Hey!  Still not much stitching going on but I thought I would update my blog with the bits I got done.  I finished the wreath, the candy canes and started the background.  After I finish the background, I will go back in and add French knot snow flakes and I need to add beads for the berries on the wreath.  I love the wreath.  It really stands out on the canvas. 

I am pretty much done with family for the summer.  I only have a bridal shower for my niece on Saturday.  Three weekends of family is more than enough:)  The Cubs/Cardinal game last Saturday was fun and the kids and my brother got to go on their first subway ride to Wrigley.  Sunday we spent a beautiful day on a friends rooftop deck watching the air show.  It is amazing how quickly summer is going by. 

Well things are not real exciting around here so this is a short post.  I hope everyone is enjoying summer and avoiding earthquakes and pending hurricanes.

Summer is not made for stitching

Hi,  I have been a little lax on posting lately mainly because I have not had much to show.  Yesterday, I did make some progress.  I finally finished the roof on Gretel's House.  The stitch guide called for the Souffle stitch and I could not make that look right.  Instead I used Nobuko.  First I layed three strands of white DMC then I went back over the stitches with white opal Ribbon Floss.  I like the look now.  I know people can do DMC and Ribbon Floss at the same time but mine looked like crap.  I like my snow now.  Yesterday I also finished the door and started the wreath.  The wreath is going to be cool.  The ladies in Needlepoint in Paradise had me buy Boucle'.  The wreath is all French knots and you know I love doing French knots.  The red berries are going to be beads.  Maybe I can finish the wreath tonight. 

My parents were in town this past weekend.  We had a good time but having someone around all weekend is a lot of work.  Friday they went shopping on Michigan Ave. while I finished up my work week.  Friday night we went to Via Carducci in Bucktown because I had a Groupon that was expiring on Saturday.  It was a nice restaurant.  It was crowded so I think everyone was there trying to use up their Groupon's as well because I don't typically think summer and Italian food.   Saturday Mom and I spent the day shopping in Oak Brook and my Dad and husband golfed.  Saturday we ate at home and DH made biscuits and gravy for Sunday breakfast which were delicious. 

The month of August is turning out to be all about family.  Next weekend my brother and his family are coming to town and the following weekend is my nieces bridal shower.  I will be ready for Labor Day and no family:)  Then the following weekend starts ten days in Naples for EGA and vacation.  I cannot wait for that week. 

Hope you have a wonderful week with lots of stitching.  Thanks for reading my blog. 

Tail Feathers

 Can you believe that it is already August.  Where is summer going?  My letters for Seminar supplies are coming in, I won't see my Guild friends until Naples, I am planning weekends through September, and soon I will have to start booking my tickets for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I did manage to get in a few stitches into Beautie Spot.  I finished up the individual flower on the left hand side.  I finished the tail feathers and I am outlining the back end of the Dodo bird. 

This is a little travel project that I decided to work on.  This was our Guild's project last month.  I wanted to take the class because I have a pulled work class at Seminar and I wanted some practice.  At one point I was not going to finish this project because the directions are a little wonky and the finishing is making this into a pin cushion using an empty tuna fish can.  Seriously, I just could not see myself living with a used tuna fish as a pin cushion.  Just kind of grosses me out.  I know about reusing and re purposing but I would have been happier with a crushed pineapple can instead of tuna.   Anyway a Guild friend said to make it an ornament instead with lame as a lining to bring out the holes in the pulled work.  That seems like a much better idea, plus I only have to  see this one month a year instead of year round. 

Our house has been a revolving door of friends and dinner parties.  Last night I finally had to say enough and no one can come over.  Hopefully, that pattern can hold for tonight as well.   My husband is dealing with some eye issues and he will be off work this afternoon but that will not necessarily slow him down from cooking and inviting people over. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have a wonderful week.