Greetings from Carlsbad!

Well the standoff between my husband's laptop and my media card reader continues; doubt I'll have any photos up until next week. In the meanwhile I have been stitching like an Olympian during my "retreat" in Carlsbad, NM. It's been a great place to concentrate on my stitching projects without distractions. So far I have finished beading the kimono, stitched the ANG program model, finished stitching the Halloween fairy and the Lite Stitches Elk, another Cozy Toes and made great progress on my Rooster. I feel I've accomplished most of what I set out to do while here and can now proceed in good conscience to my stash closet when I get home. I will also be focussing on getting things to the finisher/framer. Can't wait.

If you ever go to Carlsbad you had better bring your own entertainment. Once you see the Caverns, the Living Desert (don't forget to adopt a reptile or two) and the Pecos, you're pretty much done. The people here have been great, very nice indeed and welcome outsiders. Lots of Texas accents here too. I guess because Carlsbad is situated on the verge of Texas, depending upon which direction you're traveling, Carlsbad is on the way to El Paso (going West), Lubbock (going East) and Midland, TX (going South).

Saving the best for last, I wanted to tell you that last Saturday we went to Pocket Full of Stitches in Lubbock. When we arrived we were met with a generous gift certificate from my dear daughter; naturally after all was said and done, I had matched her funds and then some as I tried to focus on various accessories rather than on painted canvas. Was I succesful? No. Without divulging here what they are because discussing them on my blog is like a sacred promise to start and finish, and I'm not ready to place them in my queue yet let alone stitch them. All I'll say for now is Melissa Shirley. Woooooooo Hoooooooooo!

As I've related in the past, PFOS has it all. Terrific, friendly, knowlegable staff; every frame, stand, light, magnifyer, book, canvas, thread, boxed sets, finishing items, trays, boxes, pillows, chart, canvas of all types and much much more. One thing I decided to buy, after trying it in the shop, was a lap frame that you sit on. It's like sitting on a wooden paddle but is not at all uncomfortable. I love that the clamp is situated directly in front of you and you can adjust it's closeness to your body depending upon the size of canvas and, of course, you. The trick is not to laugh yourself silly as you begin to "mount" this thing. It must look hysterical as is surely feels that way. You slip it between your legs and then sit down it. Then and only then are you able to compose yourself to begin stitching.

Speaking of which, it's time to get back on my paddle and stitch!
Madonna
Having a happy day in Carlsbad

CATCHING UP!

Hi all! I have missed my blog. Thank you for not giving up on me. I've been stitching and making progress on my WIP's for the past few weeks and have other things going on preventing me from making a contribution here. I've been reading and enjoying yours, however. Currently I am not in Colorado but have traveled to NM to visit family. I drove so I have Teddy with me plus 6 stitching projects. I'll be here for a few weeks but didn't bring anything new to work on. That took will power. I had nearly self-talked myself into the "you're on vacation, take a new project" mentality, but I overcame that idea. Well actually my daughter reminded me that I would be making a side trip to PFOS. Dilemma resolved. :)

Before beginning this blog entry, I took photos of everything discussed; however, I have been unsuccessful in downloading and, therefore, editing my photos on the laptop I'm using. I will add them later once I figure out the picture software. It may also be an incompatable memory card.

Stitching priorities include my MAGIC projects; I've stitched 2 sides of the border and am working on the third of the Rooster; also finished the chicken wire fencing. I only have until November to complete the stitching; I think I'll do it. I'm using Silk and Ivory for much of the piece which is so nice to stitch with and no separation of plies.

As pointed out previously, I am nearly done with the Halloween fairy piece....if I don't do the background. I'm seriously considering mounting the design into a round box top. It's 7" in diameter so that may not be as easy as it sounds. I also need to think of how I want to address the fairy wings that extend outside the circle. Think I have that covered. This leaves me with 3 fairy canvas's incomplete for my MAGIC commitment. Lastly, I don't like to bead, but think a few additions to my Japanese Kimono would be a nice improvement.

Here is another project I finished but haven't framed; it's a prototype for a program I will lead early in 2009. I pulled the threads from my stash to do a test run of the stitches, etc. The point of this project is to feature a piece of jewelry attached to the geometric design. Instead of jewelry, I decided to attach beach glass in the shape of an angel, collected from the beach off Long Island Sound in the 70's. The glass has great sentimental significance since my close friend that collected it has since passed on.

I have completed 99% of the actual program model in exactly the fibers and colors suggested by the designer. This colorway is much more subdued than my bright stash piece. This will be presented for sign-ups at our meeting in September

I have also been involved with the SNS (Shining Needle Society) Stitch project given by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren; It's the first in a series of three notebook classes of stitches. I have enjoyed this type of "cyber" class and highly recommend this method of learning as there is no travel involved, you have benefit of fabulous national teachers and you can proceed at your own pace and in your own time. I don't think I should include a photo.

Lastly, but not least I have brought the remainder of my Cozy Toes to work on if I finish all the other projects. So I have my work cut out for me while I'm on vacation and better get busy.

Thanks again for bearing with me over the past two weeks during my period of dormancy.

Yours always in stitching!
Madonna