A Lovely Autumn Day

The weather here in Iowa has been beautiful this week - it sure doesn't seem like November - sunny and highs in the 70s. With yesterday being my husband's final day of vacation, we decided to take advantage of a perfect day and visit our local Blank Park Zoo. I was excited to see my favorite Red Pandas (so adorable!) outside...and several fluffy baby flamingos! I also had to post a few colorful photos of a cute Giant Madagascar Day Gecko and some Gouldian Finches...

Just a note: I am almost finished making the prizes for my upcoming giveaway - they have just taken a bit longer than planned - stay tuned for details later this week...

For tonight, I am back to model stitching for a class I am teaching in 2011 - I have multiple deadlines quickly approaching - so much stitching, not enough time!

Meet Oliver The Owl (A Pincushion)

"Oliver the Owl" is a wonderful wool pincushion design featured in the current issue of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting magazine (the November/December 2010 issue)....and was designed by my dear friend Kimber (you may recall I recently shared a wool bird pincushion with that was also designed by Kimber). After making the wool bird, I was totally inspired to make the owl....so after picking up some gorgeous and unique wool fabrics in Liberty, MO, I decided to jump in and make my own Oliver the Owl this morning - a little creative break from my model stitching. I am so happy with how he turned out! I love the pocket for the scissors...and I am thrilled with the vintage buttons I found in my collection for the eyes. The instructions and templates in the magazine were very clear...and since I had recently made the bird, the owl was a nice and relatively easy Saturday project. Oliver brings me joy! Make a little time this weekend for something that brings you joy....

A Little Rest and Relaxation

Seems like the last few months I have been running non-stop, with very little time to spend with my husband...so as a little treat, he planned a few days away for us in Kansas City this week. We left early Wednesday morning and just got back this evening...and it was definitely good to have a couple quiet days away (even though I was worried about the work piling up on my desk). He was kind enough to take me through Liberty, Missouri on the was down, so I could visit Old Mill Stitchery - a cross stitch shop I had never had a chance to visit before (and had always wanted to see) - this little gem was SO worth the drive...it is a wonderful shop filled with gorgeous models and unique items...and they had beautiful yarns and a framing area too! It is located in Corbin Mill Place, which also houses a wonderful gift shop, a restaurant, a beading shop....and the best little place to buy wool I have ever been to called "American Whatever" - I was blown away by the most phenomenal selection of hand-dyed wools I have ever seen! I picked a wonderful assortment of unique wool fabrics to bring home...many autumn colors...a few picked especially for Oliver Owl - one of my friend Kimber's patterns featured in the current issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine (November/December 2010)...which I really hope to start tomorrow. If that wasn't enough, my very sweet hubby also took me to Leavenworth, Kansas so I could visit Quilter's Quarters (a quilt shop on my must see list) - there I found a few wooden spools of Moda trim, some great buttons, and a few fall fat quarters. It was a leisurely drive down and I got to do some great shopping.

Thursday we made a visit to the Kansas City Zoo which was VERY impressive! If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I love animals and visiting zoos wherever we travel. Although it was windy beyond belief, we still had a very good time....and most of the time we felt like we were the only people on the property. With it being the "off season", some of the animals were not on exhibit, but many were out and about and quite active in the cooler weather. The acres and acres of zoo grounds were incredible - and all of the animals seemed to have large, spacious areas, with all sorts of water, trees, and natural habitat. One of the largest attractions at this zoo is Nikita, the Polar Bear...who was quite entertaining - he actually did a back flip into the water and did a little swimming for us! There were so many highlights - a family of Guinea Baboons (with a baby) playing....a mob of Red Kangaroos hopping right past us...beautiful lions basking in the sun....along with a a herd of elephants, a clan of Meerkats digging burrows, an adorable baby zebra (who's stripes were still brown), and the cutest little Blue Duiker nestled in the grass. The grounds also had a fabulous African bird exhibit where I took a photo of the Superb Starling (my favorite photo)....and I was also able to get a close-up of the East African Crowned Crane which was quite stunning in person. We loved this zoo and definitely plan to return next year in warmer weather.

