They're Back!

We were so happy that Barb & Alma, of Blackbird Designs, were back teaching at the Shepherd's Bush retreat in October!  Always enjoy them and their classes!  We signed up for the track with Jeannette Douglas (such a joy), Paulette Stewart (so fun) and Barb & Alma (yes, we're groupies).

Ready . . . set . . . go!  We're up for Jeannette and her cute box!  She's such an animated person and so thorough in her teaching. Don't you just love the postage stamp in the upper right hand corner!

Paulette's piece is sooo pretty!  It's called "Heritage Sampler". . . very patriotic starting with pilgrims, George crossing the Delaware and Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln . . . and the colors on that fabric . . . I just LOVE it!  What? No pictures of Paulette in class?  What's up with that?

Blackbird didn't disappoint . . . like they ever could!  Not only are the designs great, but their other ideas are just darlin'!  They have all these boxes that they put sewing finds in including old pictures of people they find at flea and antique markets and sort of make up stories in their minds about them.  How sweet! Always with the clever ideas!!!

I just have to drag this out a bit longer . . . the banquet was just great fun . . . tomorrow . . .

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On To The Retreat!

Not only is the Shepherd's Bush shop Mecca for cross-stitchers, but their retreat is also a bucket list item for most,  They never fail to make it a great experience!

We started off our stay in Park City getting checked into The Silverado just down the hill from The Grand Summit where all the activities were held.  We had been bumped from The Grand Summit because of renovations and wound up getting a larger 3 bedroom suite for the 4 of us due to some maintenance complications . . . lucky us!  They even provided shuttle service for the short trek uphill!

Before the Retreat officially started we had dinner with friends.  We have met so many kindred spirits at these retreats over the years and favorite designers we can call friends!

The retreat always has a theme and this time it was "Embrace The Journey".  The theme shows up everywhere throughout the Retreat . . . in the activities, games, designs, gifts, etc.  The most anticipated part is "The Reveal"!

Linda (Chessie & Me):

Barb & Alma (Blackbird Designs)

Jeannette (Jeannette Douglas Designs)

Paulette Stewart (Plum Street Samplers)

Brenda Gervais (With Thy Needle & Thread)

Tina and Terri (Shepherd's Bush)

CeCe from The Thread Gatherer gave a talk on dyeing, particularly the difficulty of dyeing with reds.  We got a little chart from an antique sampler she has.

Lisa was being a naughty girl during the lecture and cracking us up with her "little hands".

More about classes and the final banquet tomorrow!

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Mecca For Cross-Stitchers!

Wow . . . took me forever to download my pictures of The Shepherd's Bush Retreat from last October off the ipad and on to the PC so I could post them here . . . well, it didn't actually take 5 months . . . just most of yesterday! You'd think married to an IT guy that I'd know more . . . but . . . alas . . . I don't 🙁  They're done now . . . so . . . here we go!

It's off to Shepherd's Bush in Ogden, UT . . . 

truly Mecca for us cross-stitchers ! ! !

So back in October I arrived in Utah a day early for the festivities since my BFF Jenny moved to Salt Lake City since the last retreat.  We thought we'd beat the crowd going to the shop a day early. . . I don't think that's possible.

You could spend a week in their shop and probably not see it all.  Let's just stroll around . . . try not to drool on your keyboard while you take it all in . . .

Oh go ahead . . . take another look . . . you know you probably missed something!  I'll post more on the actual Retreat later . . . I know your head is spinning ! ! !

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