Bring on the Bling

Before I say anything about needlepoint this week, I have to thank each of you who left me such kind, comforting thoughts last week. I treasure each of them and can't begin to tell you how much it means to me that you took a few minutes out of your day to reach out to me. My stitching friends are the best!

Back in the fall, I signed up for the From Russia with Love club from the Needle House in Houston, Texas. I had seen their ad in Needlepoint Now and thought it would be a fun series of canvases to stitch. I knew they would be beautiful, but I really didn't expect the bling factor. Wow!

I know the photo doesn't capture the amount of sparkle that pops off this canvas but, believe me, this egg is dazzling. I finished it this week and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is one peach crystal flower missing from my kit so I will have to call and ask to have one sent. I loved stitching the Jessicas and the two fleur de lis designs. The diagrams in the stitch guide were excellent for both. I'm so happy I signed up for this club!

Up next in the club is this gorgeous blue egg with a big aurora borealis teardrop crystal. It is already on the stretcher bars and ready to go for a Sunday afternoon of stitching.

I spent most of yesterday emptying out my needlepoint closet onto the floor in my den so that I could completely re-organize things. I'm pleased to say that this morning the floor in the den is clean and free of bags of projects waiting to be stitched and those holding the remnants of completed projects. I had taken the last ten days or so to organize my threads so the heavy lifting of this project had already been completed. That's a great feeling to have that closet organized - for once!

All that re-organization must mean it's time for another project to arrive! I'm looking for the Ewe & Eye July 4th canvas, stitch guide, and threads to arrive from Amy's in the next week. I'll be sure to share it with you as soon as I can.

I leave you this week with one of my Christmas decorations this year. I decided not to put up a tree this year so instead I filled a silver tray and Waterford bowl on my sideboard with many of my favorite ornaments from over the years. My Christmas Banner is displayed on the mantlepiece as planned but I decided not to photograph it for you since I haven't settled on how to set it off to its best effect. I had planned to use some garland or floral picks around it but I decided that there was too much opportunity with those things to snag a thread or two on the banner no matter how careful I was. I think for this year the mantlepiece is a work in progress - but, at least the main focus, the banner, is complete. Stay tuned...

Hope you have a great week ahead!