After the zoo, we made a trip to Country Club Plaza to take in the sights and do a little window shopping...it is such a beautiful area, but it was WAY TOO WINDY for us to thoroughly enjoy. We also enjoyed delicious dinners and some light gambling at Harrah's Kansas City (where I learned to play Pai Gow Poker!). It was nice to get away just for a few days and spend some quality time with my husband...and he was right, the work was still here waiting for me upon my return.

So, now it is back to designing, model stitching, and preparing classes for 2011. I am also working on a couple giveaway prizes and will be posting the details in the next few days (thank you for being patient with me!).

Historic Connecticut Needlework

On my recent trip to Connecticut, I was blessed to see some remarkable and well preserved historic needlework. If you live in the Connecticut area or a making a trip to New England, there are currently two exhibits highlighting historic needlework that are definitely worth the visit! To read the Hartford Courant newspaper article about these exhibits, click here (thanks to Sue for letting me have this section from her newspaper!)....in addition, an interesting article in the New York Times that can be viewed by clicking here.

The "With My Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley" exhibit is on display at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT through January 30, 2011. This exhibition, from guest curators Carol and Stephen Huber, included approximately seventy embroideries, watercolor sketches, and portraits - most are from private collections (rarely seen) - and all in excellent collection. I was in awe as I studied the various techniques and read the histories - the use of silk was incredible and I was quite surprised at many of the materials used. Although no photography was allowed in the exhibit halls, I have a clear vision of many works in my head, as they were absolutely gorgeous. A book to accompany this exhibit will be available in late 2011. If you have a chance to visit this marvelous display of needlework and history, don't miss it - it is definitely worth the trip. The photo to the right shows the exhibit program (a six page color guide to the exhibit).

The Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library in Hartford, CT is showcasing "Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840" through March 26, 2011. This exhibit includes 82 pieces represent 32 Connecticut towns - the pieces represented range from early bed rugs to needlework samplers to clothing and accessories. The Connecticut Historical Society has released a book of the same title to accompany the exhibit - I purchased the beautiful 220 page hardcover copy with a gorgeous selection of photographs and wonderful analysis of each piece...I can't wait to delve further into this fabulous resource with a wealth of information.


Both museum gift shops have a great selection of needlework kits, books, and items that complement the exhibits. I brought home several keepsakes and another book (Samplers by Rebecca Scott) to add to my collection. I also picked up a couple of The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin Publications that highlight historic needlework for reference (from 1959 and 1987).

One more thing today....
I know I told you I would be having a new giveaway to commemorate reaching 300 followers - and I haven't forgotten....there will be a new giveaway soon! I am working on the prize(s) and more details will be posted soon....

Just The Girls...

I'm pretty sure I have some of the best friends in the world!

We planned this day for months...a "girl day" at Kimber's house - a day of hand sewing, lunch, girl talk, and quilt shopping....and it was totally worth the wait! My friend Merry and I made the trip out to Kimber's home (a pretty perfect 1885 yellow brick Victorian farmhouse) in Adel first thing this morning...and after a cup of tea, a tour, and some treats, we got started on the hand sewing project Kimber prepared for us. We each made a wool fabric bird pincushion that uses a wooden spool for the base - this is one of Kimber's very own designs that was featured in the magazine "More Fast and Fabulous Quilting Ideas" last fall...isn't it the cutest little bird ever?!....for more information, visit her August 28th blog post, where you can see an entire flock of these adorable birds!

We had so much fun making these birds...in fact, in our creative state, we completely lost track of time....all of a sudden we checked the clock and it was past lunch time. So we headed out to a little Chinese restaurant for a delicious lunch and got refueled for the afternoon....then it was off to the quilt shop. Adel has a very charming quilt shop called Adel Quilting and Dry Goods (and they have a great blog)...I find the best little projects there (I have to do my part to help stimulate the Adel economy)...there is always something new that I haven't seen before. Today I picked-up some chalkboard cloth, some vinyl coated cotton, a couple fat quarters, and new Mac-A-Doodles embroidery project and frame. Afterwards, we stopped next door at Atherton House, a unique gift shop (where I purchased some wonderful kitchen seasonings)....then we headed back to Kimber's very special 1885 farmhouse for more hot tea and desserts!

We spent the afternoon talking, giggling, and sharing...and Merry actually did a little hand sewing....it was the perfect day!

