Presents!

Boy am I behind on my blogging! I got a couple of presents last week that I've been wanting to share with you but I've either not had time at the computer or like last night my internet connection went down, so I wasn't able to!

Christin was such a sweetie and got me an early Christmas present this year... I think she's just determined to see my Peacock Tapestry framed before the year is out! She had me take Peacock into my LNS to have it stretched, and paid for it! I've tried twice to stretch it on my own, but I've just not been happy with the results so I decided it was time to have the professionals do it! Of course I'll still do my own framing. It'll look wonderful when its up on the wall!

The next gift I received came in the mail late last week! I got a surprise parcel from Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams who I model stitch for. Inside the parcel was a copy of each of her new releases at Charlotte earlier in the month. Each was autographed and had a personal message. Also in the envelope was a huge bag filled with Caron Wildflowers and Watercolours! Ooooh what luxury. But the best thing in that parcel? Was the special thank you message she had printed on the back of the Dust Bunnies chart for the world to see! It says : " Thanks to Model Stitcher Dani Baillie whose nimble fingers stitched up both designs in record time, warned me about fiber usage and made me squeal with scans of bunnies in progress! You are a true gift to this designer and have become a wonderful friend as well!" So touching! Thank you Jen for such kind words!

Last night I indulged and started a new project! I started a wee kit I bought from Ann at her shop Knowledge and Needles (Ann has retreat pictures on her website too!). Its Sweetheart Tree kit called "Don't Bug Me" Its so cute!

Retreat Report... a little late

Yes, I'm sorry my retreat report (nothing really too exciting or earth shattering to report really. Gosh now I don't really recall what I wanted to talk about exactly.

Le Meyow

Friday morning Christin and I packed up our clothes and stitching stuff and headed off to Kingston. Of course, while packing after turning my back I discovered somebody didn't want me to leave. Hunter knows when I'm packing that black bag, I'm going away for a bit. Friday I dropped Christin off at her parents in Kingston and I spent the night at our friend's Beth's. Its become our tradition over the years, Christin has a visit with her family and I get to visit with Beth, stitch, and eat her fantastic cooking!

Saturday morning Beth and I packed my poor little car with all our stuff. Its amazing how much stuff three ladies will take for an overnight stitching trip. Its also amazing how much CRAP you can fit into the hatchback of a Hyundai Accent! I really should of taken a picture of it! Next year... We met up with Christin and off we were back in the car and on our way to Brighton!

Les Banners

We arrived at Ann's (owner of Knowledge and Needles) before noon, and we weren't the first ones there! Already there were Carmen, and Colleen (my Celtic Banner SAL mates), Carmen's Mom, and Marj! What was the first thing we all did? Well of course Christin, Colleen and I all pulled out our finished Celtic Banner's Carmen was almost done hers! So out came the cameras too! It was an impressive sight! We also managed to enable two stitchers to buy charts, fabrics and order the specialty fibers. Ahh there's nothing like enabling!

Adriana, Our Oldest Stitcher At Retreat

Soon after we arrived everyone else started to show up as the day starts off with a pot-luck lunch. As usual we were going to starve... LOL we brought more food than necessary! Everything was different and delicious! The total number of visitors to this year's retreat (the 7th) was 25. The retreat started out seven years ago as an overnight get-togethers of members of the Teresa Wentzler BB but that group has kinda dwindled over the last couple of years but has been growing with local stitchers... who I love to influence and encourage them to stitch over two! Now out of the group I was the younges stitcher there, but I was so impressed by our oldest stitcher! Adriana who has come the last couple of years with her daughter Beatrice. I was quite shocked to find out that Adriana had just turned 90!!!! Not only was she 90 and looked nowhere near that age, she still stitches... get this... on evenweave! If there's anyone I want to be like when I'm 90 (if I make it that long).

Ann (standing) & Beatrice Playing Handywoman

What's a retreat without a minor hiccup? We were sitting in Ann's new sunroom that she and Dan managed to finish just in time for the retreat (what a wonderful stitching room, I'm jealous!) when we started hearing water. All of us in the sunroom just assumed it was the hot tub. After hearing it for quite awhile Beatrice when out to see what it was. The hose which was providing water to the matron where Christin, Beth and I were going to spend the night had burst! Ann and Beatrice did an amazing job fixing it! (notice the duct tape? )

Since there were so many stitchers the poor puppies got shut into the garage!

