Margaret Brown

I had a thought yesterday would be the perfect day to post a finish-- and all good intentions were set.  7 am soon turned into 4pm and I soon realized that there was not going to be an update.  As fast as the day went, many many things were indeed accomplished, which will help the next day off that I have.  I was looking at the calender and I dont really see another day that I will be able to be home for weeks it seems!!!!  So squeezing in a post here or there is just going to have to be a bigger priority :)

So my finish happened mostly over this past weekend.  All of which I was out of town having a blast with some friends and stitching.  Here is where I started the weekend off with Margaret Brown from Miladys Needle:

Progress was made nicely throughout having fun and we even made Margaret do a photoshoot with the Cuban.  (No, I dont smoke and it yes, it is real:))

LOL, we had a great time obviously.  Progress was even made there!!!

Realizing when I had finished the stems, that I was actually missing one color!!!  The horrors.  I thought for sure that it was sitting on the side of my chair but come to see that the color was not anywhere to be found!!!  Fortunately the LNS had one in stock :)  Phew!!

I finished up Margaret on Monday night and even started her sister Sarah Brown a few inches over on my 45ct vintage pear linen.  Even over one was done smoothly-- not so bad!!!

So both Margaret and Sarah will be the same size when finished.  I think she is stinkin cute the small size that is-- 6" x 6" with a silk conversion.  Stay tuned for posts on Sarah progress-- I will try to be better LOL!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know

It has been over a month now since I have posted about stitching and I feel it is high time to get going!!  The month of June was a super, super busy with 3 weeks solid for me working, then 1 week helping out a Friend with another project-- there wasnt really much time for stitching!  Lots and lots of fun was had though!!!!!!  Among tons of fun, I was able to go to the West Chester County Sampler Exhibit-- which was incredible.  I had heard about it, wanted to go but didn't know if the schedule would allow.  There were so many gorgeous samplers and about a dozen globes.  Those I think were my favorite.  Well, that and the mourning samplers :)  Each and every sampler had such incredible detail.  It was truly worth the out of the way effort to see all of these girls on display.

I have been back at stitching the last week or so. Getting re-settled into my normal routine helps alot.  No real tremendous progress, but some is better than none!!!

 

 I did take a small break from DB to start Margaret Brown. PS-- I am stitching Margaret on Lakeside Vintage Pear-- which as you can see by the picture, doesn't look like it at all :( It is one of Milady's Needles reproductions, and Margaret also has a sister Sarah.  I was supposed to have this done already (stitching it with my friend, she is done though!!  YGG), but we already know how that goes.  I have been pleased with the turn out, but realized when rounding the final side that I was 1 thread off, so instead of having 2 threads to go over to finish my final border stitch, I had 3.............  I HATE THAT.  I looked for a bit to see where I had made this error, couldn't find it and threw put her on the chair beside me.

Picked up DB and continued on the flower stem.

 

 Each and every time I look at this piece, I get more excited to have it complete.  I have already chosen the frame......so when I wrap this baby up (when?????)

Back to Margaret, I found the mistake and ripped out the top border along with half of the right side to fix the error, I thought was too bad to leave.  I can now continue to stitch on her.  I think I am going to stitch Sarah Brown for my Olympic project.  We shall see when we come to that bridge however!!!

  I had some framing done and I am looking forward to seeing the final result today, and I will post some pics of those soon!!

Hope everyone is staying cool, enjoying there summer and stitching the days away :)

Happy Birthday America!!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

As we celebrate our Independence Day here in America, we stand proud of our country. 

The United States of America is 236 years old today!!!


I hope all of you celebrating this great day are having a wonderful relaxing day :)  Enjoying friends and family.   For those serving and fighting for this great land, we think of you and THANK YOU for your service to America, fighting for our freedoms which we so love here in this great country.

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Where in the World?

