Woodland Forest Retreat - Part 1

I had the pleasure of attending the Woodland Forest Retreat in Syracuse, New York sponsored by A Stitcher's Garden.  I had originally intended to leave for retreat on Friday morning after completing a full morning of errands.  At luncthime on Thursday I check the weather forecast.  There was as Lake Effect Snow Advisory beginning Thursday evening and continuing through the day on Friday.  I decided that it would be in my best interest to leave right after work on Thursday night and hopefully beat the snow.

Thankfully, I had assembled my name tag on Wednesday evening and ironed my completed pre-stitch.  Each year there is a name tag challenge.  A Stitcher's Garden and the Retreat Committee provide fabric, floss, and a theme for the challenge.  You can finish it any way you wish and use any embellishments you desire.  I kept mine fairly simple this year.  I finished it by putting it in a Tin Pin,  a nice, easy finish.

I used white and gray squirrels because I see them in my neighborhood. 

The pre-stitch looked like this.

I arrived without incident on Thursday night.  It did snow the last half hour of the trip.  It was dry snow that swirled like fog on the roadway.  I find that type of snow to be hypnotic when driving at night. 

I awoke Friday morning to find that it was still snowing and continued to do so for most of the day.

Late in the afternoon I picked up my schedule for the weekend.

I made a visit to the boutique conveniently located in thehotel to say hello and browse. 

Last Weekend

Last weekend my sister, Ali, of Northwoods Creative Studio came for a visit.  She arrived on Friday night.  And we were up until 2:00 laughing so hard we cried and talking.  It was great.  

Saturday we went to Berks Bead Bazaar in Reading.   So many beads, I bought a few things that I will turn into scissor fobs one day soon.  She bought several lovely things which you can read about on her blog.  She has turned some of hers into finished works. 

We went to lunch at CrossRoads in Reading.  I love to eat there.  They have more than ample portions, food is fresh, and the most wonderful baked goods.  I look forward to trips when we can eat there. 

Then after lunch it was on to Stitch n Stuff, my not-so-local LNS.  I had a wonderful walk through there and came home with a few new things, shown here.  Just a bit of stash enhancement.  

We finished that outing with a stop by Cabela's which was on the way home.  One of those places that has to be seen to be believed.  I like to look at the wildlife displays. 

Home for some short naps before we went to dinner.

Dinner was at Sophia's with Mr. S, little boy and his fiancee.  Again, more good food.  And then home to settle in for the evening.  We had originally planned to watch part of Season 2 of Downton Abbey, but that requires us not to talk.  And we just didn't get to it.

Sunday was sad,  having to say goodbye to her again, but with promises to meet in the spring at the lake. 

We did make a pact to check in with each other daily for accountability.  I have been telling her that she only needs to post one thing a day to her etsy shop.  I am to get on the dreadmill for just 15 minutes a day.  We have been checking in by text this week.  It's been fun.  Kind of funny that we are doing these things at about the same time some days.   The accountablility has helped me immensely. 

A New Look

In honor of the anticipated change of seasons I've gone with a new look on my blog!  Now, if only a new look were as easy for me.

I'll be back soon with some stitchy updates.

Keep on Stitching!

Hare Pyns Progress

I've managed to put a little more time in on Hare Pyns. 

And boy do I have a long way to go!  I hope he looks quite a bit different after this long holiday weekend.

Keep on Stitching!

Little Sheep Virtues

I ordered these guys when I first saw them.  The first one arrived last week, with fabric, wrapped like a little package.  Thank you ladies at The Strawberry Sampler.

I was so happy to get this package. 

After I put away the January project I made a start on this, and well, I stitched the whole thing.  I don't exactlly know how this fits in with the whole rotation thing I'm trying, but I really hope to keep on top of this series.

Little Sheep Virtues - Hope
Little House Needleworks

I stitched him over one, on the suggested fabric with the DMC colors.  And I think he's pretty darn cute!  He has joined Winter Fling as one of the unfinished things.  I see this guy as a little pillow, maybe with some red fabric or rickrack.  Probably fabric, I think that rickrack would be too much with the border.

Keep on Stitching!

A New Start for February

First, thank you to those who have left me comments.  I think I have figured out how to respond to your comments.  It is so nice to know that others 'get it'!

I've made this little start on my lunchtime/travel project.  

Sampler Months - February
Little House Needleworks



I'm working this over one to be made into a little pillow.  Hopefully next time I post I will have added some color!

Keep on Stitching!

Please Pardon My Absence

Well, it's been B - U - S - Y.  I think I worked 10 days without a day off, not the easiest to do at this stage in my life.  When I was younger, it wasn't that hard, or at least that's how I remember it. 

As a reward I gave myself a four day weekend to recover.  I had so, so, so many plans of things I wanted to do and didn't get to most of them.  I really wanted to do some blog posting, some stitching, some finishing, some work on the quilt for the baby, plus, clean, do laundry, (not so sure I wanted to do the last two, but let's just say I needed to do them.)  I did get some stitching done, and a bit of work on the quilt, but alas, no finishing.  In fact, Winter Fling is sitting where I left it weeks ago.  However, it looks like it will be winter for quite some time so I hope to get to it soon. 

The workload has eased a bit and I must say that I am rested after my four day weekend.  I left work early on Wednesday and napped the afternoon away.  I guess I needed to do that!

Somewhere in all this time the calendar page turned over to February.  And as I had hoped I did put away a January project partially stitched. This is how the January Cottage of the Month looked when I tucked it away until next year.

Cottages of the Month - January
Country Cottage Needleworks

And I'm ok with that.  I told myself that this year would be an experiment in focusing on a particular theme each month.  Next year I'll be able to pull this out, it will seem brand new and be able to finish it in very little time.  Admittedly, I did put this away late due to my preoccupation with making a living.

I'll share some more tomorrow. 

Keep on Stitching!