The 2015 Spring Retreat Report (photo heavy)

As soon as the weather begins to break, all the ladies of my embroiderers' guild start to itch for retreat weekend.  It seems like this three day, semi-annual retreat is not only blessed from above but also a blessing to each and every one of us who are able to attend.  The fellowship, fun and creativity permeates the air like the perfume from the lilacs in bloom.  If you belong to a creative group that doesn't have a short retreat of some kind at least annually, you should consider starting one.  There is nothing like being with your own tribe for 48 or 50 straight hours to revive the spirit, especially after a long, cold winter.

Sometimes I go to retreat with only one project and a clear cut goal - Make.Progress.  This wasn't that kind of retreat.  I had project ADD and took at least eight projects to either work on, rip out and re-do, think about, or analyze with a focus group.  Here's a glimpse of what went on...

Japanese kogin ornament
Monthly education project from like 87 years ago
Total re-do.  Originally looked like I had stitched it in the dark with my left foot.  New and improved stitching put in.  Might finish it as a needlebook or fob.  Not sure.  Moved on...

Aztec stitch bookmark
Monthly education project from like 187 years ago
Re-read instructions, begged for friend to finish mine, got nowhere with her, had a glass of wine, worked six rows of woven bars, felt good about it, set aside for another day.

Hardanger cross bookmark (for sister)
Tried to clear cobwebs out of the brain and remember how to travel around the woven bars, thought I remembered, needleweaved for about 30 minutes, took out 30 minutes worth of needleweaving. Set aside.

Adam and Eve by Homespun Elegance (Snippets of Olde)
Called for a focus group discussion.  Evaluated where I went wrong with the colors. Tried to decide how to selectively rip and re-do in order to make skin less pink, serpent more green, sun brighter, grass lighter, etc.  Decided I really didn't want to spend all day frogging.  Set aside.

Tudor Rose luggage tag (3" round needlepoint)
Need to couch down gold outlining around petals and work light background stitches. Acknowledged those facts.  Set aside.

Granddaughter's jeans jacket
Finally decided on motif and basted the general outline for floral heart.

Granddaughter's felt fish mobile 
a.k.a. the God Complex fish, as in, LOOK AT THE FISH I HAVE CREATED! I DECLARE THEY ARE GOOD FISH!
selected color combos, cut out fish, fins, eyes, lips, stripes, etc.  Attached most elements.
Ready for stuffing, ribbon and assembly.


And just before we had to pack up and depart, I selected several special motifs for a nightmare-proof pillowcase (for me, not the grandbaby. that would be weird. trust me).  Stay tuned for more on the Extra Super Special pillowcase...

In non-stitchy related news, many participated in the first ever Hummingbird Aerobics class that was held on Saturday afternoon.  Ultimately the hummingbird was liberated and the liberators were jubilant.  Friend and fellow stitcher Zella celebrated her 82nd birthday.  There were no seam ripper incidents or injuries to report.  The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge welcomed Princess Charlotte into the world.  And finally, a three-year-old bay colt named American Pharoah (not Pharaoh), riden by Victor Espinoza, won the Kentucky Derby.

Until next time friends, STITCH HAPPY!

Stitchers Day Out

Despite below normal temps, I enjoyed a perfectly lovely day with my stitchy BFFs at our annual Stitchers Day Out today. 

I even managed to almost finish a La-D-Da freebie that has been patiently waiting for years.

 

In memory of my grandmother Rose

Although the color palette is gorgeous, I'm somehow less than pleased with how this turned out, so I may be donating it to the greeting card fundraiser.

And, thanks to a great suggestion from a chapter sister, I'll be trying to figure how to build a little black hat around my white rabbit for my contribution to the SAS 2011 teacup auction.  The theme is "Stitching in the Magic City" and my little white rabbit is supposed to represent the 'rabbit in the hat' magic trick. 

Overall - a VERY productive, friend filled day.  Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you may be.

...out like a lamb...

