Monday, December 15, 2014

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The Needler's came to studio 
last Thursday for their
Christmas Party!


We had a great time sharing Christmas memories and munching on goodies!

 

A few brought some items to show and share with everyone!
That's one of the best things about getting together - inspiring each other!




Look at that label!  1875  Such a treat to see all that hand stitching!

Sharing a project she stitched when she just 19!

 Time to get these framed!!

 Ohhing and awwing over these darling little felt food items!!
They are even more delightful in real life!








 Otter pops??  We were getting hungrier by the minute!  
Look at the cute build your own pizza!


 ***


Getting a few last minute things finished up before the kids start gathering in...tomorrow!!
So excited!  These little fairies are the cutest things ever!  Such fun to stitch.  They are not difficult, jut a wee bit labor intensive.  Can't wait to share them with my grand daughters.  They will be their ornaments from Nana this year. Absolutely inspired by the master of wee folk, Salley Mavor.  Please visit her blog for inspiration and eye candy!!  She has a new book coming this spring!


Nana and her baby girls Frozen style :)

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful season with the ones you love xo

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving was beautiful in so many ways this year!  I don't really want this week to be over.  Family is such a gift.  I just wanted to let everyone know that I won't have any open studio days during December but I will be happy to accommodate anyone to the best of my ability if you need to stop by.  We will be helping my in-laws move up to Cache Valley this coming weekend.  It is a much needed move for them and we are really excited to have them closer to us. Such an emotional event though for them to leave their home of over 40 years.  As many of you know aging is a tricky situation :) and it ain't for the sissies!


So between that move and helping them settle in…Christmas Parties…gifts to prepare and wrap…our own children coming in mid-December…my schedule will be bursting at the seams.  But isn't this time of year wonderful amidst the hurry and scurry??

I hope we can all find the time we need and want 
to enjoy the sweetness of the season.


Please call me if you need something and 
I will do my best to help you out.

Happy Holidays!




Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Good Bye to Fall

I guess its been about week ago now when the temperatures dramatically 
dropped and the termination dust landed in our valley!  
Luckily a few important photo shoots happened in just the nick of time!
 My Halloween Banner or "Halloween on A Rope" as a friend called it :)  finally had a chance to shine before the lens.  I have twice sold out of these kits now.  They will be back again though, and in time for fall next year!!


 Our sewing group has plans to publish the pattern for this gem of a quilt, when the timing is right.  The original blocks were designed by our dear friend who is valiantly fighting a brain tumor.  Each of us completed our quilts a little differently and they are treasured!  We really needed to capture these beauties in the autumn light and we were blessed with few golden rays on the eve before the snow and bitter temps came.

 I have a crush on this little beauty.  
Quilt by Lisa G and quilting by Carol A.  
Both amazing quilters! And dear friends.
It has since found its way to a lucky bride and groom in sunny California.


 I'm the President of our women's organization at our church and we had a beautiful visiting teaching conference last week.  We fed our tummies and spirits.  I was over the moon with the veggie tray.  It was inspired from Pinterest - from a pin named, "Not Your Grandma's Relish Tray".


Last week we had a full house in the studio and the color and creative juices were flowing!  

 Kathryn was putting the finishing touches on here beautiful quilt.  
The little critters on this quilt are the cutest things ever.  
She told me it would be on the way to quilters in just days.  
I love finished projects! The best feeling ever. 
{Forgot to ask her who the pattern is by}



Janet stopped by to get backing for her beautiful table runner.  
{This is a Wooly Lady design} 
A few days later she posted the finished piece on her Instagram Feed! 
She stopped in today to get things for her next project.  
What a get-her-done girl she is!


 Lorraine seemed pretty happy soaking in the sunshine!



 Threads are an important part of a stitcher's palette and our collection is growing!


I always enjoy peeking at everyone's little sewing kits! 


 Could this little gem be any cuter??!



One of my very favorite things about having ladies in the studio is to hear their stories!
Kathryn had a gem and shared with us the time her daughter brought back this darling stuffed penguin to her from a trip to Alaska.  She said it took her right back to her tiny 5 year old self and the sweet little poem her mom use to share with her!  AND, she still remembers it!  You should have her recite it with every ounce of childhood spunk!  She shared it with me in an email.  Enjoy it!

