What happened to June❓❗

Back to the real world and trying to get back into blogging. I have still been stitching everyday, so that's something.

The real world meant a retreat for me in June, a funtastic getaway!

This was Flower Power in Pennsylvania, a wonderful time with friends.

My roommate, Karen, was able to come to this one!

Our table, these girls are so much fun!

The Grab Bag Exchange, the word was TULIP.

This was the box I picked from Eda. She made the project bag and pincushion, aren't they sweet?

This was my exchange - the U was hard, but I saw unscented lotion at The Stitching Post for the win!

... are the two lips in the dark!

Plenty of choices for shopping too.

What I purchased (and was gifted) from Janis @Noteworthy Needle. I'll be as busy as a bee!

My purchases from Silkweaver Fabrics and a needle threader from Rovaris.

Needleminders from Annette @Mind Your Needle. So happy to have the German and Welsh gnomes!

I purchased some smaller bags from Peggy and Roberta @BFF Pouches and Bags, and then had this one specially made since I wanted to fit my Gathering Honey in it. I love it!

Then it was mid June, and time for my birthday.

Flowers, a stitching gift certificate, a new ipad, and a much desired Wicked Witch I've been searching for for a long time, from dear Kerri!

A delicious dinner with family and us girls enjoyed some amazing crushes! 

This year I requested a chocolate cake with orange icing. DH did a great job, it was wonderful!

June isn't over, yet to come...the church picnic goodies and some recent stitching.

I'll do my best to backtrack on blog reading, but might have to settle for reading your most recent posts.

Mom's Memorial ⛪

We had my Mom's memorial two weeks ago day.

I still find it hard to believe she's been gone since April. We all miss her dearly, especially my Dad.

We had a lovely gathering with friends and family by her beloved chapel. There were poems, prayers, music, and memories for her. I read what I wrote about her precious hands.

The cardinals wind spinner was a gift for my Dad in memory of my Mom from my sister-in-law and older brother, he loved it.

 

My nieces made cupcakes for the luncheon, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. They were delicious, especially the strawberry ones!

Dad was a little disappointed that more photos weren't taken by him or others, but being there without worrying about photos was more important! But we did get some before it was over, so that was nice.

My "sisters" from elementary and jr high.

These wonderful ladies helped my Mom out so much.

My older brother's best friend since they were in elementary school.

My Dad had this sweet bear made from my Momma's nightgown. My brothers each received one and he had one made for him out of another nightgown that he liked. A treasure for us all.

It truly was a wonderful day spent with dear friends and family. Thank you to those who were able to join us in remembering my precious Momma. I know there were many who wanted to join us but were unable to be there, thank you for your kind words and thoughts.

Now the hard part continues, not having her with us. I keep reminding myself that she's where she wants to be, pain free and with Jesus! 

Until we meet again, I love you my precious Momma.

A Stitching Shore Retreat 🏖

I'm a little behind on my follow up posting about the retreat I went to at the NJ Shore in April, so here's the rest of the adventure.

Our view from the deck.

She's fixed and looking fine! I think I need to head to the beach again to continue to stitch her.

These wonderful ladies all had fantastic finishes while we were there!

There might have been some drinking...

I forgot to take a photo of what I gave for the exchange, but this is what I received. We were to pick a four letter word starting with F, can you guess this one?! The word I chose? Fart! But I wasn't alone, I think there were 2 or 3 others?

We had some hide and seek with Brad, or Chad, or maybe his name should have been Peeping Tom!

Mermaid!

Needleworker's Delight set up shop for us at the house and I couldn't resist these two.

Our gift bags, dropping the F bomb!

Darn giveaway pile, I always seem to find something I can't do without.

Unbeknownst to me, the Janice I met there is the Janice of Noteworthy Needle. I actually had this piece that I had gotten at the auction during the Super Bowl Stitching retreat, awesome!

What happens at the shore, stays at the shore!

Our house of stitchers, what a great group of gals. I'm already looking forward to next year's adventure!

I have more to post, but I really need to respond to comments, read blogs, and comment on those blogs. I'll do my best!

A bittersweet Mother's Day ❤

I went to pick up my Dad last week to bring him to our house for the week and he had been looking for a photo album my Momma had from when she was younger and did sports in school. Sadly, I didn't find it, but I did find a bag of stitchy treasures! I knew she did needlepoint years ago, especially with her Mom, but had never seen any of these.

This is a beautiful tablecloth she made, and thankfully, she finished it.

These goodies were also in the bag.

I think the tin has the leftover threads from the one she finished. The bag of floss has Anchor, DMC, and a German brand I've never seen before.

It also had another German tablecloth, but this one had never been started. I'll be attempting to make this, there's a first time for everything!

I knew she liked Thomas Kinkade, this one hadn't been started yet either. I'm guessing her hands were getting worse so maybe she couldn't sew anymore?

Dad said he remembers her buying this at the beach one year, that must have been over 25 years ago!

I was hoping she had at least started it since it was opened, and she had!

Although it was only nine stitches! Can you see them? I decided to leave them as is and stitch mine in the opposite direction since that's how I stitch anyway. I also decided to use two strands instead of three so hers stand out better.

I've never stitched on a stamped piece before, so this is a little different for me. But I will stitch it up and frame it for my Dad, it will be from the both of us.

I'm so thankful that I spent Mother's Day with her last year, never thinking it would be her last. She is missed dearly, but I keep thinking that now she gets to spend it with her Mutti.

So this year was a bit different without her, but my Dad was with me and my MIL joined us too.

Sneaking a quick kiss with DH.

I saw this somewhere else so here's my pregnant/babies/now photos. Seems like forever ago! I'm proud to be a Mom to these three guys, they are all wonderful "kids!"

May the 4th be with you!

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