Maui Vacation and A Weekend of Finish-Finishing

 We went to Hawaii!  Maui, specifically.  It was my first trip ever to the islands.  We had a wonderful time.

This is the view from the balcony of our rented condo. At the bottom of the photo is the private beach that we shared with the condo complex next door.  There was also a pool that 10 yr old GS#1 spent a lot of time in.

We went to a luau=great fun!

 

We went snorkeling.  Yes, I actually snorkeled for the first time ever!  This is DD#1 and GS#1.

 

Here is GS#1 on a zip line--there were 5 zip lines at this location.  One of them was so long they couldn't see the end of it when they started out! Uh, I did skip this :)

 

I started a new stitching project while in Maui-

 

 

 Hands On Design Love My Stitching

I chose it because it was on 28 ct evenweave and I could see to stitch on it without my magnifier.

Now, equal time for GS#2.  He is 18 months old already. Time really flies.

 

I store some of my finished stitching projects on my ironing board. I spent last weekend trying to clear some space on it.   

 

Good news-I finish-finished 15 items!!  Bad news-There is more than 15 still waiting to be finished. 

I made a separate pile of projects that need the sewing machine and never touched that pile.  Honestly I picked up the smallest, easiest finishes first and worked my way up to harder projects.

Here is what I accomplished-

 

La D Da Garden Angel scissor fob--There is just one initial on one side and I put a star on the other side.  I handstitched the heart and put little crosses along the seam on the outside. Simple, huh?  Wonder why it sat so long on the ironing board??

Bumblebee scissor fob-can't remember the designer (sorry).  I actually used my Kreinik corder for the first time and made my own cording.  It is not the best (too short and not tight enough), but I'm pushing myself to learn something new and hope I'll get better as time passes.

 

Mill Hill beaded wreath and angel ornaments

 

Olde Colonial Designs Pins and Needles pincushion in a basket

Bent Creek Bluebird of Happiness pillow kit-yes, I was too lazy to trim the fabric, put it in the pillow and sew on the buttons!

 

Samplers and Such Tin Toppers Quaker Flowers-the inside has a magnet in the lid and a padded bottom with a scissor strap on it.

 

Old Shepherd's Bush Monthly Pillow kit-oldie but a goodie.  The pillow is a little sad-not very plump. I changed things around a little.

 

Drawn Thread freebie tin topper-inside also has a magnet and padded bottom with scissor strap in it

 

 

Plum Street Samplers Jack's Birthday Tart

 

 

Just Nan Monogram Tin-another experiment with making my own cord-two-toned this time. It is hard to hide the ends! And it could be a trifle tighter.  I have lots of new respect for professional finishers :)

Just Nan Hop Tin

 

Yay! Jeannette Douglas' Bird Box is finished!  Love it!

 

If you are counting, I finished 3 of the items in this box to make a total of 15 items.

 

Now I'm busy getting ready for an EGA retreat later this year. I will be taking lots and lots of consignment cross stitch and needlepoint items to sell.   But first I have to put a price tag on every single one of them. 

 

 I'm starting to feel ready for the Christmas exchanges coming up. 

This year is speeding by.