Never Forget…

…the price that has been paid for our freedom. Never forget the lives lost and the life-changing injuries given for the sake of a safe homeland. Never forget to say…thank you!

Stash Reduction…

…in progress.  If you are interested in seeing what my latest purge unearthed (actually some pretty cool stuff, but I have realized that I have SWBLE-Stash Way Beyond Life Expectancy) please take a peek at my EBay auction.

Thank you for looking!

Blessings,

Julie

Stitching retreat…

…is one of the great joys of my life.

Every year at the beginning of August the Needlework Guild of Minnesota hosts a teaching retreat for needlework in Buffalo, MN.  The venue is the lovely Christ the King Retreat Center, a place where many of the sleeping and teaching rooms, as well as the dining room overlook the lake and offer the chance to see amazing sunsets over the water.

The retreat is well priced and full every year–generally without even having to open it to non-guild members. This says a lot about the enthusiasm of the needleworkers who make up the membership. It also says a lot about the careful planning that goes into making every year a success.  I want to add my resounding ‘thank you’ to those involved in this year’s effort because it was fabulous.

I had the joy of going to Retreat this year with a group of friends I have fondly referred to on this blog as the ‘stitching sisters’.  They include a sister from North Dakota, a sister by marriage and several local sisters, all of whom are wonderful friends.  This talented group (both within the world of needlework and without) made this year the  best ever for me. To each one of them…dear sisters of my heart…thank you.

The Retreat is also amazing because of the instruction available to all attendees.  Each year top notch national and international teachers come for 4-6 days to share their talents, new ideas and teaching projects.  In the past we’ve had the likes of Janice Love, Tanya Berlin, Kay Stanis, Barbara Mayo-Grass, Jane Nicholas, Cayla Conn Tyler, Diane Fitzgerald and Shay Pendray (this is by no means an exhaustive list).  This year was no different.  Robin Laukhuf of Olde Willow Threads, Leslie Granbeck (teacher of all things felted) and Carole Lake were our teachers.  All and I do mean ALL the projects were fabulous.  My choice was to stitch in Carole’s class–the fabulous St. Basil’s Cathedral (needlepoint). I was joined by three of the sisters and we had a great time.  Carole is an exceptional teacher and we went home with a fair amount of canvas covered. (I will edit this to share a photo of my work in progress later.)

St. Basil's in progress 1

The pace was just right and four days flew by in a flash.

So, Retreat may be over for another year, but I have my memories, echos of shared laughter and a beautiful project.  I am…grateful.

Blessings,

Julie

PS: To Mom…yes, I am knitting. 🙂

Ok…

…I’ve been gone a long time. I don’t even know if anyone visits anymore. However, I have been stitching…a bit. Right now, I’ve lost my counted thread mojo in favor of Japanese embroidery and needlepoint. I will post some photos here very shortly.

I am setting up ‘the room of my own’ and when that gets done, I will have freedom to take photos and to use my computer somewhere other than the dining room table. The biggest problem with working in there? Well, the air conditioners are in the master bedroom and in the living room…so it gets warmer than I like in the stitching room.

Hope all is well with every stitcher in blogland.

Blessings,

Julie

Merry Christmas…and a prayer for all:

This day and this night, may I know O God
The deep peace of the running wave
The deep peace of the flowing air
The deep peace of the quiet earth
The deep peace of the shining stars
The deep peace of the Son of peace.

–from Celtic Prayers from Iona by J. Phillip Newell

I read a very wise quote today…

…I wish I knew who said it.

“Bibles that are falling apart  usually belong to people who are not.”
~Author Unknown~

Today…and everyday…I am grateful for God’s word.

Blessings,
Julie

No I haven’t forgotten…

…NaBloPoMo (or whatever :-)). I have just three letters to explain myself. F. L. U.  And for those of you who wonder, yes I do occasionally feel like fly paper for any bug that’s out there, but really—better me than a little baby or someone really struggling with an awful disease, right? Besides, it gives me an excuse to whine a bit :-).

But since you would probably just pull out the cheese and your tiny violins, I shall change the subject to something far more interesting.  I actually have done a bit of stitching and a bit of knitting and I have loads of things in my camera to post. Now…wasn’t that exciting? Bad-dum-bump….

As a small token of my earnestness in trying to return to blogdom, I did update my 2009 finishes page. That should give y’all an idea of what’s coming in the way of photos!  I promise…soon.

So in the immortal words of…someone (gimme a break-I’m downing Nyquil!)… ‘I SHALL RETURN!’ (Or so’s my doctor tells me, providing I’m a good girl, get lots of rest and pay my bill. :-))

Stay well!
Blessings,
Julie

p.s. I am thankful for my doctor-who puts up with a good deal from me, Nyquil and my warm blankie today!

On this third of November…

…I am thankful for our families. For their on-going legacies of love, faith, comfort and support.

Blessings,
Julie

30 Days of Thanksgiving…

…I just read about this in a wonderful blog called 4:53 a.m. It seems a very good idea to me to spend time rehearsing blessings rather than dwelling on all that is wrong (or perceived wrong) in the world around me or in my world. Since I am starting this on the 2nd of November I have a day to catch up on as I start.

Yesterday, the first, I was home sick with the flu. I either curled up in bed or sat in my chair covered with a soft (and hand knitted by moi) afghan. I was and am thankful for a warm house, leisure to rest when I need rest and better living through chemistry (Thera-flu TM-no commercial intended, but it works for me).
Today, I am thankful for my DH who always…always…cares for me in a gentle, tender way that oftentimes is far more than I deserve. He is a gift from God and, after 26+ years I can still say I am so very blessed by my life’s partner.

What are you thankful for today? How would the world change if we focused on thankfulness? How would our perspective change? How would MY perspective change.

Blessings,
Julie

NaBloPoMo 2009

…or the National Blog Posting Month challenge. Can I post every day for the month of November? I have a PIF to post (both a beautiful one received and an offer), several finishes and holiday stitching to share…so stay tuned. I’m going to try!

Blessings,
Julie