Monday, September 23, 2013

Country Sampler in September Weekend






Well, us lucky ducks were at it again this past weekend.  We spent the weekend at the Country Sampler's Second Story in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  This place is one of my most favorite destinations ever!!!  It is perfect for a group of friends to spend time stitching, laughing, eating and shopping!!!!  Above is a medley of quilts that are just setting about the apartment. 




Here is a lovely chair that I have coveted each and every time I have been to the Second Story.  Of course, I never sit there to stitch because there is a big table for us all to sit around.

I always envision giving a journalistic blog entry of our weekends.  First this happened and then this happened which equaled that happening....however, we get wild and crazy right away and everything gets all jumbled up in my head so.....I will just give you some captions for the pictures I have here and the rest will be lost to history.  


 One of the first things we did was to gather round the table and go through the new Christmas ornament issue......we critiqued each and every ornament.  Some we loved and some we did not love.  We did find it cathartic to be able to express our opinions loudly though.   They should hire us as a focus group.


 Many of us purchased this lovely little publication.  Karin says that she had one in 2012 and she kept tracking of all of the things she stitched that year.  So, of course, we all had to hop on board with that idea.  I plan to keep it near my stitching table and log in with what project I am stitching on what day.  I hope I make it past the 15th of January!




On the way up to Spring Green we always stop in Madison for lunch at Granite City and shopping at Lynn's of Madison.  This year we had time for a stop at Barnes & Noble.  This is the best B&N I have ever been in!!!!  I would make the trip just for it.  Here are the books I bought there and the fall decorations that Patti and Karin had for each of us!


 While in the Country Sampler shop we spied an amazing sampler.  We were stunned.  We were amazed.  Who designed it???  We all had to know.  Please Miss Shopkeeper do tell us!!!  It is by Blackbird Designs.  What?????  We have every BBD chart there is...how could we have missed it???  Well it turns out that most everyone already had this chart at home in their stash!!!!!!  Oh brother!  I did not have it.  So, I had to get it and they had it already kitted up!!!  Score!

 Karin brought her new kit from the Dying to Stitch club.  Love this one from BBD!!!

 Linda is working on this new BBD chart and it is totally fabulous!!!!!!!!!!  Love!!!!


 Patti is working one the Plum Street Samplers offering from the JCS Halloween issue.  I love this one so!!!
 Here is Brenda admiring another project that Linda worked on this weekend.  This is by the fabulous and wonderful Nan of Threadwork Primitives.

 Kellie was working on the Vintage Flower Sampler by Elizabeth's Needlework Designs.  Love this one too.
Karin said she picked out all of these new charts within 5 minutes of being in the store!  Good choices all!


 Brenda is working on this amazingly gorgeous masterpiece!!!!!!!  It is just stunning!!!
 Karin bought this chart and kitted it up at Lynn's of Madison.  She had seen it stitched by one of her friends and they had a shop model at Lynn's.  Love this one!!  It is going to be amazing when finished!

 I brought this chart with me intending to kit it up with Maritime White linen.  Found some at Lynn's and bought the floss there too. 
 As you may know, Kellie is a chef.  She always cooks for us and it is so amazing.  Friday night we had a wonderful salad and chicken pot pie.  Amazing!
 We always bring way too many snacks.  Here is this weekend's snack table.

Here is a picture of my Friday night dinner.  Aren't the colors just fabulous!!!??
 We all worked on multiple projects throughout the weekend.  Karin finished part one of the Lizzie Kate Christmas Mystery Sampler.  So pretty!  Love her Christmas fob too!
 Here are the mags that Kari got at Barnes and Noble.  Hours of fun reading!!!
 There is a fabulous independent bookstore just down the street from Country Sampler.  I wanted to be sure I supported them with some purchases.  Here are the two books that I got there.

 Patti has a favorite shop that she likes to support, Panacea.  They have wonderful gifts and accessories. 
 Here we are......Linda and Brenda.
 Karin and I.......I was boycotting make-up all weekend so I think I look horrid...but you have to live with the choices you make right??
 Here are Kellie and Patti.....
 Kellie told us a funny story about her lamp.  She was stitching while her husband was watching TV.  Apparently, the light was shining on the TV screen.  Her husband asked her to turn off her "laser" so he could watch TV.  As you can see it is quite a bright light!
 On Saturday afternoon we had quite a civilized little repast of bread, cheese, grapes, wine, champagne and Tab!!!  Yum!

 Above is my Country Sampler stash. 
 I found this turkey at the Country Sampler and wanted him!  I think I saw him last time I was there too.  Cute!
 Here is Patti's stitch wallet made by Natalia.  I love, love, love this one!!!!

 Mr. Scarecrow peaking out of Brenda's Vera Bradley!
 Kellie bought this book at Barnes and Noble.  This is the best book I have read so far this year.  Love it!
 Many of us purchased the new book by Lori of Notforgotten Farm.  We also started Turkey Trot.  It is done on 30 count linen.  The instructions say to stitch with one strand of thread.  So, now I have an issue... I started with 2 strands because it is a low count of fabric (see above).  Karin started with one strand of thread (see below) because she follows directions.  It looks good with one strand too! I thought it would look too sparse. 