###

Here it is, the end of March and what have I accomplished so far this year?  Not much.  :-)

BUT, I am very proud to report that thanks to a discovery in the "housekeeping" department, I have cleaned all (yes, ALL) of my windows, inside and out, thank you very much.  What is this wonder discovery, you ask?  They are called e-Cloths and I found mine at Marshall's (aka Home Goods / TJ Maxx).  The Window Pack has two cloths, one to clean with and the other to dry with.  You just wipe the window with damp cloth to remove dirt, then wipe it with the other one to dry/shine.  Think "Wax On, Wax Off".  It takes all of about two seconds, uses water only and the windows are streak free and cleaner than I have ever seen them in 14 years.  Seriously.  Don't cha just love that?  What else?  I used these cloths on my curio cabinet doors and shelves as well as my china cabinets doors and shelves, glass tabletops, and bathroom mirrors and they all seem to be repelling, yes REPELLING, dust.  These things might just be the best thing ever.  Sure hope you all run out and find some (available thru Amazon too).  They have made letting the sun shine in so much easier!  (I don't work for e-Cloth, know anyone who does, or get paid in anyway for this endorsement, btw)

Carmen is resting comfortably today after a rough day yesterday.  As some of you know, she had surgery to remove a few suspicious bumps yesterday.  To add insult to injury, she also had a teeth cleaning and toenail trim while she was in sleepy-town.  So, on top of three surgical sites (with stitches) to recover from, she also woke up with sore teeth and toes.  Poor girl.  

Rimadyl (pain med) is good

Mommy is home today, helping the girl recover with a little special treatment like rice/chicken/carrot breakfast.   I'm sure she'll be in top form in no time.   Dr. Fred, the v-e-t, said she had a very strong heart (and head).  Hummm...can't image where she'd get that! 


New this week at the feeder:

I just love these Purple Finches.  They show up in the spring with their Gold Finch cousins and add a brilliant splash of color to an otherwise drab backdrop.  One of my bird books says they look like they have been dipped in raspberry juice.  To me, they look like someone has dyed them like Easter eggs.  Very pretty.

On the stitching front, I'll be trying to finish up a very small "small" this afternoon.  It is for the SAS teacup auction in Birmingham, so no pics.  :-)    But, don't worry... you aren't missing much.

This Saturday, my EGA chapter is hosting an all-day "Stitcher's Day Out" at a local place called Heritage Farm Museum and Village.  We have been doing this one-day retreat for multiple years now and always have a great time.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Most years, there has also been a wedding at the chapel (just across the way from the Welcome Center we rent).  I think we all have come to look forward to watching the wedding hustle and bustle going on around us.  We certainly love watching the bride wait outside the chapel doors for the perfect moment, kiss her escort on the cheek, then start her walk up the aisle.  So tender.  So special.

from 2008 archives

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and are looking forward to April as much as I am.

Hugs~

Greetings

More greeting cards for chapter fundraiser to share.  Just in case you are wondering how I am turning out these cards so quickly, it is NOT because I'm stitching that fast.  I'm using bits and pieces of old stitched things to make these cards.

It really is a wonderful feeling to turn those odds and ends snippets I have lying around into something with a purpose!  I'm very hopeful that all of the cards our chapter creates will be well received and the fundraiser will be a success!

Assisi birds border in Florimell variegated silk

Blackwork pineapple in WDW "Honeysuckle"

Thanks for dropping by!  Your comments always brighten my day.

Top o' the Morning to Ya

I love Love LOVE St. Patrick's day.  I love the leprechauns, shamrocks, jigs, and corned beef.  I blame it on having a drop or two of Irish blood in my veins.  So with St. Pat's celebrations this week, it looks like this week will be as busy, if not busier, than most.  

I'm sneaking in a quick post now before you all think Fat Tuesday got the better of me.

In stitching news:  I'm having a great time making a few greeting cards for a EGA chapter fundraiser.  We plan on stitching card covers in a variety of techniques and then selling the bunch of them until they are gone.  At $5/each, I think they will sell easily at our favorite LNS. (fingers crossed)

Here's a peak:

embroidery embellished felt appliques

scrap from hardanger project gone wrong

all cross-stitch design

The resident K9 is having a boo-boo issue that looks like it could entail surgery.  We'll be seeing Dr. Fred (the v.e.t.) asap, and maybe taking a quick trip to the OSU v.e.t. hospital, if necessary.  From the looks of it, I'd say I should go ahead and pack a bag.  :-(  

Therefore, there will be very little blog posting, blog reading, stitching, etc. until we get things back to the normal chaos level.

Happy stitching friends!

'Tis the Season..

