Snowflakes in progress!
With fall fast approaching and the garden starting to slow down, I was finally able to deliver on my promise of a workshop for my Daystitchers group. I have belonged to this group for many years: I remember my delight finding out that there was a group of like minded quilters, knitters, and stitchers that met during the day! Anyone who has fibro/CFS/lymes (or any other condition that wreaks havoc on your energy system) will understand that doing things in the evening hours just doesn’t work! Prior Lake did (and does) have an evening group, but that wasn’t going to work no matter how badly I would have liked to have joined. The opportunity to join a daytime group was so exciting: a chance to socialize, visit, share and learn! Added pluses: the group meets EVERY Wednesday (one doesn’t have to remember if it is ‘this Wednesday!’) AND it had been decided that this would be a ‘low maintenance’ group – no dues, no ‘officers,’ no treat committee, etc. We have occasionally done such things as block exchanges, row exchange quilts, etc. as well as contributed to cash awards at the county fair; all on a volunteer level of participation. And yes, at least one homemade treat appears each Wednesday! Over the years, we have shared the ‘days of our lives’ – the good and the bad – and I feel blessed and fortunate to know such a diverse, creative, giving and sharing group of women. It was with their support that I pursued working with wool/wool felt and creating patterns, so I figured it was only fair play to create a workshop just for them!
Joan, June, Kate and Sue ready for stitchin!
Arlis and Jean in deep concentration
Jane at work!
So on the 19th of Sept., 12 of us took over a wonderful room at city hall for a day of stitching! I had made a number of kits in a variety of colors and had previously brought them to the Wed. meeting for everyone to pick out a kit (most kits were wool felt, but I also made up some in felted woven wool). Because it is difficult to complete a topper in a one day workshop, the group decided that if they picked up the kits before the class, they could do the ‘prep’ work at home – folding the templates, and cutting out the appliques, etc. This worked out quite well, and everyone was pretty much ready to go Friday morning. I had brought extra decorative threads, needles, beads, etc. so everyone could ‘get creative’! Along the way, I shared my stitching tips, methods and techniques. We paused for a brief lunch – these ladies know how to ’embellish’ a banquet table!! – and then worked until late afternoon. While no one finished their piece, everyone left with a clear understanding of how to finish their piece and the confidence to do so! I think all would agree that it was a enjoyable and successful day!
In the last two weeks, the gals have been bringing their finished pieces (some had taken a second kit home!) to the Wednesday meetings. A few are still working on finishing touches. Here are several of the projects, some still in progress. What everyone has enjoyed the most, I think, is how different they all came out; different stitching style, embellishments, color choices, etc. Forgive some of the photos (colors are a bit strange and I still haven’t figured out how to efficiently get photos from my phone to my computer for editing in Photoshop – hey, I stitch a whole lot better than ‘compute’!!) Enjoy!
Margaret’s finished topper with battery candle
Pam Clauson used both loose and string pearls on her wool
Mary Ring’s version with beads instead of buttons on
the tabs
Polly Anderson’s first topper with embroidered embellishment
Polly’s second topper -in progress!
Simple and sweet!
Sue Hecker did a delightful embroidery stitch around the border
Dot B. – in progress – experimenting with metallic thread blanket stitch!
Jane Coultas used some of those cute buttons for the border!
Kate M. really enjoyed embellishing – buttons, sequins, beads!
Close up of Kate M.’s topper – notice the contrast stitching thread!
One of my ‘samples’ done with Pendleton wool, metallic and silk threads
Another of my samples – w. Pendleton wool background
There are still a few being finished, so I will have to bring you those pictures in a later post. I still am amazed at how fun it was to see all the different versions! But even better, the gals have said they had a great time; and some are busy working at making a few Christmas gifts!!
With the workshop done, I have been working at trying to get a few ‘kits’ up on the website. This is where the phrase “oh what a tangled web we weave” comes to mind. (Hmm…funny that expression used the word ‘web’!) It would seem to be a rather simple task, but not so! I have spent untold hours figuring this out, leading me to think that if I still had the quick mind of a 20 or 30 year old things would be easier! (No comments please!) I simply had a desire to list a few kits – made from my own stash – for the convenience of those persons who do not have easy access to materials, etc. This desire has led to a rather complex series of ‘issues’ as well as some concern that I have not been able to find time to do my own creating! As someone who frequently shops on line – I am definitely more appreciative of what goes into ‘listing’ and ‘selling’!! Hang in there with me and I’ll share some of the challenges with you in a future post. Meanwhile, I’m working at it!! 🙂 Happy stitching till next post!
