Another Fabulous Retreat

I am back from the Prim Stitchers Society Retreat and finally settled back in.

A bunch of us headed down to Georgia, convoy style and met up for dinner in Gastonia, NC.

Good food and good friends....Can't be beat.

In the morning we headed on to Marietta, GA for the retreat.  Lots of friends were already there when we arrived!

It was so great to see old friends and meet new ones in person finally!

I surprised my very sweet friend Jan Alexander of Tree of Life Samplings with a ditty bag I created just for her.

Friday and Saturday Morning Elizabeth Talledo and I taught a drum finishing class. 
It was a blast and everyone did such a great job with their project.

After class was the very popular Merchant Mall

Jen and Kim readying for the crowds...selling tickets to the Mall and raffle tickets.

I had lots of help from friends with the set up of my table this year.  I brought plenty of
one of kind handmades, cross stitch charts and a limited kit.

Primitive Handmades Mercantile had a table and so did my dear friend Faye of Carolina Stitcher.  Faye was also a fellow teacher this year and taught a wonderful class.

Elizabeth from Dames of the Needle had 3 tables filled to the brim with her linens, velvets, wools and trims...lots and lots of trims...

The crowds came and came and came and they shopped till they dropped.
It was a lot of work but so much fun to chat and meet so many.

Here is our Prim Mistress Terri/Dixie and her bestie, Michele....  We are all so excited for next year all ready!

Hope you enjoyed a little inside look at the PSS Retreat.

There was so much more, as it is a full packed, non stop weekend  and I wish I had more pics to show.

Smiles, Nan

PSS Retreat Continued....

Day two was our punch needle class with Kathy Barrick.  

Here is the kitted design we all got to punch.  

Isn't it wonderful? I totally love this.

  We all had a blast.  Kathy is so much fun!

Top row ~ Connie, Lauralee, Chris Bottom row ~ Cathy, Kathy and Donna.

Here is Faye and I getting our punch on and we had to get a shot with Kathy too. 

After class is was the Merchant Mall opened again.

Christina had a make and take table with all the supplies needed to make a sweet little pincushion.

Here are my friends Bonny and Kathie and their wonderful table of charts and goodies.

 This is Lori's Booth ~ Notforgotten Farm....FANTASITC.

And Kathy Barrick's table....Again so FANTASTIC.

I wish I had taken more pics of the Merchant Mall, as it was truly a stitchers and shoppers delight!

I'll be back with a few more pics and to tell you about our farewell dinner and gift exchange.

But for now the morning is getting away and there is stitching and finishing that need my attention:)

Smiles, ~Nan

Late but it's all good:)

I'm R E A L L Y late posting this but, it's been a whirlwind since returning from the Prim Stitchers Society retreat.  Let me first say...this was my 1st Stitching Retreat and it was better than I could have imagined.  The same love and support this group shows on the facebook group page was evident the entire weekend at the Retreat...So many happy stitchers and Terri and Ridgely, who ran the event, made everything so perfect.

We had a 24 hr stitchers lounge, which got a lot of use....I have to say some of us stitched more than others, me, not so much....I'm a gabber... but it was a great place to hang out with all the members.  There was always snacks and something to drink available...so no need to leave the room for much:)

This was our stitch table gang.

Back Row~ Pat, Jeanne.  Front row~Charlene, Faye, Cindy, Elizabeth and moi

Not Pictured~ Beth, who was sweet enough to take the photo.

Our super stitchers...

Cindy even had a finish while there...what a great friend....she is always stitching one of my designs...This is "My Work" and her stitching is so pretty.

Roomies... the best ever!

 Friday was our class with Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.  We all stitched our homework and brought it to class for finishing.  Lori is laid back and super fun....we all laughed and had such a good time.

 Here is Lori and these are my new friends ....all the way from Canada. R to L...Donna, Chris and Cathy.

