Stitchers Hideaway

What a great time we had.   A stitching pal, Pat, and I went to Massachusetts on Monday stopping in White Plains so we could enjoy a lunch at P. F. Changs - a favorite stop my daughter and I often make on our way through New York.  We arrived in Sturbridge, checked in and got the lay of the land.

We stayed at the Publick House Inn, Sturbridge.   A really neat inn dating back to 1771, with sloping floors, old beams, great food and resident ghosts!

 I love old settings and wondering who has walked in the very same footsteps as I do today.

 The grounds were very pretty and meticulously kept.

Tuesday we headed over to Brimfield, Mass which just happen to be hosting the largest antique flea market in New England.  Here's what I got......

Starting at the upper left, a pretty pair of German scissors, then to the right, a little pair made in the USA and then......my very first pair of Dovos!   I 've never bought expensive scissors just the little enameled ones you find at the check out counter for $3.99.....Pat gifted me with the Dovos (from Thistle Stitchery) as a thank you for driving...and they are left handed!  So unnecessary and so wonderful.    I may be spoiled from this point on and only want Dovos!

And I treated myself to this little bit of a shiny bracelet from the Flea Market.  I just fancied it and justified it as an early birthday present.

Our class started on Wednesday.   We arrived to the classroom area early and sat with our iPads reading waiting for the class to start.  

What waits behind this door?    

Two days of great fun and fellowship and stitching!  I had a class before with Jeannette Douglas at Celebrations in Nashua, NH a few years ago and remembered how great she was.   She didn't disappoint this time.   Jeannette designed the class piece just for us!   How special.

 

 She uses the most awesome fibers all Gloriana or Belle Soie.   Yum!

To say some of the ladies really got into it would be an understatement.   The California girls even painted their toe nails red, white and blue.  They arrived with glitter, sparkle headbands, and patriotic themed everything.  They made matching red, white and blue bags which featured an american flag on one side and a canadian flag on the other side.   See below right where one is hanging on the back of one of the chairs.   These girls were clever!

Here's Sue - California Girls had glitz for Sue too - she did a fabulous job covering every detail, making everyone feel welcomed, arranging a great menu and having TONS of give-a-ways.

The last half of the second day, Jeannette took time to sit with us in groups of 3 and 4 to share finishing techniques.  Those are the California Girls....and some of their glitz.

 Sue and Jeannette are showing off their  (rub-on) "tats".

 Some of the goodies!    The little freedom pillow is what I got in the smalls exchange.   Too cute!  Oops!  I didn't get a photo of all the great smalls that were exchanged.

 Just some of the giveaways I got.  Chart after chart!

More giveaway goodies! And there was more.

On Friday we were going to go to Olde Sturbridge Village but decided to visit from local shops that some of our classmates spoke about and support the economy one store at a time.  It was our patriotic duty after all.

 I picked up these fat quarters and this Halloween fabric to add to my stash on Quilting by the Yard in Vernon, CT.

At Thistle Stitchery in Glastonbury CT I picked up 5 of the 6 Snowbelles, fabric and floss.   Since it was a 20% off sale, I got myself a Ott light too!  

 Here's my progress so far on my class piece.   I am loving the bunting!   Did you know they don't have bunting in Canada?  Jeannette shared that fact and so many other little anecdotes and quips and stories over the two days.   She showed us a sampler she has designed for a class she will teach in the Netherlands in 2014.....I can't wait until she releases it for general sales.   Having Dutch heritage, I feel drawn to have to do it!   It was really a pleasure having a class with Jeannette.  She was so genuine, friendly, helpful and fun to be with.   She has a great laugh.

 I'll leave you with this parting shot.   These pecan sweet rolls are to die for.   I bought a dozen to take into work on Monday.  I personally refuse to get on the scale after all the sumptuous food we had.   Why do we struggle for 6 weeks to loose 5 lbs only to put in on again in 5 days?  

I will ponder that injustice later....now time to stitch on some bunting!