Mini Mystery J Part 1a - Done

And so far I don't like it. I don't like how the colours go together. So far they don't work. I keep thinking of a ball of clay after a kid has mixed all the colours together. The beads and crystals are pretty but that's all this piece has going for it so far. Hopefully part 1b will help pull things together?

This is the first time I've had a strong feeling of dislike for a Chatelaine Design.


Now onwards and upwards with Midi Mystery 1 part 1.

Stitching Blogger's Question Of the Week

Q : Do you think that you stitch neater on Evenweave than you do on Aidacloth? If so, why?

A : I find this one a little tough to formulate an answer for. Yes. I do find my stitching neater. Why? Well if you're taling about 1/4 stitches the answer is obvious. Unlike aida the hole is already there you don't have to punch a hole in the middle of the fabric. Thus your stitches are always uniform. Why else would it be neater, experience. When I was an unexperienced stitcher I used only aida as I have matured as a stitcher I have moved onto nicer and prettier fabrics and with experience comes neatness!

A Few Wedding Piccys...

My webspace is behaving today so I've uploaded a few piccys from the wedding.

First here I am in my "finery" Please keep in mind I had no choice in colour.



Next myself and the bride (ick my arms look FAAATTT! And my farmer's tan is sooo obvious!) Maybe the official photographer made me look better ;-)


Here's the Bride and Groom after the ceremony


The Bride and Groom with their wedding gift from us


And finally my favorite : the shotgun wedding!

Stitching Goals

First for the June Recap...

June Goals :
Stitch 1 page on Noah's Sub - Um no barely touched it
Stitch 2 more bands on Celtic Band Sampler - Yup!
Stitch 1 ornament - Yup!Stitch 1 Wee Beastie - Nope
Stitch 1 Freebie - Yes
Participate in DD SAL - Nope
Finish Mini Mystery i - Yes

July Goals :
Stitch part 1a/1b of Mini Mystery J
Stitch part 1 of Midi Mystery 1
Work on Celtic Band Sampler
Stitch 1 ornament
DD SAL
Freebie SAL

If all goes well I should have part 1a of Mini J finished today. I also have to fit in groceries, a banking appointment and a soccer game so we'll see. If I get that done I'll move onto Midi 1 next.

Stitching Goals

First for the June Recap...

June Goals :
Stitch 1 page on Noah's Sub - Um no barely touched it
Stitch 2 more bands on Celtic Band Sampler - Yup!
Stitch 1 ornament - Yup!Stitch 1 Wee Beastie - Nope
Stitch 1 Freebie - Yes
Participate in DD SAL - Nope
Finish Mini Mystery i - Yes

July Goals :
Stitch part 1a/1b of Mini Mystery J
Stitch part 1 of Midi Mystery 1
Work on Celtic Band Sampler
Stitch 1 ornament
DD SAL
Freebie SAL

If all goes well I should have part 1a of Mini J finished today. I also have to fit in groceries, a banking appointment and a soccer game so we'll see. If I get that done I'll move onto Midi 1 next.

I Played at European Cross Stitch Today!

Aaaah I had a great afternoon today! Claire and I drove out to Cindy's house, she's running European Cross Stitch for Kathy, the owner. We had a great couple of hours visiting and chatting with Cindy! We also got to see her charming sons again (I last met Cindy a couple of years ago on a previous visit to Chattanooga.) and meet her enthusiastic dogs. She also has two lovely horses. It was also awesome to be sitting in a room full of silks, beads, Swarovski crystals, and all the other goodies that Cindy sells. I was hoping to pick up a kit in person for the Medieval Village Mandala class that starts in October from Chatelaine. But Cindy didn't have all the supplies in yet.

But that didn't stop me from shopping and spending, my wallet a little lighter. Also Cindy was quite excited to swipe someone's plastic in person for the first time! I picked up only charts from European Cross Stitch. I got :

Passione Ricamo - Winter Roses
Long Dog Sampler - Rosemarkie, Plight of Fancy, Virtue
Derfeine Faden - Star with spirals (Spiralenstern), Pansies (Stiefmutterchen)

My next blog will be from home.

