Skyline Chili...Here I Come!!!!

Well, I'm off to Cincinnati on Thursday For Squirrels Nest Getaway, a three day stitching retreat with Merry Cox. My travelling buddies, Phyllis and Debbie, are coming to my house tomorrow to ride out with me. It's about an 8 hour drive but we make many pit stops/visits along the way. One we're excited about is the Russell Stover outlet in Wheeling, as we're always on the "hunt" for Whitman tins. And, of course, the candy inside is wonderful "snacking" for the trip!


This year we are taking classes on Saturday and Sunday, so Friday is a "play Day". First we'll hit Merry's boutique, then on to the local needlework shop, Keepsakes and finally Waynesville for some retail therapy at The Fabric Shack. Weather is sounding like it's going to be HOT--HOT--HOT so walking around Waynesville may be at a minimum. Will be playing that by ear...or should I say heat!


I'll be meeting up with some friends for dinner Friday night and my Twisted Sisters Sunday evening. It's always a jam packed trip because I want to see as many people and visit as many favorite haunts as I can.  Of course I'll also see a bunch of ladies, who were customers at Twisted Threads, at the retreat and that is always very enjoyable. Skyline chili is a MUST!!!! But that won't be a problem because Phyllis and Debbie usually like to eat it every day! :)


 I have been stitching in the evenings. It's been so pleasant so far this summer,  no A/C needed, just have the ceiling fan on, and it blows right on to my stitching chair.We can hear the sounds of nature out our windows and this past week, it brought us the mating call of two screech owls! We were able to see them on a branch together and tried to get pictures but it was dusk and they came out very dark.


Here are some photos of what I've been working on.

Chessie & Me's Botanical Sewing Pocket

Scissor Fob

Inside Pocket

I did change some colors, using ones from my stash, but kept with her overall color theme. I loved the  Weeks Cadet Blue around the border and kept that. I love the overdyed gingham fabric and it's more golden than what the photos show. Can't wait to put this one together!

I've also been working on another Betsy Morgan class piece that I took last summer, This Ones's For Betty, An Elizabethan Spot Motif Etui.  Here are pics of what I've stitched so far:

Waxer Box

Scissor Fob

Needle Book

Sweet Bag Thimble Keep

Button Pocket

It's a truly lovely piece dedicated to Betty Fleming, who was a founder of the Loudoun Sampler Guild, of which I am a member.

Now I have to go perform the daunting task of packing. This is always problematic because you need to take so much for the stitching classes--lights, magnification, scissors (paper and fabric), cutting boards,etc...... and then all the "what-ifs"!! You know...what if I need this...or...what if I need that!!! Of course I also have to pack clothes, toiletries, snacks and "show n tell". I also NEED my own pillow!!!! Getting the three of us and all our stuff into my little Subaru is a true challenge; it's like a three dimensional puzzle---you have to fit the right pieces into just the right places!!!

See you on the flip side!

Stasi