Shepherd's Retreat, Day 3

Saturday was the final day of classes, as well as the banquet. Our first class was with R&R Reproductions. I have to admit that they were not my favorite; we took them a couple of retreats ago and didn't care for the project. But, as Nancy reminded me, they had told us that they had had trouble that prevented them from getting together a better project. This time, I really liked their project. It's called "Quaker Lover Letters," and it's an envelope, basically, with a Quaker-style sampler on it. It was coincidental that it had many Ackworth Sampler motifs. I mean, coincidental in that they chose that style this year. Not coincidental, of course, that Quaker groups used the same motifs. The project is all done in cross stitch, in one color of thread, so even though the design is complex, the stitching will be easy. There is an accessories kits that we could buy--so I did. I bought it because it has a really cool nametag that says, "Mistress of the Needle," and I too want to proclaim my status as such. This is a project that I might get started on right after the Christmas projects.

For lunch we only had an hour, part of which was spent getting checked into our second room. Nancy and I shared a room the first two nights, but for the third night, we had people coming to eat at the banquet with us, so we got a second room. We had decided we would eat our veggie tray, and some fruits for lunch, but my cooler would not keep them cool enough, so I tossed them instead, and we ate unhealthy snacks.

Class three, the final class, was taught by Jacqueline Holdsworth of Needleprint. I believe she is not a designer, but she is an expert on and charts the Ackworth Samplers, and she brought one of her reproduction charts, Hannah Westcombe's Ackworth Sampler. It, too, is stitched in just one color, and I'm doing it in Belle Soie's Enchanted Forest. However it's over-one, and really large, and the fabric is Oaten Scone 34 ct, so it will be more demanding. Here's a link to a picture of the original, recently sold at auction--it's lot 200:

http://www.tennants.co.uk/Press_news/Press_news_10_03_08.asp

Jacqueline also gave us another slide show of the Ackworth Samplers. The quality of these really is very good.

After class, we had three hours to get ready for the banquet. I was so glad we hadn't had to check out. In previous year, we did come home after the banquet, which meant that we had to check before our first class (at 9 am), and then sit around after classes, unable to relax or get ready. I would generally stitch on of my new projects in one of the many nooks of the hotel. The chairs were always cozy and the lighting always bad. But this time, I moved all my stuff into my new room, met up with DH, and assembled my new charm bracelet:

OK, from left (below): Charland's charm from Shared Stitches (it says "Friends"); a small stitched (yes, it's stitched, and very tiny) charm and an English penny from the night of the lecture; a Quaker wreath motif designed by Jacqueline Holdsworth, and a typewriter key (because it's a "text" sampler) from the Hannah Westcombe class; a small bead that came with the bracelet.


And again from the left: The bead; a heart charm with a bird on it designed by Merry Cox and an antique button, from Merry Cox's class; a glass flower and a crown designed by R&R, from their class; a heart charm designed by Charland from her class (one of the ones I couldn't attend).


So, after that, the banquet. Here is our table:


And here you can see Nancy socializing, with Dan's and Erin's backs to the camera:

It was a nice banquet, and the entertainment was hysterical. Each table got up and did an entertainment of their choice: there were skits and songs. I read a poem by Emily Bronte about love and friendship and then another lady at the table read a Shel Silverstein poem about getting out of doing dishes, while the rest of us pantomimed. And at the end of the banquet, we each got a little gift:

It's a little sampler pendant. All in all, I really enjoyed myself; my only complaint is that it was too short. Teri and Tina of Shepherd's Bush always do a fantastic job!

Since returning home, I have been kitting the Christmas angels and ornaments. I had to order some threads, beads and buttons for those, so look for that update soon.

Shepherd's Retreat, Day 2

Today we had to hike down the hill to get to our class—it looked harder than it was. Merry Cox was our teacher and her project was "Sweet Little Blossoms." We always enjoy learning from her, especially her finishing technique--she is justly well-known for her finishing. This project consisted of a small bag, a needlecase, pin-keep, and scissors' case. We worked on Queen, or Rococo stitch, Nun’s stitch—I already knew both of those—and Buttonhole Wheels, which I didn’t know. During class we got another very adorable charm designed by Merry. Each teacher designed a charm for her class and I thought we wouldn’t get the charms from the classes we didn’t attend, but I found out later we could buy those, so I did. Two of them were sold out, though, so I don't have them, yet--they're on their way.

After class, lunch from the Pizza Hut next to the hotel. They’re doing construction on the path there, so a little hiking was involved I should have taken a picture. We had to climb down into a culvert and then back up the other side. Although the hotel is very nice, the service is lacking, and this is one example. A sign indicating the closure, and a suggested detour would have been nice.

Oh, yes, and we had to sign up for our banquet table—they are all named after Jane Austen characters. We chose Colonel Brandon’s table. There was a run on the Colin Firth and Mr. Darcy tables--we had no chance to sit there, lol.

