It's FINALLY Spring !!!!!

I think it's FINALLY Spring ........ HURRAH !!!  The Grosbeaks, Orioles, and Finches are all bombarding the feeders and as fast as I put out seed, oranges and grape jelly, it's gone.

Things got a little intense at one point yesterday, when a nosey grosbeak decided to introduce himself to the cats !!!!

Chessa, in particular, carried on quite an extended conversation, and was very put out that I wouldn't let her out on the deck to deal with the bird in person!!!

I've been busy working in the yard, getting all the flower beds cleaned out and adding new mulch before it gets too over grown and or hot!!!!  I love working in the garden this time of year, but as soon as it gets too hot I'm DONE!!!  This year, I actually got everything done before that happened, so now I can sit out on the front porch in the morning with my cappuccino and enjoy the view!!

I've also finished my two projects for the "Grand Olde Flag Gathering" at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI.  I know Jeanne has already put up pictures of the little stitch book, so I'm safe to post them here as well.   The last time we talked, she said she could still take a couple more students for the cross stitch portions of the gathering...so if any of you are interested, please contact her for the details.......www.sgcountrysampler.com.........

This project will be completed in class......and if you have time to do the prestitching, you will be able to go home with a totally finished piece!!!!

I'll also give you a sneak peek of the sampler that I just completed....not sure Jeanne wants the whole thing revealed yet, but maybe this will wet your appetite .........

And lastly, here are a few views of some much awaited flowers around the yard and in the woods.

Hope you all are enjoying the same beautiful weather and will find a few minutes to sit outside ....hopefully with stitching in hand......and enjoy the day !!!!!

Farewell Heartland Stitch Camp

Just returned from a wonderful weekend in Excelsior Springs, MO , where the Heartland Stitch Camp held their 20th and last gathering.  It was bittersweet, but they definitely went out with a bang!!!!!  This is the third year it was held at The Elms Resort and Spa which has been newly renovated and as you can see, Spring seemed to be FINALLY in the air!!

I had left Wisconsin, driving thru wind, rain and sleet to get there, and the "change in season " by the time I arrived was unbelievable !!!! 

 This time I got to come as a guest and just "play and stitch" all weekend. We all had such a good time catching up, sharing stories and showing off projects.......and of course, a few tears, as  soon as anyone would mention this being the last camp.....but for the most part it was a truly joyful weekend!!!

Mary and Barb from Old Mill Stitchery in Liberty, MO, set up a wonderful boutique and when we weren't stitching , visiting, or eating, we were shopping!!!!!  Who could ask for  more ??

These are some of the pieces that were brought for "show and tell".............................

......................each one better than the next............

       ..........and the next................................

        ..................and the next!!!!!!!


The rest of these pictures are peeks at the camp projects from the past 20 years................

As usual, the weekend went way too fast............and before I knew it, I was making my way back to Wisconsin, where it's still trying to hold on to winter.........RATS!!!!!!!

My sweet Johnny did have a few daffodils that had managed to poke their heads up in the woods around the house , picked and waiting for me , because he was afraid they might freeze overnight...........and just those few "bright yellow faces" brought the promise of spring into the house......finally!!

Thanks again to all of the wonderful women of Heartland Stitch Camp, for letting me share your final gathering......it truly was a soul soothing weekend!!!

FYI.......I just talked to Jeanne Horton from The Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI............I will be teaching a pair of projects for her "Grande Olde Flag Gathering" there this June........and she mentioned that although the event is filled, she would be willing to fit in a few more people who are interested in the cross stitch only portion of the weekend.
Contact her shop or website for details (sgcountrysampler.com)

Stitchville USA Spring Fling !!!!!!

I'm back from teaching for the fabulous Stitchville USA Spring Fling weekend, and I do believe I can say a fun time was had by ALL !!!!!!!

Anyone who knows Deb Clarke would not be surprised to hear that she put together an outstanding stitching retreat, "class act" that she is........and made sure everyone felt pampered and relaxed, beginning with the delivery of scented candles and treats to each room.........special stitching bags at registration, special presents at each stitcher's spot in the classroom.....a bouquet of fresh tulips on my table in the front of the class, .........and on, and on, and on!!!!

The retreat is held each year at a wonderful conference center in Chaska, MN and includes all meals, which are prepared by gourmet chefs and presented in a style worthy of a 5 star restaurant !!!

Friday started at around 4Pm and was supposed to be just a settling in period but every one was eager to start so we dove in!!!

The Friday evening project was a small stitch book which they had been assigned  prestitching  and much to my amazement , a good 90% of them had finished !!!!

They started in on painting their boxes and worked in shifts.

We took a break at 6PM for dinner (prime rib and seared scallops , perfectly prepared) and and then continued stitching and working on their books until close to 10PM.



Saturday, we finished up the stitch book and I do mean FINISHED.  Most of the ladies were able to mount all the stitched sections and even finished the fobs.  I was really impressed !!!!

The we got started on the main project ......"Springtime of Youth"

I was equally impressed with the amount of work that was accomplished in Saturday's session as well.......these are some serious stitchers !!!!!!!!  Which was not to say that they weren't all chatting and laughing the entire time.

