Recent Finishes

Don’t fall off your chair; I’m back with another post! Since returning from guild retreat, I’ve finished a couple of projects.

First up is “Germany”. This is a design from Amy Mitten and it’s from her Around the World series. Stitched on 40ct cream Zweigart with Amy’s silk.

My second finish is a Stacy Nash design called Tribute to Summer Sampler. This piece was started by my stitching friend, Sue, who passed away last year. It was in her stash, and I picked it up and decided to finish it. Some of the colors in the design were changed by Sue. It’s stitched on 40 ct WDW Cocoa. 

More finishes on the horizon. Stay tuned!

What Happened to August?

The month of August just flew by! It’s hard to believe that September is just days away.

The most notable needlework event in August was the Needlework Guild of Minnesota retreat in early August. This is the first time our group has gathered for our annual retreat since 2019; both the 2020 and 2021 retreats were canceled due to covid. It was wonderful to see everyone again!

The view of the lake was just as beautiful as ever!

One of my favorite parts of retreat is the Show and Tell event. I didn’t take many pictures, but I did grab some snapshots of this display of Amy Mitten samplers. All of these samplers are from her Around the World series. My partner in crime (PIC) stitched these. I think she has finished about 18 of them. My hero!

Check out these needlework bags. Someone was smart enough to save their bags throughout the years. Many of these shops are closed.

We also had a vendor night this year. A handful of vendors were there with their wares. Look who had a table - the Mad Tatter! Many thanks to my sister in law for driving with her this year.

Last photo - this is the Needlework Guild of Minnesota banner. Our guild is celebrating 50 years this year. Many members stitched the various leaves and flowers using a variety of different stitches.

Thank you for visiting. Will post again later. Have two finishes to share! 

24 Hours of Cross Stitch

My PIC and I were off again this weekend; back to Blue Earth to celebrate 24 Hours of Cross Stitch. The weekend was organized by Welcome Stitchery.

Blue Earth is not only the home of Welcome Stitchery, but also the home of the Jolly Green Giant and We could not resist a photo. He was appropriately dressed for the heat and humidity!

After a brief stop at Welcome Stitchery, we headed further south to Elmore, MN, where the retreat was held. Unbeknownst to us, Elmore is just a stone’s throw away from Iowa. Elmore is also the boyhood home of Walter Mondale!

Despite the heat and humidity, we had a great weekend of stitching and met old friends and made new friends. One of the events during the retreat was a lovely presentation on pillow finishing. We were treated to a lovely display of many finished items and I forgot to take pictures. I’m sorry!

On Saturday afternoon we had to “behave” while the Welcome Stitchery gals made their flosstube. It was fun to watch the process.

During our stay, we decided to take in some of the local sights, including:

The Blue Earth Municipal Airport (dubbed the most beautiful airport in Minnesota - literally surrounded by corn fields!)

The Iowa border…

Welcome to Elmore…

Nothing but rich farm land all around us! 

Last, but not least, check out this exclusive design that Cathy from Hands on Design designed exclusively for Welcome Stitchery’s first anniversary in Blue Earth! Call the shop if you would like to purchase the pattern and a kit!

Last Weekend

Last Friday we made a road trip to Welcome Stitchery in Blue Earth, MN…

We’re off on another adventure this weekend!

Another Finish

We are laying low this 4th of July so I had time to squeeze another finish in! 

This design is from The Scarlett House and its called Coverlet Berry Stitching Tray. I finished the stitching a long time ago. Now the piece is fully finished. I enjoyed making the wool strawberries!

In celebration of July 4, here are a few more patriotic finishes. I love this tray - found it in an antique shop on one of my visits to the Amana Colonies.

Hope you are having a great day!

Patriotic Stitching

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Very low-key weekend here!

If you do your own finishing, then you know that you have to be “in the mood” and you have to “have time” because it always takes longer than you think it will take. Today, I was in the mood and I had time!

May I present to you “Tomayto, Tomahto” from Hand on Design. This was an exclusive kit offered last year through the Homespun Facebook group. I’ve had the stitching finished for quite sometime; it just needed to be finished!

Cathy Habermann’s step-by-step instructions are so easy to follow! I’m over the moon with this finish!

Since it is the July 4th holiday weekend, allow me to share with you some of my patriotic stitching. I love stitching red, white, and blue!

Happy 4th!

Stitch Camp, Day Two

Our final class was with Paulette from Plum Street Samplers. A big red house, poppies, a flag, the moon - what more could a stitcher ask for!

Here’s the design team for the entire retreat. Fun, fun weekend. 

We are heading home now… back to reality.