After lunch we had much free time, which we spent napping and stitching. Then off to dinner at Zoom. This is Robert Redford's Park City restaurant. It is most famous for its macaroni and cheese, but I've had that before--it is really good--and tried something else. I had the 5-spice salmon. Generally I avoid seafood in a landlocked state, but Redford's restaurants are an exception. The food is always fresh and good. This was no exception. It came with a mango salsa, wilted spinach, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Those were almost, but not quite, as good as Dan's, but they were much fluffier. We suspect a ricer was involved. I have to admit that, as good as it was, I wish I had ordered Nancy's dish: Halibut crusted with herbs and asiago. Same sides. That was what my taste buds really wanted. Dessert was the best creme brulee I have ever had. Firm enough, and supersilky. White chocolate with lavender.

Then back to the hotel for a lecture by Jacqueline Holdsworth of Needleprint, on the Ackworth Samplers. I have to admit I'm not particularly a sampler person. The bands can be a little boring (not to stitch, but sometimes to look at), and a whole lot of antique samplers make me wonder why I'm supposed to be impressed. Because they're old? Certainly not the composition or technique. But these--these could convert me. They are amazing. Ackworth was a Quaker, co-ed school founded in the late 18th century (1779, I think), in England. It was for children, "not of affluence," and the girls stitched these complex, well-designed, well-stitched, beautiful samplers on their own time. I believe Jacqueline said the girls entered school at 8 and left at 14, so they were pretty young.

And because this was another retreat session, we got another charm and another project: "Quaker Wreath," charted by Jacqueline from the samplers we had been looking at. This project came in a beautiful bag--I chose pink. Yes, I've turned into a girly-girl who loves pink in my middle age.

Oh, and we had a wonderful chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup. It was good; too bad I'd already had the creme brulee:

And the lemon tart? With the shortbread crust? It didn't travel too well. By the time we got to it, next morning, the crust was too soggy to eat, or even find. Oh, well, I'm sure it was good.

Shepherd's Retreat, Day 1

Before I get to today's post, I see that Shepherd's Bush has updated their blog with photos from the retreat. I recommend you click there (on my sidebar) to see some photos of the projects, as well as the teachers. Charland is so cool! Even though I didn't get to take her class this time.

So on Thursday, we arrived earlier than we had planned, and we were worried that we’d have to sit in the lobby while we waited for our room. But no, our room was ready—and it’s a room with a balcony! I was so excited. n fact, I’m sitting here on the lounge chair on the balcony while I type this. It’s very pleasant, with a nice breeze—cooler than Salt Lake City. And there’s a really nice view. There is also a less-nice view, but I have chosen not to look that way.

Day 1 always starts with registration and a small project. Today’s project was a memory book. We were given a book, some papers, some cutouts, some charms, some ribbon, and some thread, and then allowed to use our imagination. This year, because we were so on-time, we got a good seat. Sometimes I don’t have much imagination, and I should take my time, get ideas, and think about it—but I just jumped in anyway. Here is my partially completed book:

There were so many cute ideas and it’s always fun to see other people’s creativity.

For dinner, Nancy and I went to Chez Betty, which we’ve both wanted to try for some time. I had rack of lamb for the first time in my life, which I enjoyed. We both thought it was pretty good. The warm spinach salad, and the “everything” bread were spectacular, the rest of the meal less so, although still very good. We didn’t have time to eat dessert, so we ordered lemon tarts to go. We hoped they would travel well.

We made it back just in time for “Shared Stitches,” which is where all of the designers at the retreat contribute a part of the kit. Shepherd’s Bush did the pattern, which is an adorable lopsided heart. The front has a vine and the back has the names of all of the teachers, as well as some friendship words. Charland Gavin did the charm, which was also a heart. We were given the choice of putting it on the project or a bracelet, and so mine is on my bracelet and I will show a picture later. R&R Reproductions did the fabric--30-ct French Vanilla, and Merry Cox did the finishing. Charland explained in detail how charms are made—it’s about 14 steps, she said. And in fact, we then got the bracelet to go with the charm we received, as well as future charms that we were promised.

Afterwards we were too stuffed and tired to eat our desserts, and so we went to bed.

Shepherd's Retreat, Prologue: The Open House

As most of you know, I spent the past few days up in Park City, at Shepherd's Retreat, which happens once every two years, and which is totally fun. I couldn't figure out how to access the wi-fi at the hotel, so I wasn't able to post my blogs from there, but I did write some things down as they happened, and I'll post those as I'm able to. I also got some pictures, but the designers who did the kits, which are mostly exclusive to the retreat, don't really want them posted on the web, so I can't post the projects I got. At least not until I have some stitching of my own to show.

So last Wednesday, Nancy and I went up to the Shepherd’s Bush store in Ogden to our first ever Shepherd’s Retreat Open House. We were lured by the promise of a free gift, and of course all of the amazing things Shepherd’s Bush has for sale. When we arrived, we saw a long line of people, mostly women really, waiting to get in. We got in line, too; I felt like we were waiting to get into a really hot nightclub. A few passersby even stopped and asked what was going on, that we were waiting in line for.

