Seven Years Later...

Paneras Knitting Girlfriends - 2012

In 2012, I wrote about my "Circle of Influence". You know...you become the five people with whom you spend the most time. Here's a link to that post. I wrote about the quilty ladies at Sandy's Quilt Shop where I spent many a Saturday morning. I also wrote about the wonderful group I spent every Tuesday night with in Port Charlotte.

At first we met at Books A Million, but after showing up one night to find out that they'd closed their coffee shop and were looking to "cater to a younger clientele", we pulled up stakes that very night and moved across to Paneras. It was the best move ever, as they were much more hospitable. We never looked back.

Over the years, our group changed, grew, and we suffered losses. Our 100 year old friend, Beulah had to stop coming because the slightest wrong move would break one of her bones. She moved to a beautiful facility in Sarasota, and we were sad to see her go. The two ladies in front wearing red - Adele and Helen - passed away during that time. Then, my dear friend, Ellen (in the green) moved back to Delaware to be closer to her daughter. Tammy (back row, far right) was the founder of our group, and she and her husband (a military man) moved to Virginia with their family. 

New members came and went, but our group still met every Tuesday, taught willing newcomers, and shared our projects. One of those regulars was my friend and fellow Wisconsinite, Anne (standing in front of Tammy in this picture). I forgot her hometown, but we always had something to chat about, and her work was impeccable. 

When Handsome and I decided to move back to Wisconsin, these were the beautiful friends (and those from Sandy's) that I missed the most. Even though we came back to dear friends we'd left behind when we moved to Florida, my heart still belongs to these women.

Fast forward to last Saturday. Jan met me at Touchmark and she unloaded my Explorer as I began setup. Did I mention Jan is a Life Enrichment Coordinator there? She shared her artistic skills with them, and they create beautiful things. Anyway, she chatted with residents as they passed through the room my booth was in, and frequently introduced them to "her sister, Donna".

My back was to the room as I set up my wares on the table and displays I'd brought along. Jan said something to another lady, so I turned around to say, "Hello", when I froze in place. Likewise, the beautiful face staring back at me shared my shocked expression.

Who was looking back at me but my friend, Anne. I immediately teared up. Words can't really express just how emotional I became seeing her. I couldn't stop hugging her and telling her how happy I was to see her. She told me, "You have no idea how much I've wondered where you are and what you're doing!" I kept telling her how much I missed her and our Panera ladies, and that seeing her was the most fabulous surprise ever!

She told me that she had tried to muster a group to knit and stitch at Touchmark, but only a couple of ladies had shown any interest. They continue to meet on Thursday afternoons in one of the parlors, so she didn't have to be completely alone.

We talked about old times, old friends, and I got her up to date about the ones I could. Then, I told her that after Christmas she could count on me driving up to Appleton a couple times a month to sit and stitch/knit with her and her friends. I meant every word, too.

Look at it as an extended Birthday gift, or an early Christmas gift, but seeing Anne was indeed a gift. I can't wait to see her again - but I have a few things to accomplish before Santa comes, so my next trip to Appleton will have to wait until after the holidays. It will be like old times when I can once again sit and create with my friend, Anne. I'm still smiling.

Stitching With The Ladies...

Progress On My Current Embroidery

 

Tuesday was a lovely day to Sit & Stitch with the ladies at Primitive Gatherings. I continued work on my current embroidery project, so I snapped a photograph with the sun streaming in the windows behind where I was sitting. 

The Gathering retreat house on the new Primitive Gatherings grounds in Larsen, WI is a beautiful place to while away a day of friendship, great food, and creative pursuits. I'm still tired from the lead-up to the show last weekend, but I didn't want to miss the time I'd reserved to join the ladies.

I'll continue to work on this at random moments, but I'm in no hurry to complete it right now. Soon I'll be gearing up for my Christmas sewing, but yesterday I just sat, stitched, and savored the moment. My very own version of "stopping to smell the roses".

It Was A Very Good Day...

Working On A Heart

I drove up to Primitive Gatherings yesterday for Sit and Stitch. It was my first peek at the new Retreat Center, and I was impressed. The common areas were bright and inviting, and there was plenty of room for sewing machines, pressing stations, cutting stations, sitting, eating and (although I haven't seen them yet) sleeping quarters for overnight guests.

Not only was there a coffee and muffin to greet me when I arrived, we were also served a lunch of chili or veggie beef soup, a large and fully stocked salad bar, homemade potato chips/dips, and ice cream sundaes for dessert.

Stitching With My Girlfriends, Kathy D. and Jean

Of course, I sat with Kathy and our Sewcial Sister, Jean. I started and got this far on a new piece that will be in my booth at the Craft and Vendor Show in a short ten days, and made lots of mental notes about what I have yet to create in the upcoming days. This isn't finished yet, but I'll finish it in the evenings, as I'm choosing to sew during the day.

