Monday, March 19, 2012

Fairy Moon - Week 3 and IHSW

Hi Everyone!

I hope that a nice weekend was had by all. I have to say that some of my plans fell apart but it was a blessing in disguise. From Friday night to Sunday morning, I hermitted at home in my jammies. I think I just needed quiet time to myself after a busy week of family. I caught up on shows, stitched, snacked, relaxed and enjoyed the solitude. It was bliss!

IHSW was a total success! I had a finish, a start and more progress on Fairy Moon. Yay!

First, the finish! I finished my ornie! It's Primrose Needleworks Windows of Faith, Hope and Peace from the JCS 2010 Ornie issue. I love it. I have no idea why it took me over a year to finally finish.



Secondly, the start. I made a start on the Shepherd's Bush Little Eggs Pincushion. It's such a soft Easter design. And it looks like it will be a quick stitch!


And lastly, my progress on Fairy Moon. I'm torn between feeling like I accomplished a lot this weekend and that I didn't do enough...because the wings are massive! There is so much blue stitching to go!


That's it for the stitching news today. I did have a couple of questions and was wondering if anyone had any input.

1. Has anyone ever done a dietary cleanse before? I realize this sounds a tad hippy granola but the idea of doing a food cleanse has appealed to me for the last couple of years since I hear it restores energy and helps with digestive issues a person may have. I think the one thing that may kill me is to give up coffee for a week. I can handle anything in life...except maybe that. I've been drinking coffee since I was five. I also wonder if coffee is why my brother and I are spazs and my sister is more mellow and even keeled since she switched to decaf eons ago. Although, the lack of coffee is a huge explanation of how she can nap anytime and anywhere. I don't have that gift. I don't want to nap. I just want more energy and less digestive issues. Feel free to email me (sidebar) if you'd like.

2. Is anyone thinking of going to a stitching retreat this year and if so, which one(s)? I am doing my little bit of research and trying to figure out where I want to go should finances allow. I'm sure I don't know about all of them. The sad thing is most retreats are midwest or East Coast so it's a journey for me to go but I'm willing to make a vacation out of it.

Well, time to get a few stitches in before hitting the hay. Hope you all have a nice start to the week. I'll be back for my TUSAL report in a couple of days!

Until next time...

37 comments:

Veronica said...

Pretty finish! I just love projects stitched in red. Little Eggs and Fairy Moon is looking great too. I think you've done a lot since your last update on Fairy moon. Just take it nice and easy and before you know it, the blue will be done ^.^

Hugs,
Veronica.

Anne said...

I think my favourite line I've read all day is that you hermitted at home in your jammies!! Cause I did too!! Yay for not getting dressed up! Except for the occasional trip to the grocery store!! Love your finish, the red is really beautiful. I can see this as a flat ornament or a pillow!!Great start too on your SB! I think you've done a lot on your Fairy Moon! As for cleanses, never been on one other than Lent. WOULD NEVER GIVE UP COFFEE FOR ANYTHING!!! I have a friend who occasionally goes on cleanses but her stomach is always doing funky things so I'm not sold on the cleanse idea. Never been on a retreat so can't help you there, but I'm sure you'll find the perfect one to go to!!

Patty C. said...

Love the ornie ;)

Ann at Beadlework. said...

SB pieces are always so pretty to look at and so relaxing to stitch. I always feel calm when working on their designs.

Giovanna said...

Congrats on finishing the ornie! The new start is very cute, and you're doing great on FM - such pretty colours.

Chris said...

Great progress this weekend. I love this ornament. I think I might stitch it next month for my snowflake ornie.
I love the red!
You are making great progress on Fairy Moon.
I hear that the SB retreat is wonderful. I hope you find a wonderful one to go too. My favorite was Sampler Gathering. I loved the Round Robins.I wish they still had it :(

Jackie's Stitches said...

It sounds like you had absolutely the most perfect weekend. I need to do that soon! Great finish and great progress on your other projects. It's hard to stay focused on BAPs but I have no doubt you'll finish Fairy Moon.

Barbi said...

Congrats on the long overdue finish! It looks great. Love the new SB and Fairy moon looks amazing.
No to both your questions, but I've thought about doing both. Mind you there's no where close to where I am that a stitching retreat is even possible. It would have to be a vacation.

Anonymous said...

Hi

Lovely ornament finish and Fairy Moon is looking great.

