I decided it was time to get back to the blog...not really feeling up to snuff so I'm not changing references made here. The heat has gotten to me and is dragging me down. However, I do have a new attitude thanks to Merry Cole who attended Spring Retreat and brought me this picture....looks just like me don't you think? And since I don't seem to have the willpower to lose it....I am going to decorate it. Thanks Merry...it gives me a smile everytime I look at it. Today I went home early (unheard of once summer is here), I simply couldn't make the day. So I apologize for not blogging and thank yo
u for all your concern. You will see that this was written after the retreats so the info is dated, but I'm posting it anyway. Our first retreat, Spring Retreat went off without too many problems. The sun shone, it was a little humid, hot and we were fortunate that at times there was a slight breeze....until Sunday when I finally decided I was tired of being so hot and humid so I dressed for summer, only to find once I stepped out my door that it was winter. But I figured it would get warmer as the day went on so I went with the summer clothes. Hence...I had a horrible cold by the next day so I spent 2 days laying and sleeping on the sofa...I never picked up a needle so you know I wasn't well. Anyway, I rallied for the Delaware Guild Retreat and although I'm hacking up hair balls, I was in the mix all weekend and had a ball. O.K., back to Spring Retreat.....the numbers were large..we had around 65 stitchers in attendance. And regardless of the packed lobby, everyone was wonderful, got along and things went well. The stitchers started arriving on Wednesday when Sherry Prutzman and Debbie Liming appeared. Once the first stitcher arrives we are in retreat mode. I just love to see what everyone is working on, etc., Thursday brought several more stitchers and led to our annual Survivor Night in the lobby. Nothing is more fun than sitting with other Survivor fanatics like Pat Standish and Judy Welch and Joan Florance who I'm not too sure was into Survivor but came along for the ride, and commenting on what we're seeing. Everyone knows the lobby revolves around the Survivor show so everyone who isn't watching knows they can't talk during the show....at least no one but those of us commenting on the show. Somehow the rules never apply to me...my house...my rules. It's was a great night as things went our way and the right person got voted off. And since last night (wow..how long ago was that written) was the finale....at least Russell didn't win. I was astounded he won the $100,000 from the fans of the show though...what the heck was that about? Anyway, Survivor is over for another season....now what am I going to do with Thursday night? Oh, yeah, I'll be working in the shop at nights soon....guess I don't need Survivor I'll be trying to survive the summer. Sara was busy through it all cooking and preparing for the reception on Friday. Friday brought the rest of the stitchers and I can't thank everyone for showing up. And the patience of everyone. We started the Lasagne dinner on Friday night to ease the appetite of the early arrivals so they could survive until the reception Friday night. In the beginning we had many stitchers who couldn't come until they were done working on Friday and arrived just in time for the reception, however I think we now have everyone here in time for the dinner so I'm not sure we really need the dinner anymore, but it's part of the tradition now...so party on! But as anyone who has attended the dinner and reception know...there certainly aren't enough places to sit, but the stitchers remain orderly and friendly...no cranks on our list and I thank everyone for that. They either find a seat wherever, porch, their own apartment, etc., and you don't hear any complaints...for which we are grateful. It just shows what wonderful stitchers we have. I really miss the activities because I stay in the shop the entire time....holding court, discussing new charts, kits, etc., and looking at show and tell. Shiela and Trudy brought several pieces for me to look at. Shiela's biscornu collection is spectacular. The queen of the collection was Just Nan's 15 sided biscornu....it's inspired me to tackle that one. Hopefully I can get it together as easily as Shiela tells me she stitched it together. Shiela and Trudy brought us all kinds of goodies. The black and white cookies...well really they are little cakes with lots of frosting (yummo), I don't care what anyone says. Anyway, they are delicious. We were all eating them in private, but you knew someone was getting into them because there was always one with bites out of it sitting in the container. (of course many came from me...) Thankfully Sara and Vernon went on Weight Watchers so Mary, Brian and I got the majority of them. But food wasn't the only gift, on Saturday Shiela brought each of us a Clip It bag from Springfest. These are the hottest things going as several of the stitchers went down to Springfest and came back wearing these. They are little "pouches" which you can slip on your belt, or on your pocket and they can hold your money, cell phone, etc. so your hands are free. It's small so it's not like the "fanny packs" so cell phone, credit card and money are about all it will hold, but when you are walking the boardwalk how much do you really need. Stacy Stinson loved hers and still was wearing it when the Delaware Guild had their retreat. Sara thought they were such a good idea she's got them coming into the Bikini Shop to sell them. And if that wasn't enough, Shiela and Trudy also gave me a gift card to one of my all time favorite restaurants..."Sunset Grille". And not only did they bring us snappy grillers they also brought us the buns. Obviously Shiela and Trudy feel I need to pack on some pounds...so ladies I think of you with each pound I add. Needless to say I was having a great weekend. 
