Dancing with Friends

I had another happy dance today. This time it happened among friends, a whole house full of them. The occasion was a summer SAL at my home with some great stitching friends. A lot of laughter, great food and some serious stitching results in a fantastic day! I'm sure you'll recognize several in the group and there were also some new additions to all the fun.

From my Tuesday night stitching group were Leslie, Lori and Roseanne. That's Leslie in the orange top and Roseanne in the plaid. Chantal was to have joined them but was ill. Chantal, we're so sorry you couldn't make it this time and I promise a repeat in the near future.

Lianne (on the right) is a local stitcher who found my blog as well as Dani's and contacted us in the hopes of getting together to stitch. We're so glad you were able to join us! Now that you know where I am and I know where you are, we'll have to make sure that this happens again soon!

Rebecca brought her mom, Sylvia, to join in on the day. I hope you know Sylvia that you're welcome to come again anytime.

All in all the group numbered 11 and filled the house with stitching chatter and laughter. I must admit that other than my finish I didn't put in any other stitches. I was too busy catching up and preparing the spread of food that always goes hand in hand with one of these get togethers. I swear we had enough to keep us holed up here stitching for days!

Clarisse even got in on the act, surveying things from her perch behind Lori's head. She also followed us into my stash room and crawled in where one of the drawer's resides. I guess she thought it was a good spot from which to observe. Later she delighted everyone with her toy mouse antics, dropping the mouse at their feet in the hopes they would throw it for her to retrieve. She also made it a point to greet each guest upon arrival and accompany them to the door as they left. The perfect hostess!!

A lot of the fun in these get togethers is checking out the stitching of your friends which you've admired on their blogs. I got to check out Beatrice's and Kathy's Desert Mandelas (that's Kathy's on top, Beatrice's on bottom) as well as Kathy's Royal Holiday, her Fairies and of course her lighthouse RR. Awesome Kathy!! Those ladies did a phenomenal job on that RR. I look forward to seeing it framed. Naturally I forgot to take a picture of it. I was too busy checking it out!!

Then we can't forget Dani's Celestial Dragon or Rebecca's Kaleidoscope, Beatrice's Cirque des Cercles. There was so much great stitching going on. I'm sorry that I've forgotten all the names of the pieces the other ladies were working on but believe me there was some fantastic stitching going on! I also find that these events give you a chance to see so many different tastes and styles of stitching. I always come away with a new perspective or interest in new designers and charts that I otherwise might not have investigated. Thank you ladies, one and all! I sure needed a day like this after the long week I had at work this week in that horrible heat.

Here are several more pics of the day. First up is Dani, getting ready to snap some pics, followed by Beatrice working on her Cirque. Then we have Rebecca followed by a pic of her mom Sylvia and Lori (on the right). Last but not least is Christin and Kathy.

For pics of yours truly, I'll think you'll find some on either Dani's or Beatrice's blogs. I know they snapped a few.

Now I'm off to grab some shut eye after a long but fun day. Tomorrow brings the hunt for a new project to tackle. Wish me luck!