December 12, 2010

Grand Illumination

Richmond has an event called the "Grand Illumination" each year where a two-square block area of the city is bedecked in lights. The highrise my company occupies and the one across the street host 50-60 illuminated deer, which are 2-3 times as a large as the deer you might buy for your own yard. The trees--oak, magnolia and pine--are also illuminated, along with lights that outline the highrises. It's quite enchanting at night. This is what it looks like in the early morning just before the lights are turned off for the day.

And a view of Rudolph after dark. I asked our building guard if they had any problems with people bringing guns into the city and target practicing on the deer. He said that sometimes kids with bb guns were a problem, but that the larger problem was that periodically someone would back a truck up to the displays and try to steel the deer.

Thanks to Nicole, my afternoon was disrupted and I have no photo to show you of my accomplishments this week. She showed the newest issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine, something I rarely buy. But I fell in love with "Winter at Beacon House," and rushed out to buy my copy before the LNS closed. I love the sailing ship, the little rabits, the red alphabet and the little fish. It was meant to be: in my stash is the exact shade of Lakeside Linen used in the model, called winter sky. While the sampler calls for Gentle Art and Weeks, I did a conversion to silks. I can't wait to start it! Thanks, Nicole!

Here's another project from the same issue, by Donna Giampa, called "Frosty Woodland Pillow."

Something about this photo makes me think of snowballs:


Happy counting down to Christmas week ahead!

22 comments:

Catherine said...

Those decorations are bea-u-ti-ful!

I saw that review of the magazine too - I plan on picking up one this week!

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the lights -- they're beautiful!

Margaret said...

Pretty decorations! I love that design from Praiseworthy Stitches too. So pretty!!! You're so lucky to have gotten it and kitted it up already!

Cari said...

Beautiful decorations...I love the Christmas lights. I love that design too! That Nicole is such an enabler. And you're very lucky to have a LNS so you can put your hands right on what you want!! Hugs to you and the bunnies.

RG said...

Uh .. that Winter at Beacon House would go SO well in our room with lighthouse stitching ....

Pink Sno-ball!!

Laura said...

I love that you went running out to get the magazine after seeing it on Nicole's blog!!! I would so do that if I could have today (weather not permitting!). I can't wait to check that issue out! Finally, some good charts in a magazine! I will love following your progress.

Theresa said...

Wow!!!The lights are awesome!!!!

Alice said...

Fun post! I love the lights, and Pink's snowbally little backside.

Elizabeth said...

Glenna, where is your LNS? My daughter lives in Richmond and I know she'd love to know about it.

Thanks!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Golly Moses...for a minute there I thought that was your nearly completed piece by Praiseworthy...that your afternoon was disrupted, you got the magazine and look...nearly done...I had to look at the picture a long time before I realized....the linen was laying on the magazine picture...YOWZA!

Deb Cushman said...

What lovely deer! Great display -- must be a beautiful sight at night.

Winter at Beacon House is quite a picture -- full of interesting details. No wonder you wanted it right away.

Laurie in Iowa said...

You didn't waste any time getting that kitted up! Love the Grand Illumination show. TFS

xeyedmary said...

I saw the JCS on Nicole's too and HAVE to get it for the Beacon House design! Love the Christmas decorations (and the bunny bum!)

Katrina said...

It does look like a snowball ;-). Gorgeous pictures and I love the new project!

Wrought By LaDonna said...

Looks like the illumination is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing

Michelle said...

Oooh I love the lights! Yes, that piece in the new JCS is fabulous - I love it. Can't wait to see your start on it.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Love Richmond, and I love the Grand Illumination. Thanks for sharing the photos. I will be in Richmond for the big Monument Ave 10K this spring. I couldn't post about it on my blog 'cause my dad reads it and I am going to surprise him and come down for it. Can't wait!

I love the new design you're going to work on - it is fantastic and yep, meant to be since you had the fabric on hand!

Merry Christmas, Glenna! Oh, happy Christmas to the buns, too!

Siobhán said...

What gorgeous decorations! One of the former duPont estates near where I grew up does that--it's so pretty. I can't wait to get my hands on that JCS issue!

Nicole said...

LOL!! Glad I could be here to inspire!! :) I love that Praiseworthy design and I actually didn't know it was in there until I was getting ready to take the picture of Paulette's design. :)

Brigitte said...

I saw this design too on Nicole's blog and would have liked to buy the JSC copy immediately but I have to wait until it's available here.

Daffycat said...

How I love fuzzy rabbit butts. That sounds wrong, doesn't it?

Lovely photos of the holiday lights!

quiltcat said...

Hee hee...love the furry snowball butt! oh yeah, the Grand Ilummination and needlework pics are good, too, but Pink's derriere is darling!