Happy Happy Heart day!

Today didn't go quite as planned, but still a very very good day nonetheless. Rather than the 4 of us journeying (is that a word?) up to Alexandria to enter my piece in the needlework exhibition at Woodlawn, only the girlie and I went. Joshua's been fighting something off all week and started complaining of his ear hurting last night. He wasn't in the mood for a day trip today so Cassie and I had a girlie day and the guys had a guy day. Worked out fine for me. I love day trips and the girlie does too. I love Alexandria. The girlie does too. And I love Mount Vernon. So does the girlie. I love stopping off at stitching shops on my outings. So does the girlie because she stitches. Every now and then a little chart for her manages to find it's way to the counter when I'm paying for my goodies. Not today though. Both shops kept her thoroughly entertained with the bowls of chocolate hearts that they had sitting by the register. So our first stop was Woodlawn. I was really excited to be taking my sampler but disappointed when I got on the interstate and remembered that instead of putting my camera in my purse, I left it on the kitchen table. I really wanted to take a picture to post. I'll have to wait until I go back next month. Anyway, it's there! And the ladies working there were just about the nicest women I've ever met! They're all members of Nelly's Needlers. Everything was very organized, and they were all very helpful and very complimentary of my piece. I thought before I went that I'd feel nervous or apprehensive about leaving it, but I didn't. I was really excited to take it and am really looking forward to seeing everything on exhibit. As we were leaving a woman brought in a really ginormous piece. I just caught a glimpse but I think it was of a horse. A really really huge horse. I really wanted to stay there all day so I could look at all of the pieces that were coming in.


After we left Woodlawn, we drove down the street to In Stitches. We had to. I mean we were just right down the street :). I picked up some new goodies from Blackbird Designs that were just released. Really great charts! I tried to refrain, but I couldn't. I LOVE Blackbird Designs and I really really wanted them. Plus, my mama sent me some $$ for Valentine's Day and told me to by myself something, so I did. Thanks, mom! I picked up the newest book called My Heart is True. I really like this book. It's filled with charts for small things. Pinkeeps, a pin box, a pocket, a needlebook, and a little friends project book. There are a few other pieces in there too. It's a really nice book. I also picked up a little chart called Small Token, and another chart called Love is in the Air. I can't wait to get cracking on some of these. I'm really happy with my purchases.



After we left In Stitches we went over to the Shops at Mount Vernon. We had a really nice time browsing but didn't stay too long. I think most everyone on the east coast went to Mount Vernon today. It was a really nice day. A little chilly, but nice. We've not taken the tour of Mount Vernon yet. We're going to do that in April when Mike's dad and his wife come to visit for spring break. I'm really looking forward to that. I've been wanting to do the Mount Vernon tour since before we even moved here. After Mount Vernon, we headed back towards home stopping in downtown Fredericksburg and walking through the city a bit. Stopping of course at Everything Cross Stitch to see what new and exciting things that they picked up at Market. I love Market days. Such fun!


Mike loves ice cream cakes, so for Valentine's Day I ordered a Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard cake from Dairy Queen for him. Isn't it pretty? I think they did a really great job on it. I'm not a fan of ice cream cakes and neither are the kids so we're letting him eat this one up all by himself. Somehow I think he's happy about that...lol.




Let me show ya what he got for me. First, lots of chocolate. I don't know what it is about those cheap boxes of Valentine chocolates, but I love them! So he got me a box of those and then a box of the Russell Stover chocolates, too. Here's the good part. we went in to an antique shop in downtown Fredericksburg a month or so ago. I like this shop because it has all kinds of antique needlework tools and some stitched pieces from the 1800's. I've been in the same shop before with Laura. He remembered me pointing out some jars of really old buttons that I really liked. I was really giddy earlier today when he handed me a jar of them. Who knows where the buttons came from. I'd like to think that some of them are Civil War old. Maybe not but I like that thought so I shall keep it. There are some really old wooden buttons in here. I think I'm gonna dump them out and sift through them in a bit. I love the peanut jar they came in too. I'm putting these in my little room. First I need to get another shelf. I might shelf shop tomorrow. We'll see. I love these buttons. I bet they could tell some stories.