I still can’t believe that this week is over with already! It seems like I just got here yesterday and now it is time to go home. The classes are completed, all the scheduled events went off seamlessly, the Texas hospitality has been over the top, all the awards handed out, the opportunity baskets are packed and ready to go to their new homes, the exhibit is closed, the boutique and book store broken down, the shopping is completed and the sight seeing and taking in the local flavors is all but over.

I hadn’t seen daylight since Wednesday, so I decided that I would spend lunch time along the River Walk as I headed back to La Villita. I wanted to explore the rest of the shops and enjoy some more of the yard art and see if there was something that spoke to me. Enjoyed a delightful lunch of fish tacos at the Guadalajara Grill where a few other stitchers graciously invited me to join them

My class was THE highlight of the week. Five glorious days with four amazing teachers was beyond any expectations. To see the transformation of blank canvases on Monday to what we achieved on Friday was unbelievable. Suzanne’s technique class yesterday was the Japanese Ribbon Stitch using 4mm River Silk. This was a new learning experience for me and isn’t that what we are there for?

The afternoon found us doing show and tell as we all talked about our favorite stitch or maybe not so favorite stitch on our canvas. Let me see if I can remember some of the canvases; a vintage Maggie-Lani’s Wine Collage, Chinese Lanterns, Chinese Lantern Kimono-Melissa Shirley’s-Leigh’s Guadalajara, Rita, a Stylized Cat, my Pagoda-Laurel Burch Cats, Mermaids…and this was the only canvas that there were 2 in the class of and they were being stitched totally different!- a few Charlie Harpers-Brenda Stofft-Peter Ashe- a few canvases from Julia-HP Designs-a Jelly Bean Witch-a few Southwestern adobe city scenes…one designed and painted by the stitcher-a few specially designed for the class- and who am I forgetting?

My favorite stitch on my canvas has to be the background stitch that Tony designed specifically for this canvas. I commented that we should name it and he said “Vicky’s Medallion Stitch” and I feel very famous to have a stitch named after me! I came to class originally wanting to photograph each canvas, but Beth & Suzanne are going to start a blog with all of our canvases. They photographed everything yesterday and we are going to send them pictures of our works in progress. As soon as it says more that “Welcome” you will be the first to know!

I have a nice leisurely day planned as my non stop flight to San Diego leaves late this afternoon. Going back to better explore the area around the Alamo and might even take the walking tour through it. A little lunch, a little shopping and who knows what other mischief I can get into?

Okay AlleyCat, how mad are you going to be with me when I get home tonight? I know that she will give me a mouthful of meows!

And Sylvester, what have you gotten into while I am gone?

I miss my kids and am looking forward to being with them tonight! I am going to spend the rest of the long weekend at home, can you believe that? stitching on Deco Kitty and watching a little baseball. The Maggie & Ewe and Eye canvases, the Laurel Burch canvas need to be all organized and prepared to go back to their designer’s homes.

I hope you all enjoy your long weekend and thinking all things considered, I too will take a few days off! and until next time…keep on stitching.