I'm home! Feels so good to not have to be planning out the next trip or stress over details. I will admit now, I tote projects around every day, not a stitch was made, not during the classes they taught the boys at camp, nor the 4 hour car rides as we cruised Flagstaff, Williams, Sedona, and Phoenix, nor the quiet (rainy) evenings camping, NADA. I did manage to get a few stitches in last night though.

My 3 year blogiversary and 30-something birthday passed while I was camping. I hope you will indulge me as I whine about my birthday-no one remembered it except my DH's aunt who called and sang to me on my voicemail (what a hoot!) and my in-laws who sent me a gift and card (they are the BEST in-laws one could ask for). At first I thought they were going to surprise me but since we're almost 2 weeks past my birthday (and I've been home for 8 days!) I no longer think that's plausible. I will admit to being bummed out, I don't need gifts but it would be nice to be remembered on my special day (especially by my DH and kids, who also did not celebrate Mother's Day).

CONTEST: Anyway, to celebrate, I will be giving away two mystery gifts to anyone who comments from now till next Tuesday. I will have a drawing Wednesday morning and announce the winners then.



This would be the stash I bought myself in honor of my birthday with last year's gift certificate at All in Stitches (which has moved into a great new shop right by my house). I am lucky that here in Tucson we have 3 great LNS': The Busy Needle (Northwest side), All in Stitches (Eastside), and The West (Northeast side). I never get to the Busy Needle anymore because it take so long, a good hour with traffic, and my old clunker can barely putt around let alone handle that kind of drive in this heat. I miss seeing everyone there though, very friendly and great stuff (they're the ones that introduced me to Diane Williams way back when, and also where I finally met Sharon Crescent of Crescent Colours in person). They have always been very supportive of my designing! The West is a non-profit needlework/gift shop with proceeds going to battered women and other great causes. They have a good selection of stitching and fibers and also great staff. They hosted my first trunk show and showed me the ropes in that arena and were very good to me. All in Stitches is much newer--I applaud their bravery as so many shops are closing for her to open one. I know Terry (the owner) much better than the other shops as she's close to me and also because we've spent lots of fun time together at the Nashville market. She always has designers I've never heard of and keeps everything well stocked.



Some of my ebay stash were some JCS mags, this one I just LOVE. The Peace ornie really calls to me, I know it's simple but that's part of the beauty of it. Then as a bonus, I found this ornament (below) by Prairie Schooler which is really classic PS:



Now I need to get stitching as I have tons of projects and no time and I'm not getting anywhere fast enough!!!!!

My kids spend a lot of time at my work because the youngest are in a summer camp program that is held at my work in the mornings. My other son takes the bus to my work from summer school to keep him out of trouble. I generally only work till 1:30pm so they hang in the nursery or youth room or playground (perks of working at a large church!). Yesterday I worked much longer than usual and Chase got bored of playing by himself so he built a clubhouse:

Labels: birthday, contest, kids, lns, new stash