White lilies

Here is my progress on White Lilies on Red as of last week. I have done more but am still on the same page (9) so I will wait till I finish the page  to post again. It is wonderful to be sitting outside to do this stiching. I am in the shade in the lanai so there are no bugs. It is quite relaxing and heavenly.



Last night we picked up Bruce and Luci at the airport. They are here to soak up some Florida sunshine for a while as well.  Just in case they did not recognize us we brought along a sign and Dan and I also wore matching shirts  (I can't believe I did that...but I don't know anyone here)

We did get quite a few chuckles out of the other airport travellers. The lady who took this  picture  admitted to spilling a bottle of water on her cell phone that day so we made her an honourary butthead!

Florida

Well I don't have any photos yet but I did take one of my "White Lilies on Red" progress. It may make it into the computer today or tomorrow.
Meanwhile the March Retret was another stitching and eating and almost rolling on the floor laughing success. 18 of us had a great time stitching our little fingers to the bone and generally having a really good time., Dan made us a terrific lunch and along with the abundance of potluck dishes that everyone brought we were extremely well fed.
A highlight for me was seeing 5  (!)  Jardin Prive peices finished. Needless to say mine was not among them.

We had an excellent drive to Florida  arriving here around 5 :15 on Tuesday and the weather has been fabulous ever since. A few thunderstorms at night but no rain during the day. Mollie doesn't like thunder in Florida any more than she likes it in Ontario but we have  all survived.

Some news for those of you in Eastern Ontario...the Cataraqui  Guild Needle Arts Fair for 2012 will be on October 13 at the Salvation Army Citadel in Kingston.  If you have not been to this fair in the past I have to tell you it is probably my favourite  stitching event of the year. Everyone who comes is a needle artist of some description.  The Guild ladies display their fabulous work from the previous year and  lunch is included...can't beat that!

Open House

Last weekend Knowledge and Needles hosted its annual Nashville Market Open House. Alas I did not take photos when the event was in full swing   but here is a sample of the wonderful new charts and patterns I had on display.
In spite of gale force winds Saturday  was well  attended, some of the ladies brought along their stitching and made a day of it. We had a good time catching up and visiting.
We set up the racks in the garage as there is no room in the tiny shop. They are still there until next weekend. Thank goodness the weather is good since Dan's truck is staying outside for the duration!
Next weekend is the March retreat then we are off to sunny, hot Florida for a vacation.

Nashville

Oh My  how I love to come to this trade show.  As you can see the hotel is arranged around an atrium. The designers set up shop in the front room of their suite and the retailers go from suite to suite, floor to floor to purchase products.

 And here are the products I bought. I did get a little carried away and I sure hope all my customers  like my choices. There are three brand new,  never before seen Ink Circles designs.

I realize the pictures are small but I don't want to show too much. After all I hope you all come to the Open house next weekend ...March 3 and 4 from 10 AM till 6 PM

 I found a few new designers who I had not met before and some whimsical new designs from designers with whose work I am familiar.

Judy from JBW has quite a few new charts our and  so does Lizzie-Kate.

Workbasket, Elizabeth Designs and a few new people are on this table.

Handblessings had a couple of interesting new series and I got more Rainbow Gallery thread!

Rosewood Manor always has a great selection .

 In this shot are some fabulous beaded  needle cases and a fantastic chart that would suit so many of us...The message? Well I can't remember it exactly at the moment  and I have no idea in which bag it is stashed but I will feature it next week when I get home and you will all agree  the sentiment expressed  is suitable for any one of us!  Have I piqued your interest?
See you on the weekend!

More Flatfolds

These two flatfolds are Kathy's. It is too bad you cannot see the back of them as well as the front. The cat one is backed with a wild leopard print and looks great.

I am off to Nashville on Thursday for the annual Needlework Market and I am really looking forward to it as usual. When I get back I should have pictures of the market, and of course pics of many of the great new items I buy will be posted on my website.
On March 3 and 4, there will be an Open House here at the shop to display, and I hope sell, all the great new  charts and patterns.
I am hoping there will be some fabric on sale as well but so far I haven't seen any ads for great fabric buys. I'll certainly be looking for them though!

Flatfold

We had a little workshop here last Friday  and made Flatfolds. I hope those who finished theirs at thome will bring them today so I can add their photos in a future post. This was my effort and I am very pleased with the result. The pattern is called A Sheltering Tree by "All through the night" designs

 And this is my progress on "White lilies on red" by Mystic Stitch. I have to admit that my other stitching is falling by the wayside and I am somewhat addicted to this piece. Joyce warned me and I didn't beieve her ! These pieces are easy to do and the results are incredible!

January Retreat

Another retreat is in the record books and it was a good one. We had three new participants and it must have gone well because they want to come back next year!

The first bunch of pictures  is a sampling of some of the fabulous stuff that was on display. I don't know the names of the patterns but I do know who stitched what, I think.



Liane's work



Liane's work



 Another one stitched by Liane

This one is Clare's

These 4 were stitched by Cheryl

This Ink Circles and the wine one below are Kathy's stitching, as are the incredible wolves, which were done over one by the way!



Leslie, Jeannine and Diane




Brenda, Kathy Fran and Clare way in the background




Fran and Cheryl




Sharon




Liane




Anne




Clare

 We stitched a lot, ate well and there was way too much laughing going on a good deal of the time! What an excellent way to spend a weekend!