Friday 25 November 2011

TUSAL and catching up

I am back in Arizona and therefore my orts are once again floating in their martini glass. I am afraid it was a very small party as stitching has not been at the top of my list. There are a just a few stitches from my latest UFO RR, a secret ornament and my Sampler de Bouquets in the glass.

The trip from Canada to Arizona was an extended one - almost two weeks. We had some great visits and fun times. I will share a few pictures from that trip another time.

And when a girl is travelling and no stitching is happening what can she do??? Shop, did you say shop?

Yep, I did - in the stores and online. Here are a few things that happened into my hands along the way.

Fat quarters, fabrics, patterns, and some new charts.
I got a chance to go to Fancimats in the Denver area and had to add the M designs Colorada tree. I also have the Las Vegas tree from a previous trip to Stitcher's Paradise in LV.

I do have a bit of stitching to show you.
One of my friends at home is planning to make a quilt using the Prairie Schooler alphabet. Many of us have volunteered to help her out. Here is my choice - X is for cross stitch.
It went home to Canada in the mail last week.

I managed a few stitches on my Jardin Prive - the pot with the plant is my latest addition.

My stitching group at home has a retreat in November. I don't go as I am in AZ. They have a wonderful ornament exchange. This year they let me join the exchange. Here is the ornament that I contributed and it was won by Adriana!
My friend Judy did not know I was taking part in the exchange and she wanted me to have an ornament. She made me this lovely ornament, gift wrapped it, stapled it closed and I opened it the day of the retreat.
She is a penguin collector.This is so approriate coming from her. I love it and it hangs above my computer desk so that I can see it all the time.

Beatrice also Skyped me and walked her laptop around the room so I could say hi to everyone. It was fun.

When I arrived in Arizona a dear friend came for a visit and left me these two beautiful charts! I love them.


I do have a confession to make. My google reader had over 1000 posts and I just could not possibly catch up. I blew them away and have started fresh. I am so sorry but that was more than I could handle. I will try harder to stay on top of them and get back to commenting on your posts.

Until the next time, I have missed my stitching friends and look forward to catching up with you all.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kathy,

I love your martini glass filled with orts.

Look's like you found some great fabric and patterns.

Your stitching looks great on X-is for cross stitch, I like the colors on your Jardin Prive.

Your ornament for the exchange was very pretty. What a cute penguin.

You have a sweet friend to leave you surprise charts.

Have a wonderful stay in Arizona.

Myra said...

I have missed you too. :o) I LOVE the lighthouse fabric you purchased. Looks like you were able to do some stitching along the way and it is all beautiful. Welcome back!

Lesleyanne said...

I love your martini ort glass. Your new stash is gorgeous. Love both of the ornaments.

Catherine said...

Orts, stitches and stash, what more could you want? Well...maybe a drink in the Ort glass, minus the orts of course!

Anonymous said...

Cute, cute ornie from Judie! AND Quite a new collection of stash to add to the old collection. Right!!Not enough hours to do it all. But the collecting is half the fun as we all know
Miss you
Barb

Ariadne said...

Glad to see you back with beautiful stitching!AriadnefromGreece!

Lynn said...

I love the ornaments, both given and received! Wonderful stash too! I knew there had to be a shopping trip in there somewhere on your way down. Glad you arrived safely and the martini glass is starting to fill.

Sherry said...

Great martini glass ort jar! Love all the stitching. You got some great stash too!

Carol said...

Glad your long trip to AZ went well, Kathy! I'm sure you're enjoying that warmer weather :)

I just love your finished PS piece for your friend's quilt--I hope you'll post a picture of her finished quilt at some point.

Enjoy all that new stash and have fun stitching in the sunshine :)

Bette said...

Welcome back! What lovely stash. And how nice to be included in the ornament exchange. Isn't it great to have such wonderful friends!

Anonymous said...

I did know that you were taking part in the ornament exchange, but felt you should have something to open when we were opening ours. Glad you liked it. This was the pattern that Dani insisted I buy when we were at The Attic last year. Miss you.
Judie

Beatrice said...

I love all of the new stash.
Mom is thrilled with her ornie and Joyce got mom's...also thrilled.
It was fun having you there via Skype.
Looks like you might have Jardin Prive finished by the new year.It's coming along swell.
Hugs to you both.

Angie said...

love the stash!

Makes total sense to start fresh. That would be a LOT to try to catch up on!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Life sure is social down there in AZ I'm sure there's been more happy hours than you can shake a stick out since you arrived!

Glad you had a safe and liesurely trip.

You stitched up a gorgeous ornament for the retreat!

Siobhán said...

I'm glad that you arrived in AZ safe and sound! Fantastic stitching pics--beautiful! Love the new stash, too.

Pumpkin said...

Uuuuuuuuu!!!!! Look at all those lovely fabric pieces and cross stitch items :o) You sure had fun!

You made and received an adorable ornament!

Your JP is looking awesome! And what a nice piece to stitch for your friend's quilt :o)

Veronica said...

Oooh... that's quite a lot of lovely goodies you brought home :) Gorgeous stitching. I really like the Prairie Schooler design. The Christmas ornament you made is just beautiful and the penguin one absolutely adorable!

Hugs,
Veronica.

P.S. I definitely can relate. I currently have over 700 unread Google Reader posts...

Brigitte said...

There's definitely some nice new stash. Great charts and fabrics.
I love the PS piece - I love the whole alphabet but I also know that I will never stitch it completely. A nice idea to help your friend with a stitched letter.

Carolien said...

Oh my, I missed a lot concerning your blog! Wow, you worked so hard again! I was thrilled to see your Chatelaine design, wow, you're making one! (Hope to do that also, one day ...)
I suddenly remember the cute moose you sent me. I am gonna dig him up today, this must be a good Christmas stitch, o yes! Have to look for some fabric too. You made my day!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs, Carolien