Tuesday 6 May 2008

A new chair

Here it is!!! My new stitching chair is a birthday gift from my DH although my birthday isn't until Mother's Day. I suspect that this will be a combo gift which is just fine by me. I couldn't be happier with it, it's just sooo comfy! I've had it now for a full week and have yet to spend any time stitching in it though. Any stitching I've managed to accomplish has been done on the fly either during breaks at work or between events in Ottawa. Since last Wednesday we haven't stopped. It's been one of those weeks where everything seems to fall during the same time period and all you do is run.

Our busy time started last Tuesday with the arrival of the Jamaican National Chorale. Seventeen members of this group arrived in Ottawa to participate in a joint concert with my husband's choir The Bytown Voices. They were billeted at the homes of various choir members. We are just a little too far from town to have anyone stay with us. From the time they arrived it has been one rehearsal and party afterwards every other day until Sunday's concert! We have had a blast!! During this period we also had a friend arrive from London, Ontario to give an organ recital in Ottawa and another friend was ordained as a deacon in the Anglican church on Thursday evening. I would work each day and then travel up to Ottawa in the evening for the various events. Bob stayed in Ottawa for a good portion of the week. During rehearsals I would listen and stitch. I didn't accomplish a lot but I do have some pictures of the little bit I worked on. Secret Flower Bed is getting nearer to its finish while Weather Wise is just getting started. For the first time in a week I have no plans tomorrow evening and I'm hoping to pull out my much neglected CdC. I've really missed working on it!













With no quality stitching time to relieve my stress I thought I might be a basket case by the end of the visit. However there was so much fun and laughter with the Jamaicans that it more than made up for it.
On my first evening with them I learned that they were all coming out to our place for a pot luck on the Monday evening following the concert. This was news to me. 'What can we bring on Monday night?', they asked. Monday night... what's on Monday? Boy were they surprised when they found out I didn't know a thing about it! Bob swears he told me 2 or 3 wks ago but I know I would have remembered that 40-50 people were coming for dinner!!
Really though, potluck suppers are not a big deal. The only problem was that the house was a mess since we hadn't been there much and I had to work Monday before they arrived. So Bob and my son Daniel got busy and had the place looking darn good by the time I arrived home. Our guests arrived within the hour and a good time was had by all. We were 49 in total and filled the house from top to bottom! Some migrated out to the back yard but our Jamaican friends found it just a little too cool for them to spend any length of time out there. Most arrived without coats and wouldn't you know it, our temps dropped into the 50s and 60s while they were here. We had no problem with that but they were freezing! We got a collection of jackets, hats and gloves for them but I heard a lot of complaints about having to wear stockings and closed shoes. Following our meal there was a sing-along by the piano. With that many voices raised in song I know the neighbours were wondering what the heck was going on at the Jones'!
Thanks to my son we were able to get a group photo of both choirs before they left to head back to the sunny shores of Jamaica.
The best part of the whole visit was finding out that we are doing a return visit to sing with them in either January or February of next year! Can you believe that now I'm actually looking forward to winter returning?!
























I also had another lovely surprise this past week. You will recall the USA tree which I stitched as a Christmas gift for my sister. Well, since I have not much experience in finishing, and definitely a lack of time, I decided to take advantage of Vonna's finishing service. I'm not sure but I think I might have been one of her first customers! Dear, sweet Vonna did a fantastic job of finishing this piece as a flatfold ! Just look at how closely the fabric matches the tree. Isn't it great? I'm so excited about it and I haven't even seen it in person yet! The photos are courtesy of Vonna. For all those of you out there who are lacking in these skills, as I am, I highly recommend giving her service a try. You won't be disappointed!!

















This post seems like it's full of too many pics but I just had sooo much to show and tell! I hope you're all having a super week. I return to work tomorrow after taking a much needed day of rest today. Happy stitching everyone!

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like such a fun week. I am soo happy that it turned out well. Isn't Vonna just amazing!

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  2. Sounds like a busy week, but fun though! Your new stitching chair looks so comfy.
    Vonna did a great job

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  3. Your week sounded busy but wonderful !!! Congratulations on your chair, what a wonderful present !

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  4. I used to sing in a choir and loved every minute! Your pics looked like you all were having a great time!
    I love your Christmas Tree, such a special gift!

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  5. I just wanted to thank you for your comment. You work looks lovely and it seems like you are having a great time.

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  6. Hi Lynn,

    Congrats on your new stitching chair. It looks so comfortable and I love the colour. Hope that you get a chance to actually use it soon. Lol!

    The choir exchange, with your DH's choir hosting the choir from Jamaica, sounds like it was a real blast. I would imagine those poor people from Jamaica suffered a bit from our cooler temperatures, so it's a good thing that they didn't come in January or February, eh?
    And a trip down to Jamaica next winter will be a wonderful treat for you. Something to look forward to.

    The flat fold that Vonna did for you is beautiful. Your sister's going to love it. I'd have a hard time letting go of it myself. Vonna's a really talented Lady and she does amazing finishes. If I could afford it I'd shipped my whole "done" drawer down to her and let her go to it.

    You got some lovely new stash there, and I especially love the kitty in the stocking. So cute. LHN Peace is also a favourite of mine, and I'm collecting the Saltbox Scripture series too.

    Secret Flower Bed is so pretty, and it's got some wonderful shades of pink in it. Love the little bunny on it too. I'm enjoying watching your progress on this one.

    Cheers!

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