Stitching Summit 2015

Last Thursday, I traveled to southern New Jersey, stopping along the way to pick up Christine and Kelly before continuing on to meet up with Lotta and Erin for the second annual stitching summit.

The first was March 2014 and, I'm happy to report, Mother Nature smiled on this year's gathering, gracing us with lovely fall weather this time around. Of course, She smiled on us last year as well and threw in a snow day for good measure!

The house, built in the 1700's, is a charmingly quirky farmhouse that reflects Rachel's, the owner, love for the property inside and out.

An artist herself, she has the most wonderful flair

for creating unexpected moments of beauty.

 Kelly's pre-bundle

We wandered the yard, marveling at its fall coat and comparing it to our memories of a snow blanketed yard.

There were new treasures to discover

and vignettes to be amazed by.

Lotta's and Kelly's bundles

There was also a bit of work to be done

 Lotta's stitching

Christine's eco printed paper

Lotta's printmaking

 Christine's lines

but mostly there was fun to be had. The neighbors have probably complained to Rachel by now about those raucous women who sat out by the fire each night, eating and drinking while telling stories and laughing far too loudly...or not. 

It was a delightful gathering of friends and I can't wait until next time!

A little of this, a little of that

Two weeks ago today, I was ready to load the last bits in the car, pick up Kelly and begin the drive to Newark International Airport where we would meet Christine. From there, it was on to the house we'd rented for a few days. Lotta and Erin would arrive before us.

The Stitching Summit began with Christine, Kelly and I laughing so hard when we arrived that we needed to calm down before being able to do more than hug Erin and Lotta in greeting. And that's how the time went.

If you've not seen Christine's and Lotta's blog posts about the weekend, head on over now. Just click on their names in the previous sentence. 

A few of you inquired about this book, asking for the full title. It is Making Art A Practice by Cat Bennett. Christine gifted us this lovely book.

This photo of threads caught several readers' eyes as well. This is the Sajou large box of 72 colors of Calais cocoons and is available at Hank & Spool. You can imagine the oohs and aahs that resounded through the house when Christine opened this box. Fingers yearned to touch and retrieve a colorful cocoon to stitch with.

As the saying goes, it was the best of times. And we're trying to find a good spot for the next gathering. A house on the coast or by a lake, an artist retreat that host a private group - along those lines. Any suggestions?

When Christine emails about possible sites or has a proposal, she addresses the notes to her sisters in stitch.  The piece above was started...hmmm...I don't remember when, but it has been cozily folded away in a drawer, waiting its turn. I think that after a little more stitching, it will make a perfect cover for my Sisters in Stitch notebook, don't you?

Before it slips my mind...again...do you know what next Thursday is? Maybe this photo will help.

Of course, now that I look at the photo...well...maybe not. It is quite colorful, isn't it? Now that should be a hint....March 20 is the next installment in the search for Roy G Biv with the color yellow. After the lovely posts last month, I can't wait to see all the yellows everyone has gathered. Enjoy!

Stitching Summit 2014 - snow day

Winter storm Titan moved through the area yesterday and gave us the gift of an extra day. 

I wandered out early to see what the world looked like. And then the real snow arrived, 

but it was so nice inside that a second stroll didn't happen.

We did a bit of canning,

stitching, 

 

admiring, 

unwrapping,

and mark making

interspersed with bouts of laughing so well that tissues were needed to wipe the tears away.

We gathered around the kitchen table most of the day, coming and going with ease as stories and ideas flowed. A recorder should have been set aside to capture it all to help insure that little slips through the cracks of daily life...for there were some excellent ideas bandied about.

Our time together ends today. The sounds of packing can be heard. Soon we'll start the drives and catch the flights that will take us home. It will take a while to digest the enormity of this weekend. 

Christine, Kelly, Lotta and Erin - Thank you for such an amazing gathering! I can't wait til July.

Stitching Summit 2014 - part 2

My mind is abuzz as I try to describe the past 2 days. Words and phrases keep flitting and zipping and whirling. All are appropriate, but none can adequately describe the experience. So I'll let the photos do the talking.

Today was to be our travel day, but Mother Nature has intervened to give us one more day together...for now. Enjoy!