Monday, January 11, 2016

I Have Not Abandoned My Blog...

There was just so many life changing events happening that my mind was not into blogging, but with the start of a new year I hope I’m back for good. Let’s see, where did I leave off last time, oh yeah! I was gearing up for my very first stitching retreat in Hershey PA.  It was set up by a wonderful lady by the name of Fae Kuhn, who I met in a Facebook stitching group.
 The main guest designers was Joan Elliott and  yes , I actually got to meet her in person and she even recognized me first from my pictures on Facebook. I shared my version on her mystery SAL “Faces” with her.
 Another wonderful lady by the name of Lori Laughlin (with Joan and I) organized the making of a quilt to thank Joan for her free sal (I had 2 squares in it) and it turned out great. The quilting was done by Tammy Horton and she really out did herself with the quilt.  
The very talented Ursula Michael and Jean Farish were also there. 

  I attended a specialty stitches demonstration, a framing class and a finishing demonstration.  I met stitchers from as far away as Washington State to Ireland there. Fae did a wonderful job, it was amazing and I am already for the next one.

I collected pictures of all my finishes for 2015 and placed them in a folder at the top of my page if you would like to view them there are over 69 designs stitched. I will be posting a new finishing folder for 2016, there are already two designs to place there. The first is Cross Stitch Lover by Ursula Michael
and the second is The Swim Instructor from The Cricket Collection (it was a freebie).
I did not make a new year’s resolution but I plan to complete all of my wips before starting any long more term (big) project. As you see I said big project because there will always be smalls that just have to be stitched right away. My wips are:
Brook Books Advent Animals
2015-2016 Connie Gee SAL
Dare to Be Daniel-Silver Creek Samplers
Sea Goddess- Joan Elliott
The Rose Sampler – Ellen Maurer-Stroh
Thine is The Trick and The Treat – Prairie Moon
Three Kimonos – Joan Elliott
Lucie Heatons Monthly Fairies

Dollar Bill – Gloria & Pat

Since I am getting back to normal, I am already a day late with my TUSAL report as usual. I emptied my old jar and have started a new one so there's not much to it but here it is.
Thank you all for continuing to follow my blog and now I must go make some wonderful little xxs.

17 comments:

Brigitte said...

Nice to see a new blog post from you. Great pictures from the retreat, and wow, so many stitchy things that you accomplished. Great job!

Linda K's Stitching Corner said...

Wow...you are so lucky to meet with Jean Farish and Joan Elliot. Good for you. I am so glad that you got to meet them. Its always fun to meet the Designers.

Your Stitching looks great...keep it up....great progress on your WIP's.

Happy Stitching
Linda K, Railroad

gracie said...

So nice to read a post from you again. Love the pictures....

Jan said...

Minnie, So glad you're back! That happen to me too; I became so uninterested in blogging that I didn't post for a whole year. Anyway great snaps from the retreat; lucky you! to get to meet Joan Elliot.

Julie said...

What fun times you've been having Minnie.
Lots of nice projects you'll be working on this year.

Christine said...

The retreat looks as if it was great fun! Good luck with all those WIPs

Vickie said...

Glad to see a post by you Minnie.The retreat looks like it was a lot of fun. Have fun finishing off your WIPs this year.

Katie said...

So glad to see you back! Your retreat sounds fantastic. I can't believe you got to meet Ursula Michael. I would be in big trouble if she brought her designs haha. I love them all. I see you finished one of hers. I think it's going to be in the Feb JCS issue so I hope I get it. I got a subscription for Christmas. Good luck with all your WIPs.

Faith... said...

So nice to see you back Minnie! So many beautiful finishes for 2015. Looks like the retreat was a great time; there is nothing better than getting together with a bunch of other stitchers and enjoying a relaxing weekend. Look forward to seeing more of you in 2016.

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Hi Minnie..wow!! how brilliant to meet two fantastic designers.I love Ursula Michael's word designs so much,having recently discovered her.I have 21 of them and six non word designs to stitch! plus the ones I have in my digital Just Cross Stitch magazines including your word design finish, which looks brilliant.
What a wonderful stitching retreat,the quilt for Joan Elliott is beautiful.
It is lovely to see your WIP.
Happy New Year to you.

Heather said...

Sounds like a great retreat! Your wips are all lovely and great job on the finishes!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

We are always here to say WELCOME BACK! Look at all the fun you had in your retreats and classes and such :)
And I love all those WIPS! You go girl!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful retreat... Great to see a new post. The quilt is really beautiful. What an amazing gift

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Lovely to see you back again after your hobnobbing with the stars! I'm just glad you still talk to us mere mortals LOL

You did some great stitching last year. I'm also focusing on my WIPS this year in an attempt to complete some of the larger ones.

Emma/Itzy said...

Hi Minnie! Nice to hear from you again. It sounds like you had a great time at the retreat and well done on so many finishes last year! I will be checking out the tab for sure.

Well done on two finishes this year already too!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

So good to see you! I recognize all those wonderful ladies names! I have missed you!

Justine said...

I'm also focusing on WIPs and not starting any new large projects! Seems to be a little trend growing. You have some gorgeous WIPs to stitch.
Looks like that retreat was fun - must be great to meet your cross stitch heroes!