• Stitching,  Travel

    Shepherd’s Retreat – Day 1

    October 3, 2012

    I've got all 180 photos loaded from the retreat, so go brew some coffee and get comfy! I'm kidding – there were 180 photos, but I won't burden your computer with all of them, no worries. For those of you who stopped by bc you'd like to see them, I'll break them up into manageable sections. 🙂

    My flight to Salt Lake City was a short one, and I had the pleasure of sitting next to three other retreat attendees – Michelle, Edie, and Sylvia. What fun ladies they were, and if I wasn't excited about attending before, then I sure was after listening to all of their fun descriptions of how past retreats had gone. If any of you three are reading, thank you for making me feel welcome before I ever even got to Utah!

    Sweet Mindy picked me up at the airport.. Teri had told me she was a darling, and she was. Mindy, you were a wonderful "chauffeur!"

    Here we are across the street from Temple Square…

    Mindy and Me tp

    While we were there, she and I took a general tour of the Tabernacle and surrounding gardens, which was very interesting. The architecture is astounding…

    SB tp-4

    And the gardens are vibrant and beautiful…

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    Inside, we got to see a scaled model of the Temple, which is only open to the public for a short time following its completion. After that, the Temple is dedicated to God, and the public is not allowed in.

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    There was also a scaled model of the city of Jerusalem.. the photo doesn't quite show how enormous this model really is. I can't imagine how long it took to build it!

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    There were many reproductions of wagons and tools used by the Mormon pioneers who settled here to build their new life…

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    These are some of the original glass panes; in person, you can see all the ripples in them…

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    And take a look at that pipe organ! This is where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs and records their music…

    SB tp-5

    When our tour was over, Mindy and I headed to lunch at the Blue Lemon Cafe across the street, and then it was time for the drive to Ogden. First stop: Jill Rensel's studio! Can I just tell you that Jill is as charming and lovely in person as I imagined her to be? What a beautiful person she is, and I must have had a hundred people ask me if I got the chance to meet her. She's quite popular, yet ever so humble and soft-spoken.

    Here she is with Mindy, who is holding her sweet little pooches (who were as gentle-natured as Jill, and nothing like the Yorkie that resides in the Stewart home)…

    SB-21 BW tp

    And needless to say, her shop is amazing, full of framed and matted pieces waiting to be picked up or shipped out…

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    Someone had even stitched Brother's Keeper over one.. I wasn't able to stay there and get a decent shot of the frame itself as there was quite a crowd there, but I did manage to get a sliver of the piece photographed…

    SB tp-12

    After Jill's, Mindy drove me to the Shepherd's Bush shop… please pass the smelling salts; this place is fabulous. The building used to be an old blacksmith's shop, so you can imagine how much elbow grease it took Tina and Teri to get the place converted to one of the lovliest needlework shops in the country.

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    I'm spent.

    Teri and Tina and all the friendly employees at Shepherd's Bush sure do know how to make one feel welcome. I actually didn't get to spend very long in the shop bc it was soon time to load up the vehicles and head up the mountain to the retreat. But I do plan on returning some day… how can I resist?

    Btw, Mindy was quite the sweetheart, driving me around and making sure my blood-caffeine levels were normal. I believe she's visiting the Attic Needlework shop in Mesa, AZ as we speak (another of my dream shops), so if you're reading this, Mindy, I'm so happy Teri and Tina decided to volunteer you to be my taxi. 🙂

    I'll be back soon with more fun from the retreat!

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  • Stitching,  Travel

    Shepherd’s Retreat

    October 2, 2012

    Oh my goodness, if you only knew how inspired I am after attending Tina and Teri's retreat this past week! What a fabulous show those ladies put on.. and the warm reception and kindness from all the attendees was completely overwhelming to me. For those of you who attended and are reading, thank you, thank you, thank you!

    I also had the honor of meeting some of the most wonderful ladies in the industry… Besides the famously-lovely Tina and Teri (impossible to be around them and not be happy), I also got to meet Linda of Chessie and Me (loved taking pictures of her models!), Charland and her daughter Sydney of Charland Designs (the most clever and witty duo on the planet – I still can't stop laughing), Cece from Threadgatherer (not only does she paint threads, but she has an amazing line of lotions and lip balms), Ann and Pat of R&R Reproductions (my  soul sisters), and Jeanette Douglas of Jeanette Douglas Designs (I do believe we were seperated at birth).

    I don't have my photos from the retreat loaded onto my computer just yet, but I can show you the projects I presented. My classes were so much fun, and not one single person threw a tomato (although I may have seen a few people reach into their handbags suspiciously).

