It's Still All About The Squirrel...

Today was "Friendship Funday"...I technically can't call it the usual "Friendship Friday", as we actually met on a Thursday - and what was even more special about this day...we had an additional guest, as our friend Kimber was able to join us! As always, we met at a favorite local restaurant for lunch and enjoyed great conversation and delicious food...we all had so much to talk about, we were there almost three hours (and I never looked at my watch once). It was a much needed break in my stressful work week and I definitely felt a tad more relaxed after some "girl time" with my best friends. I feel so blessed to have girlfriends that listen, provide honest feedback, and help me learn and grow...they always help me get things into perspective! I returned home this afternoon feeling refreshed and loved...

Now, on to the squirrel...
If you are a regular reader, than you know/have heard all my squirrel stories...and about the fun/unique squirrel gifts I have received from my friends across the country...well today, my dear friend Mary gave me this ADORABLE squirrel dish at our luncheon...isn't it the CUTEST?! When I got home, I immediately filled it with chocolates and put it on the coffee table in my stitching nest...it makes me extremely happy! I have never really searched out squirrel items when shopping, but Mary informed me that they are not easy to come by...so I was just tickled to receive this smiling critter...

Well, it is getting late and I still have a pile of things to tackle (that's what happens when I take a few hours off during the day)...I'm off to photograph my pink heart pin pillows (which I will blog about soon) and my little Halloween pillows, so I can get them listed in my Etsy shop in the near future...I also have some kitting I need to do, so I can start on some new needlework models...and the list goes on and on...

Fabulous Friendship Friday....

Today was the highlight of my disastrous week...Friendship Friday! I was so thrilled to get together with my dear friends Mary and Lorrie for a little Friday celebration; today's Mexican fiesta was a birthday party for Mary. It was a much needed distraction for all of us - and as we enjoyed lunch, suddenly the stress of everyday life evaporated and we were all laughing, giggling, and sharing good news. The three of us have decided we need to make Friendship Friday a permanent day (or two) on our monthly calendar. We met at a favorite local quilt shop and did a little stash enhancement...even though we had all decided beforehand that we were not going to buy anything, somehow we all left with some new, fun fabrics. Next, we walked over to a favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoyed a delicious lunch...and Mary opened her birthday gifts...

Since I enjoyed making Lorrie's friendship book last month, I decided to make Mary one, as well. I used a Maya Road 3" Vintage Memory Box w/Coaster Album...and decorated it with pretty papers and a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad in Victorian Velvet. I got to use my favorite Xyron products (a Xyron 5" Creative Station, a Xyron Create-A-Sticker, and a Xyron Mega Runner) to attach decorative papers, Maya Road Blossoms and Flowers, trims and ribbbons, and photographs. And although my studio looked like a bomb exploded by the time I was finished, I was super happy with the results! Here is what I started with (the memory box is 3" square and the coaster album pages are just over 2 1/2" square):

And here is the finished product (click on photographs to enlarge):

I also wanted to give Mary a little something that I stitched, so I worked up Shepherd's Bush "My Stitching Bag"...this was a fun kit that included a pre-made zipper bag with a linen insert, cotton floss, and the little flower buttons. I purchased several of these for gifts and gave them in kitted form, but this time I actually stitched one up...

...and, as always, I like to give a creative book...and this time I opted for "Super-Cute Felt" by Laura Howard. This book is full of adorable felt projects that made me ooh and ahh...in fact, I might have to purchase a copy for myself...

Lorrie had a bag full of fabulous gifts for Mary too...and it was so much fun to watch her open everything! Friendship Friday was good for the soul...and just what we all needed...now to schedule another Friday lunch for the near future...

A Day With Girlfriends...

What's an outing with girlfriends without cupcakes??....
Salty Dog, Cinnamon, Turtle, and Tiramisu

I have been so busy trying to catch-up after my bout with the flu, that I have barely been out of my studio/office...there are about a million things on my ever-growing list....but yesterday, I did take a little timeout to go on a short road trip with my girlfriends Lorrie and Mary. We made plans over the last couple months to drive out to Winterset, Iowa (the birthplace of John Wayne...and known for its covered bridges) to visit the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Quilt Shop, the Ben Franklin (yes, they still have a Ben Franklin and it is a treasure trove of fun stuff), and have lunch.  We left bright and early and arrived in the Winterset town square at 9:00 - perfect timing, as Ben Franklin opened at 9:00. After taking a few photos, we headed inside and began shopping - it was quite the "blast from the past" and we saw all sorts of items that made us smile - they have a full service crafting/sewing area, so we were all right at home. I picked up a few fun fabrics, some ribbon, two itty bitty wooden embroidery hoops, and of course some Scotch pink Hair Set Tape that is almost impossible to find (I use it for needlework and machine embroidery).