Dot and Mary came over to sit with me in the shop Saturday night with what I thought was show and tell. It was a scissor block with banding around it and something else. When I put the scissor block on the counter to look at the other item I noticed the banding had my name stitched on it. I couldn't believe my luck. Dot Freitag had stitched the banding on the scissor block and made me the Cat's Whisker's "Scissor by Any Other Name," in my favorite color, blue. Oh, my I couldn't believe my luck. Now I do have to add, that Dot was making it for Mary Porter who told her how it was my favorite color and she wouldn't mind if Dot gave it to me, so I not only have to thank Dot but Mary. I love it. I also have now loaded it with scissors. The weekend was filled with friends, stitching and a lot of that got done, 
plus food. As usual Kay Owens brought her famous sourdough bread which we are still enjoying, and Kay Fletcher brought her cookies filled with I think 10 different kinds of chocolate. Ummmm goood! Sara and I want to thank all the stitchers for their participation...you make it a fun weekend. Also to my Candi-girl who came in and cut fabric for 2 days with a smile on her face. I couldn't have lasted the weekend without her so Candi...thanks a million. She really was a God send to me....I don't think I cut one piece. Good times! And then we didn't get to take a breath when we had to gear up for the Delware Sampler Guild which was arriving the next weekend. While the group isn't as large as the the group tha
t attends the Spring Retreat, these 17 or 18 ladies plus Kathy's husband (along for support) filled the lobby with laughter and beautiful stitching the entire weekend. They graciously allow Sara and I to join them (this isn't our event, we just host the group) each night so we can stitch with them, but more importantly see what they are stitching. I love stitching, no matter what it is...but I have to say their pieces are extraordinary. Especially Theresa Baird's original pieces. It is worth the money to join this guild just to get Theresa's original designs. But you won't have to join soon, because we've about convinced her to publish them....
oh, wait until you see. They are spectacular. And they brought both Sara and myself gifts...one of which you see here. I love these rolls. I call them lipstick cases, although this is so large that the name doesn't fit this, but it's shaped like a lipstick case. And they used the Blackbird fabric...oh, my what a joy to get one of these. I can't believe they included us...and as you can see...it's my favorite color. Sara also got her favorite color...red. Sara and I have already filled ours with stitching tools, scissors, needles, etc. I love this guild. So another big Thanks to the Delaware Valley Sampler Guild. Now, I have started stitching again, and it's on the Siren's of the Sea. I'm actually almost finished but this is where I was when I wrote the original post. 
Now that I'm feeling a bit better, I'm going to try to get back up to date. Anyway, I'm still loving this piece...almost hate to see it end, but already have my sights on another piece, and of course, my Shores of Hawk Run is still sitting there staring at me. In any event....thanks for stopping by, I'll keep you posted more frequently and you know once I'm in the shop I'll be posting daily as I bitch and complain about things. Have a great day.
u for all your concern. You will see that this was written after the retreats so the info is dated, but I'm posting it anyway. Our first retreat, Spring Retreat went off without too many problems. The sun shone, it was a little humid, hot and we were fortunate that at times there was a slight breeze....until Sunday when I finally decided I was tired of being so hot and humid so I dressed for summer, only to find once I stepped out my door that it was winter. But I figured it would get warmer as the day went on so I went with the summer clothes. Hence...I had a horrible cold by the next day so I spent 2 days laying and sleeping on the sofa...I never picked up a needle so you know I wasn't well. Anyway, I rallied for the Delaware Guild Retreat and although I'm hacking up hair balls, I was in the mix all weekend and had a ball. O.K., back to Spring Retreat.....the numbers were large..we had around 65 stitchers in attendance. And regardless of the packed lobby, everyone was wonderful, got along and things went well. The stitchers started arriving on Wednesday when Sherry Prutzman and Debbie Liming appeared. Once the first stitcher arrives we are in retreat mode. I just love to see what everyone is working on, etc., Thursday brought several more stitchers and led to our annual Survivor Night in the lobby. Nothing is more fun than sitting with other Survivor fanatics like Pat Standish and Judy Welch and Joan Florance who I'm not too sure was into Survivor but came along for the ride, and commenting on what we're seeing. Everyone knows the lobby revolves around the Survivor show so everyone who isn't watching knows they can't talk during the show....at least no one but those of us commenting on the show. Somehow the rules never apply to me...my house...my rules. It's was a great night as things went our way and the right person got voted off. And since last night (wow..how long ago was that written) was the finale....at least Russell didn't win. I was astounded he won the $100,000 from the fans of the show though...what the heck was that about? Anyway, Survivor is over for another season....now what am I going to do with Thursday night? Oh, yeah, I'll be working in the shop at nights soon....guess I don't need Survivor I'll be trying to survive the summer. Sara was busy through it all cooking and preparing for the reception on Friday. Friday brought the rest of the stitchers and I can't thank everyone for showing up. And the patience of everyone. We started the Lasagne dinner on Friday night to ease the appetite of the early arrivals so they could survive until the reception Friday night. In the beginning we had many stitchers who couldn't come until they were done