Heat Wave and Promised Pictures

It was really hot this weekend.  Temperatures were in the upper 90's and with the humidity the heat index was well above 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.  Hubby and I went to one estate sale Saturday morning, but it was an absolute dud.  Then we headed over to a local festival celebrating Native American Indians.  It may have been me, but I think the festival was smaller this year than last year.  That was a good thing for us since it was way too hot to be walking around the festival grounds.  Instead of staying in the heat and eating junk food we opted for our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch.  Yummy!

Saturday night was filled with "stitchy time" with my BFF.  I started on a new piece where I changed up all the colors.  Originally the colors were very dark and drab IMHO.  So, you know I had to spruce it up a bit!  I really haven't been one to experiment with colors on my own, so I'm considering this an adventure.  I figure that the more I try color changes, the better I will get. 

A great big THANK YOU! goes out to all of you who commented on my Color Woes.  And, just in case you were wondering, I went with the darker Ye Olde Gold instead of the lighter Queen Bee.  It looks so much better!  (I think I knew that while I was posting it, but I still needed some reassurance.......)

As promised, here are some better pictures of my latest finish.  The pattern from Blackbird Designs and it is called Seaside Retreat.  I stitched it on 40 count Vintage Autumn Gold by Lakeside Linen.  For the color I used a Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours.  Isn't it just the yummiest varigated blue?  I picked it up at market last fall while while I was working in the Crescent Colours booth.  I know that The Attic in Mesa, Arizona also carries lots of Belle Soie Limited Edition silks.  I believe that they they come in hanks.  (Give Jean and her girls a call if you are so inclined, I'm sure that they will be happy to tell you what colors they have on hand.) I used less than two yards since each yard is 12 ply.  I know the silk is on the expensive side, but if you are a 40 count stitcher, it sure does go a long way and it is well worth the price!

Many people have asked me where they can get this pattern.  Well, I'm sorry to say this, but Barb & Alma have yet to publish it.  They created it for a retreat that I attended in the Fall of 2009. I also have the greatest stockings that they created for this retreat.  I guess I'll have to dig those out and get them started sometime soon.  They always have such fabulous classes and I do wish that I could become a "Blackbird Groupie".  That way I could fly around the U.S. to all of the classes that they teach. That way I would never miss one of their patterns!

Of course, we could always gang up on them and convince them to release a booklet of all their class projects.  Now, wouldn't that be cool?  I know that I would buy it!  How about you?

Happy Stitching!