Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Where's the Lido Deck?

Seriously....I've checked the whole house and it's not here.   waaa

Last week we went to sea for a little sun and fun.   I took this very VERY long term project with me in order to actually get some work done on it!
I started this about 18 years ago.  It is a reproduction and the original was made by an 8 year old.  I WILL finish it, but I am planning to skip a lot of her design.
We cruised the Caribbean and had a marvelous time.   Here are some highlights
Here is the Executive Chef.  Kind of skinny if you ask me.    He has a staff of 150 on board and was very friendly and nice to chat with.
I know how this looks.....but we weren't driving.
I did quite a bit of construction on the house.
Key West is always a fun day -
 The best Key Lime Pie I have ever had - Blue Heaven Restaurant.
 Ms. Izzy - drop the mic
 These turn me green but I loved the look of the stand.
We went Fan Boating in the Everglades.  Really cool to see Alligators living in the wild.
 I got to hold a baby one - it was love at first sight.  He was so cute and felt neat.  I could have held him all day.
Here is my cross stitch project so far.  I did mention that it has taken about 18 years so far.  I'll share more in a future post.
I found three great souvenir tea towels.  This first one has real cross stitching and a sweet rainbow ric rac.  I'm feeling so lazy I haven't even pressed these.
I would like to make something fun with these.  Any suggestions?

I'm going to the AQS Show in Lancaster this week - if you see me say hello!
xo

31 comments:

Monica said...

Omigosh, I Love those tea towels! And it sounds like it was a great trip. Thanks for the photos!

Lori said...

Looks like a blast! That alligator!! A little scary, I think.
The tea towels are adorable. Have fun at the show. I'd love to go back one day.

Janet O. said...

You seem to have made the most of your getaway! Too bad the Lido deck didn't follow you home.
Glad to see the little alligator's mouth was taped.
Are you stitching that piece on linen? I never could keep the thread count straight on that stuff--I had to stick to Aida cloth. : )

lalaluu said...

Love the vintage cross-stitch! I had one project that took me about 15 years, so maybe we're par for the course? ;P

Judy in Michigan said...

What a wonderful trip!!! Your embroidery is wonderful and quality takes time!! :-) Stick to that story!! LOL My friends from Gaylord will be presenting at Lancaster. They are called "Sisters' Choice" - a trunk show set to music. AnnMarie sings the songs that she has written about quilts and Delphine shows quilts that go with the music. I hope you get to see/hear them and/or say hello. AnnMarie is also doing a writing class - writing about quilts. Have fun!!

Marge said...

Hi Barb! A couple of months ago, I bought some tea towels to be the center blocks for medallion quilts. I have a document of ideas about it that I'll email you. Welcome back to the real world!

Diane said...

Oh my gosh you do know how to have fun don't you?!? I cracked up at the 'I know how this looks..' comment! Good for you!! I also have a travel only cross stitch project that is about 20 years old. I had totally forgotten about it. I would make nice squishy pillows from the tea towels. Maybe a bright, summery patchwork on the back? Not sure how big they are though. They are really cute, I'm looking forward to what you turn them into. Glad you had a great trip, good for you!

Jeanne said...

Looks like a fun vacation! Your cross stitch is looking great and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time at the AQS Show!

CecileD said...

18 years ago ? Oh my...never late than never no ? Ah ! Ah !
You had a wonderful trip ! Perfect to break the habit and your new friend is a little bit scary ! Brrrrr....brave Barb !

linda said...

We must have gone through similar stages - I also have 20 year old cross stitches. Don't forget - they covered Christ in linen - its meant to last. I will give a shout out if I manage to recognize you at the show.

Chantal said...

Looks like you had a fabulous time. Great work on the stitchery! I love the tea towels too. Especially the one with ric rac.

Kyle said...

I always love a travel log. There are so many fun place to see and things to do. Love the idea of the tea towels as souvenirs. Glad you made a little progress on your stitchery. Maybe there'll be more time on the next cruise!

Susan said...

Looks like you had a great time! I can only ever dream of cruising the Caribbean, living all the way at the bottom of the world! I have made a cushion from a vintage tea towel... The centre of the first one might look good?

Ruth said...

I love your sampler! I have a couple UFOs older than 18! Looks like a wonderful relaxing trip!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Your cruise looks like a perfect holiday, full of relaxing times and fun merry making. Your cross stitch is getting there, a few more cruises and you'll be done. I love your tea towels!!

Debbie said...

I have a tea towel like the one with the cross stitch on it. A friend picked it up for me in an antique store. The date says c Cat Studio 2008 and is of South Dakota. The cross stitch border is yellow and the rainbow rickrack is the same. Too funny.

Joyce said...

Counted cross stitch samplers were my first obsession, I made one a month when my kids were napping, have quite a collection. Your trip looks lovely, nice and relaxing. Maybe I will run into you in Lancaster, til next time!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

THANKS for sharing your FUN with us:) (My nephew has a pet alligator)

Barbara said...

Looks like you had a great time--alligators and all! Love your sampler and that you continue to work on it :) The tea towels are wonderful. Have fun in Lancaster!

Barb said...

thanks linda - I am hoping to finish it this year! Maybe I'll see you in Lancaster - enjoy the show!

Nancy said...

Your stitching project was the perfect one to bring for relaxing on your cruise. And any progress you made is in the plus column given how long it's been underway! Love the tea towels. I saw a challenge some years back where quilters made projects with tea towels. Maybe a Pinterest or Google search would give you some inspiration.

smazoochie said...

How much fun! Sand & sun & surf & cross stitch -- perfect!

Debra said...

Looks like a great time - warm weather, Key West, and drinks.. .what more do you want??? LOL. Stitching looks great, can't wait to see more. Going to AQS in Lancaster on Saturday! Can't wait!!

Anonymous said...

We recently went on a 2 week Caribbean cruise. On the eve of disembarkation the cruise director introduced the Captain as "your Designated Driver". We needed one with the unlimited drink pkg. LOL

Wendy Caton Reed said...

I cannot imagine how you managed such straight beautiful lines on your house "sampler" after "sampling" all those delicious looking beverages! So happy to hear you had a great time. Are the tea towels vintage? I have made quilts from vintage ones. I know you will do something fun with them.

Angie said...

Fun sampler - I hope you finish it before another 18 years pass!
Key West is always fun. I've been going there since I was a kid and have all kinds of great memories!
Great tea towels! Any of them could be a fun wall hanging, but if you could bear to cut it, the Florida ric-rac one might make a neat tote bag.

Sujata Shah said...

Sounds like a great vacation. That baby crocodile is cute. Not sure I would be holding one in my hands.
I admire you for continuing with an old project. It looks great!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your trip sounds heavenly and I love the tea towels. I collect them along with a bunch of other vintage textiles. I love the stitchery, I have one from a young girl in Aurora IL that I made years ago, it is still a favorite of mine.
One year we were in KW on St Patrick's Day, now that was an experience!

Quilter Kathy said...

I loved seeing the photos of your trip... looks fantastic!
Happy to see your stitchery coming right along... snails pace, just the way I like it!

Aunt 'Reen said...

It looks like you had a relaxing vacation!
A great time of year to seek out the warm sunshine.
Your cross stitch Sampler is coming along beautifully.
Do you work on this just while vacationing?
If so, think of the memories you've built while completing it.

Jan said...

Looks like a good time. I collect dish towels - unintentionally. Your cross stitch piece is adorable.
Is the little gator 's mouth electrical taped?! What did it feel like - smooth, scaly?