Enfield Shaker Museum: A Look Inside

Yesterday, I shared photos with you of Enfield, NH and the Enfield Shaker Village buildings...today's photos give you a look inside. The stitching retreats were held at the Great Stone Dwelling House, which is also home to the Enfield Shaker Museum....built in 1841, the history of this amazing building was not lost on me....what a treat to stay in this unique environment, free of televisions, radios, phones, etc. (it was so quiet, at night you could hear the loons on the lake). Some might miss those modern day amenities, but I'll take the charm of this historic setting any day...and who misses modern technology when you have the company of talented fellow needleworkers, fabulous views, delicious food, and a full schedule of great events.

Again, you can click on any of the photos for a larger look...and these are from my personal collection - they are not to be copied, printed, used, or posted on the Internet without my written permission. Thank you!

First, a look at the accommodations - the top photo is of the room I have stayed in for both my visits...followed by a couple other rooms. My room still had the inside shutters for window coverings, while others have more modern shades. Pegs still adorn the walls for hanging clothing and various items...and the wooden floors add to the charm of these historic rooms.

At the end of each hallway is a quaint sitting area - where during the events, it was not uncommon to see needleworkers stitching, knitting, or crocheting...

The classroom on the second floor was filled with natural lighting during the day and was quite spacious. The top photo shows the classroom area before places were set...and the bottom photo shows the class binders and kits in place before attendees reserved their places.

All meals were served in the dining room on the first floor - this was the same dining room used by the Shakers, with men dining on one side of the room and women dining on the other. The food was catered by a wonderful local restaurant called Mickey's...and believe me, we did not go hungry - the food was excellent!

After dinner and the evening activities, attendees could visit the stitcher's lounge. This area was located on the other side of the classroom and was filled with comfortable stitching chairs. Although lighting was an issue at night, most everyone brought their own lamps...and you could find stitchers working on a large assortment of projects until the wee hours...lots of laughter and chit chat filled the lounge, where we relaxed in our pajamas!

The West Brethren's Shop houses museum exhibits/displays and is open to the public...during a lunch break, I took a look inside...many Shaker tools were on exhibit, along with displays featuring predominate Shaker skills (such as: herb and flower drying, broom making, woodworking, wool spinning).

The Enfield Shaker Museum also has a WONDERFUL gift shop, located in two rooms on the first floor of the Great Shaker Dwelling House. It features all sorts of goodies - many made by local artisans. There are beautiful Shaker boxes, gorgeous sewing boxes, pincushions, trays, jewelry boxes, and baskets - you can find all sorts of books on the Shakers, quilts, Shaker toys, pegs, cards/postcards, and pottery...you name it. Before you ask....yes, I did purchase a few things...but I had to ship them home, so you will have to wait for a photo....

Finally - something to make you smile. Late into the evening, while many were still stitching, we decided it would be fun to hang the chair from the class project (an 8" miniature Shaker chair) on one of the pegs next to a couple full-size chairs...so we took Teresa's completed chair and placed it on the wall...I just had to have a photo!

So there you have it - a look inside the Enfield Shaker Museum...a very unique, historical setting for a needlework retreat...

Heading to New Hampshire

Well, it is finally here...I leave for New Hampshire tomorrow morning...I will be teaching at two New England Stitching Retreats. I absolutely loved my last teaching trip to Enfield, NH and I am definitely looking forward to returning to this location. I'm not thrilled about the full day of travel that awaits me tomorrow - I have to leave my house shortly before 9:00 AM and won't arrive at the Dwelling House until after 10:00 PM, so I really hope everything goes smoothly...I have a very short amount of time between landing in Boston, MA and getting on a bus to Lebanon, NH, so let's hope I can make it! Luckily I have a full day (Thursday) to unwind, explore, and prepare...I hope to see a little more of the area this time...

The photo (upper right) is of the class project "Botanical Blessings" - it centers around an 8" Shaker chair. This special design was inspired by my research on the Shaker culture and gift drawings, the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle, and the beauty of nature. Retreat attendees will be stitching a “seat” for the chair - along with a scissor fob “pillow”, a pin pillow (tied to the top rung of the chair), and a needlebook “rug” – all of which coordinate with a floral wreath sampler. Please note: this design is exclusive to this retreat and will not be available for consumer purchase for at least one year - and more than likely, it will include a different set of needlework smalls, as their is a good possibility the chair will not be available.

I guess I should stop procrastinating and get to packing... I will be taking lots of photographs and hope to share some with you during my trip (if time allows)...my correspondence will be limited, so if you send me a message, please know I will reply, but it may take several days or more. To those of you attending - I can't wait to see you - we are going to have a MARVELOUS time!

