Have enjoyed my weekend thus far...it started with stitching at Stitchville last night. A regular group of stitchers gather there on the last Friday of every month; my friend Chris and I decided to join them.
Then today, we met up with members of the Minnesota Cross Stitch Facebook group. Stitching goodness two days in a row!
I'm ready for "Betty." Looking forward to this class in May with Betsy Morgan.
I feel bad for tonight's post. It just doesn't compare to last night's post. It's hard to top two finishes! Thank you all for your very kind comments.
Tonight I started something new. Didn't get very far. I was also watching Dancing With the Stars!
It was a rainy day, the housework and laundry were done, so I thought it was a good day for some finishing. I always underestimate the amount of time that is needed to put these pieces together; all of the handstitching takes a lot of time!
First, I started my morning off with a bit of finishing for a friend. You might recall that I stitched and finished one of these for myself recently. I was happy to finish this one for my friend Jana.
Next - I'm pleased to share with you my Bristol Sampler Stitching Bag. This was our project this year at Stitchville's Spring Fling. We enjoyed three wonderful days with Betsy Morgan. She is such a great teacher!
This pincushion is not part of Betsy's set. It was gifted to me by my friend Sue from IN. It's a perfect match though - don't you agree?
I had completed much of the finishing while at retreat. The entire bag, including the lining, is stitched by hand. I am really pleased with it!
Finally, I took time today to finish my first Merry Cox piece. Much of the work was already done, but I still had quite a bit of "detailing" to finish off. The needlebook on the left needed to be trimmed and attached. The scissors holder on the right needed to be attached and the small tassel made and attached. I just love it!
I found this wooden thread keeper in my stash. It fits perfectly in the pocket behind the scissors!
Back to stitching ....I have pre-work for two more classes that needs to be stitched.
Thanks for stopping by!
I didn't have time to stitch yesterday, but I made up for it tonight.
My goal is to have this stitched by Saturday so I can put it together this weekend!
My friend Chris finished her Bristol Sampler Stitching Bag, this year's project ar Stitchville's Spring Fling.
There are two options for stitching; she stitched the over one design. Her finish has me motivated to get mine finished; I'm stitching the over two design.
The row of triangles are stitched together using the English paper piecing method we learned in the class. They will form the bottom of the bag.
Looking forward to getting my bag finished too!
Sad that the weekend is over. Had fun spending time with old and new friends. Now the anticipation starts again until next time.
Glad to be home where it is warmer. In Buffalo, NY it was cold and snowing. We stopped over in Detroit and it was cold and snowing there too. Did a little retail therapy at the airport.
At home the sun was shining and it was warm. After several loads of laundry, I stitched a little bit more of the Merry Cox alphabet.
And tomorrow is Monday....
Another bucket list item is complete. Why do these weekends go by so fast?
Today we worked on Merry's new project, Stitch, Mend, and Mark. Everything fits into a 1 cup dry measuring cup from Frye's. We spent a great deal of time today talking throu the finishing. I'm off to a good start on the sampler.
And here I am with the needlework rock star.
Tonight we had dinner at a restaurant and pub in Buffalo, NY called the Blackthorn. I guess they were featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
I had the Triple D Platter which included a mini beef on wreck, a mini crab cake, their special tator tots, and a cup of Manhattan Clam Chowder soup. Delicious!
Tomorrow I fly home. Back to reality.
One of my bucket list items was to take a class with Merry Cox and today my wish came true! I'm in Buffalo, NY for a few days and have the good fortune to take two classes with Merry.
Today's class was Off to Williamsburg. I completed all of my pre-stitching before class and so today's class was all about finishing. First I worked on the needlebook. It's lined with silk. Still needs the button closure and the hedebo loop.
On the inside, I've got needle pages on the left and a scissors pocket on the right. I've got a little more work to do on each of these.
Then I finished the inside of the box. Cute little thimble holder and a bobbin of thread.
Looking forward to another great day tomorrow!
Good morning!
I guess I never finished my Spring Fling report. It all ended too fast! If you want to attend a first class retreat, Stitchville's Spring Fling is it! We had a wonderful weekend thanks to "the Debs" and Betsy Morgan.
After a busy week (all three days) I'm off again and I'm in a place that is kind of dreary and cold. Seems more like March than April. And....it snowed last night!
More soon.
What a wonderful day we had. I laughed so hard, my stomach hurts!
We began today with the needlebook. Here's my pre-work stitching.
Interfacing, comic board, mitered corners, lacing...you know the drill.
Betsy skillfully led us through the instructions for her joining stitch. Even though I've heard these instructions many times before, I paid close attention and practiced on my doodle cloth.
I'll have to show you the finished needlebook tomorrow. It's in the classroom and I forgot to take a picture.
After lunch we worked on assembling the lining for the bag. This picture doesn't look like much, but trust me, I did a great job handstitching the various seams on these bags!
One of our best friends, Judy, is not here at Spring Fling this year. She and her husband had a vacation scheduled that conflicted with this weekend. We sent her picture messages today...
Here I am with my table mates, sending her our best wishes!
Last but not least, here's some of the Betsy Morgan show and tell brought by various stitchers attending the retreat this year.
Tomorrow we will talk about the finishing and then Spring Fling will be over. The weekend has gone by so fast!
As soon as the previous year's retreat ends, the waiting and anticipation starts again. Finally, the day has arrived. Stitchville's annual Spring Fling Retreat! So lucky to have a wonderful needlework shop in our backyard that puts on such a fabulous retreat!
We call them "the Debs." Deb S. And Deb C. - they make all the magic happen.
The stitchers, all 48 of them, anxiously wait to enter the classroom, locate their "spot" for the weekend, and check out the surprises that are waiting inside.
Of course, every detail is covered. Here in Minnesota, Spring hasn't quite arrived yet, but our table decorations suggest that Spring is just around the corner!
The stitchers quickly find their spots. Old friends, new friends - it really doesn't matter where you sit. Everyone is just glad to be here!
Our guest of honor is Betsy Morgan and we're working on her brand new class piece - The Bristol Stitching Bag. Tonight's project - we are going to learn English Paper Piecing and put the pincushion together.
Here's my work in progress:
And Ta Daa! It's a pincushion!
Tomorrow we will construct the needlebook. Looking forward to another wonderful day!
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