Back From Stitchville, USA

Monday, April 26, 2010



We offered several projects for the retreat. The above picture is of the outside of our Stitcher's Companion. Inside the box are several compartments to hold scissors, a pincushion and floss. The women in the class had time to paint and wax the outside and finish the inside of their wooden boxes. It was amazing to see what each person accomplished in one day!

These two projects were completed by friends. They both made their pincushions reversible. Each stitched her initial on the reverse side of the pincushion. The print fabric used inside the wooden box is from Garden Party and the alphabet print is from Beach House by Blackbird Designs for Moda fabrics. Everyone chose letters from the alphabet print that had special meaning for them.

The wonderful mother-of-pearl strawberry inside the project below was a gift to each attendant from Deb the owner of Stitchville, USA. They fit perfectly inside the box. The strawberry floss keeps are from Kelmscott Designs.




The woman who stitched the above project placed her sachet (also a project from class) inside the box until her piece is completed. She also stitched over the "S" and "T" from alphabet print.



Above is another completed project....I should have gotten everyone's name along with their projects....I wasn't thinking at the time. Look at these cute scissors! Her's is complete too!




Both of the ladies projects pictured above have stitched the letters in the alphabet prints. The extra stitching added dimension and texture to their piece.


The small bird cards each have a shell button stitched in place by Dave...who offered to help me get ready for the event. (He wants to know what union he can join!)




Barb and I loved seeing how everyone took one project and changed it to reflect themselves. Luckily I remembered to take my camera the second day of the event to get these shots.

Sachets finished from class.

If you get a chance to go to an event hosted by Deb, sign up. She puts on a great event. Many thanks to you Deb! We had a great time.

I know everyone would like to find out how to get The Workbasket free chart. (Isn't it wonderful?) Barb and I picked it up from Needle Delights in Pensacola, Florida. It was available with a purchase from the shop. I have e-mailed Candy from The Workbasket to find out how she distributed the chart. Sometimes these are available to shops that make a purchase from the design company at market. This is the design from The Workbasket and Barb and I are not able to distribute it. The pattern from Candy is of the flower. Barb added the words and border. We can give the pattern for the border and words "Sweet Alabama", but not the flower.
Click on the company name in the first sentence and it will take you to their web-site.

Until later,
Alma

65 comments

  1. What gorgeous items! Wish I'd been there!

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  2. The outside and inside of the boxes are so cute! Sorry I missed the class.

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  3. Oh my those are so stinkin' cute..Love them and I even see a sachet with my initial. I bet they had fun making them. Thanks for sharing..

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  4. Oh dear I did forget to put my name on that post..I am taking a quick break here from purging in my sewing room..now I do have to get back to my task at hand. Louise

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  5. What lovely projects! I wish I could attend everyone one of your classes. You ladies are the most fun teachers I've ever had! Plus which you make the most gorgeous pieces for us to stitch, both teaching and otherwise!

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  6. Wow I want one the ladies did some stunning work and so did you teaching. How about a visit to the UK !!!!!!!

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  7. What a beautiful idea - just love it. I think it is time you came to Australia again. Your projects are just lovely. Yes, we all want to know how to get it all to do. Cathie from Oz

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  8. Beautiful Work ..what a Lovely Class to be in.TFS.
    cheers

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  9. What a lovely project !!! I would have loved to attend this class... may be one day in France ? ;-))

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  10. What a neat class! I enjoyed seeing everybody's finished projects... it was interesting & inspiring to see how everybody made the project their own.

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  11. SEW beautiful!!! Do you sell the boxes? Loved seeing everyones version!

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  12. I had such a great time at the retreat. Your class was wonderful and I feel like I have made two new friends. If I ever get the chance to go to another class of yours I will be there. I have been stitching the top to my box and hope to have it done in the next day or two. Thanks again for your stories and ideas.
    Joan--www.stitchingsquad.blogspot.com

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  13. What a great project! Any hint of what we can expect in July at the Silver Needle? My stitching friend and I are counting the days until that class.

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  14. So how do we get the border and the alphabit? I would like to have mine say Sweet Kansas!

    Love the pictures. So many ideas from your postings!
    Thanks,
    Dede

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  15. The Stitchers Companions are gorgeous! So many talented people.

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  16. What a beautiful project.
    Where can you buy the boxes???

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  17. all great projects
    i love the photo with all those monogrammed sachets
    what fun

    and sounds like the hubby union is much like the wife and mother union- nonexistent but well represented ;0)

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  19. oh lord i deleted a comment cause i posted the same twice
    but now it looks awful like i was a bad post a commenter-----eeeep!!

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  20. I love the pieces and the boxes.
    What a wonderful idea for a class and something beautiful to take home.

    Debbie

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  21. oh, how beautiful!!!

    Jennifer
    Feathers in the Nest

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  22. What beautiful work and the boxes are wonderful.
    Do you know a supplier for the boxes? I would love to purchase one.
    Thanks.

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  23. Lovely, lovely, lovely projects. These ladies are very talented....as are the designers... and I speak from personal experience! Thanks for a wonderful and inspiring post! Happy Stitching

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  24. Will this be what you are teaching at the Buggy Barn in August? Or a variation? It looks like a neat project.

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  25. Lovely
    I can't get enough of it
    Beautiful designs
    Wonderful finishing

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  26. Everyone did a lovely job on their project. Thank you for sharing.

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  27. ciao
    sono bellissimi sia i ricami che le scatole confezionate sicuramente la mia S la farà
    un bacio grosso silvia

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  28. Oh, what wonderful projects! They are amazing! I wish I were there...
    What about a trip to Italy?...
    Please would you mind sharing where the boxes can be purchased? Thanks! :)
    Monica

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  29. What a nice boxes you let us enjoy.
    Pitty The Netherlands are so far away.

