Stitching In The Valley

Nothing like a fun weekend with kindred spirits to feed your soul!  Jennifer Cave of Valley Needleworks in Middletown, VA knows how to foster the fun.  Her enthusiasm is contagious and her attention to detail made this a retreat we didn't want to end!

(You just can't get her to stand still.)

The Wayside Inn, since 1797, has been serving the public for over 200 years.  It's meandering public rooms are full of charm and warmth providing spaces for intimate conversations or groups of stitching folks.  History just oozes out of every nook and cranny . . . with a few ghosts sprinkled in.  Innkeeper Becky Reeves was the "hostess with the mostess" . . . warm, inviting and helpful in every way.

They say the place is haunted . . . I can believe that.  I took a picture of the pictures that guests have taken of the ghosts in the past.  Lori Brechlin also took pictures of the same ones.  Hmm . . . do you see something else in both the photos in my picture?  Ask anyone . . . I'm not very computer savvy and don't know how to photoshop so I have no explanation for the difference in BOTH photos.  Maybe that's a reflection in the first photo . . . but, what's that in the second photo that looks like knees?

The Merchant Mall and retreat classes were held next door in Worlds Away . . . another building with lots of historic charm.  There are two main rooms downstairs where the Merchant Mall was set up and two rooms upstairs that can be used for sleeping rooms with ample space for classrooms.

We were set up in the "brick room". . . belly-up to The Nebby Needle bar! 

Me, Kathie, Joan, Marie & Beth

Other vendors in our room were Beth Seal of Summer House Stitche Workes with all of her beautiful designs . . .

and Joan (and her daughter Hannah) from Frog Hollow Farm with fiber from their angora goats and angora rabbit . . . jewelry, soaps and feathers from their peacocks and other birds . . . look for feathers in future designs from The Nebby Needle.

 The other side of the building more vendors were set up in the "stone room" . . .

  Lori Brechlin - Not Forgotten Farm (with her trusty sidekick Joan)

Marie Driskill from Blackberry Lane Designs

 Kathy Barrick of Kathy Barrick Designs with her beautiful jewelry as well!

The class offerings were great:

 Notforgotten Farm - Lori Brechlin wool applique and embroidery

Summer House Stitche Workes - Beth Seal cross-stitch with drum finishing

Kathy Barrick cross-stitch stocking

A Pomegranate crewel pincushion from Debbie Culp

And, of course, you had to walk a few blocks down the street and check out Jennifer's shop "Valley Needleworks"

Denise and Amanda happily enabling Kathie and I with our addiction!

It went by way too quickly and we're hoping it becomes a yearly retreat!

Thank you Jennifer and all your wonderful "peeps" who made this a very special experience!!!

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