quick check in

It's been a week since I've returned home but it feels more like 15 minutes, and tomorrow is the beginning of a new week. Short week for me, as I'll be going to Chicago on Friday to see Tina Turner in concert! Sister and aunt are coming along for the fun. I think I've covered the essentials this weekend like visiting the Dad, laundering the unmentionables, feeding the husband a couple of "honest to goodness" meals, and making a showing at church. I think they were about to plan a memorial service in my honor. Figured the husband had had enough and finally buried me in the backyard!

I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me when I got home last week. My new Italian friend Giulia Manfredini of Giulia Punti Antichi, gifted me with her Christmas sewing set pattern. I couldn't believe such a nice gesture from someone I've never met, so far away! Little did she know that I've been longing to stitch one of these little slippers and now I have no excuse! She can expect a little surprise from me in her mailbox sometime in the future. Thanks so much Giulia!

It's good to be home

I know work will be crazy for a week or so since I've been off for so long, so I wanted to take a minute to say, Wow it's good to be home. I'll probably be ready to take off again for "St. Somewhere" round about Wednesday!

My Favorite!

You all know how I just love peacocks? Well, I was able to get up close and personal to a few this weekend at the Philly Zoo. They were incredible!

On the road again

It's been a whirlwind two, make that three, weeks and BOY am I looking forward to coming home Friday! This past weekend, hubby came here to help me celebrate my birthday. We stayed busy with sightseeing and touring. Just in case you've never been to Philadelphia, let me give you a quick idea of the things to do here. In a little over 48 hours, hubby and I went to the Philly Zoo, Franklin Science Museum, the Philly Masonic Temple, the National Constitutional Center, the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, ferried across the Delaware river to visit the Aquarium in Camden NJ, and we ate our faces off at the best restaurants you've ever wanted to visit.

I haven't gotten much stitching done, but I should have one more angel for the Angel Tree done by the time I get home. YEAH!

in Philly

Caught my 6:00 am flight (yeah!) and arrived here in Philly before 9:30 am. I just love this city! I hope I can squeeze some fun into my two weeks of training here. The weather is perfect and we have the weekend free for whatever we're up for. Hoping hubby can join me for the weekend (and my birthday).

How about a big round of applause for William Penn perched so fittingly atop City Hall.

Water lillies

In our water garden. Could there be a more beautiful flower?

Medici Vase update

I learned so much from Vima about the many ways the simple buttonhole stitch could be used in our adaptation of traditional Casalguidi (Italian) needlework. She moved us right along during the four day class. Here is my progress. I won't be able to take the piece with me to Philadelphia due to it's size, so I guess it will have to wait for me.

EGA National Tapestry

My eyes have never beheld such an amazing piece of embroidery as the EGA National tapestry on display at EGA headquarters in Louisville. I hope any stitcher who has access can view it before it begins traveling the world. Here are a couple of details from it:

What a WEEK!

I've been hiding in Louisville this week for the EGA National meeting. I could rave for hours about how amazing the meeting was! Having the good fortune of meeting Vima Micheli and being able to sit with her for four days to study Italian needlework was something I'll never forget. It was truly one of the highlights of my 30 years of stitching. I am so impressed with her knowledge and personality, I have decided to present my husband with the gift of touring with Vima in Italy next year. We have wanted to travel Italy together for years and I'm sure Vima is just the one to show it to us.
I also got to catch up with my friend and Hardanger/blackwork mentor, Marion Scoular. What a lovely lovely lady! My plans are to present Marion with a Palestrina knot treble clef as soon as I can find an appropriate sized outline.
I am sorry to report that I am leaving super early Monday morning (4am) for Philadelphia. I have to attend a two week training session there. My birthday is the second Monday I am there, so hubby plans to fly in for the weekend prior to my birthday. How sweet! I have really missed him this week. I guess it is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I hope to be able to blog from Philly. If not, I'll check back in in about two weeks.