You know Raymond, Raymond Crawford that is! Everybody knows Raymond…Everybody loves Raymond!

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Thanksgiving stitching time than working on one of his new designs of the Asian Lanterns. You know sometimes I have the most difficult time with the smaller canvases. This one did not disappoint me at all in the being difficult department.

I always start off a new canvas by going through the threads that I have here and then a stash enhancment shopping experience to fill in follows shortly thereafter. Silks are the first to come out, and then the beads. I filled in with some River Silks in many shades of pink and then went to work. The lantern itself went smoothly and as did the sun. I then stitched the pick top or was it the bottom? well whatever! after stitching one end and ooh laying that pink silk ever so perfectly…I realized that this is not bubble gum pink, but rather a dusty rose, so out it came.

The cherry blossoms and finding the right shade of pinks presented the biggest challenge of all. Silk ribbons? French Knots? beads? what was I going to do? The first try out was with the ribbon, the flowers were beautiful but the final effect was way too big for the canvas, so out they came. I started to bead, but it was the wrong pinks. Beads are really the most stubborn of all as you really don’t know what look you are going to get until you do a little section and take a look. The color of the beading thread too can totally change the color too. So back to looking for more colors of pinks. Pinks, pinks and more pinks were looked at until I got to just the right mix.

A combination of beads and French knots finished out the canvas in between texting pictures and notes to Raymond. Even AlleyCat lent a helping paw into the stitching as she sent my working beads flying everywhere as she jumped on my lap for a little snooze. Normally she announces herself that she is ready to jump up, but she seemed to have forgotten to do that!

After dining on a feast of turkey and all the fixings, a little glass of wine or two I spent the evening with Mr. Crow. Black Friday found me stitching in the early morning hours while all those crazy people were out shopping!  Instead I went out later on to my LNS and picked up a little more thread for Mr. Crow and also looked for buttons.

I supported Small Business Saturday by doing a little shopping at my favorite place, Warwick’s! A book, a few cards and a gift or two rounded out the shopping experience.

I came home to start my holiday decorating. The trees are up and the ornaments have been placed lovingly on them. The ficus tree that resides outside even got into the festive mood as it was decorated with red garland and more!

AlleyCat got a new toy to play with, even though she really prefers to get into the boxes that hold the holiday treasures. and until next time…keep on stitching