June ornament finished

This is the Christmas tree ornament I started on my trip. I added the beads and finished it tonight.

Back home again

Physically home - but in my mind I am still enjoying the sights of Europe, and my body clock is still set to European time, which is somewhat inconvenient, given the number of pressing items that are requiring immediate action! I haven't yet loaded my photos onto the computer, but I do intend to get them up as soon as possible (hopefully before my failing memory has a chance to forget what the pics represent). I had a temporary panic when I couldn't locate my three SD cards after unpacking my suitcases. I did eventually find them safely tucked away in the study desk drawer where I keep the camera, but not before several hours of searching the rubbish and recycling, the suitcases and everything I had unpacked from them. Clearly my memory is not as reliable as it once was!

In the six weeks I was away, I did almost no stitching. Not surprising, as I took no stitching supplies with me. By week 3 I was regretting that decision, and started looking for cross stitch supplies to buy, but they weren't easy to find, and it wasn't till the third last day of week 6 that I actually found some fabric, DMC thread and needles. It was nice to have a needle in my hand again, and I did manage to stitch up one ornament - I just have to add some beads and finish it up. The shop was in Bordeaux, France and I expected to pay less there for DMC thread than I do here in OZ, but was amazed to see they cost 1.5 Euros (about $1.90) each. I can often buy them here for $1, and the most I've ever paid (in a country shop) was $1.60. Live and learn.

Jolly Old Fellow is packed away and resting in the craft room again. It's unlikely I'll get him out before early 2012. I'll be stitching some Christmas ornaments in July, and then I'll be starting a birth sampler for Amelia. I hope to have it finished and framed for her first birthday in November this year.