Views from the Outer Banks

Ahh, vacation is so relaxing! We had a great time at the Outer Banks. I highly recommend the Banks if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing place at the beach. Everyone arrived in one piece on Saturday. We visited with folks who weren't going to make it to the beach and then we were off on Sunday. The house we rented was absolutely luxurious! If I could come up with the money, I'd buy it in the heart beat! We had a mix of weather; some chilly days, some rainy and some with beautiful sunshine. We did some exploring and shopping and, of course, being lazy. I did get to stitch, but not as much as I thought. I'll share some stitching pics in the next few days. OK, here's the trip in a nutshell.....

The sunrises that greeted us each morning!

This is the little Honda Fit my Uncle & Aunt drove all the way from LA for this trip. I got to be the chauffeur when we went out shopping. I fell in love with this little car. They got 40 mpg driving it from coast to coast! It a great zippy car!

Currituck Lighthouse; my first time walking to the top of this one.

Wright Brothers Memorial. Now that was a hill to climb!

Cape Hatteras Light - This was probably my 4th visit to this light, but the first time it was open to walk up! Now I can say I walked up the tallest light in America!

We had a nice windy day to fly kites :) Of course its never not windy on the Outer Banks!

My Uncle was able to catch some great time lapsed shots of lightning one night. This was taken about 10:00 pm at night!

And last but not least...........your

Daily Dose of Serenity!

I can almost see Palm Trees!!!

It's almost time to hit the sand and watch the waves! I so happy vacation is almost upon me. A little worried about work since I'll be gone for 6 days, but only because something usually goes down when I'm gone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this year the pattern will be broken.

Just wanted to stop by to answer a few questions I received on my last post.....

Kellie, I got those boxes at AC Moore or Micheal's a long time ago. I actually had to go to AC Moore's this week and looked for them, but could not find any. I have quite a few of both the small and large boxes. I would check places like Jo-Ann Fabrics too. They do come in handy quite often. Most of my large projects are organized in these boxes.

Chris, we're going to the Outer Banks.....I can try to wave to your Dad, but he probably won't see me :) I hope you do get your Angel of Hope out, I'd love to see a WIP pic! I've stopped working on Celtic Autumn this week. I'm not sure if I want to stitch the word "Autumn" on the piece so if I don't I'll have to come up with something else to take its place.

Ruth, what a great idea! I never thought of that! I think the designer has come out with a Mini Miranda bag too that might be the perfect size for a grab bag; although I could get much more in the regular size!!

I was surprised yesterday to see my order from Hancocks had arrived!!! The fabric is so pretty; I'll try to get a pic up in a few days.

Happy Stitching!

Allow me to Introduce

Miranda! Here's the finished bag I made for my Mother. I have to say I didn't know I could sew. I'm completely in love with this bag. I've already used the bag a couple of times myself. This is the perfect day bag - it will hold anything. I think I could even use if to carry a large type project like a Mira. The design is by Lazy girl Designs and it's called Miranda Day Bag. I used a little bird's nest broach as an added accent on the flap.

I can't wait to make one for myself! I ordered a Southwestern designed fabric last week and can't wait to get. I'm hoping it's waiting for me when I get back from the beach.

We've been really busy getting our things together for the beach. I figured I should show you what projects I plan to take along.

L&L Celtic Autumn (almost done......it's been a WIP for a long time. I bought and started this project when it came out in 2003 - it's got to be the oldest WIP I have! I'm so embarrassed that I haven't finished it; I'm determined to finish it this summer).

Praiseworthy Stitches - Love (gift for my Mother)
The Sampler Girl - The Jane Austen Sampler Stocking (just in case I need a change)
LHN - 2 Red Houses (would like to finish this one at the beach) - Don't have recent WIP pic yet.

Mirabilia - The Dreamer (I'd love to start this one! I'm still waiting on the fabric to arrive. I really hope it makes it here before I leave for vacation!!)

Sorry to keep it so short but my stitching needle are calling me........Happy Stitching!

A Finish or two........

and a few starts to throw in on top of the mix! Hi Everyone! I hope everyone is stitching to their little hearts content! I've been stitching and scheming on new starts. I'm in the planning stages of getting my projects together for my beach trip coming up in May! I can't wait!

Let's see, I finished LHN From Sea to Shining Sea. I love this piece, it was so fun to stitch. The designer has a good eye for color. If you've seen the finished piece on the LHN website, you've seen the frame I want so badly for this piece. I think it's just perfect. I'm going to have to save up because I can just image the price. I haven't asked my LNS to look it up for me yet.

