Prim Stitchers Society Retreat

Hey, Friends!

Remember me?  Yes, I’m still stitching, but have primarily been working on Beth Twist, of Heartstring Samplery, His Eye is on the Sparrow.  It was my 2015 New Year’s start, and the goal was to finish a page per month.  Very close to finishing page four, but my intent was to finish it at the Prim Stitchers Society Retreat.  

The retreat was so much fun that stitching over one wasn’t happening!  The group was started by Dixie Samplar, and is a Facebook based membership group if you’re interested in Primitive design stitching. 

And speaking of the PSS Retreat…  It was a ball!  The inaugural retreat was held in Williamsburg, Virginia.  I believe the farthest traveled attendees were from Canada.  There was a nice stitcher’s lounge open 24 hours from arrival on Thursday to leaving on Sunday.  Stitchers at our table were Beth, Holly, Pat, Jeanne.  Front right to left : Nan, Elizabeth, Cindy , Faye, and me (Charlene). We asked Ridgley to join us for this photo - since it was hard to catch her not on the run!

Beth

Holly

There were two classes.  On Friday was Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.  The project was a Huswife Necklace.  Lori's teaching style is full of personality!  My finish is below.

Lori and Joan

My Huswife Necklace

My Huswife inside 

On Saturday was Punch Needle with Kathy Barrick.  Now I had tried punch before, but was never able to get the threads to stay in the fabric.  Kathy was such an awesome teacher, she worked with me until I was able to get a partial start.  Nowhere near finished, but at least started!  Practice, practice, practice...

   

There was Merchant Mall on Friday and Saturday, 12:30 to 5:30.  Oh, my goodness!  I noticed some great pictures at Notforgotten Farm. I’ll try to list the ones I remember and purchased from.  I mean NO disrespect if any are omitted!

Notforgotten Farm – Lori

Threadwork Primitives - Nan

Carolina Stitcher – Faye  

 

Dames of the Needle - Elizabeth   

  

Valley Needleworks - Jennifer

Books ‘n More -Mary Ann Locklear 

Dixie Sampler - Terri

Kathy Barrick - Kathy

 Nebby Needle – Bonnie Woomer

Teresa's Primitive Treasures - Teresa Miller

After the closing banquet, we had the raffle drawing.  It was a beautiful box created by Nan Lewis, of Threadwork Primitives.  I didn't take a photo and haven't been able to find one.  

Then the exchange – for those wishing to participate. Mine was from one of our table mates, Cindy.  It’s a lovely pin pillow – Love 1724 – with three hand made pins.  It was finished by Nan, and is nicely done – trimmed with chenille and so tightly stuffed.  Thank you again, Cindy.  I love it!  

In parting everyone received a gift bag filled with very nice things!  The PSS Retreat was designed by Threadwork Primitives, Nan Lewis.  The finished piece is below.

And so on Sunday it was time to take off for home.  Next year's event will be in the Atlanta, Georgia area.  Terri said she will try to announce the specific dates within the next week or so.

I sure hope Terri, Ridgley, Christina and all the others who worked so hard to pull this event off know how much we appreciate all their hard work.They did a fabulous job, and I am already looking forward to year!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Happy Stitching!

Charlene♥SC

Stitching Retreat

...Having photo problems - will try again later...

The retreat was in Little Switzerland, North Carolina at the Big Lynn Lodge this year.  This was only my second Camp Stitchaway, but what a wonderful setting it was - view was fantastic, accommodations were comfortable, staff members were over-the-top, the food was delicious, and of course, Peggy, Carol, Lorraine (LNS), and Meg (Flower Thread) are just the best!  If you don’t feel like family when you arrive, you will by the time you leave!  I didn’t go up until Friday this year, but will try to go on Thursday next year since it just wasn’t long enough!  It was nice, spring-like weather on Friday.

I have lots of photos of participants, but thought I'd share the most junior and senior.  There was Ms. Iris - a precious little lady dressed to the T (lots of us in our sweats or jeans or pjs at some point) who is 88 this year.  Then there was Bailey - the five-year-old granddaughter of the lodge owners - who was very much a part of the weekend; so much she didn't want to go to school on Friday!

We did a small match box project that allowed for toasted marshmallows when complete! 

