed playing "don't copy me" with dad.

Chipper didn't like getting in on the photo action. He's not used to being around children. I think they made him nervous. Emma loved snuggling up to her Great Grandma, though.

Dad loved it that Emma just jumped right up in his lap. She's not usually shy but it did surprise me she just climbed right up there. Dad has a way with kids. Carolyn said that he communicates with them on the same level. I think dad just rolled his eyes and went on. They have a great relationship. They tease each other back and forth and don't get mad. It's cute.

Carolyn brought me a stitching book. (A woman who knows how to get to my heart.) Dad brought me a picture of him and my mom when they were still very young. I think I was just a little over a year old when the picture was taken. He also gave me a picture of his parents when they were first married. I have to get my scanner signal to connect with my computer signal and then I will scan and post them here. I have to admit I have some very handsome and beautiful people in my family. (Maybe good looks skipped my generation and picked back up after me. LOL)

I sent them home with the apple coasters I made and a welcome banner that I stitched and finished the edges with the Finishing With Flair class I took from EGA. I think they liked them. I usually don't give stitched items as gifts but I know that they will both appreciate the hard work that goes into making something by hand.

Before the snow gets here this winter, Phoebe, the girls and I are going to get up to see them again. Nick and I had such a great time, he's ready to go back soon, too.

The Rock House

Phoebe and I went to see Eclipse. I had already seen it but really liked it so I didn't mind seeing it again. We made our own "Team Edward" shirts. No one laughed at us but it reminded me of that Burger King commercial with the little old lady in the "Team Jacob" shirt.

The weather was so nice Sunday we decided to take the kids to Vesuvius for a picnic and a hike to The Rock House.

Emma is used to sitting in a highchair but the table just had to do for the picnic.

Hamburgers are one of the few foods that Alyssa likes to eat. The boys don't like having their picture taken.Nick is an adventurer. He is never happy just being an observer. I like to keep my feet on level ground so I just take the pics.

Alyssa is the drama queen. Doesn't she look so grown up? She's ready for the paparazzi.
Emma did alright walking to the caves but she got tired on the way back. Mommy was the only person she wanted to carry her. When mom got tired she told Emma she had to walk for awhile. Emma just stood there looking at her. When mom told her she couldn't just stand there all day, she sat down. Is it the terrible twos and she's just exerting her independence, or should Phoebe just be more specific in her instructions the next time?
We aren't mad at each other. Phoebe is on the "smoking" side of the log and I'm on the "non-smoking side.

Vacation in Buckhannon

Nick and I went to spend a few days with my dad, Ray Unrue and my stepmom, Carolyn in Buckhannon, WV. We had a wonderful time. The weather was amazing. We had fun just sitting on the front porch and visiting. I went through a lot of old family pictures that my dad had and brought a bunch home for the photo album. He also gave me an antique Singer sewing machine that had belonged to my great-grandmother.The courthouse was decorated for the 4th of July. We walked along Main Street and wandered into two antique stores. I love doing that.

We took dad's boat out and went to Stonewall Jacksone Lake. It's the largest lake in WV. It was all man-made but wonderously beautiful. We were on the boat for awhile. Dad even let me drive but the photo didn't come out. Nick can be my witness, though. He has the red knuckles as proof.

This is my dad getting the boat hooked up to the truck. See the license plate? My dad loves his truck. He designed the stingray picture on the side of the boat.

The flag is at half-mast in honor of Senator Byrd's death.

Dad and Nick getting ready for us to set sail.

Nick is having fun. He just doesn't like getting his picture taken. When you see Nick, ask him how he likes carp. At the lake, you can buy bags of dog food and feed it to the fish. I fed them and even petted a few. Nick thought that looked like fun so he got down to pet them, too. One of them must not have liked it very well. It flipped its tail and splashed Nick right in the face. He stood up, his face, hair and shirt soaked mumbling, "Stupid fish." I wish I'd taken a picture of that.

Carolyn doesn't like getting her picture taken either, but I said "please?" so there we are.

On Friday, we had lunch at a steakhouse. They had the most delicious fries. Then, we went to see Eclipse. Dad didn't like it and Nick fell asleep. Carolyn and I LOVED it. I guess that's why it's called a "chick flick". Carolyn even caught an Eclipse t-shirt an usher threw into the crowd.

It was hard to pack up and leave but everyone back home was in need of "mom" and "mamaw" to be there. Dad and Carolyn are coming to visit soon and Nick and I will probably make it back up before summer's over.

I love you, Dad and miss you.

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.