Isnt it great to share a new experience with others?  Let alone your friends?!  I wanted to share another one with all of you, and this time my post is going to be about stitching (mostly).  Yes, finally!  I have been working slow and steady on Dutch Beauty and also enjoying life to the fullest.  Lots of great gatherings for Memorial Day, and Birthdays and just get-togethers.  So many great places too.  So, few and far between I wanted to share some fun pics.  I wanted to take DB on a trip of a lifetime-- thinking what would be great?  Where would I like to work on her?  Well how about Egypt?!  Egypt you say?!  What the?!!!!  Well, the next best and easiest place would be Vegas.  Vegas?!!!!!  I know I can see all of you already-- Vegas is a far cry, and I mean far from Egypt.  But, what do you think?

Great fun right?  How often would you expect to see me do this with a project, let alone DB?!!!!!!!  My project and all its glory is sitting on several statues at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  We didnt stay there, we did see a show there however along with the Titanic exhibit.  I folded DB up beautifully and put it in a small zippy, in my pocketbook.  No, I didnt get it dirty, and horrors of horrors, I can hear all of you already :)
We saw several shows, the first of which was the Criss Angel Believe magic show which liking the TV show, I was highly disappointed.  The show couldnt be more off than I would have imagined.  So, the score list was 1 zero for my husband and I.  Me with the losing show point so far.  The next night we saw Legends in Concert, Celebrity Tribute-- which was fantastic-- Impersonators of Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Blues Brothers, Lady Gaga (?????????? why??????) and of course Elvis. Highly recommend this one, and the price was great.
Bill Cosby up next which is always classic, he just kills me, and well the entire sold out audience of course too.  Another great recommendation-- although he is not in town all the time, I was lucky to get tickets.
Last show was Phantom of the Opera.   Ltd time running still, but my husband said the set was better than the one in New York-- which is amazing right?  The chandelier alone costs $4 million bucks.  $4million bucks = a hell of a stash enhancement.  Drop in the bucket right?  Another must see if you are going to Vegas.  For those of you keeping score-- 3/1.
Each and every night after the dinner and shows we ended up at some lounge, or nightclub, Serendipity (much much different than New York, but still good!)  Did I mention DJ Tiesto?????  Wowza!!!!!! Walking around, people watching.  We are not gamblers, but $20 bucks on the penny slots is fine for me-- and great fun.  We met up with some friends who came in for the UFC fight and they are gamblers, $25 bucks a hand at 21.  TWENTY FIVE BUCKS?!!!!!!!  Are you kidding me?!!!!  (These aren't even the high stakes tables!!) Think of the stash you can have!!!!!!!  Amazing to watch people throwing $100 bills on these tables.  My heart starts beating fast and I cant do it. 

Focus, focus, stitching this post was supposed to be about stitching right?!  LOL.  I did manage to find some time to stitch on DB and boy she is coming along just great.

Top row has been done since last week, but I have had no time to get a post in, these things take longer and longer each time dont they?

I have more of the 2nd row done than shown, but will show you more next time.  I started working on DB full hog on April 7th and I marked that the first row was done in less than 7 weeks.  Not to bad.  I think she is just gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing more progress on the next row shortly!
Thanks for the comments on my last post, and I hope that you all have had a great weekend, stitching and enjoying this fabulous weather we all have been having!!!!!  I love summer, and it is almost here :)

Have a great week!

Breathtaking

I often get the chance to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge.  It is something I always look forward to when in the SF area, and my trip isnt complete until I do.  We often stop at the viewing spot on the north-east side of the bridge, to look back and get those pictures of yourself and my loved one in the same spot-- however different outfit (hopefully! lol)  But this time, returning from Corte Madera, I suggested we take the Sausalito exit and continue to the viewing area on the north-west side of the bridge.  No kidding.  I am not sure how many of you have taken advantage of the views you can see from here. 

