A Ride To Remember & Celebrating Stan's Birthday

And no, the guys did not coordinate colors for each day. I asked. Seriously, doesn't it look that way?  And you know women would have!

Stan and his friend, co-worker and fellow bike rider undertook a huge ride this past weekend. On Friday morning they started a 3 day bike ride that would total 253 miles! The ride was a benefit ride for Alzheimer's Association. 50 riders participated and over $50,000.00 was raised for this worthy cause. In chronological order from left to right is the start of each days ride. 

This is the two guys at the finish in beautiful Charleston, SC. They are hot, sweaty, tired, sore and still excited to have finished such a great ride. I am so proud of these two. This was a personal journey, especially for our friend, Terry. His mother passed away with this disease earlier this year.  

Check out this snazzy lime green nail polish! I love it...Stan, not so much. He said it looked as if I need to order that fungus medicine advertised on TV! LOL. I guess I'll not be sporting that again. Those new Oakley sunglasses Stan is wearing. They were my birthday gift to him, a tad early. He picked them out at our REI a few weeks ago. Easy gift buying. And last, a photo of us taken by our sweet waitress on the night of Stan's birthday.

Stan celebrated his 47th birthday on Monday. We had a beach day for relaxing after such a tiring three days. He wanted steak for dinner and we found a great steak house that had a Bourbon marinade. Delicious.

Little Mermaid Hoop

I found this adorable pattern posted on Flickr's Needle-n-Me's photostream. I originally saw her post in Hoop Love Vintage Transfers group and knew I wanted to stitch it. The fabric is a very light blue cotton that I had in my stash. I used tiny backstitches on the fish and mermaid bodies. The fish lips and eyes are satin stitch. The water is stem stitch. I love how this stitching turned out. 

Our guest bath has evolved into a bit of a beachy feel. The walls are painted a light blue/gray and I use celery and white as the accent colors in the rug and shower curtain. I have a free-standing chest painted black. The top of the chest, shown here, holds a few beach type decorations. The framed print was a birthday card from a friend this year. The title, A Day At The Beach. The shell sitting in the front of it was found a few years ago during our yearly Hilton Head, SC vacation. In the center, the candle votive was a thank you gift from one of my daughter's high school teachers. I filled it with shells we have picked up, including the star fish. The angel holding the shell to her ear was a gift from my sister. The book, in a house by the sea, my daughter gave it to me while in Hilton Head a few years ago. I love how all the gifts and finds go together so beautifully to create a cohesive feel. I think my little mermaid hoop fits right in. 

The card says:

a day at the beach

It can make us feel like

all our cares are an ocean away.

Sun on our shoulders, feet in the sand, 

      cool beverage in hand...

the waves roll in, our thoughts roll out

 and all is right with the world again.

Doesn't that sound perfect? 

sharing:

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/07/back-to-school-station.html

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2012/07/grace-at-home-no-18.html

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/07/18/hookin-up-with-hoh-108/

http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2012/07/taylor-house-thursday-17.html

http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2012/07/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_18.html

http://www.52mantels.com/2012/07/thursdays-are-your-days_18.html

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/07/time-travel-thursday-106-talented-time.html

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/2012/07/a-crafty-soiree-99.html

http://www.happyhourprojects.com/2012/07/happy-hour-friday-0720.html

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/07/feathered-nest-friday_19.html
http://www.craftionary.net/2012/07/diy-crafts-recipes-link-party.html
http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012/07/welcome-to-fridays-unfolded_19.html
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/07/its-inspiration-friday-no-74-welcome.html
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/2012/07/potpourri-friday-33.html
http://www.craftjunkietoo.com/2012/07/tgif-linky-party-58.html
http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/2012/07/freedom-fridays-11.html
http://www.littlebeckyhomecky.com/2012/07/fantabulous-friday-22/
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/07/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-26.html
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/07/whatever-goes-wednesday-127.html
http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/2012/07/blog-stalking-thursday-51.html

Weekend At The Beach

Stan had to see a client in Goose Creek, SC on Monday morning. This worked beautifully for me. Since we were going to be only 25 minutes from the beach for this appointment, he decided we should go down on Saturday and enjoy the weekend at one of our favorite beaches, Isle of Palms in Mount Pleasant, just outside of Charleston. We had incredible weather both days and soaked up the sun.

