Thursday, April 8, 2010

Needfuls

We picked the warmest Spring weekend on record when we went on our shopping excursion to Syracuse, NY over the Easter weekend.  On Friday afternoon the temperatures skyrocketed to 87F… the day I picked to visit my very first ever needlework shop.  Yikes!

tapemeasure

A Stitcher’s Garden is located in Fayetteville, NY, a suburb of Syracuse.  The shop is located in the Canal Barn across the street from part of the old Erie Canal.  While I was inside doing major damage at the cash register, Mr. PQ took Mac, our Westie, for a  long walk on the scenic footpaths that line the canal.

*Insert…my apologies for having forgotten my camera at home, hence no photos. 

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When I walked into the shop, I think I was overwhelmed in the same way as when I experienced my first “real” quilt shop.  I didn’t know where to look first.  I had made a list of some of the things I wanted before I left home but of course the list went by the wayside as soon as I stepped over the threshold.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

First, I started with the gazillions of stitching patterns.  I samplers and  thought that I had stumbled upon sampler heaven.  After getting a taste of some of the Adam and Eve themed samplers on some of my favorite stitching blogs, I decided that I too must have one.  My only problem is that one is a word that doesn’t seem to exist in my vocabulary.  *sigh*

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This was the first one I found.  Since I was already there, I of course had to purchase the linen and silk threads with which to complete the project.

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The second “must-have” was  of Eve by herself.  Adam must have been elsewhere ‘sampling’ apples.  The gal offered to kit this one for me as well.  How could I refuse?

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The third and final chart was a primitive style sampler that I kept returning to so I guess it wanted to come home with me.  You now know the drill.

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I now have lots of choices to keep both my hands and mind busy. 

My BBD needle case was stitched using Crescent Colors floss which I absolutely loved.  I decided that for my next project, I’d like to try silk.  Just the feel of the silk was absolutely divine and I can’t wait to start my next project.  After experiencing the ease and beauty of stitching with the CC floss, I think it’s going to be difficult for me to use DMC again.  I’m wondering what will happen after stitching with silk?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

While the gal was kitting the three projects for me, I of course had the opportunity to browse.  Oh my…big mistake!

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My scissor addiction hadn’t received a “fix” in a while so I definitely needed some new ones.  Besides, I didn’t have a black pair.

Then there was a cute silver magnetic needle minder…

And a strawberry mother-of-pearl thread keeper…

And some scissor tip protectors…

And some #26 John James stitching needles…all carried home in a plastic zippered project envelope.

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Apart from some mini quilts that I’m really looking forward to and my on-going FFF designs, I think I’m going to be content with working on smaller, hand-held projects for the next little while.  At the present time, I feel ‘quilted out’.

Have you ever felt that way?  I absolutely all the quilts I’ve made over the past couple of years but the desire to dive into another one right now just isn’t happening.  I have enough fabric to last a lifetime but does that mean I won’t purchase any more?  I doubt it.  Will I ever make another full sized quilt?  Positively…but not in the immediate future.

tapemeasure

Do you know what showed up in my mail box the other day?  A flyer listing all the summer courses being offered at a local community college.

And do you know what one of the week long courses is? 

Rug hooking! 

I’ll leave you guessing…*wink*

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

36 comments:

Monica said...

Wow...you made quite a haul! I love the Eve. I'm a little jealous lol.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oh wow~ what a fun shopping trip! rug hooking hmmm? I'm guessing we'll soon be seeing a beautiful rug in the works! LOL Happy stitchin'!

Janet said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Spring day and what finds!. Love the new header.

Linda said...

All I can say is.......you would be so much fun to go shopping with!
I like the way you rationalize what supplies are needed.
Happy stitching!
Linda/simplycountryseasons

Abby and Stephanie said...

So many wonderful crafts to learn! And the weather...we hit record highs and now it's rainy and 50*. Abby is upset she can't snooze in the sunshine on the deck.

Darlene said...

Oh my goodness, I would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall (or an Angel on your shoulder) watch you flit from pretty to pretty.

Yes, I do understand being 'quilted out' and recently have been asking myself why I continue to make quilt. Sigh (actually HUGE sigh)

Marie said...

I love machine embroidery and everything I need to do it, but since Christmas I am "not into it right now." So I really do understand. Love the purchases.

Annette said...

There are so many awesome ways to express our creativity. I think its great that we can trade around. Your purchases are beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing the finishes.

Cathi said...

Walking into that shop must have been an amazing experience. I have been consciously avoiding going to a needlework shop like that -- as I have a feeling I'd be like a kid let loose in a candy store!! LOL Much easier to be restrained when shopping online.

Heckety said...

I love primitive samplers too, In fact I was delighted one day to find a book about early samplers in the second hand bookshop- well its not in the bookshop any more! You had fun for sure!

Karen said...

I will be anxious to find out how you like working with the silk threads. You got quite a fix at the needlework shop. The shop sounds so much better than anything we have around here. Most of my shopping for the cross stitch has to be done online.

Winona said...

Kaaren, good for you in trying something new. I have never used any floss except DMC floss. Is the Crescent Color floss easier to embroider with? Hmm, may have to try it. I've never used silk either. Ohoh, you might be an instigator here. LOL Enjoy yourself! Winona

julieQ said...

Yes, very necessary...love your new goodies!

Heidi said...

I try to stay out of stitching shops when possible. But then you are allowed since you are a new stitcher and NEEEEEDDDD to build up your stash. I love seeing what you picked out. Now as far as DMC over overdyed or silks...all are wonderful so just enjoy! And yes, you did need a pair of black scissors. I have a few and love them. Rug hooking? Classes? Sounds like fun to me!

