Spring Open House

Many, many thanks for everyone who attended our Spring Open House! 

My sister always comes from out of town to help and this year she brought our cute mom

so she could see first hand what all the craziness is about!  We loved having her with us.

Besides, that road trip meant a stop for lunch at Maddox!

 She is the one who taught me my work ethics and she knew just what to do

and always asked us, "What next?" when she finished her task at hand.

She is a gem.

 My DH is always so supportive with all of this wooly business.  

I couldn't do it without his love and encouragement!

We had wonderful goodies this year!

Sweet, sweet friends who brought delicious platters of sweets.

I think Diana's scone recipe was the hit of all time!

Orange and Cranberry.  No one can make them quite like she does!

If you want to have a try, she uses this recipe.

And my daughter Lindsey is who really makes this open house possible!  

She is the calm and level headed one who keeps me organized and remembers all the details I get too busy to even think about!  She has been working tirelessly to get our new website prepared to launch.  I really count my lucky stars that she is so willing to help partner this crazy endeavor of mine!  Mom, you are still darling even if you blink 55% of the time your photo is taken :)

These little Birds on a String were our thank you gift.  We will be sharing pattern
for them on our website so those who couldn't come can make your own at home.

I am pretty much smitten with them and have plans to
make several more sets in different color ways.
They will make the cutest gifts!!
(Mother's Day is coming!!)

A few pics from my sisters cell phone

This one cracks me up :)  A husband getting comfy on the sofa, getting a 

little shuteye while basking the sunshine while his wife shops! 

I LOVE to see what you have been working!  Thanks so much for sharing!

(Above, Julie with her hooked rug!)

Kathryn sharing her adorable pincushions! This girl is prolific with her creations and 

is always making darling gifts for her family and friends.

The photo above is Susan's version of Robin's Return. 

 She reduced the pattern size and it is just as cute as can be!  

We still have a few kits for the two projects listed below.  

They are cute patterns from Threads That Bind.

Robin's Return

Patriotic Picnic

(yep, the kit does include all of the pennies cut and ready to go!)

It was a success and wonderful day!  My family was still smiling after all was said

and done, so that made me happy!  Thanks to everyone who made it possible and 

for all of you darling wool gatherers for supporting us!!

Watch for our new website coming the end of this month!!

Winter Quiltfest 2015

Winter Quiltfest was just a bundle of fun!  I just love the ladies I get to meet at events like this.  I was able to take one class ... Kaleidoscope with Maria Miller.  She is such a gifted quilter.  I loved everything about her class!  I felt like I had met an old friend.   It makes my heart happy to rub shoulders with some of these young quilters!!  They are so creative and enthused about quilting you can't help but jump on the wagon with them.

These photos are not the greatest quality - I didn't even remember to bring 

my camera along, and was really too busy to be taking pics.  

But yay for phone cameras.  They will always do in a pinch!

I brought a vintage tablecloth (with beautiful cross stitch) that has been sitting 

in my drawer with many other little vintage pieces I have been collecting 

over the years ... and decided to incorporate some of it into this playful quilt.  

It is going to be really neat in it! I am so anxious to have a day to sew 

the blocks up.  Everything is cut and ready to go.

A few photos from one of the classes I taught.  

Along with working on the Cosmos Pillow project, we discussed creativity!  

It was a lot of fun.  I challenged those who wanted to participate to 

create their own grid project of 25 Things that make them happy!  

This is mine, a work in progress.  

It sure is a blast to work on the little squares.  

They are just 3" square.

It is stitched on Sahara Cloth - a rustic cotton that has a similar grid to aida cloth so it makes the rows quite easy to follow.  I thought this would be a great little project to work on new embroidery stitches and all things tiny! Anything goes with this.  I got some of my inspiration from this blog that did a 39 squares stitch along a few years ago.  I had been pinning different inspiration photos from that idea and decided it was time to get going on one of my own!  I hope I will get to see some of the progress my students make on theirs :)

 This is the Cosmos Pillow I taught.  Such a happy project to stitch on in January!

Love it when students do their own thing!

My sweet mother in law fell and broke her hip last week and dad has some dementia.  It has definitely put us on a new road with aging parents.   Life is hard for all of us but so much to learn from each other.   I find the little pieces of time I get to work on something creative are really treasured. And it seems there are just a few minutes here and there to do that.  I know without a doubt that it is a privilege to spend any time I can with family.  Life is just too short and the people I love is where I like to keep my focus.  Family is right at the top of the list.  

A little bit of news on the horizon is that we will be launching a much needed website in the very near future!  I get so many requests for online sales and classes in the studio. I think it's time to get things lined up!  This little business of mine is only possible through the love and support I get by so many friends and family.  A big hug of gratitude to each and every one of you who encourage me to do what I love!  XO  I really feel that the time we spend with each other sharing ideas and learning new things is such a gift.  We all need each other on this journey.

One more thing before I close ...  Our Spring Open House will be March 5th from 10 - 8.  We are trying a week day this time to see how that goes.  Now if I could just figure out how to slow down time a little bit to squeeze it all in!  Deep breath...

The Great Awaits!

"To the good behind us and the great that awaits!"

-Artifact Uprising

I've been thinking a lot about a passing year.  Maybe with extra melancholy because Davis would always call and wish me a happy new year on new years eve.  Maybe because every year feels like more distance between us.  I'm not really sure.  I do however LOVE the shiny new promise of a brand new year and the hope it brings. The excitement of making plans to fill that new year to the brim with good things!

The Studio is open this Wed. January 7th, from 10 until 6

I'd love to see what you have been working on or help you

get started on a new project for January!

Happy Stitching and stay warm!!

*I'll keep Open Studio hours updated in the Calendar link above*

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