 Working on our Huswife Necklace...such a great project from Lori.  My dear friend Holly on the far left drove over to join us for the class.

Here is our sweet Beth...such a good student...She finished her project.  Wish you could see the inside....it was so special.

After class the Merchant Mall opened....WOOT WOOT...shopping:)

I got to put my new releases and handmades on the Primitive Handmades Mercantile table.  Teresa Miller of Teresa's Primitive Treasures and her wonderful helpers ran it all while I got to hang out with friends, shop and talk.  They did such a fine job and look at that set up...just awesome!

 A close up of my wares!

Here is my buddy's table.... Elizabeth Talledo of Dames of the Needle.  The Stitchers went a bit wild for her new linen line and trims... including myself...I did some damage shopping at her table.

Dames of the Needle linen.....Top to bottom....Dirty Ewe, North Beach Brown and Peep's Lost Sheep...Drool.

 Our dear Faye of Carolina Stitcher had a fabulous table too...Her project bags and rolls are not only functional, but so beautiful...She had examples of her finishing there too..in case you ever need to send her something for her to work her magic on.  It was so wonderful to see her again.  Love me some Faye:)

Well, I hope you liked seeing my pics from the retreat so far...I have lots more, but I'll do a second post, as to not overwhelm you...hehehe.

In parting, I just want to say this retreat is not to be missed...if you can make it next year it will be held in Atlanta.  I already have it on my agenda.  If you think this is something you'd be interested in...please come and join our facebook group...The Prim Stitchers Society.

Smiles and happy stitching....always:)  ~Nan

Busy Hands.....

Are happy hands...... 

Working in the studio today....my Cottage Charm pouch finish is coming along.  Another one for the table at the Prim Stitchers Society Retreat.  Remember the Merchant Mall at the Retreat is open to the public.

Here it is all finished......love how really prim this turned out!

Happy creating! ~Nan

Smokin' Needles

Lots of finishing going on these days up in the sewing studio.

I am working like crazy to get as many pieces finished for the table at Merchant Mall

for our Prim Stitchers Retreat in Williamsburg VA next month.  

I'm sharing a table with Teresa from Teresa's Primitive Treasures.

A local cross stitch shop, Valley Needleworks will also have a table along with many of my other friends.....Elizabeth Talledo from Dames of the Needle,  Lori from Notforgotten Farm, Kathy Barrick, Bonny Woomer from the Nebby Needle...and the list goes on.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I designed and stitched these five stars with the thought of making a pinkeep....but it turns out it really wanted to be a ditty bag......You may find it odd, but my pieces usually end up telling me what they want to be, even if that's not exactly what I had planned for them.......LOL
Still have some work to do on this....but it's coming along nicely, I think...

I am truly excited about this retreat and hope to see and meet many of you there.
The Prim Stitchers Society is such a wonderful, inspiring, supportive and caring facebook group....If you're so inclined, please ask to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/primstitcherssociety/

 Have a great week and happy creating! ~Nan

Looky Looky!

If you didn't know.....I belong to a wonderful stitching group on Facebook called "The Prim Stitchers Society".  I will be attending their first ever retreat at the end of next month in Williamsburg VA., along with many of my fellow designers and stitching friends.

There will be a Merchant Mall open to the public, on May 1st and 2nd from 12:30 to 5:30, in case you are interested in attending and stopping in to say "Hello:)"

I am hoping to have a few new released charts for sale, along with some of my handmade pieces and maybe even a kit.

Here is the beautiful flyer our Prim Stitcher Sis, Ridgely had made up for the event!

I am so excited to meet everyone and to join so many of my fellow stitchers, to do what we all love most....stitch, shop, eat and hang with friends.  Hope you can stop by to see all the goodies for sale and chat with us.

Smiles, ~Nan

Big Giveaway!

Click the pic to make larger.

As many of you know, I am part of a wonderful group of stitchers and needlepunchers on facebook called The Prim Stitchers Society.  It's a very positive and supportive group and we are all very passionate about "prim" needlework.

