Stitching and Stash

I am in Virginia visiting my friends.  I came here straight from Tulsa, OK.  I will tell you about my trip in the next post when I get home.  I did have a good time in Colorado Springs and got to meet a couple new stitchers.  In Tulsa, I saw my nephew and he has grown so much.  He is now 5 feet, 8 inches and wears a size 12 shoe.  When I told my sister, she texted me "Holy crap!", lol.
I finished LHN Chocolate Shoppe the other day.  There is one mistake but I am keeping it in.  The side bars are one stitch short and if you notice, the bottom of the 'p's' are touching the cross stitched line,and there is suppose to be a space.  Since it is for me, I am leaving it in.  It was stitched on Sassy Fabbys Sugared Cream 28 count lugana.  I think I will be framing it and put in my kitchen.

This is my fourth visit to Newport News and I finally got a chance to go toVirginia Beach, the home of Dyeing To Stitch.  It is about an hour away.  I took a picture of my new stash I got at Dyeing To Stitch and I spend $54  in the store.  The blue fabric is for Lizzie Kate 6 Fat Men, which is going towards to a RR I just joined.  I have to put the boarders on before I send it, but I have a few weeks.  The white fabric is for Big Toe Designs Hope building block.  I got the pattern at my retreat and plan to stitch it for my aunt.  I just found out recently "Hope" is her word.  It will make a great Christmas gift. The threads is for the pattern. Crescent colors Sugar&Spice (the main color) and Plum Paisley.

We had went for breakfast before heading to Virginia Beach and were talking about cheesecakes.  I said you have to try mine.  We end up going to Walmart first because we were too early for the LNS.  I picked up a spring form pan and called my aunt to send me the recipe.  I baked the cake and had it sit in the refridge over night.  Here is a picture of the beautiful cake.  It came out very yummy.  It sure does not help my diet. Which reminds me, I had went to get weigh in the other day at Weight Watchers and I lost another 6 pounds.  I was so surprise because I really thought I might have gained.  I am one pound away from my 5% weight loss. I haven't been walking because it has been so hot, in the triple digits and humid.

I am now stitching CCN Star Spangled Garden.  This is my progress so far as of today.  I changed the blue and the red threads to DMC 312 and 498.  The Crescent Colors I got did not go very well with the fabric I am using.  There is already a mistake but I am fudging it. I can't seem to count correctly lately.

The following pictures are the new stash I got at my retreat:

I hope you are trying to stay cool.  I will be home on July 19.  My next post will be shortly after that. 

Hugs, Vicky

Virginia!

I was in Virginia for first two weeks, visiting my friends. I had a good time and it went by too fast for me, even though I didn't go anywhere except to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center in Virginia Beach. I really didnt want to go back home,lol. They have 3 dogs and 2 cats and may be adding 2 more cats when their son comes to live with them. The cat, above, is Sammy. I love this cat, and if I could have her live with me, I would in a heartbeat. She lets me rub her tummy, which is rare for a cat. In this picture, she is on top of my luggage on my last day there. I was packing and she jumped in and curled up. Do you think she wants to go home with me? The other cat, Piper, I was lucky if I saw her every other day. She stays upstairs in her master's computer room. I think she only came downstairs to use the litterbox or to eat. I didnt get any pictures of her on this trip.

This is Zoey, and she remembered me when I saw her in Texas. I knew she would remember me, I am not unforgettable, lol. The first 15 minutes or so, she just wanted me to pet her. She is the princess of the 3 dogs and sometimes acts it too. One morning, really early, I had got up to use the bathroom and I came back and fluff the pillows. Zoey,in return, jumped in the middle of the pillows, curled up and went to sleep, claiming the pillows were hers now. It was cute. In this picture, the bottom of her mouth is pinkish, as you may notice. I fed her some of my watermelon Italian ice and she just gobble it down. Her mommy didnt notice when she got home from work so we will keep it a secret between us!
The new dogs are cocker spaniel and this one is named Ryleigh. She is a barker but very beautiful. When my friends were at work, she would be by my side and follow me everywhere. I was prepping some potatoes for supper, and Ryleigh decided to lay down behind me. I didnt realize she was there and when I moved to put the pot on the stove, I stepped on the poor dog. She yelped but forgave me right away. Dogs are great that way.

This one is called Ginger or sometimes Gingy. She is very sweet and loves to get attention. She would wake me up in the morning to get some loving and would try to lay down on my chest. She must think she is a Shih Tzu, like Zoey, lol. She did this most adorable thing as I was leaving. Genia said it was time to say goodbye to Vicky. Ginger came immediately to me and lick my cheek, her kiss good-bye. It was so sweet.

It is getting late and I am getting tired. I have taken pictures when I was at the Virginia Aquarium and you can see them here with a few more pictures of the pets. I have been thinking of getting a dog soon, but not sure yet. I am doing research and looking at animal shelters. I really want some companionship, and I think a dog will do me some good. Maybe I can convince my friends to breed Zoey, than I will have 50% chance of getting her sweet temperment.

My next post will be a couple finishes I did in Virginia.
Many stitches to all of you,
Vicky