Winner of Free Drawing Announced

First I would like to announce the winner of the Free Drawing:  Nicole chose the Gerbera Daisy instruction book and canvas kit.  Congratulations!  Thanks to all who posted a comment to enter. 

I was working away on the design for the stitching retreat and had planned to have it finished by now.  The best laid plans.  But when I started working with the wire I thought to add, it just didn't look right....to small of a gauge.  So I thought I could just run out to Beverly's (my closest craft store) and pick up the perfect color in the right gauge!  No such luck.  Almost every color out of stock.  Then, I drove on out to Joann's.  Again no luck.  Now it's rainy and windy and the next closest is Michael's, 15 miles further.  So I went home and found what I needed on-line.  Now to wait.  Thank goodness the company just sent a shipping notice so hopefully I will receive my package and can finally complete Funky Rose. 

I'm surely not the only person this happens to.  Best laid plans aside...sometimes you just have to try it out on the actual piece to see if something will work.  So, here is the "almost finished" piece.  You can see where I added the purple wire in two places along the bottom edge....plus a few transparent sequins and beads.  Now as I look back at the previous update photos I see a huge change from the last posted update!  Hopefully it will only be a few days before it's done.  In the meantime I am beginning the last flower in the silk ribbon series....a Red Dahlia. 

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.