speaker-1: You're listening to O Stitch, the podcast where needlepoint, creativity, and real conversation come together. I'm Natasha Sewell and

speaker-0: And I'm Alansa Riddle. You don't have to be a needle pointer to be here, but you might leave as one.

speaker-1: Summer is in full swing and we are here for it at Georgie and Lottie from stitching on the go to travel.

speaker-0: Yes, needlepoint is such a great travel hobby.

speaker-1: It's compact and so nice to have a project to work on while you're waiting at the airport or sitting on a train or even if you're a passenger in a car, or to be honest, sometimes if you're waiting in line somewhere, it's also kind of nice, right? Yeah, for sure. So we are gonna talk about travel, but before we get into all of that, we're also going to share our current stitches or whips, work in progress, or ⁓

speaker-0: Always good to have.

speaker-1: I'm actually gonna share also something I've finished and something you haven't started So ⁓ also can we take a minute just to appreciate the fact that we are together in the same room. We're together. We are at Georgie and Lottie headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, aka Alonso's home.

speaker-0: I haven't even started mine yet. My dining room, which is not really looking like a dining room right now 'cause it's full of stuff.

speaker-1: Full of stuff, but in the best possible way. Yes. So Alonso, do you want to share first?

speaker-0: So this is actually from California. I didn't even buy it. Natasha was in California and she visited a needlepoint store and sent me a picture because I had been talking about giving getting Avive Co. Coco canvas and they had a ton of them. So she sent me a picture and she said, which one do you want? Because they aren't the easiest to find. My Local needlepoint store did not have any.

speaker-1: In fact you said you maybe got put on a wait list or something. Were they gonna notify you? They

speaker-0: They had ordered pre-ordered some at the spring market, but didn't have any to bring home with them. So this was kind of amazing that that store had

speaker-1: Literally they had behind their register, this was the needle nook, it's in La Jolla, California. It is a darling store. And they had literally a wall behind the register that was all campaign box.

speaker-0: And there are so many cute ones, but this one really spoke to me. I love the circles, the two-tone circles.

speaker-1: So for those of you that are listening and can't see this, it is yeah, that's okay. It has two tone circles all over it, so very geometric design.

speaker-0: Vive Cloco bottle. So it is a VivCloco bottle, and then the background of the bottle are these circles and they're just the prettiest colors. So yesterday my sister and I actually went to my local needlepoint store and we kitted it. And so I'm really excited to start stitching it, but just really pretty greens, pinks, blues. We even got some metallic thread for the foil on the top of the bottle.

speaker-1: And we had fun choosing so if you know Viv Clico, you know that it has an orange label on it. And so we did have some fun looking at the orange labels.

speaker-0: It's kind of hard to match, I'm not gonna lie. But you

speaker-1: Think this is a good one. So we ended up with essential. She chose all pretty much all essentials because it is a 18 mesh canvas.

speaker-0: So ended up doing cheese. That's the color. It's a good match. ⁓ for the label. Anyway, I I'm really excited to start, so maybe sometime soon I'll update you on that. But it's I think it's gonna be a super fun stitch.

speaker-1: Which is actually Super fun. So I actually have two things to share. One is a finish and one is haven't even designed or started. So I don't know if you all follow What's the Stitch or Heather Ray on Instagram, but What's the Stitch? Emma did a whole thing last summer where she stitched the Fendi needlepoint bag. Okay. So much fun to watch. She did such an amazing job.

speaker-0: She did. So what's the stitches logo has like a cherry. So she did cherries on her bag and it was so so

speaker-1: She did a phenomenal job designing it, stitching it, the whole thing. So Heather Ray was able to get the ⁓ Penelope canvas and she started making bags. So I'm gonna show you. So it looks like

speaker-0: We had discontinued this, so you couldn't purchase.

speaker-1: Now you can. Supposedly they're back. Now I don't know if they're in stock. So FYI. You can go to Heather Ray, and she does still have some of these. She does pre-orders. She has some that are already designed. But anyway, I was in the first batch. So she's come a long way since this first batch, but it's blank. It's a blank Penelope canvas made to look like a a bag. She included all of the hardware. It's clearly not Fendi hardware, but really cute hardware. There's the strap, the whole thing. I have zero clue what I want to do with this. We've had it for a long time. And the reason I have zero clue is because I go back and forth between wanting to do sort of a fun design on it, but that's repetitive, and then not wanting to do that because I'm going to get really bored stitching.

speaker-0: And I feel like we've had this for a while now. Mm, I see what you're saying. So what's your other idea more of a pat like more of a design? More

speaker-1: of a design or a little bit more of like a piece of art.

