Happy Hallowe'en!

SPOOKY.....here's a Mill Hill pattern I finally finished into a bellpull! Well it wasn't hard really, since the edges were already finished with the pretty orange checkerboard pattern. Its actually much nicer in person since all the beading doesn't show up in the picture.

I'm looking forwards to tonight with all the trick-or-treaters coming to the door. Of course the dogs don't appreciate being locked into the basement for the evening, they just don't quite understand why there are so many little people coming to the door.

Now to just find where I hid my candy away to.....:-D

Back Home!

We made it back home again late Saturday night. Whew, what a long drive, especially through so much rain and even sleet! The wind on the highways was incredible, at times it felt like it was moving the truck right off the road.

We had a fantastic time in Charlotte and even got to the ocean in Myrtle Beach. It was a little chilly but sunny so that made up for it and walking along the ocean is just amazing. We did a ton of shopping ~ at some outlet malls, Target, Kohl's, and of course Hobby Lobby and A.C.Moore. While I didn't find a ton of cross stitch goodies, I did pick up some great Lori Birmingham kits that were on clearance, for a sewing box, needle case, scissor fob, etc. And I also found some lovely fake-antique sewing accessories for my new sewing case that were 50% off. I love a good sale! Best of all I got a huge amount of my Christmas shopping done.
Here's a pic of Kelly and I on Thursday morning at Myrtle Beach.
And of course Miss Maisie, wearing the new coat that I knitted up for her. She's such a cutie and a ball of energy.

And We're Off!

First thing tomorrow morning that is! We're off to spent a week with our daughter Kelly at her home in Charlotte, NC. It will be our first time there and we are really looking forwards to it. I'm hoping to see some warmer weather that what we've had here, this fall has been so dull and dreary with way too much rain. Oh and of course, I can't wait to do some shopping, lots and lots of shopping!

I'm pretty much packed, we just have to hit the store to pick up some nibblies for the ride (12-14 hours - yech, what a drive!) , and the bank for US cash - for those wonderful toll highways, and any stops along the way. Its hard trying to decide what stitching project to take, most times I would love the idea of 12 hours of stitching time, but in a car??? with a teenage boy????

We'll be back the following weekend, I'm sure the week will just fly by.

Yesterday, Carrie and I met up with my sister Karen at the Creative Festival in Toronto. While there were not as many vendors as in previous years, the shopping was still just as good. The stitching designers have really started turning out, and its so great to meet these people in person - Crossed Wing, X's & O's, Heart's Content, that I can remember plus some great displays of La-D-Da, Heritage Stitchcraft, and the Historical Sampler Company. I know there were more....

Here's a few pics of my Stash-filled day:





The last 2 pics are actually of quilting kits that I have been waiting to get since I saw them at the Spring Festival. My sister bought the 2 coordinating ones and eventually I hope to make them all. Hmmm, love my coffee!

Have a great week!!

Its a Sewing Lesson!

Saturday afternoon was sewing lesson time. We got Marj's sewing machine figured out and it works like a dream. A noisy dream!

She managed to get a few of her smaller finishes done - Poor Jack, a freebie by Just Nan was made into an ornament to hang just in time for Hallowe'en. And the Kitty is I think a Bent Creek piece, but I'll have to check the name of the design. This guy is being made into a pillow. She also started the finishing of her M Designs' letters into ornaments for Christmas gifts.


And I have most of my sewing box pieces covered with fabric and ready to assemble. It was a busy afternoon!

Some more Thanksgiving pics

A few more pictures of last weekend to see! For some reason Blogger hasn't liked me this week nor has Photobucket, as neither site would let me upload any pictures.....But I have to get a couple more up, if only to remind myself of how great the weather was, because it feels like we're into winter right now. We have even had snow flurries!

I stitched this week on another PS alphabet block - C is for Cow - and its nearing the end, as soon as its done I'll get a picture up (hopefully) and that of my last finish D is for Duck. I did manage to play around with another photo hosting site yesterday and got the new Flickr multi-image thingy to work, which you can see on the right hand side. I just put up pics of all my PS blocks so far. I'm getting exciting that this is nearing the end - only 4 blocks left to go!

Marj is coming by today to give me a hand with my sewing box so I can get my homework caught up. I pulled out all my pieces the other day and had no idea where to begin. That will teach me for not completing that part shortly after the Guild meeting! Marj is bringing her sewing machine and I'll try to give her a bit of a lesson, as long we can get it threaded.

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving

What an amazing Thanksgiving weekend we had. The weather truly cooperated this weekend, to make up for all those rainy, cold weekends in September.

We went to the cottage for 3 days and so enjoyed being outside in the warm sun and among the beautifully coloured trees. It reminds me how much I love Autumn with the gorgeous colours.

The first picture is the road into the cottage.



And here is hubby doing one of his usual fall chores - mulching some leaves.


The water looked gorgeous with the blue sky - but a little chilly!


Here is a picture of Stu playing in the leaves on the deck.

Vash's RR

I finished up the backstitching on Vash's round robin piece last night. She chose the Vermillion bird & buttefly freebies from the website. I love the fabric she has sent around with her RR - its a lovely hand-dyed piece that is so appropriate as a backdrop for these birdies. They are really coming out lovely.

At the end of the month, I'll send this on to Lynn and she'll finish it off and then its back to the U.K. I can't believe how fast this round robin is coming together.

We PVR'ed the season premiere of Lost last night as we haven't quite finished up watching Season Two on DVD's. We're hoping to have a marathon session this weekend (Thanksgiving weekend!) to finish it up and may be even watch some of the 8 hours of background/documentary on the series. Yes, I know, we are all totally addicted to this show!

Thanks, everyone, for all the birthday wishes! I haven't bought my birthday present yet...there are just too many things I want, I even made a list hoping to be able to pare down some of my 'wants' but so far I haven't crossed anything off!

Finishing weekend

I don't have my pics downloaded from the camera yet but I have a few more to post - from our apple picking at a local orchard and another stitching finish.

This is called the Pumpkin Flower Sampler by Bent Creek and a very quick little one to do - one day actually! I finished it up yesterday into a little wallhanging to put by the front door. The fabric was actually a bright white and once I started stitching, I wondered what I was thinking using fabric this colour. So once the stitching of the alphabet was done, I tea-dyed the whole piece and it came out to a much warmer colour.

I got back in to see my naturopath on Friday and was complaining bitterly about my total lack of energy. I know its only been a few weeks since surgery but still....I hate not wanting to do anything more than sitting in my big ol' chair with my stitching. She offered me a Vitamin B6/12 shot to try and wow - by Sunday I felt amazing! Which is why I so enjoyed tramping through an apple orchard apple picking yesterday. Then it was off to the library for some DVD's and books, and home to cook Sunday dinner. So I am definitely going back for more of these shots!

And tomorrow is my birthday! Now to figure out what special birthday treat to buy for myself....