Sea Serpent & House

Here is where I am on the Sea Serpent:

I don't know why but I really like this.  The main part I have to do yet is the tail.  I noticed that there are some buttons on him.  I don't have the embellishment pack but I bet I can find some buttons in my stash that will work.  The bubbles coming out of his mouth are buttons.

Then I made some progress on Lindy Mouse's House.

 I am almost done with the summer side.

  There is a little bee and some backstitching left to do.  Then the next part is the front door.  I'd like to get a lot done on that today.  Only two sides to go and I can put this baby together.

I got my hair cut today.  My hair smells good.  I think it is the Moroccan Oil.  I needed it trimmed for the Son#1's wedding.  I am almost all set.  New dress, new shoes, hair cut.

I'm excited today because I got my flights booked for my Attic trip.  Yeah!  I'm expecting to get the Autumn Casket Keepsakes kit in the mail today.  I've looked through the directions and am ready to start.  I still need to do the carnation from the spring Casket Keepsakes but that's a whole other story.
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One More

I finished the paint box for the Toy Chest.

 I really like this project.  It has two pockets for holding needle packets.

 It has a pocket for a needle threader that has a charm on the fob.

I worked on it mostly while waiting in the Philadelphia airport so that when I look at it, that's what it reminds me of.

I have only one more toy left to stitch for the Toy Chest.  It is the Hobby Horse that is a laying tool cover.  I know it will be quick to stitch.  I saw a blog where a lady is stitching the Jack in the Box.  I don't have that kit.  Rats.  Oh well, my box is pretty full of toys.
My goal this week is to finish Lindy Mouse's house.and the Steampunk Sea Serpent.  I'll show you my progress tomorrow.
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Shopping

I'm late posting today because I have been shopping.  The torturous kind of shopping.  I needed a nice dress for Son#1's wedding.  After trying on ten dresses, I got a dress.  I rarely dress up.  I have very few actual dresses, usually it is a skirt and top of some kind.  But Yeah! I found a dress that will do and a pair of heels.
I just need a haircut (trim) and I'm all set.
Now for a stitchy update.  I have finished Just Nan's Witchy.

 She is cute and I like that all the embellishments were included with the chart.  The only thing I needed to add was a toothpick.

I like the button on the bottom.

I got the Just Cross Stitch Ornament edition in the mail.

I one I really like is the Victoria Sampler stocking.

  Next on the like list is Jackie's skate.
I also got the latest edition of Shepherd's Fold.  It is a pin cushion.

 I have the same problem with it that I had with the box top.  The basket of flowers is way bigger than the house.  Something will be changed with this one.
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Last Day

The Salty Yarns Trip: Day Six
Time to go back home.  Before I am ready to go I have to walk on the boardwalk one more time.

 It is windy and rainy again.  But this is my last chance.  I get to Fractured Prune and I want one last donut.  It is only half open.  The door is half way up and the girl says ten minutes until they open.  Hey, I'll wait.  I discover that one donut is three dollars but six donuts are nine dollars.  I only get one but I am tempted.  I love a bargain.  I am pretty soaked by the time I get back to the Lankford.  There is one more thing I need to do before I leave.  I have not walked down to the ocean and put my toes in.  It is really rainy and windy and the waves are high but since this is my last chance, I do it.

The ocean is warmer than I expected it to be.  Hey this is nice, I should have done this more.  I don't like all the sand between my toes though.

Ginny and I take off for the airport.  We have the same flight to Philadelphia.  Everything goes smoothly.  My next flight is slightly delayed.  We are waiting for the plane to arrive.  But luckily the pilots make up for the delay and I get home just fine and on time with DH waiting for me.

Here is my stash from Salty Yarns:

 The Sam Sarah Steampunk Sea Serpent was designed for Salty Yarns Jamboree last year.  I think it is so cool.  I found some Gumnut silk thread and several colors of linen.

I've had the best time.  I want to go back again next year.  What is my next trip?  In two weeks, Son#1 is getting married.  He happens to live not too far from a very good needlework shop.  Maybe I'll get there.
Barbara asked if I am going to Williamsburg.  Yes I am.  But first I'm going to The Attic in November.
Back to stitchy updates tomorrow.
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Monday, Monday

The Salty Yarns Trip Day Five
It is Monday and it is cold and and very windy.  I do a little bit of walking .  The boardwalk is nearly deserted. Notice the waves.

Class is over.  So what is on the menu for today?  First we are going out to breakfast at the Red Barn.  There are a bunch of us.

 I get the crabby eggs.  When in Maryland you have to get the local specialty, crab.  Everywhere I go today, there is oldie music playing.  I love going out for breakfast.

Then Ginny, Jackie and I are off to the airport.  We say goodbye to Jackie.  What a nice person!

I wanted to go the the "coolest little town in America", Berlin, Maryland.  Ginny has already been but she takes me there.  It is full of little interesting shops and antique stores.  This was a small cupcake shop.

It is raining a bit but we are undaunted.    There is an old hotel there called The Atlantic Hotel where scenes from two movies have been filmed.

 I want to go have something to eat there.  We have a table out on the porch.

We aren't very hungry so we decide to just have dessert.  I have a very good pina colada too.

This was fabulous by the way.
Back to the Lankford and Salty Yarns.  I love having a needlework store next door.  Here is Michael being silly.

