Woodlawn Inspirations...

 50th Annual Woodlawn Needlework Show

 

Well we made it to Woodlawn, Paul and I (who does not take good pictures with my camera).  Unfortunately, we went on a rainy/snowy day in Virginia.  As you can see by the picture they are still working on the house, both inside and outside.  The new windows were well worth it.  But now all the boxwood are gone, well that happened bit by bit after the 2009 snow storms which broke the plants, even though they covered them.  

As far as entries, there didn't seem to be as much as in previous years, but according to the booklet there were 578 entries this year, however it sure didn't look like that much.  What do others think? The best in show, was a lovely little dog that was needlepainted, he was lovely.  My husband really liked the Japanese goldwork and small silk pagoda miniture, also stitch painted.  He was also taken with and over one piece on 50ct of "And They Sinned".  He asked can they still see? Also he really liked the Carriage House the Shores of Hawk Run.  I really liked the embellished Queen Elizabeth, it was lovely with miniature pearls and beads, it took me back to my Needlepointing days.

 

I saw many pieces from fellow stitching friends, such John Kazmaier (who won (2)thirds and second for his Jan Houtman's, and Lynn Davis who got a Honorable Mention.  Also Holly Rison, Barbara Hutson from Queenstown Samplers, and good friend Joan Schmidt who got an Honorable Mention for an adorable Lizzie Kate Design.   

Today I found out that another cross stitch store had bit the dust down in my hometown of Fredericksburg, Va, called "Everything Cross Stitch".  I went with my God Daughter (she felt bad about taking me to Woodlawn since it would be such a rush for her) to get some little stitching supplies, which obviously didn't happen, but she was happy to find a Vera Bradley shop, and I found some Crabtree and Evelyn Soap.  So I had to happy myself with ordering from one of my favorite online shops Stitcher's Paradise,  I have decided to work two charts over one, Woodlawn is always inspiration... So with that I leave from sunny but and chilly Virginia with....

Beau and Annie.. they are a great couple. Thank you for stopping by. Your comments mean so much..

Two weeks behind, well almost

I have been tardy, we have had alot going on.  My BIL moved in with us last week, so I have spent alot of time getting him set up to our wireless system, getting the things he needs and so forth.  He runs a green business in Costa Rica, but he lost his US base of operations.  He had been living with his daughter, but she has 3 teenagers and a dog, and a very busy schedule.  Then he rented a room from someone, and the situation was so weird.  So he asked if he could base himself here when he is in the US, and we didnt have problem with it.   He doesn't eat with us, he just goes about what he needs to do with the business from this end.  He will have to go back to Costa Rica, but he will be coming back this way.  But its great with him here, because it gives another driver, since we had car that needed to get to the shop. 

Anyway he is very supportive of my stitching, here is the latest progress...

Jan Houtman 9-11, Gumnuts threads and Ricamo

Other wise its been very quiet, we had touch of snow this past weekend but nothing.  But Spring is coming it is suppose to be in the 60[s to the 70's on one day.  The other bright spot coming around the corner is "Woodlawn Needework Show" will be running the entire month of March, but more on that later.

I will leave with Lucy, who always likes to pose...



ah progress...

Well I have been working away at JH 9-11, for some reason I can't seem to put it down.  I really think its the gumnuts threads and their soft colors, but they are also lovely to work with..So here is my progress for this week

 

 I haven't been stitching for a while on Madison's sampler, but I will I promise.  What I need to get on the stick on is framing Mr. Max's Sampler so that its ready for entry into the Woodlawn Needlework show come February.  In case you have forgotten is Max's Sampler     

Well Christmas is coming, did you know that? of course you did, well you sure wouldn't know that looking around this house.  We are very low key here, since it's just us and the four legged ones   Also for the past two years we haven't put up a tree since the babies would of destroyed it and drove us crazy in the process.  Well this year we are going to try them with the little artificial tree that we put up, but with out the ornaments (don't want to lead them into temptation) I need to finish some shopping and send the cards and money to the grand kids.  I also need to put together Daniel's care package for Christmas.   We got a little distracted when Daniel was up this way and DH (Paul)is having a small medical issue done this week and I think emotions will relax and feel more like Christmas when its over. 

An last but not least I was able to get some pictures of the elusive Annie (the mom cat, the feral one) she is getting better all the time.  She will come a brush your leg every now and then, we can also pet her when we feed her.  An sometimes, just sometimes she will stay on her spot in the TV room while I stitch.  Now that's something!!  This cat never knew the human touch, but in two years she has come along way..  So here she is... my girl

This is her right next to my stitching chair... sorry about the bright eyes... but she just looked so sweet and that's why I took the picture.....

Just zoning out. Can you tell that Im just tickled to death with her.  Well we are, its been such an accomplishment to build the trust and friendship with this lovely girl.  Her Beau, is still and always will be her beau, the male cat she adores but she is discovering that humans aren't so bad either, now her babies are another matter....

Hope your holidays planning and preparing are coming along, hope stitching is in your plans.. If I don't get another progress report in before the holidays, then from our house to yours Happy Christmas and New Year.... 

Woodlawn Report - 2011

Last Saturday I went to Woodlawn, it was much larger than last year.  They had 658 entries, which was up about 100 more from last year.  Last year broke  broke a record too.  Actually, I think the recession is getting people back into stitching again and actually finishing their projects, that's a good thing all around.  They received a lot more smalls this year than ever before, according the kind lady that runs the show.  The front room usually has some glass cabinets with entries, but this time it was full of cabinets, but it didn't hit me until I left.  They actually had to use the nursery room upstairs, that is usually reserved for demonstrations, for entries.
  
There also seemed to be more crewel entries this year.  There was a chair with birds and flowers that was out of this world (obviously they don't have grandchildren, children or pets).  Another piece or should I say pieces were in the Music Room, of a blue oriental designs all done in crewel, by the same entrant.  The peoples award was given to a Japanese Embroidery piece of cart and with flowers, it was stunning.  
Samplers were prevalent but not as much as last year.  JohnK, won a ribbon for J Houtman's Pansies.  He did it in muted colors, and as always stunning.  He had two other samplers entered as well.  My friend J, one a ribbon for her Sampler Cove, Rhapsody in Red, well done!.  There didn't seem to be much in the critter room either, but I did see two Charlie Harper Needlepoint designs that were lovely.  The Children's room was also had some things done by girl scouts which were well done.  The Christmas room had some lovely ornaments, one I'm trying to track down the designer, so wish me luck.  It was of cats with pink  background.     
As per usual they did not allow pictures.  I don't know what the reason was for allowing pictures last year to be set up of the winners in a album, and not this year.  I personally found it very useful, so I would remember pieces to specifically look for when I went to Woodlawn.   

Here is another wonderful report (oh she explains about the pictures)