Just For Fun...

Hello friends and followers!

I know it has been a whole week since my last post...and well, basically, it is because I have been super busy. I am teaching at the first New England Stitchers' Retreat next month (there are still a few openings - please join us - I would love to meet you!) and I have been preparing and getting the files layouts ready for printing. I have also been charting some new designs for release this summer...plus I have designed a special needlework tool and have been spending time perfecting the prototype and getting production started.

I have managed to finish a set of fabric dolls...these are actually from the fabric line "Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls" by Sibling Arts Studio for Blue Hill Fabrics. I picked up this fun fabric panel (four dolls and four pets) on our weekend getaway to Galena. I actually have a paper doll quilt from the Baum Textiles fabric Paper Dolls completely pieced and ready to quilt....in fact, it has been in the machine quilting pile since last fall....maybe these dolls will be the motivation I need to get it finished! Over the last week, I worked a little on the dolls each day - I think cutting them all out took the longest. Last night, I finally got them stuffed and started hand sewing the openings closed...and this morning I finished them up. Each doll is approximately 14" tall. For some reason, even though I am not a "doll person", these bring me joy! Hopefully I will be showing you my finished paper doll quilt next....I just have to make the time to quilt it...

On the agenda today...I am starting to model stitch "Sweet Simple Samplings"...a new release for this summer...maybe you will get a peek in the next few weeks...

Wishing you sunshine, signs of spring, and things that bring you joy...

Replenished and Refreshed

This past weekend, my husband planned a wonderful getaway for our recent 10th wedding anniversary. He knew there was a gorgeous bed & breakfast I really wanted to visit in Galena, IL...so to surprise me, he made reservations to spend Saturday night, along with dinner reservations in their dining room. What a wonderful getaway - I truly did not realize how much I needed it!

We left early Saturday morning drove to Galena...spent the late morning and afternoon shopping on Main Street and having lunch at Durty Gurt's (which is a fabulous burger joint!). I got to visit The Timeless Needle, an amazing needlework shop in Galena, along with a bunch of other fun and artistic shops...what a treat! That evening we headed to the Goldmoor Inn a FABULOUS bed & breakfast located high atop the bluffs overlooking the majestic Mississippi River - this inn was incredible! My husband had planned for flowers, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries to be awaiting our room arrival (which was so very sweet). We unpacked, cleaned-up, and after a short country drive through the area, took our bottle of champagne and glasses to the sitting room deck and enjoyed it outside overlooking the Mississippi River. We then walked over to the dining room, where the chef prepared the most wonderful dinner...what a great, relaxing night. And I must mention, as it has never happened before, earlier in the evening, while I was getting cleaned-up, my husband ironed for me...yes, I said he ironed for me!

After sharing a delicious breakfast, we were on our way home, making a late morning/afternoon stop in the Amana Colonies for more shopping and a visit to Heritage Designs Quilting and Needlework, where I did even more stash enhancement! It was a lovely weekend getaway, and I am feeling replenished and refreshed...

Shown below is the Goldmoor Inn:

We stayed in the Elizabeth Suite - complete with full-canopied bed, fireplace, whirlpool and private breakfast nook:

Catching Up...

Hello readers...I've missed you! This last week has been quite hectic, with little time to even think about writing a blog post. I have finally bagged and shipped the new designs to auto shops and distributors and they will be arriving at your favorite needlework shops as early as next week...with the job of getting them packaged/shipped out of the way, I am finally catching up with multiple other tasks...including a post about my trip to Galena, IL last Friday...

Last week, I actually took a day off and went to Galena, IL to meet up with my dear friend (and fellow stitcher) Terri...she lives in Illinois, so we planned Galena as a meeting place. We had the best time...minus the rain. We got to do some great shopping...eat some wonderful food (and ice cream)...and got to chat the day away...it was exactly what I needed. To make the day even more perfect, we went to The Timeless Needle - a beautiful needlework and lace shop - I LOVED IT! They had tons of models (including some of my designs)...a wonderful fabric selection....tons of threads...and even some special needlework accessories...oh, and did I mention lace - TONS of amazing lace....what a treat! I enjoyed visiting with Kathleen and she was quite helpful as we shopped the multiple rooms of merchandise. It was so refreshing to visit this fabulous shop! While we were there, I picked up a unique hand felted wool pincushion, made by a local artist (Catherine Fontana - The Warped Ewe) - I admired the quality of her pincushions...and there were a number of them to choose from...I chose a beautiful green one with hand embroidered sunflowers and a gold button on top...after all, a girl can never have too many pincushions. After the needlework shop, we visited the quilt shop, the fiber/yarn shop, the bead shop...and of course the chocolate shop! I enjoyed it so much, I am already looking forward to a return trip (hopefully this fall)....
Thank you Terri for a most enjoyable day!