What's Been Rocking My Little World

Well that would be the fabulous retreat I went on for three whole days. Three whole days of nothing of a domestic nature, no small humans to organise and just ladies, chatter and stitching. That is sure to be what rocks my little world. Just being free to unleash the creative being inside was a major highlight of the retreat. Not to mention spending time with ladies who are as passionate as I am about all things made with a needle and thread.

Thank you Mum for looking after my babies so well while I was gone. AND an even bigger thank you for helping to create this little beauty  for one happy little girl while I was otherwise engaged. Grandma and Grandaughter time wisely spent ~

~ How adorable is that ~

I met so many nice ladies at the retreat and Sue Spargo is so awe inspiringly talented. She brought along a trunk show of most of her work. It was just fabulous to see all the quilts for real and the dimension is just amazing. The appliqued elements just pop out from the quilting and it was such fun to be able to get hands on with them. Wool is such a neat medium to work with. Anyway I will let the photos do the talking while I come down off cloud nine ~

~ Day #1 and heads down ~ no time to stop and

admire that gorgeous view of Long Bay Beach

from Vaughan Park ~

~ That's Sue passing on her knowledge with a

pile of her finished work in front ~

~ Just look at ~

~ the state ~

~ of that ~

~ room !!! ~ Stash everywhere ~

~ Sue encouraged us to do random
cutting of paper leaves and flowers and place
them on the piece ~
~ no drawing with a pencil first ~
~ it was really rather liberating ~

~ Just look at the result but then folk art is
fabulous for imprecision and the
odd bit of quirkiness ~

 ~ First the paper shapes, then the wool
applique and a teeny 1/4 inch hexie
flower for good measure ~

~ Then for the really fun part ~ the
embellishing with all those gorgeous
threads and mega dimensional
stitches ~

I'm on my way with this project ~ acres of stitching to go but this project's a keeper so I will continue to wile away many, many, many hours making this my own ~ What's not to like!!!! A fun hobby and a satisfying result ~ gotta love it ~ thanks for coming to NZ Sue ~

~ May Your Days Be Filled With Salubrious Stitching ~

Hi Ho Hi Ho ~ it's off to retreat I go ~

Can't wait ~ some me time ~ three day's to spend doing what I love the most ~ creating with a needle and thread ~ My Mum has kindly offered to come take care of my babies while I go off stitching for a few days with the amazingly talented Sue Spargo ~ the excitement is brewing ~ the pile of things to take is growing and soon the car will be overflowing ~

Lucky I have a decent sized luggage capacity in my car and this is only the crafty stuff!!! ~ you have to take absolutely all your Sue Spargo type stash when you are relying on your imagination and the project embellishment is not predefined ~

~ And this is only the stash ~ no personal items in this pile ~

~ Indigo Vases ~ Homework Done ~

~ The background is all prepped ~ now to fill those vases ~

It'll look a little different in a few days ~ Woo Hoo

~ May Your Days Be Filled With Salubrious Stitching ~