speaker-0: something that you wouldn't w you would just wear with the right outfit every once in a while.

speaker-1: Unless it's stitched in such colors that kind of goes with a lot of stuff or jazzes up an outfit. Right? True. So if you have ideas of what I should do on this blank canvas, please send them my way because I would like to stitch this in the near future. I'm really excited about stitching it. So TBD. And then I'm also gonna share a finish with you. June is Pride Month and At Georgie and Lottie, we are very inclusive. We love everybody. We want everybody to love everybody. That is just our our jam. So Alonsa designed this darling love canvas. It's so cute. So it is the heart is a rainbow heart. And I stitched it. Yes, sorry.

speaker-0: Which is the O in Love. The O in Love. Yes. It kind of looks like the old stamp. The post office stamp that had the Love anyway.

speaker-1: Is it Philadelphia that has the love? The love. I feel like they do. Maybe maybe Philly. Anyway, I stitched it and then framed it. And this cute, it's a really cute wood frame for those of you listening. And it is from of all places, World Market. So it looks it's so cute. It would actually be really cute painted. We talked about that, but I just left the wood.

speaker-0: It's adorable.

speaker-1: But it's darling and I love it. And it was a super fun quick stitch. I did it on a train. So highly recommend.

speaker-0: Would be so cute on a bookshelf, in a kitchen.

speaker-1: Any number. Really cute. So that is what we have been stitching.

speaker-0: All right, we're at ⁓ did we say that? Because between the two of us we have never once been short on opinions, and this is where they live.

speaker-1: We need to talk about Airbnbs. Not because we hate them, because we do not, but because somewhere along the way we realize it's not always the answer on how to travel. And we have many, many thoughts. So we're gonna share those thoughts with you all. So

speaker-0: Do indeed. So I we both have three children. Mm-hmm. Natasha's are all grown. I still have well, all of mine are still in the house, but I still have a fifteen year old, so younger. And I do feel like an Airbnb can be great because you have a kitchen.

speaker-1: Absolutely. If you're traveling with children, I think an Airbnb is a hundred percent the way to go.

speaker-0: To have a kitchen. ⁓

speaker-1: An Airbnb, a VRBO. Back in the day it was VRBO. We actually have done a lot of VRBOs. Yes. ⁓ or verbos, I guess people call them. Yeah.

speaker-0: ⁓ yeah anyway all over but there is some great also if you're staying with a big group like that would all go together. Great to to rent a house.

speaker-1: Yes, we Even a girls weekend where you all want to be in the same house because you want to have a living space, super fun. Yeah right? Couples trip. I mean, I can think of a lot of reasons to use an Airbnb, but we have thoughts on to why they're not our favorite.

speaker-0: So I do love cooking. I do not love cleaning. But you don't really have that break when you're at an Airbnb.

speaker-1: No, you absolutely don't because at an Airbnb you have the kitchen. So I feel like you feel like you have to cook.

speaker-0: Well, and there is a reason a lot of times is the cost saving, right? Like you're getting it to save money so you don't have to eat out all the time, which I appreciate for certain things, right? But the person who cooks, which usually is me, always her, ⁓ does not get a break, right? So it's not a true vague.

speaker-1: Yeah. It's not a true vacation. And you're still cleaning. Right. Let's be honest. You're still maybe making a bed if you're a bedmaker. You're still dealing with towels.

speaker-0: Wiping down counters, laundry, you know all.

speaker-1: And so that is why not the biggest fan of an Airbnb, I'll be honest, because it doesn't feel like a vacation.

speaker-0: Dishes. Do sometimes at the beat. Like if we're just going to a bl a close beach, I do kind of love it.

speaker-1: Well and in that case it also is really nice to have the washer dryer. Yes. So I guess

speaker-0: That. And I do if we're driving, I do think it's great to be able to bring a cooler and it does save a ton of money. So I do love them in that aspect. But if you want a true vacation

speaker-1: A real vacation where you get to enjoy things. And

speaker-0: May not be though. That's not really relaxed.

speaker-1: And truly relax. Then we are big fans of hotels. And I mean, I'll take it even further, an all-inclusive resort.

speaker-0: I am a huge fan of the all inclusive, mainly also for that reason of you already know the upfront cost, but you don't have to cook at all. It's all included, so and drinks and

speaker-1: If have kids that eat a lot, knowing that you've paid for that food up front is huge because then you are not constantly, you know, ch going out for meals and paying you don't know how much because these kids eat a lot.

