Let's Go Somewhere

Fall is always the retreat season, isn't it?  Lots of folks have been going places with their stitching to do more stitching in a classroom setting when they arrive.  Tisha went on a Margaret Bendig retreat.
http://stitchplaywithneedlepointtooltime.blogspot.com/2012/11/needlepoint-retreat.html

Margaret is famous for her kimono patterns.  
http://www.sang-ega.org/margaret%20bendig%20workshop.html

But that isn't everything Margaret designs.  How about this charming patriotic heart?
http://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/stars-abound/

Or this Southwestern sampler from Needlepoint Now magazine?  It might take some hunting to find Margaret's designs as many as class projects only but you won't be sorry you spent time looking.
http://lets-stitch-away.blogspot.com/2008/01/southwest-sampler-by-margaret-bending.html

Teachers travel to these retreats as well.  Hazel Blomkamp went from her native South Africa to Russia.  You will find her report a fascinating window into a place that is home to a great many stitchers.  (Did you know the second largest number of visitors to the Loretta Spears blog I maintain log in from Russia and the Ukraine?  There are a LOT of counted thread canvasworkers there.)
http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com/2012/11/hazel-and-di-inrussia-and-ukraine.html 

Barbara Elmore just got back from the Santa Fe Enchantment EGA Seminar.   She taught two classes.  In one they stitched a white cactus plant, in the other a white moth.  Boring?  Now quite.  Barbara has you paint the canvas after stitching it, stencil it, use markers on it, add beads and sequins and metallics and ribbons and lots more to it.  You'll love the photographs of the white moths' rebirth into something totally unique to each stitcher.  My only quibble is that Barbara forgot to take photographs of the cactus canvases blooming!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2012/11/santa-fe-enchantment.html

If you are like me and go three places:  the post office, bank and grocery store, these reports are priceless.  Many thanks to everyone for sharing the flavor of their retreats with us.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Nino's Harlequin Laying Tools

Fireside has updated their website to show off Nino's hand made Harlequin laying tools. Colorful!

Start by clicking on the Harlequin laying tools section, then go back and browse the other hand made tools.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/accessories/index.cfm?fuseaction=getAccessoriesList&CategoryId=25


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com