Almost Tailed

I am getting to the point of being almost done with the salamander/dragon!

A Disappointing Shop

Although The Needlepoint Shoppe in Shreveport has a large selection of canvases, the theme seems to resemble a sorority house - lots of pastels and cutesy along with the obligatory sets of Greek letters.  Displayed models were stitched almost exclusively in basketweave.  They do carry the complete line of Rainbow Gallery Splendor and seem to have all the Paternayan colors.  Other thread lines were incomplete or just plain not stocked.  I had visited to buy some stretcher bars for my Carole Lake kit.  They didn't have any.  The shop owner claimed that you never need stretcher bars to o needlepoint, so she didn't stock them. 

I know this shop has been in business for quite a while - I've visited it a few times when I've been in town, and I swear the inventory has not changed at all.  Call me disappointed on behalf of the needlepointers of Shreveport - they have no shop that allows them to experiment and expand their skills.

On a recommendation note, the finishing I saw in the shop was professionally and well done.

No Castle Yet

Still working on the background of Mersburg Castle, but some trees are definitely leafing out.

Butterflies

Added some butterflies and roses as I've been working to get this done.  Some days, it's been the only project I've been able to work on.

A Different Sampler

I was finally able to start the Berlinwork Sampler from Sticklounge this week.  I'm even doing it in the original colors!  Anyway, here's the first bit.  It'll go into my daily rotation when sommerherz is done.

Hobby Lobby Sale

 When we were in Shreveport, Hobby Lobby was having a needlework sale.  Needless to say, we went over.  Because Andreas was there, we came out with much more than I was planning. 

I told someone in a comment yesterday that I don't really do animals, but looking at this, I am now correcting myself.  I tend toward frogs and insects such as the Nora Corbett butterflies and dragonflies.

I also indulged in ribbon and some transfers that I can use in surface embroidery.

Afghan

If you've been following my blog since this spring, you'll know that our friends Florine and Saint are expecting their first baby.  It's due at the end of October, and I offered to make an afghan and quilt.  The afghan's done!  Here's a (not so good) picture of it  The yarn is a Turkish brand called Alize, and is an acrylic/mohair/wool blend.  It feels scrumptious and I plan on buying and using a lot of it in Moldova.  It's not available in the US.  It gets put in the mail today, so it'll be to them in plenty of time to cuddle the little one!  They're in temporary housing at the moment, so I hope this brightens Florine's day when she gets it.