Happy stitching.

Sally said...

Love your ornament finish and your new SB start looks so sweet. Nice progress on Fairy Moon too. I think you had a very successful hermitting weekend :)

Margaret said...

Love your ornie finish! Love the SB start too -- that piece is so cute. Looking forward to seeing more of it. Your Mirabilia is looking great teroo -- it is so detailed! I have never done a dietary cleanse -- sounds bizarre. I'll have to look it up for more details. And retreats? Some friends and I are thinking about the Attic symposium next year, but we'll see. I'd love to do a retreat sometime.

Erin said...

Your finish is beautiful - love the Shepherd's Bush and Mira progress, too!

I've gone to Celebration of Needlework in NH twice, and will be going again this year (end of April). I've always enjoyed myself. The shopping is nice, and I try to take at least one class - it seems more worth it if I do! Since having a child, the weekend away just to stitch and be by myself is a reward in itself. The camaraderie of other stitchers is an added bonus!

VegasJilly said...

The silver needle retreat looks like a good time! I think I read about a shop in modesto? That did retreats also.

I live in maryland and am going to a retreat in october at salty yarns. Its the lns in ocean city, md. It is right on the beach, I'm super excited! In 2010 I went to a retreat with stitchers hideaway in mystic, ct. That was a lot of fun too!

Natasha said...

Great little finish Valerie! I think your Fairy Moon has progresses quit a bit even with family in town. Good job!

I have neighbors who did a juice clense. It sounded way to intense for me. I have never done one myslef... But I know a few people that have done them to narrow down problems they have been having. My customer did one and discovered she was Gluten Intolerent..

Ill talk to ya soon! Take Care

Lanie said...

Hi Valerie, always enjoy your blog! Your stitching is beautiful; love your new ornament finish! Hang in there with your "Fairy Moon". I have completed some of the Told in a Garden projects (including one of the angels) and eventhough they are a commitment, the finished result is sooo worth it! Looking forward to following your progress on your Fairy. Will I ever give up coffee ... NOOOO! I switched to decaf when I was pregnant with my 2 children and I was not happy about it! Coffee is one of my life's simple pleasures!

Pumpkin said...

Congrats on a beautiful finish Valerie! I've always loved this design :o)

FM looks wonderful and I like your new WIP.

I haven't done a 'real' body cleanse but since being pregnant, I have cut out a lot of 'bad' things from my diet and I do believe it has made a difference. I haven't had any Coke, iced tea or coffee/tea and only drink water, pure fruit juice and milk. I'm eating more vegetables and fruit. Don't get me wrong, I still have my chocolate ;o) But like you, caffeine was the hardest but I don't miss it now. Good luck!

drea_dear said...

Love the ornie - the red is so pretty! And great progress on Fairy Moon.

To answer your questions, I've tried a supplement cleanse, but didn't do any of the dietary stuff to go with it, LOL. At that time I was eating a lot of veggies and had cut back on fat. I did not enjoy the results of the supplement, maybe because I did not do all the dietary steps.

Not planning on any stitching retreats - a girls' weekend in Vegas with some poolside yarn work will be as close as I get. :)

staci said...

Your ornie finish turned out beautifully! Very nice stitching progress on your other projects...I love an unexpected weekend at home!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Congrats on finishing the ornie! The new start is very cute, and you're doing great on FM - such pretty colours.

I've been to the SB retreat where we met and would be interested in doing that again - maybe. I've also been to the Celebration of Needlework a couple of years ago in Louisville and it was a lot of fun. Not sure about this year - too many expenses right now and will likely lay low.

Anonymous said...

I've never done a cleanse, but I HAVE cut back on white foods and sugar and felt much, MUCH better. I slept better and had less digestive issues.

I don't drink much coffee, less than a cup a day ... but,if you are having sleeping issues, I'd seriously try to cut back.

Carla said...

Congratulations on your finish...love the red you used for it.
Nice progress in you other two pieces

Julie said...

A successful weekend, lots accomplished.
I'm a decaf coffee drinker, switched due t health issues, decaf tea too.

Ann Marie said...

I did Dr. Ian's Fat Smash diet for a month back in 2010. It's not a cleanse per se, but you basically eat fruits, veggies & beans for the first couple weeks. No alcohol or caffeine. I don't really remember any increase in energy. If anything, I was more tired because I wasn't getting a whole lot of protein because of the restrictions. I did lose a few pounds, but then stalled. I ended up ditching it because it was very time consuming to prep and cook stuff.

