Santa’s reindeer are taking R&R in Hawaii.  Here’s one that is dancing the hula.  Gives me a smile!

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Great swirls of dark green are behind the beautiful flowers.  Finally settled an open pattern to let them show through.  Great stitch — lots of counting!

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My favorite flower is the Bird of Paradise.  Georg created a beautiful canvas that I have been thinking about for awhile.  Thanks to Jean Hilton’s Border Book, I found some beautiful borders that I could combine for the frame of this canvas.  Take a look and enjoy!

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To continue with Tuesday’s posting:

The retreat with Meredith will provide the opportunity for each participant to choose their own canvas.  The seahorse pillow is the one I will be working on.  Looking at those who have signed up — I can see flowers, oriental scenes, tropical scenes and, oh so, many other choices.  This will be a perfect opportunity to learn different methods — even if they are not on your specific canvas choice.  There will be a lot of demonstrations of the different stitches.

We will be stitching at a wonderful (almost) 100 year home in one of the older neighborhoods on island.  We will be right on the front porch overlooking the front yard and little stream that runs down the front of the home.  It is such a serene peaceful spot to be.

TNNA Market is done.  I sat glued to my computer watching the posts from those who were able to make it this year.  Still a lot of information to find out and then the decisions.

I have great news!! Meredith Willet has agreed to teach at my retreat this year.  It is scheduled for Columbus Day Weekend — that’s October 10, 11 and 12.  Three glorious days to stitch with Meredith guiding us through the different canvases that are chosen.  Call or email me at needlepoint at needlepointetc dot com for information.  I have already started a waiting list but you never know.

I have been narrowing down my choices — finally decided on Dede’s Seahorse Pillow.

Weather is beautiful today — hot and sticky yesterday — who knows tomorrow.  But the ocean is always beckoning.  Even if you are not a swimmer or a surfer, life in the ocean is fascinating.  Enjoy this beautiful honu (green turtle)  that we get to watch.  Such fascinating creatures.

Georg sent me pictures of his new canvases — I fell in love with 2 of them.  Two designs are done in the retro style — Hawaiian Girl with Ukulele.  I have even started pulling threads.

And then there is the Hawaiian Girl with Fruit — that’s breadfruit. 

Been working at cleaning out my yard — high winds and lots of rain has caused havoc.  Trimmed the hedge and the Bird of Paradise flowers are now standing tall.  I realized that it is a lot easier for me to do a needlepoint garden, especially since Alison Hodgkiss did these wonderful stitch guides for Raymond’s flowers.  Bird of Paradise, Magnolia, Cherry Blossom and others can grace your home.  They don’t need weeding, watering or trimming!

Just posted this on facebook.  Got a new canvas from Julia Snyder.  Just remember to Keep Calm and Aloha On.  Enjoy!

Laura’s Garden.  This great canvas was taught by Laura Taylor at TNNA today.  Great teacher who shares her thoughts and concepts on developing a stitch guide.  Ribbon embroidery, stump work, darning stitches and needle weaving — all to create a garden that is forever in bloom.  A true beliver that stitching needs to be enjoyable.  This canvas is brought to us by Sundance Designs.