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