Winter Break

Sorry it's been so long since my last blog, life has a way of getting in the way of all the fun things we have lined up for ourselves, Stitching is on the top of my list and im sure many of others also. One thing we can plan on now while the weather is still cold ( for those of us in the cold weather states) is the up coming New England Stitching Retreats. October 4-7, 2013 with instructor Belinda Karls-Nace from Blue Ribbon Designs.  For those of you who have been to one of  Belinda's reatreats you already know you will be having a great time, for those of you who haven't be ready for a great time.
October 7-10, 2013 with instructor Lori - La-D-Da Designs. I have been to 2 Retreats that Lori has been the instructor and she is marvelous! Lori is a ton of fun, and has some great stories.
October 11-14, 2013 with instructor Cathy Campbell of Primitive Traditions. Cathy is back by popular demand with a special Euti you don't want to miss! Keep looking for updates, we will let everyone know when we have the final projects pictures for you to look at.

Classes are already filling up, so if any 1 or 2 or even 3 of the above mentioned retreats are something you are wanting to attend don't hesitate to reserve your room.

Happy Stitching
Gail & Jackie

19 DAYS!

Well here we are! Only 19 more days to the New England Stitcher's Retreat! Jackie & I are very excited and have been busy gathering everything we will need to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. I just started my Cartouche and i really like it! For those of you who haven't been to this retreat everyone who comes  is very nice and lots of fun, we have plenty of time to stitch and chat win prizes and make lifelong friends in the process, along will all the food that mickey makes for us and all the endless supply of snacks, coffee, tea, soda, water, and  of course jackie and I will be making special little treats along the way. Can't wait to meet all of you and to see people we have met at past retreats... See ya soon

Happy Stitching,
Gail & Jackie

Summertime Stitching

Hi everyone, Hope you are doing all the stitching you want, either finishing or starting one or several new designs. We are anxiously getting ready for the Retreats in October and can't wait to get together with all of you!

We did have a opening of a single room for Belinda's retreat so if interested please register to grab that room. And if you are still thinking about registering please do it soon you won't regret it. Lots of fun and stitching, food and treats and prizes, what more could you ask for!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Happy Stitching,
Gail & Jackie

How about a survey

I've been thinking the past few days (usually a dangerous thing!) about future retreats and future teachers and decided to ask all our followers and attendees who would you like to see  teach for a New England Stitcher's Retreat? We have alot of great designers out there and it's hard to decide who to ask. So if you could take a few minutes of your time and comment on this post it would be appreciated.

We also had a single room open up on Belinda's retreat so if you want it don't hesitate to send in your reservation!

Hope everyone had a great July 4th with lots of family fun and fireworks.

Happy Stitching
Gail

Filling up fast!

Hello! Sorry i haven't blogged in a while,I'm really new to this blogging thing and have a hard time remembering how to do let alone what to say. Just letting you all know we have the lists of material from Cathy and Belinda that we need for the classes and oh boy is there a lot of stuff! :) Right up my alley and probably all of yours also.

Also all single room for Belinda's retreat are sold out! and just a couple of spots available for each retreat so get in gear and sign up so you don't miss out on this great retreat.

Jackie and I have been trying out different recipes for everyone to snack on between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner ( cause all of you that have been her before know we need more to eat! ) and i must say i have a few real good ones for you that i think you will all love and Jackie is a great baker!

Also, as an added inscentive, ABC Therapy is offering all paid Retreat attendee's 20% off all orders placed after August 19th until 1 week after your retreat ends!!!!!!! Woooo Hoooo...... start making your lists and checking it twice cause i'm sure you all have been nice.

Happy Stitching
Gail

Retreat Update

Good Evening everyone! Myself (Gail Kilian) along with Jackie Ayres will be helping Marie with the retreats from now on. Jackie and I have gone to 3 of the New England Stitcher's Retreat and probably already know a few of you die hard retreaters...We are really looking forward to seeing everyone in October, old and new, for 2 spectacular classes. One with Cathy Campbell of Primitive Traditions doing" Aunt Julias Sewing Box" which is georgous! And the second one with Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs with "Mischief At Midnight" which is spooktacular! Just remember for those of you that have been on the fence deciding which retreat to go to or to BOTH (there is a discount to do both) single rooms are going quickly, so sign up now to reserve your spot. Jackie and i already have some great ideas for these 2 weekends and can't wait to get there. We will be emailing all that signed up already to tell you of the changes and will post as rooms fill up to keep you updated, and will remind you of the things that will be needed or wanted for the classes. If you have any questions don't hesitate to email us at gkilian@twcny.rr.com Or jayres1@twcny.rr.com

See ya soon
Gail & jackie

October 2012 Retreats

Hi Everyone, just wanted to let you know that our October Retreat plans have been finalized. We will once again be hosting our retreat at the Enfield Shaker Museum. It is our privilege to be providing accommodations in the Great Stone Dwelling. You can get all of the details about the accommodations on our Website http://www.stitchingretreat.com/. We have two very talented instructors. Our first retreat, October 12-15, 2012 is with Cathy Campbell from Primitive Traditions. She has created an exclusive fabric covered box with beautifully coordinated needlework smalls. This class concentrates on the construction of the box which is round and has a removable tray insert. Below you can view pictures of this project.

