A different kind of Halloween Blog Hop 🎃

Yes, it's Halloween, but sadly, no official Blog Hop this year. 😢

But don't fret too much, there is a link up with Jo @Serendipitous Stitching! 🎃

This is one I stitched a while ago, but still have yet to finish. I just can't decide how I want to do it. I think I might just place it on a witch hat, seems appropriate.

And this year, I haven't done much Halloween decorating so I decided to mainly show what I've stitched. I do have more stitched pieces, but they are not fully finished yet. I really need to change that!

Do you have any Halloween stitching to show? I'll be taking a look at what others have posted, hopefully later tonight.

Fully Finished Gallery - October 2024 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's 
Fully Finished Gallery SAL for October 2024.

Another new frame! Not the best job, but it will have to do.

I added the bats instead of what was charted, and skipped the two corners. The white didn't show up as brightly as I wanted, I even used B5200. Oh well, it's good enough!

A small Halloween display this year. But I've got loads of pumpkins for next month!

Here's to wishing next month will be more productive.

Be sure to check out what the others have finished!

Fully Finished Gallery - September 2024 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's 

Fully Finished Gallery SAL for September 2024.

Get ready for something new!

Finally, a new frame!

I have been looking for a fall frame for ages, with no luck. I decided I would just have to make my own. So here's what I created.

I got the frame from the Dollar Tree and I already had the napkin and Mod Podge. The frame is a bit too big for it, but I'm going with it. Although a friend gave me a mat cutter contraption, so maybe I'll try to cut one to put in there... one of these days!

I haven't made one for October, but might have to with the spider web napkin.

And here it is on display with last month's finish.

Be sure to check out what other's have finished!

Maybe next month will be more productive? But I still have to stitch the month of October. 😲

Pit Stop before the Grace Notes Retreat 🛑

Brenda and I took a little detour on our way to the Grace Notes Retreat at the HodgePodge Cross Stitch, in Strasburg, PA.

Colleen mentioned that Marcia would be open on Sunday after the retreat for those of us that would be able to stop by on our way home. But we decided to go on the way since we knew we probably wouldn't have enough time on Sunday.

What a lovely shop! So many lovely things to look at.

There were even some antique items for sale.

As hard as it was, I contained myself and only bought these two sweet charts. I had never seen anything by Stitches by Ethel before, so many cute patterns!

And I also got this holder I've seen others with. There is a bigger one, but I like the small one.

Our next quick stop was at the Strasburg Antique Market, just down the road from the shop.

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So many precious needlepoint and cross stitch pieces. Nice to see, but sad at the same time.

And you wouldn't be in Lancaster County if you didn't see at least one Amish Buggy.

This one looks like their version of an open pick up truck!

The 2nd Grace Notes Retreat 🎶

So I'm a month behind, but the Grace Notes Retreat 2024 last month was super funtastic! 

This little guy was cute, but he was a PITA!

But even with his "help" I was able to finish!

This was Kate Stitcher's design in last year's book, using Grace Notes Fabric.

I did change the colours, I used what I had already.

Colleen taught several classes on lacing, she did a great job!

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Although I didn't have the correct supplies, I helped my friends and here is Annette (Mind your Needle) with hers. Looking good!

The group that took the lacing classes.

FB group photo

They had some really crazy people in that hotel! 😆

And here's the fabric - OMGoodness, so many beautiful colours.

If you've never seen Grace Notes Fabrics, you're missing out!

Charts for sale.

And then there were the trade tables.

Once again, I found way more than I needed.

I would show you what I found, but I put it away already.

And what sweet friends I have, I was given this adorable bee and gorgeous dragon.

Our group went out to dinner and I "had" to drink this spiked bath water so Annette could get the tub!

And here's our table, a fun time with this lot!

Here's the whole group at the retreat.

FB group photo

And here we are, the Maryland stitchers!🦀

This year's Quilt Raffle, once again made by dear Sheri. Isn't it gorgeous?

This year, $1500 was raised! It was split between the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Precious Life.

And again, she made needle books for EACH one of us! I think about 150?

Gifts from friends, stitchy friends are the best!

Some of these were in the goodie bag.

I won the last year's cup, I love it.

And this is what I purchased. I didn't get very much, but only because I have enough fabric to last me quite a while.

I got these too, two fun thread beds from Shiba Designs.

And before we knew it, it was Sunday and time to go home. Until the next time, ladies... this week as a matter of fact, for our next retreat together!