I hope to finish her this week - I definitely have startitis but am determined to finish this piece before starting anything new.Cari
Cari
I'm not sure if you can tell, but the brown thing is a bench and it has a yellow quilt draped across the back of it - how clever is that!
And these amazing cupcakes - aren't they beautiful! We had a hard time convincing people that it was ok to eat them - so, I showed them :-)
These were so fun, they are sunflowers, the middle is miniature chocolate chips and the ladybug is a red M&M. I am going to have to give these a try.
Our chocolate fountain was the big hit of the day - I wish I had taken a picture of the masses surrounding this thing with their toothpicks outstretched. Someone had made these delightful eclairs and I decided they would be really good dipped in the fountain - I was right, yum! Of course, an hour later (it was probably only a few minutes, but still embarrassing) my one friend came up to me (laughing I might add) letting me know I had chocolate on my mouth (both corners) and my chin. I say one friend because the other 100 ladies in the room never said a word - but now I know why they smiled goofily at me whenever I stopped to chat - real funny aren't they. 
Several ladies chose a corner of the room and displayed all their wonderful pictures and souvenirs from their missions trips abroad.
I do have stitching to show, but haven't had time to iron it and take pics. It's been a busy week and it's only Wednesday.
Enjoy your day!
Cari
We had 7-8 artists display their work, the picture below is of work painted by my dear friend and artist, Alethea. She amazes me at how talented she is and that she finds time to be creative while being a wife, mother of 4, and she homeschools. She no longer paints 'smalls' as she calls them. Everything she does now is huge and it is all fruit and veggies. She's so funny, each picture she paints is about someone in her life.
Lastly, is the cross stitching. There were only two of us. The first is mine and the rest belong to a lady named Barbara, who does amazing, amazing!, work.
Blackbird Designs
Strawberry Garden
Recommended Fabric & Fiber
You should be able to click on the pictures below and see a closeup. They are all done in beads. 'Joy' she designed herself. She had a whole table of her work, each just beautiful. She and I have recently become friends due to our cross stitch obsession. She is such a delightful lady. She called me Saturday evening to tell me how much she loved my work and offered to let me go thru her stash! She is 74 and said that she will never be able to stitch everything and would love to share it - can you imagine, I am so excited
By the end of the day, my poor feet were so sore. I got up early and ran, not considering I would be on my feet the remainder of the day - from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. AND in heels - silly me.
Well, that's all folks..
Thanks so much for stopping by, I enjoy hearing from each of you.
Enjoy your Monday!
Cari
Rosewood Manor
MirabiliaI love planning events, but I always stress that maybe no one will show up or that we will run out of food and of course, with this event, I pray that nothing happens to anyone's precious pieces. I hope to have lots of pictures to share.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cari
Drawn Thread 
The Learning Girl Sampler
And last is a little design I did several years ago and pulled out to make into a pillow. I'm sorry, I don't know who the designer is or the design name. Believe it or not, I did take time to iron it this morning - I probably shouldn't even admit that, oh well.
I have a busy week ahead of me. The Women's ministry at church is having a lunch this Saturday. It's also an opportunity for ladies to showcase their talents, it's titled "God's Bountiful Blessings". I am on the committee and we still have a few last minute items on our to do list. I can't wait to see all the wonderful things the women are bringing to display - quilts, knitting, scrapbooks, paintings, needlework, and even some ladies reading their poetry. And my favorite, the bakers - homemade goodies for all us to taste, yum!
Happy Stitching!
Cari
Caught her tail in mid-swish...
Below is an old pattern by Patricia Andrle - she did a series of these hardanger window series (or cross stitch illuminations). I've completed the Christmas House - which is a beautiful pattern, I'm working on the Romantic Gazebo, and on on the hunt for her Victorian House (BH&G Jan/Feb '98). Below is the Toy Store which I completed a couple years ago and just pulled out of my 'finished drawer' with the intent to have it framed but, I have a dilemma. I just love the toy store - all the specialty stitches and the soft subtle colors. Next pic is the inside of the toy store - I love the bright, vivid colors of the children's toys but... I don't like them put together (last pic). I can't believe I didn't realize this two years ago when I started stitching it. Lord willing, the pattern is still in somewhere in my stash and I will restitch the toys in softer, more muted shades that will compliment the store. 
Cari
When My Heart Blooms
Enjoy your day - it's beautiful here in Virginia, we are having a cool spell this week, mid-70's, which is a nice break from the heat and humidity.
Cari
Spot of Spring
Cupid's Teenie Sampler
Sweetheart Tree
Suggested Fabric and Thread
And lastly, a framed piece...
My Quaker House
Blackbird Designs
Recommended Fabric and Thread
Well that's all I have for today. My NPI Silk did arrive over the weekend and I started on The Learning Girl Sampler - I'll try to take pics tonite.
Enjoy your day.
Cari