My TTE partner, Jessica, also received the little Biscornu I stitched for her. I enjoyed picking the colors and stitching this "My Aunt's Attic" freebie. I hope she likes it!

After LHN-FSTSS, I started LHN - Two Red Houses. This one is stitching quick. I'm having issues with my floss, it seems to be fraying on me more than ever and it's just plain DMC (brand new!)

I mentioned in an earlier post I was going to stitch Praiseworthy Stitches - Love sampler for my Mom. Well I've stated that one too. The colors are coming out pretty. I'm using GAST Wrought Iron and CC Ruby Slippers.


Well I couldn't stop there, I also pulled the threads for Mirabilia's The Dreamer tonight! I can't believe I have a chart that doesn't use Black floss! That's a first! I ordered Silkweavers - Purely Primitive 28 ct. to stitch it on (and I hope the color is right!) This is the first time I've ordered fabric online for a specific piece without seeing it first hand. We'll see!

Well before I close, I want to say I hope Chris, Ruth, Karen & Michelle had a great get together in AZ! I hope everyone has arrived home safely! and I can't wait to see pics and here what you all did! Happy Stitching!

Stitchy Surprises!!

I've got a few things to share! I received a package from Marie for the HoE2 Winter Quaker Exchange. This package came at the perfect time for I had such a stressful day at work. The package just brightened my evening. She stitched me this beautiful floss tag. My first one! I haven't tried this finishing technique yet, but have want to. She also included some wonderful extras which will come in handy! Thanks Marie!

Some time back I showed off a F&S piece Diane in CA stitched for me. I just loved the font she used on the personalized square. Well, I had this awesome package today! She stitched up the alphabet and finished it as a pinkeep - her first one at that! Diane, your pinkeep is just perfect. I also love the fob and floss tag you included! I know I will be using them often! I can't think you enough for this act of kindness! I will never forget this!

I don't have any other stitching to share - it's all been secret stitching. Hope to hear if they arrive safely in their new home soon and then I'll show pics.

Until next time - Happy Stitching!

Prairie Schooler Exchange :)

I received this fabulous package from Laurence, all the way from France. Laurence was my secret partner in the Prairie School Exchange being hosted by Becky SC. Laurence made me this wonderful needle book. I just love the design and the technique used to finish the book. I'm going to treasure this always.

The other pic is a WIP of my LHN - FSTSS. I've got to finish the top border and the last house (which my LNS is holding for me). I'm hoping to get by there on Thursday to pick it up. This piece is really nice to stitch and the colors are so pretty.

Sorry to leave it short! I hope to have some more to share by the weekend. I thank all of my fellow bloggers and the stitcher's that visit my blog. Thanks for visiting and leaving your comments.

Until next time,

Happy Stitching

TGIF !!

I'm so happy it's Friday! Friday the 13th at that! Friday the 13th is probably one of my favorite days of the year - don't know why, call me weird. Maybe because I was born on the 13th.

I've been stitching alot lately. I'm so close to finishing my 2007 Mirabilia Christmas Tree. If I had 1 to 2 hours, I could have it done but I'm procrastinating. Here's a pic of the full piece and a close up of the snowflake at the top.

I also started LHN - From Sea to Shining Sea. Loved this piece when I first saw it released. The colors are gorgeous.

I also finished up exchange piece which I'll show off once it's received. Going to visit Mom this weekend! Can't wait to see her. We'll probably do some shopping and such. She's doing great - last biopsy was the 11th and came back good (1R on the rejection scale) - VERY GOOD!

Update from the weekend. Mom wants me to stitch her a sampler so I found Praiseworthy Stitches Love that I thought would be perfect for her. I had her pick colors this weekend. She decided to go with GAST Wrought Iron as the main color and CC Ruby Slippers for the touches of red. I'm going to stitch it on 30 ct. Parchment. I think it's going to look great! We have our annual beach trip coming up in May so this will be the primary piece I work on while we're there. I can guarantee I'll be starting this piece before may!

Bruce and I have been experimenting in the kitchen again. We came up with this new pizza which is a new favorite. No more frozen or delivery pizza's allowed in our house anymore.

Spinach & Mushroom Pizza

It's Boboli pizza crust - Thin; topped with goat cheese.

Sautee mushrooms with a little garlic, then add the spinach - cook until wilted

Thinly shaved ham was added (but since then we been using the ham, but instead of just little pieces sprinkled here and there we been doing a thin layer of the ham on top of the goat cheese then adding the spinach & mushrooms. It's just delicious! The layer of ham keeps the goat cheese moist).

Preheat oven per the crust directions; lightly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and heat until bubbly - about 10 minutes.

For your Daily Dose of Serenity -

Until next time - Happy Stitching :)