Birthday Surprise

I checked my mail this afternoon and got the sweetest surprise from Karen!  She sent me this beautiful pincushion for my birthday, which is tomorrow.

Pincushion and handmade card

Pincushion and inside of the card


Fabric on the back

Thank you again Karen!!  I love it!! :)

Sarah Elizabeth and a Basket

Here is my current progress on Sarah Elizabeth Brooke.  I got the second story stitched while I was in Myrtle Beach.

The Shaker Lady came to Myrtle Beach again.  I couldn't resist last year and I couldn't resist this year either.  I ended up getting this beautiful Shaker Basket.  I think it will go really well with my tray.  

Well, I've been pretty busy this week with a class party, a field trip, a parade and field day.  I'm so ready for the weekend!  I hope to get started on the third story of Sarah E. Brooke.  My dad and his wife will be coming on Sunday, so I'll be doing a lot of cleaning too!! 

Myrtle Beach 2011

Myrtle Beach 2011, a photo by Nicole's Needlework on Flickr.

I just got back from Myrtle Beach. It was so much fun! I am worn out!! It was so good to see everyone again and meet some new friends. I can't wait for next year!!

Thank you again Amy for all the hard work and for putting together such a great event (as always)!!

Check out my flickr album for more pics!

Slump

I thought I could shake my stitching slump by starting something new, but I just haven't felt like stitching at all. Not sure what's wrong with me!! I have been reading a lot. I just finished The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly and now I'm reading The Winter Rose. It's so good!! I have also been knitting. I'm working on a scarf I started in January. I'm almost finished with it.

Noro Silk Garden #86 and Cascade Lana D'oro Tweed #7619

One of the models I stitched for one of my very favorite designers has been revealed. Click the link and scroll down to see it! :) I had so much fun stitching this design for Paulette! It's also in the latest newsletter from the Attic. I can't wait for you all to see the other one I stitched (I think it will be released in November).

Myrtle Beach Pals Convention is less than a week away now! I can't wait. It will be so nice to see old friends and meet new ones like Paulette and Tanya! I'm so excited that they could both make it.

A New Start

I was feeling like I was getting ready to fall into a slump and the only way I know to avoid a slump is to start something new. So I did!

I decided to start "Elizabeth Sheffield" by The Scarlet Letter. I splurged on the kit from The Attic several months ago, but I had just been admiring the threads, instead of using them. Well, the other day I started using them! :)  I actually decided to use 32 ct. instead of 40 ct. because of all the over one in the sampler.

32 ct. Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linens, Belle Soie and Dinky Dyes silks (1 over 2). 

I also worked on Rubie Owl's Sampler a little bit...

40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune, Belle Soie and NPI silks (1 over 2). 

And I picked up an old UFO from last year.  I'd like to get it finished before Halloween...

40 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley, GAST (1 over 2). 

It's Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler.  I really don't have too much to go on it.

Well, I just booked my room for the Pals convention in Myrtle Beach in a little over two weeks.  I'm so excited to get away and stitch.  It's going to be a blast! :)