Retreating...

Good Heavens, where do I begin?

Last weekend, Astrid and I went on an adventure.  It started Thursday night when she invited me to stay overnight so we could get up bright and early the next morning to attend an annual Craft Fair.  All I can say is, thank heavens I have a mini van!!  Haha!!  We had to have a golf cart haul our goodies out of there that day!  

I've been looking for one of these lawn Nativities forever!  I couldn't believe I finally found one and bought it immediately.  I didn't realize I was going to have to haul it all the way to Pennsylvania and back...haha.  Oh well, it all made it without damage.

I also found this  box, I can't believe how cheap it was, and you know me and boxes, I just had to give it a good home.  Isn't it lovely?

I also found this skate.  Now I looked at one of these several years ago, and passed it by.  I have been kicking myself ever since.  I think they are just too cute, so it also found it's way out to my van.

And that was only the beginning!!  Off we went to our stitch retreat in Allentown, PA.

It was the first one I've attended where I only knew one other person.  I can't believe how much fun we had!  We had some wonderful people at our table, and the conversation was lively.  I especially had fun with the person sitting next to me, a school teacher from Long Island who kept me in stitches talking about....moon pies...   And horses...  And her escapades in Virginia in the most delightful Long Island accent.  Two other ladies who were friends kept us entertained with their stories of visiting Bethlehem and all the shops and goodies they found.  I hope I meet up with our table mates at another retreat, they were all delightful and full of fun!

There were two "shops" set up for us to spend our money at....Silkweavers was there with their fabrics, patterns, needle keepers, etc.  

And then, my bag obsession was fed by these lovely project bags in every shape, size, and fabric combination.  I bought...ahem....a few and then ordered one to a specific size.  Oh my...I could become good friends with these ladies!!

Here is what leaped into my bag...

I tried to stitch, but at times I was laughing so hard, tears were rolling and I could barely see what I was stitching.  I managed to finish up "Snow" while I was there...

And caught up on three SALs I have been working on.  These are all Tempting Tangles designs...This Corner of Earth...

Wildflower Woodland Quaker....

and Springtime Easter Delight....

You can find all of these on Deborah Dick's Etsy page, and they are all $5.00 while the SAL is still ongoing!  I've already corrupted encouraged a few and they have joined in the SAL's...haha.  I think Deb should offer me a commission! 

I also got a few stitches in the Linen and Threads SAL.  The patterns are still available for all the months here.  I am working on 28 count black using vintage Bucilla floss.  I have found some substitutes in case you are interested.  DMC 355, and 612, and Anchor 903.  I felt like a celebrity, as a few of the folks there are on the SAL Facebook page and they stopped by to take a look at my stitching.  I didn't get far on this piece, I'm still working on October.  I need to get a move on, I hate falling behind.  Plus I want to finish if I'm going to start the 2018 one in January!  Here is where I am so far.

But as I'm stitching along, and you know, after hours of giggling and little sleep you begin to see things that aren't there...I noticed that part of the pattern was beginning to look a little like baby Groot.  If you've seen the super hero movies (I get dragged by my guys to them) you might recognize the little guy from Guardians of the Galaxy.  Here's a picture ... what do YOU think?

There were lots of other entertainment at the retreat, like silly slipper competition...here is my entry, slippers that Astrid had given me.  I was no where near close to winning, but I had my moment on the runway which was fun!

And one night out at Red Robin which was just across the parking long.  Of course we had to have our picture taken with Robin...right?  Thank heavens it wasn't Texas Roadhouse and a seat on the saddle!!!  Hahaha.

Last, but not least, I have to tell about the moon pies.  I brought a tin of them I had found at Walmart. They came in this awesome anniversary tin...celebrating 100 years!

I haven't had them in years, and seriously, I just wanted the tin, but I thought it would also be a fun treat.  Astrid had never had them, but our table mate had...and she told tales of some she had had in the past.  So I offered her one from the tin.  We all had one....but to my dismay, they tasted dry and like they were 100 years old themselves!!!  Sorry ladies, I hope you haven't given up on Moon Pies forever, I don't know what happened to this batch.  Maybe that's a good thing because...have you seen me lately?  I REALLY shouldn't be eating them anyway!  LOL

Ok I've bored you with enough silly tales, I'll leave you with a picture of the last ornament I finished up.  This one is for an exchange for someone who loves Christmas trains.  This is LHN Main Street Station from her Hometown Holiday series.  It's stitched on 32 count over one....whew....THAT was a challenge.  

I hope wherever you are you are warm, dry and getting ready to celebrate being thankful for all the goodness in this world.  Happy Stitching...until we meet again!