Eight Shops in Two Days !! - CHAPTER 1

Since July 4th fell on a Wednesday this year, my friend Vickie suggested I take off Thursday and Friday. We then proceeded to plan an 8-Cross Stitch Shop Hop, heading NE from Cincinnati. Relying on an admittedly outdated list of shops from the internet (glad they are going to update that directory now!), and using AAA to build an online Triptik, we found 8 shops we wanted to hit.

We left my house in Mason around 8 am and headed toward Columbus. From Columbus, we headed out on US 62 through Amish country, namely Holmes County, and specifically to The Stitching House in Berlin, Ohio. This may not have been the best choice of roads, being a 2-laner and pretty slow-moving at times, but we enjoyed the drive, as it rained off and on through the morning.

As we parked the car, the rain burned off, and we headed to the shop. The Stitching House is a nice little shop, right in the middle of downtown. I immediately saw Diane Graebner's Amish Alphabet on display, and knew I needed to buy that pattern, as a nice memento of Berlin. The shop will soon be changing its name to Country Craft Cupboard, when they integrate their yarn department into one store, so they are having Fun Fridays, where you can get some real bargains.

We tried to get seated at Boyd and Wurthmann's restaurant right next door. It being right at lunchtime, though, it was packed with locals, and we walked back up Main St., to Java Jo for soup and sandwiches. Downtown Berlin is very attractive, and it was so tempting to browse the other shops, but we had 7 more cross-stitch shops to visit in the next day and a half. Next shop - Inn Stitches in Canton, Ohio !

A Plethora of Pillows

The first is SamSarah's "Star Shine," stitched a very long time ago. Why do we sometimes set something aside when we are so, so close to finishing it? I'm ashamed to say all it needed was a pillow form!




Then there's Sekas and Co.'s "Watercolour Hearts," as well as the Bent Creek Stoneware Wishes Kit "Be Mine," beautifully finished by my best stitching buddy Vickie. Didn't she do a beautiful job?!

Picking up Speed on HoHRH

I loved stitching this house. Maybe it was the shading of the brickwork. Anyway, my whole outlook on this project has changed. Onward !

A Summer Place (CEC) - In Progress Finally

I am stitching this on 32 ct. Nautical Blue Jobelan from Sassy's Fabbys . Just gorgeous!

Cheers! Another Finish for Me!

This was such a blast to stitch! From Water's Edge. And the finishing touches, the charms around each glass, really make it pop. Think I'll just go pour me a tall one to celebrate!

Stash Sale

Just spent a whole afternoon scanning some stash, so feel free to take a peek.

Stash Shoppin!

On my way to Toledo for a business trip, I stopped by the Craft Gallery in Findlay. Had a wonderful visit with Carol there and met the owner Carlton Fruth, too. Left with this beautiful Blue Ribbon Design "Stop and Stitch The Flowers", the fabby for it, and all the Crescent Colours, too!



Then it was on to Toledo, where I just had to visit Something Extra (home of Sisters and Best Friends), where I really made a haul - all the stuff here plus the yummy fabby for BOAF's "Scared Silly."

Another Sister Gift

Just got back from Kansas City MO, where I was able to present my sister Laura and her husband Mic with their 25th anniversary sampler, designed by Sisters and Best Friends (how appropriate!). She loved it, of course.

Although stitching is not her thing, she went with me to the Old Mill Stitchery in Liberty, where I picked up a new Cricket, "Spring Fleece" and some yummy Jobelan for it.

Happy Happy Hour

This is Water's Edge's "Its 5:00 Somewhere," one of the cutest designs on this theme. The picture does not do justice to the gold sparkly fabric I found (28 ct. Opalescent Raw Linen). Will start the words at the bottom tonight. This has been a blast to stitch!

Finishes (sort of)

Here is my latest finish, "For the Cure." This was published by JABC in October of 2005. It has special significance for me, since 13 years ago on June 10th, I heard the "scary" words. I think I will make it into a fabric-framed doorknob hanger.
















And, time for a drum roll !! House #1 is finished !!

Mother's Day 2007

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. This was my gift to my mom this year. I gave it to her on Saturday, since I was up in Maine getting my daughter from college.

SBQ - May 2

The latest SBQ is: How many WIPs do you have? How many UFOs do you have? When does a WIP become a UFO?

I probably have about a half dozen WIPs. Add to that another 3-4 UFOs. My WIPs become UFOs when I haven't stitched on them in over 6 months. That reminds me, I need to find those UFOs.....

TA DA ! New England Sampler is Finished !!

The colors are stunning! This sampler was stitched over at least two years and, naturally, has alot of sentimental value. I will always be a New Englander.

Thinking 'bout Stitching

Even before I started this blog, I had thoughts of creating a "stitching rotation," with the idea that it would keep me motivated, organized, and prioritized. Well, of course, I dutifully compiled my list, kitted up several projects, and set my clock. It never really got off the ground, and I think I know why.

Now that I'm up and running in the stitching blogosphere, I am re-examining my motivation to stitch, and really don't think I will hold myself to a system or schedule ever again.

The stitching blogs that tout rotations, goals, tallies of finishes, and bemoan the ever-present UFOs, make me wonder if the love of the craft/artform hasn't been transformed into the "chore" of stitching.

Some evenings I get "start-itis" and get such a high, pulling all the threads and picking out fabric. Is there anything like that feeling?

I want to stitch for the sheer joy of it, switching pieces as my mood changes, with no time pressures or feelings of obligation. I want to prop my feet up, gather my threads around me, and watch a picture unfold in my hands, and love every minute of it!

SBQ - April 19

The latest SBQ is:
Are you on "The Wagon?" If so, how long have you been on and how "serious" are you about it? If not, have you considered it?

I guess the truly honest answer is: I have one foot on the Wagon and one foot off. Although I am really, really trying to "stitch from my SUBSTANTIAL stash," I find I cannot pass up a new design that "speaks" to me. I certainly am not buying like I used to (which is how I acquired such a great stash in the first place). And, I am trying to grab the next project if I already have the fabric for it. So, I guess you can say my heart's in the right place, right?

The Story of My Life

Though I genuinely look forward to seeing my kids, it has been nice having the old homestead to myself. This design by Sherry Senicar just about says it. This will go in my kitchen, and I just pray the little angels don't take offense.

Yum!

As promised, Chocolate Covered Cherries was finished last weekend. Looks like something I would display around Christmas or Valentines, a flat-fold or a standup, perhaps?

Little Stitches

Here's my Spring Chick by Waxing Moon, which I've had finished for a while.


I will also most likely finish Chocolate Covered Cherries by Casey Buonaugurio before the end of the weekend. Am I trying to avoid the BAPs in my "to do" pile, hmmmm?

Back from the Framer !!

Got two of my favorite stitches back from the framer over the weekend. Bonnie Z. did an absolutely awesome job, don't you think? The first is Hinzeit's Shoreline, and the second is Medeiros' Blueberry Sampler.

Took a Break

Took a break today from HoHRH to stitch up this cutie from Stoney Creek. Makes me think summer is indeed right around the corner!