Fantastic Stitchy Weekend

I had a good and busy weekend (I think I'm starting to get a little tired of the busy thing)! I first got to check-in with Beatrice, a lovely visit and we chatted about our Southwestern adventures!  Of course we stitched.

Beatrice spoiled me with these lovely Birthday goodies!  I know I'll be putting these to good use.  Thank you Beatrice, and thank you for your hospitality.

Clare putting in the outlining on the ruler pocket

I continued my trip to go and spend the weekend with Clare, another wonderful friend I've made through stitching.  We of course stitched, but the main purpose of this trip was for Clare and I to go check out Gitta's first Needleworker's Marketplace.  There was a retreat as well but we didn't attend that, however they did have classes open to not only retreat members but the public too.  We both registered for Jeannette Douglas's class Three Pines Accessories.

Jeannette teaching us a really cool way to do Queen Stitches!

As usual classes with Jeannette are just fantastic, we didn't really get any true stitching done, but I learnt some really cool finishing techniques/ideas that I'll be putting to good use down the road.  I suppose this means I now have one more WIP in the stitching bag.

Me & Jeannette

It was also so nice to see Jeannette again, its been too long, and she really hasn't done much teaching in the area.  Jeannette if you read this... we want more of your classes in Eastern Ontario!

Gorgeous painted fabric from X's and Oh's -- dunno what I'm doing with this yet

I had to buy something from Jeannette and I have stitched Pomegranates and Pears and the needlebook too

After our morning class Clare and I hit the Marketplace!  This was a great start for Gitta's and I hope they'll be planning a repeat for next year, and that more vendors will get on board.  The first year is always tricky trying to get people on board.  I know from when I was doing my shopping the rooms were crowded and people were buying!  If they run this again next year I'll be there again to show my support!

A new Michael Powell kit

Some Canadiana

So I did shop, and did enough damage on the weekend.

For lunch Clare wanted to try a local place she had heard a lot about, called Burrito Boyz.  Its just a little building, with not really any seating, an assembly line of burritos and a line up out the door.  Always a good sign!  Doesn't this just look tasty?  I can assure you it was!  Great idea Clare.

On our way back to Clare's place we stopped to check out a local Fiber Arts exhibit that was going on this weekend as well.  It was VERY impressive.  I was drooling over the work by the weavers, wonderful scarves, blanket and shawls that I couldn't afford (I of course have wonderful, expensive tastes!).  There were also vendors there too... lots of gorgeous wools that would almost tempt me to try my hand at knitting.

Speaking of knitting, I once said to Clare who is an avid (sock) knitter I didn't understand the point of knitted socks.  Well NOW I DO!  Clare gifted me with a gorgeous pair of hand knitted socks for my Birthday... eat your heart out Dee (whose socks I've been mocking as well... I mean who in Florida needs knitted socks?)