We decide that the best place to go for dinner is the Sunset Grill, again.  How decadent!  This time I get the salmon and it is cooked perfectly.  They sure know how to cook fish right.  For dessert tonight I get the pie in a jar.  It is a whole full pint jar of peanut butter mousse and oreo cookie crust.  Yummy!
I can't believe that I have to go home tomorrow.  But I've had the best time.
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Second Day of Class

The Salty Yarns Trip Day Four:
It is Sunday and our second day of class.  Same routine today:  walking, Fractured Prune donut, Dunkin' Donuts, off to class.
We do such fun things today.  We make a darling waxer using buttons and a sheet of real bee's wax.  It smells wonderful.  It just takes a bit of rolling and warmth from my hands.

Then we make a dorset button.  Jackie is brave to have us try this.  I love love love the silk pearl we are using.

My first try isn't great.  So I take it out and try again.  Amy Mitten has taught me the hedebo part.  I just have to understand making the spokes so it doesn't look awful.  This is an acceptable button but I may try again.

We get a chance to buy some kits Jackie has brought with her.  We also see some future class projects.  I get two kits that go with the Fair Maiden's Work Bag.  One is a needleroll and one is the perfume etui.

 I order this little compact that matches as well.  I got a Pocket For Posies Assessories kit.  It has a darling pinball in it.

My goal today is to try a flower to make sure I know how to do it.  This is my first one.  I know what I need to do to make it look better.

The best thing we do is go over the finishing directions step by step making sure we understand exactly how to put the bag together.  
We spend some time lacing some beautiful Mokuba ribbon together for the handle of the bag.

I can't believe class is over already!  Some people have to leave.  Some people have to shop.  A bunch of us  (nine, I think) go to the Sunset Grill for dinner.  This is a nice restaurant.  I haven't had Alaskan King Crab legs for a long time and the restaurant has a special.  Michael and I share the most fabulous Turtle Brownie Sundae.  Very good food.
It is fun to hang around the lobby and drink wine, talk, knit and sharpen pencils.  Ginny shows me how to do a bunch of stuff on my Ipad that I didn't know how to do.  Jackie gets me signed up for Facebook.  It is fun hanging out with friends.  What a great day!
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Classy

The Salty Yarns Trip: Day Three
I'm finally here is Ocean City.  No time to dilly-dally.  I got up early because I had two objectives before class: walking and a Fractured Prune donut.  Walking on the boardwalk was wonderful.  The sun was just coming up, peeking through the clouds.  Not many people are on the boardwalk early in the morning.  The weather was mild.

See how calm the water is?  This will change before I leave Ocean City.  I walk north to the end of the boardwalk, touch the sign and walk south back past the Lankford Hotel.

I get to the Fractured Prune just as they are opening up at a few minutes before 8.  Oh the dilemma of choosing what donut to get.  I go with the Peppermint Patty.

Yum.  Not much is open yet on the Boardwalk but a popular place is Dunkin' Donuts.  I get some good coffee there and an egg thing.
I get ready for class when I get back to the hotel.  I put on my crazy shoes.  I like to wear them the first day of a needlework class along with one of the pins I've made.
I'm so excited.  We are having class in Sara's dining room.  We make the trek up to the third floor of the building.  I'm sitting with my friend Terry and Sara.

Jackie has a table of her projects sitting out.  It is fun to see some new things.

Some of these things will be in Jackie's booth at Williamsburg.  Yeah!  Maybe I'll have a chance to buy some of them.
Today we are making The Fair Maiden's Workbag.  It is based on an antique bag at the DeWitt Museum in Williamsburg.  What an interesting bag!  It has a drawer, a top that opens and a rounded compartment.  I love the lining materials, a pink and green check silk dupioni and a green silk with dragonflies on it.  Gorgeous.  Jackie goes through all the materials and directions.  It is way more intricate than I thought.  This will be challenging.  What imagination and clever finishing went into this piece.

There are lots of paillettes on this piece.  I just love it.  Where to start?  There is a lot of reverse chain stitch around the edge and on the stripes.  Jackie gives us a small needlebook kit to practice on.  We are working with some special thread that is 22 dollars a spool.  I love that we are using new materials and techniques.  I don't get very much done but my head is full of information.  

 I am so impressed with the quality of the materials in this kit.  Everything is top-notch.

When class is over I decide to walk down the boardwalk to a jewelry store.  It is Saturday and what if the store is not open on Sunday? I better go today.  There is a necklace I want to check out.  I love Paola's mermaid necklace and want to see it in person.  

I've found it online and want to see the price of it in the store.  I am undecided about whether to get it or not.  The jewelry store is way at the south end of the boardwalk.  Boy is the boardwalk crowded on a Saturday afternoon.  I walk down and get to the store.  The ladies in the store do not help me until I am walking out.  They have the necklace and it is the right size, not too large.  But their price is way more than online and doesn't include the chain.  I think I want to buy stitching stuff more than a necklace today.  Time to shop at Salty Yarns.  How great is it to have a needlework store right next door to where you are staying?  There is so much to see in the store.  I show Sally my show and tell stuff.

Terry, Janet and I decide to go to Piezano's for dinner.  They have pizza and other stuff.  We have a great time and many laughs.  I talk Janet into going to a candy store nearby.  I just love chocolate covered orange peel.

What a great day it has been!  I have a record number of steps: 19,225.  Another day of class tomorrow!

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