Our second retreat, October 19-22, 2012, will be with Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs. Belinda has agreed to return and we are delighted. She has had 2 very successful teaching engagements with us in the past and we had many requests from past students for her return. She is working on the design as we speak and I am told a sneak peak may be available soon. I can tell you it is a Halloween themed design and I am sure it will be 'spook'tacular in true Belinda fashion.

I hope you will join us!! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us through the New England Stitching Retreat Website.

Nataly

October Retreat Projects

Here are the pics!! This is coming rather late but if you haven't visited the website I wanted you to see what Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs and Thea from The Victoria Sampler have created for our retreat. They are both Shaker inspired and I think you will love them. We have limited space available so if you are interested be sure to sign up soon!! The first 2 pictures are Belinda's "Botanical Blessings" project. This project includes the 8" miniature shaker chair, instructions to create the chair seat, pin pillow, scissor fob and needlebook rug as well as a beautifully coordinated sampler. It is stitched on 32 ct linen. This retreat is being offered Oct 7-10 and Oct11-14, 2011.

Thea's project inclueds a 6" wooden base for a beautifully stitched pincushion. You will also have a shaker style needlekeep, strawberry emery and a beeswax pendant. Thea will concentrate on teaching the specialty stitches in this design. This retreat is being offered October 11-14, 2011.

If you haven't attended our retreat previously, there are a few things you should know. We offer an all inclusive retreat which includes accomodations, food, stitching instruction and LOTS of fun. (Oh by the way, an afternoon tea for some shopping at ABC stitch) Aside from all of that we have timed our retreat to take place during the beautiful New England Autumn. The scenery is fabulous, the colors are outstanding and we are fortunate enough to be able to stay at the Great Stone Dwelling, home of the Shaker Museum. Although this place is simple in nature, it has a magical feel to it. I hope you can join us! If you are interested please visit our website at http://www.stitchingretreat.com/. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Happy Stitching!

Nataly and Marie

And the winner is . . .

Thank you everyone for joining in on this giveaway. In order to save some time I used the random number generator and it selected #12. That's Lynn from needles-and-quilter-me. Her comment was "Oh! I am already a follower! So nice of you to offer this little drawing! I'd love to win! THANKS! " Congratulations Lynn!! Happy Stitching!

Holiday Giveaway!

Marie has given me three great kits to giveaway to one lucky winner!! These are 3 of the latest kits from Lizzie Kate. All come with fabric and are a great prize. The rules are simple, become a follower and leave a comment telling me you did so. I will draw a name on Wednesday December 22nd. I would love for you to post about it on your blog to spread the word. Good Luck everyone and Happy Stitching! --Nataly

Preparations are Underway for the May Retreat

Now that we have recovered from the October Retreat, our plans are in full swing for the May Retreat. 

We are pleased to annouce that Pam and Susan of Praiseworthy Stitches will be the instructors for our retreat scheduled for May 26-29, 2011. 

Pam and Susan have been busy creating a beautiful sewing basket with coordinating smalls.  Above is a picture of the basket with the lid attached.  Below is a picture of the 5" band and duponi silk lining.  The title of this project is "Days of Creation".

This project uses Cross Stitches over 1,2 and 4 threads, Algerian Eye, Rhodes Heart, open Herringbone, Satin Stitch, Smyrna Cross, Rice Stitch. They will also be teaching some beading and how to cover threads rings.  This can be seen in the needlebook and scissor fob pictured below.

This all inclusive retreat will be a fun weekend of stitching and suprises.  Marie and I have lots up our sleeves to make this the best weekend of stitching away.  Don't forget, all meals are included as well as an Afternoon Tea at ABC Stitch as well as shopping, shopping, shopping.  For more info and to book your retreat visit New England Stitcher's Retreats.  Any questions feel free to contact me via email and I will see if I can help.

Happy Stitching, Nataly

October Retreat 2010

The Enfield Shaker Museum

Lake Mascoma, Enfield NH

A Shaker Welcome

The Stitchers Lounge-open 24 hours a day

The Classroom

Gift bag and goodies for the retreat participants

Our lovely and talented designer/instructor for the weekend, Thea Dueck

Creative talents of our stitchers--gingerbread name tags and ort containers

Yankee Swap fun!!

Show and Tell

Shop Hop and Afternoon Tea at ABC Stitch Therapy

I think the pictures tell it all. This is a wonderful location for a stitchers retreat. It is quiet and tranquil-- a perfect spot to stitch until you drop. We met many lovely ladies and stitching pals and look forward to seeing them again. We have preparations underway for our May retreat in 2011 with the talented gals of Praiseworthy Stitches. Check out our website http://www.stitchingretreat.com/ for more information. We will post pictures of the May project soon. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Happy Stitching, Nataly and Marie

A Great Retreat!

The first New England Stitching Retreat finished on Monday morning!, I am so honored to have spent the weekend with such a wonderful group of people! what a great weekend in a wonderful venue with a wonderful teacher (Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs). We now have the October retreat to look forward to and I am sure it will be just as much fun!. We only have 4 rooms left for the Fall retreat with Thea from Victoria Sampler so please book soon if you want to secure a room at the Shaker Great Stone Dwelling in Enfield NH. We also have some great ideas for next years retreats and hope to be able to release some information soon - we are planning a 'very' special project for October next year and are almost ready to open for reservations for our late May retreat. Please check the New England Stitching Retreat website for photos from the weekend within the next few days and please sign up for the newsletter to be amongst the first to receive details of 2011 retreats.

Thanks to Belinda from Blue Ribbons Designs for the use of the photos from last weekend!