New England Stitcher's Retreat - "Botanical Blessings"

Have you been thinking about taking a needlework class this fall??...well, then you are defnitely in luck!...I will be teaching "Botanical Blessings" for the New England Stitching Retreat on two separate sets of dates - and there are still a few openings available for each:

Retreat One: October 7 - 10, 2011

Retreat Two: October 11-14, 2011

These retreats are scheduled to take place during the peak of the colorful autumn leaves in New England...and the location for this unique retreat experience is The Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield, New Hampshire...with accommodation provided within the historical Great Stone Dwelling House...and it truly is the perfect place to hold a needlework retreat. Those of you regularly follow my blog may remember reading about the New England Stitching Retreat after I had the pleasure of teaching there in May 2010....and I was THRILLED to be invited back for another event - and with the popularity of this class piece, they opened a second set of dates to accommodate everyone. If you would like to read about my previous experience in Enfield, see my posts from May 2010:

The Area

A Look Inside

Gift Shop Finds

Stash

The New England Stitching Retreat is an all-inclusive, intimate retreat, restricted to a maximum of approximately 30 overnight guests...the setting is quiet and relaxed...the food is fabulous (the desserts are "to die for")...the stitching lounge is open 24 hours a day...and there is even an afternoon tea with private shopping at ABC Stitch Therapy!

The exclusive class design - "Botanical Blessings":

• The autumn 2011 class project focuses on an 8” miniature Shaker chair. This special design was inspired by my research on the Shaker culture and gift drawings, the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle, and the beauty of nature. We will be stitching a “seat” for the chair - along with a scissor fob “pillow”, a pin pillow (tied to the top rung of the chair), and a needlebook “rug” – giving you a unique display set of needlework smalls (shown above right)...all of which coordinate with a floral wreath sampler (shown below).

• Class will cover stitching of the sampler and needlework smalls, working any specialty stitches, finishing techniques for each of the smalls (including attaching the “seat” of the chair), personalizing your pieces, and making twisted cord. Plan to focus on (and hopefully complete) your chair “seat” or scissor fob in class.

• Stitches include: Cross Stitch over 2 linen threads, back stitch, Nun Stitch, and whip stitch (also known as a ladder stitch).

• Each piece will be stitched on 32-count Lakeside Linen (Porcelain) with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss. Students will receive complete kits to stitch/finish all of the needlework smalls and sampler (with the exception of framing supplies).

• Students should have previous experience working on linen or linen-like fabrics and should be comfortable working from basic stitching diagrams and cross stitch charts. Students will need their favorite stitching tools or basic sewing kit (sharp sewing scissors, ruler or tape measurer, writing utensil, extra needles, a hoop or Q-Snaps, etc.). If required, student will need to provide their own additional lighting or magnification (remember, if bringing "plug-ins", please bring an extension cord).

• NOTE: This special design will not be released to the general public for at least one year after the events...and more than likely it will be the sampler and a set of needlework smalls only, as the chairs were specially made for this retreat by a local New England artisan.

If you are looking for a very special needlework retreat experience, then I hope you will join us in Enfield, NH this coming October! Visit http://www.stitchingretreat.com for all the details and information on how you can register - I would truly love to meet you!

My Shaker-Inspired Teaching Project...

Today's post brings me much joy! I finally have a couple photos to share with you of the project I have designed for the New England Stitcher's Retreat to be held in October 2011. I finished up the models last night and sent the photos to Marie (ABC Stitch Therapy owner and a host for these retreats) this afternoon...and I am thrilled to say she was quite pleased! I have been focused on stitching and finishing the models for this special design over the past couple weeks and I am totally tickled with how everything came together. I know many of you have signed up for this retreat without seeing the project and you have been anxious to see what I have come up with...and I truly hope this does not disappoint!

The class project (I am still undecided on the title) focuses on an 8” miniature Shaker chair. The floral design, simplistic in nature, was inspired by my research on the Shaker culture and gift drawings...and my trip to Enfield, NH last spring. We will be stitching a “seat” for the chair - along with a scissor fob “pillow”, a pin pillow (which is tied to the top rung of the chair), and a needlebook “rug” – giving you a unique display set of needlework smalls...plus a framed sampler I designed to "pull it all together" (seen below, unframed, of course).

I must share, designing the seat for a miniature Shaker chair was an idea from Nataly (I know many of you have met her or visited her blog) - she shared her idea with Marie last spring when she attended the first retreat...Marie shared it with me (and the other retreat attendees) and I was immediately inspired to work on this fun set of needlework smalls - I truly hope I did her chair seat idea justice! Nataly is now one of the fabulous hosts at New England Stitcher's Retreats...

The response to this retreat has been wonderful (thank you!) - so wonderful, that they have added a second set of dates! The first retreat is being held October 7-10, 2011...and I am pretty sure it is close to being sold out - the second retreat is being held October 11-14, 2011. Both retreats are being held in Enfield, New Hampshire at the Shaker Great Stone Dwelling House - a truly amazing (and intimate) location, during the peak of the autumn leaves season! The retreat is all-inclusive...plus you enjoy the company of fellow needleworkers, fabulous views, delicious food, and a full schedule of great events. I really can't say enough positive things about the hosts, the area, and the entire experience!

Last May, I did several blog posts about this event and posted lots of photos....and for more information, you can visit the New England Stitcher's Retreat Website, The New England Stitcher's Retreat Blog, and/or ABC Stitch Therapy.

A few tiny details, before I get bombarded with questions....
The project is stitched on 32-count hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss. This very special design will not be available to the general public until at least one year after the retreats are held...so if you can not attend, you will have to be very patient...and I do not know if the miniature Shaker chair will be available at that time. I will be getting project details and the title finalized in the next week and then more information will be posted on the retreat website....