Thanksgiving..

I am spending Thanksgiving in Tennessee with my mom's family this year so I spent today getting my decorations out and getting things ready for our trip. I will leave early Wednesday morning so I wanted to get a jump on things. I haven't made the trip for a couple of years now so I am looking forward to seeing everyone. My mom is from a family of 16 yes 16 children so it is usually a pretty good size get together. The boys are going to go with me my husband will stay at home - too much commotion for him. After dinner the tradition is to have a gift exchange and it is always fun because you are allowed to take someone else's gift you like their gift. I always like to get a gift that may cause a little bit of fun. Hopefully, I will be successful with my gift this year.

I have finished my husbands stocking - I just need to add the embellishments and then take it my local needlework store In Stitches to be finished. I probably won't have it back in time for Christmas, but my husband said it would be fine.

I will do my best to get better at posting and adding pictures.

My Little Guy's Birthday!

Yesterday was our youngest sons 6th birthday. He came home from the hospital on Wednesday and you would never know he was sick.

Looking at him now you would never know he was 10 weeks early and weighed 2 lbs 8 oz. A far cry from where he is today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Lance

Hospital...

Well here I sit with my son in the hospital. He was brought in yesterday and looks like he has the flu - not sure if it is H1N1 waiting for the results. He will be here until he is fever free. My husband and I are taking turns staying with him. I remember being in the hospital as a kid and having to share the room with four other children and that included the TV, yes TV not even cable at that time. Now my son is in a private room with a couch that turns into a bed for mom or dad. Two - yes two tv's with DVD player and Playstation 3.....unbelieveable. He is resting right now so we will see what the doctor tells us when she comes in later today.

I have almost finished my Brett Stocking for my husband. I will finally take a picture to share. I am horrible with remembering to take photos and upload them.

Interesting couple of weeks....

The last few weeks at work have been extremely busy, which is a very good thing but leaves time for little else. I did attend the DC Big Flea last weekend and purchased my first quality antique sampler, which I absolutely feel in love with. I am considering reproducing it, so right now I am researching the sampler to find out what I can about it. I have bought a couple of other samplers, but nothing of this quality. I was so excited to find it and to be able to own it. I have it proudly hanging in my office.

I leave next week to go to EGA's seminar in Pittsburgh, so glad it isn't this weekend after the G20 Summit. I really don't know why any city would want to host these summits given the protest that go along with them. I will be attending the Judging class which is a component of the Appraisal program I began in June. If anyone is interested in having their needlework appraised, feel free to contact me. It is a good idea to have appraisals for insurance purposes for needlework you have produced, family heirlooms or your collection.

Have a great week!

West Town School and Strawberry Sampler

I had a wonderful day yesterday visiting West Town School with my Sampler Guild. My mom who is not a member was a trooper and went with me. We began the morning with a lecture and then we divided into two groups. We took turns visiting the archives where the majority of the samplers are hung and then upstairs visiting the various rooms where samplers are displayed throughout the school. I was able to take pictures, but we had to agree not publish them they are for our personal use only. After we finished with the West Town portion of the visit there was a second lecture by Carol - I apologize I do not know her last name and I will have to find out. She talked about Sarah Boone and the history of Oley Valley, which was very interesting. We left early I believe the second portion of her discussion was going to be focusing on Quaker Samplers. I hurt my back several months ago and I just can't sit very long or walk for very long so it was time for us to head back home since it is a little bit of a drive for me. After West Town my mom and I found Strawberry Sampler which is an adorable store with some very nice ladies working there. The models they had were absolutely gorgeous. I love going to different stores just for that reason to see the different models and to be inspired! I picked up the May, June and July Blackbird Designs Stocking Series so I am now up to date I believe August isn't in the stores yet. I may be wrong so don't quote me. We stopped by Applebee's for lunch and then headed home. Once I got home I was able to take my medicine and put ice on my back. Boy who knew ice could feel so good!!!!

Crazy week so far....

This week has been extremely busy at work, which is a good thing. However, it lives very little time to stitch. I am looking forward to my trip this Saturday, hopefully the storm in the Atlantic Ocean stays over the ocean and doesn't come up the East coast too closely. Oh, well I will make sure to tak an umbrella and to dress appropriately.

Where does the time go?

This week has went by very fast! I am continuing to make progress on Brett and I have to admit it is somewhat refreshing to intersperse with the Long Dog Sampler I am working on. I have included a partial photo of the Long Dog Sampler below. I am working it on 36ct Edinburgh Cream linen and using Gloriana Threads - Cranberry.


Next week I am going with my sampler guild to West Town School in Pennsylvania. The link I have included will take you to the information they have on their site in regards to their sampler collection. Our Guild Program Chair has arranged for us to have a tour next Saturday morning. I am looking forward to the trip and learning about the samplers they have in their collection. After our tour we are planning to stop by The Strawberry Sampler. I have never been to either location so I am looking forward to the trip.