Week Twenty: The Journal Goes on a Road Trip

I'm writing this week's recap from scenic Detroit, Michigan! We're in town to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. This is the first time we've traveled outside of the DC area (not counting my quick trip to Philadelphia in December) since 2020 and the first time we've been back in Detroit since 2018. I hope everyone has a nice time at the party we're hosting after my parents renew their vows. Planning a party when you don't live in the same state as where the party is going to be is not the most ideal thing, but we made it work.

Obviously, I brought the stitch journal with me this week. This is the first time it's been outside of my house. I wrapped it up in a Record Store Day bag and it just barely fit in my overnight bag. I miss my hoop stand a lot, but otherwise, it travels well enough. Hotel lighting is terrible for pictures, but it is what it is. 

I grabbed a few handfuls of thread from the ort jar. It's worked out well so far.

Here's this week's recap. Sunday-Wednesday were from home; Thursday-Saturday were on the road. We're heading back to Virginia on Monday so the road trip doesn't end until next week. 

May 15: This is a mix of back, stem and chain stitches and French knots. I call it "Big Stretch" since it reminds me of a cat doing a big stretch. I always say "that's a big stretch" to Keely any time he stretches. It's a cat owner rule.

May 16: More back stitch 

May 17: Every now and then, I get this desire to do the couching stitch. This was that day. There are two different yellows since I didn't have a piece of thread long enough for the entire length of the stitch.

May 18: Small section of chain stitch. I'm glad I didn't try to stitch in the car; the hoop is way too big.

May 19: Inspired by a tunnel we went through in Pennsylvania.

May 20: There are a lot of bridges between Cranberry, PA and Detroit, MI, so this was an attempt to capture some of the shapes of bridges. The herringbone stitch will be good to use if I ever make more realistic bridge designs. 

May 21: There were three strands of peach thread in the thread bag. I used all three for today's entry. The bridesmaids' dresses at my parents' wedding were peach, so this is a nod to them. I tried to find a peach dress to wear for the party, but never found one I like. 

No progress to report on my WIP project. I hope to get some time over the long weekend next weekend to work on it and another piece I've been sketching.