There are many stops along the way, mostly full of parked cars but if you continue on this long and winding road, you get to a spot where it is almost the end of the line.  If you choose to continue, you must go down a road with 18% grade (WOWZA-- most are 5-6% sometimes 7) or VERY STEEP road which is only 1 way down, in order to return, you must go around the mountain.  OK!!!  Lets do it, why not be adventurous?!!!!  There is a lighthouse that is calling me on the otherside-- lets go and see it--now!!!  It is Pt. Bonita Lighthouse, which signals those humongous boats and barges entering/exiting the SF Bay to/from the Pacific Ocean.  I am so excited for this adventure!!
We are also going to see Historic Forts and Barracks that were once used long long ago. OK, ready set go :)

The lighthouse is some 2.5 miles away yet, but you can just see it about 1/2 inch in on the rocks in this above pic.

 Pulling the car over to the side and jumping in and out was great fun-- quick pullover here, I need to get this picture!! 

Going inside this observation/machine gun nest you can just imagine being inside this at night, watching and guarding the coastline. 

Here is the view from inside this nest; of course when these forts were in full use, that bridge wasnt even there!!!!  But, when the bridge building began in 1933 they had a great seat!!  Isnt it gorgeous!!!!!  It was so quiet out there, we only saw 5 others out there on the whole tour.  Amazing more dont come to view these historic spots!!

Above is a shot from inside the Battery Mendel, a fort named after an army engineer who over saw the building of the coastal fortification.  This fort housed 2 'disappearing guns' which would fold back after they had fired.  This was active from 1905 to 1943.

Finally a better shot of the lighthouse, although we did walk down the steep path to get to it (in 3 inch heels!) but at the end of the road, there was a huge iron door blocking our path to the lighthouse.  What a disappointment, but we did get some great pics of seals playing the water and sunning themselves, and views of the coastline.  Absolutely breathtaking.

The above pic was one of the last shots of the day.  At this viewing spot, it was sooooo windy and cold, you could hardly stand straight.  We used our fish eye lens for fun on some of the shots and I leave you with it.  It was such an experience, that I would recommend anyone who lives or visits the SF area that hasnt been, to go to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  The day couldnt have been more clear, the fog wasnt rolling in (this shot was at about 6:30pm) and the temperature (other than that spot) more perfect.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!  (Yes, I have been stitching-- no worries:)  More to update next time!!!)  I am always most appreciative of your visiting, and your comments, it means the world to me :)

The Enterprise

So a few weeks back my father sent me some fantastic pics..... Road trip!!!! My father and my brother headed down to the Hudson River- between NY & NJ to witness something most wont ever see in person.  The space shuttle ontop of a 747.  What?!!!!

There is the space shuttle Enterprise hitching a ride or piggy back on a 747.  This is a special made 747 to strictly carry these shuttles around--not for ordinary passengers and our luggage.  Since they obviously need to be securely fastened on top (I can imagine the size of these bolts!!!), flying at hundreds of miles per hour...... you know they need a special one :)  There are 4 of these shuttles going around the country to be put on display.

Discovery- Smithsonian in the DC area
Endeavour- California Science Center Southern California
Atlantis- Cape Canaveral FL (will remain there)
and
Enterprise- Intrepid Museum NY.

 Here it comes flying over the Statue of Liberty, Jersey City NJ

Over the Hudson river

towards the GW Bridge (George Washington Bridge)
Can you just imagine seeing this?  Simply incredible.  I was so excited to see these pics from him.  The Enterprise landed at JFK airport where it will remain until it is lifted onto a barge via crane to get ready for the 2 day trip up the river to the Intrepid.  This will be another incredible picture opportunity and I am sure, that I will have pics to share of this great event also.
The Intrepid Air and Space museum is literally in the river-- when you go, you literally go on board an aircraft carrier that has been retired and you can wander around viewing some of the most incredible planes and submarines up close and personal.  It is worth the trip the next time you are in NY.  I am looking forward to seeing the Enterprise on board the Intrepid this fall.  The exhibit opens mid July this summer.  For more info
www.intrepidmuseum.org/shuttle/home.aspx

I leave you this great Friday with a pic of lower Manhattan, with our ever growing new Freedom Tower :)  Its simply amazing!