March TUSAL, IHSW(?) and Special Fabric!

Aloha, world! I am completely timely, right? Well, at least I have a good excuse this time. This past week was our 2nd anniversary so my husband took some much needed time off and we disappeared! We went to stay with a couple of good friends and explored a different part of the US, lazed about their house with video games, and visited not one, but two cross stitch stores.

First off, welcome to my new followers!  I am creeping ever closer to that elusive 100 mark and that just tickles me blue. :D  I'll be catching up on blogs over the next week or so~

I will admit to being completely derpy about this month's IHSW!  I couldn't even remember if I signed up (I did not).  As most of the weekend was spent traveling, not a whole lot of stitching went on.  However!  The violets came with me on our trip. I suppose I got a lot accomplished on them though not enough to finish.  I keep telling myself this piece is now about halfway (possibly more since it's bottom-heavy) but man. It seems like I'm getting nowhere fast on it. And now that we're back, it will probably be neglected again as I try to cram more Muppet letters into my life hahaaaaa. sigh

But cross stitch stores! Stores dedicated to cross stitch! Who knew there were such wonders in the world! And to top it off, they were freshly filled with goodies from the Nashville Market! I was good. I limited myself to $20 and wound up with $23 of delicious fabrics and flosses I would never be able to find around here. It could've been much, muuuuuch more, especially as there was a large piece of delicious blue and sparkly fabric that I fondled for a long time before sadly putting it back.  I was informed by Madame Enabler that the shopkeeper would cut a smaller piece but something that lovely must be kept whole!  Right...?  I'll probably kick myself forever for not getting it. :)

two Silkweaver fabrics and four WDW

I picked up two fabrics and four skeins of discontinued Weeks Dye Works to try.  I'm a bit frightened of the fabrics because they're 32 count which will probably result in me stitching about 2" from the fabric.

Silkweaver - blue/purple 32 count evenweave

The first is this lovely blue/purple hand-dyed evenweave that I had to take outside to get even a little close to the right color.  It's not very large ( 9" x 13") but at 32 count I could probably get a lot of use out of it especially if I decided to go crazy and do over-1.  Who needs eyes?!  :D

Silkweaver - 32 count evenweave

And the other, the other.  Oh, the other.  13" x 18" SPARKLES.  This picture does not do it justice.  It is a lovely creamy white. With SPARKLES.  Oh, I could just hug it.  I think it screams a winter piece.  Maybe a redwork.  Or, knowing me, bluework.  Or I may just frame it as is because SPARKLES.

three chart leaflets and a card kit

And since cross stitching seems to be much more plentiful in that area, there were a few thrift store finds as well!  I found a few Christmas leaflets, a little card kit, and a welcome chart.  The welcome design is really pretty but my favorite are the towel designs.  There are some real cute ones in there and I spent a whopping $3 for the lot.

layers upon layers of ORTy goodness

And here's my TUSAL update! There's quite a bit of yellow Muppety goodness in there with a healthy cap of February violets sprinkled on top.

I hope you have a wonderful day and SPARKLES! :D