Fall into Autumn Exchange revealed

I participated in the Stitched with Love Exchange hosted by Lainey.  I love deciding what to stitch and what else to include.   This was an autumn/halloween themed exchange and I geared mine towards autumn as you can see.  It seemed like all of the fall decorations were about crows this year so I went with it including my stitched piece.  I hope Pirjo likes her goodies.  The top photo is what I sent to her.  Below is a picture of what Colleen sent me.  It was packed beautifully, everything was individually wrapped etc. . . Problem, my little man wanted to help and busted everything open before I snapped a pic.  The stitched piece is gorgeous.  The pics don't do it justitce.  there are specialty stitched leaves, and wooden buttons to embellish this lovely little hanging pillow.  It is darling.  She also spoiled me with a chart, scissors, ribbon, fabric, buttons, and thread.  She also sent some candy but that got eaten up right away.  I think little man thought it was his reward for helping me open my package:)Thanks Colleen for a lovely surprise!  You outdid yourself and I love it all!!

I am headed out the door to help with a school Halloween Party.  Let the madness and sugar high begin.  HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

Perks of being a retreat hostess

Being a hostess at a Needlework Retreat has it's perks.  Although it requires lots of behind the scenes work and being at the ready to take care of any issues that may pop up, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting many new stitchers.  I also loved seeing familiar faces, people I have met at previous needlework retreats and events.  I even had 2 good friends attend the Victoria Sampler retreat and loved chatting with them when I could.  What I didn't expect, gifts from some of these lovely ladies.  The first surprise was from Belinda, our very talented instructor/designer.  She made this lovely quilted journal cover and I LOVE it.  The best part about it is that she personalized it with my name.  I very rarely have had personalized items because my name is spelled unusually and you just can't find it on anything.  Belinda, it means more to me than you know.  Thank you.  I took two pics, the first is a picture of the foofing.  It was packaged so nicely I didn't want to unwrap it and the second pic is the journal.  Aren't the colors gorgeous.  I am truly lucky.

Next,  a couple of return guests gifted me with more treasures.  Pam of Confessions of a Southern Stitcher gave me this lovely gift.  She had it beautifully wrapped with lovely fall leaves.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  The lighting gave every picture I took this yellow hue.  I think it has something to do with the energy saving bulbs but all my evening pics were terrible. Inside this lovely wrapping was the most beautiful sewing book.  It had a lovely fall theme stitched on the front, gorgeous coordinating fabric, and inside blew me away: thread holders, ruler, marking pins and a spot to hold needles.  Pam, you are so incredibly talented and I thank you for this wonderful treasure.

The next goodies came from Teresa of Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches.  Have you ever met someone who thinks of everyone!!  That is Teresa.  She brought gifts for EVERYONE!  Don't know how she fit it all into her luggage along with enough clothes for a 2 week visit to the east coast but she did it.  She gave me this wonderful bag of goodies along with 4 boxes of See's Candies for my boys.  She is sooooo very thoughtful.
Inside my bag of goodies I found yummy California goodies, a tissue pack holder and a wonderful stitched pocket to hold a small treasure.  Right now it is being used as a chapstick holder.  LOVE it!

We had four lovely Aussies on the retreat and they gifted me with a poem and little Koala clip.  Too Cute! Thank you girls.

Another return guest, Donna and her daughter Stephanie gifted me with this lovely DMC thread box.  Donna ordered it from England.  It is just lovely.  It was also filled with DMC floss.  She was worried I didn't have enough floss for my stitching (LOL) Donna and I met at last October's retreat and I have a special fondness for her.  She is someone who I connected with right away and I hope to be lifelong friends.

Next is a beautiful scarf that Elizabeth gifted me with.  I love the colors and was totally blown away that she would gift me with something so lovely.  Elizabeth brought LOTS of fun and laughter to our retreat and knows how to keep the party rocking.  Thanks for the lovely gift and wonderful laughs. 

The one thing I have learned about the stitching community is that all of these ladies are extremely talented beyond stitching, and they all love to share.  I have met many generous woman who have boundless creativity.  Thank you for sharing your talents with me.  Happy Stitching!

