I don't want anyone to pass out or anything, but I'm actually blogging! I've been promising for months to get going on this but... Oh well!
The Stitcher's Retreat was so much fun this last weekend. We had a really great group and everyone seemed to really like the projects I chose. I always try to have finishing ideas, if not all the finishing materials included in the kits and this time was no different. Since the theme was Christmas my biggest problem was narrowing down the possibilities.
The retreat started at 6:00pm with dinner. We served Taco Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, salad and bread. I love my stitchers and their cooking! Karen made the Broccoli Cheese Soup, and promised us that it's really quick and easy to make. I made the Taco Soup, but I originally got the recipe from Karen. Mary Margaret came through and brought her Corn Dip. (I think she just didn't want to hear all the whining, moaning, and complaining she'd have had to put up with if she didn't bring it.) Jane brought a really good Grape Salad. I've never tasted anything like it before and she was kind enough to share the recipe. We had a plethora of desserts! Deloris gave me the instuctions for her yummy dessert, too. It involves pretzels, Rolos, and pecan halves. There are a number of recipes going out to the participants very soon. I really love food related events!!!
After dinner we started our first project. Everyone was pleased with the Tokens and Trifles stocking sewing card they received along with the free instructions provided by
http://www.tokensandtrifles.com/. This is a new product in my store, and preparing for the retreat was the first time I tried them. I absolutely love working with them! We have a wide variety of shapes available in the shop now, with a binder showing some of the available patterns from the website. Come in and check them out.
Saturday we required lots of coffee. We also had donuts and fruit, and Saretta brought in her contribution of warm Pumpkin Nut Bread from Great Harvest Bread Co. We really count on that now for every retreat. It was fresh out of the oven and that is some really good bread! She was worried that they didn't have the Apple Nut Bread that she usually brings, but I am here to tell you that no one was disappointed in the slightest.
The first project on Saturday was the Merry Little Christmas kit from Elizabeth's Designs. It comes complete with stitchband, Needle Necessities fiber, charms, and instructions. I also threw in a wooden bellpull topper and showed how to finish it. Really easy. I think everyone was surprised just how quick and easy it can be to finish a bellpull when you use a stitchband. I bought all the kits she had left, and I have a few left over, so let me know if you are interested in getting one when you come in.
When we broke for lunch we had Coney Island Dogs with all the fixins. Of course, we still had all the fabulous yummies everyone else brought. Have I mentioned how much I love food events at the shop?
The last project of the day was a stuffed ornament where we used a pattern from Handblessings. I modified the pattern to include beads on the leading edge of "Joy" in the center of the pattern. I also added a border of looped beads and a beaded hanger. A little bit of hand whip stitching along the edge and the stuffing was the extent of the finishing required (except for the bead loops). I love to show quick and easy...as well as different forms of finishing for cross stitch projects.
Oh, I almost forgot. I "forced" everyone to answer a Christmas trivia question in order to pick their door prize. I love messing with my peeps. Hey, I didn't make them do anything special to get their goodie bags or latte mugs. Maybe next time...
If anyone is interested in seeing the projects we made, or the projects from past stitching retreat, just come in and we will gladly show everything to you. I love these retreats. Everyone is so excited ahead of time...there's so much laughing during...and everyone seems so happy afterwards. My job is done!
We have a trunk show of Elizabeth's Designs cross stitch. We have a number of finished models for you to see, and even more charts available. We have the newest charts that were introduced at the end of last month. We also have a couple of
Counted Illuminations charts. Very nice. I have to send everything back before the end of the month, so don't wait too long to see the fabulous models.
It's that time of year again, and we are participating in the Stitching For Literacy program once again. The challenge starts today, and will go through May 6th. Last year we collected 41 bookmarks. I'd really like to see if we can blow that number out. What do you say? Also, it would be really nice if you attached a note to your bookmark with your name and your favorite book - or your favorite book when you were growing up.
