Small beach themed finish

I was in the mood to stitch something "beachy" so, being the serial starter that I am, I put down my wips and stitched this little piece taken from PS July.

I also ordered some stash from 123 Stitch and it's on its way.  I may even start something new when it arrives.  lol!

I've been increasing my walking distances this week toward where I was before I let myself decrease it.  It's really hot and humid now so I really have to push myself to do it.  I feel so much better when I exercise, though, so it's worth it.

Happy stitching!

Actually stitched!

Graduation weekend was a whirlwind!  It was great having all the "kids" under one roof, even if it was for such a short time.  Sunday started what felt like Grand Central Station around here.  T left for orientation, DH left for a business trip, and 2 of our kids flew back to their homes.  I spent a few days in Austin (drove that college student back) while  youngest DS was at his college orientation.  (He's "pumped" after attending this and looking forward to starting in the fall.  His older sibs told him to always take advantage of free food and t-shirts whenever the opportunity arose and he managed to take advantage of both this trip.)

Almost every time I drove somewhere in Austin, I took the "scenic route" (got lost.)  I hate Austin traffic, especially 35!

Gingers has been closed for a while now but I visited a needlepoint shop:

Needleworks

While I don't do needlepoint (other than trying out simple pieces years ago), they have loads of beautiful canvases and models.  Since they also carry some of the same specialty flosses we cross stitchers use, I bought a few while I was there.

I started a new sampler called "True Virtue".  I bought it off ebay;  it is from an unknown magazine but appears to be from one of the JCS publications.  Since I have all the JCS magazines and don't remember seeing it, I'm thinking it may be from one of the SANQ issues that I don't have.

Don't faint but I also worked a bit on my LK "Guys and Gals" snow people sal.  My intention is to put it back in rotation and I'm hoping that stitching on it during the summer might trick me into thinking I'm cool.  Yeah, right!

I also signed up for a block exchange in one of my groups, chose something to stitch, and started it yesterday.  Since it's due soon, I think that will take priority until it's finished but it won't take long.  No picture for this one yet.

So far the "lazy days of summer" haven't happened...I wonder if they ever will be.  The house has been neglected so I decided I should start decluttering/reorganizing.  I also have 4 years of band pictures to look at online and pick out the ones I want to buy.  (Since I worked so much with the kids, I didn't take many pictures.  The band photographer takes better pictures anyway.)  We're also planning a trip "home" to visit our parents/family up there.  I'd love to take a "just because" trip somewhere fun but haven't had time to think about it yet....something relaxing.  We'll see.

Happy stitching!

Graduation

All that anticipation and it's already over!

Our older "kids" spent the weekend here to help us celebrate our "baby's" HS graduation.  Pardon the brag but he graduated 8th our of the 522 students in his class.  He's a hard worker and it shows and we're very proud of him.

Our former band director and friend retired a few years ago and he was recently elected school board president.  What a treat that he was the one who awarded DS his diploma!

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, DS is already at his college orientation.  lol!

My needles have been neglected but I'm looking forward to some quality stitching time and hope to have some progress to post next time.

Happy stitching!

Long Time, No See

It's been so busy around here with DS's approaching HS graduation that I've been neglecting my poor blog.

There's not been to much stitching going on around here either although I did finish another model for LHN  (top secret) and also a little fruit themed exchange block for one of my groups.  This came from the LHN design fruit bowls:

Some of the recent activities were 2 piano recitals (one was DS's senior recital):

His last Band-o-Rama followed by his last drum line performance:

(That's him on timpani.)

(After this night, it started to "hit him" that, despite being so excited to move on to college, that he'll really miss many of his friends as they scatter off in different directions.  His group of percussion was like a little close-knit family.)

His last band banquet:

Senior Honors Night where he was awarded with a couple of scholarships and picked up his honor cords (from the local college for excelling in dual credit courses and his summa cum laude cord from the HS):

Yesterday was graduating seniors' day at our church and he played Claire de Lune (Debussy) during the service.  Many people graciously complimented him afterwards.  The pastor was blown away by the fact that he plays it from memory instead of having the music in front of him.

His graduation is this coming Friday.  Our older "kids" start arriving tomorrow night and it will be nice having everyone together to celebrate.

We are blessed!

Happy stitching!

Rita

Another great contest at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Nancy's having another great giveaway of some of her beautiful floss on her blog.  Go here for details:

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe giveaway

Busy but very little (if any) stitching....picture heavy

End of the school year and senior year activities are in full swing so not much stitching being done around here.  I hope to get a good start on a new model this weekend now that I've caught up on some rest from the activities below.

First off, last weekend DH and I chaperoned the band's spring trip to Dallas.  The bands participated in a competition at the Majestic Theater and pretty much blew away the competition.  We came home with 10 trophies, including one of our bands winning overall.

Other activities included hanging out at the Galleria (and ice skating....first time this century I've ice skated.  It's like "riding a bike" once you get started), Six Flags (I LOVE coasters!), Medieval Times, breakfast and music at House of Blues, dinner at Bucco di Beppo (sp?), lunch at the West End,  and Perot Museum.  A good time was had by all.

We arrived home from Dallas Monday night.  Then our symphonic band traveled to Austin Thursday to be honored by the Texas state legislature with a proclamation read on the House floor by our State Rep.  They also had a picture taken with him on the stairway and played a concert at an outdoor rotunda.  It was a long day starting at 4:45 am but a very fun day.  I'm so proud of our band kids and directors for all their hard work for earning this honor!

What a fun week!  Hopefully next time, I'll have some stitching to share.

Happy stitching!

Rita

Heartbreaking week

This week's events of the bombing in Boston (and the aftermath...I'm still glued to the news watching the unfolding events), the ricin letters, and the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas just breaks my heart.

 I will never understand the hate that flourishes in some people's hearts as to the man made/intended events.

I'm trying to focus on the good deeds/actions that come from so many after events such as this.  Really, when you think about it, there's so much more good in the world than the bad...both in the reactions to these events and also in day-to-day life.


Still, so many people are in my prayers today...the victims of the violent acts and the people affected by the accident in West.  So many people's lives will never be the same.

 I also pray for those whose hearts are filled with hate....that their hearts will soften.

On the stitching front....

Diane from Little House Needleworks released a model I stitched for her, Miss Peepers.  It was a FUN stitch and stitched up quickly:

You can also see it (along with other recent releases) here:

Little House Needleworks

I've also finished and sent another model so picked up my wip of LK A Good Marriage to stitch.

Another last....T's last band UIL competition was yesterday afternoon.  They did an amazing job and earned Sweepstakes for their concert and sight reading...the highest score possible.

I probably should get going on T's graduation piece.  Time's a'wastin'!  lol!

Happy stitching!