speaker-0: lot. We both have three boys. I also think there's a little freedom in it for the kids because they don't have to come ask you, you know, I'm hungry. I would like to go get this. You know, it's in an all inclusive they can just go grab what they want. So that is

speaker-1: kinda nice. I will say too that we love a cruise too for that. You don't love it. I know. I love a cruise

speaker-0: So it's not like my favorite thing, but my kids love it.

speaker-1: Yeah. I love a cruise because it is like being an all-inclusive resort. But you get to travel around and see different things and you only unpack once.

speaker-0: I will say my middle son just rented a sailboat and sailed around the B VI, so there's that too. I guess that's technically I'm not really sure 'cause they did have a kitchen. They did cook, I guess some

speaker-1: That Airbnb on water? They I mean, they had a kitchen and they also I'm assuming had to like clean up. Yes. They did. So but they could so maybe that's the best of both worlds, right?

speaker-0: did get to travel around to all the islands. Right? Yeah. He said it was the best vacation he's ever had.

speaker-1: Well, there you go. There you go. Right? There you go. So, you know, Airbnbs serve their purpose. A hundred percent serve their purpose. I just at my stage, I'm fifty-three, at my stage in my life. When I go on vacation, I want to be on full vacation mode.

speaker-0: And I'm also gonna say if it's just me or it's just you and me, a hotel. I don't it doesn't have to be all inclusive. I'll take a hotel any

speaker-1: I want someone making my bed, bringing me fresh towels, all

speaker-0: Comfy beds. I I just yeah, there's something about a good hotel that yep, super satisfying. Love it.

speaker-1: So that's our hot take on Airbnbs. Mm-hmm. Again, if you have small children, they are a win. A win win. It gets you to a different place. But if you do not have small children, hmm, I don't know. We'd we'd love to know your thoughts on Airbnbs versus hotels versus resorts, to be totally honest. Yes. So I would love to, and off the frame, this is something where we talk about non-needlepoint things and Not a hot take, but we're gonna kinda talk about what we're doing this summer as far as travel goes and sharing maybe some packing tips, which I have many because I travel to and from California pretty much on a monthly basis. You travel a lot. I travel a lot. So I have a I have a lot of travel tips, but this summer you are traveling.

speaker-0: Yeah. A little. You are. I am. I am I'm traveling with some friends. We're going to Palm Springs to her house, which is very lovely. I'm very generous of her to share. So I'm excited about that. Travel wise, I do have those I don't have the travel cubes which everybody talks about. The

speaker-1: Compress the packing cubes that compress everything? I

speaker-0: do have the old school ones 'cause I guess I'm kind of old school where Yeah, you like roll it and air comes out. If it's just me packing, I don't need those. I don't overpack I'm not an overpacker. I don't

speaker-1: Or you take the air out and I would say neither of us are overpackers. I am really good at getting everything in a carry-on. I do not like checking a bag if I don't have to. Now, the only time I do check a bag is if I am traveling with Georgie, number one, because it's a lot to manage on the plane traveling with a dog. But generally speaking, we are pretty much carry-on packers.

speaker-0: Yep. And not we d I just don't overpack. I don't know.

speaker-1: say I am going to be teaching needlepoint at a retreat in Maine. It's called Summer Camp. Sabrina Gephardt is doing it. And so I have am trying a new packing method that I will share with you. It is the Seduco Packing method. Right. Yeah. Uh-huh. So basically it's a grid. It's nine different pieces that you put you lay out. So you lay it out on the floor. Okay. So I guess it sort of looks like tic-tac-toe. It's nine pieces and each row makes an outfit. So you have a bottom, a top, and a layer. A bottom, a top, and a layer, a bottom, a top and a layer. And you configure them in a way that a diagonal it works.

speaker-0: The pack.

speaker-1: In the corner it works. No, no, because that's not including pajamas. It's not including undergarments.

speaker-0: So you can miss mix and match. So that's all you bring are those nine items? No. No, but I mean your main clothes, you're just bringing the nine

speaker-1: I am. I'm gonna try this. Now, one thing though, I am bringing white jeans. And if anyone has ever traveled with white jeans, you know the minute you wear them you drop something on them. So I am bringing a backup pair for those. Okay. Because two in that square just because in reality, there is no chance I'm not gonna I literally will sit down to eat and drop something. And in Maine, we're gonna be eating lobster and yummy things that come along with melted butter, and there's no chance that that's not gonna end up in my lap, right?

speaker-0: Two in that square. This is very interesting. I can't wait to hear how this works.

