I'm back home from teaching at Creative Stitches and Gifts in Dallas, TX. What a grand time I had!
My flight from Memphis to Dallas was smooth and uneventful. The thunderstorms rolled through before my departure and were never a factor.
Valerie picked me up from the airport and brought me to the shop which was open on Thursday evenings. I met a nice group of ladies; each stitching on various projects.
Let me tell you about Creative Stitches and Gifts. It is a very large store. I don't know the exact square footage, but I can say so far (in my teaching travels) it wins the trophy for being the largest shop. Many threads, accessories, beads, canvases, etc. Truly a stitcher's/teacher's dream destination.
I was intrigued with their canvas taping machine and had to take a photo for everyone to see. Slide the canvas edge along a guide and the tape is applied evenly on both sides. Very cool.
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| neat taping machine at Creative Stitches and Gifts Dallas, TX |
I was spoiled with my hotel accommodations... and my nice welcome gifts.
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| ♫ |
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| love this sink |
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| all of this for me? |
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| Very tasty! |
Friday, Saturday and Sunday were class days. The class room was self-contained with comfortable chairs and roomy tables. We were in our own little world of creative energy. The guides and thread kits were ready and everyone dived in. Stitches were developed and questions were answered. Techniques were explained. What a wonderful event.
Here are some photos from my time at Creative Stitches and Gifts and the talented stitchers who made all this possible.
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| stitched by Jan Goss |
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| stitched by Nancy Shovlin |
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| stitched by Alice Hildreth |
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| stitched by Karen Blumenthal |
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| stitched by Patricia Sone |
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| stitched by Pat Wingate |
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| stitched by Nancy Parvin |
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| stitched by Mary Woods |
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| stitched by Joan Hall |
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| stitched by Christa Collins |
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| stitched by Mary Waldsmith |
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| stitched by Margaret Payne |
Needless to say, what a nice collection of canvases, and yes, each of these stitch guides are now available. Just send me an email for inquiries... (creativecats@comcast.net).
The lunches were collaborations from Valerie and some of the local attendees. Home cooking is such a nice treat. Alice Hildreth made a delicious Cold Chicken Cabbage Salad. She gave me permission to share her recipe with you. I can't wait to make it.
Cold Chicken Cabbage Salad
Main Ingredients:
3 to 4 Cooked Chicken Breasts
2 TBSP Sesame Seeds
1/2 Head Cabbage Shredded
1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds
3 to 4 Green Onions
1 Package Chicken Top Ramen Noodles (Cooked)
Cut chicken into small pieces. Cook almonds on a cookie sheet in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until the almonds are lightly browned (toasted). Mix with chicken and other main ingredients then add the sauce and chill.
Sauce Ingredients:
3 TBSP Rice Vinegar
1/4 Cup Sesame Oil
1/4 Cup Salad Oil (I used Canola)
1 TSP Salt
2 TBSP Sugar
Seasoning pack from the Top Ramen
Well, that's about it for now. I am home and in front of the computer. Working on the next group of stitch guides for Peacock Alley Needlepoint (August 1 & 2) in Ada, MI.
Happy Father's Day to everyone. I miss my dad. He was a very talented man... gone from this earth way too soon.
Hugs, Robin
