52/56 Count linen....who knew?

I just finished stitching my first piece on Lakeside linens 52/56 count linen....and I'm not cross-eyed!!!Though I do have to admit to not being able to work on this for long periods of time. The design is a freebie chart offered as a SAL by Blackbird Designs. Everyone was encouraged to "do their own thing" and so, since this was a relatively small design, I chose it for my first attempt at this teenie weenie, itty bitty count linen. The design size turned out to be 4" wide and 4 1/2 " high on Vintage pecan butter. I used leftover Gloriana silk thread from a Betsy Morgan class since I knew I wouldn't need much and went with a fall color scheme...my fave! I changed the eyelet stitches to smyrnas (thanks Carol Fun) and added the current year instead of "1796". Now...a decision....to frame or make a small pillow...oh the possibilities!!!

I am currently working on Catherine Theron's Travel-sized Quaker Sewing Roll and itching to get some other projects going. 

A Happy Fourth of July to all in the States! I'm off to Antietam battlefield tomorrow afternoon for our 4th of July celebration. There will be a concert of patriotic music by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra followed by fireworks. But the best part is walking out of the battlefield around 10:30 with flashlights....a 2 mile or so hike shared with the spirits of the fallen soldiers. BOO!!!

The grand kids will be coming for a week long visit next Saturday so I'm gearing up for them...gathering projects, checking out activities etc.. It's always a FUN time!!!
I always try to come up with something special for them--one year we celebrated Christmas in July. Last year I had the "magic" treasure chest and every day there'd be a little special something for them. Well, that was such a BIG hit, they are already inquiring if it will be here again this year! So, I've been building a stash of little "goodies" to put in every day and hoping they will like them. Last year, I had put a book about the first day of kindergarten in the chest for Asher; he found it, looked it over and quietly put it back in. He wanted nothing to do with anything about kindergarten at that point! It was a little tricky trying to explain how/why the magic treasure chest couldn't swap it out for something else!!! I guess at this point I'm just hoping he'll still believe in the magic!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi