The Company of Like-Minded Friends

I was able to spend a little time with some other stitchers recently. It never ceases to amaze me how relaxing it is to stitch in a group. The company of others who share my passion for textile art is such a joy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my solitary stitching as well! But to be a part of a group is at once energizing and affirming.

And The Stitcher's Hideaway at Sturbridge, Mass. was a perfect case in point. I became re-acquainted with a number of folks from previous retreats and enjoyed my second class with Thea Ducek. The class project was a joy and I learned a few new skills. Thea has upgraded her class project folder to include an instructional DVD which I am certain will be most useful when assembling the stitching box. Unfortunately, the batteries on my camera decided to quit on Show and Tell night, so I have no photos of some of the fabulous work displayed by fellow stitchers and sadly, no photos of the phenomenal tambour work displayed by our guest lecturer. Nor do I have a photo of our hostess par excellence, Sue Donnelly. But for those that are interested Sue will be putting up a "fun report" on her website towards the end of the month

But, here are a few photos from the early part of the retreat:

First, Thea in action

The class project

And, finally, my progress on the class project thus far ... I was able to make some fairly substantial progress on this piece because I left Sturbridge for a very relaxing vacation at the Bavarian Country Manor in Purling, NY. If you look closely you will see that I have a bit of frogging to do on the box lid. I oriented the left center Queen stitch heart in the wrong direction. However, I will wait till I am done with the rest of the pieces to frog it ... I want to be sure I will have enough of the Autumn Arbor to re-stitch it properly before I completely destroy the floss to be frogged. Anyway, I did get one of the side panels to the box lid completed and another one started as well ... I had plenty of opportunity to stitch at The Bavarian Country Manor. This beautiful lakeside inn in the Catskill region of NY state boasts an elegant porch that is just perfect for lazy morning stitching. And, I can assure you, I took full advantage of the comfortable wicker chairs and tables. Every morning after breakfast, I staked out a spot on the shady side of the porch, set up my own little stitching corner. On days we didn't have a day trip planned, I followed the shade around to the side porch to continue my stitching into late afternoon.

I'll have a few more vacation pictures to share in upcoming posts. Bill and I liked the place so well, we have already made arrangements for another visit in the fall to luxuriate in all the vibrant colors of the fall foliage and the crisp autumn air of the mountains. If you like a relaxed, family and pet friendly ambience and enjoy authentic German cuisine, I can highly recommend this spot. The inn has been run by the same family for three generations, since the early 1930s ... but it was around long before that: built in 1865.