The next Sit & Stitch will be on November 23rd (after the show), and I'm looking forward to going again. It's well worth the $25/date. If you're in Wisconsin and would like to attend, you can contact Jenny S. at the Retreat Center - (920) 778-8031 - to reserve your spot or get more information.

I'm in the studio today. You know the drill. I thrive under pressure. (I'm going to just keep repeating that as I work toward my deadline.)

It Was A Bright, Sunshine-y Day...

Brynwood Needleworks- Karen's "Everlasting" Quilt

 

The weather couldn't have been better for our Sit and Stitch with the Sewcial Sisters at Kathy D's home yesterday. Sunny, with a bit of a breeze. Perfect to sit outdoors on the deck or in her screened gazebo. We really had a nice afternoon together.

 

This is an "Everlasting" quilt, completed by our friend, Karen. She changed out her center block, too, saying she just kept "piling on flowers until I think I have enough". Isn't it lovely? 

 

She also knows a long-arm quilter who did a fabulous job completing it for her. I got the long-armer's name, as I didn't yet know anyone in Wisconsin who I could take mine to when it's done. My long-arm quilters are in Florida and Georgia.  

 

Karen didn't put the last border on her version, because she has a specific place she wants to hang it, and there are space constraints. Frankly, if I didn't know the pattern calls for one more border, I'd love it just like this.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Gifts From Friends

I also came home with a few gifts. Frequently, one or more of the ladies will bring something they don't want anymore. Kay had a lovely, big piece of purple wool that she had no plans to use, so a few of us split it up and I got a nice-size piece. Kay also had a duplicate of one of the recent quilting magazines and gave that to me, as well. (I don't know about you, but ending up with two issues of the same magazine happens to me more often than I care to mention!)

 

Last, but certainly not least, Kathy D. had leftover parts and pieces from a pin drum tutorial she filmed with Lisa Bongean (Primitive Gatherings owner/designer/friend). She's been making quite a few of them lately and told us she was "over them", so she offered up her partially completed supplies. 

 

I've been wanting to make a pin drum - and I love everything she does - so I asked when she was offering. She's done most of the work on this one. I just have to sew the top on, stuff it with sawdust, sew the bottom on and voila, it's finished! I'll share once I finish it.

If you'd like to see Lisa and Kathy's video, HERE'S the YouTube link. Kathy makes it look easy, and the finish is certainly elegant. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, put your feet up and enjoy the show. By the way, Lisa has lots of interesting videos on her YouTube channel "Stitch with Lisa Bongean". You could lose track of time watching them!

 

Stitching Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - My "Everlasting" Center In Progress

 

I'll be at Kathy D's today. She's hosting Sit & Stitch at her home, and we're all looking forward to it. I spent part of yesterday planning and designing a personalized center for my version of the "Everlasting" quilt. I know that all the flowers and birds need the bees to survive, so it was appropriate to change out the wording in the original design to a skep and bees in my quilt.

Brynwood Needleworks - My "Everlasting" Center Design Vision

Here's my rough rendering. Once I've stitched down the skep, I'll be adding embroidered lavender stems and buds. There will be bees scattered around the central motif, too! When all my stitching is finished, I'll add a bow at the bottom where the mirror-image sprays of lavender meet in the middle.

 

This is the project I'll work on at Kathy's today. I'm really looking forward to spending a little time with the ladies. It's past due, for sure. 

I Took A Little Ride...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings Wool Box #8 Peek

Monday, the Sewcial Sisters got an email letting us know that our Tuesday Sit & Stitch was cancelled in favor of keeping everyone safe. While we were all disappointed, we certainly understood. 

 

Even though we wouldn't be getting together at the warehouse - and the shop is closed right now - the staff is still working. They let us know that those of us who pick up our Wool Boxes could contact the shop to arrange pickup. All we had to do was prepay, call when we arrive in the parking lot, and they'd leave our order on the outside of the shop door so we could grab and go.

 

Remember that I need more Farmhouse Flannels to complete my Chenille Four-Patch lap quilt? Well, I called ahead and they added it to my order. I picked up everything yesterday afternoon. Easy as pie! The weather was gorgeous, so it was a nice day for me to take a little ride with Tag. Handsome stayed home, working his exercise regimen. We were back almost before he knew we were gone. 

You know the rules. I can't share the contents until we get notice that everyone on the mail order list has received theirs, so I'm just going to share a peek for now. (Aren't I a tease?) I can tell you that the contents this time are the most AWESOME so far!!

Now, one more thing before I go today...Did you think I forgot about my 11th Blog Anniversary Giveaway? I didn't forget! I'm going to announce my Giveaway gifts on FRIDAY of this week, and you'll be able to enter through to March 31st. So, if you're too busy to come back tomorrow, be sure you come back on Friday!! See you then!