Kitten Update

Jilly

Leo

Here's the latest!!  Leo and Jilly have found their forever homes.  It was a busy day here today.  Yesterday, I had a gentleman stop by to view the kittens and he and Leo hit it off.  He had just lost his cat after 19 years and is a single retiree.  I couldn't have asked for a better fit.  The smile on that gentleman's face was worth the ache in my heart.  He couldn't wait to get his "baby" home and show him the toys and bed he bought.  He named him "Boomer".  How cute is that!  Then today when I went to drop off the paper work from Leo's adoption I was explaining to the volunteer that we had one 12 week old kitten left to place and she said she had a young couple looking for a young cat.  We made arrangements for them to see Jilly.  Jilly is VERY shy and timid and I explained that to them before I showed her.  When we went into the room, she didn't run and hide.  She looked at them with this very curious look and even let them pet her.  I was amazed.  She must have sensed something.  The woman was immediately in love and couldn't leave without her.  It felt so good to see the joy on her face.  As hard as it is to let these furbabies go, I am smiling inside knowing that I have placed 5 beautiful cats into forever homes where they will be loved and nurtured.  Everyone asks me how I can let them go, and I want you to know it is NOT easy for me.  I love all animals but the reward for me is knowing that these families will have a furry friend to come home to.  Until next time, Happy Stitching and give all of your furbabies a hug from me.

iStitch Mystery SAL Part 6

I was able to stitch Part 6 of the Mystery SAL by iStitch designs while away at the retreat.  I did it very late at night and couldn't print the chart so I did it from my laptop.  It was a bit challenging because the lighting was REALLY bad in my room and it was usually after midnight when I got back to my room.  The only chair in my room was a small shaker rocker that sat really low to the ground but at least that put me nice and close to the computer monitor.  That being said, it's finished and it looks OK.  Now I can sit back and wait for the next installment.  Happy Stitching!

Beauty in Simplicity

I have made it home after a very long stretch of being away.  It was soooooo good to see my boys (hubby included) and furbabies.  The retreats went well and I enjoyed meeting so many fellow stitchers.  I hope I was able to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable at the retreat.  The foliage was beautiful most of the week.  These first couple of pictures were taken from across the lake of the Enfield Shaker museum.  We only had a couple of days of rain.  I have also included a picture of the project that Belinda of Blue Ribbon Designs created for the May 2010 retreat.  I stitched this one twice.  Once for me and once for the shop.  I think she captured the essence of the museum and surroundings in her piece.

I am off to catch up on household things and will be back soon.  I have so many things to share with you but it will have to come after I take care of the house.  Happy Stitching!!

Enfield NH

I took these pictures early yesterday morning before the sun had a chance to burn the fog off.  I love connecting with nature and I really needed a little solitude on that particular morning.  The retreat has been a blast but it is pretty lonesome without my new stitchy friends here in the museum.  I am gearing up to host the 2nd and then 3rd retreat.  Getting to know Belinda from Blue Ribbon has been wonderful.  She is the most patient teacher and takes time to give students one on one.  Tomorrow I will greet new guests at the museum.  I am looking forward to the continued change in the landscape.  The leaves were green when I arrived last Thursday and are now turning vibrant shades of reds, yellows, and orange.  Fall is definitely here.  I hope you enjoy my snaps!  This one is for Elizabeth, Happy Fall Y'all.

Library gold and a kitten update

On a recent trip to the library I found this wonderful book.  It gives the history of many samplers along with detailed descriptions of motifs and verse.  The back of the book has common verse used in samplers and explains some of the reasons why they were used.  In further research, I found that some girls went to school to learn stitching techniques.  I had no idea.  That is completely fascinating as I thought most samplers were created by young girls practicing their sewing skills.  But I suppose there were some mothers who didn't stitch but wanted their children to learn the skills.  As I was thumbing through the pictures and reading details I came across this picture.  It immediately resounded with me and I said " I have seen this one recently!"  Does it ring a bell with anyone else??  You can click on the picture to make it larger but I found it fascinatitng that so many of us as stitchers still crave the motifs and symbols used from so many years ago. If you recognize it, leave a comment and I will put you in a drawing for a little treat.

On the kitten front, I wanted to let all of you know that DeeDee has found her forever home.  I snapped this photo before she left and love it.  She is a special kitty and I know she will make her new family quite happy.

Well, that is it for now.  I must get back to my retreat duties.  I will post pics and updates when I can.  As always, Happy Stitching everyone.