The group, which was formed by our Admin, Terri Hall of http://www.dixiesamplar.com/ , on March 20th, recently reached the 3000 member mark last month.  We've grown extremely fast and we really are like one BIG happy family.  

Well to celebrate that milestone, the group is having a really fabulous giveaway.  So many of the member designers have offered to contribute prizes.  Three winners will be selected randomly to receive a super gift package.  If have not joined in on all the fun yet, now is a great time. The winners names will be drawn today at 6:00 pm.  Sorry, I'm so late posting this:(

Here is the link to join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/primstitcherssociety/ 

Just click the button to join and the admin will add you to our Prim Family!

A few of the members traveled together and met up with other members at The Gathering of Primitive Friends Show, hosted by one of our favorite Prim Stitcher sisters, Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.

We really could not have imagined a better time.

 From left to right .....

Michelle Blanco, Faye Riggsbee, Theresa Meloon, little ol' me, Pat Simon, 

Lori Brechlin, and Mimi Martz.

 Thanks girls...for the best time EVER!

Smiles, ~Nan

A very happy Friday to you all.....

Thank you to all my friends and followers for your patience while getting these 2 new patterns ready for release. Your emails and comments are always so heartwarming and so supportive.  You have no idea how much they mean to me.

First up.....

"All American Finn"

A special thank you to my friend Gretchen Hubert, for being the inspiration behind "All American Finn".   Without her, Finn would never have come to life!  
The model for Finn is stitched on 35ct Weeks Dye Works Cocoa linen with  WDW- Parchment and Gentle Art - Schoolhouse Red, Black Crow, and Barn Grey. 
The stripes of the flag are charted and can either be stitched or 1/8” red ric rac may be attached, as was done on the model.  I have lots of the vintage red ric rac that I've also listed in my Etsy Shop.  I chose to attach this to a handmade hornbook, but this would look wonderful on an antique breadboard or even framed.

Next is......                        

"Cottage Rose"

This sweet little design if comes with two charts for both finishes.  A pinkeep and a broom wrap finish.  Cottage Rose is on 32ct Zweigart Vintage Heritage with Weeks Dye Works - Kudzu and Gentle Art - Burlap, Brandy and Country Redwood.

I've added these new designs and the ric rac to my Etsy Shop and they should soon be in your Local Needlework Shop.

Another new design is in the works!  Feeling in the mood for some Halloween stitching:)

Remember.....if you're on facebook and want to belong to a great primitive stitching group, please think about joining The Prim Stitchers Society.  We now have close to 2400 members and there is always something to see and learn.  I'm on there every day to see what's new and to connect with the members.  I have made so many new friends and we are very supportive of each other in so many ways. 

Enjoy your weekend! Happy Stitching and thank you for stopping by.
Smiles, ~Nan

A Little Time To Play

Yep, I've been having a little fun in the sewing studio. 

It's so much fun to create and get some of these ideas out of my head and finished into actual handmades.

I'm a bit obsessed these days with velvet.  I recently purchased an array of colors from

Blackberry Primitives.  They are just luscious and so easy to work with.  They don't slip and slide when sewing them like other velvets I've used.  I don't why, but I not going to question it:)

The other day I stitched this motif on 40ct linen so it would be tiny enough to add to the peach velvet hanging heart I made.  The motif is part of a freebie design I gifted to the Prim Stitchers Society Group I belong to on Facebook.  I'm sure you've heard me mention it before.

I've been taking time to spend in the garden and I think all the flowers and birds have been an influence on my designing.  I am also working on a pinkeep box.  I stitched this band to go around the outside and I'll stuff some peach velvet for the pincushion top.  

I hope to be back soon to show you the finish and also the other pieces I've stitched.  They are all on the floor of my studio waiting to be made into prim pretties...:)
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Smiles, ~Nan