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.