Now, if that wasn't enough, there were gift bags...if you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know each time all of us girls get together, we bring each other gift bags. Merry's gift bags are always stellar (remember all the jellies and jams she gave me earlier this year?!)...well today's gift bag was another WINNER! Check out this adorable miniature dress form and the super cute aprons she made for it (yes, one is sampler fabric!)...it is the perfect pin cushion (and we all know how much I LOVE pincushions!) - along with it...a jar of her phenomenal apple butter, a gorgeous appliqued kitchen towel (I know, she is just too darn talented!), some pumpkin spice tea bags, and various Halloween treats...how is that for a "just because" gift bag??! Next, a total surprise...since Kimber was kind enough to teach us a project and supply all the needed materials, I never guessed in a million years she would have gift bags for us...but, yep, she did...and I was giddy like a little girl as I went though the bag...a quilt pattern, fabrics, a wonderful book, and a totally awesome wooden ruler - I was blown away, to say the least. Between the shopping and our gift bags, I had a car load of goodies to bring home!

Like I said - I have the best friends! Today was a little slice of heaven....

A Bunch of Goodies!

I promised I would share some of my new stash with you once my boxes arrived from Connecticut...and they are here!! I did quite a bit of shopping on my trip...and I was given some AMAZING gifts. Here are some of the goodies I shipped back...

Several of the retreat attendees were extremely thoughtful and brought me gifts...and they sure did their research...they all knew exactly what I love! I was the recipient of stitching goodies, luscious autumn quilting fabrics, a bottle of Merlot and specialty chocolates (the yummy chocolates didn't make it home)...even a Longberger basket with beautiful stationery and a pen...I was truly blown away by the kindness and generosity of my new stitching friends...thank you all so very much!

One of the retreat attendees from Albany, NY brought me a GORGEOUS set of coordinating autumn fabrics from her local quilt shop - Flying Geese Fabrics - these beautiful fabrics were even folded like flying geese blocks and tied with ribbon (I had to take the bundle apart to show you each of these beautiful fat quarters)....I honestly can't wait to find some quilting time, so I can put these fabrics to work - I just have to pick the perfect project first...I'm thinking more applique...hmmm...

A couple students from Rochester, NY brought me a bottle of Merlot (my personal favorite) from a local winery (Bully Hill Vineyards)....accompanying the wine, a lovely assortment of chocolate from Encore Chocolates - these were so delicious, they didn't even make it back to Iowa...and they even included a chocolate frog - yep, a chocolate frog! It was such a treat to receive such delicacies from their hometown. I can't wait to share the bottle of wine with my husband....and the chocolate frog managed to hop back to Iowa - for the moment, it is too adorable to eat!

On my first day in Connecticut, Sue took me to Colchester Mill Fabrics and I managed to do some power shopping - I found these lovely fabrics and some beaded trims for a couple stitching projects. I already had some of the sampler fabric, but I can never have too much - plus I can always use a few more fat quarters of the coordinating pieces. This shop had a huge assortment of specialty and upholstery fabrics and it was quite fun to look at all the choices!

During my day off between retreats, Sue and Deb took me to a super cool bead shop in old downtown Mystic called "You've Got To Be Beading"....I loved this place! There were so many beads and charms, it was hard to make a decision. I really like silver charms, so I had to pick out some fun ones to bring home - some wonderful crowns, keys, and a really cool tree...I was looking for some bird charms, but only saw Christmas birds (calling birds, turtle doves, French hens, etc.)....other than that, they had quality charms for any project! I picked-up up some lovely coral mother-of-pearl beads and a fun salt and pepper mixture....

Next - here is a photo of my stash purchases from Chris's Collection - as I mentioned, Chris and Pam set-up an amazing shopping experience for us at the hotel (see previous post) and I managed to find quite a few items to purchase....including: several unique primitive pin cushions/strawberries, a couple tuck pillows, a hat pin, several Just Nan pieces (including the vintage Jeweled Owl thread winder), Flowers of the Field by Blackbird Designs, Red Stocking Collection II by JBW Designs (and a couple pre-made stockings), some adorable "Around The Block" JABCO pins, and a package of Handbegh hand-felted wool balls. I also picked up a new favorite thing (not in the photo) - a Handy Caddy - a clear, collapsible storage caddy for all my stitching tools - thanks to some of the attendees for using these in class, you enabled me!

