Summer Stitching Frenzy

July is a month filled with birthdays.  My dear stitching friend, Carol S. celebrated her birthday this month.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAROL

Carol dedicates so much of her time to running the HOE Blog and organizing some wonderful exchanges.  I am lucky, I had the opportunity to meet her while attending the Celebrations of Needlework show in NH in 2012, 2013.  A family function kept me from the 2014 show but I look forward to hanging out with her and Margaret again at the 2015 show. Both of these ladies are truly enjoyable to be around.

Well, I wanted to send Carol a little something for her birthday.  Here is what I came up with:

Designer: Midsummer Night Designs

Design: Gentle Thoughts 2

Stitched for: Carol S.

This is such an appropriate design to stitch for a wonderful friend. 

Carol's partner for the April HOE Christmas Ornament was unable to send out an exchange due to a death in the family so I stitched this and sent it along with her birthday surprise:

2014 HOE Christmas Ornament (April)

Designer: Tournicoton

Design: Pere Noel Unjour

Angel Stitched for: Carol S.

I had a cute piece of Santa fabric for the backside:

Melissa contacted me to let me know that the HOE Christmas Ornament I sent her arrived.  Here is what I sent:

2014 HOE Christmas Ornament

Designer: Shepherd Bush

Design: Do You Hear

Stitched for: Melissa C.

My friend Mary also has a July birthday. Here is what I stitched and sent to her:  

Designer: The Little Stitcher

Design: The Mermaid's Chant

I can't tell you how much I love designs by The Little Stitcher. I was looking around for a Nautical design to stitch for Mary when I came across this one.  When I first saw the image it did not identify the designer but I knew it would be perfect.  I had to smile when I saw that it was a Little Stitcher creation and was so happy to be able to purchase it as a PDF and start stitching on it the same day.

Have you seen her latest design?

The Strawberry Sisters

Very sweet!

Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"We turn not older with years but newer every day"

Emily Dickinson

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Preparing this post felt like a flashback to my elementary school days when I was required to complete a homework assignment titled, "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" 

Have you ever hiked up Mount Washington? Have you ever wanted to? Have you ever wondered what it was like? Let me share with you my adventure and spare you the long walk over a very rocky trail.

My DH and I spend the 4th of July in North Conway, New Hampshire where we did a bit of shopping and climbed a portion of Mount Washington.

2014 Mount Washington 

from Hermit Lake Shelter

We were hoping to climb to the summit, something that I did once before when I was in my early 20's but unsure if I could accomplish it again 30 years later. When we arrive at the mountain we were told that, thanks to tropical storm/hurricane Arthur, the winds at the summit were 65-75 MPH!  We decided we would hike up Tuckerman Ravine and go as far as our bodies would allow. 

The trail was much rockier than I remembered:

so we walked cautiously, enjoying large waterfalls:

small waterfalls:

and hikers hauling ski gear up the trail. All of them anxiously anticipating their arrival at the top, excited about the opportunity to ski in July.

The pace at which that group stormed past us, weighted down with all that gear, made my head spin.

I, on the other hand took the leisurely hike carrying nothing but my camera and posing for pictures.

DH carried all of our "stuff" and occasionally posed for a picture.  No, he is not bracing for a fall he is pretending to prepare for a dive.

Just 0.7 miles short of the floor of the Ravine we stopped collapsed at a shelter for a quick break and a snack.  From this point the climb became more challenging and much steeper.  We proceeded upward but it did not take long for us to decide that we had gone far enough would never make it down if we continues on this path. The trail got narrower, rockier, and much steeper.  DH and I are small town walkers not large mountain hikers.  We had been on the trail for 3 1/2 hours (good enough for me!) so we made an "about face" and began the descent. We made it to the bottom 3 hours later and very happy have made it without stumbling on the rocky terrain. Our 6 1/2 hour walk was over.  We did not make it to the summit, we fell short of making it to Tuckerman Ravine Bowl, but we genuinely enjoyed the day and hope to return to climb again. We will probably head up Boott Spur next time. It is a bit longer but not as steep.

  

It was nice to return to the Bed and Breakfast:

to rest on the porch:

 to walk the grounds and view the barn:

as well as the beautiful horses:

And to finally collapse in bed:

happy to have hiked Mt Washington but wondering if my legs would function in the morning!

 Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"Striving for success without hard work 
is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted"

David Bly

An Unexpected Surprise From A Stitching Angel

I was truly surprised when I opened a package from Carol S.  My HOE partner fell ill and was unable to fulfill her exchange obligation; I was fine with that and did not want anyone "angel stitching" a replacement. Dear sweet Carol, who dedicates a great deal of her time keeping the HOE blog active and enjoyable, found it necessary to stitch this beautiful replacement exchange ornament for me:

2014 HOE Christmas Ornament

Designer: Ravenelle

Design: Noel 2008 ~ Freebie

Angel stitched by: Carol S.

Thank you so much, Carol.  This was such a pleasant surprise that quickly put a smile on my face.  I shall treasure this ornament forever! You are very thoughtful and such a dear valued friend. 

I recovered from my shoulder surgery and immediately put needle to thread in an effort to do a bit of birthday gift stitching.  Knowing that Vonna is hoping to have a PS Santa tree I thought I would help her along and stitched up a few ornaments for her birthday.  Here is what I sent:

2014 Birthday gift for Vonna

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Father Christmas ~ Book #43

Designer: Prairie Schooler 

Design: 2010 Santa

Happy Birthday, Vonna!!! 

Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses"

Chinese Proverb