After not too long, in we went. It was really crowded, and those who know me know that that is a situation I hate. But everyone was pleasant and friendly. I bought some fabrics for my Christmas Angels (from left, an unknown dark green, 28-ct; Antique Green, 28-ct; Barn Grey, 32-ct):

as well as a really cool Puffin Thread Separator. I’ve wanted one of these since they came out. It works by attaching weight to your thread and letting it untwist.

And here is the gift—Shepherd’s Bush always makes a cute button—a different one for each retreat. I feel like it’s my badge of honor, to finally have obtained one:

Or maybe it's my ticket into that exclusive nightclub.

Next, Day One.

It's Christmas Time!

That is, it's time to get ready for Christmas. Actually, I should have started a month ago. Recipients of the Christmas Angels (free patterns! at www.tiag.com) know that I routinely don't finish them till several months after Christmas. In fact, I did try to start on them over a month ago, going through my stash and ordering thread and fabric. Unfortunately, the fabric I ordered is on back-order, so that was put on hold. When I go up to Shepherd's Bush tomorrow, I may see if I can get some fabric there. Then when my ordered fabric comes, I can add it to my ever-expanding stash.

But that's not why it's Christmas Time! I received my much-anticipated Just Cross Stitch 2008 Ornament Issue yesterday. I make every effort every year to get my hands on this--it always sells out at my regular shops. I've taken to ordering it online just to be sure. Even though I don't buy the regular monthly magazine (sorry, JCS, it just doesn't suit my taste), I recommend getting the ornament issue if you enjoy at all doing cross stitch and Christmas. It just has the cutest, most fun holiday designs (although DH complains that there are not enough sled motifs and is considering sending a request to the magazine for more of those).

After receiving the magazine and going through it carefully, I let the boys choose their ornaments. This year, both Jazzboy and Gameboy picked the same ornament: "Let It Snow" by Country Cottage Needleworks (#6 on p. 13, if you have the magazine). They're in their Snowman Phase. I didn't mind doing it twice, but they didn't like that, so Jazzboy chose instead "Frosty Friends" by Mosey 'N Me (same page). DH has picked "Deck the Windows" by Julia Lucas Designs (p. 15). And I am leaning toward "Bluebird of Christmas Happiness" by M Designs (p. 13 again).

So the next step is to go through my stash and "kit" these up, or make a kit for each of them. That will have to wait till after Shepherd's Retreat.

Yes, I am off for 3 days in Park City of nothing but stitching, and I am so looking forward to it! If the hotel has Wi-Fi, I will blog from there; if not, then when I get back.

My New Purse

I spent Saturday with my mother-in-law, Nancy, and my sisters-in-law, Rachel and Erin, making a really cute purse. I don't sew well, so it was a chance for me to practice. When I saw a picture of the purse, which was "She Loves Me Knot" by Kimberbell Kids & CarlaC Dolly Designs, I immediately thought of Japanese gift wrap, so that was the type of fabric I looked for. I went to Whimsy Cottage in Salt Lake City, which I loved. They didn't just have the usual Americana-type fabrics. Don't get me wrong--I like those too--but I didn't feel they suited this project.



As is usual for me, I couldn't decide exactly which fabric I wanted. I saw these really pretty batiks first, and selected some of those, then I found the Japanese fabrics. So I bought them all. I'll probably make another purse out of them.

So first we cut out our pattern, fabric and interfacing pieces. Then we sewed the bottom and sides together. That was the end of the easy part. Next we sewed the purse sides and one of the ties to the bottom and sides. Ditto that--except the ribbon tie part--for the lining. But then for the lining we had to put in magnetic closures. We got to stab our fabric and then hammer it. So here is my outside:


And here is my inside:


Next, I got to sew up the sides and turn the outside right-side out, then drop the lining (also sewn up) into it. And then the hardest part of all: Turning down the top, pinning the handles and other bow tie to it and then sewing it without sewing the handles or tie down. Ta-da!


I'm very proud of it. I did learn, though, that I still need lots more work in sewing straight lines.

Here are (from left) Rachel's, Erin's, and Nancy's:

Finished Part 5 of the Marquoir!

It seemed to take forever. Really, it doesn't take that long to finish a section, but I only have been working on it a little at a time. Well, it took at least 8 1/2 hours. I keep track of the time, but I lost the notebook that had part of my log.

I really like the way this section looks, probably better than any other section so far. The theme is music, which probably explains my affinity.

And here is the whole sampler, so far:

I've been working on my tatting as well. I do that in the car while waiting for the boys, so about 10 minutes a day. So that project looks essentially the same. You'd be surprised how little tatting you can get done in 10 minutes. And speaking of tatting, my sister (you can see what she's working on at Big Booty Knits) turned me on to a group on Ravelry called L.A.C.E. I've been reading all the posts and it's fascinating. I have so much to learn!