Traveling with my needlework

Since my post with pictures of my large hardanger tablecloth project, many of you wondered and asked how I take such a large frame with me everywhere.
Well, we just got back from another flight to Florida and I wanted share these pictures with you to show you how portable things really are!

This is ALL I take with me : the tube contains my horizontal bars with my fabric rolled onto it;  the zippered pouch has the everything else, the magnifier fits into the padded pouch next to my laptop in my carry-on;  if my project is smaller then it fits into my carry-on and I do not need the tube. 

Just a few items to travel with

All set up in less that five minutes and ready to go!

I have tried to stitch in hand and with just a hoop also and so far I am not so sure if I like the results so much - I guess I have been used to scroll bars and stretcher bars and the drum tight feeling of slate frames or similar frames like the Millennium frame above.  It is less 'hassle' for me to have the frame set up and have both my hands free to stitch;  I also prefer less wrinkles and 'handling/crumpling/rolling/holding' things  in one hand and stitching with the other.  The sewing method is not as accurate for me so far - the threads sometimes twist or my needle sometimes pierces the thread of the previous stitch etc. I guess I still have to practice and perfect the technique of sewing in hand or with just a hoop.  I prefer the control on many things that a frame affords me - I can concentrate on the stitch and the tension and texture with a frame but find myself fidgeting a lot with stitching in hand.  I will keep trying but I suspect that my conclusions will be the same as many times before.  It is a matter of preference of course but I do want to continue practicing in hand for a bit longer this time. 

Good things....

Well, lots of good things happening in my little world :
- I am finally fever free and feeling 'normal' since Saturday
- my frozen shoulder is definitely a thing of the past - most range of movement has been restored thanks to Indian acupressure techniques and daily, gentle movement
- all tests I had them do to try and get to the bottom of these cough/fever/cold episodes revealed ALL numbers well within the range!
My final conclusion : refocus my mind and find a different way to deal with things.  So, I am on that quest now discovering all sorts of new things!

Since Saturday, I have continued my refining and editing of my needlework stash area AND I finally 'found' the sampler that I had slated to start this year... it was very logically kitted and placed in the 2015 folder but then had been placed back in the old system!  So, I will start this on my birthday this year instead.
It is very therapeutic to just play with stash... after the 'fun' times these past years,  I am finally resetting my goals and daring to plan again!
I am continuing to try my hand at stitching in hand, watching the U.S.Open tennis matches and organizing/playing... just enjoying the Labor Day weekend at home.
More travel planned... my father-in-law's issues remain and will continue to impact our lives... but that is okay - he needs our help;
Thank you all for all your encouraging words.... and look for more needlework related posts on various topics from now on!
"Savor each moment!" was my motto at the beginning of the year ... plan to do just that!