    This was my retreat sampler…  


    AYT tp-30


    A Yuletide Welcome TP

    And this was the project I presented with it, called A Lady's Pin Roll…


    ALPR front rolled tp

    As you can tell from the scale of the spools, it was a tiny project, meant to hold various sizes of needles and pins, to be thrown into your project bag or purse (in case you're out somewhere and you drop your needle and can't find it – which I have done on more than one occasion).


    ALPR front unrolled tp

    Or in case you need an emergency safety pin!


    ALPR inside unrolled tp

    It was a really fun project to make, and I hope the attendees enjoyed it as well.

    Again, I can't thank you all enough for the kind words I received regarding not only my designs, but also my family and for the loss of our Friday. I felt completely surrounded by friends, despite not having previously met many of you. What a joy the entire retreat was… and rather than wishing I was home with my family, I wished instead that they were in Utah with me! Maybe another time. 🙂


    AYT tp-28

    I'll be back soon with pictures from the retreat! Until then, I've got lots of ideas to get down on paper, and lots of laundry to do.

    ETA: A Lady's Pin Roll doesn't have a general release date planned, but A Yuletide Welcome will most likely become available in the summer of 2013.

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  • Crazy Kids,  Family,  Ramblings

    Odds and Ends

    September 25, 2012

    I can't thank you all enough for your kind comments and emails, full of sympathy and encouragement regarding our sweet Friday. The support and friendship you showed to my family was incredibly heartwarming, and I was so surprised by how many people took the time to share their sweet condolences. Thank you!

    I'm getting ready to kick off my fall season by heading to Park City, Utah tomorrow morning. I'll be attending the Shepherd's Retreat, hosted by the lovely Tina and Teri of Shepherd's Bush, and I'm very excited to do so! It's something I've wanted to do ever since they started them, but never got the chance to; imagine my surprise when they invited me to teach! I am very honored to have been asked, and I'm really looking forward to meeting those of you who are going. Hopefully I won't be too hopped up on caffeine when I get to the front of the classroom, but if I am, just touch your nose and that will be my signal to climb down from the table top.

    Before I leave, however, I'd like to share a few moments from the summer… I know I haven't posted much at all, and I miss it sorely, but I'm still plagued with hip/hamstring issues that prevent me from sitting here overmuch. Anyway, here are a few things we did this summer… there was nothing spectacular, but I'm very okay with that; it was wonderful just to spend time at home with family… except for Bre, whom I missed very, very much. 🙁

    Goodbye, Summer of 2012!

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    I hope your summer was marvelous, despite the intense heat, and that the fall brings you as many blessings as there are leaves falling to the ground.

    See why I drink too much coffee? Bc if I don't, then I start waxing pseudo-poetic and everyone rolls their eyes.

     

     

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  • Critters,  Family

    Goodbye, Sweet Boy.

    September 22, 2012

    Ten years ago we brought our sweet Friday home. A farmer had a litter of Golden Retrievers he wanted to go to good homes, so Mike and I and my parents all decided to head to his barn and bring home a couple of puppies. Mike and Bre and I decided that whichever one we got would be for Sabrina's birthday (it would be a surprise for her). Major waddled up to Mom and Dad, and Friday wriggled his way to Bre.

    Friday tp 1

    Friday tp 2

    Sabrina was overjoyed, of course. And since that day, she and Friday were as close as a dog and his girl could be.

    Friday tp 3

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    He grew into such a sweet gentleman…

    Friday tp 6

    And what a handsome boy he was…

    Friday tp 11

    He was such a good sport whenever the girls or I would get in a silly mood…

    Friday tp 7

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    …And he refused to outgrow his lap-dog mentality. Once, on a walk with Friday, I stopped to talk to a neighbor who was sitting on the warm cement of his driveway, enjoying the weather. Friday promptly took the opportunity to sit all of his 111 pounds onto the poor man's lap, and I could barely see my neighbor behind Friday's tall body. When I finally got Friday to stand back up, I was relieved to find my neighbor was quite good-humored about it, even though he almost got his beer knocked over.

    Friday tp 12

    In the past few months, Friday had become more tired, and had a difficult time getting up. He also lost his hearing, so when he'd go outside, I'd have to jump up and down like a crazy person to get his attention so he'd come back inside.

    Friday tp 10

    Whenever Bre would come home, she'd shower him with lots of love and say, "Hiii, Fridayyy!" in such a cheerful voice, it always made me smile. And of course he'd roll on his side for her and relish all the belly rubs.

    Friday tp 14

    He loved listening to Bean play her guitar…

    Friday tp 13

    Since Sabrina couldn't come home from school, Sophie had become a very good care-taker for Friday. He had started growing weaker, and didn't want to stand up to eat his food, so she would do her best to help him out…

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    Yesterday we made the heartbreaking decision to have Friday go to sleep after watching him decline so rapidly this past week. Sophie had taken such good care of him in Sabrina's absence that Sabrina wanted her to be there, and asked us all to say goodbye to him, and to tell him she loved him. Of course we did, and I scratched Friday in the same way Sabrina always did when she was here.

