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Friday, June 19, 2026

Floss Friday -- Cross Stitch Update and Alaska

Happy Friday, Friends!

It has been a while since I’ve posted and visited my favorite blogs. I guess you could say I really checked out during vacation and was just living in the moment. It was fantastic.


Hubby and I took a 7-night cruise to Alaska. We flew to Seattle on June 7th, boarded the ship on the 8th and flew home on a red-eye flight the 15th – 16th. We are more exhausted from this trip than we were when we returned from Italy last September.


There was a cross-stitch retreat two of the days during the cruise. I had won the registration at a retreat last summer, which worked perfectly for our Alaska plans. The event was hosted by Anabella’s Needleworks and the featured designer was Stitching with the Housewives (SWTH). Priscilla and Chelsea are the mother-daughter team behind SWTH. Chelsea had a baby May 1st and was unable to attend but Priscilla was there with us.


Priscilla and Chelsea designed a chart exclusively for the retreat attendees and provided finishing instructions. 

Anabella’s kitted the chart with fabric and floss. It became my focus stitching for the last week, and I’ve even fully finished it.


Chart: Stitch with Me

Fabric: 28 count white Monaco

Floss: Called-for Classic Colorworks

Stitch Count: 98 x 70

Finished Size: ~7” x 5”


I'll share retreat gifts and giveaways in a separate post.


When I wasn't stitching, Hubby and I were hiking, biking, glacier viewing, whale watching and eating…eating…eating!


I took way too many photos to post but here are a few from our trip.



Seattle was the only cloudy day we had the entire trip.






Yes, I bought fabric. More about that later...







A humpback whale waving...













We enjoyed Alaska so much that we booked a Land to Sea trip for next year.


The laundry is done and I am catching up at work. I’m also working to catch up on Melisa’s Summer Stamp Sampler.


I’ll be working on Sewcialites and Fat Quarters by the Dozen quilt blocks tonight. Can’t get too far behind on those.


Forgive me if I haven’t visited your blog for a while. I’ll get there, I promise.


In the meantime, enjoy your weekend.


My next post will be Monday, June 22nd...a quilty update.


See you soon.


 

17 comments:

MELODY JACOB said...

What an amazing adventure. Alaska looks absolutely beautiful, and combining a cruise with a cross-stitch retreat sounds like the perfect getaway. Your finished piece is lovely, and I enjoyed seeing all the memories you captured from the trip.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

What a fabulous trip, Jeanna - love seeing your photos! We went to Alaska in 2008 and just loved it. Great memories! That is a fun cross-stitch design you did at the retreat, too. Have fun easing back into real life!

Vicki in MN said...

Thank you for sharing some of your trip with us! Never been there but it looks amazing. How were the temps in AK?

Jeanna said...

It really was amazing, Melody. We are looking forward to returning to Alaska next year.

Gene Black said...

Oh my gosh. What a fun cross stitch piece. And it's such a great reminder of your wonderful trip. I'm a bit jealous if you seeing the whales. I have never seen those.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Jeanna, I love your cross stitching! I thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful photos, dear friend. It looks like an amazing time! Your photos have brought me much joy, I feel as though I were with you taking this lovely trip! Thank you so much for sharing.

Granny Marigold said...

Welcome back!! Sounds like you had an amazing trip. Great pictures; I enjoyed seeing them.

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Welcome home, Jeanna. Such an amazing adventure! I enjoyed seeing the photos so much. It sounds like you got a lot of activities in while on your cruise. You and your hubby were very busy. And what a sweet stitch. Have a restful weekend as you get back into your routine. And enjoy working on your Summer Stamps and your Sewcialites quilt blocks. Hugs.

Lin said...

What a great trip you had! And with sewing included. The piece you worked on is gorgeous. xx

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal said...

Oh that looks so fun! Is that Mt McKinley in the 1st photo? I first thought Quilt Alaska was in the Yukon, then I saw it is on that little southern strip that I always forget about. Did you rent bicycles? The little cross stitch is a lovely way to remember the trip.

Cherie Moore said...

So glad you had a fabulous trip and that you lived in the moment :)

Jeanna said...

Thank you, Linda. Alaska was more beautiful than I expected. We look forward to going back again next year.

Jeanna said...

Thank you, GM. I have tons of photos on the 'real' camera but there are far to many to share.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Your trip looks fantastic! But I'm glad you're back! The retreat chart looks like a lot of fun. Perfect for the cruise!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

What an awesome trip!! The weather was gorgeous and your cross stitch finish is sweet. I'm glad you are home!

Astrid said...

What a great trip! Thank you for sharing your photos. The little cross stitch is so cute.

The Happy Whisk said...

lol on the yes, you bought fabric. I would have too!