Sunday, June 08, 2014

JuJuJuJUNE ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I can't be the second week of June already - I wish I could slow things down.  No matter how hard I try to change my routine, change my priorities, change up my stitching habits - I can't make more time.  If any of you figure out how please share.

We've been having some fun this summer so far.  The end of May we went to the St Augustine Amphitheatre and saw a great concert.  Don Felder of Eagles fame opened the show and wow it was like being at an Eagles Concert.  We had awesome seats as you can see - center and not too far from the stage.  The only drawback was it was HOT HOT HOT .  Don Felder was amazing and on his final song he was joined on stage by Tommy Shaw STYX fame to help with the leads on Hotel California - It was chilling to be sure.  So enjoyed that !!!!!!!!!!!

 Not sure how I got the B&W option turned on but here is Don Felder on the left and Tommy Shaw center stage.  I'm glad I got this shot - by the time STYX came on stage the sold out crowd was getting really raucous and standing up a lot and I never could get a good shot of them.
At first we were very disappointed because Mick Jones was not performing with Foreigner - the second band but apparently he has not been well but he joined them on stage for the last 1/2 of the show.  They did a great job I thought doing a lot of their old hits.

 
Off to my needlework world - I have deemed Wednesday night "needlepoint night" at my house.  As I said before - I am trying new tricks to get more productivity out of myself.  This is my oldest np WIP - it is done except for the backround and border.  It is all Paternayan wool in tent and basketweave.  Yes some of you will be shrieking in horror but I love wool - Hence the "woolwoman" nickname and I love this Rosalie canvas.  I remember the shop where I purchased it - It was on vacation one summer - I still have the receipt in the bag so I know the year and when I finish it - I will report the start and finish date and give you all hope for your UFO's.  This will be made into a cushion and will fit well in either my guest bedroom or my master bedroom.  I also have a number of other np WIP's I want to finish in my lifetime but for now this is my Wed. night focus .

Know what time it is ???? It's Camp Loopy time with The Loopy Ewe. This will be my 3rd year participating in Camp Loopy.  For those who don't know what it is - Sheri- the owner gives you one month to complete a project of your choosing.  Most of the time she sets requirements such as with CL #1 - you had to use at least 400 yards of yarn, if you buy from her - she gives you a discount and if you post your finish on her website by the deadline - you are one step closer to finishing summer camp and getting a prize.  It's so much fun and I am being joined by 3 of my knitting buddies this summer - Henri, Starr and Karen who all participated last year.  I think I mentioned last year - we all finished and I think we knitted an astounding 15 thousand yards of yarn among 5 of us last summer.
 

Anyone recognize this pretty lady.  Another WIP which happens to be on my EGA chapter challenge list for 2014.  It is Garden Glade by CHS.  I am using the Attic conversion however I changed the two main colors you see here .  The red and the green in the leaves I changed from Belle Soie to Gloriana.  I hope to be devoting more time to this pretty piece so I can have it as a challenge finish. 

I have also vowed to try and post more often.  Lots of people say FB is causing people to not post to blogs as much but I still think blogs are more personal.  They give bloggers and their followers a chance to connect more than FB.  I love looking thru the photos on FB but I rarely post and mostly just click like.  On blogs - you get to connect with your followers, lots of whom become friends and there was a question on another friends blog about sending a return email when followers comment on your blog.  I love hearing from you and I always try and send a return email.  I think it makes an important connection.  So please do take a minute and leave a comment - I read them all and love having you here.  I just June is just as slow as you want it to be.

11 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

Greg and I saw Styx a few years ago with Pat Bentar. Pat sounded awful but Styx sounded wonderful. I've seen Tommy Shaw on Bravo and he looks really good. Never hurts to be easy on the eyes!

You've made great progress on Garden Glade since the last time I saw it! Love the dress color!

Personally, I find Instagram to be a bigger obstacle to blogging than Facebook. It's like a mini-post on a blog with just one photo. Blogging is great for the details though and I do keep up on reading my favorites (like yours)!

henri said...

Gorgeous canvas. . . fabulous!!! Enjoy all your
projects!!

Cari said...

I always love reading your blog. I agree with Jackie that Instagram takes away from blogging. I need to update mine … one day.