We had such a fabulous weekend.  It is hard to come back to reality.  Especially after Kellie even popped popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stove!!!!!!  We are going to start planning our next weekend away soon so that we have something to look forward to.  I love, love, love my stitching buddies!!!!!  Thanks to all who made this weekend possible.  And to our two missing buddies, Pat and Theresa, you better be with us next time!!!!

33 comments:

Patti said...

That's one of my most favorite destinations ever too! I'm heading up in two weeks for the Star Party and can't wait! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely weekend! Love your purchases, WIPs, finishes, and food too!
Blessings, Patti

Margaret said...

You all are so so lucky to have each other and to get to go to Country Sampler and hang out at their second story so much. I am green with envy. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us. Looks like so much fun!

Karen said...

What a wonderful designation! Thanks for sharing....

happy stitching.

Faye said...

I WILL get there one day!!! Ad, you ladies always have the absolutely best time!! I really enjoy the blog posts and pcs.... It's like I was right there with you~~ nice!!

Melissa said...

Awww. And a lovely time was had by all. Great stitching, great stash haul and great food & company! You lucky gals!

I loved reading Where'd you go Bernadette? as well.

Teresa S. said...

I'm with Margaret--green with envy. All I can say is--"road trip, road trip!"

Julianne said...

Looks and sound wonderful! I am so happy you all enjoyed yourselves.

Nancy said...

Looks like a good time was had by all! In your Country Sampler Stsh you had several packs of fabric "charms". Do you quilt? Or do you have another clever use for them?

Melody said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend!

Barb said...

Looks like a totally wonderful way to spend the week-end!

Marilyn said...

Looks like a perfect weekend!
Country Sampler rocks!
Glad you all had a great time, the food looks delicious too. :)
Marilyn

Chris said...

What a fabulous weekend!!! I need one of these :) Wonderful friends, amazing stitching and new stash, wonderful books and great food...So many great projects. Thanks for taking me along.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

TOTES jealous :)
Fabulous times, good friends, super stitches, what more is there...oh yeah SHOPPING! Ha!
Thanks for sharing a totally awesome weekend!

moosecraft said...

Oh my! What an absolutely dreamy weekend! Thanks for sharing! All those stitches... and chicken pot pie! Jackpot! :-)

Mmanka said...

You are lucky to have wonderful friends and to get to go to Country Sampler and spent such a fantastic weekend together. I am green with envy. Thanks for sharing with us!

Vickie said...

Oh Laura, you have no idea. I have only my stitchy friends online. I really look forward to your adventurous posts.

Robin in Virginia said...

What a wonderful weekend you all had! I always enjoy reading about your stitching adventures with your friends, Laura! Thank you for sharing this one with us!

Robin in Virginia

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

Totally jealous Laura. Couldn't wait for you to post. I'd love to make it there one of these days. Love seeing what a great time you all had. Fabulous stitching going on. I know I am dying to start my BBD Away We Ride and my NFF book is on the way. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us.

BrendaS said...

Laura -- FABULOUS recap to the BEST weekend!!!! I LOL at the picture of the ornament magazine and all of our comments!!!!

Great times, great friends and wonderful memories!!!!

Love, Brenda

Stitchinowl said...

Sounds like you all had fun, fun, fun! I always enjoy getting the recaps of your stitching get-togethers. The only thing missing is some extra photos of everyone's Vera Bradley bags/accessories!!! Thanks for the book recommendations...I added a few to my book list.
Carolyn

merumo said...

My dream retreat weekend!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I love hearing about your getaway. This looks like a woderful place to hang out. You girls just have the best time. Love the stash and projects too. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Angie said...

I will make it there one day! Awesome though to have friends to join the fun. Every time you post I find a project that I like.
Angie

Love to Stitch said...

I so enjoy reading your blog posts and look forward to seeing a new one!! You gals always have the best times and I love it! Thank you for sharing these times with us and helping enable all of us too!!!! PS I like 2 threads on 30ct, 32 and even 36ct!!! Yours looks fabulous!

Deborah said...

What a wonderful time was had by all! The food looks great, the stash looks great and the books look great. What more can you ask.

Patti said...

What a great time!!! And your recap was THE BEST!!!! What a wonderful pace and group of friends to spend a fall (or anytime) weekend with and Teresa, Pat and Jenny better be joining us the next time!

Monica said...

What a great time you had! I have a retreat coming up in a few weeks, can't wait!

Ranae said...

Sounds like another fun year
So many neat projects
See you gals in a couple of weeks at the retreat

woolwoman said...

Now I'm totally envious of your foray to Country Sampler. I have a group of friends from my area who also went there the end of August - they seemed to have an awesome time but spent a lot of time antiquing in the area and visiting quilt shops. The twins are designers and quilters and used to own a big prim/quilt shop here in our area. LOVE your photos and your stash haul is amazing. It was fun to see your friends having a blast. That is what life is all about. Cheers ! Melody

Karin said...

It was so much fun again and can't wait to plan the next trip!!! Love your posts about our times together!

Karoline said...

Sounds like you all had a fabulous time :)

Unknown said...

You must hate when the weekend is over, it looks like so much fun. I love your Turkey decoration.

Relyn Lawson said...

Hello, friend. I was thinking of you and just wanted to pop by and say so.