Ireland 2024

 Greetings friends!!! I know it has taken me awhile to post about our trip to Ireland, but it took a couple days to reacclimate to our time zone, then I was off to OCMD for the DVHSG spring retreat, then home for three days and up to MD to visit my parents. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but I am finally sitting down to give a synopsis of our trip. It may be a bit longer than usual!!! :)

We started out, on a bad note, by having our flight cancelled due to weather after sitting at the airport for almost 10 hours with postponement after postponement. We finally got on the plane only to have them cancel the flight altogether. Because of that I got to experience my first Uber ride, as our daughter had dropped us off earlier in the day and it was too late to call her to pick us up. In the end, this was a good thing as I went to Urgent Care the next morning and found out I had a UTI...got antibiotics right away and was able to go on the trip with no issues!!!

So, we started a "do over" the next day with no issues and the rest of the trip went off without a hitch. We landed in Dublin for two nights, met our fellow travelers and bus driver/tour guide, Niall. 

Coming in for our landing

He was a hoot and gave us good "crack", but also shared  Irelands sad history to us.......The Uprising, The Troubles, The Hunger. ( Crack means a good time/fun over there) Niall's favorite words were "you fecking eejit" as he navigated the bus around for us. We toured the Kilmainham Gaol, the jail where the leaders in the 1916 uprising were jailed and executed, got a bus ride overview of Dublin, visited the EPIC (Irish Emigration) museum and had dinner at a pub where we saw Irish dancers and musicians. 

Here we are with Niall

Kilmainhan Gaol

The next day we left for Cork, visited a traditional farmhouse for tea and scones and stopped at Waterford Crystal. We woke up the next morning and had a walking tour of Cork in the pouring down rain! We were prepared with rain coats and that is just how it is over there. Everybody has their rain gear on hand and continue with their errands, jobs etc.. From there we went to Blarney Castle...I did not kiss the stone or even climb the stairs to the top. This was our worst day weather wise with blowing rain. I was afraid of hurting my knee and being miserable the rest of the trip Rich did climb the stairs but did not kiss the stone. He is not a fan of heights and you have to lay on your back, about 80 feet up, and bend backwards to kiss the stone. He said the stairs were wet, uneven and rain was blowing in as you climbed down. I think I made the right decision.

 

This was dedicated to an Irishman who lost his life on 9-11

We then spent two night in Killarney, where we got to experience a jaunting car ride to Ross Castle, drive the Dingle Peninsula and see a sheep dog demonstration. I even got to hold a baby lamb. They were all over as we drove the back roads; we hit right after lambing! While there we visited a couple pubs, took a ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary and visited the Cliffs of Moher. gain, not the best day weather wise...very windy and they had to close some of the paths. But we managed to see the cliffs through a bit of fog!

Jaunting Car Ride

Town of Dingle

Dingle Peninsula

Cliffs of Moher

Reminded me of a Hobbit House

Then we went to Galway for two nights.....had a walking tour, took a cruise on Lough Corrib, visited Kylemore and Ballintubber Abbeys and Belleek China. The it was on to Derry for two nights.

Belleek China's Shamrock motif

Ballintubber Abbey

Beautiful marble posts at Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey

From Derry we drove to the Giant's Causeway, which was my favorite part of the trip. I kept thinking I would "feel" something when I was in Ireland due to my great grandparents emigrating from there in the early 1900's...but nothing....until I hit the Causeway. Then I was overcome by "feelings" and even teared up...not sure if my ancestors had been there....but I know I was moved for some reason. There is a legend about the Causeway and I'm sure you can find it on the internet, but it involves a giant and a stone "road" he built between Ireland and Scotland. Lots of cool rock formations and scenery.....many hexagonal shaped columns! While in Derry, we crossed the Peace Bridge to a brewery, saw a beautiful rainbow and , of course, the Derry Girls!

Next, it was on to Belfast...another walking tour, a visit to the Peace Wall and the Titanic museum there. The Titanic was built in Belfast, there there is a huge connection there. Then it was on to a working apple orchard where we had a picnic lunch and could taste their juices and hard ciders. we even all got to down a shot of apple cider vinegar...not as bad as expected!

Titanic Museum

Signing the Peace Wall in Northern Ireland

Our final night of the tour was spent at Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, built in 1760 and reputed to be haunted. No scary experiences for me though! We had a delicious dinner there and said farewell to our bus traveling companions.