Finally, I have to share the ornaments I received in the ornament exchange. Each attendee had the option to bring a wrapped, stitched ornament for a fun evening exchange. I brought one wrapped ornament for each retreat - and I am so THRILLED I did! In the Mystic I exchange, I received Donna's ornament - the Britty Kitty ornament by Brittercup Designs....isn't it adorable?! For Mystic II, I received Chris's ornament - which was a Blue Ribbon Design - I thought that was awesome - I was so excited to get one of my ornament designs stitched by someone other than me! Obviously, Chris is an over-achiever, because also included with her wrapped ornament - a q-snap cover in Christmas fabric (I have been wanting to purchase or make one of these for the longest time), a peppermint pin, and chocolate. Extra special thanks to Donna and Chris - I will treasure the ornaments you made!!

So there you have it - an assortment of the items I shipped home from Connecticut - that should give me plenty to admire and play with for quite some time!

Stitcher's Hideaway Needlework Retreats - Mystic I and II

I am home and ready for a good night of sleep in my own bed. What a fabulous time I had teaching at Stitcher's Hideaway! It was two wonderful retreats - both filled with amazing, creative, talented, and unique students - it was so much fun to expand my stitching family. Each attendee did a great job with the class project and many, if not all, had a finished ornament to take home with them (some of my over-achievers had two!)....and some of those who took the beading class the night before even had a finished beaded ornament to take home, as well. It was a true delight spending time with each of the attendees - hearing about their hometowns, their stitching stories, and their personal experiences - I am so excited to have all of them in my stitching family! I took along a trunk show of 15 models and a bunch of my smalls...and piles of charts for shopping...and shop they did...plus Chris and Pam from Chris's Collection set-up an entire needlework shop in one of the hotel rooms which was AMAZING. I managed to purchase two bags of stash and gifts - which I will share next week - I had to ship home all my purchases, as my suitcase was pretty close to maximum capacity at 48 pounds. Several of the students brought me the most special gifts (thank you so much!) and I had to ship those, as well, so I will have a very fun post next week when UPS rings my doorbell. There was a visit from Santa Claus, goodie bags, door prizes, an ornament exchange, and a show-and-tell filled with gorgeous needlework and crafts. Overall, it was the most fabulous experience and I have many wonderful memories of my time in Mystic, CT. Thank you so much to all the attendees - for the laughs, the learning experiences, and the smiles - you are all special.

Mystic I Photos:

I wish I could share them all, but that is not an option - so I am sticking to just a few. The first couple are my hard working students...followed by Santa stopping by for a visit and a photo of him with Sue (Stitcher's Hideaway creator and my lovely, gracious tour guide). The next photo is of the ornaments for the ornament exchange...followed by a couple show and tell photos - sorry I can't share them all, these were some VERY talented needleworkers. The final photo is of Christine - she was my first deaf student with a sign language interpreter - this was Christine's first time stitching on linen and it was sheer joy seeing her eyes light up and her facial expressions each time she mastered a specialty stitch or technique - she was a shining star and all the other attendees cheered her on and assisted with her learning....she even managed to visit Mystic II for the second day to learn even more...

Chris's Collection Shop Photos:

Chris and Pam from Chris's Collection provided a great shopping experience for all. They had such a great assortment and a bunch of new items from the recent St. Charles Market. I honestly couldn't believe how they could fit so much into a tiny hotel room....they did a fantastic job! If they can make a small space this wonderful in a few hours, I imagine the shop in Southwick, MA is pretty perfect....

Mystic II Photos:

I was so extremely blessed to teach a second retreat...and this group was so much fun - they had me laughing a good amount of time and were very quick learners! The first photos show some hard at work and opening door prizes....followed by several photos from our visit from Santa. Next is a photo of the ornaments from the ornament exchange, followed by several photos from show and tell. Again, there were wonderful stories and pieces of needlework shown and I was in awe of all the talent in the room!

There you have it - my two retreats in a nutshell - I tried to show you as much as possible in a short amount of space - there were so many fun images, it was hard to pick the few to share. As you can see, I really enjoyed my visit to Connecticut....I hope I will have a chance to return soon! Next week, I will share some shopping, stash, and gift photos....I can hardly wait for my boxes to arrive....