There were tables in the back with models...some of mine, some from the shop, and some from the ladies in class.

 Pat, shared her finished "Abigail Colby's Work Basket"
and all it's accessories !!!! from Primitive Traditions.

It was truly awe inspiring !!!!!  I have my basket and charts sitting about 2ft away......maybe this will be the next project I tackle????

Saturday night was a trip to the "shop"........OMG.........this was my first time and I literally was speechless......it was hard to even know where to look !!  I would definitely recommend a visit if you find yourself in the area .....or even if you don't.....believe me, it's worth the trip!!

Sunday, we all poised for a group picture , which was a hilarious undertaking in itself !!!!!

All in all it was a fabulous weekend and I was sad to leave all these wonderful , crazy spirits I really felt a kindred connection to.  We shared a lot of laughter, a few tears, some tall tales, and most of all a true love of stitching !

Thank you Deb and Deb for creating such a delightful experience for us all !!!!!

Can Spring finally be here?????

  Today the sun is out and the snow is finally starting to melt.....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time Spring has decided to stay.
My poor daffodils don't know what to do!  Every time they pop their little heads out, we get hit with another snow storm!!

I'm packing up to teach for Stitchville USA at a wonderful conference center outside of Minneapolis, Mn. and am hoping the snow will be gone by the time I get there...fingers crossed!!!!!  I'll share all the details when I get back.

In the mean time I have to share my progress on "Lucy Redd"..............I've been wanting to stitch her for years and then last year when Jean Lea of Attic Needlework came up with a silk color palette for her....it sent me over the edge!!!

I just love the soft colors....it's actually soothing to stitch.

I've been enjoying discovering all the little idiosyncrasies within her sampler.........apparently she didn't mind going outside of the borders to fit in a word or two or add one above if she missed it in the verse........she has provided me with many giggles in our journey together thus far!!

I'm hoping once I finish the alphabet and three dividing bands, all done in Algerian eye, it should be smooth sailing because I'll be getting close to my favorite part.......houses!!!


Now for some fun news........I'm starting up another "Club".....
.........this time with one of my favorite shops.......Old Mill Stitchery in Liberty Mo.  We're calling it "Seasons of Chessie"
and it will consist of 4 designs within a year, starting in May 2013.  Here's a little peek at the first one.  If you're interested in joining , you can contact Old Mill Stitchery and they can give you all the details.......

..........I always love to stitch on designs that match the season and this club should offer you that same incentive.  And of course, "Chessie" will make an appearance in each design.
Hope some of you will join us for this seasonal journey!!  It should be fun.

Until next time....enjoy your Easter holiday and may you find time everyday to take a stitch!!!

Back from Market

I'm back from the Nashville Market and still riding high!!!!

We had a GREAT trip down, avoiding most of the snow, and finding some great new shopping spots along the way.

It's always wonderful to connect with all of the designers and shop owners we've become friends with over the years.  I pretty much keep my nose to the grindstone when I'm working on new designs, so it's always interesting to me to see what everyone else has come up with.....and this year seems to have been very prolific for a lot of us.  

Here's a peek and what my booth looked like.

Thanks so much to all of the shop owners who showed up and bought and bought and bought........your enthusiastic response to my designs really  keeps me going !!!!

Over all, I think this was the most positive show I've been to in a long while.....the shoppers were thrilled with all of the great new designs......... the designers were thrilled with the over the top responses of the shop owners.......who could ask for more???

As usual, the time went much too fast .....we ate well, drank well, laughed often and tried to catch up with as many people as we could and then it was time to pack up and head home.

We lucked out again and beat the storm home .  Tuesday morning when I got up this is what it looked like out our back window.

It's amazing to me that as soon as John fills the feeders.....the birds appear like magic !!!!

I was happy to spend the day unpacking the van and doing book work while watching the birds with Chessa and Brewster.  Of course, both cats were glued to the windows ,watching their every move and periodically making little throaty sounds at them.

Chessa did manage to take a little time out to snag a "rummage" in one of the boxes I was unpacking, but quickly returned to the birds as they were far more interesting!!!

Hope you all get out to your local needlework shops and find some treasures to take home .  There's some GREAT new stuff out there!!

          KEEP STITCHING!!!!!!!

Packed up !!!

Well....the charts are assembled, kits are made, the van is packed and we're ready to get on the road to the Nashville Market....now if the weather will just cooperate...we'll be great.

Have to share a picture of my hubby John, in his "car packing" outfit......TOO FUNNY!!....and for some reason, packing went smoother than it ever has!!

The babies have a new nap basket and of course, they both have to occupy it at the same time.  However, they seem to have figured out a compromise!!

Here's a sneak peek of my new "stuff".  They're all being released at Nashville....so if you like them...check with your local shops.

"Birds & Blooms"

"Cheerful Spring"

"Buzzing 'Round Ewe"

"Hand of Friendship" Sampler

"Grande Olde Flag"

"Liberty Inn"  

kit with linen and silk threads

More info and a peak inside our booth at Market when I get back.......til then, get your stitching fingers warmed up........there will be lots of new projects coming your way!!!!