Une Surprise For La Hostess With Le Most-ess

Just before dinner I presented to Ann on behalf of the group a little pressie from all of us. Actually, for the second time this summer I had instigated a Top Secret Evil Plan! About a month before the retreat I sent out e-mails to as many of the stitchers attending letting them know that Ann didn't have any hand dyed fabrics! A sad situation that had to be rectified and quickly! Ann was overwhelmed by the gesture and the selection of fabrics we had pulled together! I love instigating Evil Plans!

Now for assorted pictures from Saturday :

Kathy - Whose a Riot! I sat next to her all day!

Beth - My other hostess who can cook like there's no tomorrow! Mmmmm... And I just love her company!

Adriana (left) and her daughter Beatrice

There were 8 of us who spent the night, the next morning we were totally entertained by Ann's husband Dan who stayed away all day on Saturday. He made all of us bacon and eggs for breakfast! What service! Also Dan is an excellent cook!

We left early that afternoon. I spend all year looking forward to this weekend, so its always sad when it ends.

Happy Dance!

Finally! Blogger is letting me upload photos! That's why there hasn't been a retreat report. Perhaps I'll finally pull one together tomorrow since its too late tonight!

Here it is my quilt square for my friend Misty. Its the Friendship block from Sewing Seeds of Friendship, Hope and Love. This paticular block is by Karen Weaver.

Night everyone!

Off To Retreat

This weekend is the 7th annual TWBB retreat at Knowledge and Needles in Brighton!

So take care, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures on Sunday/Monday!

Late SBQ

I suppose before I get this week's SBQ on Wednesday I should answer last week's!!!

Q : Do you have an organizational system for your fabric? If so, what is it? If not, what do you store your fabric in?How do people store their fabric, especially those small but potentially usable pieces? Do they sort by count? How do they label it or otherwise know what each piece is?

A : Do I have an organizational system for my fabric? Hmmm not really. I do keep them divided between standard fabrics and hand dyed fabrics. I keep my fabric in a set of large plastic storage drawers. Currently my fabrics on fill two drawers.


One drawer contains all my standard fabrics, these are not hand dyed. If the fabric came in a plastic bag that is labeled I tend to keep it in that bag. If its not in a bag from the vendor sometimes I'll put it in a large ziplock bag (I know, I know plastic isn't the best for fabric, but its convenient) and I write on that bag the type, colour and count. If I'm lazy and I don't put it in a ziplock, I write the fabric info on a piece of paper and pin it to the fabric.

The other drawer contains all of my hand dyed fabrics. Again they're marked the same way.

As for small pieces that are big enough to be ornaments but not too small to be useless, I put them in a ziplock bag (all my scraps go in the same bag). Each piece is labeled with a piece of paper with all the pertinent information. Of course I do have "mystery fabric" in there too!

I'm puttering along with Misty's quilt square. I keep getting these urges/impulses to start a large over one project! Ack! Help me!

Todd has finally realized I'm serious that he's not going to get Gone Fishing any time soon. He was a little shocked about that. .. Good.

Ornament/Freebie HD

Its Freebie SAL weekend over at Needle and Thread BB so what better way thank to kill two birds with one stone! Not only did I stitch a freebie, but a freebie ornament. It stitched up in a day!

Title : Blackwork Noel

Designer : Glory Bee

Copyright : c2005

Stitched on/with : 30ct Macaroon Linen using Silk N' ColorsIn the Burgundy and Caron Emerald

What did Todd think of his present? What can I say the asshole in him came out this morning (excuse my language). He barely looked at it and when I said it was for him he made a rude comment about using it to wipe his hands. Needless to say its gone into my finished project bag and won't be coming out for a long time!

Now I can focus on Misty's quilt square.

A Finish!

Yay finally! Gone Fishing is finished! Despite the fact that I like this piece it was quite a chore to stitch it. I don't think I've ever had a project that actually puts me to sleep! This one certainly did! I'm not sure if its because the lack of difficulty, the lack of colours, or that stitching 46 stitches on a row in the same colour just isn't exciting! I certainly didn't get much done on it yesterday since I couldn't stay off the internet! That high speed connection certainly makes surfing more tempting! Today I actually fell asleep 3 times! It might of been for 20 minutes or so at a time but every time I'd start working on Gone Fishing my eyes would get heavy!

Anyhow, here it is in all its glory (albeit crooked, getting used to the new scanner) :

Gone Fishing

c1998 Heritage Stitchcraft

28ct Antique White Jubilee/DMC floss

Todd is sound asleep, so I can't show it to him.

Next I'm starting my freebie, Noel Blackwork by Glory Bee.

P.S. I'm interested in selling or trading this chart, simply e-mail me to make a deal (you can get my address via my webge)