speaker-1: So okay. No, I will report back on how this packing goes. I've again never tried this before, but it seemed like a pretty cool thing to do. So that's basically all my travel. They are in Palm Springs for the summer. I'm not doing anything else. You're going to Palm Springs. So we don't have huge travel plans. We'll be totally always, always the kids live their best lives. Best lives. Right? Best lives. But we also wanted to share how we pack our needlepoint for travel because as we said

speaker-0: My kids have more travel plans than I do.

speaker-1: At the top of this episode, we love to take our needlepoint traveling because there are so many downtime downtime during a travel experience that it is nice to have a needlepoint. Or honestly, at night, it's a nice way to unwind in bed. So

speaker-0: For me also, because I don't have so much time when I'm home, I get to needlepoint for a little bit here and there, but on vacation I get to needlepoint more. So it is sort of a luxury for me to bring it on vacation.

speaker-1: Absolutely. So we like to take one needlepoint project bag. So we actually we offer two. We have Darling, I'm a Stitch Queen, which is one. And this one is a great one 'cause it has a handle. So it's zippers. This one. Yeah. It has a handle. So if you're going to the beach, to the pool, wherever, it's so easy to take. It's

speaker-0: Got a big opening but I love the handle.

speaker-1: I do. And you can get multiple projects in here. My biggest tip when you are packing for a trip and packing your needle point, don't take a huge project because it is cumbersome. First of all, they're hard to get in a project bag and they're cumbersome. So if you want to take more than one project, I recommend you take two or three smaller projects with you and you can fit them all in one bag. Then you can put all of your fiber and threads and everything you need. And then the other thing that we really, really recommend taking with you is a rescue kit. We have a rescue kit that we offer other vendors and ⁓ needlepoint stores, lots of people offer this. But in our rescue kit, you get a snag nabbit, which helps. If anyone has never used a snag nabbit, we highly recommend you grab one because it helps with any pulled string. You just zip it through. There's also a needle threader. And ⁓ there's also I mean I like to frog sometimes. So there is a seam ripper too. And then I put my little scissors, my little snips in here. I also have several needle needle minders in here along with extra needles. It has a magnetic bat bottom, which is really great. And these are yes. So with scissors, when you take scissors on a plane, they have to the

speaker-0: TSA approved.

speaker-1: Blade. Blade. Thank you. The blade needs to be under, I believe it's four inches, which seems really long to me, but I swear that's what it says. I have no idea. These are tiny and they also have to have a covering on them. Don't bring just like plain scissors. They may stop you. But if you don't want to bring scissors, there's also this cool travel thing. I don't even know what it's called. It looks like it's from Victorian times because it very well might be. But ⁓ It's a disc, basically a metal disc and it has you put the thread

speaker-0: Groves, like little grooves that your thread will cut.

speaker-1: Your thread. It'll cut your thread. So if you don't want to take scissors, you could totally take something like that. And again, I bring a lot of extra needles because when I travel is exactly the time I'm gonna lose all the needles. And if you've ever dropped anything on a plane, you know you cannot find it again. Never. So I always bring extra needles and they all go in here. So literally when I travel, I take the rescue kit, I take my project bag with some projects. Some thread and that's it, and you're ready to go. Yep. And you can then again take it to the beach, to the pool, anywhere, anywhere, anywhere you're going, you can just take it with you. Which is great. It is. So exciting news we finally have restocks. So go check them out and get a few projects for your summer travel. And a reminder if you see something you love and it's not in stock, please sign up for the wait list. This way. You'll be notified as soon as it's restocked and it also gives us a better idea of what you're interested in. And so we can order more quantities of things. Yes.

speaker-0: And before we let you go, we want to share two things with you. First, if you want to try Needlepoint but don't know where to start, we have something for you. It's a free beginner video playlist, and you can grab it at georgiandlottie.myflowdesk.com backslash video dash playlist. The link will be in the show notes.

speaker-1: And second, we so appreciate you being here and listening to O Stitch. And as a thank you, use code O-Stitch10 at checkout for 10% off your first order. That's O-H-S-T-I-T-C-H-10. We truly want you to start stitching something. Thanks so much for listening to O-Stitch, the podcast where Needlepoint meets real life.

speaker-0: This podcast is brought to you by Georgie and Lottie. Whether you're looking for your next canvas, stitching, inspiration, or a community that loves Needlepoint as much as we do, we'd love to have you join us.

speaker-1: You can explore canvases, products, and more at georgieandlottie.com.

speaker-0: Until next time, happy stitching!