    Nice greetings,
    Willeke

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  30. superbe !!!quelle jolie boîte !
    à bientôt

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  31. Elles sont Magnifiques ces petites boites!!!!! Bravo!

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  32. This project is wonderful!!!
    Do you sell the boxes?
    thank's
    ciao Maria

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  33. Beautifullllllll.....ohhhhhhhhh....
    Io vorrei questa scatola..come posso fare???
    Helpppppppppp
    Smack
    Tina

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  34. Thank you for showing these - I love seeing all the inspiring pictures even though it makes me envious!

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  35. Thanks or sharing such nice pictures - all boxes are so cute and nicely finished - and a great inspiration, too!

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  36. Love your class, any idea when you might visit the UK LOL.

    The boxes are original and inspiring.

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  37. I love the box, what a wonderful keepsake. Wish I'd been there. And what a small world! I lived in Pensacola, FL for 6 years. I'll definately check out that shop when I visit my daughter this fall.
    Blessings,
    Kimberly: )

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  38. Oh wow!! That is one beautiful box and accessories! I'm so envious - wish I could have been there. One day I'll take a class from you - it's my dream!! :)

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  39. How interesting to see all the different versions. Love them all and such a gorgeous box to assemble them in. Thanks for showing, it sounds like it was a fantastic retreat!

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  40. Oh my goodness.. this is the prettiest I have seen.. wish I could get my hands on a cute workbox like that....... but living in Sweden.. that would be hopeless.. or do you sell somewhere??? HOPE... :o)
    Have another question for you...
    tried my hand on some ruffle edging... but with lace... but how on Earth did you do in the corners????? Cant get it right... so if you have time I really would love some suggestions..:o)

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  41. Oh I love those little boxes - where do you get the boxes to begin with? Also, why don't you teach a class in Central PA - no cross-stitch shops near here even though we are the state capitol. I love everything you ladies create!

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  42. Oh those boxes are adorable! The cross stitch on the front is beautiful, I wish I could go to a class. Is there anywhere we could get the pattern you put on the front of the boxes if we weren't able to go to the class? One of your books or something? I especially love the alphabet and all the little vines and borders on the sachets in the inside too! Is the alphabet from something else you've done or are you willing to share? I would love to be able to make a project with it. Thanks for all the fun you create for us with your patterns :)

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  43. Wow! What a fantastic project, even quilters would like this. How does one go about getting a little wooden, divided box? Anne

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  44. This class project is gorgeous! So is this a book we can anticipate as a future release? I love the sachets and how everyone's is so different! Beautiful finishes everyone! Can't wait to have another class with you someday!

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  45. Thank-you Barb and Alma you two ladies are a hoot, I was very happy to see all the different ways to use your patterns, so creative.
    I am very honored that you posted a picture of my fininshed box.
    I look forward to another class with you both.
    Thank-you for your inspiritation and humor.
    Peace to you both
    Catherine
    P.S.
    I tried to post earlier it never came through maybe this one will.

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  46. Oh, it is just wrong that we all were not there to make this! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

    And what also is wonderful... is your new date book! I purchased mine at a quilt store and so glad as they were being snatched up. Now I have to start finding the brown dishes again.

    You two are just "treasures".

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  47. Oh, just love this project!! Any chance of another class forming? Perhaps in Southern California? Or online? Everyone did such a wonderful job!

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  48. What a gorgeous class project! Wish I could have been there...

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  49. What a beautiful piece! The box is just ADORABLE! The stitching is gorgeous. I hope you either print it in a book or an online class. I would take the class in a heartbeat.

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  50. wow, love all the pictures! Looks like a very fun class and now I'm more excited than ever to take the class from you both in July at the Silver Needle!

    Lovely stitching by everyone!

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  51. Beautiful boxes!

    Are these boxes available to purchase? I would love to do one of these!

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  52. What a lovely class!!! Oh to take a class with you ladies one day!!!
    I would love the border & words for Sweet Alabama please....
    Karin :)
    in NY

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  53. Looks like a good time was had by all.. I love seeing how the stitchers companion boxes were the same but different...
    Can these boxes be purchased, I would love to create one myself...
    Trish

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  54. Love the stitcher's companion, I wish I had been able to attend but had prior commitments.

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  55. I have one of those boxes! I bought it unfinished years ago at Hobby Lobby. I think it is to keep playing cards in. I haven't looked at unfinished wood for a long time, so I don't know if they still have then.

    I know what I am going to do with mine though.

    Oh and tell Dave he can probably join the Teamsters. They'll take anybody.

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  56. What a beautiful project and a treasured keepsake! I love the alphabet used for the initials...does it come from one of your books? Are the needlework boxes available to purchase? Thank you for the wonderful blog!

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  57. What a wonderfull project you did!I would like to make so many treasures.Couson

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  58. Another great class project from the Blackbird gals. I'm just catching up on blog reading after being away on business - I've not seen that 20ct linen - might be nice for travel projects - I have relegated myself to knitting for travel since hotel lighting is SO bad and we are SO limited on what we can carry on. Love the Anniversaries piece shown - did not know there was a shop in Pensacola! Thanks for the always informative post! Hugs Mel

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  59. geez,! is it too late to learn to stitch??? Those are just too darn cute! You guys rock!

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  60. Alma, hi there,
    I have just managed to get the pretty Workbasket freebie and wondered if you would be able to send me the graph for the words and border please? I would be so grateful.
    Warm wishes and thanks.
    Angela
    john.sweby@btinternet.com

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