Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Magic Garden preview and family news

I'm back from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and the retirement community my folks have moved to. My dad is still working, but my mom is loving golfing, playing bridge, learning paddle ball, and hanging out with friends, old and new. My sister was able to meet me for the trip, and we had a great time shopping at Ikea and the Prime Outlets Mall (we did some damage!) and eating at various delicious restaurants, usually outside in the sunshine. (I am not ashamed to say that I came home with four loaves of Panera bread in my carry-on.)

The above picture was taken in downtown Charlotte. We took the commuter train in for $3.00 round-trip. Since the business people of Charlotte are home on Saturdays, that's a perfect day for tourist-y type stuff, and it's a lovely city. My mom walked around holding her camera, stopping periodically to take pictures of trees, and statues, and buildings. She looked quite the wide-eyed tourist, and my dad stopped me and said, "She wouldn't last five minutes in New York City." (My dad is from northern New Jersey.) "The police would call us and say, 'We can't find her; she just disappeared.'" "Yeah," I said. "They'd say, 'All we found was a flip flop and a lens cap.'" We chuckled, but she did get some pretty pictures. If we seem especially sparkle-eyed in this picture, it's because, once again, mom counted to three to take our picture, but then realized she had the lens cap on.

My sister had been especially excited about Ikea, and her husband is probably thankful they don't live near one. If you've never been to one, it's a Swedish housewares store that sells everything from kitchen wares, to sofas, to kids' toys, to meatballs. And everything is cheap. We walked in, and Laura immediately began shouting out prices. "Look at this! It's only $1.99!" "And look at this! It's only $2.49!" "Just so you know," she finally said, "I'm going to shout prices the entire time we're here." I joined in, of course. Because hey, where are you going to find the cutest cupcake paper liners in fuchsia and black for only 99 cents? And a six-pack of Scandinavian printed glasses for only $5.99?

I don't know why I always think I'm going to get a ton of stitching done on my trips. But I promise to be diligent this week and get my Magic Garden Sampler done. I'm going to order a frame today, and hopefully will be able to release in about two weeks. It's turning out super-cool, and I love the black flower border on the left hand side. It was semi-inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I think the purple-fleshed watermelon slice is neat-o. It's on 40 count Lakeside Linens Vintage Light Exemplar linen in Sampler Threads.

I had a bit of a shock yesterday. My son, Harrison, came in at 10 to help me pack orders until his dentist appointment at three. At about 11, he said he had made the decision to cut his hair. Now, his hair, originally, was a bit of a difficult topic for me. He wanted to start growing it out in eighth grade, but I made him wait until his sophomore year in high school. And he's been wearing it in a ponytail since his junior year. He has gorgeous wavy hair, but wanted to be a rocker, and in high school, he ended up being "that guy with the long hair."

On Monday, after a heart-to-heart with his roommate and good bud, Davis, they decided that he had done his "long hair time," and now was the time to spruce up a bit for the ladies. I called over to the Aveda Salon just about two hundred yards from my shop, and they had an opening at noon. Harrison gulped, and said, "All right, let's do it." The stylist was nice enough to keep Harrison faced away from the mirror during the hair cut, so he didn't have to watch his locks being taken, one-by-one. ("There was a big pile of hair at the end," he told me.) I've included before and after shots. I'm sure you'll agree that he's quite a looker. He was absolutely thrilled, and he kept popping into the bathroom to look at his new do in the mirror. Then announced that he needed some new clothes, too. (sigh). Teenagers!

15 comments:

Unknown said...

What a change for your parents! SC is hot, hot, hot in the summer. My brother lives in Lexington (outside of Columbia). I love the IKEA in Charlotte and make my husband stop there on our drive back from visiting with my brother and lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (yum!). I also want to visit The Great Outdoors store - I heard it is amazing inside.

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit!

Love your new piece

Unknown said...

p.s. Harrison made the right decision - he looks very handsome with his new haircut!

Nancy said...

I just saw Alice in Wonderland last weekend, so your Magic Garden design will be on my list! I also love the purple watermelon slice.

Your son's hair looks great!

Coni said...

OK, Harrison...take this for what's it's worth coming from a 44-year old Spinster from Hoosierville.

But...

HUB - BA!

(Seriously, though...you look cool/hip/phat/groovy...oh, whatever the hell the right word is for....VERY HANDSOME INDEED!)

Definitely a great decision!

P.S. Mom...LOVE your stuff!

(New reader, but addicted stitcher!)

Jacqueline Korteland Boller said...

What a wonderful time you had with your family!!!

I love the new sampler...very whimsical already!

And my son Will went through the same phase with his hair...his was long enough to donate to Locks of Love, but when his hair was styled shorter, what a difference! Boys clean up good!!:)

Catherine said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!! Ikea and Panera are dangerous places!

Love the new sampler!! The colors are waaayy too fun!

My 10 year old is in the phase now where he wants his hair longer - it's driving his father crazy! Harrison looks fantastic, but I would keep him away from Coni!

Theresa said...

My other son, Graham, said he liked Harrison's hair better long...the boys these days all like it long. But now that Harrison is getting to the "man" stage of life (he'll be 19 in June), I think this decision was the best. We always figured that if we let him grow his hair long, he might not feel inclined to rebel by getting tattoos or a piercing or two...

Anonymous said...

Handsome young man-love the new cut! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Sharon said...

What a fun trip! I have never been to IKEA....sigh. Anyway, Harrison looks fantastic with his new hair. Loving that sampler and the colors. It is definitely on to buy list when you release. Please stitch faster!

valerie said...

Sounds like a fun trip! Love the peek of Magic Garden too!

I think your DS made a wise choice with the new hairdo...he'll have to fight off the ladies now. Watch out! :)

Sherry said...

You were very near to me. Our house is about 3 min. from SC line and we are right next door to Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

Theresa;
Harrison is even more handsome with the new hair cut. 19, I still remember him so little swimming with Graham at Retreat in ND. Love your new chart.
Jackie

Cindy said...

Sounds like you had a fun trip! We hadn't been to IKEA in several years, and went to one last weekend. What an awesome place, but it sure is easy to lose total track of time in one!

Harrison made a good choice to cut his hair...what an amazing transformation!!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

You must tell your Mom that the best LNS in the area is in Rock Hill, called The Stitch and Frame Shop - they're online if you want to take a look (they carry your designs, too). Stitch Night is the first and third Tuesday, and she is welcome to join us!

marylin & poussy said...

Best regards of France
Marylin