Saturday, March 09, 2013

Planes, Trains and Automobile

Hello dear blogging friends...

Just a quick post today to catch you all up before I go on vacation. Time is flying by as usual and I haven't stitched as much as I would like. Honestly, I've only been managing about 10 minutes per day and maybe one hour on weekends. Life is busy and if I do have the time, the chores and bills are calling me loudly. I am having a hard time keeping up. I wish I didn't have to keep saying that. I feel like a record playing on repeat.

Here is a quick look at how Jane stands. She won't be coming with me as it's more comfortable for me to stitch on her on the floor stand so I'll be taking some smalls to work on.

And here is how the TUSAL looks since I won't be here later to report on it. Lots of little threads from Jane. So strange to think she is all I've worked on this year. There is so much I want to start but fact is, I'm a one at a time kind of girl with maybe a small thrown into the mix.

I was so lucky to win a giveaway hosted by Chris. I received the package last week and am so in love! I loved this design from the minute it was released and am so happy I have the opportunity to stitch it. Thanks Chris!

I soon leave for a much needed respite to the Pacific Northwest. I'll be flying to Portland to visit an old friend. Fact is she is an old neighbor who turned into a friend. One day, we bumped into each other at the mailboxes and I asked if she was my downstairs neighbor. She was and she invited me to dinner!! And after that, I would go downstairs in my pjs and slippers to have dinner, watch tv, play with her kitties and stitch. She liked to stitch too! Now, I think she's more of a quilter but I will still be getting in some crafty time with her and she agreed to take me to Acorns and Threads. Yay! So excited!! Plus, she'll drive me around to sitesee. Then I will take a train to Seattle and meet up with a couple of girlfriends for a weekend full of sites, food, cocktails and fun. I am so glad this vacation is finally here even though I don't feel ready. If you have any fun "must sees" for Portland or Seattle, let me know.

Oh and here's a fun photo from Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt a couple of weeks ago. We were finished and headed to a place to eat and rest when we happened upon another dragon and firecracker show! It was fun to see.



Hope you all have a happy and safe week and St. Paddy's Day!

Until next time...




22 comments:

Margaret said...

Love that picture from Chinese New Year -- so cool! Jane is looking good! Your trip sounds like great fun! I've never been to the Pacific Nortwest but I'd love to go sometime. Have fun!

Nancy said...

Visit the VooDoo Donut shop in Portland!! and take lots of pictures!!! Have a great time!

Barb said...

I love Jane more each time I see her. Have a wonderful vacation. I'm not sure but the winter garden in Seattle at the U W arboretum might still be blooming. It is a beautiful place if you need some quiet time!! If you have time, take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island-lots of cute shops and restaurants. Plus you get to spend time on beautiful Puget Sound!

Theresa said...

Great progress on Jane!! And congratulations on your win~

Enjoy your trip!!!!

Giovanna said...

Great going on the sampler, and congrats on the fantastic win. Have a great trip.

Chris said...

Jane is looking gorgeous!
Have a fabulous time in Portland.It is such a great place to visit and unwind.
I am so happy that you won the giveaway!

Catherine said...

Love your stitches and congrats on the win ~ that is a great chart! Love your pic of the Chinese New Year!
Have fun on your trip ~ looking forward to hearing all about it!

Julie said...

Have a wonderful trip, relax and enjoy. Xxx

Carol said...

I know you will have an awesome trip, Valerie--be sure to take lots of photos for us! That is one (of the many) parts of the U.S. I've never visited...

I'm sure Jane will be patiently waiting for your return--she is very lovely, indeed :)

Laura said...

Sounds like a super fabulous vacation!!!!!! I love the Pacific Northwest! If you get a chance to take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island...do it. It is so much fun and Bainbridge has a lovely downtown shopping district to shop and have lunch!

Have fun!

cucki said...

Great progress on Jane...
And congratulations on your win..
have a lovely trip x

Anne said...

Enjoy your vacation Valerie. You are a lucky gal to get to go to that Portland needleshop! I've actually googled it before and want to take a trip down to Portland just so I can go there! Have fun in Seattle too. It's such a great city...lots of great little shops. You must go to Anthropologie when you're there...and Pike Market! Jane is looking gorgeous. I think I may need to purchase the chart because she's just too pretty to pass up. Lovely win from Chris too! It's such a sweet design!

Hugs

Sally said...

Lovely stitching Valerie.

Congratulations on your win.

Enjoy your trip.

Melanie said...

Have a great time on your trip!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Lisa said...

It is funny how life gets in the way of the hobby's and things that we love. I miss keeping up with you and all my stitching friends out there in blog land. Hopefully, now that life is somewhat a little manageable I will be able to visit often. Jane looks great and I hope that you had a nice vacation. I look forward to hearing about the trip!

dixiesamplar said...

Jane is looking good, Valerie! And a very nice giveaway win from Chris too.

Hope you have a safe and wonderfully fun-filled vacation.

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

gorgeous stitching :D have a wonderful holiday.

Gillie said...

I hope you had a lovely time in one of my favourite parts of the world... And a trip to A and T too, such a wonderful store! I just took Mary out of hibernation and had a look at the SAL and thought I'd say hello!

Meari said...

Have a fabulous vacation!

Congrats on your win.

Kaisievic said...

Have a great holiday, Valerie - I am sure that you will come home refreshed.

Marie said...

How do you do that? How do you keep to one project at a time, that amazes/impresses me! I have 1/2 completed projects everywhere. UGH

Hope that you enjoyed your vacation...I am sure you are back in the city now!

Patty C. said...

Your WIP looks great & i love the cottage- I'll be watching for your progress!