Feeling Patriotic

I took a break from sisters birth sampler to sneak in some stars and stripes stitching! The Maiden

Just monkeying around!

Making some progress on  sister's monkey birth sampler!

I am trying a new way of stitching with varigated threads where you outline the area to be stitched and then work from the outline in towards the center. So far I love it, and it prevents lines of color appearing unnaturally in your stitching. Who wants a stripped monkey? The Maiden

Still headless..

I figured I better post some progress pictures before I  finish! The Mother was right, the retreat was so inspiring! 

The Maiden

Get Kraken!

I was not the only  one to join Maynia at the last hour! The Mother has started Get Kraken by Ink Circles, stitched on 28ct Rhiannon by Stepanie.

While we were in Texas she kitted up this gem with a cotton floss conversion using Weeks Dye Works threads. 

Surprise, I'm going to be an auntie!

After much deliberation my sister has chosen the Tree Top Birth Sampler for her nursery by Tempting Tangles Designs. As she is 12 weeks along, I need to get cracking!

I wanted to join stitch Maynia this year, but with the retreat and all my sewing I missed the boat! I did manage one new start though! The Maiden #Maynia

Mira Fever

Tired stitcher's across the country make their way back home today (or try to, the San Antonio Airport is a mess of delays, mechanical malfunctions, and bad weather!) as the 2018 Mirabilia Minions retreat sadly comes to a close.

I was able to get more beading done on The Kiss, and even got to hear Nora muse on designing more men!

 Since this is my oldest project, and arguably one of the most meaningful ones for me as I stitch the "tapestry of my Life" I asked Nora to sign my pattern. I will treasure it always! I guess I have to finish it now, hahaha!

We snuck away to see the sights, with a little stop at the Alamo! (if you squint really hard you can see me by the door, all long dark hair and even longer dress with red flowers)

 

My need for Coke in a Pepsi world became a personal mission and source of amusement for all!

We even stopped to take a ride down the River Walk! The weather was perfect and there was a soft breeze as we wove through the city on our electric boat!

Like all good things, this too must come to an end. I thankfully had Peony on me as I was stuck in the airplane on the tarmac for 3 hours (with the exception of a quick deplane and replane)! I faired far better than the Mother, whose flight was so delayed she missed her connection and must stay another night away from home!

 

The retreat was so inspirational, and I can now say the Mother and I have Mira Fever (as I work at an infectious disease research center now I feel that I am qualified to make this diagnosis!).  Look for some finishes in the near future!

The Maiden

Miras, Miras Everywhere

Day 2 of the 2018 Mirabilia Retreat in San Antonio TX was packed with stitching, prizes, and a little hockey!

Go Knights Go!!!

The biggest surprise was a design Nora created just for this retreat plus all the floss kitted for us by Leslie of Under the Sea Fabrics!

The walls are lined with Mira upon Mira, the stitchy bug has truly bit the Mother and I!

The bags were a hit with Potter fans!

And how could I resist this hand turned stitching accessories caddy! (More on this gem later)

I visited my second cross stitch store ever, Stitches from the Heart and picked up 2 patterns that lined the walls.

I would have normally never picked up this pattern but it is stunning in person ( that spinning wheel)! Plans for a SAL with my new friend Vanessa of Nessa's Needleminders are already in the works!

Finally, our stichy progress! The Mother is really making progress on her mermaid, or the never ending tail as I called it!

And Venetian has seen progress for the first time in a decade!

The Maiden