Cabra Castle

Rich and I made our way back to Dublin for an extra couple days. We wanted to do a Game of Thrones tour that started there. Little did we know we could have stayed in the North and taken a tour there, but we wound up having a 12 hour round trip back up north to see filming sights from the show, dress in cloaks and wield swords. While back in Dublin we also visited Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the library that was used in the Harry Potter movies.

Book of Kells at Trinity College...we saw one page of the original but it wasn't one of the pretty pages...this is a replica

The Library at Trinity College---used in the Harry Potter movies

Our Game of Thrones group at the remains of Inch Abbey

Me holding Arya's "Needle"

Our tour guide, who was an extra in GOT (He's also the lead singer in a Doors cover band)

Then it was back to reality...luckily with no hitches. It was pretty easy, actually, as you do the Customs thing over there. We had a fabulous time and I would recommend you visit if you can. It was high on my bucket list and I enjoyed every moment of it!!!

Our last photo in Dublin before we left for home

Not much stitching was accomplished while there...I think I "frogged" more than I stitched while on the plane and I didn't want to miss anything while touring.

I'll end with some photos of the beauty of Ireland and a sign in an elevator which pretty much describes the Irish people to a "T"!

If you stuck with me this far....thanks....I hope you enjoyed my recap. 

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship. Enjoy your week!

Stasi

Home and Catching up........

 We're home from our trip; it's 4:30 AM and here I sit doing a quick blog post. Guess I'm still on Ireland time! ☘

We had a wonderful trip and I'll be posting about that when I have more time. But, I wanted to announce the winner of the Joy and Good Cheer chart.

 It is Vickie!!!! I'll be getting the chart off to you today...enjoy!

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

Stasi

Happy Easter........750

 

A happy Easter to all......I had hoped to get my Samplings 1 and 2 eggs FFO'd in time, but sadly was distracted by other projects and preparing for our trip to Ireland. I am not one who can force themselves to work on something when it doesn't suit me.....I like working on what I want when I want. I guess I don't have much self discipline and am not particularly goal oriented. Oh well, "I am what I am and that's all that I am" as Popeye would say. 

Here is what I have been working on......remember the branches I showed in my last post..... well, this is what became of them.

I have a wooly tree!!!!

And, here is my first ornament for the tree.

This project is by Attic Heirlooms. You can buy the tree kit and then opt to purchase an ornament kit every month or print the instructions out for free each month. But they are only free for their corresponding month, then there is a small fee. I did but the tree kit and have enough left to make a second tree. I am printing out the free pattern every month and using wool/beads I have on hand. 

I framed my Joy and Good Cheer piece in a small frame I had in my stash. The stitching is 2 3/4 X 1 3/4....I just love it. I stitched it on 40 ct. Earl Grey linen, over 1, by Grace Notes. This was my first time using her fabric and I really like it! The fibers were a combo of WDW, CC and Anchor.

I worked a bit on Live on Little and am about 1/3 of the way done.

And I put in some stitches on my Leap Year piece, Cardinal Points. 

I also started two projects that are going to be my travel projects. I like to get them started ahead of time so I am ready to go when I may have down time.

L. is 1889 Alphabets by Needlework Press....R. is Santa's Delivery by Teresa Kogut

Santa enlarged

I chose these because the one is on 28 ct. banding and the other on 18 ct perforated paper. I can see both without magnification. I'm counting on these for the airport and plane. My wish is that I have no time for stitching while actually in Ireland...but I will be prepared. LOL

I will end by wishing you a Happy Easter with your families and/or friends and a small Easter display I have here at home. The purple eggs with pink flowers were made years ago by the grands. 

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

Stasi

Leaving on a Jet Plane......747-749

 Greetings friends! It has been a busy travel month...first Nashville, then a visit to NC to visit Jax and his parents...... 

He'll be going on his first camping trip next week, so we got him a little play tent for his birthday

........followed by a day at home and then back on the road to visit my parents. 

We surprised them with a special visitor

While visiting my parents, we went to a Peep Show, where everything displayed was made from Peeps. Here are a couple of the better ones:

We are now at home and preparing for a trip to celebrate our upcoming 50th anniversary. We are heading to Ireland!!!! We've wanted to make this trip for a while, but Covid and life got in the way. We decided this was the year to make it happen! So, lots to do and plan for , which makes me anxious, but I know it'll all work out in the end. 