working on Friday and arrived just in time for the reception, however I think we now have everyone here in time for the dinner so I'm not sure we really need the dinner anymore, but it's part of the tradition now...so party on! But as anyone who has attended the dinner and reception know...there certainly aren't enough places to sit, but the stitchers remain orderly and friendly...no cranks on our list and I thank everyone for that. They either find a seat wherever, porch, their own apartment, etc., and you don't hear any complaints...for which we are grateful. It just shows what wonderful stitchers we have. I really miss the activities because I stay in the shop the entire time....holding court, discussing new charts, kits, etc., and looking at show and tell. Shiela and Trudy brought several pieces for me to look at. Shiela's biscornu collection is spectacular. The queen of the collection was Just Nan's 15 sided biscornu....it's inspired me to tackle that one. Hopefully I can get it together as easily as Shiela tells me she stitched it together. Shiela and Trudy brought us all kinds of goodies. The black and white cookies...well really they are little cakes with lots of frosting (yummo), I don't care what anyone says. Anyway, they are delicious. We were all eating them in private, but you knew someone was getting into them because there was always one with bites out of it sitting in the container. (of course many came from me...) Thankfully Sara and Vernon went on Weight Watchers so Mary, Brian and I got the majority of them. But food wasn't the only gift, on Saturday Shiela brought each of us a Clip It bag from Springfest. These are the hottest things going as several of the stitchers went down to Springfest and came back wearing these. They are little "pouches" which you can slip on your belt, or on your pocket and they can hold your money, cell phone, etc. so your hands are free. It's small so it's not like the "fanny packs" so cell phone, credit card and money are about all it will hold, but when you are walking the boardwalk how much do you really need. Stacy Stinson loved hers and still was wearing it when the Delaware Guild had their retreat. Sara thought they were such a good idea she's got them coming into the Bikini Shop to sell them. And if that wasn't enough, Shiela and Trudy also gave me a gift card to one of my all time favorite restaurants..."Sunset Grille". And not only did they bring us snappy grillers they also brought us the buns. Obviously Shiela and Trudy feel I need to pack on some pounds...so ladies I think of you with each pound I add. Needless to say I was having a great weekend. 
Dot and Mary came over to sit with me in the shop Saturday night with what I thought was show and tell. It was a scissor block with banding around it and something else. When I put the scissor block on the counter to look at the other item I noticed the banding had my name stitched on it. I couldn't believe my luck. Dot Freitag had stitched the banding on the scissor block and made me the Cat's Whisker's "Scissor by Any Other Name," in my favorite color, blue. Oh, my I couldn't believe my luck. Now I do have to add, that Dot was making it for Mary Porter who told her how it was my favorite color and she wouldn't mind if Dot gave it to me, so I not only have to thank Dot but Mary. I love it. I also have now loaded it with scissors. The weekend was filled with friends, stitching and a lot of that got done, 
plus food. As usual Kay Owens brought her famous sourdough bread which we are still enjoying, and Kay Fletcher brought her cookies filled with I think 10 different kinds of chocolate. Ummmm goood! Sara and I want to thank all the stitchers for their participation...you make it a fun weekend. Also to my Candi-girl who came in and cut fabric for 2 days with a smile on her face. I couldn't have lasted the weekend without her so Candi...thanks a million. She really was a God send to me....I don't think I cut one piece. Good times! And then we didn't get to take a breath when we had to gear up for the Delware Sampler Guild which was arriving the next weekend. While the group isn't as large as the the group tha
t attends the Spring Retreat, these 17 or 18 ladies plus Kathy's husband (along for support) filled the lobby with laughter and beautiful stitching the entire weekend. They graciously allow Sara and I to join them (this isn't our event, we just host the group) each night so we can stitch with them, but more importantly see what they are stitching. I love stitching, no matter what it is...but I have to say their pieces are extraordinary. Especially Theresa Baird's original pieces. It is worth the money to join this guild just to get Theresa's original designs. But you won't have to join soon, because we've about convinced her to publish them....
oh, wait until you see. They are spectacular. And they brought both Sara and myself gifts...one of which you see here. I love these rolls. I call them lipstick cases, although this is so large that the name doesn't fit this, but it's shaped like a lipstick case. And they used the Blackbird fabric...oh, my what a joy to get one of these. I can't believe they included us...and as you can see...it's my favorite color. Sara also got her favorite color...red. Sara and I have already filled ours with stitching tools, scissors, needles, etc. I love this guild. So another big Thanks to the Delaware Valley Sampler Guild. Now, I have started stitching again, and it's on the Siren's of the Sea. I'm actually almost finished but this is where I was when I wrote the original post. 
Now that I'm feeling a bit better, I'm going to try to get back up to date. Anyway, I'm still loving this piece...almost hate to see it end, but already have my sights on another piece, and of course, my Shores of Hawk Run is still sitting there staring at me. In any event....thanks for stopping by, I'll keep you posted more frequently and you know once I'm in the shop I'll be posting daily as I bitch and complain about things. Have a great day.
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