So Close

I'm so close to finishing this one now that I can't stop!

With My Needle

This is not what I should be working on. I really should be working on pre-work for an upcoming class. I can't help myself though; it's calling my name!




Goode Huswife - With My Needle

Spring Fling - Day Three

Alma and Barb always bring their newest releases with them. Here are some of the projects that came out at Nashville.






















On Sunday morning, they had one more surprise for us. Alma took motifs from the original sampler and created a new sampler which she used to record some family history. She encouraged us to include some of our own family history when we stitch it. Here is Alma's sampler...



Did I share this picture with you? These are the two projects from Friday and Saturday. The smaller sampler will fit in the frame we painted. We also have the pattern for the drum pincushion.




My friend Chris finished stitching the smaller sampler while we were there, over one nonetheless!




Our guests and our hosts! Barb, Deb S., Deb C., and Alma!




Here's my finished box. After arriving home I added a fabric covered padded bottom to the box using some Blackbird fabric that I had in my stash.







It was a wonderful weekend!

Spring Fling - Day Two

Saturday was a busy day! We started out with a plain, heart-shaped paper mache box and an unfinished pine frame (made by Barb's brother).




We got busy painting, then sanding and distressing, then added briwax. In the photo below, the box has been treated with briwax; the frame hasn't been yet. Compare the frame in this photo and the next - huge difference!




We then glued a color photo of the original sampler to the top of the box.




After we were done painting and sanding and waxing, we made flower corsages for the top of the box. The flowers were dipped in wax, making them look like something right out of the twenties!






We will add a bow tomorrow.

Here's another photo of the sampler that inspired all of these projects from Blackbird.



And here are some of the pieces that Alma and Barb created using motifs from the sampler.







Barb and Alma like to use color photos of their stitched pieces, like the one in the frame and the one on top of the box.




Before closing out this post, let me share with you some of the show and tell that was displayed at the retreat. The participants were encouraged to bring their Blackbird Designs finishes. Lots of BBD fans in the room!













Stop back tomorrow for one more update!

Spring Fling or Bust!

With the events of the first part of the week behind me, let the weekend begin!

I arrived at the retreat center Friday morning and found the most delightful welcome gift on the table in my room. Those caramels are like gold!




Tracked down my friends who were anxiously awaiting my arrival. It was good to see friends from Texas, Arkansas, North Dakota, Indiana, Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois...I'm sure I missed someone here. I made a new friend rom Michigan this weekend!

The Deb's from Stitchville were busy getting the registration desk ready.




I have to include this picture. This is what the Deb's see. Lots of anxious Stitchers waiting to get registered and start Spring Fling!




The door opened at 1:00pm and tables were selected. They were decorated beautifully and of course, there were more gifts!




After everyone was settled our guest designers entered and took center stage; it was so good to see them again! Alma and Barb from Blackbird Designs.




Alma began to tell us about the sampler that our retreat project was based on. It has similarities to the Westtown Schoolgirl samplers and is unfinished.







Barb shared the small framed design that includes fragments of the sampler. Her brother made the frames for us. Our job was to paint and antique them!




Alma shows us the heart shaped box that we will paint and then glue a color copy of the sampler to the top. We're even going to make the wax flower arrangement for the top!




Our first project is passed out. Let the stitching commence!



More tomorrow....

I'm Here! I Made It!

Two, One....Spring Fling!

Just one more day to Spring a Fling!

Here are two more projects! First up, this sweet pincushion.




And last but not least, this is the project we worked on at a Stitchville's first ever Spring Fling. Barb and Alma were there!






The pre-Spring Fling party has started without me. I was supposed to fly home yesterday afternoon, but due to the extreme weather in the Southeast, the flights are all mixed up. Last four flights to MSP last night cancelled.

Trying to rebook was not easy. Pray that my flight tonight is a go!

Three More

Almost forgot to post today. Three more days!






This project is from a BBD class that I took at the Silver Needle!

Down to Four...

After spending nine hours in a plane today (due to weather) the weekend can't come soon enough! Four more days!

This Blackbird piece is called Autumn Song.

Five More Days

Five more days...
Two more airplane rides...
Three more days of work...

Looking forward to Spring Fling!







BBD Loose Feathers Peacock Pincushion!

The Magic Number is Six!

Six more days...




Such a sweet little pincushion. It was a BCRF piece from Elegant Stitch. I love the flower....