Happy Holidays friends!  This message is coming to you from the other side of the chapter Christmas party, and smack dab in the middle of a host of holiday 'festas'.  I think I forgot how jack-wild crazy Dec 1-Jan 5 are.  It definitely has caught me off guard this year.  I feel like Tina Turner on the farewell tour - run out, do the thing, run back, wardrobe change, run out, do the thing, run back, wardrobe change...repeat.  I love it, but jeeeez...  I must be getting old because I'm already tired and it's only mid-December.

The normal festiveness of the chapter Christmas party was tempered by the sadness we all had in our hearts for a member who lost her husband unexpectedly last week.  There are no words to adequately describe how his unexpected passing so profoundly affected all of us.  He was our friend.  He was her best friend.  His passing (Our loss) will echo through our chapter for a long time to come.

As for the party, my many thanks again to the ladies (Annette & Marsha) who made my job as chairman easy peasy:

Annette, monkey (me) in the middle, and Marsha

White Christmas table centerpieces:

It was a beautiful day, filled with good food, fellowship, gift exchanges and door prizes. 

In other news, despite the artic weather, the birds have really been enjoying the repurposed pumpkin from Thanksgiving...

I've been using both halves as serving dishes and it seems that the wide rim, deep bowl and bright color is just the ticket!  Of course it's been cold enough to freeze the pistachios off a nutcracker, but ever since I've been using these 'bowls', the birds have been coming in droves.  Including about 300 grackles I spent an entire day trying to shoo away.

Grackles!

I know - we're all God's creatures - etc., etc...

I'm trying to be non-discriminatory.  Really.

As soon as the clock slows down a little, I have a million pics to edit, stories to tell, stitching, blogging and commenting to catch up. 

...Just as soon as those Christmas cards get addressed and in the mail...

:-D

In the meantime, I'm wishing you all the very best the season has to offer. 

Week in Review

Wow, what a week!   I can't believe it was a week yesterday that I arrived back home from San Francisco.  My o my how time gets away from me.

Besides working all week, I attended chapter meeting on Monday night and was reminded that I had not posted my little airplane Assisi finish here. 

It's not much to write home about (is this all I could get stitched on a cross-country flight?  I must be out of shape!).  I thought it might make a cute soft ruler/floss tag or maybe even an envelope front for some mail art...  I stitched it with the new Florimell silk thread from Gloriana which I talked about in my last post.  I can not overstate how fantabuloso this thread is.  It goes for about $1/yard.  The color above is Autumn Arbor and is so much prettier in real life.  Below is Poinsettia and Old Gold.

o yes they are that gorgeous!  And you should feel them!

Wednesday was my 'official' birthday except I tend to celebrate all month long.  (Don't cha know about half the stuff I bought in San Francisco was 'for my birthday'!)  Hubby, sis and faa-ther were so generous and thoughtful.  Hubs sent flowers to work and had flowers at home, took me to my favorite local restaurant for dinner, gave me a new filter for my new camera (which was an 'early' birthday present from him last month), scored some of those wonderful Anniversary beans from Bucky's (aka Starbucks), brought home an honest-to-goodness birthday cake, and gave me one of the sweetest cards ever!  Sis and Dad put together an enormous gift box o'camera paraphernalia for me.  I can't wait to use the mono-pod, case, album, et.al.  

Really, I was totally spoiled this year.  :-D

And rounding out the week, my EGA chapter hosted its big fund raising event last night, the Basket BINGO! 

I baked peanut butter blossom cookies for the baked goods sale and MAN did they smell good.  I was rushing around and forgot to save any for home, so I couldn't tell you how they turned out..  But, since they sold out, I guess they tasted ok.  It felt good to be cooking in my kitchen again after being away from it for awhile.  I also had some help in the kitchen from Flat Stanley.

Flat Stanley is my XSDN*, Hannah Faith's 3rd grade project currently.  She sent Flat Stanley to me from her school in Texas so he could have adventures with me here in WV and then return with his stories to TX.  He and I grabbed a venti early Saturday morning,

then dashed off to the grocery for cookie supplies,

retuned home to whip up a few batches,

and then headed to BINGO. 

He did a great job helping me play my cards, but sadly, no BINGOs for me all night!  I did however win a nice doorprize and The Sister won 4 times (2 prizes for herself and 2 for others from her workplace).  She was born under a lucky star.

