Stitch N’ Zip, Coin Purse
Thanks to Jury Duty today, I finished the red background on the coin purse! It feels great to be stitching again. But, it is back to reality tomorrow. If I worked 24/7 for a week on various obligations (work & non-work), I might get caught up. However, I will make sure I get some stitching in every day – I’m not going 3 weeks without that relaxation again!
I will have to get this lined. It makes a great project to throw in my purse & stitch without much concentration. I still have the larger matching clutch to work on.

Bargello Techniques, Section 2
I can’t believe it has been 3 weeks since I stitched enough to blog about it! I put work & all obligations aside today to go to Susan Hoekstra’s New Jersey Needle Fest and had a great time. Thanks to Rona & Mary for asking to put at the same table with me – nice to sit with them again this year.
I had begun my Crescent River there last year & that is finished now. So, I took that & got lots of nice compliments on it. And, Susan showed off the Berlin Cardinal (her design) which I had stitched and had the Nimble Needle finisher do as a pillow. That is the pilot class our chapter did for her so she could be ready to teach it at seminar.
Bargello Techniques was a great project to take because it is a small project & worked in hand (the way I am doing it, section by section) – no need for a stand, etc. ! I had started it before I got there & when I wasn’t walking around looking at all the wonderful projects (another sold out event & that is 120 people), I was stitching this section. Vendors had some pretty things but I have so many WIP or ones I want to start that I resisted buying anything.
When I got home, I kept stitching & finished it (slightly bleary eyed). But, I am thrilled to be able to share Section 2 (adjusted to fit my space). Thanks Liz for saying, “If you don’t come out exactly the same, that’s OK! Just continue your pattern & fill in to the bottom.”
You’ll also see a needle in this picture because Mary gave me one her new favorite needles – an edmar gold-eyed needle – that is smoother to the touch than other needles and slides through the canvas. Very nice needles. But, you may not find any because Mary & especially Rona must have bought the store out! Thanks again for sharing them!

Stitch N’ Zip and a Tapestry
I am using Hyla’s High Cotton thread for the Stitch N’ Zip purse and card case set. I am not separating the threads using the thread as it comes (all 5 threads). I am quite sure I’ll have to line the inside (or get someone to line it).
As you can see, only the white & black parts gone done over our recent 10-day cruise. There was a group of quilters working in a conference room who got a lot done but I wanted to sit outside & it was a tad to breezy – so, I did some stitching but I finally finished a book that I’ve been trying to read.

While in San Juan, we stopped at El Convento for dinner (converted convent into restaurant and hotel) & I saw the only piece of needlepoint on the trip! Interestingly, the wreck of Columbus’s Santa Maria is off the first island we stopped at which was Haiti. So, this was a rather appropriate design for the trip. I enjoyed our BOSS Underwater Adventure (google it!) while at St Thomas which made this stop one of the best. St. Maarten was interesting because they have a Dutch and French side of the country. No needlepoint stores on any island but lots of souvenir and jewelry stores! Here is the large wall tapestry hanging in El Convento in San Juan.
