Hi Everybody... Robin here.
It dawned on me I never did tell you about my wonderful time teaching at the Pocket Full of Stitches Retreat in September. Well, so sorry! Let's talk about it now.
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| Traveling from Memphis to Lubbock |
When last we spoke I was getting ready to fly from Memphis to Lubbock, TX; a very surprising distance indeed! It took the same length of time to go from Memphis to Dallas as it did to go from Dallas to Lubbock. Yes, Texas is a big state!
From the airport, we checked into the hotel (a very nice hotel!), and then went to Pocket Full of Stitches. What a store. Megan Lewis is the owner. She has a very dedicated network of employees lovingly called the Pockettes. Canvases, threads, accessories, Texas stuff, books, DVDs... they really have it all. PFOS (pronounced P-FOS) was one of the first needlepoint shops to have an online internet business. They were ground-breaking then, and are still going strong today!
The place was buzzing with their "regular" Thursday stitching group. Nice ladies and wonderful stitchers. They made me feel very welcome. Soon, the Retreat people started to arrive. It was fun meeting everyone... putting names and faces to the canvases.
So, now I can mention the Retreat details. There were 20 different women attending, each with their own selected canvas. I wrote their 20 stitch guides and pulled their threads. The common theme was Halloween/Autumn/Fall/Harvest. What a delicious group of canvases. I had so much fun!
Friday morning was the first day of the Retreat. The event started with the "Parade of Canvases." The Pockettes delivered the Large PFOS Tote bag, canvas, guide, threads, a souvenir Magnet, souvenir Snap Tray, Small PFOS Project Bag with needles, and a PFOS notebook to each lady. It was like Christmas morning.
Soon everyone settled in, and I went to each person, described the stitch guide vision, and answered questions. Let the stitching begin!
Friday evening we were treated to the most tasty meal I have had in a long time: Smokey BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, and Peach Cobbler. OMG. Bone cleaning good!
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| Smokey good. |
We had a special visitor that night: Rhea Irish, the former owner of PFOS. As it turned out September was a milestone for Pocket Full of Stitches: it was their 30th birthday of being in business. Congratulations to them, indeed.
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| Megan and Rhea |
Saturday was another delightful day: questions were answered, demonstrations were given, and more fun was had getting to know each stitcher. This event was truly a special sisterhood.
As the canvases were stitched my visions came to life. Very exciting.
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| Thanksgiving Basket • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1700 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Harvest Scarecrow • Ruth Schmuff Designs • RS 9050 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Bella and Stella • Mile High Princess • MH2674 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Autumn Banner • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD MLT 284 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Pumpkin • Cheryl • CH41 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Halloween Patchwork • Kelly Clark • KCA 013-18 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Who Said That? • Cooper Oaks • WK2050 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Neighbors • Ewe & Eye • EWE 88 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Thomas the Scarecrow • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD DM51-D Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| FALL • Raymond Crawford • HO-363 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Autumn Blossoms • Labors of Love • LL532 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Sheep with Pumpkins • Ewe & Eye • EWE 360 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Fall Heart • Pat Thode • HS 2115 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| The Witch in In! • Raymond Crawford • HW 76 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Haunted House • Ewe & Eye • EWE 295 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Halloween Night • Ruth Schmuff Designs • RS8174 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Patchwork Turkey • CBK • ESG-PL04 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Halloween Patchwork • Kelly Clark • KCA 013-18 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Halloween Village • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1627-C Stitch guide available from Robin King |
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| Autumn Floral • Amanda Lawford • AL 22060 Stitch guide available from Robin King |
Saturday evening we were on our own for dinner, and then everyone regrouped for a stitch-in at the Hotel. Even I did some stitching! Thanks to Pat T. She let me borrow her ornament, and I stitched the light plum area doing the T Stitch with the Kreinik size 8 Braid. It was just what I needed.
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| Be Merry Xmas Star • Kirk & Bradley • KH384 |
Sunday was our last day. Last minute questions were asked: "show me again"... "is this what you meant?"... "when are you coming back?"..."what's your email?" Friendships were bonded. My soul was fulfilled. It was a very fun experience teaching at PFOS. Thank you, Megan! See you in 2015.
Until the next time... Hugs, Robin
P.S. Each of my stitch guides are available. If you are interested, just let me know. Email: creativecats@comcast.net.
TWENTY guides to write and then teach....?
ReplyDeleteJane faints
I loved looking at all the canvases that you wrote those stitch guides for. WOW! I wanted about 5 of them. I don't think I have ever purchased a Halloween canvas... except for the one, "Stella and Bella" that I bought for Lilly ( never finished.) I will tell her that there is a stitch guide. She may finish it in her twilight years because as a 16 year old, she is very busy. I enjoyed window shopping on your blog. Hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteMarlene, you should finish it for Lilly and give it to her as a gift.
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