After church today, I think I'll take Flat Stanley to the local no-kill animal shelter so he can pick out a Flat Spot.  I'm sure my XSDN won't mind if Stanley comes back to TX with a best friend! 

I promise to post a few shots of my stash experience from National next time.  Airline luggage weight limits rained on my bookstore parade, but I was pleased with the few books I did bring home. 

Until then friends, I hope you are stitching as much as your heart desires.

Cheers!


*XSDN = extra special darling niece

Hop, Skip and Jump

Yesterday, we hopped from Father's Day to Wedding Anniversary and First Day of Summer. 

thank you sweetheart, they are gorgeous!

Today we are skipping into Share-A-Stitch. And right after SAS, we are jumping straight on top of Sis and Hubby birthdays.  

It's hard to believe that SAS is HERE!  We've been talking about it and planning for it for over a year now and before we knew it, WHAM-O, it's here.  I can't wait to see all my stitching sisters from "down South".  Safe travels ladies!

While I'm trying to soak up and enjoy every moment of this celebratory season, I'm so scatter brained right now I'm pretty sure I passed myself coming, or was I going?  No matter.  Two 'pirin' tablets and I'll be fine.  I am enjoying all the activity, especially the visiting family.  It's been too long since their last visit. 

Tops on my "What I'm not looking forward to List":  laundry and packing tonight.

I'll be back next week (hopefully) with some SAS photos to share.

Have a great week friends!

Practically a finish..

Can't really call this a finish, yet, but it is as good as done.  Just a few more red stitches in the upper right and it will be ready for the edge binding (simple whipped edge to prevent fraying).  While this motif would make a gorgeous biscornu, or ornament, or needlebook, I'm going to shock all my friends and family and actually do what what suggested: it will soon be a mini-notebook cover. 

My cardstock is already folded, cut and ready to fill the stitched cover.  As a kid, I can't tell you the hours I spent and the enjoyment I found folding, fitting and personalizing my text book covers.  Yes, I was strange even then.  This little education project was not only fun to stitch but it also brought back found memories of book covers long forgotten.  Thank you Liz!  The "World Tour" you've taken the members of TANA on has been just wonderful!  I hate to see it come to an end.

Thanks to all for your kind words about the table hubby built for my sunroom.  I've been thoroughly enjoying the room and birdwatching (between the hours of 6:30 and 6:45 am).  This week, at the feeder:

Red bellied Woodpecker

Sorry for the blurry photo - he was in a hurry to leave and I was in a hurry to snap a shot of him.  Actually, I was hoping to video him.  About 5 seconds earlier, he was standing on the railing, stretching his ginormous tongue (YES, TONGUE!) into the holes of the hummingbird feeder.  I don't think I'd ever thought about birds having tongues, let alone birds being able to stick out their tongues, until I witnessed this spectacle.  And folks, when I say huge, I'm telling you, this bird must be kin to Gene Simmons.  So, in order to keep the woodpecker from drinking all the hummingbird syrup, I found a recipe just for him.  If you enjoy feeding the birds too, you might want to try this "Heat Resistant" powerbar bird food recipe.  It probably took me 5-7 minutes to make, including the time to gather ingredients.

1 cup solid Crisco or lard

1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chucky)

2 cups Quick Oats (not instant)

2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup white flour

possible extras: raisins, chopped peanuts, sunflower seeds

Melt the first two ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until completely melted.  Mix all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Add liquid mixture to mixing bowl.  Stir well.  If necessary, add another 1/2 cup of flour to achieve fairly dry consistency.  Once combined, press mixture into small, empty margarine tubs (only 1/2 or 1/3 full) or mini-loaf pans.  Cover with foil and freeze.  When ready to use, slice to fit your suet feeder, or simply set a small amount out in an open area for the birds to enjoy. 

Remember:  Never draw birds to areas where cats are capable of ambushing them.  It's just not nice. 

Lastly, hubby and I are gearing up for a big week.  I'll celebrate Father's Day on Saturday with my Dad.  Two of hubby's three boys are coming in for a visit and one is bringing his new lady friend to meet us!  We are very excited about this development.  I'll be the first to admit, I'm past ready for a female addition (or two) to the clan.  And, on Monday, hubby and I celebrate another wedding anniversary.  Then!  next Wednesday-Sunday, I'm off to participate in EGA's Tennessee Valley Region, Share-A-Stitch.  Rounding out the month are the two cherries on the June cake: sis and hubby birthdays.  Any gift suggestions?  I'm reaching.