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh I'd have jumped in on the rug hooking course as well but haven't enough wool. (bet you do!)
Quilted out you ask...every now and then I get a wild hair and wonder what the heck I've got all this stuff for....but reality snaps me back real quick....I've got that longarm you know!

Pat said...

Love your goodies Kaaren. Sounds to me like a road trip in my near future.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I know what you mean by the Needleshop experience--I went to a quilt shop in the top of a barn there in Schy once--but right inside the door downstairs was a delightful needle work shop--needless to say it keep "shouting" at me to come back down--so I did and I had a lovely time shopping there!!! would love to go back--but haven't made it yet!!! I always have several different kinds of projects going at all times--there is my knitting the baby hats for the hospital--but then I always have a couple embroidery projects, some applique projects--hand quilting--etc so that way I do not get tired of just quilting!!! the one thing I have not done in awhile is counted cross stitch--hummmm!!!
Have fun with the new treasures and be sure to share with us as you go along!!! Hugs, Di

Linda said...

Kaaren what a wonderful day you had. Now rug hooking thats my downfall,I have collected so much wool. It's like quilting, you see the beautiful material and just have to have it. But it sits on the shelf. I must have more than I will ever need in my lifetime. Can't wait to see the pattern you choose.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I can't wait to see those samplers all done up!! That was the perfect shop for you right now. But I have to say, I am TOTALLY jealous about the course! Now I know I could easily sit alone at home and learn by myself, or drive 40 miles at night to a town far away and join a group that meets there if I wanted to hook THAT bad - but boy oh boy, a course at the local college? Sounds perfect!! ENJOY ENJOY!!

Janet said...

What fun shopping for those goodies. I love the mother of pearl strawberry but did you only get one? I've been through the embroidery addiction so know what you are talking about.

WoolenSails said...

Browsing can be dangerous, lol.
Nice patterns, those will be fun to do up.
I love doing biblical patterns too and working on a design that I can do in cross stitch.

Debbie

Allie said...

Wow - you sure found treasure!!!!!!! I love it all but I'm glad it went home with you and not me - I do NOT want to learn something else, lol! And now rug-hooking, oh my - I recently tried punch-needle, which reminds me of rug hooking but on a MUCH smaller scale, and I LOVE it!

Susannah said...

You go, girl. You can do anything thing you set your mind to! You have already proven that. Everything you touch shows just how creative you are. Your work is so beautiful. Glad you enjoyed your trip to Syracuse.

Friends,
Susannah

Lori said...

Have fun stitching! It looks like some wonderful finds.

Deb said...

I think that you should jump all over the rug hooking class. It's so much fun!!! And wow at all your stash - you picked out some great projects that should keep you busy and happy for a while! And you definitely can't have enough scissors!!!

I do understand about being all quilted out. I get that way with cross stitch and then I go and quilt! :o)

Brenda said...

Do it! Take the class. You'll love it. RH can be a total snore but it is so much fun when you work on it with other people. I took a class and loved it, then I brought it home and it died...it just wasn't as much fun doing it alone. A weeklong class would be perfect. you can start and finish it in class and take RH off the bucket list, woo-hoo! Punchneedle is on my bucket list. I need a class or two to just get it out of my system, LOL!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Kaaren, that's why I'm running out of room in my house. I like all crafts and have to switch to be more creative. LOL
That's what I tell my husband.
Love all your goodies and what a fun day. Your needle case turned out gorgeous. Another thought, in the summer you need to work on something lighter because of the heat...

Miriam said...

Lovely purchases Kaaren! I was like you when I first walked into a quilting fabric shop. You will looove stitching with silk!!!

Joanne said...

What a fun posting ! I lived in Fayetteville,NY for ages. Grew up in Syracuse. There used to be an incredible wool shop near the barn and a quilt shop to die for. I made a lot of my own clothes and could buy Pendleton wools at that shop !!! Those wools and plaids were to die for!

By the way, did you or did you not get the stone house?

Joanne said...

What a fun posting ! I lived in Fayetteville,NY for ages. Grew up in Syracuse. There used to be an incredible wool shop near the barn and a quilt shop to die for. I made a lot of my own clothes and could buy Pendleton wools at that shop !!! Those wools and plaids were gorgeous!

By the way, did you or did you not get the stone house?

Siobhán said...

Good for you, Kaaren! I have heard good things abou that LNS, I'm glad that you enjoyed yourself. I admire your taste in stitching, too, since you've picked out things that I have in my stash and am anxious to do! ;) It sounds like you had a great time, and I'm glad that the shop owner was so helpful.

Rug hooking... I *so* want to learn. I know the quilting bug will bite again, just enjoy the creative process and see where it leads you--you'll get back to quilting soon, I know!

John'aLee said...

Love your blog!

Kim said...

I'm just an inch away from falling into the hooking vortex.....my friends just love it and well now I am collecting wool for applique.
I keep fighting it because I have so much going on now!
Love all your wonderful finds......there is nothing more soothing than stitching by hand.....embroidery, quilting.....hooking...No No No I did not say hooking!!

Happy Sewing

Carrie P. said...

Oh, boy looks like you had fun shopping. Oh, please share everything about the rug hooking if you go. I have been collecting the items to start but will have to wait until after the wedding.

strawberrycream39 said...

You were in the 'Cuse! That's where I am! :-) You know I've never been to that store...I didn't know it was there! Off to Fayetteville I go! I hope you had fun here...did you go to Carousel Center?

Candace said...

Oh Kaaren...sign me up for the rug hooking course, too! What fun you had at the stitchery shop! I can't wait to hear your report on the silk thread - I've been eyeing it for a while!
Cheers!