Back to Reality

 It is always tough to get back into the groove of everyday life after a trip to paradise. Three and 1/2 days at the beach hosted by Salty Yarns and the ever hospitable Lankford Hotel, two fabulous classes, beautiful sunny weather, sharing with friends old and new, yummy eats and stitching our hearts away!!! A stitcher's paradise it is!!! 
I'll try to give a little synopsis but it may be a bit on the long side, so sit back, put your feet up and relax!

I arrived Thursday afternoon and headed straight to the shop to see what's new, running in to other early birds along the way. Dinner was at The Sunset grille where it was seafood night and I had some crab and salmon. Then it was stitching the evening away with my roomie, Debbie.

A nice walk on the boards Friday morning and I was ready and raring to go for the day, though I pretty much just hung out in Salty Yarns and our room. Lunch was carry out from Anthony's with the best pit beef sandwich around. Since I'm trying not to buy things that just have to packed up for the move, I decided against a trip to the quilt shop, Serendipity.  Sara had a reception at 7:00pm with apps and yummy desserts. Then more stitching in the room.

Saturday was class day so, after a delicious breakfast in the lobby, it was up to the classroom for A Garden Variety Long Pocket with Sherri Jones. She included a brief history of the pocket and miser purse before we began. Sherri is a wonderful teacher with a great sense of humor. She cajoled us along our finishing path and I was able to get my pocket together except for the hardware "finishings". Smalls to come!!!

Sunday class was An Afternoon Leisure Basket. It was a larger class, and I tend to get overwhelmed with too much activity around me, but I still managed to get the bottom "butterfly" pieces done for the basket. The rest will come at my leisure....get it???

Sunday evening was spent stitching in the lobby with other attendees, as a lot of people had left after class and there were some open spots. I love listening to the chatter among the ladies and learning of other classes, products, designs, etc.. This is what I was stitching on.....Java  by Hands on Design. Though, since I'm not a coffee drinker, it will be a "tea" piece. I have a couple ideas swirling to make pins for it that I still need to work out.

Top of pincushion...a piece of felted wool goes in the open space

side of pincushion

 
While there, I received my birthday/Christmas presents from Debbie and Sara. Yes, my birthday was in December, but how fun was it to be getting gifts in April!!! It gave me something to look forward to! They each gave me some fun items, but I'm just going to share the stitching related ones. Debbie gave me this fabulous pincushion:

and Sara gifted me this precious one:

 Thanks ladies--I will cherish them always!!!

Last but not least are my stash purchases. I really tried not to get carried away and am proud I held myself in check........plus I'm going back in June for Betsy Morgan! :)

 
I also bought this Liberty Hill box after figuring out that the Toy Chest from Betsy Morgan would fit right in. I will display the piece sitting on top but thought, when it comes time to give to my grandson (many ears down the road), it will make a nice presentation box. There is a definite PA Dutch/Amish feel to it ( not showing up so well in the photo) that reminded me of the toy chest project.

 
 Finally, Monday morning, after a filling breakfast at the Dough Roller, I was on my way! :( 

So a BIG thank you to Sally, Sara, Mary and the gang for another memorable weekend. Greetings to my stitching friends, old and new---it is always a pleasure to see and chat with you. And thanks to Sherri for two challenging projects to stimulate our creativity!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi