Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Stitching Weekend - Day 1

 Last weekend my stitching group went on a retreat....we planned it on December 26th and set it for a weekend in April so that we would have something to look forward to throughout the winter.  Our destination was Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  On our way up we stopped at Lynn's stitch shop in Madison.  We were looking around the shop in a state of frenzy and then Karin heard her name being called...it was fellow blogger Laurie of Corgi Cottage!!!!  She was on a weekend with her guild group and just happened to stop in the shop at the same time we did!  It was so cool!  That is Laurie and Karin pictured above.
 Well, we were in the shop for about 20 minutes when I decreed that we had to have lunch STAT!!!!  I could not concentrate on all of the great charts and the Scarlett Letter trunk show on an empty stomach.  So here is a blurry picture of Patti, Kellie, Karin, Linda and Brenda at Granite City restaurant.  We had a really lovely lunch there.  Apparently I need to learn how to use my camera properly.  I have it set up for close-up stitching pictures and I can't figure out how to set it for regular photos.  Oy!
 Back at Lynn's of Madison now...here is a picture of The Manifesto by The Scarlett Letter.  A couple of us bought the chart....just to study and covet.
 So, our ultimate destination was The Second Story at The Country Sampler.  The Country Sampler is a world class stitching and quilting store with lots of other fun things thrown in.  The second floor is a fabulous apartment that sleeps seven and that is where we spent our weekend.  I always envision having pictures that will tell the story of our weekend exactly as it happened, but there is no way to capture that much joy and giddiness in pictures.  So, over the course of the next several days, I will just show the pictures I have and you will have to imagine how exciting everything was.  As Jenny said while we were in the midst of a shopping frenzy, "I have excitement cramps!" and that is how it was!

Above is a La-D-Da finish by Kellie.  We found the chart at Inspired Needle.  I think it is an older one.  I have never see it before.   Kellie brought it with to show how much better the finish is than the picture of the chart is.  Lucky me, I got the hand-me-down chart in our "free to a good home" exchange!




Here is our retreat project!  The sentiment was perfect for us and it is such a gorgeous piece.  Brenda kitted them up for us at her LNS, Welcome Stitchery.  Isn't that the best???
Karin brought his new Plum Street project to work on.  So beautiful!

 Here we are in all of our glory ensconced in The Second Story!!!!  I did not get Patti in this picture, but she is sitting right next to Kellie.  I was in such a frenzy that my documentarian skills went right out the window.  Here you see Karin at the head of the table, then Linda, Brenda, Jenny, Teresa, Pat and Kellie.  This is the perfect apartment to spend the weekend stitching in!!!!  (not to mention there is a fully stocked stitching/quilting/home accent store right below us!!)
Here is Kellie working on one of her gorgeous projects!  It is May I by All Through the Night.  Here is a link to their website: CLICK HERE!

 Patti finished this Stacy Nash project while we were there.  Love it!!




I saw the shop model of Peace House and went insane for it.  I worked on this piece all weekend.
 Oh, did I tell you??? Kellie is a trained chef!  And she volunteered to make some meals for us!!!!  She thinks it is fun to cook and bake!!!!  Polar opposite of me.  We are a lucky bunch to have her taking care of us!
 Here is Linda going through the stash purchase from day one!!!  We all went a little "ape" if you know what I mean.
Linda, Karin and I were lucky enough to be the last few people to sign up for the Country Sampler Stacy Nash club!!!  Here is the current project.  Who could resist???

 Here is Friday's dinner made by Kellie.  Chicken pot pie and a beautiful salad!!!!!!  Needless to say I am still dreaming about this meal!
 Linda was working on this Tra La La design.  I am in love with this!!!!!
This is the last shot from Friday night.  Pat is working on Mary Edmunson by Pineberry Lane.  This is a super project that I love so!!!

More to come!!!!  I can't tell you how happy this weekend was!  We just laughed, stitched, frenzied and had the best time together.  I am one lucky girl.

27 comments:

Cathy said...

Ahhhh, a stitching weekend! Our group just had ours in March. Totally fun! I'm in charge of planning the next one in October. That's a long time to wait!
Cathy
CraftyCat

marly said...

I can just imagine how much fun a slumber party of stitchers would be.

teresa said...

Oh thanks Laura! It is such fun to relive it all! I just wish we could really relive it all!

BrendaS said...

Great recap Laura! I smiled the whole time while I read your post:))). We are all so very lucky!!!!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

So happy to have had the opportunity to relive this great weekend. Such a fantastic time. Love all your pictures and your documentary. So glad I got to share in you "dream" get-to-gether!!!

Patti said...

Laura! Thanks so much for the "color commentary"- it was spot on! What a wonderful time with such a wonderful group- couldn't ask for anything more! Can't wait for the next one!!! Love you guys!

Jennifer said...

Laura what fun ! Thanks for showing these . You are so fortunate to stitch with such a great group. What is Kellie working on ?

Barb said...

That looks like so much fun! I'm looking forward to seeing the other pictures!

Kellie said...

It's looks like all of you had a blast! Can't wait to see more of your weekend. What project is Kellie stitching? I love it!!! They are all gorgeous!

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

I'm jealous. Looks like a great time. A stitching sleep over is the best kind. Loved reading your post and seeing all that's being stitched.

Karin said...

It was an amazing weekend and thank you for your post Laura so I can relive it!!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I was glad I got to meet you all in person. Glad your weekend was all you hoped it would be!

Margaret said...

Oh so much fun!!!!! Laurie told me all about bumping into all of you! :D I'm so glad you all had a good time. So I guess you can rent the second story and that's what you did? I'm green with envy!!!! Can't wait to see more. I'm already drooling. lol!

Deborah said...

If I lived closer, I would love to be in your stitching group! What fun you all have and so many stores within driving distance. I am so jealous.

Bev C said...

Hello Laura,

I can feel the happiness in your post about your weekend away. Such a lovely place to stay with the shop downstairs. I would love to have this sort of shop in my area.

Happy days.
Bev.

Beauty Bonnet said...

looks like you all had a lot of fun! wish i had a stitching group back here.. what is kellie working on?

Cathy B said...

Look forward to reading more about your weekend. You are a fun bunch...I know that from first hand experience!

Natasha said...

Oh my!! So many beautiful pictures! I love seeing what everyone is working on. I adpre Tr LaLa and the colors in Mary Edmunson by Pineberry Lane are beautiful, could you please tell me what design that is that Kellie was stitching?

How very cool to have a Chef in the group her pot pie looks yummy. I can't wait to hear more about your trip.

KIM said...

Everyones work is beautiful and it looks like a good time was had by all.

Could you please ask Kellie what pattern she was stitching. Its a must have for me!

Kim

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I love your recap. Everybody needs a girlfriends getaway! This looks like it was the perfect spot to do it too. Can't wait to hear more.

Robin in Virginia said...

What a great weekend you all had! Looking forward to your recap of the remainder of the weekend!

Robin in Virginia

Vickie said...

Oh boy, oh boy! You ARE a lucky girl. I am waiting for more! ;)

Katrina said...

Too much fun!!!!!! Looks like you all had a wonderful time on your trip.

Stitchinowl said...

Thanks for the photo-rich recap. Sounds like you all had a great time!
Carolyn

Deborah Schander said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend!

Ranae said...

Oh wow!
I know you gals had a fun time
Thanks for sharing

Melody said...

How fabulous! What a great weekend, and to top it off, someone to cook for all of you!!!