There Once Was a Puffin
Oh, there once was a Puffin
Just the shape of a muffin,
And he lived on an island
In the bright blue sea!
He ate little fishes,
That were most delicious,
And he had them for supper
And he had them for tea.
But this poor little Puffin,
He couldn’t play nothin’,
For he hadn’t anybody
To play with at all.
So he sat on his island,
And he cried for awhile, and
He felt very lonely,
And he felt very small.
Then along came the fishes,
And they said, “If you wishes,
You can have us for playmates,
Instead of for tea!”
So they now play together,
In all sorts of weather,
And the Puffin eats pancakes,
Like you and like me.
by Florence Page Jaques

Having lived in Alaska I went crazy over this puffin! 
We are trying to hunt down the artist who made it.


 I found the perfect frame for my darling deer project!  
I'll soon have some kits and the pattern available for this.  
It is simply charming and I never get tired of looking at it!

You may have noticed a new link on the sidebar...
I have been invited to teach at Winter Quiltfest again.
They have beautiful new website that the button will take you to.
You can treat yourself to a wonderful retreat 
or sign up for just one or two classes ala carte.
Take a peek!! 



I'll be teaching this happy Cosmos Pillow in my class
with a heavy emphasis on tapping into 
your own creative muse!


There will be some fun hands on activities in my class
 as well as a challenge you can choose to participate in!
Something fun to look forward to in January!

Happy Stitching everyone!



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Show and Share

It's always so much fun to see what you have been working!
Lisa H. brought in her nearly competed collection of Christmas Stockings
She has one more to go!





And last month, Martha brought in her darling Halloween project!  She modified the design by Threads That Bind, Autumn Night and instead of it being square with tabs all around it, she simplified it by making it more round.


Competed projects inspire me!!  And the funny thing is, we all have something that is nearly complete - it's just making time to finish it off.



Having Open Studio hours on Wednesday has been working out well - at least there is a steady stream of woolies coming through :)  I am trying to keep my calender updated on this blog (one of the tabs up above) but it is a good idea to call if you are coming from out of town just to double check.  I am a one girl business and sometimes things come up.  Life!  Tomorrow I have a prior commitment from about 12:30 - 2:30 but I will be here from 9:00-12:15 and then after 2:30 until 6 or so.  And please feel free to call me any other day.  I am happy to accommodate your schedule.



I'm getting closer to finishing my Poppies rug and really cant wait to have it done.
Hope you are finding the time you want to create!  It's such a wonderful thing.


Sunday, October 12, 2014

The Woolen Needle

It is a bitter sweet thing when our children grow up to be 
big people and move thousands of miles away!
You can't help but be so happy for them to be living out their own dreams,
and yet your heart pines for time with them.


Our oldest has recently graduated with his fancy PHD and moved from the 
hustle and bustle of the DC area to the quiet university town of
Iowa City where he now teaches at the University of Iowa.
Time for a trip to see where they are living and soak in 
some sweet time with those darling kiddos!!



I couldn't get enough of the beautiful fields of corn and the rolling country side and 
the meticulous farms and barns.  We took a little ride one afternoon to visit a shop
I have known about for years.  


I have a patient husband who will stop on a dime for a photo.
I sure love that man!


If I could transport this to my backyard!!



So peaceful


The thirty minute drive from Iowa City went by in a blink!



The Woolen Needle

It was a chilly afternoon but Liam agreed to come along for the ride.
He and Papa explored the park in the town square of Williamsburg and
spent a little time sampling jerky a few doors down.


 That gave me a bout 30 minutes to soak up this darling shop!  



I was able to bring home some new fall patterns that I hope to kit up this week.


They have just about everything a wool gatherer would want in this charming little shop!
Rug hooking patterns and hooks…scraps and so many samples of darling projects.




A giant basket of scraps!  (Glad to know that I'm not the only one who saves every little bit!)


Everything was in perfect order.  So warm and inviting.


 Oh, the wall of wool!!



 The ladies were apologizing that the store was on the empty side!  Empty??  Looked pretty well
loaded to me!  I guess they owners had taken a lot of the new things to a big show in Des Moines.





A little something for everyone here.  I was in heaven!


If you are ever in this neck of the woods,  I highly recommend this darling shop!


This project stole my heart!  Can't wait to make my own.
It's called "Peaceful" by The Woolen Needle


SO much eye candy!
It fed my creative spirit.


 So if you are craving some beautiful wool and 




some warm and friendly service, be sure and visit The Woolen Needle!
{Ladies, I have your names on a piece of paper somewhere…thanks you for your kindness!}

You will love your time there!



(Eek! Look at all of that beautiful Valdani thread!)



Happy harvest time and
Happy fall everyone xo

One more thing...have you made your velvet pumpkin yet? 
They are a snap to make and so, so beautiful!
They kids made their own in just a short time!

{I have a fresh supply of hand dyed velvet in the studio!}