After an over an hour perusing the aisles of Ben Franklin, we walked a couple shops down to the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Quilt Shop. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting television show seen on PBS stations or their fabulous quilting magazine(s). The two-story building is on the town square and has a grand view of the Madison County Courthouse...it houses a retail shop and mail order business on the ground floor and Love of Quilting editorial offices upstairs. This is a quaint shop - and we really enjoyed our visit - the customer service was wonderful - they allowed me to take some photos and gave us wonderful advice on where to have lunch. If you are looking for a specific Fons and Porter publication or quilting tool, than this is the place...although some of us (who will remain nameless) have pretty much all of their special tools and accessories. We all managed to find some treasures to take home...and I found some great bargain fabrics...and we each found an issue of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting magazine in with our purchases (a gift from the shop!). Although this shop is a small space, it packs a good punch and we had a wonderful time!

We stepped inside another shop on the square and did a little looking, then we were off to a recommended place called "The Cellar" for lunch - a coffee house that serves lunch from 11:00 - 2:00. It was a windy and cool outside, so we all had soup and a sandwich...and the soup was Savory Portobello...yummy!  After lunch we headed back to West Des Moines...and I just *had to* stop to take photos of a barn quilt, just before reaching Bevenington, Iowa. Once back in Des Moines, we visited a couple favorite shops (and a new shop called Hinge) in Valley Junction...then of course went to Scratch Cupcakery for cupcakes (where I got to open some early birthday gifts from Mary). It was a perfect day....

Today, it is back to work (and reality)....I have charting to do....photography to take care of...a pile of paperwork and correspondence....and more items to list in my Etsy shop...part two of the mystery sampler is in printing production....and my embroidery machine is humming. Tonight, I am taking a painting class at The Social Canvas with my dear friend Lorrie - this is our first time visiting this new local artistic business, where you can enjoy an (adult) beverage while doing an acrylic paining project - they supply all the materials (canvases, paint, brushes, easels, and aprons)...and the class lasts about 2.5 hours. We are taking the "Love Tree" class and I plan on enjoying a glass of red wine while I paint my Valentine tree....

Clarity and Perspective...

I was given a much needed boost of holiday spirit yesterday. I've been a little "bah humbug" this year (who am I kidding - I have been extremely "bah humbug" this year)...I have been slow to get my gifts ready and I am yet to start sending my holiday cards - completely unlike me...I'm not sure if it is my heavy workload, the unseasonable weather, financial constraints, or my sewing machine being on the fritz (I'm usually sewing up a storm this time of year)...I've just been in a bit of a funk....but leave it to my dear friends Mary and Lorrie to give me a gentle attitude adjustment. We met for lunch yesterday and had the most enjoyable time...in fact we were having so much fun, we completely lost track of time - I checked my watch to find we had been chatting for over two hours - it was an extended (and much needed) break!

Although I was planning to see each of them again for our Christmas gift exchange (I just don't have everything ready yet), Mary brought my Christmas gifts to lunch - a gift bag full of special goodies. I started  opening some of the smaller packages first - they included a adorable little notebook, a glass ornament, and a squirrel cookie cutter...and there were two larger packages to open too! She gifted me a wonderful book - The Gentle Art of Stitching: 40 Projects Inspired by Everyday Beauty by Jane Brocket - Mary knows I absolutely adore sewing/quilting/stitching/crafting books...and this book is the perfect addition to my library. The projects range from Sashiko to Crazy Quilting to Vintage Embroidery to Stitching on Felt (to name a few) - it is a great collection of handwork projects with lovely photos...and full of inspiration. As I reached for the final package, I immediately realized I saved the best for last - Mary had stitched and framed a BEAUTIFUL cross stitch piece for me - it is absolutely perfect and I had to choke back tears when I removed the tissue paper. So much thought went into this gift - from the colors and frame she chose - to the design (which contains many of my favorite things...and of course squirrels!)...I couldn't wait to get it home and hang it (close to my stitching nest where I can admire it daily)...it is so very special to me. The design is "A Sheltering Tree" by All Through The Night...isn't it fabulous?! I am so very touched by this heartfelt gift - it is the first framed cross stitch that I have ever received...and knowing all the hard work and love that went into this piece warms my heart.

Spending a few hours with my dear girlfriends was just what I needed and I finished my day feeling happy and blessed (even with a migraine that arrived late yesterday afternoon). The gift of friendship provided me with a little clarity and a new perspective.

Today I will get to work on my Christmas list - better late than never - Christmas cards and stamps are on the table, ready to go...and I will try to work on a few more of the gifts I am making (provided my headache subsides)...

On the sewing machine front, I do have a little update...I took it back to the tech last Monday and had the belt put back on, hoping it would hold for regular sewing....and yep, it was the exact same belt problem...the parts are on backorder (of course they are)...but she was kind to put the belt back in place. I have been able to do some sewing (no embroidery until the parts are replaced) - I managed to get a special order of 25 needlebooks completed (that was a HUGE job). I am being extra gentle and trying to keep the belt in place as long as possible, as there is no estimated arrival time for the parts needed (of course there isn't). I am hoping to finish a small pile of Etsy items and a couple Christmas gifts...and if I am super lucky I can work on a special project for AccuQuilt. I do have a back-up machine, but it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles"...and this little experience has definitely taught me that I am a sewing/embroidery machine DIVA!