There were certainly some awesome completions for Show and Tell!  Saturday we began our class project which was a beautiful Ladybug biscornu designed by Meg using the cobblestone stitch. Saturday evening we continued working on our projects and Nancy planned to “educate” the group on the art of yodeling … and your old lady, too!  It was hilarious fun.  There were nice drawings and gift bags and a special gift project from Sue Hillis. 

This year, I finished my project AT the retreat!  In addition to the herringbone stitch that was in the design, I added the date, Camp Stitchaway, and my initials to the back.  That center thread you see is for adding a tiny bead or button as well.

  Sunday morning as we made preparations to leave, got in a final few stitches, and said our fond farewells, atop the mountain it was quite foggy, rainy, and cold which did make it a LITTLE less sad to leave.  I believe arrangements have been made for next year, and I can hardly wait to sign up! 

Before I left for the retreat on Friday, I had Thursday off to do a bit of thrift store shopping.  There aren’t that many around, but I did get a few things.  I have a thing for hands, and this pretty white and pink one just struck my fancy!  I enjoy old coffee pots, too.  Sometimes I use them for simmering cider.  Pretty blue and green bottles are also hard for me to turn down.  Have you ever had a great pair of shoes that you wished you could just stretch a tiny bit?  Do you think these may work for that?  I have high hopes J.

April 1 is International Tatting Day.  Here's an article that shares more information about it.    

Thank you for visiting and leaving kind words for me.  I really do appreciate y’all.     

    Peace~Love~Joy
and Happy Stitching!

Charlene

Tea with the Queen

I had my yearly gyn checkup this week.  Thankfully all is well from that end (pun intended), BUT my BP and cholesterol still need to be medicated, and surprise, surprise, I weigh more than ever – in my life.  One of these days I will get back on the wagon, but he didn’t care for that attitude.  He’s right, but we all know your head AND your heart have to be in it before success will be achieved.   On to more fun things…

I noticed today that the Bride’s Tree Ornament SAL blog is asking someone to take over as administrator.  It is a fun project to do, so if you have the time and interest, hop over and volunteer.

You’ve listened to my chatter about the stitching getaway weekend my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop, sponsored with a project by Clara Blalock from The Stitching Parlor.  She was inspired by the lovely china tea set.  It is such a beautiful project, even more so in person.  The velvet bag is scrumptious on its own!   Clara is a delightful lady, excellent designer and teacher, and her project is superb!   If you ever have an opportunity to have a class with her, GO!

The getaway started on Friday afternoon with friends gathering and greeting, some we don’t see very often, others I’d never met, and one on-line friend I got to meet!   Angel was there, and I hadn’t seen her since Camp Stitchaway,  and  Carolyn was able to work out the details of life to be able to come to the retreat!  It was such a treat getting to meet her in person! 

She is such a kind and funny GirlFriend.  Can’t wait until we get together again.    

After some time chatting and such, we all went out for dinner for more fun and chatter.  When we got back, we reviewed the project, fondled, ohhed and ahhed the velvet and satin, and started our outline backstitches.  We got to take a trip over to the Shop for a private purchase evening!  Since I live in the town, I decided to sleep at home, but I’m sure I missed a lot of late night fun! 

Saturday, we stitched more, had lunch, stitched more, had Tea, stitched more…  You get the point – the purpose was stitching, and we did!!  We had dinner on our own, so some went shopping, Peggy opened the shop again, and I went to care for Pixie.  After that break there was more stitching, THEN Show and Tell.  What wonderful work these ladies do!    Of the 50-some pictures I took, here are a few…

 

Sunday was the final day – a bit of stitching, packing up, with fond farewells and hope to see you soons!  In the afternoon, I did more stitching and got my name graphed ‘over one’ and stitched, between naps. 

 

Thanks to Peggy, for such a great getaway!  I know a lot of planning and work goes into making this a success, and in my book this one was Excellent.  S&F also sponsors a fall retreat at Myrtle Beach in November, but I do believe I heard that it is full.  If you want to check it out, I imagine it will be posted on their site before long.

PS:

I meant to show you what I've been stitching.  The Three Amigos finished the inside of the needle book roll at the retreat, and I've been working on the outside...