Melanie said...

I think it's look like you got a LOT of progress done on it. Honestly. It's a much bigger pinkified shape than the last update. :)

The ornie is cute! I love a classic red ornie. :)

I keep seeing the juice cleanses that people on Serious Eats keep posting about and, man, they look yummy. Nut milks and NOM NOM NOM. I would do it if it weren't 1) so costly and 2) I lived alone. (Because even if I did do it, I would still have to cook for supper for HIM and I'm *fairly* certain I don't have the willpower to avoid tasting it in bits and bobs while cooking. The bits and bobs are the best part sometimes! lol)

Danielle said...

I LOVE the ornament! I have wanted to stitch that one for a while. As far as retreats, I am attending the one VegasJilly mentioned, the one at Salty Yarns in Ocean City, MD. $430 gets you two nights lodging in the hotel above the store, three classes with three different designers, plus dinner and a wine reception. It will be my first retreat taking classes, so can't wait!

pj said...

Love the ornie! Pretty colors as I did mine in a light blue!

I have been to various retreats. You may want to look into Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin. She puts on a great retreat in fall and may also be doing one in June. She has Presentation Galore!!!! Very fun!
Celebration Needlework will be in St. Louis this fall also! Wasn't sure how far away you wanted to go....?

pj

Carol said...

I love the red you've chosen for your ornament, Valerie. I started one in blue a while back, but it wasn't show up well on the fabric so I abandoned it... Maybe I'll try again with the red...

Coffee since you were five?!! Amazing--I can see why you'd have trouble giving it up. I don't drink coffee, tea, or anything caffeinated (except when I'm trying to stay awake on long drives). Digestive problems are so hard to pin down and treat, aren't they?

I know I owe you an email--am headed up to NY again tomorrow, so doubt I'll have time until next week :( Hope you are having a nice start to your spring, Valerie!!

Lois said...

Love your ornie! This is one I keep thinking I must stitch every time I see it finished - maybe this year I'll manage it!

Nice start, love SB Spring designs, and nice progress on your WIP.

Daffycat said...

Fairy Moon looks incredible, Valerie! I actually think it looks like a purplish fedora but it's an incredible purple fedora!

Yeah, I gave up caffeine one time. I slept thru my daughters third grade year. And I am NOT kidding.

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Sounds like a great stitching weekend, Valerie! Your Primrose Needleworks Windows piece has to have been one of my favorites from that Ornie issue. Many of my friends have stitched it in different colors and they are all beautiful! I'm also hoping to get that little SB piece done, as well. Anxious for an update on Fairy Moon!
Linda

Michele B. said...

Your Faith, Hope and Peace ornament looks wonderful. I love the color of the red. Fairy Moon is so pretty. Hope you still like the color blue when you are done with the wings.

For the first time ever, I'm going to Celebration of Needlework in NH - I'm just going Saturday for a class and the shopping, but I've never been to a stitching retreat and this is my way of dipping my toe in.

I've never done a cleanse and the idea of giving up coffee is very frightening. But if it makes you feel better it would be worth it. Just don't go off caffeine cold turkey or you could get a terrible headache. You have to wean yourself off slowly.

Juls said...

What a perfect weekend!!!! I just love those weekends!!! Your finish is lovely and Fairy Moon is looking good...you did get a lot done!!!! Mine is a bit farther ahead but not much!!!! And no way in this world will I ever give up COFFEE!!!!!

Catherine said...

Great finish and progress! Wish I could say I had an entire weekend to myself!
I tried a cleanse once, I stopped when my husband said I was looking green! ;)

Katrina said...

Sweet finish and I love your WIPs too!!!!!

I've never done a cleanse so no advice there. I am seriously thinking I will do something at the Attic again but I am waiting to see what Shepherd's Bush is doing first.

Joysze said...

OOOOOOOH!!!! You finished, you finished!!!! :D It looks beautiful!! :D

I haven't done a cleanse, but I have a friend her at work that's been on a juice fast for almost 2 years. She swears by it. She used to get migraines all the time but not since she start the juice fast...

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

gorgeous stitching :D

Meari said...

Congrats on your finish! I love it.

The only retreats I've been to is one coordinated by a Yahoo group I belong to. This year it's going to be in Colorado Springs :)