    Mike and I carried our boy into the vet's office, and after spending some time with him in the quiet room, the vet came in to tell Sophie she was doing the right thing, and that she was loving him the best way possible by letting him go. He was suffering so much, and needed to rest.

    Sabrina, it was very peaceful. He was ready to sleep, and he knew he was loved.

    Friday tp 15

    We love you, sweet Friday.
    August 2, 2002 – September 21, 2012

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  • Family

    Run, Big Papa, Run!

    September 19, 2012

    We spent this past Sunday downtown in the chilly, rainy weather, watching Big Papa run in another Corporate Cup race. He'd had no time to train, with the exception of the 2.3 miles he'd run the day before, hoping that would prepare him for the 6-mile jaunt ahead. Mike has always lived each day in a mind-over-matter way, so I was praying that's what would get him through this time. 🙂

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    Sophie was given the choice to stay home in her warm bed and sleep in, but she insisted on getting up and cheering on her Best Buddy – and being at the finish line to call 911 if necessary.

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    One last Hook 'em Horns sign, and he was off…

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    As we approached the 1-hour mark, we started looking out for Mike to come around the bend…

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    There he is! Go Big Papa!!! You can do it!!!

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    You're doing great, Mike! Yes, that's right -  You're in Nebraska, but Hook 'em Horns anyway!

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    Go, Best Buddy!

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    In just over an hour's time, he was finished! Sophie and I were so proud of him. (We love you, Big Papa.)

    After the race, we headed back to the car, and passed this sculpture I'd never seen before. (Possibly bc I never venture downtown)

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    Turns out it was a memorial to the victims of 9/11. I thought it was both sad and fascinating…

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    After we got to the car, we headed over to the Farmer's Market at Aksarben Village, where Mike was eager to munch on any samples the vendors had to offer. (Btw, Aksarben is Nebraska, spelled backwards.)

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    I bought some of these and made a buttery apple crisp later that evening.. for those of you who follow me on Instagram, I posted the recipe in steps there…

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    The best part about the Farmer's Market was that Jones' Bros. Cupcakes was nearby…

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    (Btw, they won Cupcake Wars in the show's second season!)

    I love this picture, bc it looks like Sophie has a mustache…

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    After our cupcakes (they carry gluten-free ones as well), we walked around the Village a bit more.. I'm inserting this picture here bc I want to show it to Bre (who paints beautifully!), if she's reading this; it's a new painting studio called Village Canvas and Cabernet, and for $30 one can sit for 2 hours and learn to paint one of the projects featured up on the wall. An artist guides the students in various techniques, all while each person sips away on a glass of wine. (Mike and I figured the alcohol was to help people let go of their inhibitions and end up being surprised at what they could come up with! LOL)

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    After I took this photo, I looked around to see where Mike had disappeared to, and I found him munching away on the free cookies, saying things like, "Believe it or not, I have an inner artist."

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    Once I pulled Mike away from the tea and cookies table, we wandered back through the market so he could pick up some enchiladas he'd sampled earlier. On the way, we passed this folk band…

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    I could have stood there and listened to them for hours…

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    …Except for the fact that this dude was giving me the stink-eye…

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    Sophie and I backed away, caught up with McFoodie Mike, and we all headed home.

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    P.S. Mike is still coming down from the high of the day… not a runner's high, mind you, but a sugar high.

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  • New Designs

    Vexation Sampler

    September 16, 2012

    Here is my other new release for September… Karen Decker did a gorgeous job on the model!

    Vexation Sampler tp

    The design calls for 36 ct. Vintage Buttercream by Lakeside Linens, and Needlepoint Inc. silks in 993, 694, 334, 181, and 713 are used. (You may need 2 skeins of 993, depending on your usage.) The stitch count is 318w x 198h.

    Again, if you'll be at the Celebrations of Needlework exhibit in St. Charles this week, you'll find the model – and the charts – to this and Salem Sisters III there. Otherwise, check with your local or online needlework shop!

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  • New Designs

    Coming Soon…

    September 14, 2012

    First there was Salem Sisters…

    SS-1

    Sisters of mine,
    We've done no crime,
    yet here we go to hangin'.
    These foul townsfolk –
    They thought us cursed,
    And now we're up here swangin'.

     

    Then there was Salem Sisters II…

    SS-2

    Sisters of mine,
    'Yon rope shall they twine
    'round our necks, 'til be
    gnarled and a-squeezin'.
    Yet we have no fear,
    for our Justice draws near;
    Where they're going
    it won't be a-freezin'.


