The Sunshine State

Here we are in Florida and finding it warm, relaxing and perfect. We have been here three days now and I believe that would count as three days of better weather already than we had during all of last year's visit!
I have been swimming in the (heated) pool ...stitching on Alpine Seasons...

...knitting on socks...

and reading but I forgot to take a picture of the book but today I will be on to another one anyway...

I have also been breakfasting late in the lanai with my trusty companions. Dan made breakfast by the way. We have gone on leisurely walks around block and are generally thoroughly enjoying our solitude, privacy and holiday in this lovely comfortable Florida home.

Downsides?...the only immediate one is that I have had a slight reaction to the sunblock I was using and my face is red, but not from the sun. Today I'll find a drugstore and get something that doesn't cause this itching ...all in all not a big problem! So no complaints so far.

The house at home is well looked after, Dan is getting a well deserved holiday, I am going to get a great deal of stitching done...all's right with the world.

Well our world anyway...I have no idea what's going on in the great wide world as I haven't seen any news this week other than to hear the Elizabeth Taylor has died.

Let the pictures do the talking

These are two pairs of socks I have knit! Thank You Clare for the yarn and Fran for the finishing! Fran gave me this great Stitching bag for my birthday. She made it and I am looking forward to filling it with my projects to take to Florida. This is the inside with very large zip lock bags for holding all my thread and charts and stitching.

And this is the personalized out side! Thank You Fran!

Lisa is a Thursday stitcher and this is her cat....

And of course you all know Adriana and these two pieces are her latest finishes.

This one of birds is incredible!!

I also had taken a photo of Beatrice's progress on her Miribilia Sand Castle piece but the picture didn't turn out very well. I am not dubbed the world's worst photographer without good cause.

Sloppy weather

Well it snowed all day yesterday and it is raining today...non-stop..so we are experiencing some very sloppy weather. I am just glad I don't have to go anyplace. I was out this morning thinking to shovel the walkway, which I did but I stopped at that because the wet wet snow is just so heavy! It was exhausting to try to move it. Rubber boots are the order of the day!

Yesterday I stitched on Ethan's stocking and have finally arrived at the point where all that remains in backstitching. That was my choice of course so next week when I pick it up again I will backstich my little brains out and maybe have it finished before we go to Florida.

The next few days I will get back at my Alpine Meadows piece. It is huge and I have done very little...so it deserves some attention.

Friday stitchers

Hi Loyal readers.. I have been very remiss in blogging and for this I apologize. We have had quite the week, not that that is an excuse, but I will complain anyway. On Monday we visited Dan's 86 year old Dad in Mississaugua. On Thursday we went to a funeral in Huntsviille ..the deceased was only 54(!) of cancer...it was a hard one. It has been a hard week. So by Friday I was glad to be home with my Friday Stitching friends and I am happy to show you their work..
Here is Cheryl's version of an Ink Circles piece but I am not sure which one it is... but she chose her own colours. And here is Anne 's "Clipper Ship Voyage" By Dimensions, which she has stitched for her husband and soulmate Brian.

I have been working on the CS& CC stocking for my great nephew. I will post a picture this week. I promise!!!!

Nashville

Hi everyone,

Dan and I are in Nashville and I for one am pretty much shopped out. We will stay here again tonight because snow is expected in the areas through which we have to travel and besides it is Daytona 500 Day and we want to watch the race.

We figure they will have cleared the snow by the time we come through on Monday and Tuesday and also with Monday being a holiday who wants the long lines at the border? I can't blame people for cross border shopping though as I am doing the same thing and the dollar is so good right now compared to the US dollar.

Anyway here is a little teaser peek at just a few of the goodies I have picked up.

I got a good buy on some fabric...remember those packages I got a few years ago and sold for $10 each in great colours? I have more now.

Debbie...got some beautiful yellow linen for you in 32 count but have ordered some 28 if you prefer that.

Sharon..had to order the CWC linen for you .

Catherine S...picked up your WDW threads

Judie...had to order your Crescent Colours but they will be shipped on Monday

Diana...ordered the one from Shepherd's Bush, picked up the two Rosewood Manors

Colleen...I found the needle miner and the Blackbird Designs book

Trish...got the new Lizzie Kate as requested for you

Marie Paule...wait till you see JBW's Scottie

Bonnie...got the limited edition Fireweed kit from Tracy at Ink Circles for you as well as all her newest designs...that Jusy Rosy one is gorgeous!

I didn't see anything I 'd like to offer as a stitch along/class on but then I haven't really taken the time to spread it all out and fondle to properly.

Here are a couple of pictures to tease you!

All oohs and aahs accepted

I saw these in a recent Cross Stitch Gold Magazine and decided I had to make them...yes all four!
They are called Pantomime Houses and are based on a variety of Fairy tales..Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood (who appears to be hanging out with the Three little pigs) and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
They were fun to stitch and fun to put together. The designer recommended aida fabric but of course I had to use Lugana. Once I was lacing the walls together I realized that aida would likely have worker better but oh well I had the lugana left over from something and I had to use it!
The roofs are done aida and the bases in green felt. The instructions did not call for stuffing the houses but I filled them up with fibrefil to help them keep their shape.

A finish!

I love this stocking...It is called "A Virtuous Woman Stocking" and is just so primitive and funky and out there that it just speaks to me...
It is from Carriage House.
The saying on it is...
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband but she that has no shame is rottenness in his bones" I also finished 4 Christmas ornaments today but will wait till next week to post them. I want the Thursday and Friday stitchers to oooh and aaah first! (And I had better hear a lot of ooohing and aaahing tomorrow and Friday!)