We took a wee vacation in July, and ran down to New Brunswick for a week, so my dad (and mom) could visit dad's brothers and sisters, most of whom live there.  Only one was missing, since she lives in Spain, LOL, and the one who lives in Oakville came down for a visit at the same time, so 7 of the 8 were together.  They're almost all in their 80's, so chances to get together are getting harder, and we had a wonderful time visiting everyone and having family get-to-gethers.

Bill and I took a day with one of my cousins (Lois), who was home for a visit as well (she lives and works in Vietnam), and ran down the coast to Alma for some fresh lobster for supper... as my uncles say "boy, that was some good!".

Didn't get as much stitching done on my project for A Needle Pulling Thread as I expected - though I very optimistically took a second project with me, in case I got it finished, LOL.  Here's a peek at how it's coming along:

The issue theme is something like 'holiday destinations", and I told the editor I preferred "stay-cations", LOL, which is how the idea came about... I still haven't decided if I'm going to backstitch the lettering... I think it shows OK, but we'll see ...maybe I'll rip out some of the roof / window around the letters instead (wink).

The background house is worked with a single strand of floss, so it's faded in the distance, while the woman in the hammock is worked with three strands.  Bill sez I have to define the pages of the book hanging off the edge of the hammock as well, as they're hard to see... I'm stitching on this pretty much non-stop, so should have it done by the end of the month, when they want it...

Anyway, I am also working on a design (not ready to be stitched yet), based on Shelley McVittie's artwork, and it is very different for her... a bird landing by a pile of flowers and fruit, on a black background... I'm thinking about using beads for the berries, to get that rounded globule look, LOL.  I just have to figure out what SIZE I need. 

OH, and the stitcher who was working on the new Keirstead has it done - and it's GORGEOUS!  Watch for it in the September newsletter!

Other than that, just trying to enjoy some summer, and getting excited that our girls and grandkids (and SIL, LOL) will be here in less than THREE WEEKS!!  So much to get done before they arrive, as I won't be getting much done while their here!  Happy stitching... try to keep cool and dry in this unpredictable summer!!