Monday Update

It's 10pm but I'm trying to get this post squeezed in before my bed time. It's Monday and I like to do a wrap up post. To talk about what I was up to since last check in which happens to be last Monday.

So let's see...

I kept working away on mom's nautical monthly piece and finished it Tuesday...

Wednesday I got started on my Lizzie Kate Stamp. I finished it up Friday before our weekend away...

Thursday I was checking Instagram and I started seeing a new to me hashtag #24HoursofCrossStitch so I got to poking around. I was curious what was going on. I found this wonderful video explaining a new to me monthly challenge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVKQiY2LaY

I had been watching some other lovely ladies doing these challenges and just didn't think I would be able to keep them straight. Honestly they just sounded like more work than I wanted to put into it. But I loved the idea of the community of stitching friends and doing "homework" like I used to love so long ago in school. This printable sheet Jen made is very easy to understand. Since I was working on the June piece it worked for the Y. Let me explain. It's Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp June piece but it's a Year Long Set. So it fits. She explains to do whatever you have to do to fit it in. I see the connection don't you? Plus it was a marathon weekend. The goal was to put 24 hours into your stitching some time in the 48 hours of your weekend. Some ladies even did it 24 hours straight!!! I kept track of my time Friday and got 7 hours and 35 minutes in. I had to go to sleep though because we were hitting the road Saturday morning. I will enjoy joining in future marathons weekends and look forward to seeing what other challenges she comes up with.

We were heading up north west. Which means we would be close to my favorite stitching store House of Stitches. So of course we just had to stop. I literally ran through the store grabbing things that I wanted. I got everything I needed and a lot lot more...

Let's zoom in a bit...

Mill Hill Kits -- Tree Shopping, Happy Camper, Hedgehog, Harvest Wagon, Pizza Slice, Fishing Vest and a Quick Stitch patriotic cutie from Stoney Creek.

Back to the top Mill Hill Kits -- Better photo of Harvest Wagon, Moonstruck Manor, Taboo Kitty, The big kit is Cabana Beach. Also got replacement snaps for my one broken Q-Snap clamp. Two threads I need for Adjust your Sails, and a package of beads for another project in my stash. I was one happy shopper!! Of course I thought of other pieces I wanted after I left but I'm sure I'll be back sometime or I could always make my 123stitch order I've been wanting to place for the rest right?

Now that the shopping is out of the way we could get to our hotel. We stayed in New Buffalo, Michigan. Jeremiah's best friend Damein was graduating Sunday. Now I have talked about Damein before on my blog. He's Jeremiah's best friend. His family and my family have become family pretty much. He calls me Aunt Katie and has for a long long time. His mother is my sweet friend that past away this past January. He is 17 years old and he decided awhile ago he wanted to graduate a year early and boy he put his mind to it and did just that. He was pushing himself to do it so she would be here for it. So unfortunately she wasn't able to make it. So we were so thankful when he asked us to come up to attend. We made it to the hotel and Damein and his dad came over to visit and hang out. We went to a big casino nearby and had a delicious buffet.

Another happy place. After Vegas I really became addicted excited about gambling again haha. They had all my favorite machines from Vegas too. I only lost $10 on Saturday. Jeremiah and Damein played in an arcade since he's still a baby. Then we went back to the hotel so the boys could swim. It was wonderful and they got one on one time. I told Damein I really went all out and booked the whole pool area since it was only the two of them and he really laughed about that. (We won't tell him just happened to be no one there right?) They headed home for the night since they had to be to the school early Sunday to get ready. We got all checked out Sunday morning and went back to the casino for an hour....

Like I said.....I'm addicted haha.

Jeremiah gambled with us this time since Damein wasn't there. We thought it was interesting that we spent two weeks in Vegas and Jeremiah never got carded to prove his age. In Michigan he got carded both days haha. He had fun though. I gave him $20 and he cashed out $40 when we left. Wohoo! We won't mention I lost money but at least he came out ahead. Then we went to the graduation. Here is a picture of us after the event...

I love this kid. I was asked a few years ago if I would be his Godmother. I was honored. He has amazed me every day with what he can put his mind to. He is so sweet to Jeremiah. I will always be here for him whenever he needs me. So thankful he wanted us to be a part of his day. We had a great weekend.

I will be back tomorrow with my FFG post. Stay tuned.