There hasn’t been much to show stitch-wise as I’ve been quilting …
Valdani 12 O31 (that’s an “o” not a zero) is listed as “tealish blue” … but I think “ocean” would be a better description as it shifts between gray and blue and green depending on the light and the color of the cloth it’s stitched onto. Which is to say, it’s perfect.
Unfortunately, I didn’t figure that out earlier. I actually started quilting with a strand of white and a strand of black DMC floss …
And honestly, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t right. I ended up unstitching three days worth of quilting in about three hours. So it goes.
I also took the time to watch a few of Kate Ward’s Zen Stitching video workshops and took copious notes and screenshots of Ellie Beck’s excellent instructions on how to handsew a zippered pouch …
There has been lots of other fun stuff happening … a gallery opening for Billy Keen, whose No Path graces our walls (gotta love those boots) …
Much excitement in St Louis at Jackson and Jace’s year-end concerts and art show (which we visited virtually) …
Not to mention their new backyard pool, complete with neighborhood friends …
Parker and Ellis still come over every week, P on Mondays and E on Thursdays …
Plus we got to go in person to see Griffin portray William Travis at the 4th grade wax museum (step on the display board and the wax figure comes to life, reading a self-written “autobiography” … so now I know about Travis’ “line in the sand” challenge at the Alamo) … Parker was also there with her Kindergarten class …
Yesterday was the girls’ turn to perform, dancing in their end-of-year ballet recital, complete with stage makeup, ballerina updos, and great smiles (minus one front tooth) …
And last, which is always not least, our oldest granddaughter Logan just completed her freshman year at James Madison University …
How is that possible when this seems like it was only yesterday?
I'm Going to Texas (version 2.0) 
Fabulous that you un-stitched !! Proud of you.
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I definitely wanted to get it done before I had time to change my mind …
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So much family goodness here!! I hardly know where to begin! The St Louis boys sense of pride is sure showing. I bet the love those pool parties! Love the ‘cooking show’ and E’s color mixing discovery! How lucky to get to paint in her grandpa’s studio space! The ‘wax museum’ is sure a fun idea…and the ballet pics bring back oodles of memories! I love their hair pulled up like that, when you can so easily see the sweet curve of their neck. Such innocence. And then there is the span of time from tea party to finishing freshman year! Amazing and congrats to her! Now, here comes summer!
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I realized I hadn’t posted in a while and when I looked at the pictures on my phone it became apparent that we had been busy with more than the usual number of activities … ha! And yes, I was having ballet mom flashbacks for sure …
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LA – How great to have so much beautiful family stuff. Amazing just how quickly the children grow into adults – therefore good to share so much time with them when they are young. Regarding stitching – there are times that we just know we have to start again if it is going to be pleasing to our own eyes. Go gently. B
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fortunately, I don’t second-guess myself as much as I used to … in the end the undoing wasn’t all that bad and was a lesson learned to trust my gut sooner rather than later
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I can’t believe you unstitched so much! But that ocean thread is perfect and dreamy. Remembering those busy busy end of school year days as a mama and a teacher.
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those were the longest days …
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boooo for unpicking but hooray for hand-stitched zipped pouch! Ups and downs 🙂
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These days I so rarely unstitch that I really didn’t mind it … especially as running stitch is pretty easy to pull out
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Such delight in all those shots. I am pretty much at the stage now where if I get a hint that I should undo, retreat, re-do, I know I really should and just get down and do it -sounds like you too. Much better for the soul and the outcome! Hand stitching zippers – hooray! I love it!
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now to find some zippers that won’t resist a hand-held needle
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