Anyway…all of your projects are beautiful !! I love needlepoint. I think it's relaxing to do and always so beautiful when finished. Your CHS Garden Glade is lovely too !! I stitched it using the Attic conversion and I LOVE mine. It is a great piece. Hugs dear friend and keep those fingers working !!

Margaret said...

The concert looks like it was fun, even if it was hot. Love that np WIP!! It's gorgeous! I think working with wool for NP is just the way to go, since that's what I used when I was little. So I go with you in that. Love your Campy Loopy project so far -- you've gotten a lot done! And Garden Glade is gorgeous! I so want to stitch that someday. I'm like Jackie -- to me Instagram is the reason people don't blog as much. I rarely go on Facebook. I'm not even sure why I'm on it, except to stalk my kids. lol! I tend to blog every week only because I know that Monday is the day I blog. If I didn't do that, I think I might have lapsed by now. I always love seeing blog posts from you, my friend. You know that!

Susan said...

So glad you continue to blog, Mel. I agree that it's more personal. I am only on Facebook to follow my quilt guild and a couple of shops as well as a sampler group, but I never comment. Loved all your pictures and I know you get that needlepoint piece done. And your rug...gently nudging you!!

Unknown said...

Not sure about the FB and blogging connection... for me it was Instagram. Once I started on IG my interest in blogging disappeared. Also... to be really honest... blogging was too difficult for me once Emma died... she was so much a part of my blog posts.
Love your np project! I've been wanting to tell you that a friend and I had a intro to rug hooking instructional class in a shop about 60 miles from where I live. It was a very basic kit a black star with a multicolored background. I think I've found a new craft!!! Wasn't keen on the basic lap frame we used for instruction... so I ordered a K's Creation Octagon lap frame. Haven't tried it out yet... but as soon as I'm caught up with my gardening I'll be back to my little rug hooking project.
You were my inspiration to finally take the plunge into rug hooking!!!

Jeanne said...

Oh my gosh Mel, you got to see Don Felder - I'm so envious!! I love him - if you haven't done so yet you have to read his book "Heaven & Hell, my life in the Eagles". It's a great book. Although I've seen the Eagles a few times it was never when he was still with them darn it.

Love your Garden Glade - mine is kitted up but sadly not even started yet.

I agree that all the other social media is taking some attention away from blogging but although I finally caved in and got on FB, I still enjoy blogging more when it comes to special interests. FB is great for finding people and reconnecting but I agree blogging is more personal and more enjoyable to read.

Good post and I know what you mean about it being JUNE already - can someone slow down the calendar PLEASE???

hugs
Jeanne

krayolakris said...

Great post and a real inspiration to keep the blogs alive!! Love your idea for NP Wed. I remember when all np was wool, or at least that's all I knew. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to seeing your finishes!

Anne said...

Yay! A post from you!! Looks like you had a blast at the concert despite the heat. That must have been fun listening to the classics of the Eagles, STYX and Foreigner. Beautiful tapestry/embroidery you are making for a cushion. I would not want to use it it's so pretty! Lovely start on your shawl. Perfect for autumn weather. Garden Glade is beautiful. I love CHS. She has so many great designs. I agree with you regarding facebook. I too have felt the decline in posts/comments since everyone is on facebook. Facebook is more instant and less personal but easy, whereas a post is like a little journal and a nice way to read about what's going on in a friend's life. I still enjoy posting and commenting on blogs because it keeps me connected to the friends I have made like you :D

Hugs!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I love going to summer concerts! We are going to see one of my all time favorites this summer (Jackson Browne) and the boys and Rob and I are all going to see James Taylor, as well. It was quite a surprise that the guys wanted to see JT but lawn seats and a picnic should be fun!
Great projects - I LOVE the floral needlepoint and of course, the Garden Glade piece is wonderful! I can't wait to see your Loopy Ewe projects!
I feel the same way about FB and blogging - just can't seem to find the time to blog as much lately but I do love the connection!
Continue having a great summer, my friend!!!

Karoline said...

All your projects are looking lovely, if you crack the secret of finding more time can you let us know! I've come to the conclusion that the only realistic option is Hermione's time turner...

That concert sounded right up my street!