Monday, September 27, 2010

Madison, Wisconsin

The Madison Area Chapter of EGA hosted a Wisconsin State Day last month, and Marguerite and I were lucky enough to be able to attend. We drove up on Thursday afternoon, and after stopping at Stitcher's Crossing to make sure we had enough supplies, and a quick bite at Culver's, we arrived at the Madison Area Chapter's monthly meeting, where Catherine Jordan gave a lecture about her designs and talked about some of her painting techniques.

After the lecture, we checked into the hotel. We were not happy to find out that the hotel charged $12.00 per day for internet access, so we stitched instead!


The next morning, we had breakfast with all the participants and then went on to class. The class project was this Great Lakes map. The photo does not do it justice. It is absolutely amazing, and detailed!

Of course we weren't going to finish this piece in just one weekend, so we were given a small friendship book to work on, so that we could practice the techniques.




We carefully stitched the outline of Lake Michigan and some other things in a reversible stitch that Catherine taught us, and then we got to paint! First on a blank piece of fabric to see how much water to add and then on our stitching. Once the paint dried, we got to stitch some more!
Mine will look a bit different, and I chose to put Lake Michigan in the middle and stitch the state of Michigan also. I am rather please with the way mine is turning out, and the painting of the fabric was much easier than I thought it would be. I was quite intimidated by the painting part, but it was a piece of cake!

We all had lunch together at the hotel and stitched the afternoon away. For dinner, Marguerite and I ventured to downtown Madison. Michelle had recommended The Essen Haus for dinner, so that's where we went. Yes, I know, I can get good German food anytime, but Marguerite hadn't had any German food in years, so we needed to get her some. I must admit, I was a bit put off at the waitresses wearing gray T-shirts with their Dinrdls instead of the traditional white blouses, but the menu seemed good. The food was very authentic and tasty. We were too early for the show, but that's okay, I hear German music very often. After dinner, we went back to the hotel and stitched and stitched.


Saturday morning we were up bright and early for breakfast and then back to the stitching room. We learned some hem stitches and continued to work on our friendship books. After another lunch at the hotel, we stitched for awhile longer. Before heading home, we posed for a class picture. Catherine Jordan, the instructor, is the one holding the Great Lakes map. If you are looking for me, I am second from the right in the very top row.

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Stitcher's Crossing, Madison WI

On a recent trip to Madison Wisconsin, it was necessary to check out the local needlwork shops.

Michelle had recommended two shops to visit. She said one was a really good shop and one was just okay. Marguerite and I stopped at the one that was "just okay" first.



Stitcher's Crossing was really a very nice shop, with lots of quilting fabric, some yarns and a small section of cross stitch charts.

There were some models up on the wall, and I found it to be a very welcoming shop.
Although the cross stitch section was small, I found lots of the newest releases.







I even found a fat quarter to finish a pin keep! I had been looking for the right fabric for quite awhile, and I found the perfect piece of fabric!

All in all, I would say it was well worth stopping at Stitcher's Crossing!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

August Progress, September Goals

August Progress
Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
10 hours on Logan’s stocking no
November cup ‘o Tea no
10th day of Texas Christmas ornament yes
August Handblessings project yes
September Handblessing project yes
afghan square #11 no
Mystery sampler part 8 no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris yes
August Little Hearts SAL yes
part 5 EMS Rose Sampler yes
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches no
EMS monthly flowers SAL no
start on second LHN monthly ornament yes, finished it!
start on one Bent Creek photobooth no
Stitcher's bell pull part 5 yes
Antique Map needle book yes, made good progress
Be Merry # 7 yes, finished it
Be Merry # 8 yes, started it

September Goals
Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking
November cup ‘o Tea
11th day of Texas Christmas ornament
October Handblessings project
November Handblessing project
afghan square #11
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
September Little Hearts SAL
part 6 EMS Rose Sampler
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches
EMS monthly flowers SAL
start on Third LHN monthly ornament
start on one Bent Creek photobooth
Stitcher's bell pull part 6
Antique Map Needle Book
Be Merry # 8