This was taken just before Stan decided it was too hot, even under the umbrella, to sit in the sun while wearing a black tee shirt.

Sunday evening we were so glad to see our daughter's two best girlfriends from college. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Julia, Allan and Leah at Sullivan's restaurant on Sullivan's Island. It was a joy to spend time catching up.

We headed home Monday evening but we get to turn around and go back this coming weekend! Yes, two weekends in a row at the beach! Stan is riding in A Ride To Remember, which ends in Charleston. I will meet Stan each night at the end destinations. We will have Monday for a beach day before heading home on Tuesday evening. 

Hand Made Gift Exchange

I received this adorable knitted snowman as my gift in  the Craftaholics Hand Made Gift Exchange. Virginia did a wonderful job with such detail. There is a little bird attached to the top that the photo doesn't show well. The carrot nose is dimensional and I love the buttons down the front. I will proudly use this cutie during the holidays!

Rolled Fabric Flower Hat Pin

I enjoy wearing hats, nothing fancy, just fun comfortable hats. I especially love a modified baseball hat. I found this little cutie at our local Charming Charlie store back in the Spring. I decided it would be nice to have a little color added to it and use the Antsi-Pants Rolled Fabric Flower Tutorial to make up a Rolled Flower with a pin attached to the back. It is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to give a hat or tee a new look.

sharing:

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/07/wow-me-wednesday-59.html

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/wow-us-wednesdays-74.html

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/07/11/hookin-up-with-hoh-107/

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/07/link-party-show-me-extraordinary-64.html

http://www.happyhourprojects.com/2012/07/happy-hour-friday-0713.html

http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/2012/07/freedom-fridays-10.html

http://www.craftionary.net/2012/07/friday-fun-party-and-features-127.html

http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/07/fabulous-friday-link-party-10.html

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/07/linky_party_96/

http://www.joyinthejumble.com/2012/07/pomp-party-26.html

http://herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com/2012/07/fabulous-friday-34.html

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2012/07/find-friend-friday_13.html

http://www.twosasters.com/2012/07/tgif-27-share-what-you-did-this-week.html

http://www.littlebeckyhomecky.com/2012/07/fantabulous-friday-21/

http://www.504main.com/2012/07/tickled-pink-no-106.html

http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/07/feature-friday-free-for-all-28-trip-to.html

http://thesoutherninstitute.com/2012/07/creative-me-link-up-25.html/

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2012/07/mix-it-up-monday_15.html

http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-39-par-tay/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/07/16/made-by-you-monday-109/

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/07/manic-monday-linky-party-27.html

http://anoriginalbelle.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-yourself-monday-37-link-up.html

http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2012/07/inspire-me-monday-and-giveaway.html

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2012/07/welcome-to-81st-masterpiece-monday.html

http://www.sewcando.com/2012/07/craftastic-monday-link-party-are-you.html

http://thecsiproject.com/2012/07/18/time-to-link-up-for-refashionsupcycles-week/

http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/

http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2012/07/your-whims-wednesday-68-and-features.html

Crafty Sheep June Challenge - A Double Hoop Embroidery

 

I am a few days late, okay, make that 6 days late in completing and posting my Crafty Sheep June Challenge. I found the Stitcher's Revolution packet Sew Crafty at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. I am working on a hoop collection for a wall in my sewing room and thought this pattern packet would make some fun additions. I chose to make the embroidery hoop design. To be able to use all the June colors was a challenge. I managed to get a tiny bit of the deep red in the bolt for the hoop fastener. The silvery blue was used in the needle and and the top of the hoop brackets. The deeper gold was stitched for the screw. I love how it turned out. I used the following stitches: Satin stitch for the screw, bolt and hoop. Back stitch around the hoop and the needle. Stem stitch for thread attached to the needle. Running stitch for the embroidery design. Now I am to decide what to make for the Crafty Sheep July Challene. Why don't you join in the fun?

