Northwest Sampler Guild Annual Retreat

This was my first retreat with the Northwest Sampler Guild.  Unbelieveably, I came down with a head cold about 2 days before it started.  So, of course, I spent the whole weekend, coughing, hacking and blowing my nose!  The ladies couldn't have been nicer and more understanding.  I sat in the corner and warned others to stay away :)  I certainly had a wonderful time and got  much accomplished stitching-wise.

Aury Designs

Patriotic Heart 2009

35 ct natural linen scrap

Misc threads from my stash

I took all smalls with me to work on.  This was my one and only finish of the weekend.  But here are the other smalls I started-

Top row (l-r) BBD Pumpkin Blossom Box and Pincushion, Northwest Sampler Guild nametag, The Sticherhood Merry Christmas ornament  Bottom row (l-r) Jardin Prive Carre d'Abeilles , and BBD Crowning the Tree ornament

I also took the BBD Pumpkin Blossom Needlecase but didn't have enough linen to stitch it and Aury's 2011 Patriotic Heart but didn't get to it either.

I also took 2 of my Crazy January Challenge and made some progress on both-

Sewing Chest Designs Pincushion Doll and Brightneedle Pretty in Pink

We also had a sweet bag exchange and here is the bag that I got-

A Quaker design stitched with an overdyed green thread. Loved the little scissor fob that came with it!  Here are some of the others-

I am always amazed at the stitching skills of my fellow members. Here is some of the show and share displayed-

This is the first time I have seen the Berlin Woolwork Sampler totally complete (on the right above).

A stitching casket-still incomplete-but wow!!

There were four of these samplers all completed and framed-sorry I forgot the name.

Did you notice the smalls on the table above?  Here is a better picture-

Yes, it is Betsy Morgan's smalls from the Inspiration magazine that I have been going on about ad nauseum!! Who thought I would actually be able to see and handle a complete set just when I want to start it??!  Jan Petersen did an absolutely gorgeous job-they are lined in ivory silk dupioni--even cuter than I expected :)

Only 2 more photos then I will stop-here is one of half of the workroom-

And I can't say enough about the favors!  After every meal we would come back to a "little" surprise-

First was a special folded cardstock ort container.

 Then a working pen with everything needed to complete a little tribute to the weekend (which I finished and put in the pen).

Then an adorable bird pad of paper which fit into the needle roll which came next.

Then a matching needlebook, a pair of scissors and a strawberry scissor fob. Don't forget the custom needle roll kit, printed paper award, and a package of needles and needle puller that I forgot to put in the photo.  Many of the goodies fit into the needle roll perfectly!

Oh, did I forget to mention that I won a door prize too??  A weekend that will be a hard act to follow-thanks, NWSG!