Almost, but not quite...

I had high hopes of being able to finish this design with just one skein of Caron Waterlilies...Amy did it with her "R" design, but this one must have had about 60 more stitches in the design than the "R", because as you can see on the upper right corner, I came up about 60 stitches short of thread!!! ARGGH! Of course, I only had one skein of this color (017 Blue Lavender) in my stash. Looks like I am going to have to order another skein to finish. The design also has a line of stitching two threads out on the edge for a border, which I was willing to leave off if I didn't have the thread, but will probably now go back and do that part of the design also.

So a word of warning, if you like these designs and choose to do your initial, and like to stitch on 28/14 count fabric, be sure and purchase TWO skeins of Waterlilies!!!

Can I do this week over again?

I don't know where I got it from but I caught the creeping crud this week. Any number of sources, probably, since the majority of my family was sick also. By Wednesday I felt miserable and didn't go to work Thursday or Friday. I'm starting to feel a little better today, but I am still coughing and feeling very fatigued. Whatever it is, it's not something that was covered in this years flu shot, which I was so careful to have last October. Oh well. I have been able to get some stitching done on my M Designs "D". It is finally starting to look like something recognizable, and I really like the way it is turning out.

We purchased our airline tickets for our trip to Maui today. We are going for a week to Kahana to stay in our time share in April. (It will be John, Lizzie and I). Here is a picture of our building...RIGHT ON THE BEACH!!! Can't get any closer or we would be IN the water!!! It guess it would be an understatement to say that we are getting very excited to go! There were places we didn't get to see and things we didn't get to do last time we were there, so we will find lots to keep us busy. Although the drive was beautiful we will NOT be taking the Road to Hana this time. Once was enough. (if you are unfamiliar with the Road to Hana, think one lane 160 degree switchbacks no guardrails type of road...you'll get the idea). We are planning on driving to the top of the Haleakala volcano though!!!! LOL!

Friday was Lizzie's 12th birthday. Happy Birthday dear youngest daughter. (Lizzie is in the middle of three girls). Being so sick I didn't have the energy to do much, so it was pretty low key, but she has had a couple friends over all weekend and completely decorated the house. I think they had fun. John took them all to go see A Night in the Museum at the theatre yesterday, and we have spread out the presents and fun over the whole weekend. We bought her a small TV for her bedroom...it will be interesting to see how much use it really gets!!!

Stitching Retreats

Today’s SBQ was suggested by Danielle and is:
Have you ever been to a stitching retreat?

I rarely answer these SBQ's, but I this one I will. I have been to TWO stitching retreats and they were both absolutely fantastic. Back in 1990 Von and I attended a weekend at the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach) by a LNS (Stitches and Straw) in Vancouver Washington. We had two (I think...am I right Von?) projects we worked on over a long weekend at a beautiful hotel right on the beach. It was a fantastic getaway.

The second one I had the privilege of attending was in 2002 in Victoria, BC for the Victoria Holiday put on by Thea at Victoria Sampler. It was a wonderful time, and I marvelled all the way home how relaxed I felt. We had three teachers with three beautiful projects and lots of new friends and memories.

If you ever have a chance to attend a stitching retreat, you must do it! I would do it every year if I could!!!

Super Bowl Sunday

I can hardly believe it's been a year since I last posted about the SuperBowl. Not that any one much cares about it now, a year later, but I was really into the game as our home team, the Seahawks were playing. (They lost. I can't even remember now who they played!!! Shows now just how truly unimportant all this really is in the scheme of things!!)

Anyway, we are leaving in a few minutes for a Superbowl party. There is also a Chili cookoff, pie contest and potluck dinner. This is my main reason for attending. I have been perfecting a recipe for a pie that I called Burnt Creme Pie, and so I made one to take for the contest. It turns out a little different every time I make it, so it will be interesting to see how it is this time. I am taking my stitching along too, and will probably only stay for a little of the game, since I have absolutely no interest in who is playing this year.

I am still plugging away on the same "D" design as I have been. I didn't even stitch on it this week again, but decided to post a picture anyway. Can you tell it's a D??? (Snort!) Maybe next week I'll have more to show you. I love the colors against the tan background, and it's been a pleasure to stitch, even tho I rarely do a piece that is only cross stitch anymore.

I actually finished our taxes yesterday and got them electronically filed. Lord willin', we should have a nice refund in about 2 weeks. I love this electronic stuff...no more waiting for 2 or 3 months for your refund check! I expect in a few years we will be able to get our refunds in a matter of a day or so and we will think 2 weeks was slow!!!

Well, we need to scoot, or we will be late for the potluck. Have a great week!