Splish-Splashing Away

After my workout in the pool, I picked up the mermaids last night...I think the girls have been feeling a bit neglected! I've also figured out why posting pictures is such a chore for me, though -- I tend to stitch until the bitter end, not putting things away until I simply HAVE to go to sleep. So I don't have time to take/post progress pics! I promise I'll try to get a pic up here soon.

I was browsing through the Silkweaver Showcase yesterday (adding to my wish list! hehehe), and I realized something. Of the 59 current entries in the Large category, almost all of them are mermaids, fairies, or princesses/maidens. In fact, all but 13 can be attributed to one of 3 designers - Mirabilia, Lavender & Lace/Butternut Road/Told in a Garden, or Passione Ricamo. Yikes! Don't get me wrong, they are all beautiful works -- it just doesn't leave a lot of room for different tastes when it comes to the judging. I'm sure I'm not explaining myself very well here....oh well. I guess that was my long-winded way of saying that if (and that is a BIG if!) I finish MotDB before the entry deadline, I don't think I'll enter them this year. Heck, there are already 5 MotDBs posted....and really, unless someone did something REALLY unique, like stitching them on a purpley-pink fabric (eek!), I can't see where one is that different from the others. Eh.

Over the weekend I started scrapbooking my stitching - that is actually kind of fun! I like having a record of things I've stitched, changes I've made, and where pieces have gone. I can't decide, though, if I should include EVERYTHING (ornies, smalls, etc), or just the bigger things. I'm using an 8 1/2" x 11" album, and if I do very "bare-bones" layouts with small to medium-sized pictures, I can get 3-4 pics on a page, along with the project details. If I get fancy, or if the pictures are a bit bigger, 2 per page seems to be the limit. At that rate, it won't take me very long at all to fill the album! I've taken pictures of my stitching for years now.....

Oh, and those of you who saw my post over on The Wagon regarding Renaissance wedding guest attire will be happy to hear that I did go to JoAnn Fabrics on Saturday, and I picked up 4 McCall's patterns (.99 each!). In case you didn't see my post there -- my husband's brother and his fiancee are planning a medieval wedding next summer. My DH will, of course, be a groomsman, and dressed accordingly....and since guests are encouraged to dress in "period" garb as well, I'm trying to come up with something appropriate. I have faire garb, but it is all a bit too peasant/wenchy for wedding attire. I want to look like a lady who belongs on the arm of a knight/gentleman, not like I should be serving beer and turkey legges!! LOL Anyway, I now have pattern numbers 4997, 4492, 4490, and 4091. The last one, and possibly 4490 as well, could serve as underdresses/chemises for my favorite, 4997. The only problem with my favorite is that it takes 10-15 YARDS of fabric!! *faint*