    While the first two designs were a more lighthearted approach to what is commonly associated with Halloween, this last installment depicts more soberly the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials…

    Here is Salem Sisters III:

    Salem Sisters III tp

    Sisters of mine,
    A tree be our shrine,
    Tho' these treach'ries
    we've not committed.
    Our brethren have
    judged us, Their
    mercies begrudged us;
    But God holds our
    souls as Acquitted.

     

    The model was stitched on 36 ct. Vintage Woodsmoke from Lakeside Linens with Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Tradewind, Pebble, Piney Woods, Espresso Bean, Wood Trail, Nutmeg, and Cherry Bark. The stitch count is 161w x 282h, and the model was stitched by Rindy Richards (who did a gorgeous job on it… and I learned a new technique from her regarding using variagated threads: if you stitch your rows vertically – one x at a time – instead of horizontally, your result will be a very cool weathered-stone look, as you can see on the top and bottom of the headstone on the model, where it says "Gallows Hill." I love it! Thank you, Rindy!) 

    For those of you heading to Celebrations of Needlework in St. Charles, Missouri, September 19-21, you can find the model there. I hope you like the newest pattern in the Salem Sisters series!

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  • Family

    Catch and Release

    September 12, 2012

    Mike has always enjoyed taking the girls fishing at the lake near our house, but since only Sophie is home now, it's just she and her dad these days. I came along this time though, just to see why they're always so happy to go.

    Sophie did what any self-respecting girl would do and let her dad put the worm onto the hook.

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    Btw, I love my girl's profile.. I've kissed that nose at least a few hundred thousand times.

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    For those of you who follow me on Instagram, this is the lake I'm always running/walking around in the mornings.

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    Way to go, Big Papa! He gets just as excited over the little ones as he does the big ones.

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    Great job, Joon!

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    Joon also lets her dad deal with the task of removing the hook and releasing the fish back into the lake…

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    The setting sun was casting the prettiest glow on everything…

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    Btw, this container of bait reminded me of when Sabrina was in preschool, and they would give the kids a snack called Dirt and Worms. It looked exactly like this bc it was made of gummi worms buried in Oreo cookie crumbs. However, back then I didn't know such a snack existed, so imagine my surprise (horror) when I asked Sabrina what her school snack was that day, and she answered with her precious lisp, "Duht and wumth."

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    Now, whenever I see Mike and Sophie's container of bait, I get hungry.

    This is Jimmy's old tackle box, with his glasses still in the same place he left them.

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    The last catch of the night was a good one!

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    I was glad I tagged along. Believe it or not, I did actually bring my stitching bag with me, as well as a travel mug of coffee. Mike toted a lawn chair for me to sit in and stitch, but I had so much fun watching these two, I never got a single thread in the fabric.

    Oh – and right after I took this photo, I had a Loch Ness moment… a large head was skimming the surface of the water and, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what it was before it suddenly disappeared. Moments later a beaver broke the surface and clambered up onto the bank across from where Mike and Sophie were fishing. Those things are huge, btw.

    Fishing with Dad TP-15

    Until next time!

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  • Uncategorized

    Visitors

    September 8, 2012

    We've missed Bre so much since she moved out to western Nebraska to her new life! A few weeks ago she was able to visit us, and she brought along a sweetheart of a guy. Meet Josh…

    Tp 1 copy

    Here's what makes him a sweetheart:

    Tp 2 copy

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    He adores Bre, although she doesn't seem to adore his idea of kidding around sometimes.

    Tp 8

    But she seems to be a bit sweet on him anyway.

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    We sure enjoyed having these two visit. I've begged them to come back this fall and spend the day at the pumpkin patch with us, perhaps even joining us for our Annual Chills and Chili Night (we watch an old black-and-white "scary" movie, eat chili, and roast marshmallows and s'mores on the fire pit at my parents' house).

    The only thing bittersweet about having them visit was having them leave… as we stood in the driveway waving goodbye to their taillights, Mike and I realized that we're doing what our parents have always done in their driveways. I'm just still very lucky that my parents are still around to wave goodbye until we turn the corner and they can't see us any more.

    Tp 3 copy

    Come back soon, Bre and Josh!

    P.S. Bre's crazy leggings are actually patterned in hex codes. I love them, and wish I could pull something like that off. But if I tried it, my parents – instead of waving goodbye to me in their driveway – would probably get in their car and actually back over me, several times.

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  • Freebie

    Beans

    August 31, 2012

    I just wanted to share a couple of finishes with you all that were shared with me in an email this past week. Wilma and Sophie (from France) finished up the Christmas Coffee freebie I posted recently, and I love what they did with them!

    Here's Wilma's version:

    Christmas Coffee

    And here's Sophie's:

    IMG_1034

    Thank you so much for showing these to me!

    If you missed the chart and want to print it out (along with any of my other free patterns), just click on the "Freebie" category to your right and scroll through them. 🙂

    Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

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