Here are to finishes I forgot to post earlier...my February and March ornaments for the #12in24ornamentstitchalong hosted by Carol @ Stitching Dreams. On the left is Noah's Christmas Ark VI (deer).....stitched on 28 ct. Straw/Grey Gingham, over one, with WDW and GAST. On the right is Christmas Eve Deer by the Prairie Schooler, found in The Gift of Stitching magazine. I did this on 32 ct. blue with white dots Belfast with WDW and GAST fibers. 

I've managed to get some car stitching done and actually FFO'd the piece this afternoon. This is I'll Keep You Warm All Winter Long by Val's Stuff. It's stitched on 14 ct. perforated paper...my car go to....with Anchor and DMC. I sewed a piece of felt on the back with my sewing machine...easy, peasy finish! This will serve as my April ornament in the #12in24ornamentstitchalong.

I did a tiny bit on my Leap Your project, Cardinal Points....one little dragonfly. 

I've also been working on a non cross stitch....Wooly Feather Tree by Attic Heirlooms. My friend, Lisa, enabled me on this one and here is what I have so far....lots of wooly branches that have to be attached to a trunk.

I bought the tree kit and it was very generous...I have enough to easily make a second tree. Then I can download a free pattern every month to make tiny ornaments to hang on the tree. I have not done much wool work, and this has been fun so far. I'm trying to use scraps of wool that I have in my stash, though you can but a monthly kit for that. 

Another little finish is Joy and Good Cheer by With Thy Needle and Thread. My version was sticthed, over one, on 40 ct. Earl Grey Linen by Grace Notes. I used a combo of WDW, CC and anchor.

Our friend, Marilyn aka Murf, gifted me the chart and I said I would pass it on when I was done. So, if you'd like the chart, please leave a comment stating your interest and I will pick a name when I get back from my trip. 

Check out these cute little hangers I found at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section. I may paint them and hang in my sewing/craft room.

I will close with this cute saying I found on FB...a little late for St. Patrick's Day but in keeping with my upcoming trip.

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

Stasi

Back to Reality.......

 I am back from the Nashville Needlework Market...actually got back on Tuesday. It's a long drive.....10 hours from my house, but Sally and Sara have already driven 4 to get here, so a total of 14 hours for them. We split it up into two days and I happily stitch in the back seat while poor Sara does all the driving. We hit some heavy rain on the way out...not fun!!! We shopped for 2 1/2 days and Sara brought a load back for Salty Yarns.

I have to be honest, not too much "jumped" out at me; maybe I'm just too saturated with stash.  But, having said that, it is exciting to see all the designers with their new releases. They put a lot of time and effort into setting up their "rooms", on top of the expenses to travel/ship to Nashville. That's why we need to support them if we want them to continue. So, of course, I did order some things from Salty Yarns!!!  I'm waiting on one item to come in before Sara mails my purchases, and I'll share when I get them. I'm not going to say much else about it since a LOT of other people have already down wonderful reviews and posts. 

I did a bit of stitching while there. My car project was A Haunting We Will Go by Douglas Designs. They are on perforated paper with DMC and Kreinik Glow in the Dark fibers.

In the hotel rooms, where I had access to my magnifier lamp, I worked on Live on Little by Plum Street. The house building is going slowly...guess I'm having trouble with my sub contractor!!! LOL

Once home I started on Samplings 1 by With Thy Needle and Thread. I want to get this and Samplings 2   (shown in last post)  FFO'd by Easter. 

I did this on a 40 ct. mystery linen with the called for fibers.

I may have to change my tune about things "jumping" out to me at Market. Here is what I bought yesterday at Liberty Hill Needlework's Market Days. This is the new shop in Williamsburg, VA and Susan was jam packed with Market goodies...... it's just too darn hard to resist!!! I think part of the problem might be that it is so overwhelming at Market and we are moving quickly through the rooms to get to everyone. Yesterday I could take my time and peruse the multitude of baskets, boxes, displays etc. that Susan had in the shop. 

I do hope you were able to find new projects from Nashville. Let me know what "jumped" out at you!

I am trying to keep up the the Book of Days again this year. I failed miserably last year and am hoping to do better this year. Here is my January and February.

 We are off to the traveling Banff Film  Festival tonight with friends. Rich and I have gone the last two nights and have enjoyed all the films. At $7.00 a ticket for over 2/12 hours of interesting films, it is truly a cheap date!!!

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

Stasi