July 2023 Update

Episode #39

 Can you believe it's already the end of July? My goal this year is to keep a blog so that I can add stuff that I forget to mention in my flosstube. I really haven't done much in the way of writing much the last couple months; nor this month. Dustin, Sarah, and I traveled to Barstow California last week to check out the area where Dustin is accepting a job. I had the plan to visit any Needlework Shops in the nearby area and some of the thrift and antique shops. Unfortunately, there weren't many thrift or antique shops nor Needlework shops. 

I was not real excited with the area since it only has about 23, 000 residents; not many stores to shop! Apple Valley is about thirty more minutes West, so moving with him to his new work means I will have to drive I-15 when I want to shop. Again no local needlework shops (LNS) there. At least here in Utah, I can drive a couple hours to a NLS, if I so desire.

I am not excited to stay there, but I cannot imagine him going alone; which is what we usually do although his work usually takes him to war stricken areas across the world-lol. He promises me he will take me to Los Angeles anytime I so desire to go. Since we passed through Las Vegas on the way there, we decided to stop at Stitchers Paradise on the way back home.

I purchased a few patterns while Sarah and Dustin helped me collect the floss for Map of Hawk Run Hallow (Dustin ask me to stitch it for him). I also collected Christmas at Hawk Run Hallow, and Sarah had a couple patterns she liked for me to stitch for her, so I bought those as well.

This month I have done quite a variety of stitching, and I plan to do a Midyear WIP parade soon; hopefully this week! Funny thing, I looked at how many WIPs I started with this year which was fifteen. I also had fifteen new starts this year, and I finished fourteen. So, I have one more WIP than I started with this year. I also ordered several patterns that Ive kitted but haven't started this year; about nine in total. 

I also worked on Dustin's Veterans quilt this month. I was embarrassed when I realized I am a quilter and he doesn't own one. So, I set out and got a top made, but I did not want to machine quilt it. I got the inkling to hand quilt, but I do not own a frame. Unfortunately, I saw an antique frame for sale on Facebook Marketplace for only $50, but I waited too long to decide to buy it and it was gone. There were several for sale, one was the Grace Frame someone was selling North of us but she felt it was too awkward to ship and I was not willing to drive the six hours to buy it. The only thing left for me to do is build one. So, I did.

My first plan was to add the gears to the poles, but my goal was to have it complete by Tuesday, July 25th. So, I did finish it this morning which is the 25th just making the poles sit inside the stands. I can add the gears later. You can see the quilt I made him on the wall just behind the frame. I am super excited to use the frame.

There is probably more I want to tell you about this month but I cannot think of it right now. One reason, I did not journal this post throughout the month, but I will make sure to do that next month!

Laters,

Amy