What a busy summer this has been!  Now that things are slowly starting to reopen, I've had some daring customers coming to call, we've been out to dinner with Bill's mom, and we even went to a threatre production... but never fear, all were safe!  The restaurant had spaced seating, and the play moved out of the theatre, to the fairgrounds.  It was quite fun, they presented DRIVE-IN THE MUSICAL, and we all watched from our cars (as if we were the drive-in audience), with the stage raised at the front (where the movie would normally go) and the actors voices coming through our radio - just like a real drive-in! 

As you may have heard, I've also been a bit busy with my folks, as my mom had a minor stroke a month ago this week.  She is improving tremendously, but not allowed to drive yet (of course), so we have been doing errands and acting as chauffeur.  I have NOT been neglecting my stitching (wink), and this month I finished up the BUTTERFLY design for the magazine (which I showed you last month).  I just have to find a frame and get it mounted, and it's ready to ship...

I've also been busy stitching one of the cross-stitch boxes, as those 11 SAL's finish next month (hint: you can still sign up and get all the back pieces!).  I changed the way I want to finish it, so I need a stitched one to assemble, so I can take step-by-step pictures!

I have a new contract with artist Frances Tyrrell, and among other artwork she's given me FOUR absolutely ADORABLE snowman designs.  Good news - the first one has been converted and goes out to a stitcher this week!  There is a slim change it will be released this year... but it's actually scheduled for early 2022. You're going to LOVE them (wink). Here's a peek at a wee bit of the one I hope to get in the mail tomorrow, called SNOW MAIL (OOPS - those tiny black dots in the background are placment marks for snowflake treasures!):

I have so many things on my desk that need to be done... bookkeeping; designs; newsletter... but I recently started some writing courses, to improve (and possibly publish) some books I've written, and I feel like I'm in University, LOL. 

Knowledge is being poured into my head, and I'm trying to absorb it before it leaks out... but I keep getting seduced away from my work to play with words and ideas... it's quite exhilerating! 

I hadn't expected to be so excited to learn, since I'm in my 60's, but I'm delighted to find you're never too old to try new things! In fact, that may be what keeps one young!

I'm going to replace the first chapter (which is available on my website), as I've re-written it (several times) now, and it's so much better than when I wrote it 20 years ago!

Anyway, I must be off to write a newsletter, so I can cross 2 more things off my to-do list!  Keep safe, and we'll talk next month...