One Last Day In Tennessee

Today is my last full day in Tennessee before flying back home tomorrow. We have a very early flight out of Atlanta tomorrow morning, 9:30 which means we have to be there at 7:30 which means we have to leave here about 5:30. Urgh. The Atlanta/Ottawa run only goes up in the morning back in the afternoon. So there's no choice! But the advantage is we'll be home by lunchtime!!!

It will be nice to get home and see my boys! Oh yes and to get some stitching in. This 6 day trip has been a very busy one for us. There hasn't been much stitching time. When I have managed to get some stitching done its been on Michael Powell's Mini Cottages 2 in the car. I made a counting mistake in the sky so I'll have to fix that before I can move on with it. I did bring Celtic Band Sampler with me but I haven't picked it up yet.

Lets see what's happened since I last blogged. Thursday we headed up to Knoxville, but not before we stopped for breakfast where I ate at an American Institution for travelers... Cracker Barrel! Whenever I've driven the American highways I've passed a million of these but never stopped. I have to say I had a very good breakfast there. I even found a little pressie for my Mum in the shop.

Once we reached Knoxville we checked into our hotel that we were staying in until Saturday. We didn't have much time to settle in before we were heading out to the Bride's parents house, the groom needed to try on his tux. The bride saw my bridesmaid dress for the first time as well. Myself and the matron of honour were quite releived she loved the dresses we chose. Then we were off in the car again, this time to the mall where the Groom had to get his tux altered and I needed to find something to wear for the rehearsal as everyone was dressing "nice". You see unless I'm told I have to get dressed up I will only pack casual clothing. My suitcase is full of shorts and t-shirts! I managed to pick up a nice skirt for a good price at J.C. Penny's that would go with a plain white t-shirt I packed. The skirt would of looked better with a fancier top but oh well you do your best under pressure. We had a little bit of time back at the hotel before we hit the road yet again.

This time we were on our way to the rehearsal. Which went without a hitch. Friend of the Bride and her parents hosted the rehearsal dinner. Boy we were treated well and I must thank them for opening their beautiful home to us with excellent food and drink! I know that EVERYONE enjoyed the evening. Finally it was time for us to retire to the hotel, where we congregated in the gazebo with adult beverages and talked until after midnight.

With the wedding being in the evening we didn't have to wake up super early... thank goodness! But the Bride and I started our morning with a swim in the pool then breakfast. Once we were showered and dressed for the day we were off and running, getting our hair done and off to the church on time. Boy did we get there just in time! Not for the wedding, but before the heavens opened up! While waiting for the rest of the wedding party I painted the Bride's nails. When her mother arrived we discovered she had found a veil outside on the ground! In our mad dash to the church we had somehow dropped the front veil! Next thing you know we're rushing around getting dressed, makeup on and getting photographs! Before you know it we're all walking down the aisle. I almost lost it when the wedding march started and my best friend and her father came down the aisle. She was beautiful!

The ceremony and reception went off without a hitch! The happy couple, myself, the groomsmen, my other half, and a couple of friends of the Bride's all went back to the hotel where we met up in the courtyard with all the adult beverages we could find, some games and some music. We celebrated early into the morning!

Saturday morning we all slept until as late as we could, checked out of the hotel and had brunch at the Bride's parents house. Before heading back to Chattanooga, I got to stop in Jo-Ann's I picked up that 844 DMC that I ran out of for Celtic Band Sampler, a couple of yards of fabric and a good deal on a kit to make a fleece ragged quilt! I can't even buy the fabric for that much! All I have to do is sew the pieces together and whoila!

Upon returning to Claire's we relaxed and napped the afternoon and early evening away. We ate dinner at Chili's where I discovered the joy of 2 for 1 drinks (you know the adult kind!). I have never, ever, ever, had 2 for 1 drinks back home! The rest of the night was spent relaxing and watching movies.

I'm not sure exactly what we're doing today. I think there's a trip to Wally World planned and a visit with Cindy of ECS!