Seminar

After being away for two weeks on a wonderful needlepoint adventure, I am trying to settle back into the real world. I had the most amazing time in California. Karen took me to see Needlenook of La Jolla and it is just amazing. It is actually two stores. One shop is just needlepoint canvases and the other is all threads. Talk about a kid being let loose in a candy store. I really surprised myself by the restraint I had. I only picked up some threads for a few projects I had. The Ritz Carlton is a totally amazing hotel and the setting was perfect. It was so peaceful. I meet some wonderful women and look forward to our friendships growing. Karen and I are meeting up with two for dinner in Memphis in October.

Seminar was a lot of fun. This is the second Seminar I have been to and the first one that I took a class. I signed up for a three day class given by Sandra Arthur called Ladybug Teapot. What a fun class! The piece is just a fun happy piece and Sandra was a wonderful teacher. I would definitely take another class from her and highly recommend her. We covered the whole piece in three days and actually have something to show for it.



Here is a picture of Sandra's completed piece. The finishing is just beautiful.


Here is a picture of two borders and part of the spout of the teapot.


Upper part of the borders.


The teapot


Overview of the whole canvas.

I plan on making this piece into a tray. It brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.

I am just getting back to the Thanksgiving House after two weeks. I am almost done with Kit 2 for the front of the house and will then move onto doing Kit 2 for the sides and back. My goal is to have Kit 2 completed before Kit 4 arrives. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Back to Nana Daycare. Jake fell right back into our routine. He can now entertain himself playing with his cars for a long time without Nana having to sit with him.
I cannot do stitching with him around since he wants to stitch. I have a canvas for him but he wants to stitch on whatever I am working on and that just does not work.
My stitching is once again limited to the evenings.

Better get busy cleaning up some toys and getting dinner together.

Linda

I'm Home

I am finally home after the most exciting two weeks of needlepoint.

First Karen and I went to the Aristeia Retreat held at The Ritz Carlton in
Laguna Beach. The hotel was absolutely magnificent. The views were spectacular and the staff made us feel so very much at home.


The view from my room overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was wonderful waking up to this spectacular view every morning. Karen and I had our breakfast on my terrace in the morning.

We spent five glorious days at The Ritz and were sorry to leave.

The class was a beautiful canvas designed by Melissa Shirley exclusively for the Aristeia Retreat.


Here is a picture of Melissa and Amanda with the piece.

Amanda, is Wendy's daughter and she stitched and taught this piece. Amanda did a wonderful job teaching and she certainly must have made her mother proud.
We had three wonderful days of class. I made a lot of new friends and plan on meeting up with two of them in Memphis in October.

About 14 of us went out to dinner every night. The meals were excellent but the conversations and laughs we had during dinner were even better. We had a really great time making new friends and seeing old ones.

I will tell you about my next adventure tomorrow.

Linda

Box from Amy

I just love getting unexpected surprises in the mail. Today I received a box from Amy filled with wonderful things.




The Vampire Blood poison bottle with stitch guide and threads was the first surprise I opened. I love the colors for this one, it is going to be such a fun stitch.


Next surprise was Sandra Arthur's third Shapes of Needlepoint book. This books covers corners, hexagons,ovals and parallelograms. I am taking a class at ANG's Seminar with Sandra and am so looking forward to it.

You know a post is never complete without a picture of Jake.


Here he is having a good time in Cape Cod. We did FaceTime the other night so we could see each other. In just about two weeks, Nana Daycare will be opening.

Well I am busy getting ready for my big adventure to California. Karen and I are very excited about this trip. We will visit a few needlepoint stores before we go to the Ritz Carlton for our Needlepoint Retreat given by Aristeia. This is my first trip to California and I cannot wait. I hope to do postings while I am in California. Hopefully, I will be able to take pictures of the class. It will be nice to meet all the needlepointers from Facebook and needlepoint blogs. California here I come.
Linda

Off To Finisher

I finished Jake's Santa last night and now I just have to bring it in for finishing.
Sharon G suggested Criss Cross Hungarian for the background stitch and I think it was the perfect stitch. Jake is going to just love his Santa.


Back to the Thanksgiving House. I am stitching the boards for the front of the house and then onto the back and sides.

This week is going to be very busy. I have to get everything ready for my trip to California. I hope my family can survive five days without me. I am so excited about this trip. Cannot wait to meet Melissa Shirley. Karen and I have a VERY early flight out of New York. We land in LA around 9:30 AM. We have the whole day to get into trouble exploring needlepoint shops.

Linda

More NeedlepointnPresents

On Saturday at Nimble Needle, Karen announced that she had ordered two Needle Deeva Sunflower and Berries canvases and guides. I immediately said I would take it. I just love all the techniques that Robin has used on this canvas. I know that this is going to be a fun stitch


Canvas and guide. I will pick up all the threads and beads while I am in California (just two weeks to go).
Today a package from Peacock Alley arrived just in time for my birthday. What a wonderful needlepoint present.

A wonderful stocking ornament.

I just had to have a Keep Calm canvas and this one was the perfect one.
Off to dinner with the family and it is the end of this years birthday celebration.
My family and friends really made this a special birthday for me. I love all my gifts because they were all given with love and that is what makes a truly wonderful gift
Linda

Progress On Santa

Just have the background on Jake's Santa to do and then off to the finisher. Sharon G suggested Criss Cross Hungarian for the background. I am using Gloriana and Kreinik for the stitch. I love the way he is coming out. I always use a Rhodes stitch for the checks. The sweater had to be Kalem to make it looked knitted and I decided to French Knot the fur trim on Santa's hat and pompom instead of Turkey Work. Just love how it came out. Hope Jake is going to love his Santa.


I will post a picture when I finish the background.

As soon as I am finished with this ornament, I will get back to the Thanksgiving House.
Linda

Birthday Weekend Off To A Wonderful Start

When I got home from personal training and getting my hair done, I found wonderful surprises waiting for me at my front door.

There was a box of flowers and also a box from Amy.

The flowers are just beautiful and I love the container they came in. It is something I will keep in my kitchen filled with flowers all year to remind me of the wonderful and dear stitching friend that sent them to me. I also got a gift certificate from Amy's from the same wonderful and dear stitching friend. Stitching friends are the best friends because we all have the same love and passion and know exactly what would bring a smile to our friend's face. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for making my day.

Also in the box from Amy were three canvases from Associated Talent. Two initial Christmas ornaments with guides and threads and the witch hat with the spider legs base also with guide and threads.




This weekend is off to a wonderful start.

Tomorrow Denise and I are off to Nimble Needle for a class with Sharon G.
This is the canvas I doing for the class.


The best present I received was on Wednesday. Jake has been doing a lot of shoulder shrugging and the doctor suggested we go see a Neurologist in the City.
Wednesday was the day we went to see the Neurologist. I am happy to say that there is nothing wrong with Jake and he is a very healthy and happy boy.


Jake and his little girl friend. He sure looks like the picture of health.

Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend brings.
Linda