Found this pattern set at my local Hobby Lobby for $ 2.95.

sharing:

http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/07/fabulous-friday-link-party-9.html
http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-38-par-tay/
http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com/2012/07/fabulous-friday-33.html
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/07/sunday-showcase-party-no-109.html
http://shakentogether.blogspot.com/2012/07/whats-shakin-link-party-16-party-faves.html
http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/07/manic-monday-linky-party-26.html
http://anoriginalbelle.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-yourself-monday-36-link-up.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2012/07/craft-linky-party-inspire-me-monday-hot.html
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2012/07/welcome-to-80th-masterpiece-monday.html
http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2012/07/made-with-love-link-up_08.html
http://www.sewcando.com/2012/07/craftastic-link-up-giveaway-news-new.html
http://thesoutherninstitute.com/2012/07/creative-me-link-up-24/
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2012/07/mix-it-up-monday_08.html
http://todayscreativeblog.net/craft-paint/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-7-10/
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/07/show-me-what-ya-got-82.html
http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-project-at-time-tuesday-link-party.html
http://shwinandshwin.blogspot.com/2012/07/link-party-26.html

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/07/whatever-goes-wednesday-125.html

A Little Stitching & A Lot Of Traveling

The last two weeks I have spent more time in a car than anywhere. In the midst of our travels, I found time to stitch this Tea Time hoop and make these fabric button magnets for the fridge. I purchased the embroidery pattern from Urban Threads. My favorite part of this stitchery is the french knots I used for bubbling tea. These two items are being sent to my recipient in the Craftaholics Anonymous Gift Exchange. 

Fabric shopping and pool day.

The Bone Garden Cantina

Two weeks ago, I spent two days with my daughter in Atlanta. We shopped and ate the first day, visiting a great quilt store, Intown Quilters, a crafters boutique, The Beehive, and lastly went to an outdoor craft festival. The second day was pure relaxation at the pool. We had the entire pool to ourselves and then we headed to lunch at The Bone Garden Cantina, where we had wonderful food. The murals on the wall were so interesting I have included a few photos. The beautiful woman? Our daughter, Hanna. :)

Stan and I traveled to DC on Wednesday of last week. We visited our dear friend, David's, grave.  Our friend, LouCinda's father, passed early last year and was cremated. His funeral at Arlington was the Monday of last week. He was a wonderful man, a WWII Air Force Pilot veteran and hero. We found and visited his resting place while we were there.

On Friday, we drove over to Baltimore, MD. We have never been to the city and loved it. We didn't love the 105 degrees but the city was beautiful. 

Water Taxi Views

That evening, we had wonderful club seat tickets to see the Orioles play the Indians. We are huge baseball fans and getting to attend a game at Camden Yards was a highlight of the day. It is a beautiful stadium and we had a wonderful time.

We are home now. Road weary but so glad to have had the time together. This week is shaping up to be a productive week and I hope to have more crafty items to show as the week progresses.


Sharing here:
http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/summer-2012-handmade-gift-exchange-linky-party
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2012/07/creative-me-link-up-and-giveaway.html
http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-37-par-tay/
http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/06/fabulous-friday-link-party-8.html
http://www.happyhourprojects.com/2012/07/happy-hour-friday-0706.html
http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/2012/07/freedom-fridays-9.html
http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/07/linky_party_95/
http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/07/feature-friday-free-for-all-28.html
http://www.craftionary.net/2012/07/friday-fun-party-and-features-57.html
http://www.joyinthejumble.com/2012/07/pomp-party-25.html
http://www.the36thavenue.com/lets-party
http://www.504main.com/2012/07/tickled-pink-no-105.html
http://www.countrymommacooks.com/2012/07/link-and-greet-24.html