While all this activity is fun and exciting, it can also be a bit exhausting.  I'm looking forward to all of it and will do my best to savor every moment. 

Wish me luck!

WIP Update

Helloooooo Stitch fans!  Even though I don't have much to show, I thought it was high time I posted a stitching update.

The section at the bottom is in it's 4th lifecycle.  First time around, I thought floche would be perfect.  Sadly, the more I stitched, the less perfect it became.  A little hairy, in fact.  Insert frogs.

 

Next, I was SURE silk would be just the ticket.  Single strand?  Nope, too thin.  Frogtown here I come, again. 

Two strands?  Nope, too thick.  Super-Frog. 

What about just plain ol' DMC?  Could it be too simple to be right?  Yep.  Not the look I was going for.   Whole lottafroggin' goin' on.

Geesh I tell ya.  Nobody can belabor a thread choice like I can.  Imagine if I was trying to pick a color!

Lucky Bamboo to the rescue:

You really can't see the difference here, but the straight row up the right is in Mandarin floss and I LOVE IT!  Really!  Now, just one more exhilarating round of 'rippit' and I'll be on my way.

Also on the stitchy front, I've selected my Christmas exchange project and have put the first stitches in it.  No pics until after the Christmas party though!

Lastly, at our last chapter meeting, the program was on Hmong textile art.  Being a huge fan of folk art, I was totally into it and can't wait to get the little needle book stitched up.   

This message has been brought to you by the finest beans on Earth:

Starbuck's calls this their Anniversary Blend.  I call it sublime.  It's also my last bag.  You see, they only sell this blend in the fall.  Before they run out, I buy as much as I can carry and it usually lasts me most of the year.  Now, it's all but gone.  :o(

I'll be counting the days until we can be together again.

Stitcher's Day Out

It's a magical day, Stitcher's Day Out. 

Once a year, in the spring, the girls of the guild get together at a local "Heritage Farm" and spend all day stitching, catching up with one another and sharing our favorite and best recipes.  Saturday was our day.  Every year when we gather there, I feel so thankful for spring to really be upon us.  We are always treated to a young couples wedding in the little country chapel, birds seranading us all day long, much fellowship and fabulous food. 

It is normally the first such outing of the year and one that is enjoyed by many of our members.  I absolutely relish the opportunity to focus my full attention on needlework for several uninterrupted hours plus having time to just catch up with my closest friends.  At the end of the day, 10 hours feel more like 10 minutes, but I always feel like I'm on the receiving end of an incredible gift - that of time, friendship and stitching.

I made great headway on my little Assisi bird ornament and hope to have a finish picture very very soon.

As soon as the ornament is finished, I'm going to tackle those sunroom pillows!

Here's hoping your weekend was just as wonderful and stitch-filled as mine!

Eye Candy

I'd like to share a few shots of my EGA chapter's 30th Anniversary exhibit from this past weekend with you.   I'm so proud of everyone's work - almost as if I stitched every piece myself.   There were so many beautiful pieces, I couldn't possibly show them all, but here's just a little taste of the work produced by my multi-talented friends:

stitched by:  Delphine Wolfe

stitched and created by:  Jill Hatfield

the bookmark below is mine, but please don't let the ribbon fool you.  The angel above was the hardanger show-stopper!

and for the life of me I can't remember why I stitched someone else's name on this white on white sampler (wink wink)...

This exquisite piece was created by my stitching sponsor and road trip buddy, Miss Vera.  Isn't the frame perfectly perfect?  As for the needlework, well, "forget about it - you can't touch this"!  (I'm sure it's against 7 kinds of laws to put a M.C. Hammer lyric in the same sentence as a Tony Soprano quote, but you get the idea)

Sadly, none of the photos I took of the beaded pieces turned out.  Seems I don't know how to focus on beads (among other things, like laundry, housework, etc.) 

Hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of our show.  I encourage everyone within commuting distance of an EGA chapter to go join in the fun!  (click on the link to find a chapter near you).  I personally would never have had the nerve to try so many different kinds of needlework if it hadn't been for the guild and my crazy stitching compatriots.   I joined exactly ten years ago this month and the friendships I've made along the way have enriched my life immeasurably.