Exploring New Hampshire and Vermont...

Each time I travel to teach, I always try to make a little time to see the area and explore - it is such a treat for me to visit other parts of the country and do a little sightseeing! Lucky for me, my dear friend Ruth lives in New Hampshire and agreed to take me on a little excursion Friday morning/afternoon before the New England Stitcher's Retreat started that evening. Before we begin, I should tell you, it was pouring rain all day - normally I take a lot of outdoor photos and show you the area...but on this particular day I was only able to manage some indoor camera shots...

We set out bright and early Friday morning...our first destination was King Arthur Flour...now, you know I love to bake and I was definitely familiar with King Arthur Flour...however, I didn't quite understand how this could be a "destination"...but oh my goodness was this ever a great place to visit! King Arthur Flour has a brand new campus in Norwich, VT that houses a phenomenal retail store, a baking education center, and a bakery and a cafe - it was FABULOUS! I could have shopped for hours and easily filled a cart - however, knowing I could only add a few pounds to my suitcase, I showed some self restraint (making sure to sign up for their e-mails, grab a catalog, and write a mental list for some online shopping!). There were a few goodies I had to purchase on the spot and ship home...and Ruth did a little shopping for me too - picking me up an adorable owl kitchen towel and a jar of Maple Pumpkin Butter (delicious!). The staff at King Arthur Flour were so very kind and accommodating and allowed me to take a bunch of photos to share with you...

After a delightful morning at King Arthur Flour, we headed to Brattleboro, VT (a little over an hour away) - a couple retreat attendees had shared with us about a fabulous shop called Delectable Mountain Cloth...and all I needed to hear were the words "hundreds of crystal dishes filled with buttons" and "silk fabrics" and off we went! It was an enjoyable drive through Vermont...and yes, it was still pouring rain...but it gave me and Ruth a chance to chit chat and catch-up (after all, we only see each other once a year). Once we arrived in Brattleboro and found our destination, we did a quick drive around the area and found a place to park...then set out to explore the oldest town in Vermont. Main Street had a wonderful assortment of shops - including In The Moment Records (yes, a record shop!), Beadniks (a bead shop), Vermont Artisan Designs & Gallery, and Kitchen Sync (a wonderful kitchen shop)...and I am positive there were many more great places to visit, but the rain definitely hindered walking from shop to shop. We spent a good amount of time in Delectable Mountain Cloth...and it exceeded all of our expectations! This quaint and cozy Main Street shop was full of treasures...all sorts of textiles, silks, velvets, organzas, chiffons, and specialty fabrics...and yes, hundreds of crystal dishes filled with buttons (a feast for the eyes)...along with trims and laces...they also have handmade jewelry and large assortment of scarves. I will let the photos do the talking...

How was that for a large dose of "eye candy"??!! Seriously, if you are ever in the Brattleboro, VT area, this shop is definitely worth the trip...Ruth and I have already discussed that this will be permanently on our yearly itinerary. Oh, and I must mention, if you visit this shop, be sure to cross the street and enjoy a meal at Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe (113 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT) - it is all fresh ingredients - wonderful soups, sandwiches, and salads - DELICIOUS...

So that was how we spent our rainy Friday in Vermont - it truly was a stellar day! That evening and the next couple days were filled with event activities and lots of stitching, but we did get a few more hours together to explore on Monday. After a final breakfast with the retreat attendees, packing up, and saying tearful goodbyes, we had a few more places to see before I headed to Boston where I was to catch a flight home to Iowa. We made a final trip to ABC Stitch Therapy where Ruth got in some last minute shopping and I dropped off all my classroom materials to ship home...then we headed cheerfully to Quilted Threads in Henniker, NH. I was so beyond excited to see this quilt shop, as I had heard all about it...and the feedback was exceptional; I couldn't wait to visit a new quilt shop and find some goodies to take home! Well, the excitement didn't last long - as we pulled into the parking lot, I was quite discourage to read the sign "Closed On Monday"...how disappointing...but we weren't going to let that ruin our day. We continued our drive to Concord, NH where I was to catch a bus to Boston....and made the best of a SUNNY day! I was able to see the Capital of New Hampshire, walk Main Street and visit a few shops, and then have a spectacular lunch at The Barley House. I have already added The Barley House to my list of places I must visit again - both the atmosphere and the food were WONDERFUL - believe it or not, I had a Lobster BLT...yep, a BLT with lobster meat on it and it was scrumptious! It was the perfect way to end my visit to New England....and I can hardly wait to return next year...

An extra special thanks to my friend and chauffeur Ruth - you definitely made this a special trip to remember...thank you for exploring New England with me...I love you sis!

There you have it, my final post on my recent trip to New Hampshire for this year's New England Stitcher's Retreat - it was another AMAZING visit - I got to see more of the East Coast - I got to see old friends and make new ones - I got to share my passion for needlework - and I got to smile and laugh for several days. Now I have a full year to look forward to my next trip...it can't get here soon enough...

To see all sorts of additional photos from my trip to New England, check out the albums on my Facebook page...and smartphone users can check out my Instagram album (user: BRDGIRL)...