Friends Old and New

Some old friends from work were in town visiting last week.  

Hiro came from Japan and Fabiani from Brazil.  

It was so good to see them both!  I taught Hiro's wife, Yuki, how to quilt.  

Left to right.  My cohorts in quilty crime on the left and right with Fabiani in the middle.

Me (looking like a weirdo) and Fabiani.

Fabiani took this when we went out to dinner as a group.  

Fabiani, my friend Robin and her hubby (my boss), then Hiro.  

Such a fun night!  

Best steak I have ever eaten, at Knights in Ann Arbor.

Yuki sent me this adorable cat bag, pins and even some fabric ink.  So thoughtful!

Aren't these pins the cutest??

I had some fabric shipped to Yuki in Japan and this cute cat stamp was on the package!

My friends, Robin, Judith and I took Fabiani to the local quilt shop. 

 I also visited an antique shop where I found this adorable set of "Jacks".  

They are a S & P that look like my beloved Jack.  So of course they had to come home with me.

Here we all are in the quilt shop.

I bought these 2 patterns.  Hoping to make that trailer one for my hubby. (for the RV)

Thought these fabrics would make excellent fish (yes I have to finish that quilt up soon too)

Love fabric for labels and that background to add to the fish quilt.

I spotted this pattern awhile ago but had, up until now, resisted purchasing it.  

It is the reindeer, Prancer.  

Prancer is one of our all time favorite Christmas movies.  I see some cross stitching in my life!

Me, too Hallie.  

I'm exhausted!!  

I had to get back to work for a break, LOL.  Not really, work has been just as busy!!!

What have you been up to??

~XOP~

Counted Cross Stitch Nora Corbett

I realize I usually write quilty content but I recently rediscovered my love of cross stitch.

I dug out an old Nora Corbett (Mirabilla) pattern to work on in the evenings as my hand work.

It is a mermaid and it is AWESOME, but daunting. 

 I am going to post this as a WIP and try to make progress.  

I, just today, came across her Christmas Courier patterns and know I have to make Prancer.

My kids used to LOVE watching the movie Prancer.  

In fact it is one of my favorite Christmas movies.  

Here is where you all come in.  

I am not a huge fan of stitching on linen.  

I prefer the even weave fabrics when possible.  

I love the look on linen but my old eyes don't do as well with it.  

I love the color of the linen but there is a Lugana that is a silvery moon that is pretty too.  

(Lugana is an even weave)

Here are the colors:

This is the one in the photo above Twilight Blue Linen

 And this is the Silvery Moon Lugana

I am going to order but need to choose.

If anyone has any other suggestions of choices and where to get them that would be helpful.

Happy Sewing

~XOP~