Stitchers Retreat Report

I am happy to report our first Stitchers Retreat was fun and relaxing...a great success.  Everyone appeared to enjoy the entire experience from the lovely hotel and great food to just chatting with old and new friends to working on new projects or getting help with current ones. (Those bright green bags are the Goody Bags full of cool stuff).  We are set to do it again February 27 - March 2.  I will post more detailed information by December 1st. 

But sorry to say I didn't take many pictures.  Good intentions though.  I've posted one of our stitching room for the day.  We were hoping to have our lunch out in the courtyard, but would you believe it, it rained.  We haven't had rain for months.  But no one was really complaining as we definitely needed it!  But here is a picture looking out into the courtyard.  Maybe next time.  After all, doesn't really get too cold here in February compared to most places. 

I got back to Pear stitching during the retreat and really hope to get a lot of stitching done this month.  But one of the retreat participants suggested I use scrap canvas to stitch up a finishing template.  Good idea.  So hopefully I can get that done this week....just to make sure the three sections of pear will fit together the way I envision.  It definitely be better to work out the bugs beforehand instead of on the stitched canvas. 

Now, for the next week, I will be busy finishing up kits for two upcoming teaching trips over the next 3 weeks.  It's really nice to be working away in my newly redone stitching room.  In the latest issue of Studios by Quilting Arts Magazine, the Expedit (Ikea)shelving I used is shown, but there are also many other great storage and organizational ideas. 

Will be back soon, hopefully with stitching photos updates.

CREATIVE STITCHERS RETREAT

Without further ado the Creative Stitchers Retreat Pages are now live and ready for viewing.  I have diligently been working for several days to have all the information available stitchers might want.  This is something new for Claire and I and we are trying to incorporate as many of the fun, enjoyable, engaging.... and relaxing.... things we most like to see ourselves.  Enjoy! 

Also, for those who might have been wondering when I would get back to stitching and updating with progress photos, there is a new photo of Funky Rose on the retreat pages which shows it 90% complete.  Just a few more evenings to see it fiinished!

MY WORK SPACE

Lots of people might be having a holiday today, but I'm here at my computer desk working away.  I really like my flexibile schedule but sometimes I do forget what day it is.  But at least we have been having pretty nice weather this last week or so.  I know, I know, it is all relative, but we in the San Francisco bay area must have something to complain about,even if it is only about its being overcast (with fog early and late).   I have lived in other climates and your body definitely acclimates to wherever you are, so now I'm used to a very narrow temperature range, which can be a problem when I travel other places.  Anyway, here is a photo taken as I turn to look out my window into the backyards.  Even though they are not visible from this phot, the pink jasmine is blooming and the first bulbs are beginning to come up. 

I really like having a separate computer work area separate from my other creating and stitching spaces.  I spend a lot of time here as all the instruction books are created here much less this blog and website. 

I've been busy adding more colors of Soy Luster Shadows to the site and finishing up the Creative Stitchers Retreat pages. They are scheduled for this Tuesday night.  I have also been updating the Upcoming Pilots page to include the pilots for 2009 Seminar classes so if you think your group my be interested in that type of workshop check out Pilot Classes. 

Hopefully the photos of project updates will return by the end of this week.  Several now have completion deadlines over the next few months!  There is also the fourth and final design in the works for the Silk Ribbon Flower series. This series is fun to stitch....it's just finding the time....but I have promised to have it ready by Mid May, latest. 

Well....back to work, but enjoyable work,  for me.  Hope you are enjoying your day.